Rod. She’s but a Woman, nor has more Lives than one.
Abd. True, Roderigo, and thou hast dealt in Murders, And knowest the safest way to—
Rod. How, Sir!—
Abd. Thou dar’st not sure pretend to any Virtue;
Had Hell inspir’d thee with less Excellency
Than Arts of killing Kings, thou’dst ne’er been rais’d
To that exalted Height, t’ have known my Secrets.
Rod. But, Sir—
Abd. Slave, look back upon the Wretchedness I took thee from;
What Merits had thou to deserve my Bounty,
But Vice, brave prosperous Vice?
Thou’rt neither wise, nor valiant.
Rod. I own my self that Creature rais’d by you, And live but to repay you, name the way.
Abd. My business is—to have the Queen remov’d;
She does expect my coming this very Hour;
And when she does so, ‘tis her Custom to be retir’d,
Dismissing all attendance, but Elvira.
Rod. The rest I need not be instructed in. [Ex. Rod.
Enter Osmin.