Volume Ii Part 4 (1/2)

[_Sullenly_.

_Alon_. Shall they then triumph o'er thee, who were once Proud to attend thy conqu'ring Chariot-Wheels?

_Abd_. I care not--I am a Dog, and can bear wrongs.

_Alon_. But, Sir, my Honour is concern'd with yours, Since my lov'd Sister did become your Wife; And if yours suffer, mine too is unsafe.

_Abd_. I cannot help it--

_Alon_. What Ice has chill'd thy Blood?

This Patience was not wont to dwell with thee.

_Abd_. 'Tis true; but now the World is chang'd you see.

Thou art too brave to know what I resolve-- [_Aside_.

No more--here comes the King with my _Florella_.

He loves her, and she swears to me she's chaste; 'Tis well, if true--well too, if it be false: [_Aside_.

I care not, 'tis Revenge That I must sacrifice my Love and Pleasure to.

[Alon. _and_ Abd. _stand aside_.

_Enter King, _Lords, Guards pa.s.sing over the Stage_, Florella _in a suppliant posture weeping_.

_King_. Thou woo'st me to reverse thy Husband's Doom, And I woo thee for Mercy on my self, Why shoud'st thou sue to him for Life and Liberty, For any other, who himself lies dying, Imploring from thy Eyes a little Pity?

_Flor_. Oh mighty King! in whose sole Power, like Heav'n, The Lives and Safeties of your Slaves remain, Hear and redress my _Abdelazer's_ Wrongs.

_King_. All Lives and Safeties in my Power remain!

Mistaken charming Creature, if my Power Be such, who kneel and bow to thee, What must thine be, Who hast the Sovereign Command o'er me and it?

Wou'dst thou give Life? turn but thy lovely Eyes Upon the wretched thing that wants it, And he will surely live, and live for ever.

Canst thou do this, and com'st to beg of me?

_Flor_. Alas, Sir, what I beg's what you alone can give, My _Abdelazer's_ Pardon.

_King_. Pardon! can any thing ally'd to thee offend?

Thou art so sacred and so innocent, That but to know thee, and to look on thee, Must change even Vice to Virtue.

Oh my _Florella_!

So perfectly thou dost possess my Soul, That ev'ry Wish of thine shall be obey'd: Say, wou'dst thou have thy Husband share my Crown?

Do but submit to love me, and I yield it.

_Flor_. Such Love as humble Subjects owe their King.

[_Kneels, he takes her up_.

And such as I dare pay, I offer here.

_King_. I must confess it is a Price too glorious: But, my _Florella_--

_Abd_. I'll interrupt your amorous Discourse. [_Aside_.

[Abd. _comes up to them_.