A Select Collection of Old English Plays - LightNovelsOnl.com
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CHRIS. What answers Lord Mendoza to the queen?
CAR. I confess guilty, Philip is my son; Her majesty hath nam'd the time and place.
ALV. To you, but not to us; go forward, madam.
QUEEN-M. Within the circle of twice ten years since, Your deceas'd king made war in Barbary, Won Tunis, conquer'd Fez, and hand to hand Slew great Abdela, King of Fez, and father To that Barbarian prince.
ELE. I was but young, but now methinks I see my father's wounds: poor Barbaria!
No more--
QUEEN-M. In absence of my lord, mourning his want, To me alone, being in my private walk-- I think at Salamanca:--yes, 'twas there; Enters Mendoza, under show of shrift,[69]
Threatens my death if I denied his l.u.s.t; In fine, by force he won me to his will: I wept, and cried for help, but all in vain.
Mendoza there abus'd the bed of Spain.
ELE. Spaniard or Moor, that saucy slave shall die.
ALV. Why did you not complain of this vile act?
QUEEN-M. Alas! I was alone, young, full of fear, Bashful and doubtful of my own defame; Knowing King Philip rash and jealous, I hid his sins, thinking to hide my shame.
HOR. What says the cardinal?
CAR. Such a time there was; 'Tis pa.s.s'd: I'll make amends with marriage, And satisfy with trentals,[70] dirges, prayers, The offended spirit of the wronged king.
[QUEEN _and they talk_.
ELE. Spaniard or Moor, the saucy slave shall die.
O, 'twould seem best it should be thus, Mendoza; She to accuse, I urge, and both conclude Your marriage, like a comic interlude.
Lords, will you hear this hateful sin confess'd, And not impose upon the ravisher death, The due punishment? O, it must be so.
ALV. What does the queen desire?
QUEEN-M. Justice, revenge, On vile Mendoza for my ravishment.
I kiss the cold earth with my humble knees, From whence I will not rise, till some just hand Cast to the ground the traitor cardinal.
ALL. Stand forth, Mendoza.
ELE. Swells your heart so high?
Down, lecher; if you will not stand, then lie.
CAR. You have betray'd me by my too much trust; I never did this deed of rape and l.u.s.t.
ROD. Your tongue confess'd it.
CAR. True, I was entic'd.
ELE. Entic'd! do you believe that?
QUEEN-M. Justice, lords; Sentence the cardinal for his hateful sin.
ALV. We will a.s.semble all the states of Spain, And as they judge, so justice shall be done.
ELE. A guard! To prison with the cardinal.
_Enter_ ZARACK, BALTHAZAR, _and others_.
CAR. d.a.m.n'd slave, my tongue shall go at liberty To curse thee, ban that strumpet; dogs, keep off.
ELE. Hist, hist! on, on!
QUEEN-M. I cannot brook his sight.
ALV. You must to prison, and be patient.
CAR. Weep'st thou, Alvero? all struck dumb? My fears Are that those drops will change to b.l.o.o.d.y tears.
This woman and this serpent----
QUEEN-M. Drag him hence.
CAR. Who dares lay hands upon me? Lords of Spain, Let your swords bail me: this false queen did lie.
ELE. Spaniard or Moor, the saucy slave shall die.
CAR. I'll fight thee, d.a.m.ned h.e.l.lhound, for my life.
ELE. Spaniard or Moor, the saucy slave shall die.
CAR. I'll prove upon thy head----
ELE. The slave shall die.
CAR. Lords, stop this villain's throat.
ELE. Shall die, shall die.
CAR. Hear me but speak.
ELE. Away.
ALV. Words are ill-spent, Where wrong sits judge; you're arm'd, if innocent.
CAR. Well then, I must to prison: Moor, no more.
Heavens, thou art just! Prince Philip I betray'd, And now myself fall; guile with guile is paid.
[_Exit._
QUEEN-M. Philip being prov'd a b.a.s.t.a.r.d, who shall sit Upon this empty throne?
ELE. Strumpet, not you.
