Abd. Now all that’s brave and villain seize my Soul,
Reform each Faculty that is not ill,
And make it fit for Vengeance, noble Vengeance.
Oh glorious Word! fit only for the Gods,
For which they form’d their Thunder,
Till Man usurp’d their Power, and by Revenge
Sway’d Destiny as well as they, and took their trade of killing.
And thou, almighty Love,
Dance in a thousand forms about my Person,
That this same Queen, this easy Spanish Dame,
May be bewitch’d, and dote upon me still;
Whilst I make use of the insatiate Flame
To set all Spain on fire.—
Mischief, erect thy Throne,
And sit on high; here, here upon my Head.
Let Fools fear Fate, thus I my Stars defy:
The influence of this—must raise my Glory high.
[_Pointing to his Sword.
[Exit_.
SCENE II. A Room in the Palace.
Enter Ferdinand weeping, Ordonio bearing the Crown, followed by Alonzo, leading Leonora weeping; Florella, Roderigo, Mendozo, met by the Queen weeping; Elvira and Women.
Qu. What doleful Cry was that, which like the Voice
Of angry Heav’n struck thro my trembling Soul?
Nothing but horrid Shrieks, nothing but Death;
Whilst I, bowing my Knees to the cold Earth,
Drowning my Cheeks in Rivulets of Tears,
Sending up Prayers in Sighs, t’ implore from Heaven
Health for the Royal Majesty of Spain—
All cry’d, the Majesty of Spain is dead.
Whilst the sad Sound flew through the ecchoing Air,
And reach’d my frighted Soul—Inform my Fears,
Oh my Fernando, oh my gentle Son—
[Weeps.
King. Madam, read here the truth, if looks can shew
That which I cannot speak, and you wou’d know:
The common Fare in ev’ry face appears;
A King’s great loss the publick Grief declares,
But ‘tis a Father’s Death that claims my Tears.
[Card. leads in the Queen attended.
Leon. Ah, Sir!
If you thus grieve, who ascend by what y’ave lost,
To all the Greatness that a King can boast;
What Tributes from my Eyes and Heart are due,
Who’ve lost at once a King and Father too?
King. My Leonora cannot think my Grief
Can from those empty Glories find relief;
Nature within my Soul has equal share,
And that and Love surmount my Glory there.
Had Heav’n continu’d Royal Philip’s Life,
And giv’n me bright Florella for a Wife,
[Bows to Florella.
To Crown and Scepters I had made no claim,
But ow’d my Blessings only to my Flame.
But Heav’n well knew in giving thee away, [To Flor.
I had no bus’ness for another Joy. [Weeps.
The King, Alanzo, with his dying Breath,
[Turns to Alon. and Leon.
To you my beauteous Sister did bequeath;
And I his Generosity approve,
And think you worthy Leonora’s Love.
Enter Card. and Queen weeping.
Alon. Too gloriously my Services are paid,
In the possession of this Royal Maid,
To whom my guilty Heart durst ne’er aspire,
But rather chose to languish in its Fire.