And stamp you now? Do, do, for you shall see I go for vengeance, and she'll come with me. ELEAZ. Stay! for she's here already; see, proud [They both draw. Q. Mo. Hold! stay this fury; if you long for boy! blood, Murder me first. Dear son, you are a king; Then stay the violent tempest of their wrath. KING. Shall kings be oversway'd in their desires? ROD. Shall subjects be oppress'd by tyranny? Q. Mo. No state shall suffer wrong; then hear me speak : [Aside to Mendoza.] Mendoza, you have sworn you love the queen; Then by that love I charge you leave these arms. [Aside to Eleazar.] Eleazar, for those favours I have given you, Embrace the cardinal, and be friends with him. ELEAZ. And have my wife call'd strumpet to my face! Q. Mo. 'Twas rage made his tongue err; do you not know The violent love Mendoza bears the queen? Then speak him fair, for in that honied breath [Aloud.] Come, come, I see your looks give way to peace; Lord Cardinal begin; [aside] and for reward, Ere this fair setting sun behold his bride; Be bold to challenge love, yet be denied. MEND. [Aside.] That promise makes me yield,— my gracious lord, Although my disgrace hath graven its memory To the fair circle of obedience. KING. Both pardon and our favour bids you welcome; And for some satisfaction for your wrongs, We here create you Salamanca's Duke: Your castle for a while shall bid us welcome, Eleazar; shall it not? It is enough. Lords, lead the way, [aside,] that whilst you feast yourselves, Fernando may find time all means to prove, To compass fair Maria for our love. [Exeunt omnes. SCENE II. Enter QUEEN MOTHER and ELEAZAR. ELEAZ. Madam, a word: now have you wit or spirit? Q. Mo. Both. ELEAZ. Set them both to a most gainful task; Our enemies are in my castle-work. Q. Mo. Aye; but the king's there too; it's dangerous pride To strike at those that crouch by a lion's side. ELEAZ. Remove them. Q. Mo. How? ELEAZ. How! a thousand ways: By poison, or by this [pointing to his dagger]: but every groom Has skill in such base traffic; no, our policies Q. Mo. I dare. ELEAZ. You have a woman's heart; look you, this hand, Oh! 'tis too little to strike home. Q. Mo. At whom? ELEAZ. Your son. Q. Mo. Which son, the king? ELEAZ. Angels of heaven, Stand like his guard about him! how the king! 'The king! he loves my wife, and should he die ELEAZ. How? good! good! Q. Mo. By this hand. ELEAZ. When? good! good! when? Q. Mo. This night, if Eleazar give consent. ELEAZ. Why, then, this night Philip shall not live. To see you kill him! Is he not your son? A mother be the murd'rer of a brat That liv'd within her! ah! Q. Mo. 'Tis for thy sake. ELEAZ. Pish! What excuses cannot damn'd sin To save itself! I know you love him well; Are thin he laughs to see them like this hand, Go ELEAZ. Thus : you, and with a face well set, do In good sad colours, such as paint out The cheek of that fool penitence, and with a tongue Some honest friars, whom that damnation gold Q.Mo. What then? I know such ;-what's the use? ELEAZ. This is excellent! Hire these to write books, preach, and proclaim abroad, That your son Philip is a bastard. Q. Mo. How? ELEAZ. A bastard. Do you know a bastard? do't: We stand more sure in climbing high; Are arm'd to do this? ah! you Q. Mo. Sweet Moor, it's done. ELEAZ. Away then! work with boldness and with speed, On greatest actions, greatest dangers feed: [Exit Queen Mother. Ha ha! I thank thee, provident creation, I should prove villain; thanks to thee and nature, Thanks that I have not wit to blush! What, Zarack! ho! Baltazar! Enter the two Moors. Boг. My lord. |