Osm. My Lord—the King is dead.
Abd. The King dead!—’Twas time then to dissemble. [Aside. What means this Rudeness?— [One knocks.
Enter Zarrack.
Zar. My Lord—the Cardinal inquiring for the Queen, The Court is in an uproar, none can find her.
Abd. Not find the Queen! and wou’d they search her here?
Qu. What shall I do? I must not here be found.
Abd. Oh, do not fear—no Cardinal enters here;
No King—no God, that means to be secure—
Slaves guard the Doors, and suffer none to enter,
Whilst I, my charming Queen, provide for your Security—
You know there is a Vault deep under Ground,
Into the which the busy Sun ne’er enter’d,
But all is dark, as are the Shades of Hell,
Thro which in dead of Night I oft have pass’d,
Guided by Love, to your Apartment, Madam—
They knock agen—thither, my lovely Mistress, [Knock.
Suffer your self to be conducted—
Osmin, attend the Queen—descend in haste, [Queen, Osm. and Elv. descend the Vault. My Lodgings are beset.
Zar. I cannot guard the Lodgings longer— Don Ordonio, Sir, to seek the Queen—
Abd. How dare they seek her here?