Don John. How vainly would dull moralists impose

       Limits on love, whose nature brooks no laws?

       Love is a god, and like a god should be

       Inconstant, with unbounded liberty,

       Rove as he list—

       I find it; for even now I've had a feast,

       Of which a god might covet for a taste.

       Methinks I yet

       See with what soft devotion in her eyes

       The tender lamb came to the sacrifice.

       Oh, how her charms surprised me as I lay!

       Like too near sweets they took my sense away;

       And I even lost the power to reach at joy.

       But those cross witchcrafts soon unravelled were,

       And I was lulled in trances sweeter far:

       As anchored vessels in calm harbours ride,

       Rocked on the swellings of the floating tide.

       How wretched's then the man, who though alone

       He thinks he's blest, yet, as confined to one,

       Is but at best a prisoner on a throne?

      Enter the King attended, Marquis of Posa, and Ruy-Gomez.

      King. Ye mighty powers, whose substitutes we are, On whom you've lain of earth the rule and care, Why all our toils do you reward with ill, And to those weighty cares add greater still? Oh, how could I your deities enrage, That blessed my youth, thus to afflict my age? A queen and a son's incest! dismal thought!

      Don John. What is't so soon his majesty has brought From the soft arms of his young bride? [To Ruy-Gomez.

      King. Ay, true! Is she not, Austria, young and charming too? Dost thou not think her to a wonder fair? Tell me!

      Don John. By Heaven, more bright than planets are: Her beauty's force might even their power out-do.

      King. Nay, she's as false, and as unconstant too. O Austria, that a form so outward bright Should be within all dark and ugly night! For she, to whom I'd dedicated all My love, that dearest jewel of my soul, Takes from its shrine the precious relic down, To adorn a little idol of her own— My son! that rebel both to Heaven and me! Oh, the distracting throes of jealousy! But as a drowning wretch, just like to sink, Seeing him that threw him in upon the brink, At the third plunge lays hold upon his foe, And tugs him down into destruction too; So thou, from whom these miseries I've known, Shalt bear me out again, or with me drown.

      [Seizes roughly on Ruy-Gomez.

      Ruy-Gom. My loyalty will teach me how to wait All the successes of my sovereign's fate. What is't, great sir, you would command me?

      King. How! What is't?—I know not what I'd have thee do: Study revenge for me, 'tis that I want.

      Don John. Alas! what frenzy does your temper haunt? Revenge! on whom?

      King. On my false queen and son.

      Ruy-Gom. On them! good Heaven! what is't that they have done? Oh, had my tongue been cursed, ere it had bred This jealousy! [Half aside.

      King. Then cancel what thou'st said. Didst thou not tell me that thou saw'st him stand Printing soft vows and kisses on her hand, Whilst in requital she such glances gave, Would quicken a dead lover in his grave?

      Ruy-Gom. I did; and what less could the queen allow To him than you to every vassal show? The affording him that little from love's store Implied that she for you reserved much more.

      King. Oh, doubtless, she must have a wondrous store Of love, that sells it at a rate so poor. Now thou'dst rebate[12] my passion with advice; And, when thou shouldst be active, wouldst be wise. No, lead me where I may their incest see— Do, or by Heaven—do, and I'll worship thee! Oh, how my passions drive me to and fro! Under their heavy weight I yield and bow. But I'll re-gather yet my strength, and stand Brandishing all my thunder in my hand.

      M. of Posa. And may it be sent forth, and where it goes Light fatally and heavy on your foes! But let your loyal son and consort bear No ill, since they of any guiltless are. Here with my sword defiance I proclaim To that bold traitor that dares wrong their fame.

      Don John. I too dare with my life their cause make good.

      King. Sure well their innocence you've understood, That you so prodigal are of your blood. Or wouldst thou speak me comfort? I would find 'Mongst all my counsellors at least one kind. Yet any thing like that I must not hear; For so my wrongs I should too tamely bear, And weakly grow my own mean flatterer. Posa, withdraw—[Exit Marquis of Posa.]—My lords, all this you've heard.

      Ruy-Gom. Yes, I observed it, sir, with strict regard: The young lord's friendship was too great to hide.

      King. Is he then so to my false son allied? I am environed every way, and all My fate's unhappy engines plot my fall. Like Cæsar in the senate, thus I stand, Whilst ruin threatened him on every hand. From each side he had warning he must die; Yet still he braved his fate, and so will I. To strive for ease would but add more to pain: As streams that beat against their banks in vain, Retreating, swell into a flood again. No, I'll do things the world shall quake to hear; My just revenge so true a stamp shall bear, As henceforth Heaven itself shall emulate, And copy all its vengeance out by that. All but Ruy-Gomez I must have withdrawn, I've something to discourse with him alone.

      [Exeunt Don John and Attendants.

      Now, Gomez, on thy truth depends