The Works of Aphra Behn, Volume 2 | Page 6

Where is the Body of my Royal Father? That Body which inspir'd by's
sacred Soul, Aw'd all the Universe with ev'ry Frown, And taught 'em all
Obedience with his Smiles. Why stand you thus
distracted--Mother--Brother-- My Lords--Prince Cardinal-- Has
Sorrow struck you dumb? Is this my Welcome from the Toils of War?
When in his Bosom I shou'd find repose, To meet it cold and pale!--Oh,
guide me to him, And with my Sighs I'll breathe new Life into't.
King. There's all that's left of Royal Philip now, [Phil, goes out. Pay all
thy Sorrow there--whilst mine alone Are swoln too high t' admit of
Lookers on. [Ex. King weeping.
Philip returns weeping.
Phil. His 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,