King.

Sala, make haste: a herald from Enrique. This to me: Read. Edward of Portugal Is dead. His eldest son being but a babe, A regency now governs, and the rulers Are prince Enrique and this Ferdinand. The other I cannot read, and ’tis addressed To Ferdinand. I doubt not that it urges Acceptance of my terms and quick return.

Sa. I pray it be so. Is it your pleasure, sire, To speak with Ferdinand?

K. Ay, fetch him hither. The dog being master now may change his mind.

Sa. And will you see him in his shameful dress?

K. Nay, that is past:—his own, and with his sword.

Sa. And his despatch; shall I not bear it to him?

K. Ay. Give it him; take it. Stay. (Aside.) I never know What it may say. Better to try him first Without its knowledge. Should I fail ’twere time To use it then. (To Sala.) Give it me. I’ll keep it back. What is this other paper? [Seeing A.'s letter.

Sa. I pray, my liege, Ask not.

K. I’ll know.

Sa. I pray you trust me, sire.

K. Trust thee! what means this?

Sa. ’Tis a forbidden paper. ’Twould anger you to see it.

K. By heaven, I am angered Before I see it. What is it thou wouldst hide?

Sa. It is a letter which I have intercepted From Almeh to the prince. If you have pity On your own flesh, beseech you, let me use it As I judge fit.

K. And well discovered now. By God, wouldst thou play carrier? Give it to me.

Sa. It hath not been five minutes in my hands.

K. And shall not be. (Takes.) Go fetch the prince.

Sa. If you should read it, sire, and find therein Messages of such softness as might melt The stubbornness of Ferdinand, I pray you, For her sweet sake that writ it, let it go And do its errand.

K. Go thou and do thine. [Exit Sala. Will he too plot against me! Let us see What style she dares. Thy death, O my beloved, Already is avenged.—O very tenderly, And most determined.—Willingly I suffer What pains of thine I may. ’Tis all my joy To have taken neither food nor rest Since first thou wert deprived; nor will I take Till thou be respited.—Why this might move him. Oh, if thou diest!—Ah, great heavens, What read I here? Now I see all. Baptized! Baptized in secret by thy countrymen. Baptized! Then let her perish. She is dead. I cast her off. Till now I hid this from thee, Doubting my worthiness.—He doth not know it. He shall not know. None shall know. We will die. I will slay all. I will go down to the grave, And plead my cause before the holy angels, Whether it may be permitted for a princess, Against her father and faith....—Nay, is’t not writ There is there no vain discourse nor charge of sin, But pleasure to the faithful? And I to die With house and kingdom shamed! How would my crown Shine ’mong the blessed caliphs, and the martyrs Who fell in fight upon the road of God? How would they look upon me, If ’mong their moonbright scimitars I came, My child’s blood on my head? and she not there, The fair flower of my life, the bud of grace, Which my long-withering and widowed tree Held to the face of heaven, Now from my own trunk by my own hands torn. Better the bole be split: heaven’s lightning rend me: All curses seize me. Almeh, thou must not die.

Re-enter Sala.

Sa. Prince Ferdinand will come.

K. Is he not here?

Sa. He comes.

K. Why look’st thou thus upon me, Sala?

Sa. Because, sire, thou’st dishonoured me, and slain A noble warrior, who gave me life.

K. Slain him!

Sa. Ay, king: except thou raise the dead. For tho’he breathes, ’tis with such failing gasps As mastering death allows to his sure prey.

K. Thou art over-fearful; three days without food Should make him weak and faint, but not to death. Nay, I am determined now he shall not die. Food will restore him. Set me here a table With meat and drink: here in the garden set it, And he shall eat at once. See it be done, And quickly.

Sa. Sire, I obey: tho’’tis too late. [Exit.

During the King’s following speech, servants come in with table, etc., which they set down, and go out.

K. He must not die, since only by his life I can save Almeh: and ’tis not too late. The sight of food will tempt, the taste restore him: He will yield. I have here too what will move him, This letter; were he built of Atlas stone, For Almeh’s sake he must relent. I know, I see what must be done. I can consent: For such alliance with an ancient foe Is honourable. Peace between the realms, Happiness to both houses—bought may be With sacrifice on my side—yet there’s pride On both to balance: and, this way refused, ’Tis hell and death. And he will thank me too. He is brave and noble; and the stoutest foes Are won to stoutest friendship. See, he comes.

Enter Fer., upborne between two Moorish soldiers.

Prince Ferdinand, our quarrel comes to end. A message has arrived from prince Enrique. Your brother Edward, that was king, is dead. Wherefore the power which I have used on thee I now relax. I have a gentler purpose And a persuasion thou mayst guess; while thou, Owing no loyalty but to thyself, I am well assured wilt not be slow to meet me. Sit with me first and eat: when thou’rt restored We will compose these matters at our leisure: Which done, and peace agreed, thou mayst return In time to pay thy brother’s memory The sorrow it deserves: and in his place Govern the Portuguese. See, there’s thy life, Thy strength and restoration. Sit and eat.