"Eleaz. Mendoza sweats to wear Spain's diadem,—
Philip hath sworn confusion to this realm,—
They both are up in arms; war's flames do shine
Like lightning in the air.—Wherefore, my lords!
Look well on Eleazar!—Value me,
Not by my sun-burnt cheeks, nor by my birth,
But by my loss of blood,
Which I have sacrific'd in Spain's defence.
Then look on Philip and the Cardinal!—
Look on those gaping curs[1], whose wide throats
Stand stretch'd wide open like the gates of death
To swallow you, your country, children, wives.
Philip cries, 'Fire and blood!' the Cardinal
Cries likewise 'Fire and blood!—I'll quench those flames.—
******Rod. Lay by these ambages! What seeks the Moor?
Eleaz. A kingdom! Castile's crown!———"
The reader will be reminded of Coriolanus' sovereign contempt of "the tag," in perusing Eleazar's proud vaunt of the divinity of a hero.
"Eleaz. to Queen. Are these your fears? Thus blow them into air.
I rush'd amongst the thickest of their crowds,
And with a countenance majestical,
Like the imperious Sun, dispers'd their clouds.—
I have perfum'd the rankness of their breath,
- ↑ Monsters would be better both for sense and rhythm.
