Card. Philip a Bastard! 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 Bastard! 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 Passion, Neither shall make me act against those Principles My Honour ever taught me to obey. —And, Madam— ’.is 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 Circumstances 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.