The Works of Aphra Behn Volume Ii Part 4

[_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_.

_Flor_. Sir, _Abdelazer's_ here.

_King_. His Presence never was less welcome to me;-- [_Aside_.

But, Madam, durst the Cardinal use this Insolence?

Where is your n.o.ble Husband?

_Abd_. He sees me, yet inquires for me. [_Aside_.

_Flor_. Sir, my Lord is here.

_King. Abdelazer_, I have heard with much surprize, O' th' Injuries you've receiv'd, and mean to right you: My Father lov'd you well, made you his General, I think you worthy of that Honour still.

_Abd_. True--for my Wife's sake. [_Aside_.

_King_. When my Coronation is solemnized, Be present there, and re-a.s.sume your wonted State and Place; And see how I will check the insolent Cardinal.

_Abd_. I humbly thank my Sovereign-- [_Kneels, and kisses the_ King's _Hand_.

That he loves my Wife so well. [_Aside_.

[_Exeunt_.

_Manent_ Abdelazer, Florella.

_Flor_. Wilt thou not pay my Service with one Smile?

Have I not acted well the Suppliant's part?

_Abd_. Oh wonderfully! y'ave learnt the Art to move.

Go, leave me.

_Flor_. Still out of humour, thoughtful and displeas'd?

And why at me, my _Abdelazer_? what have I done?

_Abd_. Rarely! you cannot do amiss you are so beautiful.

So very fair--Go, get you in, I say-- [_Turns her in roughly_.

She has the art of dallying with my Soul, Teaching it lazy softness from her Looks.

But now a n.o.bler Pa.s.sion's enter'd there, And blows it thus--to Air--Idol Ambition, _Florella_ must to thee a Victim fall: Revenge,--to thee--a Cardinal and Prince: And to my Love and Jealousy, a King-- More yet, my mighty Deities, I'll do, None that you e'er inspir'd like me shall act; That fawning servile Crew shall follow next, Who with the Cardinal cry'd, banish _Abdelazer_.

_Like Eastern Monarchs I'll adorn thy Fate, And to the Shades thou shalt descend in State.

[Exit_.

ACT II.

SCENE I. _A Chamber of State_.

_Enter the_ King _crown'd_, Philip, Mendozo, Queen, Leonora, Florella, Elvira, Alonzo, Roderigo, Ordonio, Sebastian, Antonio, _Officers and Guards; met by_ Abdelazer _follow'd by_ Osmin, Zarrack, _and Moors attending. He comes in with Pride, staring on_ Philip _and_ Mendozo, _and takes his stand next the_ King.

_Phil_. Why stares the Devil thus, as if he meant From his infectious Eyes to scatter Plagues, And poison all the World? Was he not banish'd?

How dares the Traitor venture into th' Presence?-- Guards, spurn the Villain forth.

_Abd_. Who spurns the _Moor_ Were better set his foot upon the Devil-- Do, spurn me, and this Hand thus justly arm'd, Shall like a Thunder-bolt, breaking the Clouds, Divide his Body from his Soul--stand back-- [_To the Guards_.