_Alphon._ Not so, Belinus, till you promise me All things belonging to the royal crown Of Arragon, and make your lordings swear For to defend me to their utmost power Against all men that shall gainsay the same.
_Beli._ Mark, what belongèd erst unto the crown Of Arragon, that challenge as thine own; Belinus gives it frankly unto thee, And swears by all the powers of glittering skies To do my best for to maintain the same, So that it be not prejudicial Unto mine honour, or my country-soil.
_Albi._ And by the sacred seat of mighty Jove Albinius swears that first he'll die the death, Before he'll see Alphonsus suffer wrong.
_Fabi._ What erst Albinius vow'd we jointly vow.
_Alphon._ Thanks, mighty lords; but yet I greatly fear That very few will keep the oaths they swear. But, what, Belinus, why stand you so long, And cease from offering homage unto me? What, know you not that I thy sovereign am, Crownèd by thee and all thy other lords, And now confirmèd by your solemn oaths? Feed not thyself with fond persuasions, But presently come yield thy crown to me, And do me homage, or by heavens I swear I'll force thee to it maugre all thy train.
_Beli._ How now, base brat! what, are thy wits thine own, That thou dar'st thus abraid[41] me in my land? 'Tis best for thee these speeches to recall, Or else, by Jove, I'll make thee to repent That ere thou sett'st thy foot in Naples' soil.
_Alphon._ "Base brat," say'st thou? as good a man as thou: But say I came but of a base descent, My deeds shall make my glory for to shine As clear as Luna in a winter's night. But for because thou bragg'st so of thy birth, I'll see how it shall profit thee anon.
_Fabi._ Alphonsus, cease from these thy threatening words, And lay aside this thy presumptuous mind, Or else be sure thou shalt the same repent.
_Alphon._ How now, sir boy! will you be prattling too? 'Tis best for thee to hold thy tattling tongue, Unless I send some one to scourge thy breech. Why, then, I see 'tis time to look about When every boy Alphonsus dares control: But be they sure, ere Phœbus' golden beams Have compassèd the circle of the sky, I'll clog their tongues, since nothing else will serve To keep those vilde[42] and threatening speeches in. Farewell, Belinus, look thou to thyself: Alphonsus means to have thy crown ere night. [_Exit._