Volume Ii Part 20 (2/2)

_Qu_. A Priest! Oh, send him quickly hence; I wou'd not have so cold and dull an Object, Meet with my n.o.bler Sense, 'tis mortifying.

_Elv_. Perhaps 'tis some Pet.i.tion from the Cardinal.

_Qu_. Why, what have I to do with Priest or Cardinal?

Let him not enter--

[Elv. _goes out, and returns with_ Roderigo _drest like a Fryar_.

_Elv_. From _Abdelazer_, Madam.

_Qu_. H'as named a Word will make all Places free.

_Rod_. Madam, be pleas'd to send your Woman hence, I've something to deliver from the Moor, Which you alone must be acquainted with.

_Qu_. Well, your Formality shall be allowed--retire-- [_To_ Elv. _Exit_ Elv.

What have you to deliver to me now?

_Rod_. This--

[_Shews a Dagger, and takes her roughly by the Hands_.

_Qu_. Hah!--

_Rod_. You must not call for help, unless to Heaven.

_Qu_. What daring thing art thou?

_Rod_. One that has now no time to answer thee.

[_Stabs her, she struggles, her Arm bleeds_.

_Qu_. Oh, hold thy killing Hand! I am thy Queen.

_Rod_. Thou may'st be Devil too, for ought I know; I'll try thy Substance thus-- [_Stabs again_.

_Qu_. Oh, _Abdelazer_!-- Thou hast well reveng'd me--on my Sins of Love;-- [_He seats her in the Chair_.

But shall I die thus tamely unrcveng'd?

--Help--murder--help-- [_He offers to stab again_.

_Enter_ Elvira, _and other Women_.

_Elv_. Oh Heavens! the Queen is murder'd--help the Queen!

[Rod. _offers to stab_ Elv.

_Enter_ Abdelazer.

_Abd_. Hah! the Queen! what sacrilegious Hand, Or Heart so brutal-- Durst thus profane the Shrine ador'd by me?

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