The Works of Aphra Behn Volume Ii Part 15

_Drums and Trumpets afar off,--with noise of fighting at a distance: After a little while, enter_ Philip _in a Rage_.

_Phil_. Oh unjust Powers! why d'ye protect this Monster?-- And this d.a.m.n'd Cardinal, that comes not up With the Castilian Troops? curse on his formal Politicks-- _Enter_ Alonzo.

--_Alonzo_, where's the Moor?

_Alon_. The Moor--a Devil--never did Fiend of h.e.l.l, Compell'd by some Magician's Charms, Break thro the Prison of the folded Earth With more swift Horrour, than this Prince of Fate Breaks thro our Troops in spite of Opposition.

_Phil_. Death! 'tis not his single Arm that works the Wonders, But our Cowardice--Oh, this Dog Cardinal!

_Enter_ Antonio.

_Ant_. Sound a Retreat, or else the Day is lost.

_Phil_. I'll beat that Cur to Death that sounds Retreat.

_Enter_ Sebastian.

_Sebast_. Sound a Retreat.

_Phil_. Who is't that tempts my Sword?--continue the Alarm, Fight on Pell-mell--fight--kill--be d.a.m.n'd--do any thing But sound Retreat--Oh, this d.a.m.n'd Coward Cardinal!

[_Exeunt_.

_The noise of fighting near; after a little while enter Philip again_.

_Phil_. Not yet, ye G.o.ds! Oh, this eternal Coward!

_Enter_ Alonzo.

_Alon_. Sir, bring up your Reserves, or all is lost; Ambition plumes the Moor, that makes him act Deeds of such Wonder, that even you wou'd envy them.

_Phil_. 'Tis well--I'll raise my Glories to that dazling height, Shall darken his, or set in endless Night.

[_Exeunt_.

SCENE IV. _A Grove_.

_Enter_ Card. and Queen; _the noise of a Battel continuing afar off all the Scene_.

_Qu_. By all thy Love, by all thy Languishments, By all those Sighs and Tears paid to my Cruelty, By all thy Vows, thy pa.s.sionate Letters sent, I do conjure thee, go not forth to fight: Command your Troops not to engage with _Philip_, Who aims at nothing but the Kingdom's ruin.

--_Fernando's_ kill'd--the Moor has gain'd the Power, A Power that you nor _Philip_ can withstand; And is't not better he were lost than _Spain_, Since one must be a Sacrifice?

Besides--if I durst tell it, There's something I cou'd whisper to thy Soul, Wou'd make thee blush at ev'ry single Good Thou'ast done that insolent Boy;--But 'tis not now A time for Stories of so strange a Nature,-- Which when you know, you will conclude with me, That every Man that arms for _Philip's_ Cause, Merits the name of Traitor.-- Be wise in time, and leave his shameful Interest, An Interest thou wilt curse thy self for taking; Be wise, and make Alliance with the Moor.

_Card_. And, Madam, should I lay aside my Wrongs, Those publick Injuries I have receiv'd, And make a mean and humble Peace with him?

--No, let Spain be ruin'd by our Civil Swords, E'er for its safety I forego mine Honour.--

_Enter an Officer_.

_Offi_. Advance, Sir, with your Troops, or we are lost.

_Card_. Give order--

_Qu_. That they stir not on their Lives; Is this the Duty that you owe your Country?

Is this your Sanct.i.ty--and Love to me?

Is't thus you treat the Glory I have offer'd To raise you to my Bed?

To rule a Kingdom, be a Nation's Safety, To advance in hostile manner to their Walls; Walls that confine your Countrymen, and Friends, And Queen, to whom you've vow'd eternal Peace, Eternal Love? And will you court in Arms?

Such rude Addresses wou'd but ill become you.

No, from this hour renounce all Claims to me, Or _Philip's_ Interest; for let me tell you, Cardinal, This Love, and that Revenge, are inconsistent.

_Card_. But, Madam--

_Qu_. No more--disband your Rebel Troops, And strait with me to _Abdelazer's_ Tent, Where all his Claims he shall resign to you, Both in my self, the Kingdom, and the Crown: You being departed, thousands more will leave him, And you're alone the Prop to his Rebellion.

_Enter_ Sebastian.

_Sebast_. Advance, advance, my Lord, with all your Force, Or else the Prince and Victory is lost, Which now depends upon his single Valour; Who, like some ancient Hero, or some G.o.d, Thunders amongst the thickest of his Enemies, Destroying all before him in such numbers, That Piles of Dead obstruct his pa.s.sage to the living-- Relieve him strait, my Lord, with our last Cavalry and Hopes.

_Card_. I'll follow instantly.-- [_Ex_. Sebast.

_Qu_. Sir, but you shall not, unless it be to Death-- Shall you preserve the only Man I hate, And hate with so much reason?--let him fall A Victim to an injur'd Mother's Honour.

--Come, I will be obey'd--indeed I must--[_Fawns on him_.

_Card_. When you're thus soft, can I retain my Anger?

Oh, look but ever thus--in spite of Injuries-- I shall become as tame and peaceable, As are your charming Eyes, when dress'd in Love, Which melting down my Rage, leave me defenceless.

--Ah, Madam, have a generous care of me, For I have now resign'd my Power to you.

[_Shouts within_.

_Qu_. What Shouts are these?

_Enter_ Sebastian.

_Sebast_. My Lord, the Enemy is giving ground, And _Philip's_ Arm alone sustains the day: Advance, Sir, and compleat the Victory.

[_Exit_.

_Qu_. Give order strait, that a Retreat be sounded; And whilst they do so, by me conducted, We'll instantly to _Abdelazer's_ Tent-- Haste--haste, my Lord, whilst I attend you here.

[_Ex. severally_.

[Cardinal _going out, is met by_ Philip.

_Phil_. Oh, d.a.m.n your lazy Order, where have you been, Sir?

--But 'tis no time for Questions, Move forward with your Reserves.

_Card_. I will not, Sir.

_Phil_. How, will not!

_Card_. Now to advance would be impolitick; Already by your desperate Attempts, You've lost the best part of our Hopes.

_Phil_. Death! you lye.