Part 31 (1/2)

[_Exeunt._

ELE. Many good nights consume and d.a.m.n your souls!

I know he means to cuckold me this night, Yet do I know no means to hinder it: Besides, who knows whether the l.u.s.tful king, Having my wife and castle at command, Will ever make surrender back again?

But if he do not, with my falchion's point I'll lance those swelling veins, in which hot l.u.s.t Does keep his revels; and with that warm blood, Where Venus' b.a.s.t.a.r.d cooled his swelt'ring spleen, Wash the disgrace from Eleazar's brow.

SCENE VI.

_Enter_ MARIA.

MARIA. Dear Eleazar!

ELE. If they lock the gates, I'll toss a ball of wildfire o'er the walls.

MARIA. Husband! sweet husband!

ELE. Or else swim o'er the moat, And make a breach th[o]rough the flinty sides Of the rebellious walls.

MARIA. Hear me, dear heart.

ELE. Or undermine the chamber where they lie, And by the violent strength of gunpowder Blow up the castle and th' incestuous couch, In which l.u.s.t wallows; but my labouring thoughts, Wading too deep in bottomless extremes, Do drown themselves in their own stratagems.

MARIA. Sweet husband, dwell not upon circ.u.mstance, When weeping sorrow, like an advocate, Importunes you for aid; look in mine eye, There you shall see dim grief swimming in tears, Invocating succour. O, succour!

ELE. Succour! zounds! for what?

MARIA. To s.h.i.+eld me from Fernando's unchaste love, Who with uncessant prayers importun'd me----

ELE. To lie with you! I know't.

MARIA. Then seek some means how to prevent it.

ELE. 'Tis [im]possible: For, to the end that his unbridled l.u.s.t 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 l.u.s.t Shall soil the fair complexion of mine honour, This hand shall rob Maria of her life.

ELE. Not so, dear soul; for in extremities Choose out the least: and ere the hand of death Should suck this ivory palace of thy life, Embrace my counsel, and receive this poison Which, in the instant he attempts thy love, Then give it him: do, do, Do poison him. [_Aside_.] He gone, thou'rt next-- Be sound in resolution, and farewell.

By one and one I'll s.h.i.+p you all to h.e.l.l.

[_Aside._]

Spain, I will drown thee with thine own proud blood, Then make an ark of carcases: farewell!

Revenge and I will sail in blood to h.e.l.l.

[_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.

But thanks, prevention: I have found a means, Both to preserve my royal sovereign's life And keep myself a true and loyal wife.

[_Exit._