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SCENE i] THE MOURNING BRIDE 427
'Twill quit me of my promise to Gonsalez.
[Exit ALDNZO, bearing off the dead Mute.
Per. [Aside.] Whate'er it is, the king's complexion turns.
Man. [Having read the letter.] How's this? my mortal
foe beneath my roof?
D give me patience, all ye powers! no, rather
Give me new rage, implacable revenge,
And trebled fury.—Ha! who's there?
Per. My lord!
Man. Hence, slave! how darest thou 'bide, to watch and
pry
Into how poor a thing a king descends?
How like thyself, when passion treads him down!
Ha! stir not, on thy life! for thou wert fixed
And planted here to see me gorge this bait,
And lash against the hook.—By Heaven, you're all
Rank traitors! thou art with the rest combined;
Thou knew'st that Dsmyn was Alphonso, knew'st
My daughter privately with him conferred;
And wert the spy and pander to their meeting.
Per. By all that's holy, I'm amazed—
Man. Thou liest.
Thou art accomplice too with Zara: here
Where she sets down—[Reading.]—"Still will I set thee
free"—
That somewhere is repeated—"I have power
O'er them that are thy guards."—Mark that, thou traitor!
Per. It was your majesty's command, I should
Obey her order—
Man. [Reading.] "And still will I set
Thee free, Alphonso."—Hell! cursed, cursed Alphonso!
False and perfidious Zara! Strumpet daughter!
Away, begone, thou feeble boy, fond love!
All nature, softness, pity and compassion!
This hour I throw ye off, and entertain
Fell hate within my breast, revenge and gall.
By Heaven, I'll meet, and counterwork this treachery!
Hark thee, villain, traitor—answer me, slave!
Per. My service has not merited those titles.
Man. Darest thou reply? take that—thy service? thine!
[Strides him.
What's thy whole life, thy soul, thy all, to my
One moment's case? Hear my command; and look