Asc. Not for a diamond
Big as our Apennine. She's heavenly fair;
And, had not nature plac'd her in a throne,
Her beauty yet bears so much majesty,
It would have forc'd the world to throw itself
A captive at her feet. [The Queen wakes.] But see, she moves!
I feel a flame within me, which doth burn
Too near my heart; and 'tis the first that ever
Did scorch me there.
San. Madam, here's that brave soldier
Which reinforc'd the army of Castile:
His name as yet unknown.
Asc. And must be so.
Nor did I merit name before this hour
In which I serve your majesty. Enjoy
The fortune of my sword, your liberty;
And, since your rebel subjects have denied
Obedience, here receive it from us strangers.
Queen. I know not, sir, to whom I owe the debt,
But find how much I stand oblig'd.
Asc. You owe it
To your own virtue, madam, and that care
Heaven had to keep part of itself on earth
Unruin'd. When I saw the soldier fly,
Sent hither from Castile to force your rescue,
Their general hurt almost to death, I urg'd
Them with the memory of their former deeds,
Deeds famed in war; and so far had my voice
(Speaking your name) power to confirm their spirits,
That they return'd with a brave fury, and
Yield you up now your humbled[280] Arragon.
Queen. My ignorance doth still perplex me more:
And to owe thanks, yet not to know to whom,
Nor how to express a gratitude, will cloud
The glory of your victory, and make
Me miserable however.
Asc. I must penance
My blood with absence, for it boils too high. [Aside.
When we have order'd your affairs, my name
Shall take an honour from your knowledge, madam.
Queen. You have corrected me. Sir, we'll expect
The hour yourself shall name, when we may serve.
Asc. I'm conquer'd in my victory! But I'll try
A new assault, and overcome or die. [Exeunt.