Oss. She charg'd me tell you that a faithless Moor,
Who had gain'd honour only by the ruin
Of what we hold religious, sooner she
Would welcome to her bed, than who t' his queen
And Love had been a rebel.
Dec. How a rebel?
The people's suffrage, which inaugurates princes,
Hath warranted my actions.
Oss. But she answers,
The subtle arts of faction, not free vote,
Commanded her restraint.
Dec. May even those stars,
Whose influence made me great, turn their aspècts
To blood and ruin, if ambition rais'd
The appetite of love. Her beauty hath
A power more sovereign than the Eastern slave
Acknowledg'd ever in his idol king.
To that I bowed a subject: but when I
Discover'd that her fancy fix'd upon
Florentio (General now of th' enemy's army),
I let the people use their severe way,
And they restrain'd her.
Oss. But, my lord, their guilt
Is made your crime. Yet all this new affliction
Disturbs her not to anger, but disdain.
Dec. She hath a glorious spirit. Yet the world,
The envious world itself, must justify,
That howsoever fortune yielded up
The sceptre to my power, I did but kiss it,
And offer'd it again into her hand.
Enter Florentio, Velasco, and others.
Oni. My lord, the general of Castile, Florentio.
Dec. He's safely welcome. Now let each man keep
At a due distance. I have here attended
Your lordship's presence.