Flor. If you suspect me, do not leave me, Sir.
Abd. Oh—I’m dispatch’d away—to leave you free—
About a wonderful Affair—mean time,
I know you will be visited—but as you wish to live,
At my return let me behold him dead.—
Be sure you do’t—’tis for thy Honour’s safety—
I love thee so, that I can take no rest,
Till thou hast kill’d thy Image in his Breast.
—Adieu, my dear Florella.
[Exit_.
Flor. Murder my King! the Man that loves me too—
What Fiend, what Fury such an act wou’d do?
My trembling Hand wou’d not the Weapon bear,
And I should sooner strike it here—than there.
[Pointing to her Breast.
No! though of all I am, this Hand alone
Is what thou canst command, as being thy own;
Yet this has plighted no such cruel Vow;
No Duty binds me to obey thee ‘now.
To save my King’s, my Life I will expose,
No Martyr dies in a more glorious Cause.
[Exit.
SCENE II. The Queen’s Apartments.
Enter the Queen in an undress alone, with a Light.
Qu. Thou grateful Night, to whom all happy Lovers
Make their devout and humble Invocations;
Thou Court of Silence, where the God of Love,
Lays by the awful Terror of a Deity,
And every harmful Dart, and deals around
His kind Desires; whilst thou, blest Friend to Joys,
Draw’st all thy Curtains, made of gloomy Shades,
To veil the Blushes of soft yielding Maids;
Beneath thy Covert grant the Love-sick King,
May find admittance to Florella’s Arms;
And being there, keep back the busy Day;
Maintain thy Empire till my Moor returns;
Where in her Lodgings he shall find his Wife,
Amidst her amorous Dalliance with my Son.—
My watchful Spies are waiting for the Knowledge;
Which when to me imparted, I’ll improve,
Till my Revenge be equal to my Love.
Enter Elvira.
—Elvira, in thy Looks I read Success;
What hast thou learnt?
Elv. Madam, the King is gone as you imagin’d, To fair Florella’s Lodging.
Qu. But art thou sure he gain’d Admittance?
Elv. Yes, Madam; But what Welcome he has found, to me’s unknown; But I believe it must be great, and kind.