_Abd_. So, I thank thee, Nature, that in making me, Thou didst design me Villain; Hitting each Faculty for active Mischief: Thou skilful Artist, thank thee for my Face, It will discover nought that’s hid within. Thus arm’d for Ills, Darkness, and Horrour, I invoke your aid; And thou dread Night, shade all your busy Stars In blackest Clouds, And let my Dagger’s Brightness only serve To guide me to the Mark--and guide it so, It may undo a Kingdom at one Blow. [Exit. SCENE II. _A Banqueting Hall_. _A Banquet, under a Canopy the_ King, Leonora, Florella, _Ladies waiting_; Philip, Mendozo, Alonzo, Ordonio, Antonio, Sebastian, _Lords and Attendants: As soon as the Scene draws off, they all rise, and come forward_. _King_. My Lords, you’re sad to Night; give us loud Musick-- I have a double Cause to mourn; And Grief has taken up his dwelling here-- Beyond the Art of Love, or Wine to conquer-- ’.is true, my Father’s dead--and possibly ’.is not so decent to appear thus gay; But Life, and Death, are equal to the wretched, And whilst _Florella_ frowns--’tis in that Number [_To_ Flor. I must account her Slave--_Alonzo_, How came thy Father so bewitch’d to Valour, (For _Abdelazer_ has no other Virtue) To recompense it with so fair a Creature? Was this--a Treasure t’ inrich the Devil with? _Alon_. Sir, he has many Virtues, more than Courage, Royally born, serv’d well his King, and Country; My Father brought him up to martial Toils, And taught him to be brave; I hope, and good;-- Beside, he was your Royal Father’s Favourite. _King_. No, _Alonzo_, ‘twas not his Love to Virtue, But nice Obedience to his King, and Master, Who seeing my increase of Passion for her, To kill my Hopes, he gave her to this _Moor_. _Alon_. She’s now a virtuous Woman, Sir. _King_. Politick Sir, who would have made her other? Against her Will, he forc’d her to his Arms, Whilst all the World was wondring at his Madness. _Alon_. He did it with her Approbation, Sir. _King_. With thine, _Florella!_ cou’dst thou be so criminal? _Flor_. Sir, I was ever taught Obedience; My humble Thoughts durst ne’er aspire to you, And next to that--Death, or the Moor, or any thing. _King_. Oh God! had I then told my Tale So feebly, it could not gain Belief. Oh my _Florella_! this little Faith of thine Has quite undone thy King--_Alonzo_, Why didst not thou forbid this fatal Marriage, She being thy only Sister? _Alon_. Great Sir, I did oppose it with what Violence My Duty would permit; and wou’d have dy’d In a just Quarrel of her dear Defence; And, Sir, though I submitted to my Father, The Moor and I stand on unequal Terms. _Phil_. Come, who dares drink Confusion to this Moor? _Ant_. That, Sir, will I. _Sebast_. And I. _Phil_. Page, fill my Glass, I will begin the Round, Ye all shall pledge it--_Alonzo_, first to thee. [_Drinks_. _Alon_. To me, Sir!