Spurn _Abdelazer_!--
_Phil_. Death, shall we bear this Insolence?
_Alon_. Great Sir, I think his Sentence was unjust.
[_To the_ King.
_Men_. Sir, you"re too partial to be judge in this, And shall not give your Voice.
_Abd_. Proud Cardinal--but he shall--and give it loud.
And shall not!--who shall hinder him?
_Phil_. This--and cut his Wind-pipe too.
[_Offers to draw_.
To spoil his whisp"ring.
[Abd. _offers to draw, his Attendants do the same_.
_King_. What means this Violence?
Forbear to draw your Swords--"tis we command.
_Abd_. Sir, do me Justice, I demand no more.
[_Kneels, and offers his Sword_.
And at your Feet we lay our Weapons down.
_Men_. Sir, _Abdelazer_ has had Justice done, And stands by me banish"d the Court of _Spain_.
_King_. How, Prince Cardinal!
From whence do you derive Authority To banish him the Court without our leave?
_Men_. Sir, from my Care unto your royal Person, As I"m your Governor--then for the Kingdom"s Safety.
_King_. Because I was a Boy, must I be still so?
Time, Sir, has given me in that formal Ceremony, And I am of an age to rule alone; And from henceforth discharge you of your Care.
We know your near relation to this Crown, And wanting Heirs, that you must fill the Throne; Till when, Sir, I am absolute Monarch here, And you must learn Obedience.
_Men_. Pardon my zealous Duty, which I hope You will approve, and not recal his Banishment.
_King_. Sir, but I will; and who dares contradict It, is a Traitor.
_Phil_. I dare the first, yet do defy the last.
_King_. My hot-brain"d Sir, I"ll talk to you anon.
_Men_. Sir, I am wrong"d, and will appeal to _Rome_.
_Phil_. By Heav"n, I"ll to the Camp--Brother, farewel, When next I meet thee, it shall be in Arms, If thou can"st get loose from thy Mistress" Chains, Where thou ly"st drown"d in idle wanton Love.
_Abd_. Hah--his Mistress--who is"t Prince _Philip_ means?
_Phil_. Thy Wife, thy Wife, proud Moor, whom thou"rt content To sell for Honour to eternal Infamy-- Does"t make thee snarl?--Bite on, whilst thou shalt see, I go for Vengeance, and "twill come with me.
[_Going out, turns and draws_.
_Abd_. Stay! for "tis here already--turn, proud Boy.
[Abd. _draws_.
_King_. What mean you, _Philip_?--[_Talks to him aside_.
_Qu_. Cease, cease your most impolitick Rage. [_To_ Abd.
Is this a time to shew"t?--Dear Son, you are a King, And may allay this Tempest.
_King_. How dare you disobey my Will and Pleasure? [_To_ Abd.
_Abd_. Shall I be calm, and hear my Wife call"d Wh.o.r.e?
Were he great _Jove_, and arm"d with all his Lightning, By Heav"n, I could not hold my just Resentment.
_Qu_. "Twas in his Pa.s.sion, n.o.ble _Abdelazer_-- [King _talking to_ Phil. _aside_.
Imprudently thou dost disarm thy Rage, And giv"st the Foe a warning, e"er thou strik"st; When with thy Smiles thou might"st securely kill.
You know the Pa.s.sion that the Cardinal bears me; His Pow"r too o"er _Philip_, which well manag"d Will serve to ruin both: put up your Sword-- When next you draw it, teach it how to act.
_Abd_. You shame me, and command me.
_Qu_. Why all this Rage?--does it become you, Sir?
[_To_ Men. _aside_.
What is"t you mean to do?
_Men_. You need not care, whilst _Abdelazer"s_ safe.
_Qu_. Jealousy, upon my Life--how gay it looks!
_Men_. Madam, you want that pitying Regard To value what I do, or what I am; I"ll therefore lay my Cardinal"s Hat aside, And in bright Arms demand my Honour back.
_Qu_. Is"t thus, my Lord, you give me Proofs of Love?
Have then my Eyes lost all their wonted Power?
And can you quit the hope of gaining me, To follow your Revenge?--go--go to fight, Bear Arms against your Country, and your King, All for a little worthless Honour lost.
_Men_. What is it, Madam, you would have me do?
_Qu_. Not side with _Philip_, as you hope my Grace-- Now, Sir, you know my Pleasure, think on"t well.
_Men_. Madam, you know your Power o"er your Slave, And use it too tyrannically--but dispose The Fate of him, whose Honour, and whose Life, Lies at your Mercy-- I"ll stay and die, since "tis your gracious Pleasure.
_King. Philip_, upon your Life, Upon your strict Allegiance, I conjure you To remain at Court, till I have reconcil"d you.
_Phil_. Never, Sir; Nor can you bend my Temper to that Tameness.
_King_. "Tis in my Power to charge you as a Prisoner; But you"re my Brother--yet remember too I am your King--No more.
_Phil_. I will obey.
_King. Abdelazer_, I beg you will forget your Cause of Hate Against my Brother _Philip_, and the Cardinal; He"s young, and rash, but will be better temper"d.