The Works of Aphra Behn, Volume 2 | Page 4

my Abdelazer?
Abd. I cannot ride through the Castilian Streets, But thousand Eyes throw killing Looks at me, And cry--That's he that does abuse our King-- There goes the Minion of the Spanish Queen, Who, on the lazy Pleasures of his Love, Spends the Revenues of the King of Spain-- This many-headed Beast your Lust has arm'd.
Qu. How dare you, Sir, upbraid me with my Love?
Abd. I will not answer thee, nor hear thee speak.
Qu. Not hear me speak!--Yes, and in Thunder too; Since all my Passion, all my soft Intreaties Can do no good upon thee, I'll see (since thou hast banish'd all thy Love, That Love, to which I've sacrific'd my Honour) If thou hast any Sense of Gratitude, For all the mighty Graces I have done thee.
Abd. Do;--and in thy Story too, do not leave out How dear those mighty Graces I have purchas'd; My blooming Youth, my healthful vigorous Youth, Which Nature gave me for more noble Actions Than to lie fawning at a Woman's Feet, And pass my Hours in Idleness and Love-- If I cou'd blush, I shou'd thro all this Cloud Send forth my Sense of Shame into my Cheeks.
Qu. Ingrate! Have I for this abus'd the best of Men, My noble Husband? Depriving him of all the Joys of Love, To bring them all intirely to thy Bed; Neglected all my Vows, and sworn 'em here a-new, Here, on thy Lips-- Exhausted Treasures that wou'd purchase Crowns, To buy thy Smiles--to buy a gentle Look; And when thou didst repay me--blest the Giver? Oh, Abdelazer, more than this I've done-- This very Hour, the last the King can live, Urg'd by thy Witch-craft, I his Life betray'd; And is it thus my Bounties are repaid? Whate'er a Crime so great deserves from Heav'n, By Abdelazer might have been forgiven: [Weeps. But I will be reveng'd by penitence, And e'er the King dies, own my black Offence-- And yet that's not enough--Elvira-- [Pauses. Cry murder, murder, help, help.
[She and her Women cry aloud, he is surpriz'd, the Queen falls, he draws a Dagger at Elvira.
Elv. Help, murder, murder!--
Abd. Hell, what's this?--peace, Baud--'sdeath, They'll raise the Court upon me, and then I'm lost-- My Queen--my Goddess--Oh raise your lovely Eyes, I have dissembled Coldness all this while; And that Deceit was but to try thy Faith. [Takes her up, sets her in a Chair, then kneels. Look up--by Heav'n,'twas Jealousy-- Pardon your Slave--pardon your poor Adorer.
Qu. Thou didst upbraid me with my shameful Passion.
Abd. I'll tear my Tongue out for its Profanation.
Qu. And when I woo'd thee but to smile upon me, Thou cry'st--Away, I'm dull, unfit for Dalliance.
Abd. Call back the frighted Blood into thy Cheeks, And I'll obey the Dictates of my Love, And smile, and kiss, and dwell for ever here-- Enter Osmin hastily. How now--why star'st thou so?
Osm. My Lord--the King is dead.
Abd. The King dead!--'Twas time then to dissemble. [Aside. What means this Rudeness?-- [One knocks.
Enter Zarrack.
Zar. My Lord--the Cardinal inquiring for the Queen, The Court is in an uproar, none can find her.
Abd. Not find the Queen! and wou'd they search her here?
Qu. What shall I do? I must not here be found.
Abd. Oh, do not fear--no Cardinal enters here; No King--no God, that means to be secure-- Slaves guard the Doors, and suffer none to enter, Whilst I, my charming Queen, provide for your Security-- You know there is a Vault deep under Ground, Into the which the busy Sun ne'er enter'd, But all is dark, as are the Shades of Hell, Thro which in dead of Night I oft have pass'd, Guided by Love, to your Apartment, Madam-- They knock agen--thither, my lovely Mistress, [Knock. Suffer your self to be conducted--
Osmin, attend the Queen--descend in haste, [Queen, Osm. and Elv. descend the Vault. My Lodgings are beset.
Zar. I cannot guard the Lodgings longer-- Don Ordonio, Sir, to seek the Queen--
Abd. How dare they seek her here?
Zar. My Lord, the King has swounded twice, And being recover'd, calls for her Majesty.
Abd. The King not dead!--go, Zafrack, and aloud Tell Don Ordonio and the Cardinal, He that dares enter here to seek the Queen, [Puts his Hand to his Sword. Had better snatch the She from the fierce side Of a young amorous Lion, and 'twere safer.-- Again, more knocking!-- [Knocking.
Zar. My gracious Lord, it is your Brother, Don Alonzo.
Abd. I will not have him enter--I am disorder'd.
Zar. My Lord, 'tis now too late. Enter Alonzo.
Alon. Saw you not the Queen, my Lord?
Abd. My Lord!
Alon. Was not the Queen here with you?
Abd. The Queen with me! Because, Sir, I am married to your Sister, You, like your Sister, must be jealous too: The Queen with me! with me! a Moor! a Devil! A Slave of Barbary! for so Your