_Card. Abdelazer_, I at the Queen’s Command have met you here, To know what ‘tis you will propose to us. _Abd_. Peace and eternal Friendship ‘twixt us two. How much against my Will I took up Arms, Be witness, Heav’n: nor was it in revenge to you, But to let out th’ infected Blood of _Philip_, Whose sole aim Is to be King--which Spain will never suffer; Spain gave me Education, though not Birth, Which has intitled it my native Home, To which such Reverence and Esteem I bear, I will preserve it from the Tyrant’s Rage. The People who once lov’d him, now abhor him, And ‘tis your Power alone that buoys him up: And when you’ve lifted him into a Throne, ’.is time to shake you off. _Card_. Whilst I behold him as my native Prince, My Honour and Religion bids me serve him; Yet not when I’m convinc’d that whilst I do so, I injure _Spain_. _Abd_. If he were so, the Powers above forbid We should not serve, adore, and fight for him; But _Philip_ is a Bastard:--nay, ‘twill surprize ye, But that ‘tis Truth, the Queen will satisfy you. _Qu_. With one bold Word he has undone my Honour. [_Weeps_. Too bluntly, _Abdelazer_, you repeat That which by slow Degrees you shou’d have utter’d. _Abd_. Pardon my Roughness, Madam, I meant well. _Card. Philip_ a Bastard! If by such Arts you wou’d divide me from him, I shall suspect you wou’d betray us both. _Qu_. Sir, he informs you Truth; and I blush less To own him so, than that he is a Traitor. _Card. Philip_ a Bastard! oh, it cannot be-- Madam, take heed you do not for Revenge, Barter your dearer Honour, and lose both. _Qu_. I know what’s due to Honour, and Revenge, But better what I owe to _Spain_, and you-- You are a Prince o’th’ Blood, and may put off The Cardinal when you please, and be a Monarch. _Card_. Though my Ambition’s equal to my Passion, Neither shall make me act against those Principles My Honour ever taught me to obey. --And, Madam-- ’.is less a Sin, not to believe you her, Than ‘tis to doubt your Virtue. _Qu_. I wish it were untold, if it must forfeit The least of your Esteem--but that ‘tis Truth, Be witness, Heav’n, my Shame, my Sighs, and Tears. [_Weeps_. _Card_. Why, Madam, was’t so long conceal’d from me? _Qu_. The Circumstances I shall at leisure tell you: And for the present, Let it suffice, he cannot rule in _Spain_, Nor can you side with him, without being made As much incapable to reign as he. _Card_. Though Love and Honour I have always made The Business of my Life; My Soul retains too so much of Ambition, As puts me still in mind of what I am, A Prince, and Heir to Spain: Nor shall my blinded Zeal to Loyalty, Make me that glorious Interest resign, Since _Philip’s_ Claims are not so great as mine. --Madam, tho I’m convinc’d I’ve done amiss In taking Arms for _Philip_, Yet ‘twill be difficult to disengage my self.