Q. Mo. I thought my dear Fernando had been dead, And in my indignation murder'd her. KING. I was not dead until you murder'd me, By killing fair Maria. Q. Mo. Gentle son KING. Ungentle mother, you a deed have done Of so much ruth, that no succeeding age Can ever clear you of. Oh! my dear love! Q. Mo. Sweet, have done! KING. Have done! for what? For shedding zea lous tears Over the tomb of virtuous chastity? You cry have done, now I am doing good; But cry'd do on, when you were shedding blood. Have you done, mother? Yes, yes, you have done That which will undo your unhappy son. ROD. These words become you not, my gracious lord. KING. These words become not me! no more it did Become you lords to be mute standers by, When lustful fury ravish'd chastity: It ill becomes me to lament her death; But it became you well to stop her breath. Had she been fair, and not so virtuous, This deed had not been half so impious. ALV. But she was fair in virtue, virtuous fair. Oh, me ! KING. Oh, me! she was true honour's heir. Hence, beldams, from my presence! all fly hence; You are all murderers. Come poor innocent, Clasp thy cold hand in mine; for here I'll lie, And since I liv'd for her, for her I'll die. SCENE III. Enter ELEAZAR with a torch; his rapier drawn. ELEAZ. Bar up my castle gates! fire and confusion Shall girt these Spanish curs. Was I for this To have my wife deflower'd? Zounds! where's my wife? My slaves cry out she's dallying with the king: Q. Mo. Be patient, Eleazar; here's the king. ALV. Here is her hapless corse, that was Maria. KING. Here lies Maria's body, here her grave; Her dead heart in my breast a tomb shall have. ELEAZ. Now, by the proud complexion of my cheeks, Ta'en from the kisses of the amorous sun, Were he ten thousand kings that slew my love, Thus should my hand, plum'd with revenge's wings, Requite mine own dishonour and her death. [Stabs the King. Q. Mo. Ah, me! my son. ALL. The king is murder'd! lay hold on the damn'd traitor. ELEAZ. In his breast, That dares but dart a finger at the Moor, I'll bury this sharp steel, yet reeking warm With the unchaste blood of that letcher king, ALV. She was my daughter, and her timeless grave Did swallow down my joys as deep as yours. ELEAZ. But what? Bear injuries that can, ROD. Damn this black fiend! cry treason through the court, The king is murder'd! ELEAZ. He that first opes his lips, I'll drive his words Down his wide throat upon my rapier's point. Bend not your dangerous weapons at my breast; The gates are lock'd, portcullises let down; [Zarack and Baltazar above with calivers". On those high turret tops my slaves stand arm'd, ⚫ Caliver, a musket. And shall confound your souls with murd'ring shot: A villain, that for me will dig to hell, Shail fling your torn and mangled carcases. Q. Mo. Oh! sheath your weapons;-though my son be slain, Yet save yourselves, choose a new sovereign. ALL. Prince Philip is our sovereign, choose him king! ELEAZ. Prince Philip shall not be my sovereign. Not by my sun-burnt cheeks, nor by my birth; Which I have sacrificed in Spain's defence. Look on those gaping curs, whose wide throats Cries likewise fire and blood; I'll quench those flames. ROD. Lay by these ambages; what seeks the Moor? VOL. II. 17 ELEAZ. A kingdom, Castile's crown. ALV. Peace, devil! for shame! Q. Mo. Peace, doting lord, for shame! Oh, misery, When Indian slaves thirst after empery! Princes and peers of Spain, we are beset With horror on each side; you deny him, Oh! give me leave to blush at mine own shame; ALL. Eleazar shall be king! ALV. Oh, treachery! Have you so soon ras'd out Fernando's love? So soon, so soon, buried a mother's name, That you will crown him king, that slew your king? ELEAZ. Will you hear him or me? who shall be king? ALL. Eleazar shall be Castile's sovereign! |