[_Exeunt_. ACT V. SCENE I. _A Presence-Chamber, with a Throne and Canopy. Enter_ Abdelazer, Cardinal, Alonzo, Ordonio, Roderigo, _and other Lords, one bearing the Crown, which is laid on the Table on a Cushion; the_ Queen, Leonora, _and Ladies. They all seat themselves, leaving the Throne and Chair of State empty_. Abdelazer _rises and bows_, Roderigo _kneeling, presents him with the Crown_. _Abd_. Grandees of _Spain_, if in this royal Presence There breathes a Man, who having laid his hold So fast on such a Jewel, and dares wear it, In the Contempt of Envy, as I dare; Yet uncompell’d (as freely as the Gods Bestow their Blessings) wou’d give such Wealth away; Let such a Man stand forth--are ye all fix’d? No wonder, since a King’s a Deity. And who’d not be a God? This glorious Prospect, when I first saw the Light, Met with my Infant Hopes; nor have those Fetters (Which e’er they grew towards Men, Spain taught me how to wear) Made me forget what’s due to that illustrious Birth; --Yet thus--I cast aside the Rays of Majesty-- [_Kneels, and lays the Crown on the Table_. And on my Knee do humbly offer up This splendid powerful thing, and ease your Fears Of Usurpation and of Tyranny. _Alon_. What new Device is this? [_Aside_. _Card_. This is an Action generous and just-- Let us proceed to new Election. _Abd_. Stay, Peers of _Spain_, If young Prince _Philip_ be King _Philip’s_ Son, Then is he Heir to _Philip_, and his Crown; But if a Bastard, then he is a Rebel, And as a Traitor to the Crown shou’d bleed: That dangerous popular Spirit must be laid, Or _Spain_ must languish under civil Swords; And _Portugal_ taking advantage of those Disorders, (Assisted by the Male-contents within, If _Philip_ live) will bring Confusion home. --Our Remedy for this is first to prove, And then proclaim him Bastard. _Alon_. That Project wou’d be worth your Politicks [_Aside_. --How shou’d we prove him Bastard? _Abd_. Her Majesty being lately urg’d by Conscience, And much above her Honour prizing _Spain_, Declar’d this Secret, but has not nam’d the Man; If he be noble and a _Spaniard_ born, He shall repair her Fame by marrying her. _Card_. No; Spaniard, or Moor, the daring Slave shall die. _Qu_. Would I were cover’d with a Veil of Night, [_Weeps_. That I might hide the Blushes on my Cheeks! But when your Safety comes into Dispute, My Honour, nor my Life must come in competition. --I’ll therefore hide my Eyes, and blushing own, That _Philip’s_ Father is i’th’ Presence now. _Alon_. I’th’ Presence! name him. _Qu_. The Cardinal-- [_All rise in Amazement_. _Card_. How’s this, Madam! _Abd_. How! the Cardinal! _Card_. I _Philip’s_ Father, Madam! _Qu_. Dull Lover--is not all this done for thee! Dost thou not see a Kingdom and my self, By this Confession, thrown into thy Arms? _Card_. On Terms so infamous I must despise it.