K. of PORT. Be arm'd with manly weapons! 'tis for slaves To dig their own and such unworthy graves. ELEAZ. I am for thee any way: thus; or, see! thus; Yet, Spaniards, if you dare, we'll fight it out, PHIL. Let not a weapon stir but his and mine! ELEAZ. Nor on this side; conquest in blood shall shine. [Alarum: they fight, the Moor is struck down; which his soldiers seeing, rush in and rescue him; the soldiers on the other side come forward, and drive in the Moors. Alarum continuing, Spaniards and Moors, with drums and colours, fly over the stage, pursued by Philip, Cardinal, the King of Portugal, and others. Enter ZARACK, CHRISTOFERO, and ELEAZAR, at several doors. CHRISTO. Where is my lord? ZAR. Where is my sovereign? ELEAZ. What news bring Zarack and Christofero? a year, And cannot we lose one of them? come, fight! CHRISTO. The lords have left us, and the soldiers faint; You are round beset with proud fierce enemies; ELEAZ. He shall, Christofero. I have yet left Shall turn the wheel of war about once more. To stop this dangerous current; her have I sent Has she disarm'd him. Hark! they sound retreat; SCENE IV. [Exeunt. Enter CARDINAL, QUEEN MOTHER, SOLDIERS, drums and colours. Q. Mo. By all those sighs which thou, like pas sionate tunes, Hast often to my dull ears offered, By all thy hopes to enjoy my royal bed, By all those mourning lines which thou hast sent, Weeping in black, to tell thy languishment; By love's best, richest treasure, which I swear I will bestow, and which none else shall wear, By that bright fire, which, flaming through thine eyes, From thy love-scorched bosom does arise, CARD. Is there no trick in this, forg'd by the Q. Mo. I would the Moor's damnation were the ransom Of all the innocent blood that has been shed, CARD. You shall, were it to have my bosom bleed; I have no power to spare the negro's head, The laurel wreath of conquest! let it stand Away! [Exit drum.] stay you and guard us. Where's the Moor? I'll lose what I have got, a victor's prize, Yielding myself a prisoner to your eyes. Q. Mo. Mine eyes shall quickly grant you liberty. The Moor stays my return; I'll put on wings And fetch him; to make peace belongs to kings. As she goes out, enter ELEAZAR, ZARACK, BALTAZAR, and SOLDIERS well armed; at sight of each other all draw. CARD. Soldiers! call back the drum, we are betray'd! ELEAZ. Moors! stand upon your guard! avoid! look back! Q. Mo. What means this jealousy? Mendoza! Moor! Eleazar, by my birth, he comes in peace! CARD. Discharge these soldiers then. CARD. Away! ELEAZ. GO! [Soldiers stand aloof. Q. Mo. Soul, rejoice, to see this glorious day! [She joins them together, they embrace. CARD. Your virtues work this wonder. I have met At her most dear command: what's your desires? ELEAZ. Peace, and your honour'd arms: how loathingly I sounded the alarums, witness heaven! 'Twas not to strike your breast, but to let out ELEAZ. Aye, amen. But he's a bastard, And rather than I'll kneel to him, I'll saw I have thrown about this thunder: but, Mendoza, The people hate him for his birth; He only leans on you, you are his pillar, You gone, he walks on crutches or else falls: Then shrink from under him; are not they Fools, that bearing others up, themselves seem low, 'Cause they above sit high; why you do so. CARD. 'Tis true. Q. Mo. Behold this error with fix'd eyes! ELEAZ. Oh! have you found it? Have you smelt The train of powder that must blow you up, Up into air? What air? Why this, a breath; CARD. HOW? |