ABDELAZER

This may have to wait for a while

Tragedy by Aphra Behn

London, Drury Lane, 4 April 1695

Listen to Purcell music

Lucinda is bewitching fair (Right click and open link a new tab)

http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=9LmOWHKvsBc&vq=large#t=770s

From THE MOOR's REVENGE

THE MOOR'S REVENGE

APHRA BEHN (1640)

Love,..in fantastick Triumph sat,

Whilst bleeding Hearts around him flow'd,

For whom fresh Pains he did create,

And strange Tyrannick Pow'r he shewed;

From thy bright Eyes he took his Fires,

Which round about in sport he hurl'd;

But 'twas from mine he took Desires,

Enough t'undo the amorous World.

From me he took his Sighs and Tears,

From thee his Pride and Cruelty;

From me his Languishments and Fears,

And ev'ry killing Dart from thee:

Thus thou, and I, the God have arrri'd,

And set him up a Deity;

But my poor Heart alone is harm'd,

Whilst thine the Victor is, and free.

http://www.marlowe-society.org/docs/LustsDominionText.pdf

The King of Spain, having conquered Fez and killed the Moorish monarch, has taken prince Abdelazer under his protection and in time made him General. Abdelazer, though always courageous, has the desire of revenge ever uppermost, and to gain influence, rather than from any love, he becomes the Queen's paramour. She, being a lustful and wicked woman, conspires with the Moor.

King Ferdinand, is in love with the Moor's wife, orders Abdelazer to escort his brother from battle, intending to visit his wife Florella during her husband's absence. Abdelazer, fully aware of his plan, out of pride and mischief furnishes Florella with a dagger, bidding her stab the King if he persists in his suit. Florella resists the King's solicitations and produces the dagger threatening to stab herself. At this juncture the Queen rushes in and, feigning to think that Florella was about to attempt the King's life, kills her. Her motive for this deed is, in reality, jealousy. Whilst the King falls weeping at his dead mistress' feet Abdelazer enters, and slays both Ferdinand and the Queen.

Philip, Ferdinand's brother is then proclaimed King, but Abdelazer announces that Phillip is a bastard and declares himself Protector of Spain, and imprisons Phillip. Abdelazer now brings forward Leonora the Queen's daughter and proclaims her Queen of Spain, He next openly declares his love for Leonora and is about to force her when Osman, his officer, enters to inform him that Alonzo, to whom Leonora is affianced, has resisted arrest but is at last secured. Abdelazer, enraged at the interruption, wounds Osman in the arm. Leonora pities the blow; and the Moorish soldier, deeply hurt at the insult, resolves to betray his master. He goes to the prison where Philip, and Alonzo are confined, and sets them free.

In the battle that ensues between Moorish and Spanish armies, Abdelazer valiantly rushes into the battlefield and is killed, Leonora and Alonzo are united, whilst Philip ascends the throne.

The story centers on the Moore, Abdelazer, who , although originally a captive and slave in Spain,is married to a Spanish Arab wife who is loved by the prince of Spain. Abdelazer has gained royal favor and military honor and has also become the lover to the Queen.

He plots to revenge the ousting of his father by the Spanish King and in the process destroys most of the Royal family and its court. His instrument is the equally cruel Spanish Queen, whose infatuation with Abdelazer leads her to kill her husband, Abdelazer's wife, and assist in the murder of her elder son , who was in line to succeed the King. She also declare her other son Philip, a bastard so that he may not be able to claim the throne. Her beauty is declining , however she is no longer loved by the Moor, who has started a liaison with her daughter princess Leonora. When she has served his purposes he has her murdered as she was expecting sex with her lover. She dies wishing she had more sons to kill for Abdelazer, a fitting end to a career which has mixed extravagant savagery with farce.

Phillip triumphs over Abdelazer and the Kingdom of Spain is restored.