His wife, that keeps me from his marriage bed, KING. This storm is well nigh past; the swelling clouds That hang so full of treason, by the wind Of awful majesty are scattered. Then each man to his rest. friend! Good night, sweet [Aside.] Whilst thou pursu'st the traitors that are fled, Fernando means to warm thy marriage bed. [Exeunt. ELEAZ. Many good nights consume and damn your souls! I know he means to cuckold me this night, Yet do I know no means to hinder it: MARIA. Dear Eleazar! ELEAZ. If they lock the gates, I'll toss a ball of wild-fire o'er the walls. And make a breach through the flinty sides. Of the rebellious walls. MARIA. Hear me, dear heart! ELEAZ. Or undermine the chamber where they lie, And by the violent strength of gunpowder, Blow up the castle and th' incestuous couch, In which lust wallows; but my labouring thoughts, Wading too deep in bottomless extremes, Do drown themselves in their own stratagems. MARIA. Sweet husband! dwell not upon circumstance, When weeping sorrow, like an advocate, Invocating succour. ELEAZ. Succour! zounds! for what? MARIA. To shield me from Fernando's unchaste love, Who with uncessant prayers importun'd me ELEAZ. To lie with you! I know't. MARIA. Then seek some means how to prevent it. ELEAZ. 'Tis possible! For to the end that his unbridled lust Might have more free access unto thy bed, This night he hath enjoined me To fetch back Philip and the cardinal. MARIA. Then this ensuing night shall give an end To all my sorrows; for before foul lust Shall soil the fair complexion of mine honour, This hand shall rob Maria of her life. ELEAZ. Not so, dear soul! for in extremities Embrace my counsel, and receive this poison; Do poison him; [aside.] he gone, thou'rt next. [Aside.] By one, and one, I'll ship you all to hell. [Exit. MARIA. Poison the king! alas, my trembling hand Would let the poison fall; and through my cheeks Fear, suited in a bloodless livery, Would make the world acquainted with my guilt. And keep myself a true and loyal wife. [Exit. ACT THE THIRD. SCENE I. Enter QUEEN MOTHER with a torch. Q. Mo. Fair eldest child of love, thou spotless night, Empress of silence, and the queen of sleep, Who with thy black cheeks pure complexion, Mak'st lovers eyes enamour'd of thy beauty, Thou art like my Moor! therefore will I adore thee For lending me this opportunity, Oh! with the soft-skin'd negro. Heavens, keep back The saucy staring day from the world's eye, Until my Eleazar make return: Then, in his castle shall he find his wife Transform'd into a strumpet by my son: Then shall he hate her whom he would not kill; Enter at several doors, with lights and rapiers drawn, ALVERO, RODERIGO, and CHRISTOPHERO, with others. ALL. Who rais'd these exclamations through the court? Q. Mo. Sheath up your swords; you need not swords, but eyes To intercept this treason. ALV. What's the treason? Who are traitors? ring the larum bell! Cry arm through all the city! once before The horrid cry of treason did affright Q. Mo. Stay; You need not cry arm, arm; for this black deed Hath drawn the king by her lascivious looks Stood and beheld him in her lustful arms; If you disdain to kneel, wash off this blot. ROD. Let's break into the chamber, and surprise her. ALV. Oh, miserable me! do, do, break in; ALV. Hapless Alvero, how art thou undone, SCENE II. [Exeunt omnes. Enter the KING with his rapier drawn in one hand, leading MARIA, seeming affrighted, in the other. MARIA. Oh! kill me ere you stain my chastity. KING. My hand holds death, but love sits in mine eye. Exclaim not, dear Maria, do but hear me: |