Volume Xiv Part 38 (1/2)

PHIL. Puh! never swear.

Thou know'st 'tis for a kingdom which we fight, And for that who'll not venture to h.e.l.l-gates?

Come, Moor, I'm arm'd with more than complete steel-- The justice of my quarrel: when I look Upon my father's wrongs, my brother's wounds, My mother's infamy, Spain's misery, And lay my finger here; O, 'tis too dull To let out blood enough to quench them all.

But when I see your face, and know what fears Hang on thy troubled soul, like leaden weights, To make it sink, I know this finger's touch Has strength to throw thee down; I know this iron Is sharp and long enough to reach that head.

Fly not, devil; if thou do----

ELE. How? fly? O, base!

PHIL. Come then.

ELE. Stay, Philip; whosoe'er begat thee----

PHIL. Why, slave, a king begat me.

ELE. May be so; But I'll be sworn thy mother was a queen; For her sake will I kill thee n.o.bly.

Fling me thy sword; there's mine. I scorn to strike A man disarm'd.

PHIL. For this dishonouring me, I'll give thee one stab more.

ELE. I'll run away, Unless thou change that weapon, or take mine.

PHIL. Neither.

ELE. Farewell.

PHIL. S'heart! stay; and if you dare, Do as I do, oppose thy naked breast Against this poniard; see! here's this for thine.

ELE. I am for thee, Philip.

PHIL. Come, nay, take more ground, That with a full career thou may'st strike home.

ELE. Thou'lt run away then?

PHIL. Ha!

ELE. Thou'lt run away then?

PHIL. Faith I will; but first on this I'll bear Thy panting heart, thy head upon thy spear.

ELE. Come.

_Enter_ CARDINAL _and_ KING OF PORTUGAL _on the one, and_ MOORS _on the other side_.

CAR. Side, upon the Moors.

1ST MOOR. Side, upon the cardinal.

PHIL. Hold, cardinal; strike not any of our side.

ELE. Hold, Moors; strike not any of our side.