Queen-M. Gentle son——
King. Ungentle mother, you a deed have done
Of so much ruth, that no succeeding age
Can ever clear you of. O my dear love!
Yet heavens can witness thou wert never mine.
Spain's wonder was Maria.
Queen-M. Sweet, have done.
King. Have done! for what? For shedding zealous tears
Over the tomb of virtuous chastity?
You cry Have done, now I am doing good;
But cried Do on, when you were shedding blood.
Have you done, mother? Yes, yes, you have done
That which will undo your unhappy son.
Rod. These words become you not, my gracious lord.
King. These words become not me! no more it did
Become you, lords, to be mute standers-by,
When lustful fury ravish'd chastity:
It ill becomes me to lament her death;
But it became you well to stop her breath!
Had she been fair, and not so virtuous,
This deed had not been half so impious.
Alv. But she was fair in virtue, virtuous fair. O me!
King. O me! she was true honour's heir.
Hence, beldam, from my presence! all, fly hence;
You are all murderers. Come, poor innocent,
Clasp thy cold hand in mine; for here I'll lie,
And since I liv'd for her, for her I'll die.
SCENE IV.
Enter Eleazar with a torch, his rapier drawn.