Volume Ii Part 10 (1/2)

_King_. Who frights our quiet Slumbers with this Noise?

_Enter_ Queen _and Women, with Lights_.

_Qu_. Was it a Dream, or did I hear the Sound Of Treason, call me from my silent Griefs?

_King_. Who rais'd this Rumour, _Abdelazer_, you?

_Abd_. I did, Great Sir.

_King_. Your Reasons.

_Abd_. Oh Sir, your Brother _Philip_, and the Cardinal, Both animated by a Sense of Wrongs, (And envying, Sir, the Fortune of your Slave) Had laid a Plot this Night, to murder you: And 'cause they knew it was my waiting Night, They wou'd have laid the Treason, Sir, on me.

_King_. The Cardinal, and my Brother! bring them forth, Their Lives shall answer it.

_Abd_. Sir, 'tis impossible: For when they found their Villany discover'd, They in two Friers Habits made escape.

_King_. That Cardinal is subtle, and ambitious, And from him _Philip_ learnt his dangerous Principles.

_Qu_. The Ambition of the one infects the other, And they are both too dangerous to live-- But might a Mother's Counsel be obey'd, I wou'd advise you, send the valiant Moor To fetch 'em back, e'er they can reach the Camp: For thither they are fled--where they will find A Welcome fatal to us all.

_King_. Madam, you counsel well; and, _Abdelazer_, Make it your Care to fetch these Traitors back, Not only for my Safety, and the Kingdom's, But as they are your Enemies; and th' envious World Will say, you made this story to undo 'em.

_Abd_. Sir, I'll obey; nor will I know repose, Till I have justify'd this fatal Truth.

[Abd. _goes to the_ Queen, _and talks to her_.

_King_. Mean time I will to my _Florella's_ Lodging, Silence, and Night, are the best Advocates [_Aside_.

To plead a Lover's Cause--_Abdelazer_--haste.

Madam, I'll wait on you to your Chamber.

_Abd_. Sir, that's my Duty.

_King_. Madam, good Night--_Alonzo_, to your rest.

[_Ex. all but_ Qu. _and_ Abd.

_Qu. Philip_ escap'd!

Oh, that I were upon some Desart Sh.o.a.r, Where I might only to the Waves and Winds Breathe out my Sense of Rage for this Defeat.

_Abd_. Oh, 'tis no time for Rage, but Action, Madam.

_Qu_. Give me but any Hopes of blest Revenge, And I will be as calm as happy Lovers.

_Abd_. There is a way, and is but that alone; But such a way, as never must be nam'd.

_Qu_. How! not be nam'd! Oh, swear thou hat'st me rather, It were a Torment equal to thy Silence.

_Abd_. I'll shew my Pa.s.sion rather in that Silence.

_Qu_. Kind Torturer, what mean'st thou?

_Abd_. To shew you, Madam, I had rather live Wrong'd and contemn'd by _Philip_, Than have your dearer Name made infamous.