Enter_ Abdelazer, Cardinal, Alonzo, Ordonio, Roderigo, and other Lords, one bearing the Crown, which is laid on the Table on a Cushion; the Queen, Leonora, and Ladies. They all seat themselves, leaving the Throne and Chair of State empty. Abdelazer rises and bows, Roderigo kneeling, presents him with the Crown.
Abd. Grandees of Spain, if in this royal Presence
There breathes a Man, who having laid his hold
So fast on such a Jewel, and dares wear it,
In the Contempt of Envy, as I dare;
Yet uncompell’d (as freely as the Gods
Bestow their Blessings) wou’d give such Wealth away;
Let such a Man stand forth—are ye all fix’d?
No wonder, since a King’s a Deity.
And who’d not be a God?
This glorious Prospect, when I first saw the Light,
Met with my Infant Hopes; nor have those Fetters
(Which e’er they grew towards Men, Spain taught me how to wear)
Made me forget what’s due to that illustrious Birth;
—Yet thus—I cast aside the Rays of Majesty—
[Kneels, and lays the Crown on the Table.
And on my Knee do humbly offer up
This splendid powerful thing, and ease your Fears
Of Usurpation and of Tyranny.
Alon. What new Device is this? [Aside.
Card. This is an Action generous and just— Let us proceed to new Election.
Abd. Stay, Peers of Spain,
If young Prince Philip be King Philip’s Son,
Then is he Heir to Philip, and his Crown;
But if a Bastard, then he is a Rebel,
And as a Traitor to the Crown shou’d bleed:
That dangerous popular Spirit must be laid,
Or Spain must languish under civil Swords;
And Portugal taking advantage of those Disorders,
(Assisted by the Male-contents within,
If Philip live) will bring Confusion home.
—Our Remedy for this is first to prove,
And then proclaim him Bastard.
Alon. That Project wou’d be worth your Politicks [Aside. —How shou’d we prove him Bastard?
Abd. Her Majesty being lately urg’d by Conscience,
And much above her Honour prizing Spain,
Declar’d this Secret, but has not nam’d the Man;
If he be noble and a Spaniard born,
He shall repair her Fame by marrying her.
Card. No; Spaniard, or Moor, the daring Slave shall die.
Qu. Would I were cover’d with a Veil of Night, [Weeps. That I might hide the Blushes on my Cheeks! But when your Safety comes into Dispute, My Honour, nor my Life must come in competition. —I’ll therefore hide my Eyes, and blushing own, That Philip’s Father is i’th’ Presence now.
Alon. I’th’ Presence! name him.