John Webster

The White Devil

El diablo blanco (Traducción) Il diavolo bianco o Vittoria Corombona (Traducción)

Webster, John. The White Devil . Edited by Elizabeth M. Brennan. London: Benn, 1966. The New Mermaids.

Joan Oleza Simó (Investigador principal) Soler Sasera, Eva (Editor) Soler Sánchez, Victoria (Editor)

English · Verso · 366 versos

https://playcode.fly.dev/plays/EMOTHE0147_TheWhiteDevil

Datación: 1611–1612
desde 1611 y hasta 1612

Bibliografía

Ediciones modernas

Aberg, Maria, ed. The White Devil. Webster, John. London: Nick Hern, 2014.
Brennan, Elizabeth M., ed. The White Devil. Webster, John. London: Benn, 1966. The New Mermaids. Digital text editors for the EMOTHE Digital Library: Soler Sasera, Eva; Soler Sánchez, Victoria. URL: https://emothe.uv.es/biblioteca/textosEMOTHE/EMOTHE0147_TheWhiteDevil.php
Brown, John Russell, ed. The White Devil. Webster, John. Manchester: Manchester University Press, 1996.
Luckyj, Christina, ed. The White Devil. Webster, John. London: A & C Black, 1996.
Robinson, Benedict S, ed. The White Devil. Webster, John. London and New York: Bloomsbury Publishing Plc, 2019.

Bibliografía crítica

Berry, Ralph. The Art of John Webster. Oxford, 1972.
Boklund, Gunnar. The Sources of “The White Devil”. Cambridge, 1957.
Bovilsky, Lara. "“Black Beauties, White Devils: The English Italian in Milton and Webster”". English Literary History. 2003, 70.3, p. 625-51.
Bowers, Fredson. Elizabethan Revenge Tragedy 1587-1642. Princeton, 1966.
Bradbrook, M. C. John Webster: Citizen and Dramatist. New York, 1980.
Brooke, Rupert. John Webster and the Elizabethan Drama. New York, 1916.
Carnegie, David. "Webster’s The White Devil, 4.2.170-71". Explicator. 1993, 52.1, p. 18-19.
Dallby, Anders. The Anatomy of Evil: A Study of John Webster’s ‘The White Devil’. 1974.
Edmond, Mary. "In Search of John Webster". TLS. 1976, p. 1621-2.
Greg, W. W. "Webster’s White Devil". Modern Language Quarterly. 1900, 3.2, p. 112-25.
Hunter, G. K. "Notes on Webster’s Tragedies". Notes and Queries. 1957, 202, p. 53-5.
Jones, Ann Rosalind. "Italians and Others: Venice and the Irish in “Coryat’s Crudities” and “The White Devil”". Renaissance Drama. 1987, 18, p. 101-19.
Jump, John D. The White Devil and The Duchess of Malfi. 1966.
Kerrigan, John. Revenge Tragedy: Aeschylus to Armageddon. Oxford, 1996.
Luckyj, Christina. "Boy Prince and Venetian Courtesan: Political Critique in The White Devil". Ed. Frazer, Paul and Adam Hansen. The White Devil: A Critical Reader. 2016, p. 155-72.
Purcell, Stephen. The White Devil: A Guide to the Text and the Play in Performance. New York, 2012.
Schuman, Samuel. The Theatre of Fine Devices”: The Visual Drama of John Webster. Salzburg, 1982.
Webster: “The White Devil” and “The Duchess of Malfi”: A Casebook. Ed. Holdsworth, R. V. 1975.
Weil, Judith. "The White Devil and Old Wives’ Tales". Modern Language Review. 1999, 94.2, p. 328-40.
Wiggins, Martin. "Conjuring the Ghosts of the White Devil". Review of English Studies. 1997, 48.192, p. 448-70.
Wilson, Luke. "The White Devil and the Law". Ed. Garrett, A. and Sullivan, Patrick Cheney and Andrew Hadfield. Early Modern English Drama. Oxford, 2006, p. 225-36.
Wymer, Roland. Webster and Ford. New York, 1995.

Traducciones

Français

Webster, John. "Le Démon blanc". Tra. de Kisch, Marie-Anne; Laroque, François. Ed. Cottegnies, Line; Laroque, François; Maguin, Jean-Marie. Théâtre élisabéthain. Vol. 2. Paris: Gallimard.

Reproduced by kind permission of The New Mermaid series and the editor, Elizabeth Brennan.

To the reader

TO THE READER In publishing this tragedy, I do but challenge to myself that liberty, which other men have tane before me; not that I affect praise by it, for no haec novimus esse nihil, only since it was acted, in so dull a time of winter, presented in so open and black a theatre, that it wanted (that which is the only grace and setting out of a tragedy) a full and understanding auditory: come to that playhouse, resemble those ignorant asses (who visiting stationers’ shops, their use is not to inquire for good books, but new books) I present it to the general view with this confidence: Nec thoncos metues, maligniorum, Nec sombris tunicas, dabis molestas. If it be objected this is no true dramatic poem, I shall easily confess it, -non potes it nugas dicere plura meas: ipse ego quam dixi,- willingly, and not ignorantly, in this kind have I faulted: for should a man presten to such an auditory, the most sententious tragedy that ever was written, observing all the critical laws, as height of style, and gravity of person; enrich it with the sententious Chorus, and as it were liften death, in the passionate and weighty Nuntius: yet after all this divine rapture, O dura messorum ilia, the breath that comes from the uncapable multitude is able to poison it, and ere it be acted, let the author resolve to fix every scene, this of Horace, ---- Haec hodie porcis comenda relinques. To those who report I was a long time in finishing this tragedy, I confess I do not write with a goose-quill, winged with two feathers, and it they will needs make it my fault, I must answer them with that of Euripides to Alcestides, a tragic writer: Alcestides objecting that Euripides had only in three days composed three verses, whereas himself had written three hundred: ‘Thou tell’st truth’, quoth he, ‘but here’s the difference: thine shall only be read for three days, whereas mine shall continue three ages.’ Detraction is the sworn friend to ignorance. For mine own part I have ever truly cherish’d my good opinion of other men’s worthy labours, especially of that full and height’ned style of Master Chapman, the labour’d and understanding works of Master Jonson: the no less worthy compostures of the both worthily excellent Master Beaumont, and Master Fletcher: and lasty (without wrong last to be named) the right happy and copious industry of Master Shakespeare, Master Dekker, and Master Heywood, wishing what I write may be read by their light: protesting, that, in the strength of mine own judgement, I know them so worthy, that thought I rest silent in my own work, yet to most of theirs I dare (without flattery) fix that of Martial: ---- non morunt, haec monumenta mori.

Dramatis personae

MONTICELSO a Cardinal; afterwards Pope PAUL IV

FRANCISCO DE MEDICIS Duke of Florence; in the fifth act disguised for a Moor, under the name of MULINASSAR

BRACHIANO, otherwise PAULO GIORDANO URSINI Duke of Brachiano; husband to Isabella and in love with Vittoria

GIOVANNI his son, by Isabella

LODOVICO or LODOWICK an Italian Count, but decayed

ANTONELLI

GASPARO

CAMILLO

HORTENSIO one of Brachiano’s officers

MARCELLO and attendant of the Duke of Florence, and brother to Vittoria

FLAMINEO his brother; secretary to Brachiano

CARDINAL OF ARRAGON

DOCTOR JULIO a conjuror

CHRISTOPHERO his assistant

GUID-ANTONIO

FERENZE

JAQUES a Moor, servant to Giovanni

ISABELLA sister to Francisco de Medicis, and wife to Brachiano

VITTORIA COROMBONA a Venetian lady, first married to Camillo, afterwards to Brachiano

CORNELIA mother to Vittoria, Flamineo and Marcello

ZANCHE a Moor; servant to Vittoria

MATRONA of the House of Convertites

AMBASSADORS

PHYSICIANS

COURTIERS

LAWYERS

OFFICERS

ATTENDANTS

CHANCELLOR

REGISTRER

PAGE

ARMOURER

CONJUROR

OMNES

[Act I, Scene i]

(Enter Count LODOVICO, ANTONELLI and GASPARO)

LODOVICO

Banish’d? 1

ANTONELLI

It griev’d me much to hear the sentence. 2

LODOVICO

Ha, ha, O Democritus thy gods 3

That govern the whole world! Fortune’s a right whore. 4

If she gives ought, she deals it in small parcels. 5

That she may take away all at one swoop. 6

This ‘tis to have great enemies, God quite them: 7

Your wolf no longer seems to be a wolf 8

That when she’s hungry. 9

GASPARO

Are men of princely rank 10

LODOVICO

Oh I pray for them. 11

The violent thunder is adored by those 12

Are pash’d in pieces by it. 13

ANTONELLI

You are justly doom’d; look but a little back 14

Into yout former life: you have in three years 15

Ruin’d the noblest cardiom – 16

GASPARO

Your followers 17

Have swallowed you like mummia, and being sick 18

With such unnatural and horrid physic 19

Vomit you up I’th’ kennel – 20

ANTONELLI

All the damnable degrees 21

Of drinkings have you stagger’d through; one citizen 22

Is lord of two fair manors, call’d you master 23

Only for caviare. 24

GASPARO

Those noblemen

Which were invited to your prodigal feasts, 25

Wherein the phoenix scarce could scape your throats, 26

Laugh at your misery, as fore deeming you 27

An idle meteor which drawn forth the earth 28

Would be soon lost I’th’air. 29

ANTONELLI

Jest upon you,

And say you were begotten in an earthquake, 30

You have ruin’d such fair lordships. 31

LODOVICO

Very good,

This well goes with two buckets, I must tend 32

The pouring out of either. 33

GASPARO

Worse than these,

You have acted certain murders here in Rome, 34

Bloody and full of horror. 35

LODOVICO

‘Las they were flea-bitings:

Why took they not my head then? 36

GASPARO

O my lord

The law doth sometimes mediate, thinks it good 37

Not ever to steep violent sins in blood; 38

This gentle penance may both en your crimes, 39

And in the example better these bad times. 40

LODOVICO

So; but I wonder then some great men scape 41

This banishment; there’s Paulo Giordano Orsini, 42

The Duke of Brachiano, now lives in Rome, 43

And by close panderism seeks to prostitute 44

The honour of Vittoria Corombona: 45

Vittoria, she that might have got my pardon 46

For one kiss to the Duke. 47

ANTONELLI

Have a full man within you. 48

We see that trees bear no such pleasant fruit 49

There where they grew first, as where they are new set. 50

Perfumes the more they are chaf’d the more they render 51

Their pleasing scents, and so affliction 52

Expresseth virtue, fully, whether true, 53

Or else adulterate. 54

LODOVICO

Leave your painted conforts.

I’ll make Italian cut-works in their guts 55

If ever I return. 56

GASPARO

O sir.

LODOVICO

I am patient.

I have seen some ready to be executed 57

Give pleasant looks, and money, and grown familiar 58

With the knave hangman; so do I, I thank them, 59

And would account them nobly merciful 60

Would they dispatch me quickly. 61

ANTONELLI

Fare you well,

We shall find time I doubt not, to repeal 62

[A sennet sounds.] Your banishment. 63

LODOVICO

I am ever bound to you;

This is the world’s alms; pray make use of it: 64

Great men sell sheep, thus to be cut in pieces, 65

When first they have shorn them bare and sold their fleeces. 66

(Exeunt)

[Act I, Scene ii]

(Enter BRACHIANO, CAMILLO, FLAMINEO, VITTORIA, CORMBONA [and ATTENDANTS])

BRACHIANO

Your best of rest. 1

VITTORIA

Unto my lord the Duke,

The best of welcome. More lights, attend the Duke. 2

([Exeunt VITTORIA and CAMILLO])

BRACHIANO

Flamineo. 3

FLAMINEO

My lord.

BRACHIANO

Quite lost Flamineo.

FLAMINEO

Pursue your noble wishes. I am promt 4

As lightning to your service, O my lord! 5

(whispers) The fair Vittoria, my happy sister 6

Shall give you present audience. Gentelmen 7

Let the caroche go on, and ‘tis his pleasure 8

You put out all your torches and depart. 9

([Exeunt ATTENDANTS])

BRACHIANO

Are we so happy? 10

FLAMINEO

Can’t be otherwise?

Observ’d you not tonight my honour’d lord, 11

Wich way so e’er you went she threw her eyes? 12

I have dealt already with her chamber-maid 13

Zanche the Moor, and she is wondrous proud 14

To be the agent for so high a spirit. 15

BRACHIANO

We are happy above thought, because ‘bove merit. 16

FLAMINEO

‘Bove merit! We may now talk freely: ‘bove merit; what is’t 17

you doubt? Her coyness? That’s but the superficies of lust 18

most women have; yet why should ladies blush to hear that 19

nam’d, which they do not fear to handle? O they are politic! 20

They know our desire is increas’d by the difficulty of 21

enjoying; whereas satiety is a blunt, weary and drowsy 22

passion; if the buttery-hatch at court stood continually 23

open there would be nothing so passionate crowding, nor 24

hot suit after the brevage,— 25

BRACHIANO

O but her jealous husband.

FLAMINEO

Hang him, a gilder that hath his brains perish’d with 26

Quicksilver is not more cold in the liver. The great barriers 27

moulted not more feathers than he hath shed hairs, by the 28

confession of his doctor. An Irish gamester that will play 29

himself nacked, and then wage all downward, at hazard, is 30

not more venturous. So unable to please a woman that 31

like a Dutch doublet all his back is shrunk into his breeches. 32

Shroud you within this closet, good my lord; 33

Some trick now must be thought in to divide 34

My brother-in-law from his fair bed-fellow. 35

BRACHIANO

O should she fail to come, — 36

FLAMINEO

I must not have your lordship thus unwisely amorous; I 37

myself have loved a lady and pursued her with a great deal 38

of under-age protestation, whom some 3 or 4 gallants that 39

have been rid of. ‘Tis just like a summer bird-cage in a 40

garden: the birds that are within despair and are in a consumption 41

for fear they shall never get out. Away, away my lord, 42

(Enter CAMILLO)

See, here he comes. 43

([Exit BRACHIANO;])

[FLAMINEO speaks aside to this fellow by his apparel.] Some men would judge a politician, 44

But call his wit in question you shall find it 45

[To CAMILLO] How now, brother, 46

Merely an ass in’s foot-cloth. 47

What, travelling to bed to your kind wife? 48

CAMILLO

I assure you brother, no. My voyage lies 49

More northerly, in a far colder clime; 50

I do not well remember, I protest, 51

When I last lay with her. 52

FLAMINEO

Strange you should lose your count.

CAMILLO

We never lay together bur ere morning 53

There grew a flaw between us. 54

FLAMINEO

‘T had been your part

To have made up that flaw. 55

CAMILLO

True, but she loathes

I should be seen in’t. 56

FLAMINEO

Why sir, what’s the matter?

CAMILLO

The Duke your master visits me, I thank him, 57

And I perceive how like an earnest bowler 58

He very passionately leans that way, 59

He should have his bowl run. 60

FLAMINEO

I hope you do not think —

CAMILLO

That noblemen bowl booty? ‘Faith his cheek 61

Hath a most excellent bias; it would fain 62

Jump with my mistress. 63

FLAMINEO

Will you be an ass

Despite your Aristotle or a cuckold 64

Contrary to your ephemerides 65

Wich shows you under what a smiling planet 66

You were first swaddled? 67

CAMILLO

Per wew, sir tell not me

Of planets nor of ephemerides. 68

A man may be made cuckold in the day-time 69

When the stars’ eyes are out. 70

FLAMINEO

Sir God boy you,

I do commit you to your pitiful pillow 71

Stuff’d with horn-shavings. 72

CAMILLO

Brother?

FLAMINEO

God refuse me,

Might I advise you now your only course 73

Were to lock up your wife. 74

CAMILLO

‘Twere very good.

FLAMINEO

Bar her the sight of revels. 75

CAMILLO

Excellent.

FLAMINEO

Let her not go to church, but like a hound 76

In leon at your heels. 77

CAMILLO

‘Twere for her honour.

FLAMINEO

And so you should be certain in one fortnight, 78

Despite her chastity or innocence 79

To be cuckolded, which yet is in suspense: 80

This is my counsel and I ask no fee for’t. 81

CAMILLO

Come, you know not where my nightcap wrings me.

FLAMINEO

Wear it o’th’ old fashion, let your large ears come through, it will be more easy; nay, I will be bitter; bar your wife of her entertainment: women are more willingly and more gloriously chaste, when they are least restrained of their liberty. It seems you would be a fine capricious mathematically jealous coxcomb, take the height of your own horns with a Jacob’s staff afore they are up. These politic enclosures for paltry mutton makes more rebellion in the flesh than all the provocative electuaries doctors have uttered since last Jubilee.

CAMILLO

This does not physic me.

FLAMINEO

It seems you are jealous. I’ll show you the error of it by a familiar example: I have seen a pair of spectacles fashion’d with such perspective art, that lay down but one twelve pence o’th’ board, ‘twill appear as if there were twenty; now should you wear a pair of these spectacles, and see your wife tying her shoe, you would imagine twenty hands were taking up of your wife’s clothes, and this would put you into a horrible causeless fury.

CAMILLO

The fault there sir is not in the eyesight—

FLAMINEO

Enter [VITTORIA] COROMBONA True, but they that have the yellow jaundice, think all objects they look on to be yellow. Jealousy is worser, her fits present to a man, like so many bubbles in a basin of water, twenty several crabbed faces; many times majes his own shadow his cuckold-maker. [aside to VITTORIA] my lord attends you in the banqueting-house your husband is wondrous discontented. See she comes; what reason have you to be jealous of this creature? What an ignorant ass or flattering knave might he be counted, that should write sonnets to her eyes, or call her brow the snow of Ida, or ivory of Cornith, or compare her hair to the blackbird’s bill, when ‘tis liker the black- bird’s feather. This is all. Be wise; I will make you, it shall not be your seeking, do you stand upon that by any means; walk you aloof, I would not have you seen in’t. Sister,

VITTORIA

I did nothing to displease him, I carved to him at supper-time.

FLAMINEO

[aside to VITTORIA] You need not have carved him in faith, they say he is a capon already. I must now seemingly fall out with you. –Shall a gentleman so well descended as Camillo- a lousy slave that within this twenty years rode with the black-guard in the Duke’s carriage ‘mongst spits and dripping-pans,—

CAMILLO

Now he benigs to tickle her.

FLAMINEO

An excellent scholar, -one that hath a head fill’d with calves’ brains without any sage in them,-come crouching in the hams to you for a night’s lodging-that hath an itch in’s hams, which like the fire at the glass-house hath not gone out this seven years.-Is he not a courtly gentleman?- When he wears white stain one would take him by his black muzzle to be no other creature than a maggot.-You are a goodly foil, I confess, well set out-but cover’d with a false stone yon counterfeit diamond.

CAMILLO

He will make her know what is in me.

FLAMINEO

Come, my lord attends you; thou shalt go to bed to my lord.

CAMILLO

Now he comes to’t.

FLAMINEO

With a relish as curious as a vintner going to taste new wine. [To CAMILLO] I am opening you case hard.

CAMILLO

A virtuous brother, o’ my credit.

FLAMINEO

He will give thee a ring with a philosopher’s stone in it.

CAMILLO

Indeed I am studying alchemy.

FLAMINEO

Thou shalt lie in a bed stuff’d with turtles’ feathers, swoon in perfumed linen like the fellow was smothered in roses; so perfect shall be thy happiness, that as men at sea think land and trees and ships go that way they go, so both heaven and earth shall seem to go your voyage. Shalt meet him, ‘tis fix’d, with nails of diamonds to inevitable necessity.

VITTORIA

[aside to FLAMINEO] How shall’s rid him hence?

FLAMINEO

I will put breese in’s tail, set him gadding presently. [To CAMILLO] I have almost wrought her to it, I find her coming, but might I advise you now for this night I would not lie with her; I would cross her humour to make her more humble.

CAMILLO

Shall I? Shall I?

FLAMINEO

It will show in you a supremacy of judgement.

CAMILLO

True, and a mind differing from the tumultuary opinion, for quae negate grata.

FLAMINEO

Right: you are the adamant shall draw her to you, though you keep distance off.

CAMILLO

A philosophical reason.

FLAMINEO

Walk by her o’ the nobleman’s fashion, and tell her you will lie with her at the end of the progress.

CAMILLO

Vittoria, I cannot be induc’d or as a man would say incited—

VITTORIA

To do what sir?

CAMILLO

To lie with you tonight; your silkworm useth to fast everythird day, and the next following spins the better. Tomorrow at night I am for you.

VITTORIA

You’ll spin a fair thread, trust to’t.

FLAMINEO

But do you hear, I shall have you steal to her chamber about midnight.

CAMILLO

Do you think so? Why look you brother, because you shall not think I’ll gull you, take the key, lock me into the chamber, and say you shall be sure of me.

FLAMINEO

In troth I will, I’ll be your jailer once; 115

But have you ne’er a false door? 116

CAMILLO

A pox on’t, as I am a Christian tell me tomorrow how scurvily she takes my unkink parting.

FLAMINEO

I will. 118

CAMILLO

Didst thou not mark the jest of the silkworm? 119

Good night: in faith I will use this trick often, — 120

(Exit CAMILLO)

FLAMINEO

Do , do, do. 121

So now you are safe. Ha ha ha, thou entanglest thyself 122

(Enter BRACHIANO)

in thine own work like a silkworm. 123

Come sister, darkness hides your blush; women are like 124

curs’d dogs, civility keeps tied all daytime, but they 125

are let loose at midnight; then they do most good or most 126

mischief. My lord, my lord. 127

BRACHIANO

Give credit: I could wish time would stand still 128

And never end this interview, this hour, 129

But all delight doth itself soon’st devour 130

(ZANCHE brings out a carpet, spreads it and lays on it two fair cushions. Enter CORELLA [listening, behind].)

Let me into your bosom happy lady, 131

Pour out instead of eloquence my vows; 132

Loose me not madam, for it you forgo me 133

I am lost eternally. 134

VITTORIA

Sir in the way of pity

I wish you heart-whole. 135

BRACHIANO

You are a sweet physician.

VITTORIA

Sure sir a loathed cruelty in ladies 136

Is as to doctors many funerals. 137

It takes away their credit. 138

BRACHIANO

Excellent creature.

We call the cruel fair, what name for you 139

That are so merciful? 140

([Embraces her])

ZANCHE

See now they close.

FLAMINEO

Most happy union.

CORNELIA

My fears are fall’n upon me, oh my heart! 141

My son the pander: now I find our house 142

Sinking to ruin. Earthquakes leave behind, 143

Where they have tyrannized, iron or lead, or stone, 144

But, woe to ruin! Violent lust leaves none. 145

BRACHIANO

What value is this jewel? 146

VITTORIA

'Tis the ornament

Of a weak fortune. 147

BRACHIANO

In sooth I'll have it; nay I will but change 148

My jewel for your jewel. 149

FLAMINEO

Excellent,

His jewel for her jewel; well put in Duke. 150

BRACHIANO

Nay let me see you wear it. 151

VITTORIA

Here sir.

BRACHIANO

Nay lower, you shall wear my jewel lower. 152

FLAMINEO

That's better; she must wear his jewel lower. 153

VITTORIA

To pass away the time I'll tell your grace 154

A dream I had last night. 155

BRACHIANO

Most wishedly. 156

VITTORIA

A foolish idle dream:

Methought I walk'd about the mid of night, 157

Into a church-yard, where a goodly yew-tree 158

Spread her large root in ground; under that yew, 159

As I sat sadly leaning on a grave, 160

Checkered with cross-sticks, there came stealling in 161

Your Duchess and my husband; one of them 162

A pick-axe bore, th'other a rusty spade, 163

And in rough terms they gan to challenge me, 164

About this yew. 165

BRACHIANO

That tree.

VITTORIA

This harmless yew.

They told me my intent was to root up 166

That well-grown yew, and plant i'th' stead of it 167

A withered blackthorn, and for that they vow'd 168

To bury me alive: my husband straigh 169

With pick-axe gan to dig, and your fell Duchess 170

With shovel, like a fury, voided out 171

The earth and scattered bones. Lord how methought 172

I trembled, and yet for all this terror 173

I could not pray. 174

FLAMINEO

No the devil was in your dream.

VITTORIA

When to my rescue there arose me thought 175

A whirlwind, which let fall a massy arm 176

From that strong plant, 177

And both were struck dead by that scared yew 178

In that base shallow grave that was their due. 179

FLAMINEO

Excellent devil. 180

She hath taught him in a dream 181

To make away his Duchess and her husband. 182

BRACHIANO

Sweetly shall I interpret this your dream. 183

You are lodged within his arms who shall protect you, 184

From all the fevers of a jealous husband, 185

From the poor envy of our phlegmatic Duchess; 186

I'll seat you above law and above scandal, 187

Give to your thoughts the invention of delight 188

And the fruition; nor shall government 189

Divide me from you longer than a care 190

To keep you great: you shall to me at once 191

Be dukedom, health, wife, children friends and all. 192

CORNELIA

[approaching them] Woe to light hearts, they still forerun our fall. 193

FLAMINEO

What fury rais'd thee up? Away, away! 194

(Exit ZANCHE)

CORNELIA

What make you here my lord this dead of night? 195

Never dropp'd mildew on a flower here, 196

Till now. 197

FLAMINEO

I pray you go to bed then,

Lest you be blasted? 198

CORNELIA

O that this fair garden,

Had with all poison'd herbs of Thessaly, 199

At first been planted, made a nursery 200

For wichcraft; rather than a burial plot 201

For both your honours. 202

VITTORIA

Dearest mother hear me.

CORNELIA

O thou dost make my brow bend to the earth, 203

Sooner than nature; see the curse of children: 204

In life they keep us frequently in tears, 205

And in the cold grave leave us in pale fears. 206

BRACHIANO

Come, come , I will not hear you. 207

VITTORIA

Dear my lord.

CORNELIA

Where is thy Duchess now adulterous Duke? 208

Thou little dream'd'st this night she is come to Rome. 209

FLAMINEO

How? Come to Rome, — 210

VITTORIA

The Duchess, —

BRACHIANO

She had been better,—

CORNELIA

The lives of princes should like dials move, 211

Whose regular example is so strong, 212

They make the times by them go right or wrong. 213

FLAMINEO

So, have you done? 214

CORNELLIA

Unfortunate Camillo.

VITTORIA

I do protest if any chaste denial, 215

If anything but blood could have allayed 216

His long suit to me — 217

CORNELLIA

I will join with thee,

To the most woeful end e'er mother kneel'd, 218

If thou dishonour thus thy husband's bed, 219

Be thy life short as are the funeral tears 220

In great men's. 221

BRACHIANO

Fie, fie, the woman's mad.

CORNELIA

Be thy act Judas-like, betray in kissing; 222

May'st thou be envied during his short breath, 223

And pitied like a wretch after his death. 224

VITTORIA

O me accurs'd. 225

(Exit VITTORIA)

FLAMINEO

Are you out of your wits, my lord?

I'll fetch her back again. 226

BRACHIANO

No I'll to bed.

Send Doctor Julio to me presently. 227

Uncharitable woman, thy rash tongue 228

Hath rais'd a fearful and prodigious storm, 229

Be thou the cause of all ensuing harm. 230

(Exit BRACHIANO)

FLAMINEO

Now, you that stand so much upon your honour, 231

Is this a fitting time o' night think you, 232

To send a duke home without e'er a man? 233

I would fain know where lies the mass of wealth 234

Which you have hoarded for my maintenance, 235

That I may bear my beard out of the level 236

Of my lord's stirrup. 237

CORNELIA

What? Because we are poor

Shall we be vicious? 238

FLAMINEO

Pray what means have you

To keep me from the galleys, or the gallows? 239

My father prov'd himself a gentleman, 240

Sold all's land, and like a fortunate fellow, 241

Died ere the money was spent. You brought me up, 242

At Padua I confess, where, I protest, 243

For want of means, (the university judge me,) 244

I have been fain to heel my tutor's stockings 245

At least seven years. Conspiring with a beard 246

Made me a graduate, then to this Duke's service; 247

I visited the court, whence I return'd — 248

More courteous, more lecherous by far, 249

But not a suit the richer; and shall I, 250

Having a path so open and so free 251

To my preferment, still retain your milk 252

In my pale forehead? No, this face of mine 253

I'll arm and fortify with lusty wine 254

'Gainst shame and blushing. 255

CORNELIA

O that I ne'er had borne thee, — 256

FLAMINEO

So would I.

I would the common'st courtezan in Rome 257

Had been my mother rather than thyself. 258

Nature is very pitiful to whores 259

To give them but few children, yet those children 260

Plurality of fathers; they are sure 261

They shall not want. Go, go, 262

Complain unto my great lord cardinal, 263

Yet may be he will justify the act. 264

Lycurgus wond'red much men would provide 265

Good stallions for their mares, and yet would suffer 266

Their fair wives to be barren, — 267

CORNELIA

Misery of miseries.

(Exit CORNELIA)

FLAMINEO

The Duchess come to court? I like not that; 268

We are engag'd to mischief and must on. 269

As rivers to find out the ocean 270

Flow with crook bendings beneath forced banks, 271

Or as we see, to aspire some mountain's top 272

The way ascends not straight, but imitates 273

The subtle foldings of a winter's snake, 274

So who knows policy and her true aspect, 275

Shall find her ways winding and indirect. 276

(Exit)

[Act II, Scene i]

(Enter FRANCISCO DE MEDICI, Cardinal MONTICELSO, MARCELLO, ISABELLA, young GIOVANNI, with little JAQUES the Moor)

FRANCISCO

Have you not seen your husband since you arrived? 1

ISABELLA

Not yet sir. 2

FRANCISCO

Surely he is wondrous kind.

If I had such a dove house as Camillo's 3

I would set fire on't, were't but to destroy 4

The pole-cats that haunt to't, - my sweet cousin. 5

GIOVANNI

Lord uncle you did promise me a horse 6

And armour. 7

FRANCISCO

That I did my pretty cousin.

Marcello see it fitted. 8

MARCELLO

My lord, the Duke is here.

FRANCISCO

Sister away, you must not yet be seen. 9

ISABELLA

I do beseech you 10

Entreat him mildly, let not your rough tongue 11

Set us at louder variance; all my wrongs 12

Are freely pardoned, and I do not doubt 13

As men to try the precious unicorn's horn 14

Make of the powder a preservative circle 15

And in it put a spider, so these arms 16

Shall charm his poison, force it to obeying 17

And keep him chaste from an infected straying. 18

FRANCISCO

I wish I may. Be gone. 19

(Exit [ISABELLA])

(Enter BRACHIANO and FLAMINEO)

Void the chamber.

([Exeunt FLAMINEO, MARCELLO, GIOVANNI and JAQUES])

You are welcome, will you sit? I pray my lord 20

Be you my orator, my heart's too full; 21

I'll second you anon. 22

MONTICELSO

Ere I begin

Let me entreat your Grace forgo all passion 23

Which may be raised by my free discourse. 24

BRACHIANO

As silent as i'th' church – you may proceed 25

MONTICELSO

It is a wonder to your noble friends, 26

That you that have as 'twere ent'red the world, 27

With a free sceptre in your able hand, 28

And have to th'use of nature well applied 29

High gifts of learning, should in your prime age 30

Neglect your awful throne, for the soft down 31

Of an insatiate bed. Oh my lord, 32

The drunkard after all his lavish cups, 33

Is dry, and then is sober; so at length, 34

When you awake from this lascivious dream, 35

Repentance then will follow; like the sting 36

Plac'd in the adder's tail: wretched are princes 37

When fortune blasteth but a petty flower 38

Of their unwiedly crowns; or ravisheth 39

But one pearl from their sceptre: but alas! 40

When they to wilful shipreck loose good frame 41

All princely titles perish with their name. 42

BRACHIANO

You have said my lord, – 43

MONTICELSO

Enough to give you taste

How far I am from flattering your greatness? 44

BRACHIANO

Now you that are his second, what say you? 45

Do not like young hawks fetch a course about; 46

Your game flies fair and for you, – 47

FRANCISCO

Do not fear it:

I'll answer you in your own hawking phrase. 48

Some eagles that should gaze upon the sun 49

Seldom soar high, but take their lustful ease 50

Since they from dunghill birds their prey can seize. 51

You know Vittoria? 52

BRACHIANO

Yes.

FRANCISCO

You shift your shirt there

When you retire from tennis. 53

BRACHIANO

Happily.

FRANCISCO

Her husband is lord of a poor fortune 54

Yet she wears cloth of tissue, – 55

BRACHIANO

What of this?

Will you urge that my good lord cardinal 56

As part of her confession at next shrift, 57

And know from whence it sails? 58

FRANCISCO

She is your strumpet, –

BRACHIANO

Uncivil sir there's hemlock in thy breath 59

And that black slander; were she a whore of mine 60

All thy loud cannons, and thy borrowed Switzers 61

Thy galleys, nor thy sworn confederates 62

Durst not supplant her. 63

FRANCISCO

Let's not talk on thunder.

Thou hast a wife, our sister; would I had given 64

Both her white hands to death, bound and lock'd fast 65

In her last winding-sheet, when I gave thee 66

But one. 67

BRACHIANO

Thou hadst given a soul to God then.

FRANCISCO

True:

Thy ghostly father with all's absolution, 68

Shall ne'er do so by thee. 69

BRACHIANO

Spit thy poison, –

FRANCISCO

I shall not need, lust carries her sharp whip 70

At her own girdle; look to't for our anger 71

Is making thunder-bolts. 72

BRACHIANO

Thunder? in faith,

They are but crackers. 73

FRANCISCO

We'll end this with the cannon.

BRACHIANO

Thou'lt get nought by it but iron in thy wounds, 74

And gunpowder in thy nostrils. 75

FRANCISCO

Better that

Than change perfumes for plasters, – 76

BRACHIANO

Pity on thee,

'Twere good you'ld show your slaves or men condemn'd 77

Your new-plough'd forehead. Defiance!-and I'll meet thee, 78

Even in a thicket of thy ablest men. 79

MONTICELSO

My lords, you shall not word it any further 80

Without a milder limit. 81

FRANCISCO

Willingly.

BRACHIANO

Have you proclaimed a triumph that you bait 82

A lion thus? 83

MONTICELSO

My lord.

BRACHIANO

I am tame sir.

FRANCISCO

We send unto the Duke for conference 84

'Bout levies 'gainst the pirates; my lord Duke 85

Is not at home; we come ourself in person, 86

Still my lord Duke is busied; but we fear 87

Discovers flocks of wild ducks, then my lord 88

('Bout moulting time I mean,) we shall be certain 89

To find you sure enough and speak with you. 90

BRACHIANO

Ha?

FRANCISCO

A mere tale of a tub, my words are idle, 91

But to express the sonnet by natural reason, 92

When stags grow melancholic you'll find the season – 93

(Enter GIOVANNI)

MONTICELSO

No more my lord; here comes a champion, 94

Shall end the difference between you both, 95

Your son the prince Giovanni. See my lords 96

What hopes you store in him; this is a casket 97

For both your crowns, and should be held like clear: 98

Now is he apt for knowledge; therefore know 99

It is a more direct and even way 100

To train to virtue those of princely blood 101

By examples than by precepts: if by examples 102

Whom should he rather strive to imitate 103

Than his own father? Be his pattern then, 104

Leave him a stock of virtue that may last, 105

Should fortune rend his sails, and split his mast. 106

BRACHIANO

Your hand boy-growing to a soldier? 107

GIOVANI

Give me a pike.

FRANCISCO

What, practising your pike so young, fair coz? 108

GIOVANNI

Suppose me one of Homer's frogs, my lord, 109

Tossing my bullrush thus. Pray sir tell me 110

Might not a child of good discretion 111

Be leader to an army? 112

FRANCISCO

Yes cousin, a young prince

Of good discretion might. 113

GIOVANNI

Say you so?

Indeed I have head 'tis fit a general 114

Should not endanger his own person oft, 115

So that he make a noise, when he's horseback 116

Like a Dansk drummer. O 'tis excellent! 117

He need not fight; methinks his horse as well 118

Might lead an army for him; if I live 119

I'll challenge the French foe, in the very front 120

Of all my troops, the foremost man. 121

FRANCISCO

What, what, –

GIOVANNI

And will not bid my soldiers up and follow 122

But bid them follow me. 123

BRACHIANO

Forward lapwing.

He files with the shell on's head. 124

FRANCISCO

Pretty cousin.

GIOVANNI

The first year uncle that I go to war 125

All prisoners that I take I will set free 126

Without their ransome. 127

FRANCISCO

Ha, without their ransome?

That took those prisoners for you? 128

GIOVANNI

Thus my lord:

I'll marry them to all the wealthy windows 129

That falls that year. 130

FRANCISCO

Why then the next year following

You'll have no men to go with you to war. 131

GIOVANNI

Why then I'll press the women to the war, 132

And then the men will follow. 133

MONTICELSO

Witty prince.

FRANCISCO

See a good habit makes a child a man, 134

Whereas a bad one makes a man a beast: 135

Come, you and I are friends. 136

BRACHIANO

Most wishedly;

Like bones which broke in sunder and well set 137

Knit the more strongly. 138

FRANCISCO

[calls offstage] Call Camillo hither.

You have received the rumour, how Count Lodowick 139

Is turn'd a pirate? 140

BRACHIANO

Yes.

FRANCISCO

We are now preparing

Some ships to fetch him in. 141

([Enter ISABELLA])

Behold your Duchess; 142

We now will leave you and expect from you 143

Nothing but kind entreaty. 144

BRACHIANO

You have charm'd me.

(Exeunt FR[ANCISCO], MON[TICELSO], GIOV[ANNI])

You are in health we see. 145

ISABELLA

And above health

To see my lord well. 146

BRACHIANO

So I wonder much,

What amorous whirlwind hurried you to Rome – 147

ISABELLA

Devotion my lord. 148

BRACHIANO

Devotion?

Is your soul charg'd with a grievous sin? 149

ISABELLA

'Tis burdened with too many, and I think 150

The oft'ner that we cast our reck'nings up, 151

Our sleeps will be the sounder. 152

BRACHIANO

Take your chamber.

ISABELLA

Nay my dear lord, I will not have you angry; 153

Doth not my absence from you two months 154

Merit one kiss? 155

BRACHIANO

I do not use to kiss.

If that will dispossess your jealousy, 156

I'll swear it to you. 157

ISABELLA

O my loved lord,

I do not come to chide; my jealousy? 158

I am to learn what that Italian means; 159

You are as welcome to these longing arms, 160

As I to you a virgin. 161

([She tries to embrace him; he turns away])

BRACHIANO

O your breath!

Out upon sweetmeats, and continued physic! 162

The plague is in them. 163

ISABELLA

You have oft for these two lips

Neglected cassia or the natural sweets 164

Of the spring violet; they are not yet much withered. 165

My lord I should be merry; these your frowns 166

Show in a helmet lovely, but on me, 167

In such a peaceful interview methinks 168

They are too roughly knit. 169

BRACHIANO

O dissemblance!

Do you bandy factions 'ganst me? Have you learnt 170

The trick of imprudent baseness to complain 171

Unto your kindred? 172

ISABELLA

Never my dear lord.

BRACHIANO

Must I be haunted out, or was't your trick 173

To meet some amorous gallant here ir Rome 174

That must supply our discontinuance? 175

ISABELLA

I pray sir burst my heart, and in my death 176

Turn to your ancient pity, though not love. 177

BRACHIANO

Beacuse your brother is the corpulent Duke, 178

That is the great Duke, -'Sdeath I shall not shortly 179

Racket away five hundred crowns at tennis, 180

But it shall rest upon record. I scorn him 181

Like a shav'd Polack; all his reverent wit 182

Lies in his wardrobe; he's a discreet fellow 183

When he's made up in his robes of state, – 184

Your brother the great Duke, because h'as galleys, 185

And now and then ransacks a Turkish fly-boat, 186

(Now all the hellish Furies take his soul,) 187

First made this match, -accursed be the priest 188

That sang the wedding mass, and even my issue. 189

ISABELLA

O too, too far you have curs'd. 190

BRACHIANO

Your hand I'll kiss:

This is the latest ceremony of my love, 191

Henceforth I'll never lie with thee, by this, 192

This wedding ring: I'll ne'er more lie with thee. 193

And this divorce shall be as truly kept, 194

A if the judge had doom'd it: fare you well, 195

Our sleeps are sever'd. 196

ISABELLA

Forbid it the sweet union

Of all things blessed; why the saints in heaven 197

Will knit their brows at that. 198

BRACHIANO

Let not thy love

Shall never on my soul be satisfied 199

With my repentance: let thy brother rage 200

Beyond a horrid tempest or sea-fight, 201

My vow is fixed. 202

ISABELLA

O my winding sheet,

Now shall I need thee shortly. Dear my lord, 203

Let me hear once more what I would not hear: 204

Never?

BRACHIANO

Never!

ISABELLA

O my unkind lord may your sins find mercy, 205

As I upon a woeful widowed bed 206

Shall pray for you, if not to turn your eyes 207

Upon your wretched wife, and hope son, 208

Yet that in time you'll fix them upon heaven. 209

BRACHIANO

No more; go, go complain to the great Duke. 210

ISABELLA

No my dear lord, you shall have present witness 211

How I'll work peace between you; I will make 212

Myself the author of your cursed vow. 213

I have some cause to do it, you have none; 214

Conceal it I beseech you, for the weal 215

Of both your dukedoms, that you wrought the means 216

Of such a separation; let the fault 217

Remain with my supposed jealousy, 218

And think with what a piteous and rent heart 219

I shall perform this sad ensuing part. 220

(Enter FRANCISCO, FLAMINEO, MONTICELSO; MARCELLO)

BRACHIANO

Well, take your course; my honourable brother! 221

FRANCISCO

Sister! -this is not well my lord,- why sister! 222

She merits not this welcome. 223

BRACHIANO

Welcome, say?

She hath given a sharp welcome. 224

FRANCISCO

Are you foolish?

Come dry your tears; is this a modest course? 225

To better what is nought, to rail, and weep? 226

Grow to a reconcilement, or by heaven, 227

I'll ne'er more deal between you. 228

ISABELLA

Sir you shall not,

No though Vittoria upon that condition 229

Would become honest. 230

FRANCISCO

Was your husband loud,

Since we departed? 231

ISABELLA

By my life sir no.

I swear by that I do not care to lose. 232

Are all these ruins of my former beauty 233

Laid out for a whore's triumph? 234

FRANCISCO

Do you hear?

Look upon other women, with what patience 235

They suffer these slight wrongs, with what justice 236

They study to requite them; take that course. 237

ISABELLA

O that I were a man, or that I had power 238

To execute my apprehended wishes, 239

I would whip some with scorpions. 240

FRANCISCO

What? turn'd fury?

ISABELLA

To dig the strumpet's eyes out, let her lie 241

Some twenty months a-dying, to cut off 242

Her nose and lips, pull out her rotten teeth, 243

Preserve her flesh like mummia, for trophies 244

Of my just anger. Hell to my affliction 245

Is mere snow-water: by your favour sir, – 246

Brother draw near, and my lord cardinal, – 247

Sir let me borrow of you but one kiss, 248

Henceforth I'll never lie with you, by this, 249

This wedding-ring. 250

FRANCISCO

How? Ne'er more lie with him?

And this divorce shall be as truly kept, 251

As if in thronged court, a thousand ears 252

Had heard it, and a thousand lawyers' hands 253

Seal'd to the separation. 254

BRACHIANO

Ne'er lie with me?

ISABELLA

Let not my former dotage

Make thee an unbeliever; this my vow 255

Shall never on my soul be satisfied 256

With my repentance: manet alta mente repostum. 257

FRANCISCO

Was this your circle of pure unicorn's horn, 258

You said should charm your lord? Now horn upon thee, 259

For jealousy deserves them; keep your vow, 260

And take your chamber. 261

ISABELLA

No sir I'll presently to Padua,

I will not stay a minute. 262

MONTICELSO

O good madam.

BRACHIANO

'Twere best to let her have her humour, 263

Some half-day's journey will bring down her stomach, 264

And then she'll turn in post. 265

FRANCISCO

To see her come

To my lord cardinal for a dispensation 266

Of her rash vow will beget excellent laughter. 267

ISABELLA

Unkindness do thy office, poor hear break, 268

Those are the killing griefs which dare not speak. 269

(Exit)

(Enter CAMILLO)

MARCELLO

Camillo's come my lord. 270

FRANCISCO

Where's the commission?

MARCELLO

'Tis here. 271

FRANCISCO

Give me the signet.

FLAMINEO

[to BRACHIANO] My lord do you mark their whispering; I will compound a medicine out of their two heads, stronger than garlic, deadlier than stibium; the cantharides which are scarce seen to stick upon the flesh when they work to the heart, shall not do it with more silence or invisible cunning.

(Enter Doctor [JULIO])

BRACHIANO

About the murder.

FLAMINEO

They are sending him to Naples, but I'll send him to Candy; here's another property too.

BRACHIANO

O the doctor, –

FLAMINEO

A poor quack-salving knave, my lord, one that should have been lash'd for's lechery, but that he confess'd a judgement, had an execution laid upon him, and so put the whip to a non plus.

DOCTOR

And was cozen'd, my lord, by an arranter knave than myself, and made pay all the colourable execution.

FLAMINEO

He will shoot pills into a man's guts, shall make them have more ventages than a cornet or a lamprey; he will poison a kiss, and was once minded, for his masterpiece, because Ireland breeds no poison, to have prepared a deadly vapour in a Spaniard's fart that should have posion'd all Dublin.

BRACHIANO

O Saint Anthony's fire!

DOCTOR

Your secretary in merry my lord.

FLAMINEO

O thou cursed antipathy to nature! Look his eye's bloodshed like a needle a chirurgeon stitcheth a wound with. Let me embrace thee toad, and love thee, O thou abhominable loathsome gargarism, that will fetch up lungs, lights, heart, and liver by scrupules.

BRACHIANO

No more; I must employ thee honest doctor, 282

You must to Padua and by the way, 283

Use some of your skill for us. 284

DOCTOR

Sir I shall.

BRACHIANO

But for Camillo? 285

FLAMINEO

He dies this night by such a politic strain, 286

Men shall suppose him by's own engine slain. 287

But for your Duchess' death? 288

DOCTOR

I'll make her sure.

BRACHIANO

Small mischiefs are by greater made secure. 289

FLAMINEO

Remember this you slave; when knaves come to preferment 290

they rise as gallowses are raised i'th' Low Countries: one 291

upon another's shoulders . 292

(Exeunt [BRACHIANO, FLAMINEO and Doctor JULIO])

MONTICELSO

Here is an emblem nephew, pray persuse it. 293

'Twas thrown in at your window, – 294

CAMILLO

At my window?

Here ir a stag my lord hath shed his horns, 295

And fot the loss of them the poor beast weeps. 296

The word Inopem me copia fecit. 297

MONTICELSO

That is:

Plenty of horns hath made him poor of horns. 298

CAMILLO

What should this mean? 299

MONTICELSO

I'll tell you: 'tis given out

You are a cuckold. 300

CAMILLO

Is it given out so?

I had rather such report as that my lord, 301

Should keep within doors. 302

FRANCISCO

You are the happier:

I'll tell you a tale. 303

CAMILLO

Pray my lord.

FRANCISCO

An old tale.

Upon a time Phoebus the god of light, 304

Or him we call the sun, would need be married. 305

The goods gave their consent, and Mercury 306

Was sent to voice it to the general world. 307

But what a piteous cry there straight arose 308

Amongst smiths, and feltmakers, brewers and cooks, 309

Reapers and butter-women, amongst fishmongers 310

And thousand other trades, which are annoyed 311

By his excessive heat; 'twas lamentable. 312

They came to Jupiter all in a sweat 313

And do forbid the bans; a great fat cook 314

Was made their speaker, who entreats of Jove 315

That Phoebus might be gelded, for if now 316

When there was but one sun, so many men 317

Were like to perish by his violent heat, 318

What should they do if he were married 319

And should beget more, and those children 320

Make fireworks like their father? So say I, 321

Only I will apply it to your wife: 322

Her issue, should not providence prevent it, 323

Would make both nature, time, and man repent it. 324

MONTICELSO

Look you cousin, 325

Go change the air for shame; see if your absence 326

Will blast your cornucopia; Marcello 327

Is chosen with you joint commissioner 328

For the relieving our Italian coast 329

From pirates. 330

MARCELLO

I am much honour'd in't.

CAMILLO

But sir

Ere I return the stag's horns may be sprouted, 331

Greater than these are shed. 332

MONTICELSO

Do not fear it,

I'll be your ranger. 333

CAMILLO

You must watch i'th' nights,

Then's the most danger. 334

FRANCISCO

Farewell good Marcello.

All the best fortunes of a soldier's wish 335

Bring you o' ship-board. 336

CAMILLO

Were I not best now I am turn'd soldier, 337

Ere than I leave my wife, sell all she hath 338

And then take leave of her. 339

MONTICELSO

I expect good from you,

Your parting is so merry. 340

CAMILLO

Merry my lord, o'th' capitain's humour right; 341

I am resolved to be drunk this night. 342

(Exit [CAMILLO; with MARCELLO])

FRANCISCO

So, 'twas well fitted: now shall we discern 343

How his wish'd absence will give violent way 344

To Duke Brachiano's lust, – 345

MONTICELSO

Why that was it;

To what scorn'd purpose else should we make choice 346

Of him for a sea-capiain, and besides, 347

Count Lodowick which was rumour'd for a pirate, 348

Is now in Padua. 349

FRANCISCO

It's true?

MONTICELSO

Most certain.

I have letters from him, which are suppliant 350

To work his quick repeal from banishment; 351

He means to address himself for pension 352

Unto our sister Duchess. 353

FRANCISCO

O'twas well.

We shall not want his absence past six days; 354

I fain would have the Duke Brachiano run 355

Into notorious scandal, for there's nought 356

In such curs'd dotage, to repair his name, 357

Only the deep sense of some deathless shame. 358

MONTICELSO

It may be objected I am dishonourable, 359

To play thus with my kinsman, but I answer, 360

For my revenge I'd stake a brother's life, 361

That being wrong'd durst not avenge himself. 362

FRANCISCO

Come to observe this stumpet. 363

MONTICELSO

Curse of greatness,

Sure he'll not leave her. 364

FRANCISCO

There's small pity in't.

Like mistletoe on sere elms spent by weather, 365

Let him cleave to her and both rot together. 366

(Exeunt)

[Act II, Scene ii]

(Enter BRACHIANO with one in the habit of a Conjuror)

BRACHIANO

Now sir I claim your promise; 'tis dead midnight, 1

The time prefix'd to show me by your art 2

How the intended murder of Camillo, 3

And our loathed Duchess grow to action. 4

CONJUROR

You have won me by your bounty to a deed 5

I do not often practise; some there are, 6

Which by sophistic tricks, aspire that name 7

Which I would glady lose, of nigromancer; 8

As some that use to juggle upon cards, 9

Seeming to conjure, when indeed they cheat; 10

Others that raise up their confederate spirits, 11

'Bout windmills, and endanger their own necks, 12

For making of a squib; and some there are 13

Will keep a curtal to show juggling tricks 14

And give out 'tis a spirit: and some there are 15

Will keep a curtal to show juggling tricks 16

And give out 'tis a spirit: besides these 17

Such a whole ream of almanac-makers, figure-flingers, 18

Fellows indeed that only live by stealth, 19

Since they do merely lie about stol'n goods, 20

They'd make men think the devil were fast an loose, 21

With speaking fustian Latin. Pray sit down, 22

Put on this night-cap sir, 'tis charm'd, and now 23

I'll show you by my strong-commanding art 24

The circumstance that breaks your Duchess' heart. 25

(A DUMB SHOW)

(Enter suspiciously, JULIO and CHRISTOPHERO; they draw a curtain where BRACHIANO's picture is, they put in spectacles of glass which cover their eyes and noses, and then burn perfumes afore the picture, and wash the lips of the picture; that done, quenching the fire, and putting off their spectacles off their depart laughing.)

(Enter ISABELLA in her nightgown as to bedward, with lights after her, Count LODOVICO, GIOVANNI, GUID-ANTONIO and others waiting on her; she kneels down as to prayers, then draws the curtain of the picture, does three reverences to it, and kisses thrice, she faints and will not suffer them to come near it, dies; sorrow express'd in GIOVANNI and in Count LODOVICO; she's convey'd out solemny.)

BRACHIANO

Excellent, then she's dead, – 26

CONJUROR

She's poisoned,

By the fum'd picture: 'twas her custom nightly, 27

Before she went to bed, to go and visit 28

Your picture, and to fed her eyes and lips 29

On the dead shadow; Doctor Julio 30

Observing this, infects it with an oil 31

And other poison’d stuff, which presently 32

Did suffocate her spirits. 33

BRACHIANO

Methought I saw

Count Lodowick there. 34

CONJUROR

He was, and by my art

I find he did most passionately dote 35

Upon your Duchess. Now turn another way, 36

And view Camillo’s far more politic fate: 37

Strike louder music from this charmed ground, 38

To yield, as fits the act, a tragic sound. 39

(THE SECOND DUMB SHOW)

(Enter FLAMINEO, MARCELLO, CAMILLO with four more as Capitains, they drink healths and dance; a vaulting-horse is brought into the room, MARCELLO and two more whisper’d out of the room, while FLAMINEO and CAMILLO strip themselves into their shirts, as to vault; compliment who shall begin, as CAMILLO is about to vault, FLAMINEO pitcheth him upon his neck, and with the help of the rest, writhes his neck about, seems to see if it be broke, and lays him folded double as ‘twere under the horse, makes shows to call for help, MARCELLO comes in, laments, sends for the Cardinal and Duke, who comes forth with armed men, wonder at the act; commands the body to be carried home, apprehends FLAMINEO, MARCELLO, and the rest, and go as ‘twere to apprehend VITTORIA.)

BRACHIANO

‘Twas quaintly done, but yet each circumstance 40

I taste not fully. 41

CONJUROR

O ‘twas most apparent,

You saw them enter charged with their deep healths 42

To their boon voyage, and to second that, 43

Flamineo calls to have a valuating-horse 44

Maintain their sport. The virtuous Marcello 45

Is innocently plotted forth the room, 46

Whilst your eye saw the rest, and can inform you 47

The engine of all. 48

BRACHIANO

It seems Marcello, and Flamineo 49

Are both committed. 50

CONJUROR

Yes, you saw them guarded,

And now they are come with purpose to apprehend 51

Your mistress, fair Vittoria; we are now 52

Beneath her roof: ‘twere fit we instantly 53

Make your eye saw the rest, and can inform you 54

The engine of all. 55

Make out by some back postern. 56

BRACHIANO

Noble friend,

You bind me ever to you; this shall stand 57

As the firm seal annexed to my hand 58

It shall enforce a payment. 59

(Exit BRACHIANO)

CONJUROR

Sir I thank you.

Both flowers and weeds spring when the sun is warm, 60

As great men do great good, or else great harm. 61

(Exit CONJUROR)

[Act III, Scene i]

(Enter FRANCISCO, and MONTICELSO, their CHANCELLOR and REGISTER)

FRANCISCO

You have dealt discreetly to obtain the presence 1

Of all the grave lieger ambassadors 2

To hear Vittoria’s trial. 3

MONTICELSO

‘Twas not ill,

For sir you know we have nought but circumstances 4

To charge her with, about her husband’s death; 5

Their approbation therefore to the proofs 6

Of her black lust, shall make her infamous 7

To all our neighbouring kingdoms. I wonder 8

If Brachiano will be here. 9

FRANCISCO

O fie,

‘Twere impudence too palpable. 10

([Exeunt])

(Enter FLAMINEO and MARCELLO guarded, and a LAWYER)

LAWYER

What, are you in by the week? So -I will not try now whether thy wit be close prisoner: methinks none should sit upon thy sister but old whore-masters, —

FLAMINEO

Or cuckholds, for your cuckhold is your most terrible tickler of lechery: whore-masters would serve, for none are judges at tilting, but those that have been old tilters.

LAWYER

My lord Duke and she have been very private.

FLAMINEO

Your are a dull ass; ‘tis threat’ned they have been very Public.

LAWYER

If it can be proved they have but kiss’d one another.

FLAMINEO

What then?

LAWYER

My lord cardinal will ferret them, —

FLAMINEO

A cardinal I hope will not catch conies.

LAWYER

For to sow kisses (mark what I say), to sow kisses, is to reap lechery, and I am sure a woman that will endure kissing is half won.

FLAMINEO

True, her upper part by that rule; if you will win her nether

part too, you know what follows. 21

LAWYER

Hark, the ambassadors are lighted, — 22

FLAMINEO

I do put on this feigned garb of mirth 23

To gull suspicion. 24

MARCELLO

O my unfortunate sister!

I would my dagger’s point had cleft her hearth 25

When she first saw Brachiano. You ‘tis said, 26

Were made his engine, and his stalking-horse 27

To undo my sister. 28

FLAMINEO

I made a kind of path

To her and mine own preferment. 29

MARCELLO

Your ruin.

FLAMINEO

Hum! Thou art a soldier, 30

Followest the great Duke, feedest his victories, 31

As witches do their serviceable spirits, 32

Even with thy prodigal blood; what hast got? 33

But like the wealth of capitains, a poor handful, 34

Which in thy palm thou bear’st, as men hold water; 35

Seeking to gripe it fast, the frail reward 36

Steals throught thy fingers. 37

MARCELLO

Sir, —

FLAMINEO

Thou hast scarce maintenance

To keep thee in fresh chamois. 38

MARCELLO

Brother!

FLAMINEO

Hear me, —

And thus when we have even poured ourselves 39

Into great fights, for their ambition 40

Or idle spleen, how shall we find reward, 41

But as we seldom find the mistletoe 42

Sacred to physic on the builder oak 43

Without a mandrake by it, so in our quest of gain. 44

Alas the poorest of their forc’d dislikes 45

At a limb proffers, but at hearth it strikes: 46

This is lamented doctrine. 47

MARCELLO

Come, come.

FLAMINEO

When age shall turn thee 48

White as a blooming hawthorn, — 49

MARCELLO

I’ll interrupt you.

For love of virtue bear an honest hearth, 50

And stride over every politic respect, 51

Which where they most advance they most infect. 52

Were I your father, as I am your brother, 53

I should not be ambitious to leave you 54

A better patrimony. 55

(Enter Savoy [Ambassador])

FLAMINEO

I’ll think on’t, —

The lord ambassadors. 56

(Here there is a passage of the lieger Ambassadors over the stage severally. Enter French Ambassador.)

LAWYER

O my sprightly Frenchman, do you know him? He’s an admirable tilter.

FLAMINEO

I saw him at last tilting; he showed like a pewter candle-stick fashioned like a man in armour, holding a tilting staff in his hand, little bigger than a candle of twelve i’th’ pound.

LAWYER

O but he’s an excellent horseman.

FLAMINEO

A lame one in his lofty tricks; he sleeps o’ horseback like a poulter, —

(Enter English and Spanish [Ambassadors])

LAWYER

Lo you my Spaniard.

FLAMINEO

Exeunt He carries his face in’s ruff, as I have seen a serving-man carry glasses in a cypress hat-band, monstrous steady for fear of breaking. He looks like the claw of a blackbird, first salted and then broiled in a candle.

[Act III, Scene ii]

(THE ARRAINGMENT OF VITTORIA)

(Enter FRANCISCO, MONTICELSO, the six lieger Ambassadors, BRACHIANO, VITTORIA, [ZANCHE, FLAMINEO, MARCELLO,] LAWYER, and a guard)

MONTICELSO

Forbear my lord, here is no place assign’d you, 1

The business by his holiness is left 2

To our examination. 3

BRACHIANO

May it thrive with you!

(Lays a rich gown under him)

FRANCISCO

A chair there for his lordship. 4

BRACHIANO

Forbear your kindness; and unbidden guest 5

Should travel as Dutch women go to church; 6

Bear their stools with them. 7

MONTICELSO

At your pleasure sir.

Stand to the table gentlewomen. Now signior 8

Fall to your plea. 9

LAWYER

Domine Judex converte oculos in hanc pestem mulierum

corruptissimam. 11

VITTORIA

What's he?

FRANCISCO

A lowyer, that pleads against you. 12

VITTORIA

Pray my lord, let him speak his usual tongue. 13

I'll make no answer else. 14

FRANCISCO

Why you understand Latin.

VITTORIA

I do sir, but amongst this auditory 15

Which come to hear my cause, the half or more 16

May be ignorant in't. 17

MONTICELSO

Go on sir.

VITTORIA

By your favour,

I will not have my accusation clouded 18

In a strange tongue: all this assembly 19

Shall hear what you can charge me with. 20

FRANCISCO

Signior,

You need not stand on't much; pray change your language. 21

MONTICELSO

Oh for God sake: gentlewoman, your credit 22

Shall be more famous by it. 23

LAWYER

Well then have at you.

VITTORIA

I am at the mark sir, I'll gice aim to you, 24

And tell you how near you shoot. 25

LAWYER

Most literated judges, please your lordships, 26

So to connive your judgements to the view 27

Of this debauch'd and diversivolent woman 28

Who such a black concatenation 29

Of mischief hath effected, that to extirp 30

The memory of't, must be the consummation 31

Of her and her projections – 32

VITTORIA

What's all this? –

LAWYER

Hold your peace. 33

Exorbitant sins must have exulceration. 34

VITTORIA

Surely my lords this lawyer here hath swallowed 35

Some pothecary's bills, or proclamations. 36

And now the hard and undigestible words 37

Come up like stones we use give hawks for physic. 38

Why this is Welsh to Latin. 39

LAWYER

My lords, the woman

Knows not her tropes nor figures, nor is perfect 40

In the academy derivation 41

Of grammatical elocution. 42

FRANCISCO

Sir your pains

Shall be well spared, and your deep eloquence 43

Be worthily applauded amongst those 44

Which understand you. 45

LAWYER

My good lord.

FRANCISCO

speaks this in a scorn Sir,

Put up your papers in your fustian bag, – 46

Cry mercy sir, 'tis buckram, -and acept 47

My notion of your learn'd verbosity. 48

LAWYER

I most graduatically thank your lordship. 49

I shall have use for them elsewhere. 50

([Exit])

MONTICELSO

I shall be plainer with you, and paint out 51

Your follies in more natural red and white 52

Than that upon your cheek. 53

VITTORIA

O you mistake.

You raise a blood as noble in this cheek 54

As ever was your mother's 55

MONTICELSO

I must spare you till proof cry whore to that; 56

Observe this creature here my honoured lords, 57

A woman of a most prodigious spirit 58

In her effected. 59

VITTORIA

Honourable my lord,

It doth not suit a reverend cardinal 60

To play the lawyer thus – 61

MONTICELSO

Oh your trade instructs your language! 62

You see my lords what goodly fruit she seems, 63

Yet like those apples travellers report 64

To grow where Sodom and Gomorrah stood 65

I will but touch her and you straight shall see 66

She'll fall to soot and ashes. 67

VITTORIA

Your envenom'd

Pothecary should do't – 68

MONTICELSO

I am resolved

Were there a second paradise to lose 69

This devil would betray it. 70

VITTORIA

O poor charity!

Thou art seldom found in scarlet. 71

MONTICELSO

Who knows not how, when several night by night 72

Her gates were chok'd with coaches, and her rooms 73

Outbrav'd the stars with several kind of lights 74

When she did conterfeit a prince's court? 75

In music, banquets and most riotous surfeits 76

This whore, forsooth, was holy. 77

VITTORIA

Ha? Whore? What's that?

MONTICELSO

Shall I expound whore to you? Sure I shall: 78

I'll give their perfect character. They are first 79

Sweetmeats which rot the eater: in man's nostril 80

Poison'd perfumes. They are coz'ning alchemy, 81

Shipwracks in calmest weather! What are whores? 82

Cold Russian winters, that appear so barren, 83

They are the true material fire of hell, 84

Worse than those tributes i'th' Low Countries paid, 85

Exactions upon meat, drink, garments, sleep; 86

Ay even on man's perdition, his sin. 87

They are those brittle evidences of law 88

Which forfeit all a wretched man's estate 89

For leaving out one syllable. What are whores? 90

They are those flattering bells have all one tune, 91

At weddings, and at funerals: your rich whores 92

Are only treasuries by extortion fill'd, 93

And emptied by curs'd riot. They are worse, 94

Worse than dead bodies, which are begg'd at gallows 95

And wrought upon by surgeons, to teach man 96

Wherein he is imperfect. What's a whore? 97

She's like the guilty counterfeited coin 98

Which whosoe'er first stamps it brings in trouble 99

All that receive it – 100

VITTORIA

This character scapes me.

MONTICELSO

You gentlewoman? 101

Take from all beasts, and from all minerals 102

They deadly poison. 103

VITTORIA

Well what then?

MONTICELSO

I'll tell thee.

I'll find in thee a pothecary's shop 104

To sample them all. 105

FRENCH AMBASSADOR

She hath liv'd ill.

ENGLISH AMBASSADOR

True, but the cardinal's too bitter. 106

MONTICELSO

You know what whore is; next the devil, Adult'ry, 107

Enters the devil, Murder. 108

FRANCISCO

Your unhappy

Husband is dead. 109

VITTORIA

O he's a happy husband

Now he owes nature nothing. 110

FRANCISCO

And by a vaulting engine. 111

MONTICELSO

An active plot.

He jump'd into his grave. 112

FRANCISCO

What a prodigy was't,

That form some two yards' height a slender man 113

Should break his neck? 114

MONTICELSO

I'th'rushes.

FRANCISCO

And what's more,

Upon the instant lose all use of speech, 115

All vital motion, like a man had lain 116

Wound up three days. Now mark each circumstance. 117

MONTICELSO

And look upon this creature was his wife. 118

She comes not like a widow: she comes arm'd 119

With scorn and impudence. Is this a mourning habit? 120

VITTORIA

Had I foreknown his death as you suggest, 121

I would have bespoke my mourning. 122

MONTICELSO

O you are cunning.

VITTORIA

You shame your wit and judgement 123

To call it so. What, is my just defence 124

By him that is my judge call'd impudence? 125

Let me appeal then from this Christian court 126

To the uncivil Tartar. 127

MONTICELSO

See my lords,

She scandals our proceedings. 128

VITTORIA

Humbly thus,

Thus low, to the most worthy and respected 129

Lieger ambassadors, my modesty 130

And womanhood I tender; but withal 131

So entangled in a cursed accusation 132

That my defence of force like Perseus, 133

Must personate masculine virtue to the point. 134

Find me but guilty, sever head from body: 135

We'll part good friends: I scorn to hold my life 136

At yours or any man's entreaty, sir. 137

ENGLISH AMBASSADOR

She hath a brave spirit – 138

MONTICELSO

Well, well, such counterfeit jewels

Make true ones oft suspected. 139

VITTORIA

You are deceived.

For know that all your strict-combined heads, 140

Which strike against this mine of diamonds, 141

Shall prove but glassen hammers, they shall break; 142

These are but feigned shadows of my evils. 143

Terryfy babes, my lord, with painted devils, 144

I am past such needless plasy; for your names 145

Of whore and murd'ress, they proceed from you, 146

As if a man should spit against the wind, 147

The filth returns in's face. 148

MONTICELSO

Pray you mistress satisfy me one question: 149

Who lodg'd beneath your roof that fatal night 150

Your husband brake his neck? 151

BRACHIANO

That question

Enforcheth me break silence: I was there. 152

MONTICELSO

Your business? 153

BRACHIANO

Why I came to confort her,

And take some course for sett'ling her estate, 154

Because I heard her husband was in debt 155

To you my lord. 156

MONTICELSO

He was.

BRACHIANO

And 'twas stragely fear'd

That you would cozen her. 157

MONTICELSO

Who made you overseer?

BRACHIANO

Why my charity, my charity, which should flow 158

From every generous and noble spirit, 159

To orphans and to widows. 160

MONTICELSO

Your lust.

BRACHIANO

Cowardly dogs bark loudest. Sirrah priest, 161

I'll talk with you hereafter, –Do you hear? 162

The sword you frame of such an excellent temper, 163

I'll sheathe in your own bowels: 164

There are a number of thy coat resemble 165

Your common post-boys. 166

MONTICELSO

Ha?

BRACHIANO

Your mercenary post-boys;

Your letters carry truth, but 'tis your guise 167

To fill your mouths with gross and impudent lies. 168

([He makes for the door])

SERVANT

My lord your gown. 169

BRACHIANO

Thou liest, 'twas my stool.

Bestow't upon thy master that will challenge 170

The rest o'th' household stuff; for Brachiano 171

Was ne'er so beggarly, to take a stool 172

Valence for his bed on't, or a demi-foot-cloth, 173

For his most reverent moil; Monticelso, 174

Exit BRACHIANO Nemo me impune lacessit. 175

MONTICELSO

Your champion's gone. 176

VITTORIA

The wolf may prey the better.

FRANCISCO

My lord there's great suspicion of the murder, 177

But no sound proof who did it: for my part 178

I do not think she hath a soul so black 179

To act a deed so bloody; if she have, 180

As in cold countries husbandmen plant vines, 181

And with warm blood manure them, even so 182

One summer she will bear unsavoury fruit, 183

And ere next spring wither both branch and root. 184

The act of blood let pass, only descend 185

To matter of incontinence. 186

VITTORIA

I discern poison

Under your gilded pills. 187

MONTICELSO

Now the Duke's gone, I will produce a letter, 188

Wherein 'twas plotted he and you should meet, 189

At an apothecary's summer-house, 190

Down by the river Tiber: - view't my lords: – 191

Where after wanton bathing and the heat 192

Of a lascivious banquet. – I pray read it, 193

I shame to speak the rest. 194

VITTORIA

Grant I was tempted

Temptation to lust proves not the act, 195

Casta est quam nemo rogavit, 196

You read his hot love to me, buy you want 197

My frosty answer. 198

MONTICELSO

Frost i'th' dog-days! strange!

VITTORIA

Condemn you me for that the Duke did love me? 199

So may you blame some fair and crystal river 200

For that some melancholic distracted man, 201

Hath drown'd himself in't. 202

MONTICELSO

Truly drown'd indeed.

VITTORIA

Sum up my faults I pray, and you shall find, 203

That beauty and gay clothes, a merry heart, 204

And a good stomach to a feast, are all, 205

All the poor crimes that you can charge me with: 206

In faitg my lord you might go pistol flies, 207

The sport would be more noble. 208

MONTICELSO

Very good.

VITTORIA

But take you your course, it seems you have beggar'd me first 209

And now would fain undo me; I have houses, 210

Jewels, and a poor remnant of crusadoes, 211

Would those would make you charitable. 212

MONTICELSO

If the devil

Did ever take good shape behold his picture. 213

VITTORIA

You have one virtue left, 214

You will not flatter me. 215

FRANCISCO

Who brought this letter?

VITTORIA

I am not compell'd to tell you. 216

MONTICELSO

My lord Duke sent to you a thousand ducats, 217

The twelfth of August. 218

VITTORIA

'Twas to keep your cousin

From prison; I paid use for't. 219

MONTICELSO

I rather think

'Twas interest for his lust. 220

VITTORIA

Who says so but yourself? If you be my accuser 221

Pray cease to be my judge, come from the bench, 222

Give in your evidence 'gainst me, and let these 223

Be moderators. My lord cardinal, 224

Were your intelligencing ears as long 225

As to my thoughts, had you an honest tongue 226

I would not care though you proclaim'd them all. 227

MONTICELSO

Go to, go to. 228

After your goodly and vain-glorious banquet, 229

I'll give you a choke-pear. 230

VITTORIA

O' your own grafting?

MONTICELSO

You were born in Venice, honourably descended 231

From the Vitelli; 'twas my cousin's fate, – 232

Ill may I name the hour - to marry you; 233

He bought you of your father. 234

VITTORIA

Ha?

MONTICELSO

He spent there in six months

Twelve thousand ducats, and to my acquaintance 235

Receiv'd in dowry with you not one julio: 236

'Twas a hard penny-worth, the ware being so light. 237

I yet but draw the curtain, now to your picture: 238

You came from thence a most notorious strumpet, 239

And so you have continued. 240

VITTORIA

My lord.

MONTICELSO

Nay hear me,

You shall have time to prate. My lord Brachiano, – 241

Alas I make but repetition, 242

Of what is ordinary and Rialto talk, 243

And ballated, and would be play'd o'th' stage, 244

But that vice many times finds such loud friends 245

That preachers are charm'd silent. 246

You gentlemen Flamineo and Marcello, 247

The court hath nothing now to charge you with, 248

Only you must remain upon your sureties 249

For your appearance. 250

FRANCISCO

I stand for Marcello.

FLAMINEO

And my lord Duke for me. 251

MONTICELSO

For you Vittoria, your public fault, 252

Join'd to th' condition of the present time, 253

Takes from you all the fruits of noble pity. 254

Such a corrupted trial have you made 255

Both of your life and beauty, and been styl'd 256

No less in ominous fate than blazing stars 257

To princes; here's your sentence: you are confin'd 258

Unto a house of convertites and your bawd – 259

FLAMINEO

Who I? 260

MONTICESO

The Moor

FLAMINEO

O I am a sound man again.

VITTORIA

A house of convertites, what's that? 261

MONTICELSO

A house

Of penitent whores. 262

VITTORIA

Do the noblemen in Rome

Erect ir for their wives, that I am sent 263

To lodge there? 264

FRANCISCO

You must have patience. 265

VITTORIA

I must first have vengance.

I fain would know if you have your salvation 266

By patent, that you proceed thus. 267

MONTICELSO

Away with her.

Taje her hence. 268

VITTORIA

A rape, a rape! 269

MONTICELSO

How?

VITTORIA

Yes, you have ravish'd justice,

Forc'd her to do your pleasure. 270

MONTICELSO

Fie, she's mad –

VITTORIA

Die with those pills in your most cursed maw, 271

Should bring you health, or while you sit o'th' bench, 272

Let your own spittle choke you. 273

MONTICELSO

She's turn'd fury.

VITTORIA

That the last day of judgement may so find you, 274

And leave you the same devil you were before. 275

Instruct me some good horse-leech to speak treason, 276

For since you cannot take my life for deeds, 277

Take it for words. O woman's poor revenge 278

Which dwells but in the tongue! I will not weep, 279

No I do scorn to call up one poor tear 280

To fawn on your injustice; bear me hence, 281

Unto this house of – what's your mitigating title? 282

MONTICELSO

Of convertites. 283

VITTORIA

It shall not be a house of convertities. 284

My mind shall male it honester to me 285

Than the Pope's palace, and more peaceable 286

That thy soul, thought thou art a cardinal, 287

Know this, and let it somewhat raise their richest light. 288

(Exit VITTORIA [with ZANCHE, guarded])

(Enter BRACHIANO)

BRACHIANO

Now you and I are friends sir, we'll shake hands, 289

In a friend's grave, together: a fir place, 290

Being the emblem of soft peace t'atone our hatred. 291

FRANCISCO

Sir, what's the matter? 292

BRACHIANO

I will not chase more blood from that lov'd cheek, 293

You have lost too much already; fare you well. 294

([Exit])

FRANCISCO

How strange these words sound? What's the interpretation?

FLAMINEO

Good, this is a preface to the discovery of the Duchess' death. He carries ir well. Because now I cannot counterfeit a whining passion for the death of my lady, I will feign a mad humour for the disgrace of my sister, and that will keep off idle questions. Treason's tongue hath a villainous palsy in't; I will talk to any man, hear no man, and for a time appear a politic madam.

([Exit])

(Enter GIOVANNI, Count LODOVICO)

FRANCISCO

How now my noble cousin; what, in black? 297

GIOVANNI

Yes uncle, I was taught to imitate you 298

In virtue, and you must imitate me 299

In colours for your garments; my sweet mother 300

Is, – 301

FRANCISCO

How? Where?

GIOVANNI

Is there, no yonder; indeed sir I'll not tell you, 302

For I shall make you weep. 303

FRANCISCO

Is dead. 304

GIOVANNI

Do not blame me now,

I did not tell you so. 305

LODOVICO

She's dead my lord.

FRANCISCO

Dead? 306

MONTICELSO

Blessed lady; thou art now above thy woes.

Wilt please your lordships yo withdraw a little? 307

([Exeunt AMBASSADORS])

GIOVANNI

What do the dead do, uncle? Do they eat, 308

Hear music, go a-hunting, and be merry, 309

As we that live? 310

FRANCISCO

No coz; they sleep. 311

GIOVANNI

Lord, Lord, that I were dead, –

I have not slept these six nights. When do they wake? 312

FRANCISCO

When God shall please. 313

GIOVANNI

Good God let her sleep ever.

For I have known her wake an hundred nights, 314

Was brine-wet with her tears. I am to complain to you sir. 315

I'll tell you how they have used her now she's dead: 316

They wrapp'd her in a cruel fold of lead, 317

And would not let me kiss her. 318

FRANCISCO

Thou didst love her.

GIOVANNI

I have often heard her say she gave me suck, 319

And it should seem by that she dearly lov'd me, 320

Since princes seldom do ir. 321

FRANCISCO

O, all of my poor sister that remains! 322

Take him away for God's sake. 323

([Exit GIOVANNI, attended])

MONTICELSO

How now my lord?

FRANCISCO

Believe me I am nothing but her grave, 324

And I shall keep her blessed memory 325

Longer than thousand epitaphs. 326

([Exeunt])

[Act III, Scene iii]

(Enter FLAMINEO as distracted [, MARCELLO and LODOVICO])

FLAMINEO

We endure the strokes like anvils or hard steel, 1

Till pain itself make us no pain to feel. 2

Who shall do me right now? Is this the end of servide? 3

I'd rather go weed garlic; travel through France, and 4

be mine own ostler; wear sheep-skin linings; or shoes that 5

stink of blancking; be ent'red into the list of the forty 6

thousand pedlars in Poland. 7

(Enter Savoy [Ambassador])

Would I had rotted in some surgeon's house at Venice, 8

built upon the pox as well as on piles, ere I had serv'd 9

Brachiano 10

SAVOY AMBASSADOR

You must have confort.

FLAMINEO

Your comfortable words are like honey. They relish well in your mouth that's whole; but in mine that's wounded they go down as if the sting of the bee were in them. Oh they have wrought their purpose cunningly, as if they would not seem to do it of malice. In this a politician imitates the devil, as the devil imitates a cannon. Wheresoever he comes to do mischief, he comes with his backside towards you.

(Enter the French [Ambassador])

FRENCH AMBASSADOR

The proofs are evident.

FLAMINEO

Enter English Ambassador You are happy in England, my lord; here they sell justice with those weights they press men to death with. O horrible salary! Proof! 'twas corruption. O gold, what a god art thou! And O man, what a devil art thou to be tempted by that cursed mineral! Yon diversivolent lawyer; mark him; knaves turn informers, as maggots turn to flies; you may catch gudgeons with either. A cardinal; - I would he would hear me, - there's nothing so holy but money will corrupt and putrify it, like victual under the line.

ENGLISH AMBASSADOR

Fie, fie, Flamineo.

FLAMINEO

[Exeunt Ambassadors] Bells ne'er ring well, till they are at their full pitch, and I hope yon cardinal shall never have the grace to pray well, till he come to the scaffold. If they were rack'd now to know the conferacy! But your noblemen are privileged from the rack; and well may. For a little thing would pull some of them a' pieces afore they came yo their arraingment. Religion; o how it is commeddled with policy. The first bloodshed in the world happened about religion. Would I were a Jew.

MARCELLO

O, there are too many.

FLAMINEO

You are deceiv'd. There are not Jews enough; priests enough, nor gentlemen enough.

MARCELLO

How?

FLAMINEO

I'll prove it. For if there were Jews enough, so many Christians would not turn usurers; if priests enough, one many early mushrooms, whose best growth sprang from a dunghill, should not aspire to gentility. Farewell. Let others live by begging. Be thou one of them; practise the art of Wolner in England to swallow all's given thee; and let one purgation make thee as hungry again as fellows that work in a sawpit. I'll go hear the streech-owl.

(Exit)

LODOVICO

How dares this banish'd count return to Rome, 21

His pardon not yet puuchas'd? I have heard 22

The deceas'd Duchess gave him pension, 23

And that he came along from Padua 24

I'th' train of the young prince. There's somewhat in't. 25

Physicians, that cure poisons, still do work 26

With counterpoisons. 27

MARCELLO

Mark this strange encounter.

FLAMINEO

The god of melancholy turn thy gall to poison, 28

And let the stigmatic wrinkles in thy face, 29

Like to the boisterous waves in a rough tide 30

One still overtake another. 31

LODOVICO

I do thank thee

And I do wish ingeniously for thy sake 32

The dog-days all year long. 33

FLAMINEO

How croaks the raven?

Is our good Duchess dead? 34

LODOVICO

Dead.

FLAMINEO

O fate!

Misfortune comes like the crowner's bussines, 35

Huddle upon huddle. 36

LODOVICO

Shalt thou and I join housekeeping? 37

FLAMINEO

Yes, content.

Let's be unsociably sociable. 38

LODOVICO

Sit some three days together, and discourse. 39

FLAMINEO

Only with making faces; 40

Lie in our clothes. 41

LODOVICO

With faggots for our pillows. 42

FLAMINEO

And be lousy.

LODOVICO

In taffeta linings; that's gentle melancholy; 43

Sleep all day. 44

FLAMINEO

Yes: and like your melancholic hare

Feed after midnight. 45

(Enter ANTONELLI [and GASPARO, laughing])

We are observed: see how yon couple grieve. 46

LODOVICO

What a strange creature is a laughing fool, 47

As if a man were created to no use 48

But only to show his teeth. 49

FLAMINEO

I'll tell the what,

It would do well instead of looking-glasses 50

To set one's dace each morning by a saucer 51

Of a witch's congealed bood. 52

LODOVICO

Precious girn, rogue.

We'll never part. 53

FLAMINEO

Never: till the beggary of courtiers,

The discontent of churchmen, want of soldiers, 54

And all the creatures that hang manacled, 55

Worse than strappado'd, on the lowest felly 56

Of Fortune’s wheel be taught in our two lives 57

To scorn that world wich life of means deprives. 58

ANTONELLI

My lord I bring good news. The Pope on's death-bed, 59

At th'earnest suit of the great Duke of Florence, 60

Hath sign'd your pardon, and restor'd unto you – 61

LODOVICO

I thank you for your news. Look up again 62

Flamineo, see my pardon. 63

FLAMINEO

Why do you laugh?

There was no such condition in our covenant. 64

LODOVICO

Why?

FLAMINEO

You shall not seem a happier man that I; 65

You know our vow sir, if you will be merry, 66

Do it i'th' like posture, as if some great man 67

Sat while his enemy were executed: 68

Though it be very lechery unto thee, 69

Do't with a crabbed politician's face. 70

LODOVICO

Your sister is a damnable whore. 71

FLAMINEO

Ha?

LODOVICO

Look you; I spake that laughing. 72

FLAMINEO

Dost ever think to speak again? 73

LODOVICO

Do you hear?

Wilt sell me forty ounces of her blood, 74

To water a mandrake? 75

FLAMINEO

Poor lord, you did vow

To live a lousy creature. 76

LODOVICO

Yes; –

FLAMINEO

Like one

That had for ever forfeited the daylight, 77

By being in debt, – 78

LODOVICO

Ha, ha!

FLAMINEO

I do not greatly wonder you do break: 79

Your lordship learn't long since. But I'll tell you, – 80

LODOVICO

What? 81

FLAMINEO

And't shall stick by you.

LODOVICO

I long for it.

FLAMINEO

This laughter scurvily becomes your face; 82

Strikes him If you will not be melancholy, be angry. 83

See, now I laugh too. 84

MARCELLO

You are to blame, I'll force you hence. 85

LODOVICO

Unhand me.

(Exit MAR[CELLO] & FLAM[INEO])

That e'er I should be forc'd to right myself, 86

Upon a pander! 87

ANTONELLI

My lord.

LODOVICO

H'had been as good meet with his fist a thunderbolt. 88

GASPARO

How this shows! 89

LODOVICO

Ud's death, how did my sword miss him?

These rogues that are most weary of their lives, 90

Sill scape the greatest dangers. 91

A pox upon him: all his reputation; – 92

Nay all the goodness of his family; – 93

Is not worth half this earthquake. 94

I learnt it of no fencer to shake thus; 95

Come, I'll forget him, and go drink some wine. 96

(Exeunt)

[Act IV, Scene I]

(Enter FRANCISCO and MONTICELSO)

MONTICELSO

Come, come my lord, untie your folded thoughts, 1

And let them dangle loose as a bride's hair. 2

Your sister's poisoned. 3

FRANCISCO

Far be it from my thoughts

To seek revenge. 4

MONTICELSO

What, are you turn'd all marble?

FRANCISCO

Shall I defy him, and impose a war 5

Most burthensome on my poor subjects' necks, 6

Which at my will I have not power to end? 7

You know; for all the murders, rapes,, and thefts, 8

Committed in the horrid lust of war, 9

He that unjustly caus'd it first proceed, 10

Shall find it in his grave and in his seed. 11

MONTICELSO

That's not the course I'd wish you: pray, observe me. 12

We see that undermining more prevails 13

That doth the cannon. Bear you wrongs conceal'd, 14

And, patient as the tortoise, let this camel 15

Stalk o'er your back unbruis'd: sleep with the lion, 16

And let this brood of secure foolish mice 17

Play with your nostrils; till the time be ripe 18

For th' bloody audit, and the fatal gripe: 19

Aim like a cunning fowler, close one eye, 20

That you the better may your game espy. 21

FRANCISCO

Free me my innocence, from treacherous acts: 22

I know there's thunder yonder: and I'll stand, 23

Like a safe valley, which low bends the knee 24

To some aspiring mountain: since I know 25

Treason, like spiders weaving nets for flies, 26

By her foul work is found, and in it dies. 27

To pass away these thoughts, my honour'd lord, 28

It is reported you possess a book 29

Wherein you have quoted, by intelligence, 30

The names of all notorious offenders 31

Lurking about the city. 32

MONTICELSO

Sir I do;

And some there are which call it my black book: 33

Well may the title hold: for thought it teach not 34

The art of conjuring, yet in it lurk 35

The names of many devils. 36

FRANCISCO

Pray let's see it.

MONTICELSO

I'll fetch it to your lordship. 37

(Exit MONTICELSO)

FRANCISCO

Monticelso,

I will not trust thee, but in all my plots 38

I'll rest as jealous as a town besieg'd. 39

Thou canst not reach what I intend to act; 40

Your flax soon kindles, soon is out again, 41

But gold slow heats, and long will hot remain. 42

(Enter MONT[ICELSO] presents FRAN[CISCO] with a book)

MONTICELSO

'Tis here my lord. 43

FRANCISCO

First your intelligencers, pray let's see. 44

MONTICELSO

Their number rises strangely, 45

And some of them 46

You'd take for honest men. 47

Next are panders. 48

These are your pirates: and these following leaves, 49

For base rogues that undo young gentlemen 50

By taking up commodities: for politic bankrupts: 51

For fellows that are bawds to their own wives, 52

Only to put off horses and slight jewels, 53

Clocks, defac'd plate, and such commodities, 54

At birth of their first children. 55

FRANCISCO

Are there such?

MONTICELSO

These are for imprudent bawds, 56

That go in men's apparel; for users 57

That share with scriveners for their good reportage: 58

For lawyers that will antedate their writs: 59

And some divines you might find folded there, 60

But that I slip them o'er for conscience' sake. 61

Here is a general catalogue of knaves. 62

A man might study all the prisons o'er, 63

Yet never attain this knowledge. 64

FRANCISCO

Murderers.

Fold down the leaf I pray. 65

Good my lord let me borrow this strange doctrine. 66

MONTICELSO

Pray us't my lord. 67

FRANCISCO

I do assure your lordship,

You are a worthy member of the state, 68

And have done inginite good in your discovery 69

Of these offenders. 70

MONTICELSO

Somewhat sir.

FRANCISCO

O God!

Better than tribute of wolves paid in England, 71

'Twill hang their skins o'th' hedge. 72

MONTICELSO

I must make bold

To leave your lordship. 73

FRANCISCO

Dearly sir, I thank you;

If any ask for me at court, report 74

You have left me in the company of knaves. 75

(Exit MONT[ICELSO])

I gather now by this, some cunning fellow 76

That's my lord's officer, one that lately skipp'd 77

From a clerk's desk up to a justice' chair, 78

Hath made this knavish summons; and intends, 79

As th'Irish rebels wont were to sell heads, 80

So to make prize of these. And thus it happens, 81

Your poor rogues pay for't, which have not the means 82

To present bribe in fist: the rest o'th' band 83

Are raz'd out of the knaves' record; or else 84

My lord he winks at them with easy will, 85

His man grows rich, the knaves are the knaves still. 86

But to the use I'll make of it; it shall serve 87

To point me out a list of murderers, 88

Agents for any villainy. Did I want 89

Ten leash of courtezans, it would furnish me; 90

Nay laundress three armies. That in so little paper 91

Should lie th'undoing of so many men! 92

'Tis not so big as twenty declarations. 93

See the corrupted use some make of books: 94

Divinity, wrested by some factious blood, 95

Draws swords, swells battles, and o'erthrows all good. 96

To fashion my revenge more seriously, 97

Let me remember my dead sister's face: 98

Call for her picture: no; I'll close mine eyes, 99

And in a melancholic thought I'll frame 100

(Enter ISABEL[L]A'S Ghost)

Her figure 'fore me. Now I ha't - - - how strong 101

Imagination works! How she can frame 102

Things which are not! Methinks she stands afore me; 103

And by the quick idea of my mind, 104

Were my skill pregnant, I could draw her picture. 105

Thought, as a subtle juggler, makes us deem 106

Things supernatural, which have cause 107

Common as sickness. 'Tis my melancholy. 108

How cam'st thou by thy death? - - - How idle am I 109

To question my own idleness - - - Did ever 110

Man dream awake till now? - - - Remove this object, 111

Out of my brain with't: what have I to do 112

With tombs, or death-beds, funerals, or tears, 113

That have to meditate upon revenge? 114

([Exit Ghost])

So now 'tis ended, like an old wives' story. 115

Statesmen think often they see stranger sights 116

Than madmen. Come, to this weighty business. 117

My tragedy must have some idle mirth in't, 118

Else it will never pass. I am in love, 119

In love with Corombona, and my suit 120

He writes. Thus halts yo her in verse. – 121

I have done it rarely: O the fate of princes! 122

I am so us'd to frequent flattery, 123

That being alone I now flatter myself; 124

But it will serve; 'tis seal'd. [calls offstage] Bear this 125

(Enter SERVANT)

To th'house of convertites; and watch your leisure 126

To give it to the hands of Corombona, 127

Or to the matron, when some followers 128

Exit SERVANT Of Brachiano may be by. Away! 129

He that deals all by strength, his wit is shallow: 130

When a man's head goes through, each limb will follow. 131

The engine for my business, bold Count Lodowick; 132

'Tis gold must such an instrument procure, 133

With empty fist no man doth falcons lure. 134

Brachiano, I am now fit for thy encounter. 135

Like the wild Irish I'll ne'er think thee dead, 136

Till I can play at football with thy head. 137

Flectere si nequeo superos, Acheronta movebo. 138

(Exit)

[Act IV, Scene ii]

(Enter the MATRON, and FLAMINEO)

MATRON

Should it be known the Duke hath such recourse 1

To your imprison'd sister, I were like 2

T'incur much damage by it. 3

FLAMINEO

Not a scruple.

The pope lies on his death-bed, and their heads 4

Are troubled now with other business 5

Enter SERVANT Than guarding of a lady. 6

SERVANT

Yonder's Flamineo in conference 7

With the Matrona. 8

[To the MATRON] Let me speak with you. 9

I would entreat you yo deliver for me 10

This letter to the fair Vittoria. 11

MATRON

I shall sir. 12

(Enter BRACHIANO)

SERVANT

With all care and secrecy;

Hereafter you shall know me, and receive 13

Thanks for this courtesy. 14

([Exit])

FLAMINEO

How now? What's that?

MATRON

A letter. 15

FLAMINEO

To my sister: I'll see't delivered.

([Exit MATRON])

BRACHIANO

What's that you read Flamineo? 16

FLAMINEO

Look.

BRACHIANO

[reads] Ha? To the most unfortunate his best respected Vittoria – 17

Who was the messenger? 18

FLAMINEO

I know not.

BRACHIANO

I'll open't, were't her heart. What's here subscribed – 19

Florence? This juggling is gross and palpable. 20

I have found out the conveyance; read it, read it. 21

FLAMINEO

(Reads the letter) Your tears I'll turn to triumphs, be but mine. 22

Your prop is fall'n; I pity that a vine 23

Which princes heretofore have long'd to gather, 24

Wanting supporters, now should fade and wither. 25

Wine i'faith, my lord, with lees would serve his turn. 26

Your sad imprisonment I'll soon uncharm, 27

And with a princely uncontrolled arm 28

Lead you to Florence, where my love and care 29

Shall hang your wishes in my silver hair. 30

A halter on his strange equivocation. 31

Nor for my years return me the sad willow: 32

Who prefer blossoms before fruit that's mellow? 33

Rotten on my knowledge with lying too long i'th' bed-straw. 34

And all the lines of age this line convinces: 35

The gods neves wax old, no more do princes. 36

A pox on't, rear it, let's have no more atheists for God's sake. 37

BRACHIANO

Ud's death, I'll cut her into atomies 38

And let th'irregular north-wind sweep her up 39

And blow her int' his nostrils. Where's this whore? 40

FLAMINEO

That –? what do you call her? 41

BRACHIANO

O, I could be mad,

Prevent the curs'd disease she'll bring me to, 42

And tear my hair off. Where's this changeable stuff? 43

FLAMINEO

O'er head and ears in water, I assure you, 44

She is not for your wearing. 45

BRACHIANO

In your pander!

FLAMINEO

What me, my lord, am I your dog? 46

BRACHIANO

A blood-hound: do you brave? do you stand me? 47

FLAMINEO

Stand you? Let those that have diseases run; 48

I need no plasters. 49

BRACHIANO

Would you be kick'd?

FLAMINEO

Would you have your neck broke? 50

I tell you Duke, I am not in Russia; 51

My shins must be kept whole. 52

BRACHIANO

Do you know me?

FLAMINEO

O my lord! Methodically. 53

As in this world there are degrees of evils: 54

So in this world there are degrees of devils. 55

You're a great Duke; I your poor secretary. 56

I look now for a Spanish fig, or an Italian sallet daily. 57

BRACHIANO

Pander, ply your convoy, and leave your prating. 58

FLAMINEO

All your kindness to me is like that miserable courtesy of Polyphemus to Ulysses; you reserve me to be devour'd last; you would dig turves out of my grave to feed your larks; that would be music to you. Come, I'll lead you to her.

BRACHIANO

Do you face me?

FLAMINEO

O sir I would not go before a politic enemy with my back towards him, though there were behind me a whirlpool.

(Enter VITTORIA to BRACHIANO and FLAMINEO)

BRACHIANO

Can you read mistress? Look upon that letter; 62

There are no characters nor hieroglyphics. 63

You need no comment, I am grown your reciever; 64

God's precious, you shall be a brave great lady, 65

A stately and advanced whore. 66

VITTORIA

Say sir?

BRACHIANO

Come, come, let's see your cabinet, discover 67

Your treasury of love-letters. Death and furies, 68

I'll see them all. 69

VITTORIA

Sir, upon my soul,

I have not any. Whence was this directed? 70

BRACHIANO

Confusion on your politic ignorance! 71

([Gives her the letter])

You are reclaimed, are you? I'll give you the bells 72

And let you fly to the devil. 73

FLAMINEO

Ware hawk, my lord.

VITTORIA

[reads] Florence! This is some treacherous plot, my lord. 74

To me, he ne'er was lovely I protest, 75

So much as in my sleep. 76

BRACHIANO

Right: they are plots.

Your beauty! O, ten thousand curses on't. 77

How long have I beheld the devil in crystal? 78

Thou hast led me, like an heathen sacrifice, 79

With music, and with fatal yokes of flowers 80

To my eternal ruin. Woman to man 81

Is either a god or a wolf. 82

VITTORIA

My lord.

BRACHIANO

Away.

We'll be as differing as two adamants; 83

The one shall shun the other. What? Dost weep? 84

Procure but ten of tht dissembling trade, 85

Ye'ld furnish all the Irish funerals 86

With howling, past wild Irish. 87

FLAMINEO

Fie, my lord.

BRACHIANO

That hand, that crused hand, which I have wearied 88

With doting kisses! O my sweetest Duchess 89

[to VITTORIA] Thy loose thoughts How lovely art thou now! 90

Scatter like quicksilver; I was bewitch'd; 91

For all the world speaks ill of thee. 92

VITTORIA

No matter.

I'll live so now I'll make that world recant 93

And change her speeches. You did name your Duchess. 94

BRACHIANO

Whose death God pardon. 95

VITTORIA

Whose death God revenge

On thee most godless Duke. 96

FLAMINEO

Now for two whirlwinds.

VITTORIA

What have I gain'd by thee but infamy? 97

Thou hast stain'd the spotless honour of my house, 98

And frighted thence noble society: 99

Like those, which sick o'th' palsy, and retain 100

Ill-secnting foxes 'bout them, are still shunn'd 101

By those of choicer nostrils. What do you call this house? 102

Is this your palace? Did not the judge style it 103

A house of penitent whores? Who sent me to it? 104

Who hath the honour to advance Vittoria 105

To this incontinent college? Is't not you? 106

Is't not your high preferment? Go, go brag 107

How many ladies you have undone, like me. 108

Fare you well sir; let me hear no more of you. 109

I had a limb corrupted to an ulcer, 110

But I have cut it off: and now I'll go 111

Weeping to heaven on crutches. For your gifts, 112

I will return them all; and I do wish 113

That I could make you full executor 114

To all my sins. O that I could toss myself 115

Into a grave as quickly: for all thou art worth 116

I'll not shed one tear more; – I'll burst first. 117

(She throws herself upon a bed)

BRACHIANO

I have drunk Lethe. Vittoria? 118

My dearest happiness! Vittoria! 119

What do you ail my love? Why do you weep? 120

VITTORIA

Yes, I now weep poniards, do you see. 121

BRACHIANO

Are not those matchless eyes mine? 122

VITTORIA

I had rather

They were not matches. 123

BRACHIANO

Is not this lip mine?

VITTORIA

Yes: thus to bite it off, rather than give it thee. 124

FLAMINEO

Turn to my lord, good sister. 125

VITTORIA

Hence you pander.

FLAMINEO

Pander! Am I the author of your sin? 126

VITTORIA

Yes. He's a base thief that a thief lets in. 127

FLAMINEO

We're blown up, my lord, – 128

BRACHIANO

Wilt thou hear me?

Once to be jealous of thee is t'express 129

That I will love thee everlastingly 130

And never more be jealous. 131

VITTORIA

O thou fool,

Whose greatness hath by much o'ergrown thy wit! 132

What dar'st thou do, that I not dare to suffer, 133

Excepting to be still thy whore? For that, 134

In the sea's bottom sooner thou shalt make 135

A bonfire. 136

FLAMINEO

O, no oaths for God's sake.

BRACHIANO

Will you hear me? 137

VITTORIA

Never.

FLAMINEO

What a damn'd imposthume is a woman's will? 138

[to BRACHIANO, aside] Fie, fie, my lord. Can nothing break it? 139

Women are caught as you take tortoises, 140

She must be turn'd on her back. -Sister, by this hand 141

I am on your side.- Come, come, you have wrong'd her. 142

What a strange credulous man were you, my lord, 143

To think the Duke of Florence would love her? 144

Will any mercer take another's ware 145

When once 'tis tows'd and sullied? And, yet sister, 146

How scurvily this frowardness becomes you! 147

Young leverets stand not long; and women's anger 148

Should, like their flight, procure a little sport; 149

A full cry for a quarter of an hour; 150

And then be put to th' dead quat. 151

BRACHIANO

Shall these eyes,

Which have so long time dwelt upon your face, 152

Be now put out? 153

FLAMINEO

No cruel landlady i'th' world,

Which lends forth groats to broom-men, and takes use for them 154

Would do't. 155

Hand her, my lord, and kiss her: be not like 156

A ferret to let go your hold with blowing. 157

BRACHIANO

Let us renew right hands. 158

VITTORIA

Hence.

BRACHIANO

Never shall rage, or the forgetful wine, 159

Make me commit like fault. 160

FLAMINEO

Now you are i'th' way on't, follow't hard. 161

BRACHIANO

Be thou at peace with me; let all the world 162

Threaten the cannon. 163

FLAMINEO

Mark his penitence.

Best natures do commit the grossest fauls, 164

When they're giv'n o'er to jealousy; as best wine 165

Dying makes strongest vinegar. I'll tell you; 166

The sea's more rough and raging than calm rivers, 167

But nor so sweet nor wholesome. A quiet woman 168

Is a still water under a great bridge. 169

A man may shoot her safely. 170

VITTORIA

O ye dissembling men! 171

FLAMINEO

We suck'd that, sister,

From women's breasts, in our first infancy. 172

VITTORIA

To add misery to misery. 173

BRACHIANO

Sweetest.

VITTORIA

Am I not low enough? 174

Ay, ay, your good hearth gathers like a snowball 175

Now your affection's cold. 176

FLAMINEO

Ud's foot, it shall melt

To a hearth again, or all the wine in Rome 177

Shall run o'th' lees for't. 178

VITTORIA

You hawk or dog should be rewarded better 179

Than I have been. I'll speak not one word more. 180

FLAMINEO

Stop her mouth, 181

With a sweet kiss, my lord. 182

So now the tide's turn'd the vessel's come about. 183

He's a sweet armful. O we curl'd-hair'd men 184

Are still most kind to women. This is well. 185

BRACHIANO

That you should chide thus! 186

FLAMINEO

O, sir, your little chimneys

Do ever cast most smoke. I sweat for you. 187

Couple together with as deep a silence 188

As did the Grecians in their wooden horse. 189

My lord, supply your promises with deeds. 190

You know that painted meat no hunger feeds. 191

BRACHIANO

Stay-ingrateful Rome! 192

FLAMINEO

Rome! It deserves

To be call'd Barbary, for our villainous usage. 193

BRACHIANO

Soft; the same project which the Duke of Florence, 194

(Whether in love or gullery I know not) 195

Laid down for her escape, will I pursue. 196

FLAMINEO

And no time fitter than this night, my lord; 197

The Pope being dead; and all the cardinals ent'red 198

The convlave for th'electing a new Pope; 199

The city in a great confusion; 200

We may attire her in a page's suit, 201

Lay her post-horse, take shipping, and amain 202

For Padua. 203

BRACHIANO

I'll instantly steal forth the Prince Giovanni, 204

And make for Padua. You two with your old mother 205

And young Marcello that attends on Florence, 206

If you can work him to it, follow me. 207

I will advance you all: for you Vittoria, 208

Think of a duchess' title. 209

FLAMINEO

Lo you sister.

Stay, my lord; I'll tell you a tale. The crocodile, which lives in the river Nilus, hath a worm breeds i'th' teeth of't, which puts it to extreme anguish: a little bird, no bigger than a wren, is barber-surgeon to this crocodile; flies into the jaws of't; picks out the worm; and brings present remedy. The fish, glad of ease but ingrateful to her that did it, that the bird may not talk largely of her abroad for non-payment, closeth her chaps intending to swallow her, ando so put her to perpetual silence. But nature loathing such ingratitude, hath arm'd this bird with a quill or prick on the head, top o'th' which wounds the crocodile i'th' mouth; forceth her open her bloody prision; and away flies the pretty tooth-picker from her cruel patient.

BRACHIANO

Your application is, I have not rewarded 211

The service you have done me. 212

FLAMINEO

No my lord;

You sister are the crocodile: you are blemish'd in your fame, my lord cures it. And thought the comparison hold not in every particle; yet observe, remember, what good the bird with the prick i'th' head hath done you; and scorn ingratitude.

It may appear to some ridiculous 214

Thus to talk knave and madman; and sometimes 215

Come in with a dried sentence, stuff'd with sage. 216

But this allows my varying of shapes, 217

Knaves do grow great by being great men's apes. 218

(Exeunt)

[Act IV, Scene iii]

(Enter LODOVICO, GASPARO, and six Ambassadors. At another door [FRANCISCO] the Duke of Florence.)

FRANCISCO

So, my lord, I commented your diligence. 1

Guard well the conclave, and, as the order ir, 2

Let none have conference with the cardinals. 3

LODOVICO

I shall, my lord. Room for the ambassadors! 4

GASPARO

They're wondrous brave today: why do they wear 5

These several habits? 6

LODOVICO

O sir, they're knights

Of several orders. 7

That lord i'th' black cloak with the silver cross 8

Is Knight of Rhodes; the next Knight of S. Michael; 9

That of the Golden Fleece; the Frenchman there 10

Knight of the Holy Ghost; my lord of Savoy 11

Knight of th'Annunciation; the Englishman 12

Is Knight of th'honoured Garter, dedicated 13

Unto their saint, S. George. I could describe to you 14

Their several institutions, with the laws 15

Annexed to their orders; but that time 16

Permits not such discovery. 17

FRANCISCO

Where's Count Lodowick?

LODOVICO

Here my lord. 18

FRANCISCO

'Tis o'th' point of dinner time;

Marshal the cardinals' service. 19

LODOVICO

Sir, I shall.

(Enter SERVANTS with several dishes covered)

Stand, let me search your dish; who's this for? 20

SERVANT

For my lord Cardinal Monticelso. 21

LODOVICO

Who's this? 22

SERVANT

For my Lord Cardinal of Bourbon.

FRENCH AMBASSADOR

Why doth he search the dishes? To observe 23

What meat is dress'd? 24

ENGLISH AMBASSADOR

No sir, but to prevent

Lest any letters should be convey'd in 25

To brive or to solicit the advancement 26

Of any cardinal. When first they enter 27

'Tis lawful for the ambassadors of princes 28

To enter with them, and to make their suit 29

For any man their prince affecteth best; 30

But after, till a general election, 31

No man may speak with them. 32

LODOVICO

You that attend on the lord cardinals 33

Open the window, and receive their viands. 34

A CARDINAL

You must return the servide; the lord cardinals 35

Are busied 'bout electing of the Pope; 36

They have given o'er scrutiny, and are fallen 37

To admiration. 38

LODOVICO

Away, away.

([Exeunt SERVANTS with dishes])

FRANCISCO

I'll lay a thousand ducats you hear news 39

Of a Pope presently. Hark; sure he's elected, – 40

[The] Cardinal [of ARRAGON appears] on the terrace 41

Behold! my lord of Arragon appears 42

On the church battlements. 43

ARRAGON

Denuntio vobis gaudiu, magnum. Reverendissimus Cardinals LORENZO de MONTICELSO electus est in sedem apostolicam, et eligit nomen PAULUM quartum.

OMNES

Vivat Sanctus Pater Paulus Quartus.

([Enter SERVANT])

SERVANT

Vittoria my lord – 46

FRANCISCO

Well: what of her?

SERVANT

Is fled the city – 47

FRANCISCO

Ha?

SERVANT

With Duke Brachiano.

FRANCISCO

Fled? Where's the Prince Giovanni? 48

SERVANT

Gone with his father.

FRANCISCO

Let the Matrona of the convertites 49

Be apprehended. Fled? O damnable! 50

([Exit SERVANT])

How fortunate are my wishes. Why? 'Twas this 51

I only labour'd. I did send the letter 52

T'instruct him what to do. Thy fame, fond Duke, 53

I first have poison'd; directed thee the way 54

To marry a whore; what can be worse? This follows: 55

The hand must act to drown the passionate tongue, 56

I scorn to wear a sword and prate of wrong. 57

(Enter MONTICELSO in state)

MONTICELSO

Concedimus vobis apostolicam benedictionem et remissionem peccatorum.

([FRANCISCO whispers to him])

My lord reports Vittoria Corombona 59

Is stol'n from forth the house of convertites 60

By Brachiano, and they're fled the city. 61

Now, though this be the first day of our seat, 62

We cannot better please the divine power, 63

That to sequester from the holy church 64

These cursed persons. Make it therefore known, 65

We do denounce excommunication 66

Against them both: all that are theirs in Rome 67

We likewise banish. Set on. 68

(Exeunt [all except FRANCISCO and LODOVICO])

FRANCISCO

Come dear Lodovico 69

You have tane the sacrament to prosecute 70

Th'intended murder. 71

LODOVICO

With all constancy.

But, sir, I wonder you'll engage yourself 72

In person, being a great prince. 73

FRANCISCO

Divert me not.

Most of this court are of my faction, 74

And some are of my counsel. Noble friend, 75

Our danger shall be 'like in this design; 76

Give leave, part of the glory may be mine. 77

(Enter MONTICELSO)

MONTICELSO

Why did the Duke of Florence with such care 78

Labour your pardon? Say. 79

LODOVICO

Italian beggars will resolve you that 80

Who, begging of an alms, bid those they beg of 81

Do good for their own sakes; or't may be 82

He spreads his bounty with a sowing hand, 83

Like kings, who many times give out of measure; 84

Not for desert so much as for their pleasure. 85

MONTICELSO

I know you're cunning. Come, what devil was that 86

That you were raising? 87

LODOVICO

Devil, my lord?

MONTICELSO

I ask you

How doth such compliment unto his knee, 88

When he departed from you? 89

LODOVICO

Why, my lord,

He told me of a resty Barbary horse 90

Which he would fain have brought to the career, 91

The 'sault, and the ring-galliard. Now, my lord, 92

I have a rare French rider. 93

MONTICELSO

Take you heed:

Lest the jade break your neck. Do you put me off 94

With your wild horse-tricks? Sirrah you do lie. 95

O, thou'rt a foul black cloud, and thou dost threat 96

A violent storm. 97

LODOVICO

Storms are i'th' air, my lord;

I am yoo low to storm. 98

MONTICELSO

Wretched creature!

I know that thou art fashion'd for all ill, 99

Like dogs, that once get blood, they'll ever kill. 100

About some murder? Was't not? 101

LODOVICO

I'll not tell you;

And yet I care not greatly if I do; 102

Marry with this preparation. Holy Father, 103

I come not yo you as an intelligencer, 104

But as a penitent sinner. What I utter 105

Is in confession merely; which you know 106

Must never be reveal'd. 107

MONTICELSO

You have o'ertane me.

LODOVICO

Sir I did love Brachiano's Duchess dearly; 108

Or rather I pursued her with hot lust, 109

Though she ne'er knew on't. She was poison'd; 110

Upon my soul she was: for which I have sworn 111

T'avenge her murder. 112

MONTICELSO

To the Duke of Florence?

LODOVICO

To him I have. 113

MONTICELSO

Miserable creature!

If thou persist in this, 'tis damnable. 114

Dost thou imagine thou canst slide on blood 115

And not be tained with a shameful fall? 116

Or, like the black and melancholic yew-tree, 117

Dost think to root thyself in dead men's graves, 118

And yet to prosper? Instruction to thee 119

Comes like sweet showers to over-hard'ned ground: 120

They wet, but pierce not deep. And so I leave thee 121

With all the Furies hanging 'bout thy neck, 122

Till by thy penitence thou remove this evil, 123

In conjuring from thy breast that cruel devil. 124

(Exit MON[TICELSO])

LODOVICO

I'll give it o'er. He says 'tis damnable: 125

Besides I did expect his suffrage, 126

By reason of Camillo's death. 127

(Enter SERVANT and FRANCISCO)

FRANCISCO

Do you know that count? 128

SERVANT

Yes, my lord.

FRANCISCO

Bear him these thousand ducats to his lodging; 129

Tell him the Pope hath sent them. Happily 130

[Exit] That will confirm more than all the rest. 131

SERVANT

Sir.

([SERVANT delievers purse of money to LODOVICO])

LODOVICO

To me sir? 132

SERVANT

His Holiness hath sent you a thousand crowns, 133

And wills you, if you travel, to make him 134

Your patron for intelligence. 135

LUDOVICO

His creature

[Exit SERVANT] Ever to be commanded. 136

Why now 'tis come about. He rail'd upon me; 137

And yet these crowns were told out and laid ready, 138

Before he knew my voyage. O the art, 139

The modest form of greatness! that do sit 140

Like brides at wedding dinners, with their looks turn'd 141

From the least wanton jests, their puling stomach 142

Sick of the modesty, when their thoughts are loose, 143

Even acting of those hot and lustful sports 144

Are to ensue about midnight: such his cunning! 145

He sounds my depth thus with a golden plummet; 146

I am doubty arm'd now. Now to th'act of blood; 147

There's but three Furies found in spacious hell; 148

But in a great man's breast three thousand dwell. 149

([Exit])

[Act V, Scene i]

(A passage over the stage of BRACHIANO, FLAMINEO, MARCELLO, HORTENSIO, [VITTORIA] COROMBONA, CORNELIA, ZANCHE and others)

([Enter FLAMINEO and HORTENSIO])

FLAMINEO

In all the weary minutes of my life, 1

Day ne'er broke up till now. This marriage 2

Confirms me happy. 3

HORTENSIO

'Tis a good assurance.

Saw you not yet the Moor that's come to court? 4

FLAMINEO

Yes, and conferr'd with him i'th' Duke's closet; 5

I have not seen a goodlier personage, 6

Nor ever talk'd with man better experienc'd 7

In state affairs or rudiments of war. 8

He hath by report serv'd the Venetian 9

In Candy these twice seven years, and been chief 10

In many a bold design. 11

HORTENSIO

What are those two

That bear him company? 12

FLAMINEO

Two noblemen of Hungary, that living in the emperor's service as commanders, eight years since, contrary to the expectation of all the court ent'red into religion, into the strict order of Capuchins: but being not well settled in their undertaking they left their order and returned to court: for which being after troubled in conscience, they vowed their service agaist the enemies of Christ; went to Malta; were there knighted; and in their return back, at this great solemnity, they are resolved for ever to forsake the world, and settle themselves here in a house of Capuchins in Padua.

HORTENSIO

'Tis strange.

FLAMINEO

One thing makes it so. They have vowed for ever to wear next their bare bodies those coats of mail they served in.

HORTENSIO

Hard penance. Is the Moor a Christian? 16

FLAMINEO

He is. 17

HORTENSIO

Why proffers he his service to our Duke? 18

FLAMINEO

Because he understands there's like to grow 19

Some wars between us and the Duke of Florence, 20

In which he hopes employment. 21

I never saw one in a stern bold look 22

Wear more command, nor in a lofty phrase 23

Express more knowing, or more deep contempt 24

Of our slight airy courtiers. He talks 25

As if he had travell'd all the princes' courts 26

Of Christendom; in all things strives t'express 27

That all that should dispute with him may know, 28

Glories, like glow-worms, afar off shine bright 29

But look'd to near, have neither heat nor light. 30

The Duke! 31

(Enter BRACHIANO, [FRANCISCO, Duke of] Florence disguised like Mulinassar; LODOVICO, ANTONELLI, GASPARO, FERNESE having their swords and helmets.)

BRACHIANO

You are nobly welcome. We have heard at full 32

Your honourable service 'gainst the Turk. 33

To you, brave Mulinassar, we assign 34

A competent pension: and are inly sorrow, 35

The vows of those two worthy gentlemen 36

Make them incapable of our proffer'd bounty. 37

Your wish is you may leave your warlike swords 38

For monuments in our chapel. I accept it 39

As a great honour done me, and must crave 40

Your leave to furnish out our Duchess' revels. 41

Only one thing, as the last vanity 42

You e'er shall view, deny me not to stay 43

To see a barriers prepar'd tonight; 44

You shall have private standings. It hath pleas'd 45

The great ambassadors of several princes 46

In their return from Rome to their own countries 47

To grace our marriage, and to honour me 48

With such a kind of sport. 49

FRANCISCO

I shall persuade them

To stay, my lord. 50

BRACHIANO

Set on there to the presence.

(Exeunt BRACHIANO, FLAMINEO and [HORTENSIO])

LODOVICO

Noble my lord, most fortunately welcome, 51

(The conspirators here embrace)

You have our vows seal'd with the sacrament 52

To second your attempts. 53

GASPARO

And all things ready.

He could not have invented his own ruin, 54

Had he despair'd, with more propriety. 55

LODOVICO

You would not take my way. 56

FRANCISCO

'Tis better ordered.

LODOVICO

T'have poison'd his prayer book, or a pair of beads, 57

The pommel of his saddle, his looking-glass, 58

Or th'handle of his racket. O that, that! 59

That while he had been bandying at tennis, 60

He might have sworn himself to hell, and struck 61

His soul into the hazard! O my lord! 62

I would have our plot be ingenious, 63

And have it hereafter recorded for example 64

Rather than borrow example. 65

FRANCISCO

There's no way

More speeding than this thought on. 66

LODOVICO

On then.

FRANCISCO

And yet methinks that this revenge is poor, 67

Because it steals upon him like a thief; 68

To habe tane him by the cask in a pitch'd field, 69

Led him to Florence! 70

LODOVICO

It had been rare. -And there

Have crown'd him with a wreath of stinking garlic, 71

T'have shown the sharpness of his government, 72

And rankness of his lust. Flamineo comes. 73

(Exeunt LODOVICO, ANTONELLI [and GASPARO])

(Enter FLAMINEO, MARCELLO and ZANCHE)

MARCELLO

Why doth this devil haunt you? Say. 74

FLAMINEO

I know not.

For by this light I do not conjure for her. 75

'Tis not so great a cunning as men think 76

To raise the devil: for here's one up already; 77

The greatest cunning were to lay him down. 78

MARCELLO

She is your shame. 79

FLAMINEO

I prithee pardon her.

In faith you see, women are like to burs; 80

Where their affection throws them, there they'll stick. 81

ZANCHE

That is my countryman, a goodly person; 82

When he's at leisure I'll discourse with him 83

In our own language. 84

FLAMINEO

Exit ZANCHE I beseech you do.

How is't brave soldier? O that I had seen 85

Some of your iron days! I pray relate 86

Some of your service to us. 87

FRANCISCO

'Tis a ridiculous thing for a man to be his own chronicle; I did never wash my mouth with mine own praise for fear of getting a stinking breath.

MARCELLO

You're too stoical. The Duke will expect other discourse from you.

FRANCISCO

I shall never flatter him, I have studied man too much to do that. What difference is between the Duke and I? No more than between two bricks; all made of one clay. Only 't may be one in plac'd on the top of a turret; the other in the bottom of a well by mere chance; if I were plac'd as high as the Duke, I should stick as fast; make as fair a show; and bear out weater equally.

FLAMINEO

If this soldier had a patent to beg in churches, then he would tell them stories.

MARCELLO

I have been a soldier too.

FRANCISCO

How have you thriv'd?

MARCELLO

Faith, poorly.

FRANCISCO

That's the mistery of peace. Only outsiders are then respected.As ships seem very great upon the river, which show very little upon the seas: so some men i'th' court seem Colossues in a chamber, who if they came into the fiel would appear pitiful pigmes.

FLAMINEO

Give me a fair room yet hung with arras, and some great cardinal to lug me by th'ears as his endeared minion.

FRANCISCO

And thou may'st do, -the devil knows what villainy.

FLAMINEO

And safely.

FRANCISCO

Right; you shall see in the country in harvest time, pigeons, thought they destroy never so much corn, the farmer dare not present the fowling-piece to them! Why? Because they belong to the lord of the manor; whilst your poor sparrows that belong to the Lord of heaven, they go to the pot for't.

FLAMINEO

I will now give you some politic instruction. The Duke says he will give you pension; that's but bare promise: get it under his hand. For I have know men that have come for serving against the Turk; for three or four months they have had pension to boy them new wooden legs and fresh plasters; but after 'twas not to be had. And this miserable courtesy shows, as if a tormentor should give hot cordial drinks to one three-quarters dead o'th' rack, only to fetch the miserable soul again to endure more dog-days.

(Enter HORTENSIO, a YOUNG LORD, ZANCHE and two more)

How now, gallants; what, are they ready for the barriers? 101

([Exit FRANCISCO])

YOUNG LORD

Yes: the lords are putting on their armour.

HORTENSIO

What's he?

FLAMINEO

A new upstart: one that swears like a falc'ner, and will lie in the Duke's ear day by day like a maker of almanacs; and yet I knew him since he came to th'court smell worse of sweat than an under-tennis-court-keeper.

HORTENSIO

Look you, yonder's your sweet mistress.

FLAMINEO

Thou art my sworn brother; I'll tell thee, I do love that Moor, that witch, very constrainedly: she knows some of my villainy; I do love her, just as a man holds a wolf by the ears. But for fear of turning upon me, and pulling out my throat, I would let her go to the devil.

HORTENSIO

I hear she claims marriage of thee.

FLAMINEO

'Faith, I made to her some such dark promise, and in seeking to fly from't I run on, like a frighted dog with a bottle at's tail, that fain would bite it off and yet dares not look behind him. [to ZANCHE] Now my precious gipsy!

ZANCHE

Ay, your love to me rather cools than heats.

FLAMINEO

Marry, I am the sounder lover; we have many wenches about the town heat too fast.

HORTENSIO

What do you think of these perfum'd gallants then?

FLAMINEO

Their satin cannot save them. I am confident 113

They have a certain spice of the disease. 114

For they that sleep with dogs, shall rise with fleas. 115

ZANCHE

Believe it! A little painting and gay clothes 116

Make you loathe me. 117

FLAMINEO

How? Love a lady for painting or gay apparel? I'll unkennel one example more of thee. Æsop had a foolish dog that let go the flesh to catch the shadow. I would have courtiers be better diners.

ZANCHE

You remember your oaths.

FLAMINEO

Lovers' oaths are like mariners' prayers, uttered in extremity; but when the tempest is o'er, and that the vessel leaves tumbling, they fall from protesting to drinking. And yet amongst gentlemen protesting and drinking go together, and agree as well as shoemakers and Westphalia bacon. They are both drawers on: for drink draws on protestation; and protestation draws on more drink. Is not this discourse better no than the morality of your sunburnt gentleman?

(Enter CORNELIA)

CORNELIA

Is this your perch, you haggard? Fly to th'stews. 121

([Strikes ZANCHE])

FLAMINEO

You should be clapp'd by th'heels now: strike i'th'court? 122

([Exit CORNELIA])

ZANCHE

She's good for nothing but to make her maids 123

Catch cold o'nights; they dare not usa a bedstaff, 124

For fear f her light fingers. 125

MARCELLO

You're a strumpet.

An impudent one. 126

FLAMINEO

Why do you kick her? Say,

Do you think that she's like a walnut-tree? 127

Must she be cudgell'd ere she bear good fruit? 128

MARCELLO

She brags that you shall marry her. 129

FLAMINEO

What then?

MARCELLO

I had rather she were pitch'd upon a stake 130

In some new-seeded garden, to affright 131

Her fellow crows thence. 132

FLAMINEO

You're a boy, a fool,

Be guardian to your hound, I am of age. 133

MARCELLO

If I take her near you I'll cut her throat. 134

FLAMINEO

With a fan of feathers? 135

MARCELLO

And for you, I'll whip

This folly from you. 136

FLAMINEO

Are you choleric?

I'll purgue't with rhubarb. 137

HORTENSIO

O your brother!

FLAMINEO

Hang him.

He wrongs me most that ought t'offend me least. 138

[to MARCELLO] I do suspect my mother play'd foul play 139

When she conceiv'd thee. 140

MARCELLO

Now by all my hopes,

Like the two slaught'red sons of Œdipus, 141

The very flames of our affection 142

Shall turn two ways. Those words I'll make thee answer 143

With thy heart blood. 144

FLAMINEO

Do; like the gesses in the progress,

You know where you shall find me, – 145

MARCELLO

Very good.

([Exit FLAMINEO])

And thou beest a noble friend, bear him my sword, 146

And bid him fit the length on't. 147

YOUNG LORD

Sir I shall

([Exeunt all but ZANCHE])

(Enter FRANCISCO the Duke of Florence)

ZANCHE

He comes. Hence petty thought of my disgrace! 148

I ne'er lov'd my complexion till now, 149

Cause I may boldly say without a blush, 150

I love you. 151

FRANCISCO

Your love is untimely sown;

There's a Spring at Michaelmas, but 'tis but a faint one. 152

I am sunk in years, and I have vowed never yo marry. 153

ZANCHE

Alas! poor maids get more lovers than husbands. Yet you may mistake my wealth. For, as when ambassadors are sent to congratulate princes, there's commonly sent along with them a rich present; so that though the prince like not the ambassador's person nor words, yet he likes well of the presentment. So I may come to you in the same manner, and be better loved for my dowry than my virtue.

FRANCISCO

I'll think on the motion.

ZANCHE

Do, I'll now detain you no longer. At your better leisure I'll tell you things shall startle your blood.

Nor blame me that this passion I reveal; 157

Lovers die inward that their flames conceal. 158

FRANCISCO

Of all intelligente this may prove the best, 159

Sure I shall draw strange fowl from this foul nest. 160

(Exeunt)

[Act V, Scene ii]

(Enter MARCELLO and CORNELIA [and a PAGE, who remains in the background])

CORNELIA

I hear a whispering all about the court, 1

You are to fight; who is your opposite? 2

What is the quarrel? 3

MARCELLO

'Tis an idle rumour.

CORNELIA

Will you dissemble? Sure you do not well 4

To fright me thus; you never look thus pale, 5

But when you are most angry. I do charge you 6

Upon my blessing; –nay I'll call the Duke, 7

And he shall school you. 8

MARCELLO

Publish not a fear

Which would convert to laughter; 'tis not so. 9

Was not this crucifix my father's? 10

CORNELIA

Yes.

MARCELLO

I have heard you say, giving my brother suck, 11

Enter FLAMINEO He took the crucifix between his hands, 12

And broke a limb off. 13

CORNELIA

Yes: but 'tis mended.

FLAMINEO

I have brought your weapon back. 14

(FLAMINEO runs MARCELLO through)

CORNELIA

Ha, O my horror!

MARCELLO

You have brought it home indeed. 15

CORNELIA

Help! Oh he's murdered.

FLAMINEO

Do you turn your gall up? I'll to sanctuary, 16

And send a surgeon to you 17

([Exit])

(Enter CARL[O,] HORT[ENSIO,] PEDRO)

HORTENSIO

How? O'th' ground?

MARCELLO

O mother now remember what I told 18

Of breaking off the crucifix: farewell. 19

There are some sins which heaven doth duly punish 20

In a whole family. This it is to rise 21

By all dishonest means. Let all men know 22

That tree shall long time keep a steady foot 23

Whose branches spread no wider than the root. 24

CORNELIA

O my perpetual sorrow! 25

HORTENSIO

Virtuous Marcello.

He's dead: pray leave him lady; come, you shall. 26

CORNELIA

Alas he is not dead: he's in a trance. Why here's nobody shall get anything by his death. Let me call him again for God's sake.

LODOVICO

I would you were deceiv'd.

CORNELIA

O you abuse me, you abuse, me, you abuse me. How many have gone away this for lack of tendance; rear up's head, rear up's head. His bleeding inward will kill him.

HORTENSIO

You see he is departed.

CORNELIA

Let me come to him; give me him as he is; if he be turn'd to earth; let me but give him one hearty kiss, and you shall put us both into one coffin: fetch a looking-glass, see if his breath will not stain it; or pull out some feathers from my pillow, and lay them to his lips, -will you lose him for a little pains-taking?

HORTENSIO

Your kindest office is to pray for him.

CORNELIA

Alas! I would not pray for him yet. He may live lo lay me i'th' ground, and pray for me, if you'll let me come to him.

(Enter BRACHIANO all armed, save the beaver, with FLAMINEO [and FRANCISCO])

BRACHIANO

Was this your handiwork?

FLAMINEO

It was my misfortunate.

CORNELIA

He lies, he lies, he did not kill him: these have kill'd him, that would not let him be better look'd to.

BRACHIANO

Have comfort my griev'd mother.

CORNELIA

O you screech-owl.

HORTENSIO

Forbear, good madam.

CORNELIA

Let me go, let me go.

(She runs to FLAMINEO with her knife drawn and coming to him lets it fall)

The God of heaven forgive thee. Dost not wonder 41

I pray for thee? I'll tell thee what's the reason: 42

I have scarce breath to number twenty minutes; 43

I'd not spend that in cursing. Fare thee well – 44

Half of thyself lies there: and may'st thou live 45

To fill an hour-glass with his mould'res ashes, 46

To tell how thou shouldst spend the time to come 47

In blest repentance. 48

BRACHIANO

Mother, pray tell me

How came he by his death? What was the quarrel? 49

CORNELIA

Indeed my younger boy presum'd too much 50

Upon his manhood; gave him bitter words; 51

Drew his sword first; and so I know not how, 52

For I was out of my wits, he fell with's head 53

Jus in my bosom. 54

PAGE

This is not true madam.

CORNELIA

I pray thee peace. 55

One arrow's graz'd already; it were vain 56

T'lose this: for that will nere be found again. 57

BRACHIANO

Go, bear the body to Cornelia's lodging: 58

And we command that none acquaint our Duchess 59

With this sad accident: for you Flamineo, 60

Hark you, I will not grant your pardon. 61

FLAMINEO

No?

BRACHIANO

Only a lease of your life. And that shall last 62

But for one day. Thou shalt be forc'd each evening 63

To renew it, or be hang'd. 64

FLAMINEO

At your pleasure.

(LODOVICO sprinkles BRACHIANO'S beaver with a poison)

Your will is law now, I'll not meddle with it. 65

BRACHIANO

You onve did brave me in your sister's lodging; 66

I'll now keep you in awe for't. Where's our beaver? 67

FRANCISCO

He calls for his destruction. Noble youth, 68

I pity thy sad fate. Now to the barriers. 69

This shall his passage to the black lake further, 70

The last good deed he did, he pardon'd murther. 71

(Exeunt)

[Act V, Scene iii]

(Charges and shouts. They fight at barriers; first single pairs, then three to three.)

(Enter BRACHIANO and FLAMINEO with others [including GIOVANNI, VITTORIA, and FRANCISCO])

BRACHIANO

An armourer! Ud's death, an armourer! 1

FLAMINEO

Armourer; where's the armourer? 2

BRACHIANO

Tear off my beaver. 3

FLAMINEO

Are you hurt, my lord?

BRACHIANO

Enter ARMOURER O my brain's on fire, 4

The helmet is poison'd. 5

ARMOURER

My lord upon my soul –

BRACHIANO

[Exit ARMOURER, guarded] Away with him to torture. 6

There are some great ones that have hand in this, 7

And near about me. 8

VITTORIA

O my loved lord; poison'd?

FLAMINEO

Remove the bar: here's unfortunate revels, 9

Ent[er] 2 PHYSICIANS Call the physicians; a plague upon you; 10

We have too much of your cunning here already. 11

I fear the ambassadors are likewise poisoned. 12

BRACHIANO

Oh I am gone already: the infection 13

Fllies to the brain and hearth. O thou strong heart! 14

There's such a covenant 'tween the world and it, 15

They're loth to break. 16

GIOVANNI

O my most loved father!

BRACHIANO

Remove the boy away. 17

Where's this good woman? Had I infinite worlds 18

They were too little for thee. Must I leave thee? 19

What say yon screech-owls, is the venom mortal? 20

PHYSICIANS

Most deadly. 21

BRACHIANO

Most corrupted politic hangman!

You kill without book; but your art to save 22

Fails you as a oft as great men's needy friends. 23

I that have given life to offending slaves 24

And wretched murderers, have I not power 25

To lengthen mine own a twelvemonth? 26

[to VITTORIA] Do not kiss me, for I shall poison thee. 27

This unction is sent from the great Duke of Florence. 28

FRANCISCO

Sir be of confort. 29

BRACHIANO

O thou soft natural death, that art joint-twin 30

To sweetest slumber: no rought-bearded comet 31

Stares on thy mild departure; the dull owl 32

Beats not against thy casement: the hoarse wolf 33

Scents not thy carrion. Pity winds thy corse, 34

Whilist horror waits on pinces. 35

VITTORIA

I am lost for ever.

BRACHIANO

How miserable a thing it is to die 36

'Mongst women howling! 37

([Enter LODOVICO and GASPARO disguised as Capuchins])

What are those?

FLAMINEO

Franciscans.

They have brought the extreme unction. 38

BRACHIANO

On pain of death, let no man name death to me, 39

It is a word infinitely terrible. 40

Withdraw into our cabinet. 41

(Exeunt omnes praeter FRANCISCO and FLAMINEO)

FLAMINEO

To see what solitariness is about dying princes. As heterofore they have unpeopled towns; divorc'd friends, and made great houses unhospitable: so now, O justice! Where are their flatterers now? Flatterers are but the shadows of princes' bodies, the least thrick could makes them invisible.

FRANCISCO

There's great moan made for him.

FLAMINEO

'Faith, for some few hours salt water will run most plentifully in every office o'th'court. But believe it; most of them do but weep over their stepmothers' graves.

FRANCISCO

How mean you?

FLAMINEO

Why? They dissemble, as some men do that live within compass o'th' verge.

FRANCISCO

Come you have thriv'd well under him.

FLAMINEO

'Faith, like a wolf in a woman's breast; I have been fed with poultry: but money, understand me, I had as good a will to cozen him, as e'er an officer of them all. But I had not cunning enough to do it.

FRANCISCO

What did'st thou think of him? 'Faith speak freely.

FLAMINEO

He was a kind of statesman, that would sooner have reckon'd how many cannon-bullets he had discharged against a town, to count his expense that way, than how many of this valiant and deserving subjects he lost before it.

FRANCISCO

O speak well of the Duke.

FLAMINEO

I have done. Wilt hear some of my court wisdom? Enter LODOVICO To reprehend princes is dangerous: and to over-commend dome of them is palpable lying.

FRANCISCO

How is it with the Duke? 54

LODOVICO

Most deadly ill.

He's fall'n into a strange distraction. 55

He talks of battles and monopolies, 56

Levying of taxes, and from that descends 57

To the most brain-sick language. His mind fastens 58

On twenty several objects, which confound 59

Deep sense with folly. Such a fearful end 60

May teach some men that bear too lofty crest, 61

Though they live happiest, yet they die not best. 62

He hath conferr'd the whole state of the dukedom 63

Upon your sister, till the Prince arrive 64

At mature age. 65

FLAMINEO

There's some good luck in that yet.

FRANCISCO

See here he comes. 66

(Enter BRACHIANO, presented in a bed, VITTORIA and others [including GASPARO].)

VITTORIA

O my good lord! 67

(These speeches are several kinds of distractions and in the action should appear so)

BRACHIANO

Away, you have abus'd me.

You have convey'd coin forth our territories; 68

Bought and sold offices; oppress'd the poor, 69

And I ne'er dreamt on't. Make up your accounts; 70

I'll now be mine own steward. 71

FLAMINEO

Sir, have patience.

Indeed I am too blame. 72

For did you ever hear the dusky raven 73

Chide blackness? or was't ever know the devil 74

Rail'd against cloven creatures? 75

VITTORIA

O my lord!

BRACHIANO

Let me have some quails to supper. 76

FLAMINEO

Sir, you shall.

BRACHIANO

No: some fried dog-fish. Your quails feed on poison; – 77

That old dog-fox, that poitician Florence, – 78

I'll forswear hunting and turn dog-killer; 79

Rare! I'll be friends with him: for mark you, sir, one dog 80

Still sets another a-barking: peace, peace, 81

Yonder's a fine slave come in now. 82

FLAMINEO

Where?

BRACHIANO

Why there. 83

In a blue bonnet, and a pair of breeches 84

With a great codpiece. Ha, ha, ha, 85

Look you his codpiece is stuck full of pins 86

With pearls o'th' head of them. Do not you know him? 87

FLAMINEO

No my lord. 88

BRACHIANO

Why 'tis the devil.

I know him by a great rose he wears on's shoe 89

To hide his cloven foot. I'll dispute with him. 90

He's a rare linguist. 91

VITTORIA

My lord here's nothing.

BRACHIANO

Nothing? rare! nothing! When I want money 92

Our treasury is empty; there is nothing. 93

I'll not be used thus. 94

VITTORIA

O! lie still my lord –

BRACHIANO

See, see, Flamineo that kill'd his brother 95

Is dancing on the ropes there: and he carries 96

A money-bag in each hand, to keep him even, 97

For fear of breaking's neck. And there's a lawyer 98

In a gown whipt with velvet, stares and gapes 99

When the money will fall. How the rogue cuts capers! 100

It should have been in a halter. 101

'Tis there; what's she? 102

FLAMINEO

Vittoria, my lord.

BRACHIANO

Ha, ha, ha. Her hair is sprinkled with arras powder, that makes her look as if she sinn'd in the pastry. What's he?

FLAMINEO

A divine my lord.

BRACHIANO

He will be drunk. Avoid him: th'argument is fearful when 105

churchmen stagger in't. 106

Look you; six gray rats have lost their tails, 107

Crawl up the pillow; send for a rat-catcher. 108

I'll do a miracle: I'll free the court 109

From all foul vermin. Where's Flamineo? 110

FLAMINEO

I do not like that he names me so often, 111

Especially on's death-bed: 'tis a sign 112

I shall not live long: see he's near his end. 113

(BRACHIANO seems here near is end)

(LODOVICO and GASPARO in the habit of Capuchins present him in his bed with a crucifix and hallowed candle.)

LODOVICO

Pray give us leave: Attende Domine Brachiane. 114

FLAMINEO

See, see, how finaly he doth fix his eye 115

Upon the crucifix. 116

VITTORIA

O hold it constant.

It settles his wild spirits; and so his eyes 117

Melt into tears. 118

LODOVICO

(By the crucifix) Domine Brachiane, solebas in bello tutus esse tuo clypeo, nùnc hanc clypeum hosti tui opponas ingernali.

GASPARO

(By the hallowed taper) Olim hastâ valausti in bello; nûnc hanc sacram hastam vibrabis contra hostem animarum.

LODOVICO

Attende Domine Brachiane si nunc quòque probas ea quæ acta sunt inter nos, flecte caput in dextrum.

GASPARO

Esto securus. Domine Brachiane: cogita quantum habeas meritorum – denique memineris mean animam pro tua oppignoratam si quid esse periculi.

LODOVICO

Si nùnc quoque probas ea quæ acta sunt inter nos, flecte caput in lævum.

He is departing: pray stand all apart, 124

And let us only whisper in his ears 125

Some private meditations, which our order 126

Permits you not to hear. 127

(Here the rest being departed LODOVICO and GASPARO discover themselves)

GASPARO

Brachiano.

LODOVICO

Devil Brachiano. Thou art damn'd. 128

GASPARO

Perpetually.

LODOVICO

A slave condemn'd, and given up to the gallows 129

Is thy great lord and master. 130

GASPARO

True: for thou

Art given up to the devil. 131

LODOVICO

O you slave!

You that were held the famous politician; 132

Whose art was poison. 133

GASPARO

And whose conscience murder.

LODOVICO

That would have broke your wife's neck down the stairs ere she was poison'd.

GASPARO

That had your villainous sallets – 135

LODOVICO

And fine embroidered bottles, and perfumes 136

Equally mortal with a winter plague – 137

GASPARO

Now there's mercury – 138

LODOVICO

And copperas –

GASPARO

And quicksilver –

LODOVICO

With other devilish pothecary stuff 139

A-melting in your politic brains: dost hear? 140

GASPARO

This is Count Lodovico. 141

LODOVICO

This Gasparo.

And thou shalt die like a poor rogue. 142

GASPARO

And stink

Like a dead fly-blown dog. 143

LODOVICO

And be forgotten before thy funeral sermon. 144

BRACHIANO

Vittoria! Vittoria! 145

LODOVICO

O the cursed devil,

Come to himself again! We are undone. 146

(Enter VITTORIA and the ATTEND[ANTS])

GASPARO

[aside to LODOVICO] Strangle him in private. 147

[to VITTORIA] What? Will you call him again 148

To live in treble torments? For charity, 149

For Christian charity, avoid the chamber. 150

(Exeunt [VITTORIA and ATTENDANTS])

LODOVICO

You would prate, sir. This is a true-love knot 151

BRACHIANO is strangled Sent from the Duke of Florence. 152

GASPARO

What, is it done?

LODOVICO

The snuff is out. No woman-keeper i'th' world, 153

Though she had practis'd seven year at the pest-house, 154

Could have done't quaintlier. 155

([Enter VITTORIA, FRANCISCO, FLAMINEO and ATTENDANTS])

My lords he's dead.

OMNES

Rest to his soul. 156

VITTORIA

O me! This place is hell.

(Exit VITTORIA)

([with ATTENDANTS and GASPARO])

FRANCISCO

How heavily she takes it. 157

FLAMINEO

O yes, yes;

Had women navigable rivers in their eyes 158

They would dispend them all; surely I wonder 159

Why we should wish more rivers to the city 160

When they sell water so good cheap. I'll tell thee, 161

These are but moonish shades of griefs or fears, 162

There's nothing sooner dry than women's tears. 163

Why here's an end of all my harvest, he has given me nothing. 164

Court promises! Let wise men count them curs'd 165

For while you live he that scores best pays worst. 166

FRANCISCO

Sure, this was Florence' doing. 167

FLAMINEO

Very likely.

Those are found weighty strokes which come from th'hand, 168

But those are killing strokes which come from th'head. 169

O the rare tricks of a Machivillian! 170

He doth not come like a gross plodding slave 171

And buffet you to death. No, my quaint knave, 172

He tickles you to death; makes you die laughing; 173

As if you had swallow'd down a pound of saffron. 174

You see the feat, 'tis practis'd in a trice: 175

To teach court-honesty, it jumps on ice. 176

FRANCISCO

Now have the people liberty to talk 177

And descant on his vices. 178

FLAMINEO

Misery of princes,

That must of force be censur'd by their slaves! 179

Not only blam'd for doing things are ill, 180

But for not doing all that all men will. 181

One were better be a thresher. 182

Ud's death, I would fain speak with this Duke yet. 183

FRANCISCO

Now he's dead? 184

FLAMINEO

I cannot conjure; but if prayers or oaths 185

Will get to th'speech of him: though forty devils 186

Wait on him in his livery of flames, 187

I'll speak to him, and shake him by the hand, 188

Exit FLAMINEO Though I be blasted. 189

FRANCISCO

Excellent Lodovico!

What? Did you terrify him at the last gasp? 190

LODOVICO

Yes; and so idly, that the Duke had like 191

T'have terrified us. 192

FRANCISCO

How?

(Enter [ZANCHE] the Moor)

LODOVICO

You shall hear that hereafter. 193

See! yon's the infernal that would make us sport. 194

Now to the revelation of that secret 195

She promis'd when she felt in love with you. 196

FRANCISCO

You're passionately met in this sad world. 197

ZANCHE

I would have you look up, sir; these court tears 198

Claim not your tribute to them. Let those weep 199

That guilty partake in the sad cause. 200

I knew last night by a sad dream I had 201

Some mischief would ensue; yet yo say truth 202

My dream most concern'd you. 203

LODOVICO

Shall's fall a-dreaming?

FRANCISCO

Yes, and for fashion sake I'll dream with her. 204

ZANCHE

Methough sir, you came stealing to my bed. 205

FRANCISCO

Wilt thou believe me sweeting? By this light 206

I was a-dreamt on thee too: for methought 207

I saw thee naked. 208

ZANCHE

Fie sir! as I told you,

Methought you lay down by me. 209

FRANCISCO

So dreamt I:

And lest thou shouldst take cold, I cover'd thee 210

With this Irish mantle. 211

ZANCHE

Verily I did dream,

You were somewhat bold with me; but to come to't. 212

LODOVICO

How? How? I hope you will not go to't here. 213

FRANCISCO

Nay: you mist hear my dream out. 214

ZANCHE

Well, sir, forth.

FRANCISCO

When I threw the mantle o'er thee, thou didst laugh 215

Exceedingly methought. 216

ZANCHE

Laugh?

FRANCISCO

And cried'st out,

The hair did tickle thee. 217

ZANCHE

There was a dream indeed.

LODOVICO

Mark her I prithee, she simpers like the suds 218

A collier hath been wash'd in. 219

ZANCHE

Come, sir; good fortune tends you; I did tell you 220

I would reveal a secret: Isabella 221

The Duke of Florence' sister was empoison'd, 222

By a fum'd picture: and Camillo's neck 223

Was broke by damn'd Flamineo; the mischance 224

Laid on a vaulting-horse. 225

FRANCISCO

Most strange!

ZANCHE

Most true.

LODOVICO

The bed of snakes is broke. 226

ZANCHE

I sadly do confess I had a hand 227

In the black deed. 228

FRANCISCO

Thou kept'st their counser, –

ZANCHE

Right.

For which urg'd with contrition, I intend 229

This night to rob Vittoria. 230

LODOVICO

Excellent penitence!

Usurers dream on't while they sleep out sermons. 231

ZANCHE

To further out escape, I have entreated 232

Leave to retire me, till the funeral 233

Unto a frien i'th' country. That excuse 234

Will futher our escape. In coin and jewels 235

I shall, at least, make good unto your use 236

A hundred thousand crowns. 237

FRANCISCO

O noble wench!

LODOVICO

Those crowns we'll share. 238

ZANCHE

It is a dowry,

Methinks, should make that sunburnt proverb false, 239

And wash the Ethiop white. 240

FRANCISCO

It shall, away!

ZANCHE

Be ready for our flight. 241

FRANCISCO

An hour 'fore day.

(Exit [ZANCHE] the Moor)

O strange discovery! Why till now we knew not 242

The circumstance of either of their deaths 243

(Enter [ZANCHE the] Moor)

ZANCHE

You'll wait about midnight in the chapel? 244

FRANCISCO

There.

LODOVICO

Why now our action's justified, – 245

FRANCISCO

Tush for justice.

What harms it justice? We now, like the partridge 246

Purge the disease with laurel: for the fame 247

Shall crown the enterprise and quit the shame. 248

(Exeunt)

[Act V, Scene iv]

(Enter FLAM[INEO] and GASP[ARO] at one door, another way GIOVANNI attended)

GASPARO

The young Duke. Did you e'er see a sweeter prince?

FLAMINEO

I have known a poor woman's bastard better favour'd. This is behind him. Now, to his face: all comparisons were hateful. Wise was the courtly peacock, that being a great minion, and being compar'd for beauty, by some dottrels that bird than herself, not in respect of her feathers, but in respect of her long tallants. His will grow out in time. My gracious lord.

GIOVANNI

I pray leave me sir.

FLAMINEO

Your Grace must be merry; 'tis I have cause to mourn; for wot you what said the little boy that rode behind his father on horseback?

GIOVANNI

Why, what said he?

FLAMINEO

'When you are dead father,' said he, 'I hope then I shall ride in the saddle.' O 'tis a brave thing for a man to sit by himself: he may stretch himself in the stirrups, look about, and see the whole compass of the hemisphere; you're now, my lord, i'th'saddle.

GIOVANNI

Study your prayers, sir, and be penitent. 7

‘Twere fit you’d think on what hath former been; 8

I have heard grief named the eldest child of sin. 9

((Vanse Giovanni, Gasparo y acompañantes))

FLAMINEO

Study my prayers? He threatens me divinely; I am falling to pieces already; I care not, though, like Anacharsis I were pounded to death in a mortar. And yet that death were fitter for usurers' gold and themselves to be beaten together, to make a most cordial cullis for the devil.

He hath his uncle's villainous look already, 11

Enter COURTIER In decimo-sexto. Now sir, what are you? 12

COURTIER

It is the pleasure sir, of the young Duke 13

That you forbear the presence, and all rooms 14

That owe him reverence. 15

FLAMINEO

So, the wolf and the raven

Are very pretty fools when they are young. 16

Is it your office, sir, to keep me out? 17

COURTIER

So the Duke wills. 18

FLAMINEO

Verily, master courtier, extremity is not to be used in all offices. Say that a gentlewoman were taken out of her bed about midnight, and committed to Castle Angelo, to the tower yonder, with nothing about her, but her smock: would it not show a cruel part in the gentleman porter to lay claim to her upper garment, pull it o'er her head and ears; and put her in naked?

COURTIER

Very good: you are merry.

([Exit])

FLAMINEO

Doth he make a court ejectment of me? A flaming firebrand casts more smoke

Enter [FRANCISCO, Duke of] Florence How now? Thou art sad. 22

FRANCISCO

I met even now with the most piteous sight. 23

FLAMINEO

Thou met'st another here, a pitiful 24

Degraded courtier. 25

FRANCISCO

Your reverend mother

Is grown a very old woman in two hours. 26

I found them winding of Marcello's corse; 27

And there is such a solemn melody 28

'Tween doleful songs, tears, and sad elegies: 29

Such as old grandames, watching by the dead, 30

Were wont t'outwear the nights with; that belive me 31

I had no eyes to guide me forth the room, 32

They were so o'ercharg'd with water. 33

FLAMINEO

I will see them.

FRANCISCO

'Twere much uncharity in you: for your sight 34

Will add unto their tears. 35

FLAMINEO

I will see them.

FRANCISCO

They are behind the traverse. I'll discover 36

[Draws the traverse] Their superstitious howling. 37

(CORNELIA, [ZANCHE] the Moor and 3. other Ladies discovered, winding MARCELLO'S corse. A song.)

CORNELIA

This rosemary is wither'd, pray det fresh; 38

I would have these herbs grow up in his grave 39

When I am dead and rotten. Reach the bays, 40

I'll tie a garland here about his head: 41

'Twill keep my boy from lightning. This sheet 42

I have kept this twenty year, and every day 43

Hallow'd it with my prayers; I did not think 44

He should have wore it. 45

ZANCHE

Look you; who are yonder?

CORNELIA

O reach me the flowers. 46

ZANCHE

Her ladyship's foolish. 47

WOMAN

Alas her grief

Hath turn'd her child again. 48

CORNELIA

to FLAMINEO You're very welcome.

There's rosemary for you, and rue for you, 49

Hearth's-ease for you. I pray make much of it. 50

J have left more for myself. 51

FRANCISCO

Lady, who's this?

CORNELIA

You are, I take it, the grave-maker. 52

FLAMINEO

So.

ZANCHE

'Tis Flamineo. 53

([CORNELIA takes his hand])

CORNELIA

Will you make me such a fool? Here's a white hand: 54

Can blood so soon be wash'd out? Let me see: 55

When screech-owls croak upon the chimney tops, 56

And the strange cricket i'th' oven sings and hops, 57

When yellow spots do on your hand appear, 58

Be certain then you of a corse shall hear. 59

Out upon't, how 'tis speckled! H'as handled a toad sure. 60

Cowslip-water is good for the memory: 61

Pray buy me 3. ounces of't. 62

FLAMINEO

I would I were from hence. 63

CORNELIA

Do you hear, sir?

I'll give you a saying which my grandmother 64

Was wont, when she heard the bell toll, to sing o'er 65

Unto her lute – 66

FLAMINEO

Do and you will, do.

(CORNELIA doth this in several forms of distraction)

CORNELIA

Call for the robin red breast and the wren, 67

Since o'er shady groves they hover, 68

And with leaves and flow'rs do cover 69

The friendless bodies of unburied men. 70

Call unto his funeral dole 71

The ant, the field-mouse, and the mole 72

To rear him hillocks, that shall keep him warm 73

And (when gay tombs are robb'd) sustain no harm, 74

But keep the wolf far thence: that's foe to men, 75

For with his nails he'll dig them up again. 76

They would not bury him 'cause he died in a quarrel 77

But I have an answer for them. 78

Let holy church receive him duly 79

Since he paid the church tithes truly. 80

His wealth is summ'd, and this is all his store: 81

This poor men get; and great men get no more. 82

Now the wares are gone, we may shut up shop. 83

Bless you all good people. 84

(Exeunt CORNELIA [, ZANCHE] and Ladies)

FLAMINEO

I have a strange thing in me, to the which 85

I cannot give a name, without it be 86

Exit FRANCISCO Compassion; I pray leave me. 87

This night I'll know the utmost of my fate, 88

I'll be resolv'd what my rich sister means 89

T'assign me for my service. I have liv'd 90

Riotously ill, like some that live in court. 91

And sometimes, when my face was full of smiles 92

Have felt the maze of conscience in my breast. 93

Oft gay and honour'd robes those tortures try, 94

We think cag'd birds sing, when indeed they cry. 95

(Enter BRACHIA[NO'S] Ghost. In his leather cassock and breeches, boots, a cowl [and in his hand] a pot of lily-flowers with a skull in't.)

Ha! I can stand thee. Nearer, nearer yet. 96

What a mockery hath death made of thee? Thou look'st sad. 97

In what place art thou? In yon starry gallery, 98

Or in the cursed dungeon? No? not speak? 99

Pray, sir, resolve me, what religion's best 100

For a man to die in? or is it in your knowledge 101

To answer me how long I have to live? 102

That's the most necessary question. 103

Not answer? Are you still like some great men 104

That only walk like shadows up and down, 105

And to no purpose: say: —— 106

The ghost throws earth upon him and shows him the skull 107

What's that? O fatal! He throws earth upon me. 108

A dead man's skull beneath the roots of flowers. 109

I pray speak sir; our Italian churchmen 110

Make us believe, dead men hold conference 111

With their familiars, and many times 112

Exit Ghost Will come to bed to them, and eat with them. 113

He's gone; and see, the skull and earth are vanish'd. 114

This is beyond melancholy. I do dare my fate 115

To do its worst. Now to my sister's lodging, 116

And sum up all these horrors; the disgrace 117

The Prince threw on me; next the piteous sight 118

And last this terrible vision. All these 119

Shall with Vittoria's bounty turn togood, 120

Or I will drown this weapon in her blood. 121

(Exit)

[Act V, Scene v]

(Enter FRANCISCO, LODOVICO, and HORTENSIO [overhearing them])

LODOVICO

My lord upon my soul you shall no further: 1

You have most ridiculously engag'd yourself 2

Too far already. For my part, I have paid 3

All my debts, so if I should chance to fall 4

My creditors fall not with me; and I vow 5

To quite all in this bold assembly 6

To the meanest follower. My lord eave the city, 7

Or I'll forswear the murder. 8

FRANCISCO

Farewell Lodovico.

If thou dost perish in this glorious act, 9

I'll rear unto thy memory that fame 10

Shall in the ashes keep alive thy name. 11

([Exeunt FRANCISCO and LODOVICO])

HORTENSIO

There's some black deed on foot. I'll presently 12

Down to the citadel, and raise some force. 13

These strong court factions that do brook no checks, 14

In the career oft break the riders' necks. 15

([Exit])

[Act V, Scene vi]

(Enter VITTORIA with a book in her hand, ZANCHE; FLAMINEO following them)

FLAMINEO

What, are you at your prayers? Give o'er. 1

VITTORIA

How ruffin?

FLAMINEO

I come to you 'bout worldly business: 2

Sit down, sit down. Nay, stay blouze, you may hear it, 3

The doors are fast enough. 4

VITTORIA

Ha, are you drunk?

FLAMINEO

Yes, yes, with wormwood water; you shall taste 5

Some of it presently. 6

VITTORIA

What intends the fury?

FLAMINEO

You are my lord's executrix, and I claim 7

Reward, for my long service. 8

VITTORIA

For your service?

FLAMINEO

Come therefore, here is pen and ink, set down 9

What you will give me. 10

(She writes)

VITTORIA

There. 11

FLAMINEO

Ha! have you done already?

'Tis a most short conveyance. 12

VITTORIA

I will read it.

[reads] I give that portion to thee, and no other 13

Which Cain groan'd under having slain his brother. 14

FLAMINEO

A most courtly patent to beg by. 15

VITTORIA

You are a villain.

FLAMINEO

Is't come to this? They say affrights cure agues; 16

Thou hast a devil in thee; I will try 17

If I can scare him from thee. Nay sit still: 18

My lord hath left me yet two caso of jewels 19

Shall make me scorn you bounty; you shall see them. 20

([Exit])

VITTORIA

Sure he's distracted. 21

ZANCHE

O he's desperate!

For your own safety give him gentle language. 22

(He enters with two case of pistols)

FLAMINEO

Look, these are better far at a dead lift, 23

Than all your jewel house. 24

VITTORIA

And yet methinks,

These stones have no fair lustre, they are ill set. 25

FLAMINEO

I'l turn the right side towards you: you shall see 26

How they will sparkle. 27

VITTORIA

Turn this horror from me:

What do you want? What would you have me do? 28

Is not all mine, yours? Have I any children? 29

FLAMINEO

Pray thee good woman do not trouble me 30

With this vain worldly business; say your prayers; 31

I made a vow to my deceased lord, 32

Neither yourself, nor I should outlive him, 33

The numb'ring of four hours. 34

VITTORIA

Did he enjoin it?

FLAMINEO

He did, and 'twas a deadly jealousy, 35

Lest any should enjoy thee after him, 36

That urg'd him vow me to it. For my death, 37

I did propound it voluntarily, knowing 38

If he could not be safe in his own court 39

Being a great Duke, what hope then for us? 40

VITTORIA

This is your melancholy and despair. 41

FLAMINEO

Away;

Fool that thou art to think that politicians 42

Do use to kill the effects of injuries 43

And let the cause live: shall we groan in irons, 44

Or be a shameful and a weight burthen 45

To a public scaffold? This is my resolve: 46

I would not live at any man's entreaty 47

Nor die at any's bidding. 48

VITTORIA

Will you hear me?

FLAMINEO

My life hath done service to other men, 49

My death shall serve mine own turn; make you ready. 50

VITTORIA

Do you mean to die indeed? 51

FLAMINEO

With as much pleasure

As e’er my father gat me.. 52

VITTORIA

[aside to ZANCHE] Are the doors lock’d?

ZANCHE

Yes madam. 53

VITTORIA

Are you grown an atheist? Will you turn your body, 54

Which is the goodly palace of the soul 55

To the soul’s slaughter house? O the cursed devil 56

Which doth present us with all other sins 57

Thrice candied o’er; despair with gall and stibium, [aside to ZANCHE] Cry out for help. 58

Yet we carouse it off; 59

Makes us forsake that which was made for man, 60

The world, to sink to that was made for devils, 61

Eternal darkness. 62

ZANCHE

Help, help!

FLAMINEO

I’ll stop your throat

With winter plums, — 63

VITTORIA

I prithee yet remember,

Millions are now in graves, which at last day 64

Like mandrakes shall rise shrieking. 65

FLAMINEO

Leave your prating,

For these are but grammatical laments, 66

Feminine arguments, and they move me 67

As some in pulpits move their auditory 68

More with their exclamation than sense 69

Of reason, or sound doctrine. 70

ZANCHE

Gentle madam

Seem to consent, only persuade him teach 71

The way to death; let him die first. 72

VITTORIA

‘Tis good, I apprehend it. 73

To kill oneself is meat that we must take 74

Like pills, not chew’t, but quickly swallow it; 75

The smart o’th’ wound, or weakness of the hand 76

May else bring treble torments. 77

FLAMINEO

I have held it

A wretched and most miserable life, 78

Which is not able to die. 79

VITTORIA

O but frailty!

Yet I am now resolv’d; farewell affliction. 80

Behold Brachiano, I that while you liv’d 81

Did make a flaming altar of my heart 82

To sacrifice unto you; now am ready 83

To sacrifice heart and all. Farewell Zanche. 84

ZANCHE

How madam! Do you think that I’ll outlive you? 85

Expecially when my best self Flamineo 86

Goes the same voyage. 87

FLAMINEO

O most loved Moor!

ZANCHE

Only, by all my love let me entreat you; 88

Since it is most necessary none of us 89

Do violence in ourselves; let you or I 90

Be her sad taster, teach her how to die. 91

FLAMINEO

Thou dost instruct me nobly; take these pistols, 92

Because my hand is stain’d with blood already: 93

Two of these you shall level at my breast, 94

The other ‘gainst your own, and so we’ll die, 95

Most equally contented. But first swear 96

Not to outlive me. 97

VITTORIA and ZANCHE

Most religiously.

FLAMINEO

Then here’s and end of me: farewell daylight; 98

And O contemptible physic! That dost take 99

So long a study, only to preserve 100

So short a life, I take my leave of thee. 101

(Showing the pistols)

These are two cupping-glasses, that shall draw 102

All my infected blood out. 103

Are you ready? 104

VITTORIA and ZANCHE

Ready.

FLAMINEO

Whither shall I go now? O Lucian thy ridiculous purgatory! 105

to fin Alexander the Great cobbling shoes, Pompey tagging 106

points, and Julius Caesar making hair buttons, Hannibal 107

selling blacking, and August crying garlic, Charlemagne 108

selling lists by the dozen, and King Pippin crying apples in 109

a cart drawn with one horse. 110

Whether I resolve to fire, earth, water, air, 111

Or all the elements by scruples, I know not 112

Nor greatly care. — Shoot, shoot, 113

Of all deaths the violent death is best, 114

For from ourselves it steals ourselves so fast 115

The pain once apprehended is quite past. 116

(They shoot and run to him and tread upon him)

VITTORIA

What, are you dropp’d? 117

FLAMINEO

I am mix’d with earth already. As you are noble 118

Perform you vows, and bravely follow me. 119

VITTORIA

Whither? to hell? 120

ZANCHE

To most assured damnation.

VITTORIA

O thou most cursed devil. 121

ZANCHE

Thou art caught —

VITTORIA

In thine own engine; I thread the fire out 122

That would have been my ruin. 123

FLAMINEO

Will you be perjur’d? What a religious oath was Styx that the gods never durst swear by and violate? O that we had such an oath to minister, and to be so well kept in our courts of justice.

VITTORIA

Think whither thou art going. 125

ZANCHE

And remember

What villainies thou hast acted. 126

VITTORIA

This thy death

Shall make me like a blazing ominous star, — 127

Look up and tremble. 128

FLAMINEO

O I am caught with a springe!

VITTORIA

You see the fox comes many times short home, 129

‘Tis here prov’d true. 130

FLAMINEO

Kill’d with a couple of braches

VITTORIA

No fitter offering for the infernal Furies 131

Than one in whom they reign’d while he was living. 132

FLAMINEO

O the way’s dark and horrid! I cannot see, 133

Shall I have no company? 134

VITTORIA

O yes thy sins

Do rin before thee to fetch fire from hell, 135

To light thee thither. 136

FLAMINEO

O I smell soot,

Most stinking soot, the chimney is a-fire, 137

My liver’s parboil’d like Scotch holy-bread; 138

There’s a plumber, laying pipes in my guts, it scalds; 139

Wilt thou outlive me? 140

ZANCHE

Yes, and drive a stake

Through thy body; for we’ll give it out, 141

Thou didst this violence upon thyself. 142

FLAMINEO

O cunning devils! now I have try’d your love, 143

And doubled all your reaches. I am not wounded: 144

(FLAMINEO riseth)

The pistols held no bullets: ‘Twas a plot 145

To prove your kindness to me; and I live 146

To punish your ingratitude; I knew 147

One time or other you would find a way 148

To give me a strong potion. O men 149

That lie upon your death-beds, and are haunted 150

With howling wives, ne’er trust them; they’ll remarry 151

Ere the worm pierce your winding sheet; ere the spider 152

Make a thin curtain for your epitaphs. 153

How cunning you were to discharge! Do you practice at the Artillery Yard? Trust a woman? Never, never; Brachiano be my president: we lay our souls to pawn to the devil for a little pleasure, and a woman makes the bill of sale. That ever man should marry! For one Hypermnestra that sav’d her lord and husband, forty-nine of her sisters cut their throats all in one night. There was a shoal of virtuous horseleeches.

Here are two other instruments. 155

(Enter LOD[OVICO], GASP[ARO, disguised as] CARLO, PEDRO [with others])

VITTORIA

Help, help!

FLAMINEO

What noise is that? hah? False keys I’th’ court. 156

LODOVICO

We have brought you a masque. 157

FLAMINEO

A matachin it seems,

By your drawn swords. Churchmen turn’d revellers. 158

CONSPIRATORS

Isabella, Isabella! 159

([They throw off their disguises])

LODOVICO

Do you know us now? 160

FLAMINEO

Lodovico and Gasparo.

LODOVICO

Yes, and that Moor the Duke gave pension to 161

Was the great Duke of Florence. 162

VITTORIA

O we are lost.

FLAMINEO

You shall not take justice from forth my hands; 163

O let me kill her. ——— I’ll cut my safety 164

Through your coats of steel. Fate’s a spaniel, 165

We cannot beat it from us. What remains now? 166

Let all that do ill take this president: 167

Man may his fate foresee, but not prevent. 168

And od all axioms this shall win the prize, 169

‘Tis better to be fortunate than wise. 170

GASPARO

Bind him to the pillar. 171

VITTORIA

O your gentle pity!

I have seen a blackbird that would sooner fly 172

To a man’s bosom, than to stay the gripe 173

Of the fierece sparrow-hawk. 174

GASPARO

Your hope deceives you.

VITTORIA

If Florence be I’th’ court, would he would kill me. 175

GASPARO

Fool! Princes give rewards with their own hands, 176

But death or punishment by the hands of others. 177

LODOVICO

Sirrah you once did strike me; I’ll strike you 178

Into the centre. 179

FLAMINEO

Thou’lt do it like a hangman; a base hangman; 180

Not like a noble fellow, for thou seest 181

I cannot strike again. 182

LODOVICO

Dost laugh?

FLAMINEO

Wouldst have me die, as I was born, in whining? 183

GASPARO

Recommend yourself to heaven. 184

FLAMINEO

No I will carry mine won commendations thither. 185

LODOVICO

Oh could I kill you forty times a day 186

And use’t four tear together; ‘twere too little: 187

Nought grieve’s but that you are too few to feed 188

The famine of our vengeance. What dost think on? 189

FLAMINEO

Nothing; of nothing: leave thy idle questions; 190

I am I’th’way to study a long silence 191

To prate were idle; I remember nothing. 192

There’s nothing of so infinite vexation 193

As man’s own thoughts. 194

LODOVICO

O thou glorious strumpet,

Could I divide thy breath from this pure air 195

When’t leaves thy body, I would suck it up 196

And breathe’t upon some dunghill. 197

VITTORIA

You, my death’s-man;

Methinks thou dost not look horrid enough, 198

Thou hast too good a face to be a hangman; 199

If thou be, do thy office in right form; 200

Fall down upon thy knees and ask forgiveness. 201

LODOVICO

O thou hast been a most prodigious comet, 202

But I’ll cut off your train: kill the Moor first. 203

VITTORIA

You shall not kill her first. Behold my breast, 204

I will be waited on in death; my servant 205

Shall never go before me. 206

GASPARO

Are you so brave? 207

VITTORIA

Yes I shall welvome death

As princes do some great ambassadors; 208

I’ll meet thy weapon half way. 209

LODOVICO

Thou dost tremble,

Methinks fear should dissolve thee into air. 210

VITTORIA

O thou art deceiv’d, I am too true a woman: 211

Conceit can never kill me: I’ll tell thee what; 212

I will not in my death shed one base tear, 213

Or if look pale, for want of blood, not fear. 214

GASPARO

Thou art my task, black fury. 215

ZANCHE

I have blood

As red as either of theirs: wilt drink some? 216

‘Tis good for the falling sickness. I am proud 217

Death cannot alter my complexion, 218

For I shall ne’er look pale. 219

LODOVICO

Strike, strike,

[They strike] With a joint motion. 220

VITTORIA

‘Twas a manly blow.

The next thou giv’st, murder some sicking infant, 221

And then thou wilt be famous. 222

FLAMINEO

O what blade is’t?

A Toledo, or an English fox? 223

I ever thought a cutler should distinguish 224

The cause of my death, rather than a doctor. 225

Search my wound deeper: tent it with the steel 226

That made it. 227

VITTORIA

O my greatest sin lay in my blood. 228

Now my blood pays for’t. 229

FLAMINEO

Th’art a noble sister,

I love thee now; if woman do breed man 230

She ought to teach him manhood. Fare thee well. 231

Know many glorious women that are fam’d 232

For masculine virtue, have been vicious 233

Only a happier silence did betide them. 234

She hath no faults, who that the art to hide them. 235

VITTORIA

My soul, like to a ship in a black storm, 236

Is driven I know not whither. 237

FLAMINEO

Then cast anchor.

Prosperity doth bewitch men seeming clear, 238

But seas do laugh, show white, when rocks are near. 239

We cease to grieve, cease to be Fortune’s slaves, 240

Nay cease to die by diyng. [to ZANCHE] Art thou gone? 241

[to VITTORIA] And thou so near the bottom? False report 242

Which says that women vie with the nine Muses 243

For nine tough durable lives. I do not look 244

Who went before, nor who shall follow me; 245

No, at myself I will begin and end. 246

While we look up to heaven we confound 247

Knowledge with knowledge. O I am in a mist. 248

VITTORIA

O happy they that never saw the court, 249

VITTORIA dies Nor ever knew great man but by report. 250

FLAMINEO

I recover like a spent taper, for a flash 251

And instantly go out. 252

Let all that belong to great men remember th’old wives’ 253

tradition, to be like the lions I’th’ Tower on Candlemas day, 254

to mourn if the sun shine, for fear of the pitiful remainder of 255

winter to come. 256

‘Tis well yet there’s some goodness in my death, 257

My life was a black charnel. I have cought 258

An everlasting cold. I have lost my voice 259

Most irrecoverably. Farewell glorious villains, 260

This busy trade of life appears most vain, 261

Since rest breeds rest, where all seek pain by pain. 262

Let no harash flattering bells resound my knell, 263

Strike thunder, and strike loud to my farewell. 264

(He dies)

(Enter [AMBASSADORS] and GIOVANNI. [GUARDS follow.])

ENGLISH AMBASSADOR

This way, this way, break ope the doors, this way. 265

LODOVICO

Ha, are we betray’d? 266

Why then let’s constantly die all together, 267

And having finish’d this most noble deed, 268

Defy the worst of fate; net fear to bleed. 269

ENGLISH AMBASSADOR

Keep back the Prince: shoot, shoot — 270

([GUARDS shoot at conspirators])

LODOVICO

O I am wounded.

I fear I shall be tane. 271

GIOVANNI

You bloody villiains,

By what authority have you commited 272

This massacre? 273

LODOVICO

By thine.

GIOVANNI

Mine?

LODOVICO

Yes, thy uncle,

Which is a part of thee enjoin’d us to’t: 274

Thou know’st me I am sure, I am Count Lodowick, 275

And thy most noble uncle in disguise 276

Was last night in thy court. 277

GIOVANNI

Ha!

GASPARO

Yes, that Moor

Thy father chose his pensioner. 278

GIOVANNI

He turn’d murderer?

Away with them to prision, and to torture; 279

All that have hand in this, shall taste our justice, 280

As I hope heaven. 281

LODOVICO

I do glory yet

That I can call this act mine own. For my part, 282

The rack, the gallows, and the torturing wheel 283

Shall be but sound sleeps to me; here’s my rest: 284

I limb’d this night-piece and it was my best. 285

GIOVANNI

Remove the bodies; see my honoured lord, 286

What use you ought make of their punishment. 287

Let guilty men remember their black deeds 288

Do lean on crutches, made of slender reeds. 289

([Exeunt])