QUEEN Thy victories in field never did crown thee As this one Act shall.
MALATESTE Thou shalt be called thy Country's Patriot, For quenching out a fire now newly kindling In factious bosoms, and shalt thereby save More Noble Spaniards lives, than thou slew Moors.
QUEEN Read me then: Medina's niece, by a contract from the King, Lays claim to all that's mine, my crown, my bed. A son she has by him must fill the throne, If her great faction can but work that wonder. Now hear me...
QUEEN I swell with hopeful issue to the King.
MALATESTE Of this danger the fear afflicts the King.
QUEEN If therefore by the riddance of this Dame ...
BALTHAZAR Riddance? Oh! The meaning on't is murder.
QUEEN That Spain be free from frights, the King from fears, And I, now held his infamy, be called Queen, The treasure of the Kingdom shall lie open To pay thy noble darings.
BALTHAZAR Come. I'll do it, provided I hear Jove call to me, though he roars. I must have the King's hand to this warrant, else I dare not serve it upon my conscience.
QUEEN Be firm then. Behold the King is come.
QUEEN I found the metal hard, but with oft beating He's now so softened, he shall take impression From any seal you give him.
KING Balthazar, Come hither, listen. Whatsoe'er our Queen Has importuned thee to touching Onaelia Niece to the Constable, and her young son, My voice shall second it, and sign her promise.
BALTHAZAR Starving? Or strangling, stabbing, smothering?
BALTHAZAR But I will have, Sir, This under your own hand, that you desire it, You plot it, set me on to't.
BALTHAZAR And then as large a pardon as law and wit can engross for me.
BALTHAZAR A word more, Sir, pray will you tell me one thing?
BALTHAZAR Suppose I have your strongest pardon, can that cure my wounded conscience? Can there your pardon help me? You not only knock the ewe on the head, but cut the innocent lamb's throat too, yet you are no butcher.
QUEEN Is this thy promised yielding to an act So wholesome for thy country?
BALTHAZAR I would not have this sin scored on my head For all the Indian Treasury.
KING That song no more. Do this and I will make thee a great man.
BALTHAZAR Is there no farther trick in't but my blow, your purse and my pardon?
MALTATESTE No nets upon my life to entrap thee.