The Works of Aphra Behn, Volume 2 | Page 6

Soul is fled to all Eternity; And yet methought it did inform his Body, That I, his darling Philip, was arriv'd With Conquest on my Sword; and even in Death Sent me his Joy in Smiles.
Qu. If Souls can after Death have any Sense Of human things, his will be proud to know That Philip is a Conqueror. Enter Abdelazer. But do not drown thy Laurels thus in Tears, Such Tributes leave to us, thou art a Soldier.
Phil. Gods! this shou'd be my Mother--
Men. It is, great Sir, the Queen.
Phil. Oh, she's too foul for one or t'other Title.
Qu. How, Sir, do you not know me?
Phil. When you were just, I did, And with a Reverence, such as we pay Heav'n, I paid my awful Duty;-- But as you have abus'd my Royal Father, For such a Sin the basest of your Slaves Wou'd blush to call you Mother.
Qu. What means my Son?
Phil. Son! by Heav'n, I scorn the Title.
Qu. Oh Insolence!--out of my sight, rude Boy.
Phil. We must not part so, Madam; I first must let you know your Sin and Shame;-- Nay, hear me calmly--for, by Heav'n, you shall-- My Father whilst he liv'd, tir'd his strong Arm With numerous Battles 'gainst the Enemy, Wasting his Brains in warlike Stratagems; To bring Confusion on the faithless Moors, Whilst you, lull'd in soft Peace at home, betray'd His Name to everlasting Infamy; Suffer'd his Bed to be defil'd with Lust, Gave up your self, your Honour, and your Vows, To wanton in yon sooty Lecher's Arms. [Points to Abd.
Abd. Me, dost thou mean?
Phil. Yes, Villain, thee, thou Hell-begotten Fiend, 'Tis thee I mean.
Qu. Oh most unnatural, to dishonour me!
Phil. That Dog you mean, that has dishonour'd you, Dishonour'd me, these Lords, nay, and all Spain; This Devil's he, that--
Abd. That--what--Oh pardon me if I throw off All Ties of Duty:--wert thou ten King's Sons, And I as many Souls as I have Sins, Thus I would hazard all. [Draws, they all run between.
Phil. Stand off--or I'll make way upon thy Bosom.
Abd. How got you, Sir, this daring?
Phil. From injur'd Philip's Death, Who, whilst he liv'd, unjustly cherish'd thee, And set thee up beyond the reach of Fate; Blind with thy brutal Valor, deaf with thy Flatteries, Discover'd not the Treason thou didst act, Nor none durst let him know 'em--but did he live, I wou'd aloud proclaim them in his Ears.
Abd. You durst as well been damn'd.
Phil. Hell seize me if I want Revenge for this-- Not dare! Arise, thou injur'd Ghost of my dead King, And thro thy dreadful Paleness dart a Horror, May fright this pair of Vipers from their Sins.
Abd. Oh insupportable! dost hear me, Boy?
Qu. Are ye all mute, and hear me thus upbraided? [To the Lords.
Phil. Dare ye detain me whilst the Traitor braves me?
Men. Forbear, my Prince, keep in that noble Heat That shou'd be better us'd than on a Slave.
Abd. You politick Cheat--
Men. Abdelazer-- By the Authority of my Government, Which yet I hold over the King of Spain, By Warrant of a Council from the Peers, And (as an Unbeliever) from the Church, I utterly deprive thee of that Greatness, Those Offices and Trusts you hold in Spain.
Abd. Cardinal--who lent thee this Commission? Grandees of Spain, do you consent to this?
All. We do.
Alon. What Reason for it? let his Faith be try'd.
Men. It needs no tryal, the Proofs are evident, And his Religion was his Veil for Treason.
Alon. Why should you question his Religion, Sir? He does profess Christianity.
Men. Yes, witness his Habit which he still retains In scorn to ours-- His Principles are too as unalterable.
Abd. Is that the only Argument you bring? I tell thee, Cardinal, not thy Holy Gown Covers a Soul more sanctify'd than this Moorish Robe.
Phil. Damn his Religion--he has a thousand Crimes That will yet better justify your Sentence.
Men. Come not within the Court; for if you do, Worse mischief shall ensue--you have your Sentence. [Ex. Phil, and Men.
Alon. My Brother banish'd! 'tis very sudden; For thy sake, Sister, this must be recall'd. [To Flor.
Qu. Alonzo, join with me, I'll to the King, And check the Pride of this insulting Cardinal. [Exeunt all, except Abdelazer, Florella.
Abd. Banish'd! if I digest this Gall, May Cowards pluck the Wreath from off my Brow, Which I have purchas'd with so many Wounds, And all for Spain; for Spain! ingrateful Spain!-- Oh, my Florella, all my Glory's vanish'd, The Cardinal (Oh damn him) wou'd have me banish'd.
Flor. But, Sir, I hope you will not tamely go.
Abd. Tamely!--ha, ha, ha,--yes, by all means-- A very honest and religious Cardinal!
Flor. I wou'd not for the World you should be banish'd.
Abd. Not Spain, you mean--for then she leaves the King. [Aside. What if I be?--Fools! not to know--All parts o' th' World