The Works of Aphra Behn Volume Ii Part 17

_Card. Philip_ a b.a.s.t.a.r.d!

If by such Arts you wou'd divide me from him, I shall suspect you wou'd betray us both.

_Qu_. Sir, he informs you Truth; and I blush less To own him so, than that he is a Traitor.

_Card. Philip_ a b.a.s.t.a.r.d! oh, it cannot be-- Madam, take heed you do not for Revenge, Barter your dearer Honour, and lose both.

_Qu_. I know what's due to Honour, and Revenge, But better what I owe to _Spain_, and you-- You are a Prince o'th' Blood, and may put off The Cardinal when you please, and be a Monarch.

_Card_. Though my Ambition's equal to my Pa.s.sion, Neither shall make me act against those Principles My Honour ever taught me to obey.

--And, Madam-- 'Tis less a Sin, not to believe you her, Than 'tis to doubt your Virtue.

_Qu_. I wish it were untold, if it must forfeit The least of your Esteem--but that 'tis Truth, Be witness, Heav'n, my Shame, my Sighs, and Tears.

[_Weeps_.

_Card_. Why, Madam, was't so long conceal'd from me?

_Qu_. The Circ.u.mstances I shall at leisure tell you: And for the present, Let it suffice, he cannot rule in _Spain_, Nor can you side with him, without being made As much incapable to reign as he.

_Card_. Though Love and Honour I have always made The Business of my Life; My Soul retains too so much of Ambition, As puts me still in mind of what I am, A Prince, and Heir to Spain: Nor shall my blinded Zeal to Loyalty, Make me that glorious Interest resign, Since _Philip's_ Claims are not so great as mine.

--Madam, tho I'm convinc'd I've done amiss In taking Arms for _Philip_, Yet 'twill be difficult to disengage my self.

_Abd_. Most easily-- Proclaim it in the head of all your Troops, The Justice of your Cause for leaving him; And tell 'em, 'tis a Work of Piety To follow your Example.

The giddy Rout are guided by Religion, More than by Justice, Reason, or Allegiance.

--The Crown which I as a good Husband keep, I will lay down upon the empty Throne; Marry you the Queen, and fill it--and for me, I'll ever pay you Duty as a Subject.

[_Bows low_.

_Card_. On these Conditions all I am is yours; _Philip_ we cannot fear, all he can do Is to retire for refuge into _Portugal_.

_Abd_. That wou'd be dangerous-- Is there no Arts to get him in our Power?

_Card_. Perhaps by Policy, and seeming Friends.h.i.+p, For we have reason yet to fear his Force; And since I'm satisfy'd he's not my lawful Prince, I cannot think it an Impiety To sacrifice him to the Peace of _Spain_, And every Spirit that loves Liberty: First we'll our Forces join, and make 'em yours, Then give me your Authority to arrest him; If so we can surprize him, we'll spare the hazard Of a second Battel.

_Abd_. My Lord, retire into my inner Tent, And all things shall be instantly perform'd.

[_Exeunt all_.

SCENE VII. _The Grove_.

_Enter some of_ Philip's _Party running over the Stage, pursued by_ Philip, Alonzo, Sebastian, Antonio, _and some few Officers more_.

_Alon_. Do not pursue 'em, Sir, such coward Slaves Deserve not Death from that ill.u.s.triate Hand.

_Phil_. Eternal Plagues consume 'em in their flight; Oh, this d.a.m.n'd coward Cardinal has betray'd us!

When all our Swords were n.o.bly dy'd in Blood, When with red Sweat that trickled from our Wounds We'ad dearly earn'd the long disputed Victory, Then to lose all, then to sound base Retreat, It swells my Anger up to perfect Madness.

_Alon_. Indeed 'twas wondrous strange.

_Sebast_. I'm glad, Sir--

_Phil_. Art glad of it? art glad we are abandon'd?

That I, and thou have lost the hopeful'st Day--

_Sebast_. Great Sir, I'm glad that you came off alive.

_Phil_. Thou hast a lean Face--and a carrion Heart-- A plague upon the Moor, and thee--Oh, _Alonzo_, To run away--follow'd by all the Army!

Oh, I cou'd tear my Hair, and curse my Soul to Air!

--Cardinal--thou Traitor, _Judas_, that would'st sell Thy G.o.d again, as thou hast done thy Prince.

--But come--we're yet a few, And we will fight till there be left but one-- If I prove him, I'll die a glorious death.

Ant. Yes, but the Cardinal has took pious Care It shall be in our Beds.

_Sebast_. We are as bad as one already, Sir; for all our Fellows are crawl'd home, some with ne'er a Leg, others with ne'er a Arm, some with their Brains beat out, and glad they escaped so.

_Phil_. But, my dear Countrymen, you'll stick to me.

_1 Sold_. Ay, wou'd I were well off-- [_Aside_.

_Phil_. Speak, stout _Sceva_, wilt thou not?

_1 Sold. Sceva_, Sir, who's that?

_Phil_. A gallant _Roman_, that fought by _Caesar's_ side, Till all his Body cover'd o'er with Arrows, Shew'd like a monstrous Porcupine.

_1 Sold_. And did he die, Sir?

_Phil_. He wou'd not but have dy'd for Caesar's Empire.

_1 Sold_. Hah--why, Sir, I'm none of _Sceva_, but honest _Diego_, yet would as willingly die as he, but that I have a Wife and Children; and if I die they beg.

_Phil_. For every drop of Blood which thou shalt lose, I'll give thy Wife--a Diadem.

_Sold_. Stark mad, as I am valiant!

_Enter_ Card. _Officers and Soldiers_: Philip _offers to run on him, is held by_ Alonzo.

_Phil_. Oh Heav'n! is not that the Cardinal?

Traitor, how dar'st thou tempt my Rage, and Justice?

_Card_. Your Pardon, Sir, I come in humble Love To offer happy Peace.

_Phil_. Was that thy aim when base Retreat was sounded?

Oh, thou false Cardinal--let me go, _Alonzo_-- Death! offer happy Peace! no, offer War, Bring Fire and Sword--h.e.l.l and d.a.m.nation-Peace!

Oh, d.a.m.n your musty Peace--No, will you fight and cry, Down with the Moor! and then I'll die in peace.

I have a Heart, two Arms, a Soul, a Head, I'll hazard these--I can but hazard all-- Come--I will kneel to thee--and be thy Slave-- [_Kneels_.

I'll let thee tread on me, do any thing, So this d.a.m.n'd Moor may fall.

_Card_. Yes, Sir, he shall--

_Phil_. G.o.ds! shall he--thy n.o.ble Hand upon't, And for this Promise, take my grateful Heart.