_Abd_. ‘Tis true; but now the World is chang’d you see.
Thou art too brave to know what I resolve-- [_Aside_.
No more--here comes the King with my _Florella_.
He loves her, and she swears to me she’s chaste;
’.is well, if true--well too, if it be false: [_Aside_.
I care not, ‘tis Revenge
That I must sacrifice my Love and Pleasure to.
[Alon. _and_ Abd. _stand aside_.
_Enter King, _Lords, Guards passing over the Stage_,
Florella _in a suppliant posture weeping_.
_King_. Thou woo’st me to reverse thy Husband’s Doom,
And I woo thee for Mercy on my self,
Why shoud’st thou sue to him for Life and Liberty,
For any other, who himself lies dying,
Imploring from thy Eyes a little Pity?
_Flor_. Oh mighty King! in whose sole Power, like Heav’n,
The Lives and Safeties of your Slaves remain,
Hear and redress my _Abdelazer’s_ Wrongs.
_King_. All Lives and Safeties in my Power remain!
Mistaken charming Creature, if my Power
Be such, who kneel and bow to thee,
What must thine be,
Who hast the Sovereign Command o’er me and it?
Wou’dst thou give Life? turn but thy lovely Eyes
Upon the wretched thing that wants it,
And he will surely live, and live for ever.
Canst thou do this, and com’st to beg of me?
_Flor_. Alas, Sir, what I beg’s what you alone can give,
My _Abdelazer’s_ Pardon.
_King_. Pardon! can any thing ally’d to thee offend?
Thou art so sacred and so innocent,
That but to know thee, and to look on thee,
Must change even Vice to Virtue.
Oh my _Florella_!
So perfectly thou dost possess my Soul,
That ev’ry Wish of thine shall be obey’d:
Say, wou’dst thou have thy Husband share my Crown?
Do but submit to love me, and I yield it.
_Flor_. Such Love as humble Subjects owe their King.
[_Kneels, he takes her up_.
And such as I dare pay, I offer here.
_King_. I must confess it is a Price too glorious:
But, my _Florella_--
_Abd_. I’ll interrupt your amorous Discourse. [_Aside_.
[Abd. _comes up to them_.
_Flor_. Sir, _Abdelazer’s_ here.
_King_. His Presence never was less welcome to me;--
[_Aside_.
But, Madam, durst the Cardinal use this Insolence?
Where is your noble Husband?
_Abd_. He sees me, yet inquires for me. [_Aside_.
_Flor_. Sir, my Lord is here.
_King. Abdelazer_, I have heard with much surprize,
O’ th’ Injuries you’ve receiv’d, and mean to right you:
My Father lov’d you well, made you his General,
I think you worthy of that Honour still.
_Abd_. True--for my Wife’s sake. [_Aside_.
_King_. When my Coronation is solemnized,
Be present there, and re-assume your wonted State and Place;
And see how I will check the insolent Cardinal.
_Abd_. I humbly thank my Sovereign--
[_Kneels, and kisses the_ King’s _Hand_.
That he loves my Wife so well. [_Aside_.
[_Exeunt_.
_Manent_ Abdelazer, Florella.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account