1
The Revenger’s Tragedy
Thomas Middleton — EMOTHE0278_TheRevengersTragedy
[ DRAMATIS PERSONAE
The Duke
Lussurioso
the Duke’s son
Spurio
the Duke’s bastard
Ambitioso
the Duchess’s second son
Supervacuo
the Duchess’s second son
Junior
the Duchess’s youngest son
Antonio
a noble
Piero
a noble
Vindice
Gratiana’s son
Hippolito
Gratiana’s son
Dondolo
Gratiana’s servant
Nencio
Lussurioso’s follower
Sordido
Lussurioso’s follower
The Duchess
Gratiana
Castiza
Gratiana’s daughter
Nobles; Judges; Gentlemen; Guards; Prison-Keeper; Officers; Servants. ]
Both
All
ACT ONE
SCENE 1
(Enter Vindice [holding a skull]. The Duke, Duchess, Lussurioso his son, Spurio the bastard, with a train, pass over the stage with torch-light.)
VINDICE
Duke: royal lecher; go, grey-haired Adultery;
1
And thou his son, as impious steeped as he;
2
And thou his bastard, true-begot in evil;
3
And thou his Duchess, that will do with Devil.
4
Four ex'lent characters — o that marrowless age
5
Would stuff the hollow bones with damned desires
6
And 'stead of heat kindle infernal fires
7
Within the spendthrift veins of a dry Duke,
8
A parched and juiceless luxur. O God! One
9
That has scarce blood enough to live upon,
10
And he to riot it like a son and heir?
11
O the thought of that
12
Turns my abusèd heart-strings into fret.
13
[To the skull.] Thou sallow picture of my poisoned love,
14
My study's ornament, thou shell of death,
15
Once the bright face of my betrothèd lady,
16
When life and beauty naturally filled out
17
These ragged imperfections,
18
When two heaven-pointed diamonds were set
19
In those unsightly rings — then 'twas a face
20
So far beyond the artificial shine
21
Of any woman's bought complexion
22
That the uprightest man (if such there be,
23
That sin but seven times a day) broke custom,
24
And made up eight with looking after her.
25
O she was able to ha' made a usurer's son
26
Melt all his patrimony in a kiss,
27
And what his father fifty years told,
28
To have consumed, and yet his suit been cold.
29
But o accursèd palace!
30
Thee when thou wert appareled in thy flesh,
31
The old Duke poisoned,
32
Because thy purer part would not consent
33
Unto his palsy-lust; for old men lustful
34
Do show like young men angry, eager-violent,
35
Outbid like their limited performances.
36
O 'ware an old man hot and vicious:
37
Age, as in gold, in lust is covetous.
38
Vengeance, thou Murder's quit-rent, and whereby
39
Thou show'st thyself tenant to Tragedy,
40
O keep thy day, hour, minute, I beseech,
41
For those thou hast determined. Hum, whoe'er knew
42
Murder unpaid? Faith, give Revenge her due,
43
Sh'as kept touch hitherto. Be merry, merry,
44
Advance thee, o thou terror to fat folks,
45
To have their costly three-piled flesh worn off
46
As bare as this — for banquets, ease and laughter
47
Can make great men, as greatness goes by clay,
48
But wise men little are more great than they.
49
(Enter his brother Hippolito.)
HIPPOLITO
Still sighing o'er Death's vizard?
50
VINDICE
Brother, welcome,
What comfort bring'st thou? How go things at Court?
51
HIPPOLITO
In silk and silver, brother: never braver.
52
VINDICE
Puh,
53
Thou play'st upon my meaning. Prithee say,
54
Has that bald madam, Opportunity,
55
Yet thought upon's? Speak, are we happy yet?
56
Thy wrongs and mine are for one scabbard fit.
57
HIPPOLITO
It may prove happiness.
58
VINDICE
What is't may prove?
Give me to taste.
59
HIPPOLITO
Give me your hearing then.
You know my place at Court.
60
VINDICE
Ay, the Duke's chamber,
But 'tis a marvel thou'rt not turned out yet!
61
HIPPOLITO
Faith, I have been shoved at but 'twas still my hap
62
To hold by th'Duchess' skirt; you guess at that;
63
Whom such a coat keeps up can ne'er fall flat.
64
But to the purpose.
65
Last evening, predecessor unto this,
66
The Duke's son warily inquired for me,
67
Whose pleasure I attended. He began
68
By policy to open and unhusk me
69
About the time and common rumour;
70
But I had so much wit to keep my thoughts
71
Up in their built houses, yet afforded him
72
An idle satisfaction without danger.
73
But the whole aim and scope of his intent
74
Ended in this, conjuring me in private
75
To seek some strange-digested fellow forth
76
Of ill-contented nature, either disgraced
77
In former times, or by new grooms displaced
78
Since his stepmother's nuptials; such a blood,
79
A man that were for evil only good;
80
To give you the true word, some base-coined pander.
81
VINDICE
I reach you for I know his heat is such,
82
Were there as many concubines as ladies,
83
He would not be contained, he must fly out.
84
I wonder how ill-featured, vile-proportioned
85
That one should be, if she were made for woman,
86
Whom at the insurrection of his lust
87
He would refuse for once; heart, I think none,
88
Next to a skull, though more unsound than one,
89
Each face he meets he strongly dotes upon.
90
HIPPOLITO
Brother, y'ave truly spoke him.
91
He knows not you but I'll swear you know him.
92
VINDICE
And therefore I'll put on that knave for once,
93
And be a right man then, a man o'th'time,
94
For to be honest is not to be i'th'world.
95
Brother, I'll be that strange-composèd fellow.
96
HIPPOLITO
And I'll prefer you, brother.
97
VINDICE
Go to, then.
The small'st advantage fattens wrongèd men.
98
It may point out Occasion; if I meet her
99
I'll hold her by the foretop fast enough,
100
Or like the French mole heave up hair and all.
101
I have a habit that will fit it quaintly.
102
([Enter Gratiana and Castiza.])
Here comes our mother.
103
HIPPOLITO
And sister.
VINDICE
We must coin.
Women are apt, you know, to take false money;
104
But I dare stake my soul for these two creatures,
105
Only excuse excepted — that they'll swallow
106
Because their sex is easy in belief.
107
GRATIANA
What news from court, son Carlo?
108
HIPPOLITO
Faith, mother,
'Tis whispered there, the Duchess' youngest son
109
Has played a rape on Lord Antonio's wife.
110
GRATIANA
On that religious lady!
111
CASTIZA
Royal blood! Monster, he deserves to die,
112
If Italy had no more hopes but he.
113
VINDICE
Sister, y'ave sentenced most direct and true,
114
The Law's a woman and would she were you.
115
Mother, I must take leave of you.
116
GRATIANA
Leave for what?
117
VINDICE
I intend speedy travel.
HIPPOLITO
That he does, madam.
118
GRATIANA
Speedy indeed!
VINDICE
For since my worthy father's funeral,
119
My life's unnatural to me, e'en compelled
120
As if I lived now when I should be dead.
121
GRATIANA
Indeed he was a worthy gentleman.
122
Had his estate been fellow to his mind.
123
VINDICE
The Duke did much deject him.
124
GRATIANA
Much!
VINDICE
Too much.
And through disgrace, oft smothered in his spirit
125
When it would mount, surely I think he died
126
Of discontent, the nobleman's consumption.
127
GRATIANA
Most sure he did!
128
VINDICE
Did he? 'Lack, you know all,
You were his midnight secretary.
129
GRATIANA
No.
He was too wise to trust me with his thoughts.
130
VINDICE
I'faith then, father, thou wast wise indeed,
131
Wives are but made to go to bed and feed.
132
Come mother, sister; you'll bring me onward, brother?
133
HIPPOLITO
I will.
134
VINDICE
I'll quickly turn into another.
(Exeunt.)
[SCENE 2]
(Enter the old Duke, Lussurioso his son, the Duchess, [Spurio] the Bastard, the Duchess's two sons Ambitioso and Supervacuo, the third her youngest [Junior] brought out with Officers for the rape; two Judges.)
DUKE
Duchess, it is your youngest son; we're sorry
1
His violent act has e'en drawn blood of honour
2
And stained our honours,
3
Thrown ink upon the forehead of our state,
4
Which envious spirits will dip their pens into
5
After our death, and blot us in our tombs.
6
For that which would seem treason in our lives
7
Is laughter when we're dead. Who dares now whisper
8
That dares not then speak out, and e'en proclaim
9
With loud words and broad pens our closest shame?
10
JUDGE 1
Your Grace hath spoke like to your silver years
11
Full of confirmèd gravity; for what is it to have
12
A flattering false insculption on a tomb,
13
And in men's hearts reproach? The bowelled corpse
14
May be cered in, but, with free tongue I speak,
15
The faults of great men through their cerecloths break.
16
DUKE
They do, we're sorry for't, it is our fate
17
To live in fear and die to live in hate.
18
I leave him to your sentence — doom him, lords,
19
The fact is great — whilst I sit by and sigh.
20
DUCHESS
[Kneeling.] My gracious lord, I pray be merciful;
21
Although his trespass far exceed his years,
22
Think him to be your own, as I am yours,
23
Call him not son-in-law: the Law I fear
24
Will fall too soon upon his name and him.
25
Temper his fault with pity!
26
LUSSURIOSO
Good my lord,
Then 'twill not taste so bitter and unpleasant
27
Upon the judges' palate, for offences
28
Gilt o'er with mercy show like fairest women,
29
Good only for their beauties, which washed off,
30
No sin is uglier.
31
AMBITIOSO
I beseech your grace,
Be soft and mild, let not relentless Law
32
Look with an iron forehead on our brother.
33
SPURIO
He yields small comfort yet, hope he shall die,
34
And if a bastard's wish might stand in force,
35
Would all the court were turned into a corse.
36
DUCHESS
No pity yet? Must I rise fruitless then?
37
A wonder in a woman! Are my knees
38
Of such low metal that without respect —
39
JUDGE 1
Let the offender stand forth.
40
'Tis the Duke's pleasure that impartial doom
41
Shall take fast hold of his unclean attempt.
42
A rape! Why, 'tis the very core of lust,
43
Double adultery.
44
JUNIOR
So, sir.
JUDGE 2
And which was worse,
Committed on the Lord Antonio's wife,
45
That general honest lady. Confess, my lord.
46
What moved you to't?
47
JUNIOR
Why flesh and blood, my lord;
What should move men unto a woman else?
48
LUSSURIOSO
O do not jest thy doom, trust not an axe
49
Or sword too far; the Law is a wise serpent
50
And quickly can beguile thee of thy life.
51
Though marriage only has made thee my brother,
52
I love thee so far, play not with thy death.
53
JUNIOR
I thank you, troth; good admonitions, faith,
54
If I'd the grace now to make use of them.
55
JUDGE 1
That lady's name has spread such a fair wing
56
Over all Italy that, if our tongues
57
Were sparing toward the fact, judgment itself
58
Would be condemned and suffer in men's thoughts.
59
JUNIOR
Well then 'tis done, and it would please me well
60
Were it to do again: sure she's a goddess,
61
For I'd no power to see her and to live;
62
It falls out true in this, for I must die.
63
Her beauty was ordained to be my scaffold.
64
And yet methinks I might be easier ceased;
65
My fault being sport, let me but die in jest.
66
JUDGE 1
This be the sentence —
67
DUCHESS
O keep't upon your tongue, let it not slip;
68
Death too soon steals out of a lawyer's lip.
69
Be not so cruel-wise!
70
JUDGE 1
Your Grace must pardon us,
'Tis but the justice of the Law.
71
DUCHESS
The Law
Is grown more subtle than a woman should be.
72
SPURIO
Now, now he dies; rid 'em away!
73
DUCHESS
O what it is to have an old-cool Duke,
74
To be as slack in tongue as in performance.
75
JUDGE 1
Confirmed, this be the doom irrevocable.
76
DUCHESS
O!
77
JUDGE 1
Tomorrow early —
78
DUCHESS
Pray be abed, my lord.
JUDGE 1
Your grace much wrongs yourself.
79
AMBITIOSO
No, 'tis that tongue,
Your too much right, does do us too much wrong.
80
JUDGE 1
Let that offender —
81
DUCHESS
Live, and be in health.
JUDGE 1
Be on a scaffold —
82
DUKE
Hold, hold, my lord.
SPURIO
Pax on't,
What makes my dad speak now?
83
DUKE
We will defer the judgment till next sitting.
84
In the meantime let him be kept close prisoner:
85
Guard, bear him hence.
86
AMBITIOSO
[To Junior.] Brother, this makes for thee;
87
Fear not, we'll have a trick to set thee free.
88
JUNIOR
Brother, I will expect it from you both,
89
And in that hope I rest.
90
SUPERVACUO
Farewell, be merry.
(Exit [Junior] with a Guard.)
SPURIO
Delayed, deferred — nay then if Judgment have
91
Cold blood, flattery and bribes will kill it.
92
DUKE
About it then, my lords, with your best powers,
93
More serious business calls upon our hours.
94
(Exeunt [all but the] Duchess.)
DUCHESS
Was't ever known step-Duchess was so mild
95
And calm as I? Some now would plot his death
96
With easy doctors, those loose-living men,
97
And make his withered Grace fall to his grave
98
And keep church better.
99
Some second wife would do this, and dispatch
100
Her double-loathèd lord at meat and sleep.
101
Indeed 'tis true an old man's twice a child;
102
Mine cannot speak; one of his single words
103
Would quite have freed my youngest dearest son
104
From death or durance, and have made him walk
105
With a bold foot upon the thorny law,
106
Whose prickles should bow under him; but 'tis not,
107
And therefore wedlock faith, shall be forgot.
108
I'll kill him in his forehead, hate there feed;
109
That wound is deepest though it never bleed.
110
([Enter Spurio.])
And here comes he whom my heart points unto,
111
His bastard son, but my love's true-begot.
112
Many a wealthy letter have I sent him,
113
Swelled up with jewels, and the timorous man
114
Is yet but coldly kind;
115
That jewel's mine that quivers in his ear,
116
Mocking his master's chillness and vain fear.
117
H'as spied me now.
118
SPURIO
Madam? Your Grace so private?
My duty on your hand.
119
DUCHESS
Upon my hand, sir? Troth, I think you'd fear
120
To kiss my hand too if my lip stood there.
121
SPURIO
Witness I would not, madam.
122
([Kisses her.])
DUCHESS
'Tis a wonder,
For ceremony has made many fools;
123
It is as easy way unto a Duchess
124
As to a hatted dame (if her love answer)
125
But that by timorous honours, pale respects,
126
Idle degrees of fear, men make their ways
127
Hard of themselves – what, have you thought of me?
128
SPURIO
Madam, I ever think of you in duty,
129
Regard and —
130
DUCHESS
Puh, upon my love, I mean.
SPURIO
I would 'twere love, but 't'as a fouler name
131
Than lust; you are my father's wife;
132
Your Grace may guess now what I could call it.
133
DUCHESS
Why th'art his son but falsely;
134
'Tis a hard question whether he begot thee.
135
SPURIO
I'faith 'tis true too; I'm an uncertain man, of more uncertain woman. Maybe his groom o'th'stable begot me, you know I know not; he could ride a horse well, a shrewd suspicion, marry; he was wondrous tall, he had his length, i'faith, for peeping over half-shut holiday windows; men would desire him 'light. When he was afoot, he made a goodly show under a penthouse, and when he rid, his hat would check the signs, and clatter barbers' basins.
DUCHESS
Nay, set you a-horseback once, you'll ne'er light off.
137
SPURIO
Indeed, I am a beggar.
138
DUCHESS
That's more the sign th'art great — but to our love.
139
Let it stand firm both in thought and mind
140
That the Duke was thy father, as no doubt then
141
He bid fair for't. Thy injury is the more;
142
For had he cut thee a right diamond,
143
Thou hadst been next set in the Dukedom's ring,
144
When his worn self, like Age's easy slave,
145
Had dropped out of the collet into th'grave.
146
What wrong can equal this? Canst thou be tame
147
And think upon't?
148
SPURIO
No, mad and think upon't.
DUCHESS
Who would not be revenged of such a father,
149
E'en in the worst way? I would thank that sin
150
That could most injury him, and be in league with it.
151
O what a grief 'tis that a man should live
152
But once i'th'world, and then to live a bastard,
153
The curse o'the womb, the thief of Nature,
154
Begot against the seventh commandment,
155
Half-damned in the conception, by the justice
156
Of that unbribèd everlasting Law.
157
SPURIO
O I'd a hot-backed devil to my father.
158
DUCHESS
Would not this mad e'en Patience, make blood rough?
159
Who but an eunuch would not sin, his bed
160
By one false minute disinherited?
161
SPURIO
Ay, there's the vengeance that my birth was wrapped in
162
I'll be revenged for all; now hate begin,
163
I'll call foul incest but a venial sin.
164
DUCHESS
Cold still: in vain then must a Duchess woo?
165
SPURIO
Madam, I blush to say what I will do.
166
DUCHESS
Thence flew sweet comfort. Earnest, and farewell.
167
([Kisses him.])
SPURIO
O one incestuous kiss picks open hell.
168
DUCHESS
Faith now, old Duke, my vengeance shall reach high,
169
I'll arm thy brow with woman's heraldry.
170
(Exit.)
SPURIO
Duke, thou didst do me wrong, and by thy act
171
Adultery is my nature.
172
Faith, if the truth were known, I was begot
173
After some gluttonous dinner, some stirring dish
174
Was my first father, when deep healths went round,
175
And ladies' cheeks were painted red with wine,
176
Their tongues as short and nimble as their heels,
177
Uttering words sweet and thick; and when they rose
178
Were merrily disposed to fall again.
179
In such a whisp'ring and withdrawing hour,
180
When base male-bawds kept sentinel at stair-head,
181
Was I stol'n softly; o Damnation met
182
The sin of feasts, drunken Adultery.
183
I feel it swell me, my revenge is just,
184
I was begot in impudent wine and lust.
185
Step-mother, I consent to thy desires,
186
I love thy mischief well, but I hate thee,
187
And those three cubs thy sons, wishing confusion,
188
Death and disgrace may be their epitaphs.
189
As for my brother, the Duke's only son,
190
Whose birth is more beholding to report
191
Than mine, and yet perhaps as falsely sown
192
(Women must not be trusted with their own),
193
I'll loose my days upon him, hate all I;
194
Duke, on thy brow I'll draw my bastardy.
195
For indeed a bastard by nature should make cuckolds
196
Because he is the son of a cuckold-maker.
197
(Exit.)
[SCENE 3]
(Enter Vindice and Hippolito, Vindice in disguise to attend Lord Lussurioso, the Duke's son.)
VINDICE
What, brother? Am I far enough from myself?
1
HIPPOLITO
As if another man had been sent whole
2
Into the world, and none wist how he came.
3
VINDICE
It will confirm me bold; the child o'th'Court.
4
Let blushes dwell i'th'country. Impudence!
5
Thou goddess of the palace, mistress of mistresses,
6
To whom the costly-perfumed people pray,
7
Strike thou my forehead into dauntless marble,
8
Mine eyes to steady sapphires; turn my visage,
9
And if I must needs glow, let me blush inward
10
That this immodest season may not spy
11
That scholar in my cheeks, fool-bashfulness,
12
That maid in the old time, whose flush of grace
13
Would never suffer her to get good clothes.
14
Our maids are wiser, and are less ashamed;
15
Save Grace the bawd, I seldom hear grace named!
16
HIPPOLITO
Nay, brother, you reach out o'th'verge now —
17
([Enter Lussurioso attended.])
'Sfoot, the Duke's son! Settle your looks.
18
VINDICE
Pray let me not be doubted.
19
HIPPOLITO
My lord —
20
LUSSURIOSO
Hippolito? —
[To Servants.] Be absent; leave us.
([Exeunt Servants.])
HIPPOLITO
My lord, after long search, wary inquiries,
21
And politic siftings, I made choice of yon fellow,
22
Whom I guess rare for many deep employments;
23
This our age swims within him, and if Time
24
Had so much hair, I should take him for Time,
25
He is so near kin to this present minute.
26
LUSSURIOSO
'Tis enough,
27
We thank thee; yet words are but great men's blanks,
28
Gold, though it be dumb, does utter the best thanks.
29
([Gives him money.])
HIPPOLITO
Your plenteous honour — an ex'lent fellow, my lord.
30
LUSSURIOSO
So, give us leave. [Exit Hippolito.] Welcome, be not far off, we must be better acquainted. Push, be bold with us: thy hand.
VINDICE
With all my heart, i'faith. How dost, sweet musk-cat?
33
When shall we lie together?
34
LUSSURIOSO
Wondrous knave!
Gather him into boldness? 'Sfoot, the slave's
35
Already as familiar as an ague,
36
And shakes me at his pleasure. —
37
Forget myself in private, but elsewhere
38
I pray do you remember me.
39
VINDICE
O very well, sir — I conster myself saucy.
40
LUSSURIOSO
What hast been, of what profession?
41
VINDICE
A bone-setter.
42
LUSSURIOSO
A bone-setter?
43
VINDICE
A bawd, my lord, one that sets bones together.
44
LUSSURIOSO
Notable bluntness!
45
Fit, fit for me, e'en trained up to my hand. —
46
Thou hast been scrivener to much knavery then?
47
VINDICE
Fool to abundance, sir; I have been witness
48
To the surrenders of a thousand virgins,
49
And not so little;
50
I have seen patrimonies washed a-pieces,
51
Fruit-fields turned into bastards,
52
And in a world of acres
53
Not so much dust due to the heir 'twas left to
54
As would well gravel a petition.
55
LUSSURIOSO
Fine villain! Troth, I like him wondrously,
56
He's e'en shaped for my purpose. —
57
I'th'world strange lust?
58
VINDICE
Oh, Dutch lust! Fulsome lust!
Drunken procreation, which begets so many drunkards.
59
Some father dreads not (gone to bed in wine)
60
To slide from the mother, and cling the daughter-in-law;
61
Some uncles are adulterous with their nieces,
62
Brothers with brothers' wives. O hour of incest!
63
Any kin now next to the rim o'th'sister
64
Is man's meat in these days, and in the morning,
65
When they are up and dressed, and their mask on,
66
Who can perceive this, save that eternal eye
67
That sees through flesh and all? Well, if anything
68
Be damned, it will be twelve o'clock at night,
69
That twelve will never 'scape;
70
It is the Judas of the hours, wherein
71
Honest salvation is betrayed to sin.
72
LUSSURIOSO
In troth it is, too; but let this talk glide.
73
It is our blood to err, though hell gaped loud;
74
Ladies know Lucifer fell, yet still are proud.
75
Now, sir; wert thou as secret as thou'rt subtle
76
And deeply fathomed into all estates
77
I would embrace thee for a near employment,
78
And thou shouldst swell in money, and be able
79
To make lame beggars crouch to thee.
80
VINDICE
My lord!
Secret? I ne'er had that disease o'th'mother,
81
I praise my father. Why are men made close
82
But to keep thoughts in best? I grant you this,
83
Tell but some woman a secret overnight,
84
Your doctor may find it in the urinal i'th'morning.
85
But my lord —
86
LUSSURIOSO
So, thou'rt confirmed in me,
87
And thus I enter thee.
88
([Gives him money.])
VINDICE
This Indian devil
Will quickly enter any man — but a usurer;
89
He prevents that, by ent'ring the devil first.
90
LUSSURIOSO
Attend me, I am past my depth in lust.
91
And I must swim or drown. All my desires
92
Are levelled at a virgin not far from Court,
93
To whom I have conveyed by messenger
94
Many waxed lines, full of my neatest spirit,
95
And jewels that were able to ravish her
96
Without the help of man; all which and more
97
She, foolish-chaste, sent back, the messengers
98
Receiving frowns for answers.
99
VINDICE
Possible?
'Tis a rare phoenix, whoe'er she be.
100
If your desires be such, she so repugnant,
101
In troth, my lord, I'd be revenged and marry her.
102
LUSSURIOSO
Push!
103
The dowry of her blood and of her fortunes
104
Are both too mean — good enough to be bad withal.
105
I am one of that number can defend
106
Marriage is good; yet rather keep a friend.
107
Give me my bed by stealth, there's true delight;
108
What breeds a loathing in't, but night by night?
109
VINDICE
A very fine religion!
110
LUSSURIOSO
Therefore thus:
I'll trust thee in the business of my heart
111
Because I see thee well experienced
112
In this luxurious day wherein we breathe.
113
Go thou, and with a smooth enchanting tongue
114
Bewitch her ears, and cozen her of all grace;
115
Enter upon the portion of her soul,
116
Her honour, which she calls her chastity,
117
And bring it into expense, for honesty
118
Is like a stock of money laid to sleep
119
Which, ne'er so little broke, does never keep.
120
VINDICE
You have gi'n't the tang, i'faith, my lord.
121
Make known the lady to me, and my brain
122
Shall swell with strange invention: I will move it
123
Till I expire with speaking, and drop down
124
Without a word to save me; but I'll word —
125
LUSSURIOSO
We thank thee, and will raise thee. Receive her name, it is the only daughter to Madam Gratiana, the late widow.
VINDICE
O my sister, my sister!
127
LUSSURIOSO
Why dost walk aside?
VINDICE
My lord, I was thinking how I might begin,
128
As thus, 'O lady' — or twenty hundred devices;
129
Her very bodkin will put a man in.
130
LUSSURIOSO
Ay, or the wagging of her hair.
131
VINDICE
No, that shall put you in, my lord.
132
LUSSURIOSO
Shall't? Why, content. Dost know the daughter then?
133
VINDICE
O ex'lent well by sight.
134
LUSSURIOSO
That was her brother
That did prefer thee to us.
135
VINDICE
My lord, I think so,
I knew I had seen him somewhere.
136
LUSSURIOSO
And therefore prithee let thy heart to him
137
Be as a virgin, close.
138
VINDICE
O my good lord.
LUSSURIOSO
We may laugh at that simple age within him.
139
VINDICE
Ha, ha, ha.
140
LUSSURIOSO
Himself being made the subtle instrument
141
To wind up a good fellow —
142
VINDICE
That's I, my lord.
LUSSURIOSO
That's thou.
143
To entice and work his sister.
144
VINDICE
A pure novice!
LUSSURIOSO
'Twas finely managed.
145
VINDICE
Gallantly carried;
A pretty perfumed villain.
146
LUSSURIOSO
I've bethought me,
If she prove chaste still and immoveable,
147
Venture upon the mother, and with gifts
148
As I will furnish thee, begin with her.
149
VINDICE
O fie, fie, that's the wrong end, my lord. 'Tis mere impossible that a mother by any gifts should become a bawd to her own daughter.
LUSSURIOSO
Nay then, I see thou'rt but a puny in the subtle mystery of a woman. Why 'tis held now no dainty dish: the name
Is so in league with age that nowadays
152
It does eclipse three quarters of a mother.
153
VINDICE
Does't so, my lord?
154
Let me alone then to eclipse the fourth.
155
LUSSURIOSO
Why well said, come I'll furnish thee, but first
156
Swear to be true in all.
157
VINDICE
True?
LUSSURIOSO
Nay, but swear!
VINDICE
Swear? I hope your honour little doubts my faith.
158
LUSSURIOSO
Yet for my humour's sake, 'cause I love swearing.
159
VINDICE
'Cause you love swearing, 'slud, I will.
160
LUSSURIOSO
Why, enough.
Ere long look to be made of better stuff.
161
VINDICE
That will do well indeed, my lord.
162
LUSSURIOSO
Attend me.
([Exit.])
VINDICE
O,
163
Now let me burst, I've eaten noble poison.
164
We are made strange fellows, brother, innocent villains;
165
Wilt not be angry when thou hear'st on't, think'st thou?
166
I'faith, thou shalt. Swear me to foul my sister!
167
Sword, I durst make a promise of him to thee,
168
Thou shalt dis-heir him, it shall be thine honour;
169
And yet, now angry froth is down in me,
170
It would not prove the meanest policy
171
In this disguise to try the faith of both;
172
Another might have had the self same office,
173
Some slave, that would have wrought effectually,
174
Ay, and perhaps o'erwrought 'em; therefore I,
175
Being thought travelled, will apply myself
176
Unto the self same form, forget my nature,
177
As if no part about me were kin to 'em,
178
So touch 'em — though I durst almost for good
179
Venture my lands in heaven upon their good.
180
(Exit.)
[SCENE 4]
(Enter the discontented Lord Antonio, whose wife the Duchess' youngest son ravished; he discovering the body of her dead to certain lords, Piero and Hippolito.)
ANTONIO
Draw nearer, lords, and be sad witnesses
1
Of a fair comely building newly fall'n,
2
Being falsely underminèd. Violent rape
3
Has played a glorious act; behold, my lords,
4
A sight that strikes man out of me.
5
PIERO
That virtuous lady!
6
ANTONIO
President for wives!
HIPPOLITO
The blush of many women, whose chaste presence
7
Would e'en call shame up to their cheeks, and make
8
Pale wanton sinners have good colours.
9
ANTONIO
Dead!
Her honour first drunk poison, and her life,
10
Being fellows in one house, did pledge her honour.
11
PIERO
O grief of many!
12
ANTONIO
I marked not this before —
A prayer-book the pillow to her cheek,
13
This was her rich confection, and another
14
Placed in her right hand, with a leaf tucked up,
15
Pointing to these words:
16
Melius virtute mori, quam per dedecus vivere.
17
True and effectual it is indeed.
18
HIPPOLITO
My lord, since you invite us to your sorrows,
19
Let's truly taste 'em, that with equal comfort
20
As to ourselves we may relieve your wrongs;
21
We have grief too, that yet walks without tongue:
22
Curae leves loquuntur, maiores stupent.
23
ANTONIO
You deal with truth, my lord.
24
Lend me but your attentions, and I'll cut
25
Long grief into short words. Last revelling night,
26
When torchlight made an artificial noon
27
About the Court, some courtiers in the masque,
28
Putting on better faces than their own,
29
Being full of fraud and flattery, amongst whom
30
The Duchess' youngest son (that moth to honour)
31
Filled up a room; and with long lust to eat
32
Into my wearing, amongst all the ladies
33
Singled out that dear form, who ever lived
34
As cold in lust as she is now in death
35
(Which that step-Duchess' monster knew too well);
36
And therefore in the height of all the revels,
37
When music was hard loudest, courtiers busiest,
38
And ladies great with laughter – o vicious minute!
39
Unfit but for relation to be spoke of —
40
Then with a face more impudent than his vizard
41
He harried her amidst a throng of panders
42
That live upon damnation of both kinds
43
And fed the ravenous vulture of his lust.
44
O death to think on't! She, her honour forced,
45
Deemed it a nobler dowry for her name
46
To die with poison than to live with shame.
47
HIPPOLITO
A wondrous lady, of rare fire compact,
48
Sh'as made her name an empress by that act.
49
PIERO
My lord, what judgment follows the offender?
50
ANTONIO
Faith, none, my lord, it cools and is deferred.
51
PIERO
Delay the doom for rape?
52
ANTONIO
O you must note who 'tis should die:
53
The Duchess' son; she'll look to be a saver.
54
Judgment in this age is near kin to favour.
55
HIPPOLITO
Nay then, step forth, thou bribeless officer.
56
([Draws his sword.])
I bind you all in steel to bind you surely,
57
Here let your oaths meet, to be kept and paid,
58
Which else will stick like rust and shame the blade.
59
Strengthen my vow, that if at the next sitting
60
Judgment speak all in gold, and spare the blood
61
Of such a serpent, e'en before their seats
62
To let his soul out, which long since was found
63
Guilty in heaven.
64
ALL
We swear it and will act it.
ANTONIO
Kind gentlemen, I thank you in mine ire.
65
HIPPOLITO
'Twere pity
66
The ruins of so fair a monument
67
Should not be dipped in the defacer's blood.
68
PIERO
Her funeral shall be wealthy, for her name
69
Merits a tomb of pearl. My lord Antonio,
70
For this time wipe your lady from your eyes;
71
No doubt our grief and yours may one day court it
72
When we are more familiar with revenge.
73
ANTONIO
That is my comfort, gentlemen, and I joy
74
In this one happiness above the rest,
75
Which will be called a miracle at last,
76
That, being an old man, I'd a wife so chaste.
77
(Exeunt.)
ACT TWO
SCENE 1
(Enter Castiza the sister.)
CASTIZA
How hardly shall that maiden be beset,
1
Whose only fortunes are her constant thoughts,
2
That has no other child's-part but her honour
3
That keeps her low and empty in estate.
4
Maids and their honours are like poor beginners;
5
Were not sin rich there would be fewer sinners.
6
Why had not virtue a revenue? Well,
7
I know the cause, 'twould have impoverished hell.
8
([Enter Dondolo.])
How now, Dondolo?
9
DONDOLO
Madonna, there is one, as they say, a thing of flesh and blood, a man I take him by his beard, that would very desirously mouth to mouth with you.
CASTIZA
What's that?
DONDOLO
Show his teeth in your company.
CASTIZA
I understand thee not.
DONDOLO
Why, speak with you, Madonna.
CASTIZA
Why, say so, madman, and cut off a great deal of dirty way; had it not been better spoke in ordinary words, that one would speak with me?
DONDOLO
Ha, ha, that's as ordinary as two shillings. I would strive a little to show myself in my place; a gentleman-usher scorns to use the phrase and fancy of a serving-man.
CASTIZA
Yours be your own, sir. Go, direct him hither;
([Exit Dondolo.])
I hope some happy tidings from my brother
18
That lately travelled, whom my soul affects.
19
Here he comes.
20
(Enter Vindice her brother, disguised.)
VINDICE
Lady, the best of wishes to your sex,
21
Fair skins and new gowns.
22
([Gives her a letter.])
CASTIZA
O they shall thank you, sir.
Whence this?
23
VINDICE
O from a dear and worthy friend,
Mighty!
24
CASTIZA
From whom?
VINDICE
The Duke's son.
CASTIZA
Receive that!
([s.d.]A box o'th'ear to her brother.)
I swore I'd put anger in my hand,
25
And pass the virgin limits of myself
26
To him that next appeared in that base office,
27
To be his sin's attorney. Bear to him
28
That figure of my hate upon thy cheek
29
Whilst 'tis yet hot, and I'll reward thee for't;
30
Tell him my honour shall have a rich name
31
When several harlots shall share his with shame.
32
Farewell, commend me to him in my hate!
33
(Exit.)
VINDICE
It is the sweetest box that e'er my nose came nigh,
34
The finest drawn-work cuff that e'er was worn;
35
I'll love this blow for ever, and this cheek
36
Shall still henceforward take the wall of this.
37
O I'm above my tongue! Most constant sister,
38
In this thou hast right honourable shown;
39
Many are called by their honour that have none,
40
Thou art approved forever in my thoughts.
41
It is not in the power of words to taint thee,
42
And yet for the salvation of my oath,
43
As my resolve in that point, I will lay
44
Hard siege unto my mother, though I know
45
A siren's tongue could not bewitch her so.
46
([Enter Gratiana.])
Mass, fitly here she comes; thanks, my disguise. —
47
Madam, good afternoon.
48
GRATIANA
Y'are welcome, sir.
VINDICE
The next of Italy commends him to you,
49
Our mighty expectation, the Duke's son.
50
GRATIANA
I think myself much honoured that he pleases
51
To rank me in his thoughts.
52
VINDICE
So may you, lady.
One that is like to be our sudden Duke —
53
The crown gapes for him every tide — and then
54
Commander o'er us all; do but think on him,
55
How blest were they now that could pleasure him
56
E'en with anything almost.
57
GRATIANA
Ay, save their honour.
VINDICE
Tut, one would let a little of that go too
58
And ne'er be seen in't — ne'er be seen in't, mark you,
59
I'd wink, and let it go.
60
GRATIANA
Marry, but I would not.
VINDICE
Marry, but I would, I hope; I know you would too
61
If you'd that blood now which you gave your daughter.
62
To her indeed 'tis, this wheel comes about;
63
That man that must be all this, perhaps ere morning
64
(For his white father does but mould away),
65
Has long desired your daughter.
66
GRATIANA
Desired?
VINDICE
Nay but hear me,
67
He desires now that will command hereafter,
68
Therefore be wise, I speak as more a friend
69
To you than him; Madam, I know y'are poor
70
And, 'lack the day,
71
There are too many poor ladies already;
72
Why should you vex the number? 'Tis despised.
73
Live wealthy, rightly understand the world,
74
And chide away that foolish country-girl
75
Keeps company with your daughter, Chastity.
76
GRATIANA
O fie, fie, the riches of the world cannot hire
77
A mother to such a most unnatural task.
78
VINDICE
No, but a thousand angels can,
79
Men have no power, angels must work you to't.
80
The world descends into such base-born evils
81
That forty angels can make fourscore devils.
82
There will be fools still I perceive, still fools;
83
Would I be poor, dejected, scorned of greatness,
84
Swept from the palace, and see other daughters
85
Spring with the dew o'th'Court, having mine own
86
So much desired and loved — by the Duke's son?
87
No, I would raise my state upon her breast
88
And call her eyes my tenants; I would count
89
My yearly maintenance upon her cheeks,
90
Take coach upon her lip, and all her parts
91
Should keep men after men and I would ride
92
In pleasure upon pleasure.
93
You took great pains for her, once when it was,
94
Let her requite it now, though it be but some.
95
You brought her forth, she may well bring you home.
96
GRATIANA
O heavens! This overcomes me!
97
VINDICE
Not, I hope, already?
98
GRATIANA
It is too strong for me, men know that know us,
99
We are so weak their words can overthrow us.
100
He touched me nearly, made my virtues bate
101
When his tongue struck upon my poor estate.
102
VINDICE
I e'en quake to proceed, my spirit turns edge,
103
I fear me she's unmothered, yet I'll venture:
104
That woman is all male, whom none can enter. —
105
What think you now, lady, speak, are you wiser?
106
What said Advancement to you? Thus it said:
107
The daughter's fall lifts up the mother's head.
108
Did it not, madam? But I'll swear it does
109
In many places; tut, this age fears no man,
110
'Tis no shame to be bad, because 'tis common.
111
GRATIANA
Ay, that's the comfort on't.
112
VINDICE
The comfort on't! —
I keep the best for last; can these persuade you
113
To forget heaven – and –
114
([Gives her money.])
GRATIANA
Ay, these are they —
VINDICE
O!
115
GRATIANA
— that enchant our sex, these are the means
That govern our affections; that woman
116
Will not be troubled with the mother long,
117
That sees the comfortable shine of you;
118
I blush to think what for your sakes I'll do.
119
VINDICE
O suff'ring heaven, with thy invisible finger
120
E'en at this instant turn the precious side
121
Of both mine eyeballs inward, not to see myself!
122
GRATIANA
Look you, sir.
123
VINDICE
Holla.
GRATIANA
Let this thank your pains.
([Gives him money.])
VINDICE
O you're a kind madam.
124
GRATIANA
I'll see how I can move.
125
VINDICE
Your words will sting.
GRATIANA
If she be still chaste I'll ne'er call her mine.
126
VINDICE
Spoke truer than you meant it.
127
GRATIANA
Daughter Castiza.
128
([Enter Castiza.])
CASTIZA
Madam.
VINDICE
O she's yonder. Meet her.
Troops of celestial soldiers guard her heart.
129
Yon dam has devils enough to take her part.
130
CASTIZA
Madam, what makes yon evil-officed man
131
In presence of you?
132
GRATIANA
Why?
CASTIZA
He lately brought
Immodest writing sent from the Duke's son
133
To tempt me to dishonourable act.
134
GRATIANA
Dishonourable act? — Good honourable fool,
135
That wouldst be honest 'cause thou wouldst be so,
136
Producing no one reason but thy will.
137
And 't'as a good report, prettily commended,
138
But pray, by whom? Mean people, ignorant people,
139
The better sort I'm sure cannot abide it,
140
And by what rule should we square out our lives
141
But by our betters' actions? O if thou knew'st
142
What 'twere to lose it, thou would never keep it;
143
But there's a cold curse laid upon all maids,
144
Whilst others clip the sun, they clasp the shades.
145
Virginity is paradise locked up.
146
You cannot come by your selves without fee,
147
And 'twas decreed that man should keep the key.
148
Deny advancement, treasure, the Duke's son?
149
CASTIZA
I cry you mercy, lady, I mistook you.
150
Pray, did you see my mother? Which way went she?
151
Pray God I have not lost her.
152
VINDICE
Prettily put by.
GRATIANA
Are you as proud to me as coy to him?
153
Do you not know me now?
154
CASTIZA
Why are you she?
The world's so changed, one shape into another,
155
It is a wise child now that knows her mother!
156
VINDICE
Most right, i'faith.
157
GRATIANA
I owe your cheek my hand
For that presumption now, but I'll forget it;
158
Come, you shall leave those childish haviours
159
And understand your time. Fortunes flow to you,
160
What, will you be a girl?
161
If all feared drowning that spy waves ashore
162
Gold would grow rich and all the merchants poor.
163
CASTIZA
It is a pretty saying of a wicked one,
164
But methinks now
165
It does not show so well out of your mouth,
166
Better in his.
167
VINDICE
Faith, bad enough in both,
168
Were I in earnest, as I'll seem no less —
169
[To Castiza] I wonder, lady, your own mother's words
170
Cannot be taken, nor stand in full force.
171
'Tis honesty you urge; what's honesty?
172
'Tis but heavens beggar, and what woman
173
So foolish to keep honesty,
174
And be not able to keep herself? No,
175
Times are grown wiser and will keep less charge;
176
A maid that has small portion now intends
177
To break up house and live upon her friends.
178
How blest are you, you have happiness alone,
179
Others must fall to thousands, you to one,
180
Sufficient in himself to make your forehead
181
Dazzle the world with jewels, and petitionary people
182
Start at your presence.
183
GRATIANA
O if I were young
I should be ravished.
184
CASTIZA
Ay, to lose your honour.
VINDICE
'Slid, how can you lose your honour
185
To deal with my Lord's Grace?
186
He'll add more honour to it by his title,
187
Your mother will tell you how.
188
GRATIANA
That I will.
VINDICE
O think upon the pleasure of the palace:
189
Secured ease and state, the stirring meats
190
Ready to move out of the dishes
191
That e'en now quicken when they're eaten,
192
Banquets abroad by torch-light, musics, sports,
193
Bare-headed vassals that had ne'er the fortune
194
To keep on their own hats but let horns wear 'em,
195
Nine coaches waiting — hurry, hurry, hurry.
196
CASTIZA
Ay, to the Devil.
197
VINDICE
Ay, to the Devil.
198
[Aloud] To th'Duke, by my faith.
GRATIANA
Ay, to the Duke. Daughter, you'd scorn to think
199
O'th'Devil and you were there once.
200
VINDICE
True, for most
There are as proud as he for his heart, i'faith. —
201
Who'd sit at home in a neglected room,
202
Dealing her short-lived beauty to the pictures
203
That are as useless as old men, when those
204
Poorer in face and fortune than herself
205
Walk with a hundred acres on their backs,
206
Fair meadows cut into green foreparts? O
207
It was the greatest blessing ever happened to women
208
When farmers' sons agreed and met again
209
To wash their hands and come up gentlemen.
210
The commonwealth has flourished ever since:
211
Lands that were mete by the rod, that labour's spared,
212
Tailors ride down and measure 'em by the yard;
213
Fair trees, those comely foretops of the field,
214
Are cut to maintain head-tires; much untold,
215
All thrives but chastity, she lies a-cold.
216
Nay, shall I come nearer to you? Mark but this:
217
why are there so few honest women, but because 'tis the poorer profession? That's accounted best that's best followed, least in trade, least in fashion, and that's not honesty, believe it. And do but note the low and dejected price of it:
Lose but a pearl, we search and cannot brook it.
219
But that once gone, who is so mad to look it?
220
GRATIANA
Troth, he says true.
221
CASTIZA
False, I defy you both.
I have endured you with an ear of fire,
222
Your tongues have struck hot irons on my face.
223
Mother, come from that poisonous woman there!
224
GRATIANA
Where?
225
CASTIZA
Do you not see her? She's too inward then.
226
[To him.] Slave, perish in thy office. You heavens, please
227
Henceforth to make the mother a disease —
228
Which first begins with me, yet I've outgone you.
229
(Exit.)
VINDICE
O angels, clap your wings upon the skies
230
And give this virgin crystal plaudities!
231
GRATIANA
Peevish, coy, foolish! But return this answer:
232
My lord shall be most welcome when his pleasure
233
Conducts him this way. I will sway mine own,
234
Women with women can work best alone.
235
(Exit.)
VINDICE
Indeed I'll tell him so.
236
O more uncivil, more unnatural
237
Than those base-titled creatures that look downward,
238
Why does not heaven turn black, or with a frown
239
Undo the world? Why does not earth start up
240
And strike the sins that tread upon't? O,
241
Wer't not gold and women, there would be no damnation,
242
Hell would look like a lord's great kitchen without fire in't;
243
But 'twas decreed before the world began
244
That they should be the hooks to catch at man.
245
(Exit.)
[SCENE 2]
(Enter Lussurioso with Hippolito, Vindice's brother.)
LUSSURIOSO
I much applaud thy judgment, thou art well-read in a fellow,
1
And 'tis the deepest art to study man.
2
I know this, which I never learned in schools,
3
The world's divided into knaves and fools.
4
HIPPOLITO
Knave in your face, my lord, — behind your back!
5
LUSSURIOSO
And I much thank thee that thou hast preferred
6
A fellow of discourse, well-mingled,
7
And whose brain time hath seasoned.
8
HIPPOLITO
True, my lord.
We shall find season once, I hope. O villain,
9
To make such an unnatural slave of me, but —
10
LUSSURIOSO
Mass, here he comes.
11
([Enter Vindice disguised.])
HIPPOLITO
And now shall I have free leave to depart.
12
LUSSURIOSO
Your absence, leave us.
13
HIPPOLITO
Are not my thoughts true?
I must remove, but brother, you may stay;
14
Heart, we are both made bawds a new-found way!
15
(Exit.)
LUSSURIOSO
Now we're an even number. A third man's dangerous,
16
Especially her brother. Say, be free,
17
Have I a pleasure toward?
18
VINDICE
O my lord.
LUSSURIOSO
Ravish me in thine answer; art thou rare?
19
Hast thou beguiled her of salvation
20
And rubbed hell o'er with honey? Is she a woman?
21
VINDICE
In all but in desire.
22
LUSSURIOSO
Then she's in nothing —
I bate in courage now.
23
VINDICE
The words I brought
Might well have made indifferent honest naught;
24
A right good woman in these days is changed
25
Into white money with less labour far;
26
Many a maid has turnèd to Mahomet
27
With easier working; I durst undertake
28
Upon the pawn and forfeit of my life
29
With half those words to flat a puritan's wife.
30
But she is close and good — yet 'tis a doubt
31
By this time. O the mother, the mother!
32
LUSSURIOSO
I never thought their sex had been a wonder
33
Until this minute. What fruit from the mother?
34
VINDICE
Now must I blister my soul, be forsworn,
35
Or shame the woman that received me first;
36
I will be true, thou liv'st not to proclaim;
37
Spoke to a dying man, shame has no shame. —
38
My lord.
39
LUSSURIOSO
Who's that?
VINDICE
Here's none but I, my lord.
LUSSURIOSO
What would thy haste utter?
40
VINDICE
Comfort.
LUSSURIOSO
Welcome.
VINDICE
The maid being dull, hating no mind to travel
41
Into unknown lands, what did me I straight
42
But set spurs to the mother? Golden spurs
43
Will put her to a false gallop in a trice.
44
LUSSURIOSO
Is't possible that in this
45
The mother should be damned before the daughter?
46
VINDICE
O that's good manners, my lord; the mother for her age must go foremost, you know.
LUSSURIOSO
Thou'st spoke that true, but where comes in this comfort?
48
VINDICE
In a fine place, my lord — the unnatural mother
49
Did with her tongue so hard beset her honour
50
That the poor fool was struck to silent wonder,
51
Yet still the maid, like an unlighted taper,
52
Was cold and chaste, save that her mother's breath
53
Did blow fire on her cheeks. The girl departed
54
But the good ancient madam, half mad, threw me
55
These promising words which I took deeply note of:
56
'My lord shall be most welcome —'
57
LUSSURIOSO
Faith, I thank her.
VINDICE
'When his pleasure conducts him this way —'
58
LUSSURIOSO
That shall be soon, i'faith.
59
VINDICE
'I will sway mine own —'
LUSSURIOSO
She does the wiser; I commend her for't.
60
VINDICE
'Women with women can work best alone.'
61
LUSSURIOSO
By this light, and so they can; give 'em their due, men are not comparable to 'em.
VINDICE
No, that's true, for you shall have one woman knit more in a hour than any man can ravel again in seven and twenty year.
LUSSURIOSO
Now my desires are happy, I'll make 'em freemen now;
64
Thou art a precious fellow, faith, I love thee,
65
Be wise, and make it thy revenue: beg, leg,
66
What office couldst thou be ambitious for?
67
VINDICE
Office, my lord? Marry, if I might have my wish, I would have one that was never begged yet.
LUSSURIOSO
Nay then, thou canst have none.
VINDICE
Yes, my lord, I could pick out another office yet, nay, and keep a horse and drab upon't.
LUSSURIOSO
Prithee, good bluntness, tell me.
VINDICE
Why I would desire but this, my lord: to have all the fees behind the arras, and all the farthingales that fall plump about twelve o'clock at night upon the rushes.
LUSSURIOSO
Thou'rt a mad apprehensive knave; dost think to make any great purchase of that?
VINDICE
O 'tis an unknown thing, my lord; I wonder 't'as been missed so long!
LUSSURIOSO
Well, this night I'll visit her, and 'tis till then
75
A year in my desires — farewell, attend,
76
Trust me with thy preferment.
77
(Exit.)
VINDICE
My loved lord. —
[Draws his sword.] O shall I kill him o'th'wrong side now? No!
78
Sword, thou wast never a back-biter yet,
79
I'll pierce him to his face, he shall die looking upon me;
80
Thy veins are swelled with lust, this shall unfill 'em;
81
Great men were gods if beggars could not kill 'em.
82
Forgive me, heaven, to call my mother wicked,
83
O lessen not my days upon the earth.
84
I cannot honour her; by this I fear me
85
Her tongue has turned my sister into use.
86
I was a villain not to be forsworn
87
To this our lecherous hope, the Duke's son,
88
For lawyers, merchants, some divines and all
89
Count beneficial perjury a sin small.
90
It shall go hard yet, but I'll guard her honour
91
And keep the ports sure.
92
(Enter Hippolito.)
HIPPOLITO
Brother, how goes the world? I would know news
93
Of you, but I have news to tell you.
94
VINDICE
What, in the name of knavery?
95
HIPPOLITO
Knavery, faith,
This vicious old Duke's worthily abused,
96
The pen of his bastard writes him cuckold!
97
VINDICE
His bastard?
98
HIPPOLITO
Pray believe it, he and the Duchess
By night meet in their linen; they have been seen
99
By stair-foot panders.
100
VINDICE
O sin foul and deep,
Great faults are winked at when the Duke's asleep.
101
See, see, here comes the Spurio.
102
HIPPOLITO
Monstrous luxur!
([Enter Spurio with two Servants.])
VINDICE
Unbraced; two of his valiant bawds with him.
103
O there's a wicked whisper; hell is in his ear.
104
Stay, let's observe his passage —
105
([They retire.])
SPURIO
O but are you sure on't?
106
SERVANT 1
My lord, most sure on't, for 'twas spoke by one
107
That is most inward with the Duke's son's lust:
108
That he intends within this hour to steal
109
Unto Hippolito's sister, whose chaste life
110
The mother has corrupted for his use.
111
SPURIO
Sweet world, sweet occasion! Faith then, brother,
112
I'll disinherit you in as short time
113
As I was when I was begot in haste,
114
I'll damn you at your pleasure: precious deed!
115
After your lust, o 'twill be fine to bleed. —
116
Come, let our passing out be soft and wary.
117
(Exeunt [Spurio and Servants].)
VINDICE
Mark, there, there, that step, now to the Duchess;
118
This their second meeting writes the Duke cuckold
119
With new additions, his horns newly revived.
120
Night! Thou that look'st like funeral heralds' fees
121
Torn down betimes i'th'morning, thou hang'st fitly
122
To grace those sins that have no grace at all.
123
Now 'tis full sea abed over the world,
124
There's juggling of all sides; some that were maids
125
E'en at sunset are now perhaps i'th'toll-book;
126
This woman in immodest thin apparel
127
Lets in her friend by water; here a dame
128
Cunning nails leather hinges to a door
129
To avoid proclamation; now cuckolds are
130
A-coining, apace, apace, apace, apace!
131
And careful sisters spin that thread i'th'night
132
That does maintain them and their bawds i'th'day.
133
HIPPOLITO
You flow well, brother.
134
VINDICE
Puh, I'm shallow yet,
Too sparing and too modest. Shall I tell thee?
135
If every trick were told that's dealt by night,
136
There are few here that would not blush outright.
137
HIPPOLITO
I am of that belief too.
138
VINDICE
Who's this comes?
([Enter Lussurioso.])
The Duke's son up so late? Brother, fall back
139
And you shall learn some mischief. — My good lord.
140
([Hippolito withdraws.])
LUSSURIOSO
Piato! Why, the man I wished for; come,
141
I do embrace this season for the fittest
142
To taste of that young lady.
143
VINDICE
Heart and hell!
HIPPOLITO
Damnèd villain!
144
VINDICE
I ha' no way now to cross it, but to kill him.
145
LUSSURIOSO
Come, only thou and I.
146
VINDICE
My lord, my lord!
LUSSURIOSO
Why dost thou start us?
147
VINDICE
I'd almost forgot –
The Bastard!
148
LUSSURIOSO
What of him?
149
VINDICE
This night, this hour,
This minute, now —
150
LUSSURIOSO
What? What?
VINDICE
Shadows the Duchess —
LUSSURIOSO
Horrible word.
151
VINDICE
And like strong poison eats
Into the Duke your father's forehead.
152
LUSSURIOSO
O!
VINDICE
He makes horn royal.
153
LUSSURIOSO
Most ignoble slave!
VINDICE
This is the fruit of two beds.
154
LUSSURIOSO
I am mad.
VINDICE
That passage he trod warily.
155
LUSSURIOSO
He did!
VINDICE
And hushed his villains every step he took.
156
LUSSURIOSO
His villains? I'll confound them.
157
VINDICE
Take 'em finely, finely now.
158
LUSSURIOSO
The Duchess' chamber door shall not control me.
159
(Exeunt [Lussurioso and Vindice.])
HIPPOLITO
Good, happy, swift, there's gunpowder i'th'Court,
160
Wildfire at midnight. In this heedless fury
161
He may show violence to cross himself;
162
I'll follow the event.
163
(Exit.)
[SCENE 3]
([Duke and Duchess discovered in bed.])
(Enter again [Lussurioso and Vindice].)
LUSSURIOSO
Where is that villain?
1
VINDICE
Softly, my lord, and you may take 'em twisted.
2
LUSSURIOSO
I care not how.
3
VINDICE
O 'twill be glorious
To kill 'em doubled, when they're heaped. Be soft, my lord.
4
LUSSURIOSO
Away! My spleen is not so lazy; thus and thus
5
I'll shake their eyelids ope, and with my sword
6
Shut 'em again for ever. – Villain! Strumpet!
7
DUKE
You upper guard defend us!
8
DUCHESS
Treason, treason!
DUKE
O take me not in sleep,
9
I have great sins, I must have days,
10
Nay months, dear son, with penitential heaves
11
To lift 'em out and not to die unclear.
12
O thou wilt kill me both in heaven and here.
13
LUSSURIOSO
I am amazed to death.
14
DUKE
Nay, villain traitor,
Worse than the foulest epithet, now I'll gripe thee
15
E'en with the nerves of wrath, and throw thy head
16
Amongst the lawyers. Guard!
17
(Enter [Guards, Hippolito,] Nobles, and [Ambitioso and Supervacuo, the Duke's] sons.)
NOBLE 1
How comes the quiet of your grace disturbed?
18
DUKE
This boy that should be myself after me
19
Would be myself before me, and in heat
20
Of that ambition bloodily rushed in
21
Intending to depose me in my bed.
22
NOBLE 2
Duty and natural loyalty forfend!
23
DUCHESS
He called his father villain, and me strumpet,
24
A word that I abhor to file my lips with.
25
AMBITIOSO
That was not so well done, brother.
26
LUSSURIOSO
I am abused —
I know there's no excuse can do me good.
27
VINDICE
'Tis now good policy to be from sight;
28
His vicious purpose to our sister's honour
29
Is crossed beyond our thought.
30
HIPPOLITO
You little dreamt
His father slept here.
31
VINDICE
O 'twas far beyond me.
32
But since it fell so, without frightful word,
33
Would he had killed him, 'twould have eased our swords.
34
([Vindice and Hippolito] dissemble a flight.)
DUKE
Be comforted, our Duchess, he shall die.
35
LUSSURIOSO
Where's this slave-pander now? Out of mine eye,
36
Guilty of this abuse.
37
(Enter Spurio with [two Servants,] his villains.)
SPURIO
You're villains, fablers,
You have knaves' chins and harlots' tongues, you lie,
38
And I will damn you with one meal a day!
39
SERVANT 1
O good my lord!
40
SPURIO
'Sblood, you shall never sup.
SERVANT 2
O I beseech you, sir!
41
SPURIO
To let my sword
Catch cold so long and miss him.
42
SERVANT 1
Troth, my lord,
'Twas his intent to meet there.
43
SPURIO
Heart, he's yonder.
Ha? What news here? Is the day out o'th'socket
44
That it is noon at midnight? The Court up?
45
How comes the guard so saucy with his elbows?
46
LUSSURIOSO
The bastard here?
47
Nay then, the truth of my intent shall out.
48
[To the Duke] My lord and father, hear me.
49
DUKE
Bear him hence.
LUSSURIOSO
I can with loyalty excuse —
50
DUKE
Excuse? To prison with the villain!
51
Death shall not long lag after him.
52
SPURIO
Good i'faith, then 'tis not much amiss.
53
LUSSURIOSO
Brothers, my best release lies on your tongues,
54
I pray persuade for me.
55
AMBITIOSO
It is our duties:
Make yourself sure of us.
56
SUPERVACUO
We'll sweat in pleading.
LUSSURIOSO
And I may live to thank you.
57
([Exeunt Lussurioso and Guards].)
AMBITIOSO
No, thy death
Shall thank me better.
58
SPURIO
He's gone; I'll after him,
And know his trespass, seem to bear a part
59
In all his ills, but with a puritan heart.
60
(Exit [Spurio and Servants].)
AMBITIOSO
Now, brother, let our hate and love be woven
61
So subtly together that in speaking
62
One word for his life we may make three for his death;
63
The craftiest pleader gets most gold for breath.
64
SUPERVACUO
Set on, I'll not be far behind you, brother.
65
DUKE
Is't possible a son should be disobedient as far as the sword?
66
It is the highest, he can go no farther.
67
AMBITIOSO
My gracious lord, take pity —
68
DUKE
Pity, boys?
AMBITIOSO
Nay, we'd be loath to move your Grace too much,
69
We know the trespass is unpardonable,
70
Black, wicked, and unnatural —
71
SUPERVACUO
In a son, o monstrous!
72
AMBITIOSO
Yet, my lord,
A Duke's soft hand strokes the rough head of Law
73
And makes it lie smooth.
74
DUKE
But my hand shall ne'er do't.
AMBITIOSO
That as you please, my lord.
75
SUPERVACUO
We must needs confess
Some father would have entered into hate
76
So deadly-pointed that before his eyes
77
He would ha' seen the execution sound
78
Without corrupted favour.
79
AMBITIOSO
But my lord,
Your grace may live the wonder of all times
80
In pard'ning that offence which never yet
81
Had face to beg a pardon.
82
DUKE
Honey? How's this?
AMBITIOSO
Forgive him, good my lord, he's your own son,
83
And I must needs say 'twas the vildlier done.
84
SUPERVACUO
He's the next heir, yet this true reason gathers:
85
None can possess that dispossess their fathers.
86
Be merciful —
87
DUKE
Here's no stepmother's wit,
I'll try them both upon their love and hate.
88
AMBITIOSO
Be merciful – although —
89
DUKE
You have prevailed,
My wrath like flaming wax hath spent itself.
90
I know 'twas but some peevish moon in him;
91
Go, let him be released.
92
SUPERVACUO
'Sfoot, how now, brother?
AMBITIOSO
Your Grace doth please to speak beside your spleen;
93
I would it were so happy.
94
DUKE
Why go, release him.
SUPERVACUO
O my good lord, I know the fault's too weighty
95
And full of general loathing, too inhuman,
96
Rather by all men's voices worthy death.
97
DUKE
'Tis true too.
98
Here then, receive this signet, doom shall pass;
99
Direct it to the judges, he shall die
100
Ere many days. Make haste.
101
AMBITIOSO
All speed that may be.
We could have wished his burthen not so sore,
102
We knew your Grace did but delay before.
103
(Exeunt [Ambitioso and Supervacuo].)
DUKE
Here's Envy with a poor thin cover o'er't,
104
Like scarlet hid in lawn, easily spied through.
105
This their ambition by the mother's side
106
Is dangerous and for safety must be purged.
107
I will prevent their envies; sure it was
108
But some mistaken fury in our son
109
Which these aspiring boys would climb upon:
110
He shall be released suddenly.
111
(Enter [two] Nobles.)
NOBLE 1
Good morning to your Grace.
112
DUKE
Welcome, my lords.
NOBLE 2
Our knees shall take away the office of our feet for ever,
113
Unless your Grace bestow a father's eye
114
Upon the clouded fortunes of your son,
115
And in compassionate virtue grant him that
116
Which makes e'en mean men happy — liberty.
117
DUKE
How seriously their loves and honours woo
118
For that which I am about to pray them do
119
Which —
120
We freely pardon him.
121
NOBLE 1
We owe your Grace much thanks, and he much duty.
122
(Exeunt [Nobles].)
DUKE
It well becomes that judge to nod at crimes
123
That does commit greater himself and lives;
124
I may forgive a disobedient error
125
That expect pardon for adultery
126
And in my old days am a youth in lust.
127
Many a beauty have I turned to poison
128
In the denial, covetous of all.
129
Age hot is like a monster to be seen;
130
My hairs are white and yet my sins are green.
131
([Exit.])
ACT THREE
[SCENE 1]
(Enter Ambitioso and Supervacuo.)
SUPERVACUO
Brother, let my opinion sway you once;
1
I speak it for the best, to have him die,
2
Surest and soonest. If the signet come
3
Unto the judges' hands, why then his doom
4
Will be deferred till sittings and court-days,
5
Juries and further; faiths are bought and sold,
6
Oaths in these days are but the skin of gold.
7
AMBITIOSO
In troth, 'tis true too.
8
SUPERVACUO
Then let's set by the judges
And fall to the officers; 'tis but mistaking
9
The Duke our father's meaning, and where he named
10
'E're many days' 'tis but forgetting that
11
And have him die i'th'morning.
12
AMBITIOSO
Excellent,
Then am I heir — Duke in a minute!
13
SUPERVACUO
Nay,
And he were once puffed out, here is a pin
14
Should quickly prick your bladder.
15
AMBITIOSO
Blest occasion!
He being packed, we'll have some trick and wile
16
To wind our younger brother out of prison
17
That lies in for the rape; the lady's dead
18
And people's thoughts will soon be buried.
19
SUPERVACUO
We may with safety do't, and live and feed;
20
The Duchess' sons are too proud to bleed.
21
AMBITIOSO
We are, i'faith, to say true. Come, let's not linger,
22
I'll to the officers, go you before
23
And set an edge upon the executioner.
24
SUPERVACUO
Let me alone to grind him.
25
(Exit.)
AMBITIOSO
Meet! Farewell,
I am next now, I rise just in that place
26
Where thou'rt cut off — upon thy neck, kind brother:
27
The falling of one head lifts up another.
28
(Exit.)
[SCENE 2]
(Enter with the Nobles, Lussurioso from prison.)
LUSSURIOSO
My lords, I am so much indebted to your loves
1
For this, o this delivery.
2
NOBLE 1
But our duties,
My lord, unto the hopes that grow in you.
3
LUSSURIOSO
If e'er I live to be myself I'll thank you.
4
O Liberty, thou sweet and heavenly dame!
5
But hell for prison is too mild a name.
6
(Exeunt.)
[SCENE 3]
(Enter Ambitioso and Supervacuo, with Officers.)
AMBITIOSO
Officers, here's the Duke's signet, your firm warrant, brings
1
The command of present death along with it
2
Unto our brother, the Duke's son; we are sorry
3
That we are so unnaturally employed
4
In such an unkind office, fitter far
5
For enemies than brothers.
6
SUPERVACUO
But you know,
The Duke's command must be obeyed.
7
OFFICER 1
It must and shall my lord. This morning then;
8
So suddenly?
9
AMBITIOSO
Ay, alas, poor good soul,
He must break fast betimes; the executioner
10
Stands ready to put forth his cowardly valour.
11
OFFICER 2
Already?
12
SUPERVACUO
Already, i'faith. O sir, destruction hies,
13
And that is least impudent soonest dies.
14
OFFICER 1
Troth, you say true, my lord, we take our leaves;
15
Our office shall be sound, we'll not delay
16
The third part of a minute.
17
AMBITIOSO
Therein you show
Yourselves good men and upright officers.
18
Pray let him die as private as he may;
19
Do him that favour, for the gaping people
20
Will but trouble him at his prayers
21
And make him curse and swear, and so die black.
22
Will you be so far kind?
23
OFFICER 1
It shall be done, my lord.
AMBITIOSO
Why we do thank you; if we live to be
24
You shall have a better office.
25
OFFICER 2
Your good lordship.
SUPERVACUO
Commend us to the scaffold in our tears.
26
OFFICER 1
We'll weep and do your commendations.
27
(Exeunt [Officers].)
AMBITIOSO
Fine fools in office!
28
SUPERVACUO
Things fall out so fit.
AMBITIOSO
So happily, come, brother, ere next clock
29
His head will be made serve a bigger block.
30
(Exeunt.)
[SCENE 4]
(Enter in prison Junior.)
JUNIOR
Keeper.
([Enter Keeper.])
KEEPER
My lord.
JUNIOR
No news lately from our brothers? Are they unmindful of us?
KEEPER
My lord, a messenger came newly in and brought this from 'em.
([Gives him a letter.])
JUNIOR
Nothing but paper comforts? I looked for my delivery before this, had they been worth their oaths. Prithee be from us. [Exit Keeper.] Now what say you, forsooth? Speak out, I pray. [Reads] letter. 'Brother, be of good cheer.' — 'Slud, it begins like a whore, with good cheer! 'Thou shalt not be long a prisoner.' — Not five and thirty year like a bankrupt, I think so! 'We have thought upon a device to get thee out by a trick.' — By a trick? Pox o'your trick, and it be so long a-playing! 'And so rest comforted, be merry and expect it suddenly.' — Be merry? Hang merry, draw and quarter merry; I'll be mad! Is't not strange that a man should lie in a whole month for a woman? Well, we shall see how sudden our brothers will be in their promise. I must expect still a trick. I shall not be long a prisoner.
([Enter Keeper.])
How now, what news?
8
KEEPER
Bad news, my lord, I am discharged of you.
9
JUNIOR
Slave, call'st thou that bad news? I thank you, brothers.
10
KEEPER
My lord, 'twill prove so; here come the officers
11
Into whose hands I must commit you.
12
JUNIOR
Ha,
Officers? What, why?
13
([Enter four Officers.])
OFFICER 1
You must pardon us, my lord,
Our office must be sound. Here is our warrant,
14
The signet from the Duke: you must straight suffer.
15
JUNIOR
Suffer? I'll suffer you to be gone, I'll suffer you
16
To come no more; what would you have me suffer?
17
OFFICER 2
My lord, those words were better changed to prayers,
18
The time's but brief with you, prepare to die.
19
JUNIOR
Sure 'tis not so.
20
OFFICER 3
It is too true, my lord.
JUNIOR
I tell you 'tis not, for the Duke my father
21
Deferred me till next sitting, and I look
22
E'en every minute threescore times an hour
23
For a release, a trick wrought by my brothers.
24
OFFICER 1
A trick, my lord? If you expect such comfort
25
Your hope's as fruitless as a barren woman.
26
Your brothers were the unhappy messengers
27
That brought this powerful token for your death.
28
JUNIOR
My brothers? No, no.
29
OFFICER 2
'Tis most true, my lord.
JUNIOR
My brothers to bring a warrant for my death?
30
How strange this shows!
31
OFFICER 3
There's no delaying time.
JUNIOR
Desire 'em hither, call 'em up, my brothers!
32
They shall deny it to your faces.
33
OFFICER 1
My lord,
They're far enough by this, at least at Court,
34
And this most strict command they left behind 'em.
35
When grief swum in their eyes they showed like brothers
36
Brimfull of heavy sorrow; but the Duke
37
Must have his pleasure.
38
JUNIOR
His pleasure?
OFFICER 1
These were their last words which my memory bears:
39
'Commend us to the scaffold in our tears'.
40
JUNIOR
Pox dry their tears, what should I do with tears?
41
I hate 'em worse than any citizen's son
42
Can hate salt water. Here came a letter now,
43
New-bleeding from their pens, scarce stinted yet —
44
Would I'd been torn in pieces when I tore it —
45
Look, you officious whoresons, words of comfort:
46
'Not long a prisoner'.
47
OFFICER 1
It says true in that, sir, for you must suffer presently.
JUNIOR
A villainous Duns upon the letter, knavish exposition. Look you then here, sir: 'We'll get thee out by a trick,' says he.
OFFICER 2
That may hold too, sir, for you know a trick is commonly four cards, which was meant by us four officers.
JUNIOR
Worse and worse dealing.
51
OFFICER 1
The hour beckons us,
The headsman waits, lift up your eyes to heaven.
52
JUNIOR
I thank you, faith; good, pretty, wholesome counsel:
53
I should look up to heaven as you said
54
Whilst he behind me cozens me of my head.
55
Ay, that's the trick.
56
OFFICER 3
You delay too long, my lord.
JUNIOR
Stay, good Authority's bastards; since I must
57
Through brothers' perjury die, o let me venom
58
Their souls with curses.
59
OFFICER 1
Come, 'tis no time to curse.
JUNIOR
Must I bleed then, without respect of sign? Well —
60
My fault was sweet sport which the world approves,
61
I die for that which every woman loves.
62
(Exeunt.)
[SCENE 5]
(Enter Vindice [disguised] with Hippolito his brother.)
VINDICE
O sweet, delectable, rare, happy, ravishing!
1
HIPPOLITO
Why, what's the matter, brother?
2
VINDICE
O 'tis able
To make a man spring up and knock his forehead
3
Against yon silver ceiling.
4
HIPPOLITO
Prithee tell me,
Why may not I partake with you? You vowed once
5
To give me share to every tragic thought.
6
VINDICE
By th'mass I think I did too.
7
Then I'll divide it to thee: the old Duke,
8
Thinking my outward shape and inward heart
9
Are cut out of one piece (for he that prates
10
His secrets, his heart stands o'th'outside),
11
Hires me by price to greet him with a lady
12
In some fit place veiled from the eyes o'th'Court,
13
Some darkened blushless angle, that is guilty
14
Of his forefathers' lusts and great folks' riots;
15
To which I easily (to maintain my shape)
16
Consented and did wish his impudent grace
17
To meet her here in this unsunned lodge
18
Wherein 'tis night at noon; and here the rather
19
Because unto the torturing of his soul
20
The Bastard and the Duchess have appointed
21
Their meeting too in this luxurious circle,
22
Which most afflicting sight will kill his eyes
23
Before we kill the rest of him.
24
HIPPOLITO
'Twill, i'faith, most dreadfully digested.
25
I see not how you could have missed me, brother.
26
VINDICE
True, but the violence of my joy forgot it.
27
HIPPOLITO
Ay, but where's that lady now?
28
VINDICE
O at that word
I'm lost again, you cannot find me yet;
29
I'm in a throng of happy apprehensions.
30
He's suited for a lady, I have took care
31
For a delicious lip, a sparkling eye.
32
You shall be witness, brother;
33
Be ready, stand with your hat off.
34
(Exit.)
HIPPOLITO
Troth, I wonder what lady it should be?
35
Yet 'tis no wonder, now I think again,
36
To have a lady stoop to a Duke that stoops unto his men.
37
'Tis common to be common through the world,
38
And there's more private common shadowing vices
39
Than those who are known both by their names and prices.
40
'Tis part of my allegiance to stand bare
41
To the Duke's concubine — and here she comes.
42
(Enter Vindice with the skull of his love dressed up in tires.)
VINDICE
Madam, his grace will not be absent long.
43
Secret? Ne'er doubt us, madam; 'twill be worth
44
Three velvet gowns to your ladyship. Known?
45
Few ladies respect that! Disgrace? A poor thin shell,
46
'Tis the best grace you have to do it well.
47
I'll save your hand that labour, I'll unmask you.
48
([Reveals the skull.])
HIPPOLITO
Why brother, brother!
49
VINDICE
Art thou beguiled now? Tut, a lady can
50
At such all hid beguile a wiser man.
51
Have I not fitted the old surfeiter
52
With a quaint piece of beauty? Age and bare bone
53
Are e'er allied in action: here's an eye
54
Able to tempt a great man — to serve God;
55
A pretty hanging lip, that has forgot now to dissemble,
56
Methinks this mouth should make a swearer tremble,
57
A drunkard clasp his teeth, and not undo 'em
58
To suffer wet damnation to run through 'em.
59
Here's a cheek keeps her colour, let the wind go whistle;
60
Spout rain, we fear thee not; be hot or cold,
61
All's one with us; and is not she absurd,
62
Whose fortunes are upon their faces set
63
That fear no other god but wind and wet?
64
HIPPOLITO
Brother, y'ave spoke that right,
65
Is this the form that living shone so bright?
66
VINDICE
The very same.
67
And now methinks I could e'en chide myself
68
For doting on her beauty, though her death
69
Shall be revenged after no common action.
70
Does the silk-worm expend her yellow labours
71
For thee? For thee does she undo herself?
72
Are lordships sold to maintain ladyships
73
For the poor benefit of a bewitching minute?
74
Why does yon fellow falsify high ways
75
And put his life between the judge's lips
76
To refine such a thing, keeps horse and men
77
To beat their valours for her?
78
Surely we are all mad people and they,
79
Whom we think are, are not; we mistake those,
80
'Tis we are mad in sense, they but in clothes.
81
HIPPOLITO
Faith, and in clothes too we, give us our due.
82
VINDICE
Does every proud and self-affecting dame
83
Camphor her face for this? And grieve her maker
84
In sinful baths of milk when many an infant starves
85
For her superfluous outside, all for this?
86
Who now bids twenty pound a night, prepares
87
Music, perfumes and sweetmeats, all are hushed;
88
Thou mayst lie chaste now. It were fine methinks
89
To have thee seen at revels, forgetful feasts
90
And unclean brothels; sure, 'twould fright the sinner
91
And make him a good coward, put a reveller
92
Out of his antic amble
93
And cloy an epicure with empty dishes!
94
Here might a scornful and ambitious woman
95
Look through and through herself; see, ladies, with false forms
96
You deceive men but cannot deceive worms.
97
Now to my tragic business: look you, brother,
98
I have not fashioned this only for show
99
And useless property, no, it shall bear a part
100
E'en in it own revenge. This very skull
101
Whose mistress the Duke poisoned with this drug,
102
The mortal curse of the earth, shall be revenged
103
In the like strain and kiss his lips to death.
104
As much as the dumb thing can, he shall feel:
105
What fails in poison we'll supply in steel.
106
HIPPOLITO
Brother, I do applaud thy constant vengeance,
107
The quaintness of thy malice, above thought.
108
([Vindice poisons the skull's mouth.])
VINDICE
So, 'tis laid on. Now come and welcome, Duke,
109
I have her for thee. I protest it, brother,
110
Methinks she makes almost as fair a sign
111
As some old gentlewoman in a periwig.
112
[To the skull] Hide thy face now for shame, thou hadst need have a mask now.
113
([Covers the skull with a mask.])
'Tis vain when beauty flows, but when it fleets
114
This would become graves better than the streets.
115
HIPPOLITO
You have my voice in that. Hark, the Duke's come.
116
VINDICE
Peace, let's observe what company he brings
117
And how he does absent 'em, for you know
118
He'll wish all private. Brother, fall you back a little
119
With the bony lady.
120
HIPPOLITO
That I will.
VINDICE
So, so –
Now nine years' vengeance crowd into a minute!
121
([Enter Duke and Gentlemen.])
DUKE
You shall have leave to leave us with this charge
122
Upon your lives, if we be missed by th'Duchess
123
Or any of the nobles to give out
124
We're privately rid forth.
125
VINDICE
O happiness!
DUKE
With some few honourable gentlemen, you may say;
126
You may name those that are away from Court.
127
GENTLEMEN
Your will and pleasure shall be done, my lord.
128
([Exeunt Gentlemen.])
VINDICE
'Privately rid forth')
129
He strives to make sure work on't!
130
[To Duke] Your good Grace.
DUKE
Piato, well done, hast brought her? What lady is't?
131
VINDICE
Faith, my lord, a country lady, a little bashful at first as most of them are, but after the first kiss, my lord, the worst is past with them. Your Grace knows now what you have to do; sh'as somewhat a grave look with her, but —
DUKE
I love that best, conduct her.
133
VINDICE
Have at all!
DUKE
In gravest looks the greatest faults seem less.
134
Give me that sin that's robed in holiness.
135
VINDICE
Back with the torch, brother, raise the perfumes.
136
DUKE
How sweet can a Duke breathe? Age has no fault,
137
Pleasure should meet in a perfumed mist.
138
Lady, sweetly encountered, I came from Court,
139
I must be bold with you. [Kisses the skull.] O what's this? O!
140
VINDICE
Royal villain, white devil!
141
DUKE
O!
VINDICE
Brother,
Place the torch here that his affrighted eyeballs
142
May start into those hollows. — Duke, dost know
143
Yon dreadful vizard? View it well, 'tis the skull
144
Of Gloriana, whom thou poisonedst last.
145
DUKE
O 't'as poisoned me.
146
VINDICE
Didst not know that till now?
147
DUKE
What are you two?
VINDICE
Villains all three! The very ragged bone
148
Has been sufficiently revenged.
149
DUKE
O Hippolito! Call treason.
150
HIPPOLITO
Yes, my good lord, treason, treason, treason!
151
(Stamping on him.)
DUKE
Then I'm betrayed.
152
VINDICE
Alas, poor lecher, in the hands of knaves,
153
A slavish Duke is baser than his slaves.
154
DUKE
My teeth are eaten out.
155
VINDICE
Hadst any left?
HIPPOLITO
I think but few.
156
VINDICE
Then those that did eat are eaten.
157
DUKE
O my tongue!
VINDICE
Your tongue? 'Twill teach you to kiss closer,
158
Not like a slobbering Dutchman. You have eyes still:
159
Look, monster, what a lady hast thou made me
160
My once betrothèd wife.
161
([Throwing off his disguise.])
DUKE
Is it thou, villain?
Nay then —
162
VINDICE
'Tis I, 'tis Vindice, 'tis I.
HIPPOLITO
And let this comfort thee: our lord and father
163
Fell sick upon the infection of thy frowns
164
And died in sadness; be that thy hope of life.
165
DUKE
O!
166
VINDICE
He had his tongue, yet grief made him die speechless.
167
Puh, 'tis but early yet, now I'll begin
168
To stick thy soul with ulcers; I will make
169
Thy spirit grievous sore, it shall not rest
170
But like some pestilent man toss in thy breast.
171
Mark me, Duke,
172
Thou'rt a renowned, high, and mighty cuckold.
173
DUKE
O!
174
VINDICE
Thy bastard, thy bastard rides a-hunting in thy brow.
175
DUKE
Millions of deaths!
176
VINDICE
Nay, to afflict thee more,
Here in this lodge they meet for damnèd clips;
177
Those eyes shall see the incest of their lips.
178
DUKE
Is there a hell besides this, villains?
179
VINDICE
Villain!
Nay, heaven is just, scorns are the hires of scorns,
180
I ne'er knew yet adulterer without horns.
181
HIPPOLITO
Once ere they die 'tis quitted.
182
VINDICE
Hark, the music,
Their banquet is prepared, they're coming —
183
DUKE
O kill me not with that sight!
184
VINDICE
Thou shalt not lose that sight for all thy Dukedom.
185
DUKE
Traitors, murderers!
186
VINDICE
What? Is not thy tongue eaten out yet? Then we'll invent a silence. Brother, stifle the torch.
DUKE
Treason, murder!
188
VINDICE
Nay, faith, we'll have you hushed; now with thy dagger
189
Nail down his tongue and mine shall keep possession
190
About his heart. If he but gasp he dies.
191
We dread not death to quittance injuries, brother;
192
If he but wink, not brooking the foul object,
193
Let our two other hands tear up his lids
194
And make his eyes like comets shine through blood;
195
When the bad bleeds, then is the tragedy good.
196
HIPPOLITO
Whist, brother, music's at our ear, they come.
197
(Enter the Bastard [Spurio] meeting the Duchess.)
SPURIO
Had not that kiss a taste of sin 'twere sweet.
198
DUCHESS
Why there's no pleasure sweet but it is sinful.
199
SPURIO
True, such a bitter sweetness fate hath given,
200
Best side to us is the worst side to heaven.
201
DUCHESS
Push, come; 'tis the old Duke thy doubtful father,
202
The thought of him rubs heaven in thy way.
203
But I protest by yonder waxen fire,
204
Forget him or I'll poison him.
205
SPURIO
Madam, you urge a thought which ne'er had life.
206
So deadly do I loathe him for my birth
207
That if he took me hasped within his bed
208
I would add murder to adultery
209
And with my sword give up his years to death.
210
DUCHESS
Why now thou'rt sociable, let's in and feast.
211
Loud'st music sound, Pleasure is Banquet's guest.
212
(Exeunt [Duchess and Spurio].)
DUKE
I cannot brook —
213
([Dies.])
VINDICE
The brook is turned to blood.
HIPPOLITO
Thanks to loud music.
214
VINDICE
'Twas our friend indeed,
'Tis state in music for a Duke to bleed:
215
The Dukedom wants a head, though yet unknown;
216
As fast as they peep up let's cut 'em down.
217
(Exeunt.)
[SCENE 6]
(Enter the Duchess's two sons, Ambitioso and Supervacuo.)
AMBITIOSO
Was not this execution rarely plotted?
1
We are the Duke's sons now.
2
SUPERVACUO
Ay, you may thank my policy for that.
3
AMBITIOSO
Your policy? For what?
4
SUPERVACUO
Why, was't not my invention, brother,
5
To slip the judges? And, in lesser compass,
6
Did not I draw the model of his death,
7
Advising you to sudden officers
8
And e'en extemporal execution?
9
AMBITIOSO
Heart, 'twas a thing I thought on too.
10
SUPERVACUO
You thought on't too? 'Sfoot, slander not your thoughts
11
With glorious untruth, I know 'twas from you.
12
AMBITIOSO
Sir, I say 'twas in my head.
13
[SUPERVACUO]
Ay, like your brains then,
Ne'er to come out as long as you lived.
14
AMBITIOSO
You'd have the honour on't, forsooth, that your wit
15
Led him to the scaffold.
16
SUPERVACUO
Since it is my due
I'll publish't, but I'll ha't in spite of you.
17
AMBITIOSO
Methinks y'are much too bold, you should a little
18
Remember us, brother, next to be honest Duke.
19
SUPERVACUO
Ay, it shall be as easy for you to be Duke
20
As to be honest, and that's never, i'faith.
21
AMBITIOSO
Well, cold he is by this time, and because
22
We're both ambitious be it our amity
23
And let the glory be shared equally.
24
SUPERVACUO
I am content to that.
25
AMBITIOSO
This night our younger brother shall out of prison;
26
I have a trick.
27
SUPERVACUO
A trick, prithee what is't?
AMBITIOSO
We'll get him out by a wile.
28
SUPERVACUO
Prithee what wile?
AMBITIOSO
No, sir, you shall not know it till't be done,
29
For then you'd swear 'twere yours.
30
([Enter an Officer with a head.])
SUPERVACUO
How now, what's he?
31
AMBITIOSO
One of the officers.
SUPERVACUO
Desired news.
32
AMBITIOSO
How now, my friend?
OFFICER
My lords,
Under your pardon I am allotted
33
To that desertless office to present you
34
With the yet bleeding head —
35
SUPERVACUO
Ha, ha, excellent.
AMBITIOSO
All's sure our own. Brother, canst weep, think'st thou?
36
'Twould grace our flattery much; think of some dame,
37
'Twill teach thee to dissemble.
38
SUPERVACUO
I have thought;
Now for yourself.
39
AMBITIOSO
Our sorrows are so fluent
Our eyes o'erflow our tongues. Words spoke in tears
40
Are like the murmurs of the waters, the sound
41
Is loudly heard but cannot be distinguished.
42
SUPERVACUO
How died he, pray?
43
OFFICER
O full of rage and spleen.
SUPERVACUO
He died most valiantly then, we're glad
44
To hear it.
45
OFFICER
We could not woo him once to pray.
AMBITIOSO
He showed himself a gentleman in that,
46
Give him his due.
47
OFFICER
But in the stead of prayer
He drew forth oaths.
48
SUPERVACUO
Then did he pray, dear heart,
Although you understood him not.
49
OFFICER
My lords,
E'en at his last, with pardon be it spoke,
50
He cursed you both.
51
SUPERVACUO
He cursed us? 'Las, good soul.
AMBITIOSO
It was not in our powers, but the Duke's pleasure.
52
Finely dissembled o'both sides, sweet fate,
53
O happy opportunity!
54
(Enter Lussurioso.)
LUSSURIOSO
Now, my lords.
BOTH
O!
LUSSURIOSO
Why do you shun me, brothers?
55
You may come nearer now,
56
The savour of the prison has forsook me.
57
I thank such kind lords as yourselves, I'm free.
58
AMBITIOSO
Alive!
59
SUPERVACUO
In health!
60
AMBITIOSO
Released!
61
We were both e'en amazed with joy to see it.
62
LUSSURIOSO
I am much to thank you.
63
SUPERVACUO
Faith, we spared no tongue unto my lord the Duke.
64
AMBITIOSO
I know your delivery, brother,
65
Had not been half so sudden but for us.
66
SUPERVACUO
O how we pleaded!
67
LUSSURIOSO
Most deserving brothers,
In my best studies I will think of it.
68
(Exit.)
AMBITIOSO
O death and vengeance!
69
SUPERVACUO
Hell and torments!
AMBITIOSO
Slave, cam'st thou to delude us?
70
OFFICER
Delude you, my lords?
SUPERVACUO
Ay, villain, where's this head now?
71
OFFICER
Why here, my lord;
Just after his delivery you both came
72
With warrant from the Duke to behead your brother.
73
AMBITIOSO
Ay, our brother, the Duke's son.
74
OFFICER
The Duke's son,
My lord, had his release before you came.
75
AMBITIOSO
Whose head's that, then?
76
OFFICER
His whom you left command for,
Your own brother's.
77
AMBITIOSO
Our brother's? O furies!
SUPERVACUO
Plagues!
78
AMBITIOSO
Confusions!
SUPERVACUO
Darkness!
AMBITIOSO
Devils!
SUPERVACUO
Fell it out so accursèdly?
79
AMBITIOSO
So damnèdly?
SUPERVACUO
Villain, I'll brain thee with it.
80
OFFICER
O my good lord.
([Exit.])
SUPERVACUO
The Devil overtake thee!
81
AMBITIOSO
O fatal!
SUPERVACUO
O prodigious to our bloods!
82
AMBITIOSO
Did we dissemble?
SUPERVACUO
Did we make our tears women for thee?
83
AMBITIOSO
Laugh and rejoice for thee?
84
SUPERVACUO
Bring warrant for thy death?
85
AMBITIOSO
Mock off thy head?
SUPERVACUO
You had a trick, you had a wile, forsooth.
86
AMBITIOSO
A murrain meet 'em, there's none of these wiles that ever come to good. I see now there is nothing sure in mortality but mortality.
Well, no more words, 'shalt be revenged i'faith.
88
Come throw off clouds now, brother, think of vengeance
89
And deeper settled hate; sirrah, sit fast,
90
We'll pull down all, but thou shalt down at last.
91
(Exeunt.)
ACT FOUR
SCENE 1
(Enter Lussurioso with Hippolito.)
LUSSURIOSO
Hippolito.
1
HIPPOLITO
My lord, has your good lordship
Ought to command me in?
2
LUSSURIOSO
I prithee leave us.
HIPPOLITO
How's this? Come and leave us?
3
LUSSURIOSO
Hippolito.
HIPPOLITO
Your honour, I stand ready for any duteous employment.
4
LUSSURIOSO
Heart, what mak'st thou here?
5
HIPPOLITO
A pretty, lordly humour:
He bids me to be present, to depart.
6
Something has stung his honour.
7
LUSSURIOSO
Be nearer, draw nearer;
Ye are not so good, methinks, I'm angry with you.
8
HIPPOLITO
With me, my lord? I'm angry with myself for't.
9
LUSSURIOSO
You did prefer a goodly fellow to me,
10
'Twas wittily elected, 'twas. I thought
11
H'ad been a villain and he proves a knave,
12
To me a knave!
13
HIPPOLITO
I chose him for the best, my lord,
'Tis much my sorrow if neglect in him
14
Breed discontent in you.
15
LUSSURIOSO
Neglect? 'Twas will!
Judge of it:
16
Firmly to tell of an incredible act,
17
Not to be thought, less to be spoken of,
18
'Twixt my stepmother and the bastard, o
19
Incestuous sweets between 'em.
20
HIPPOLITO
Fie, my lord.
LUSSURIOSO
I, in kind loyalty to my father's forehead
21
Made this a desperate arm, and in that fury
22
Committed treason on the lawful bed
23
And with my sword e'en rased my father's bosom,
24
For which I was within a stroke of death.
25
HIPPOLITO
Alack, I'm sorry.
26
'Sfoot, just upon the stroke
27
Jars in my brother, 'twill be villainous music.
28
(Enter Vindice.)
VINDICE
My honoured lord.
29
LUSSURIOSO
Away, prithee forsake us, hereafter we'll not know thee.
30
VINDICE
Not know me, my lord? Your lordship cannot choose.
31
LUSSURIOSO
Be gone, I say, thou art a false knave.
32
VINDICE
Why, the easier to be known, my lord.
33
LUSSURIOSO
Push, I shall prove too bitter with a word,
34
Make thee a perpetual prisoner
35
And lay this iron-age upon thee.
36
VINDICE
Mum,
For there's a doom would make a woman dumb.
37
Missing the Bastard, next him, the wind's come about;
38
Now 'tis my brother's turn to stay, mine to go out.
39
(Exit.)
LUSSURIOSO
H'as greatly moved me.
40
HIPPOLITO
Much to blame, i'faith.
LUSSURIOSO
But I'll recover, to his ruin. 'Twas told me lately, I know not whether falsely, that you'd a brother.
HIPPOLITO
Who, I? Yes, my good lord, I have a brother.
42
LUSSURIOSO
How chance the Court ne'er saw him? Of what nature?
43
How does he apply his hours?
44
HIPPOLITO
Faith, to curse fates
Who, as he thinks, ordained him to be poor,
45
Keeps at home, full of want and discontent.
46
LUSSURIOSO
There's hope in him, for discontent and want
47
Is the best clay to mould a villain of.
48
Hippolito, wish him repair to us.
49
If there be aught in him to please our blood,
50
For thy sake we'll advance him and build fair
51
His meanest fortunes; for it is in us
52
To rear up towers from cottages.
53
HIPPOLITO
It is so, my lord. He will attend your honour,
54
But he's a man in whom much melancholy dwells.
55
LUSSURIOSO
Why, the better: bring him to Court.
56
HIPPOLITO
With willingness and speed.
57
Whom he cast off e'en now, must now succeed.
58
Brother, disguise must off,
59
In thine own shape now I'll prefer thee to him:
60
How strangely does himself work to undo him.
61
(Exit.)
LUSSURIOSO
This fellow will come fitly, he shall kill
62
That other slave that did abuse my spleen
63
And made it swell to treason. I have put
64
Much of my heart into him, he must die.
65
He that knows great men's secrets and proves slight,
66
That man ne'er lives to see his beard turn white.
67
Ay, he shall speed him, I'll employ the brother,
68
Slaves are but nails to drive out one another.
69
He being of black condition, suitable
70
To want and ill content, hope of preferment
71
Will grind him to an edge.
72
([Two Nobles enter.])
NOBLE 1
Good days unto your honour.
73
LUSSURIOSO
My kind lords, I do return the like.
74
NOBLE 2
Saw you my lord the Duke?
75
LUSSURIOSO
My lord and father? Is he from Court?
76
NOBLE 1
He's sure from Court, but where, which way his pleasure took, we know not, nor can we hear on't.
LUSSURIOSO
Here come those should tell.
78
([Enter more Nobles.])
Saw you my lord and father?
79
NOBLE 3
Not since two hours before noon, my lord,
80
And then he privately rid forth.
81
LUSSURIOSO
O he's rode forth.
82
NOBLE 1
'Twas wondrous privately.
NOBLE 2
There's none i'th'Court had any knowledge on't.
83
LUSSURIOSO
His Grace is old and sudden, 'tis no treason
84
To say the duke my father has a humour
85
Or such a toy about him; what in us
86
Would appear light, in him seems virtuous.
87
NOBLE 3
'Tis oracle, my lord.
88
(Exeunt.)
[SCENE 2]
(Enter Vindice and Hippolito, Vindice out of his disguise.)
HIPPOLITO
So, so, all's as it should be, y'are yourself.
1
VINDICE
How that great villain puts me to my shifts.
2
HIPPOLITO
He that did lately in disguise reject thee
3
Shall, now thou art thyself, as much respect thee.
4
VINDICE
'Twill be the quainter fallacy. But, brother,
5
'Sfoot, what use will he put me to now, think'st thou?
6
HIPPOLITO
Nay you must pardon me in that, I know not.
7
H'as some employment for you, but what 'tis
8
He and his secretary the Devil knows best.
9
VINDICE
Well, I must suit my tongue to his desires,
10
What colour soe'er they be, hoping at last
11
To pile up all my wishes on his breast.
12
HIPPOLITO
Faith, brother, he himself shows the way.
13
VINDICE
Now the Duke is dead the realm is clad in clay;
14
His death being not yet known, under his name
15
The people still are governed. Well, thou his son
16
Art not long-lived, thou shalt not 'joy his death.
17
To kill thee, then, I should most honour thee,
18
For 'twould stand firm in every man's belief
19
Thou'st a kind child and only died'st with grief.
20
HIPPOLITO
You fetch about well, but let's talk in present;
21
How will you appear in fashion different,
22
As well as in apparel, to make all things possible?
23
If you be but once tripped we fall for ever.
24
It is not the least policy to be doubtful,
25
You must change tongue — familiar was your first.
26
VINDICE
Why, I'll bear me in some strain of melancholy
27
And string myself with heavy-sounding wire
28
Like such an instrument, that speaks
29
Merry things sadly.
30
HIPPOLITO
Then 'tis as I meant,
I gave you out at first in discontent.
31
VINDICE
I'll turn myself, and then —
32
HIPPOLITO
'Sfoot, here he comes!
Hast thought upon't?
33
VINDICE
Salute him, fear not me.
([Enter Lussurioso.])
LUSSURIOSO
Hippolito.
34
HIPPOLITO
Your lordship.
LUSSURIOSO
What's he yonder?
HIPPOLITO
'Tis Vindice my discontented brother
35
Whom, 'cording to your will, I've brought to Court.
36
LUSSURIOSO
Is that thy brother? Beshrew me, a good presence,
37
I wonder h'as been from the Court so long.
38
Come nearer.
39
HIPPOLITO
Brother, Lord Lussurioso, the Duke's son.
LUSSURIOSO
Be more near to us, welcome, nearer yet.
40
([Vindice] snatches off his hat and makes legs to him.)
VINDICE
How don you? God you god den.
41
LUSSURIOSO
We thank thee.
How strangely such a coarse, homely salute
42
Shows in the palace, where we greet in fire
43
Nimble and desperate tongues; should we name
44
God in a salutation 'twould ne'er be stood on't —
45
Tell me, what has made thee so melancholy?
46
VINDICE
Why, going to Law.
47
LUSSURIOSO
Why, will that make a man melancholy?
48
VINDICE
Yes, to look long upon ink and black buckram. I went me to Law in anno quadregesimo secondo , and I waded out of it in anno sextagesimo tertio .
LUSSURIOSO
What, three and twenty years in Law?
50
VINDICE
I have known those that have been five and fifty, and all about pullen and pigs.
LUSSURIOSO
May it be possible such men should breathe
52
To vex the Terms so much?
53
VINDICE
'Tis food to some, my lord.
There are old men at the present that are so poisoned with the affectation of Law words (having had many suites canvassed) that their common talk is nothing but Barbary Latin. They cannot so much as pray but in Law, that their sins may be removed with a writ of error and their souls fetched up to heaven with a sasarara.
[LUSSURIOSO]
It seems most strange to me,
55
Yet all the world meets round in the same bent;
56
Where the heart's set, there goes the tongue's consent.
57
How dost apply thy studies, fellow?
58
VINDICE
Study? Why, to think how a great rich man lies a-dying and a poor cobbler tolls the bell for him; how he cannot depart the world and see the great chest stand before him when he lies speechless; how he will point you readily to all the boxes, and when he is past all memory, as the gossips guess, then thinks he of forfeitures and obligations; nay, when to all men's hearings he whirls and rattles in the throat, he's busy threat'ning his poor tenants: and this would last me now some seven years thinking or thereabouts. But I have a conceit a-coming in picture upon this, I draw it myself; which, i'faith la, I'll present to your honour. You shall not choose but like it for your lordship shall give me nothing for it.
LUSSURIOSO
Nay, you mistake me then,
60
For I am published bountiful enough.
61
Let's taste of your conceit.
62
VINDICE
In picture, my lord?
LUSSURIOSO
Ay, in picture.
63
VINDICE
Marry, this it is —
A usuring father to be boiling in hell, and his son and heir with a whore dancing over him.
HIPPOLITO
H'as pared him to the quick.
65
LUSSURIOSO
The conceit's pretty, i'faith,
66
But take 't upon my life 'twill ne'er be liked.
67
VINDICE
No? Why, I'm sure the whore will be liked well enough.
68
HIPPOLITO
Ay, if she were out o'th'picture he'd like her then himself.
69
VINDICE
And as for the son and heir, he shall be an eyesore to no young revellers for he shall be drawn in cloth-of-gold breeches.
LUSSURIOSO
And thou hast put my meaning in the pockets
71
And canst not draw that out! My thought was this:
72
To see the picture of a usuring father
73
Boiling in hell, our rich men would ne'er like it.
74
VINDICE
O true, I cry you heartily mercy; I know the reason, for some of 'em had rather be damned indeed than damned in colours.
LUSSURIOSO
A parlous melancholy! H'as wit enough
76
To murder any man, and I'll give him means. —
77
I think thou art ill-monied.
78
VINDICE
Money? Ho, ho,
'T 'as been my want so long 'tis now my scoff.
79
I've e'en forgot what colour silver's of.
80
LUSSURIOSO
It hits as I could wish.
81
VINDICE
I get good clothes
Of those that dread my humour, and for table-room
82
I feed on those that cannot be rid of me.
83
LUSSURIOSO
[Gives him money] Somewhat to set thee up withal.
84
VINDICE
O mine eyes!
85
LUSSURIOSO
How now, man?
VINDICE
Almost struck blind;
This bright unusual shine to me seems proud,
86
I dare not look till the sun be in a cloud.
87
LUSSURIOSO
I think I shall affect his melancholy. —
88
How are they now?
89
VINDICE
The better for your asking.
LUSSURIOSO
You shall be better yet if you but fasten
90
Truly on my intent. Now y'are both present
91
I will unbrace such a close, private villain
92
Unto your vengeful swords, the like ne'er heard of,
93
Who hath disgraced you much and injured us.
94
HIPPOLITO
Disgraced us, my lord?
95
LUSSURIOSO
Ay, Hippolito.
I kept it here till now that both your angers
96
Might meet him at once.
97
VINDICE
I'm covetous
To know the villain.
98
LUSSURIOSO
You know him, that slave-pander
Piato, whom we threatened last
99
With iron's perpetual prisonment.
100
VINDICE
All this is I.
101
HIPPOLITO
Is't he, my lord?
LUSSURIOSO
I'll tell you,
You first preferred him to me.
102
VINDICE
Did you, brother?
HIPPOLITO
I did indeed.
103
LUSSURIOSO
And the ingrateful villain
To quit that kindness strongly wrought with me,
104
Being as you see a likely man for pleasure,
105
With jewels to corrupt your virgin sister.
106
HIPPOLITO
O villain!
107
VINDICE
He shall surely die that did it.
LUSSURIOSO
I, far from thinking any virgin harm,
108
Especially knowing her to be as chaste
109
As that part which scarce suffers to be touched,
110
Th' eye would not endure him.
111
VINDICE
Would you not,
My lord? 'Twas wondrous honourably done.
112
LUSSURIOSO
But with some fine frowns kept him out.
113
VINDICE
Out, slave!
LUSSURIOSO
What did me he but in revenge of that
114
Went of his own free will to make infirm
115
Your sister's honour, whom I honour with my soul
116
For chaste respect, and not prevailing there
117
(As 'twas but desperate folly to attempt it)
118
In mere spleen, by the way, waylays your mother,
119
Whose honour being a coward, as it seems,
120
Yielded by little force.
121
VINDICE
Coward indeed!
LUSSURIOSO
He, proud of their advantage (as he thought),
122
Brought me these news for happy, but I, heaven
123
Forgive me for't —
124
VINDICE
What did your honour?
125
LUSSURIOSO
In rage pushed him from me,
Trampled beneath his throat, spurned him, and bruised;
126
Indeed I was too cruel, to say troth.
127
HIPPOLITO
Most nobly managed.
128
VINDICE
Has not heaven an ear? Is all lightning wasted?
129
LUSSURIOSO
If I now were so impatient in a modest cause,
130
What should you be?
131
VINDICE
Full mad, he shall not live
To see the moon change.
132
LUSSURIOSO
He's about the palace,
Hippolito, entice him this way that thy brother
133
May take full mark of him.
134
HIPPOLITO
Heart, that shall not need, my lord.
135
I can direct him so far.
136
LUSSURIOSO
Yet, for my hate's sake,
Go wind him this way; I'll see him bleed myself.
137
HIPPOLITO
What now, brother?
138
VINDICE
Nay, e'en what you will; y'are put to't, brother.
139
HIPPOLITO
An impossible task, I'll swear,
140
To bring him hither that's already here.
141
(Exit.)
LUSSURIOSO
Thy name, I have forgot it.
142
VINDICE
Vindice, my lord.
LUSSURIOSO
'Tis a good name that.
143
VINDICE
Ay, a revenger.
LUSSURIOSO
It does betoken courage; thou shouldst be valiant
144
And kill thine enemies.
145
VINDICE
That's my hope, my lord.
LUSSURIOSO
This slave is one.
146
VINDICE
I'll doom him.
LUSSURIOSO
Then I'll praise thee!
Do thou observe me best and I'll best raise thee.
147
(Enter Hippolito.)
VINDICE
Indeed I thank you.
148
LUSSURIOSO
Now, Hippolito, where's the slave pander?
149
HIPPOLITO
Your good lordship
150
Would have a loathsome sight of him, much offensive.
151
He's not in case now to be seen, my lord;
152
The worst of all the deadly sins is in him,
153
That beggarly damnation, drunkenness.
154
LUSSURIOSO
Then he's a double slave.
155
VINDICE
'Twas well conveyed,
Upon a sudden wit.
156
LUSSURIOSO
What, are you both
Firmly resolved? I'll see him dead myself.
157
VINDICE
Or else let not us live.
158
LUSSURIOSO
You may direct
Your brother to take note of him.
159
HIPPOLITO
I shall.
LUSSURIOSO
Rise but in this, and you shall never fall.
160
VINDICE
Your honour's vassals.
161
LUSSURIOSO
This was wisely carried,
Deep policy in us makes fools of such:
162
Then must a slave die, when he knows too much.
163
(Exit.)
VINDICE
O thou almighty Patience! 'Tis my wonder
164
That such a fellow, impudent and wicked,
165
Should not be cloven as he stood,
166
Or with a secret wind burst open!
167
Is there no thunder left, or is't kept up
168
In stock for heatier vengeance? There it goes!
169
HIPPOLITO
Brother, we lose ourselves.
170
VINDICE
But I have found it.
'Twill hold, 'tis sure; thanks, thanks to any spirit
171
That mingled it 'mongst my inventions.
172
HIPPOLITO
What is't?
173
VINDICE
'Tis sound and good, thou shalt partake it.
I'm hired to kill myself.
174
HIPPOLITO
True.
VINDICE
Prithee mark it:
And the old Duke being dead, but not conveyed,
175
For he's already missed too, and you know
176
Murder will peep out of the closest husk —
177
HIPPOLITO
Most true.
178
VINDICE
What say you then to this device:
If we dressed up the body of the Duke?
179
HIPPOLITO
In that disguise of yours?
180
VINDICE
Y'are quick, y'ave reached it.
HIPPOLITO
I like it wondrously.
181
VINDICE
And being in drink, as you have published him,
182
To lean him on his elbow, as if sleep had caught him,
183
Which claims most interest in such sluggy men.
184
HIPPOLITO
Good yet, but here's a doubt:
185
We, thought by th'Duke's son to kill that pander,
186
Shall, when he is known, be thought to kill the Duke.
187
VINDICE
Neither, o thanks, it is substantial;
188
For that disguise being on him which I wore,
189
It will be thought I, which he calls the pander, did kill the Duke and fled away in his apparel, leaving him so disguised to avoid swift pursuit.
HIPPOLITO
Firmer and firmer.
191
VINDICE
Nay, doubt not 'tis in grain;
I warrant it hold colour.
192
HIPPOLITO
Let's about it.
VINDICE
But by the way too, now I think on't, brother,
193
Let's conjure that base devil out of our mother.
194
(Exeunt.)
[SCENE 3]
(Enter the Duchess arm in arm with the Bastard [Spurio]; he seemeth lasciviously to her. After them, enter Supervacuo, running with a rapier; his brother [Ambitioso] stops him.)
SPURIO
Madam, unlock yourself, should it be seen
1
Your arm would be suspected.
2
DUCHESS
Who is't that dares suspect or this or these?
3
May not we deal our favours where we please?
4
SPURIO
I'm confident you may.
5
(Exeunt [Duchess and Spurio].)
AMBITIOSO
'Sfoot, brother, hold.
SUPERVACUO
Wouldst let the bastard shame us?
6
AMBITIOSO
Hold, hold, brother!
There's fitter time than now.
7
SUPERVACUO
Now, when I see it?
AMBITIOSO
'Tis too much seen already.
8
SUPERVACUO
Seen and known,
The nobler she's the baser is she grown.
9
AMBITIOSO
If she were bent lasciviously, the fault
10
Of mighty women that sleep soft – o death!
11
Must she needs choose such an unequal sinner
12
To make all worse?
13
SUPERVACUO
A bastard, the Duke's bastard!
Shame heaped on shame!
14
AMBITIOSO
O our disgrace!
Most women have small waist the world throughout,
15
But their desires are thousand miles about.
16
SUPERVACUO
Come, stay not here, let's after and prevent,
17
Or else they'll sin faster than we'll repent.
18
(Exeunt.)
[SCENE 4]
(Enter Vindice and Hippolito, bringing out their mother [Gratiana], one by one shoulder, and the other by the other, with daggers in their hands.)
VINDICE
O thou, for whom no name is bad enough!
1
GRATIANA
What means my sons? What, will you murder me?
2
VINDICE
Wicked, unnatural parent!
3
HIPPOLITO
Fiend of women!
GRATIANA
O are sons turned monsters? Help!
4
VINDICE
In vain.
GRATIANA
Are you so barbarous to set iron nipples
5
Upon the breast that gave you suck?
6
VINDICE
That breast
Is turned to quarled poison.
7
GRATIANA
Cut not your days for't, am not I your mother?
8
VINDICE
Thou dost usurp that title now by fraud
9
For in that shell of mother breeds a bawd.
10
GRATIANA
A bawd? O name far loathsomer than hell.
11
HIPPOLITO
It should be so, knew'st thou thy office well.
12
GRATIANA
I hate it.
13
VINDICE
Ah, is't possible? Thou only? You powers on high,
14
That women should dissemble when they die!
15
GRATIANA
Dissemble!
16
VINDICE
Did not the Duke's son direct
A fellow of the world's condition hither
17
That did corrupt all that was good in thee?
18
Made thee uncivilly forget thyself
19
And work our sister to his lust?
20
GRATIANA
Who, I?
That had been monstrous! I defy that man
21
For any such intent. None lives so pure
22
But shall be soiled with slander — good son, believe it not.
23
VINDICE
O I'm in doubt whether I'm myself or no.
24
Stay, let me look again upon this face.
25
Who shall be saved when mothers have no grace?
26
HIPPOLITO
'Twould make one half despair.
27
VINDICE
I was the man,
Defy me now! Let's see, do't modestly.
28
GRATIANA
O hell unto my soul.
29
VINDICE
In that disguise I, sent from the Duke's son,
30
Tried you and found you base metal
31
As any villain might have done.
32
GRATIANA
O no,
No tongue but yours could have bewitched me so.
33
VINDICE
O nimble in damnation, quick in tune,
34
There is no devil could strike fire so soon.
35
I am confuted in a word.
36
GRATIANA
O sons,
Forgive me, to myself I'll prove more true,
37
You that should honour me, I kneel to you.
38
([Kneels and weeps.])
VINDICE
A mother to give aim to her own daughter!
39
HIPPOLITO
True, brother; how far beyond nature 'tis,
40
Though many mothers do't.
41
VINDICE
Nay, and you draw tears once, go you to bed,
42
Wet will make iron blush and change to red.
43
Brother, it rains, 'twill spoil your dagger, house it.
44
HIPPOLITO
'Tis done.
45
VINDICE
I'faith, 'tis a sweet shower, it does much good.
46
The fruitful grounds and meadows of her soul
47
Has been long dry. Pour down thou blessed dew,
48
Rise mother; troth, this shower has made you higher.
49
GRATIANA
O you heavens,
50
Take this infectious spot out of my soul,
51
I'll rinse it in seven waters of mine eyes!
52
Make my tears salt enough to taste of grace!
53
To weep is to our sex naturally given,
54
But to weep truly, that's a gift from heaven.
55
VINDICE
Nay, I'll kiss you now; kiss her, brother.
56
Let's marry her to our souls, wherein's no lust,
57
And honourably love her.
58
HIPPOLITO
Let it be.
VINDICE
For honest women are so seld and rare
59
'Tis good to cherish those poor few that are. —
60
O you of easy wax, do but imagine
61
Now the disease has left you, how leprously
62
That office would have clinged unto your forehead;
63
All mothers that had any graceful hue
64
Would have worn masks to hide their face at you.
65
It would have grown to this: at your foul name
66
Green-coloured maids would have turned red with shame.
67
HIPPOLITO
And then our sister, full of hire and baseness.
68
VINDICE
There had been boiling lead again.
69
The Duke's son's great concubine,
70
A drab of state, a cloth o'silver slut;
71
To have her train borne up and her soul
72
Trail i'th'dirt; great —
73
HIPPOLITO
To be miserably great;
Rich, to be eternally wretched.
74
VINDICE
O common madness!
75
Ask but the thriving'st harlot in cold blood,
76
She'd give the world to make her honour good.
77
Perhaps you'll say, 'But only to the Duke's son
78
In private'. Why, she first begins with one
79
Who afterward to thousand proves a whore:
80
Break ice in one place, it will crack in more.
81
GRATIANA
Most certainly applied.
82
HIPPOLITO
O brother, you forget our business.
83
VINDICE
And well remembered. Joy's a subtle elf,
84
I think man's happiest when he forgets himself.
85
Farewell, once dried, now holy-watered mead,
86
Our hearts wear feathers that before wore lead.
87
GRATIANA
I'll give you this, that one I never knew
88
Plead better for and 'gainst the Devil than you.
89
VINDICE
You make me proud on't.
90
HIPPOLITO
Commend us in all virtue to our sister.
91
VINDICE
Ay, for the love of heaven, to that true maid.
92
GRATIANA
With my best words.
93
VINDICE
Why, that was motherly said.
(Exeunt [Vindice and Hippolito].)
GRATIANA
I wonder now what fury did transport me.
94
I feel good thoughts begin to settle in me.
95
O with what forehead can I look on her
96
Whose honour I've so impiously beset?
97
And here she comes.
98
([Enter Castiza.])
CASTIZA
Now mother, you have wrought with me so strongly
99
That what for my advancement, as to calm
100
The trouble of your tongue, I am content.
101
GRATIANA
Content to what?
102
CASTIZA
To do as you have wished me,
To prostitute my breast to the Duke's son
103
And to put myself to common usury.
104
GRATIANA
I hope you will not so.
105
CASTIZA
Hope you I will not?
That's not the hope you look to be saved in.
106
GRATIANA
Truth, but it is.
107
CASTIZA
Do not deceive yourself;
I am as you e'en out of marble wrought.
108
What would you now? Are ye not pleased yet with me?
109
You shall not wish me to be more lascivious
110
Than I intend to be.
111
GRATIANA
Strike not me cold.
CASTIZA
How often have you charged me on your blessing
112
To be a cursèd woman? When you knew
113
Your blessing had no force to make me lewd
114
You laid your curse upon me. That did more,
115
The mother's curse is heavy: where that fights
116
Suns set in storm and daughters lose their lights.
117
GRATIANA
Good child, dear maid, if there be any spark
118
Of heavenly intellectual fire within thee
119
O let my breath revive it to a flame;
120
Put not all out with woman's wilful follies.
121
I am recovered of that foul disease
122
That haunts too many mothers; kind, forgive me,
123
Make me not sick in health. If then
124
My words prevailed when they were wickedness,
125
How much more now when they are just and good!
126
CASTIZA
I wonder what you mean; are not you she
127
For whose infect persuasions I could scarce
128
Kneel out my prayers, and had much ado
129
In three hours' reading to untwist so much
130
Of the black serpent as you wound about me?
131
GRATIANA
'Tis unfruitful, held tedious to repeat what's past,
132
I'm now your present mother.
133
CASTIZA
Push, now 'tis too late.
GRATIANA
Bethink again, thou know'st not what thou say'st.
134
CASTIZA
No? Deny advancement, treasure, the Duke's son?
135
GRATIANA
O see, I spoke those words, and now they poison me.
136
What will the deed do then?
137
Advancement: true, as high as shame can pitch!
138
For treasure: who e'er knew a harlot rich,
139
Or could build by the purchase of her sin
140
An hospital to keep their bastards in?
141
The Duke's son! O when women are young courtiers
142
They are sure to be old beggars;
143
To know the miseries most harlots taste
144
Thou'dst wish thyself unborn when thou art unchaste.
145
CASTIZA
O mother, let me twine about your neck
146
And kiss you till my soul melt on your lips;
147
I did but this to try you.
148
GRATIANA
O speak truth!
CASTIZA
Indeed I did not,
149
For no tongue has force to alter me from honest.
150
If maidens would, men's words could have no power,
151
A virgin honour is a crystal tower
152
Which, being weak, is guarded with good spirits;
153
Until she basely yields no ill inherits.
154
GRATIANA
O happy child! Faith and thy birth hath saved me.
155
'Mongst thousands daughters happiest of all others,
156
Be thou a glass for maids, and I for mothers.
157
(Exeunt.)
ACT FIVE
[SCENE 1]
(Enter Vindice and Hippolito [carrying the corpse of the Duke dressed as 'Piato'; they arrange it in a seated position].)
VINDICE
So, so he leans well, take heed you wake him not, brother.
1
HIPPOLITO
I warrant you, my life for yours.
2
VINDICE
That's a good lay, for I must kill myself. Brother, that's I, that sits for me, do you mark it? And I must stand ready here to make away myself yonder — I must sit to be killed, and stand to kill myself. I could vary it not so little as thrice over again; 't'as some eight returns like Michaelmas Term.
HIPPOLITO
That's enow, o'conscience.
4
VINDICE
But sirrah, does the Duke's son come single?
5
HIPPOLITO
No, there's the hell on't, his faith's too feeble to go alone. He brings flesh-flies after him that will buzz against supper-time and hum for his coming out.
VINDICE
Ah, the fly-flop of vengeance beat 'em to pieces! Here was the sweetest occasion, the fittest hour to have made my revenge familiar with him, show him the body of the Duke his father and how quaintly he died, like a politician in hugger-mugger, made no man acquainted with it, and in catastrophe slain him over his father's breast; and o I'm mad to lose such a sweet opportunity.
HIPPOLITO
Nay, push, prithee be content, there's no remedy present. May not hereafter times open in as fair faces as this?
8
VINDICE
They may if they can paint so well.
9
HIPPOLITO
Come now, to avoid all suspicion let's forsake this room and be going to meet the Duke's son.
10
VINDICE
Content, I'm for any weather. Heart, step close, here he comes.
11
(Enter Lussurioso.)
HIPPOLITO
My honoured lord!
12
LUSSURIOSO
O me, you both present?
13
VINDICE
E'en newly, my lord, just as your lordship entered now. About this place we had notice given he should be, but in some loathsome plight or other.
HIPPOLITO
Came your honour private?
15
LUSSURIOSO
Private enough for this, only a few
16
Attend my coming out.
17
HIPPOLITO
Death rot those few.
LUSSURIOSO
Stay, yonder's the slave.
18
VINDICE
Mass, there's the slave indeed, my lord.
19
'Tis a good child, he calls his father slave.
20
LUSSURIOSO
Ay, that's the villain, the damned villain. Softly,
21
Tread easy.
22
VINDICE
Puh, I warrant you, my lord,
We'll stifle in our breaths.
23
LUSSURIOSO
That will do well.
'Tis policy
24
To have him killed in's sleep, for if he waked
25
He would betray all to them.
26
VINDICE
But my lord!
LUSSURIOSO
Ha, what sayst?
27
VINDICE
Shall we kill him now he's drunk?
LUSSURIOSO
Ay, best of all.
28
VINDICE
Why, then he will ne'er live to be sober.
29
LUSSURIOSO
No matter, let him reel to hell.
30
VINDICE
But being so full of liquor, I fear he will put out all the fire.
31
LUSSURIOSO
Thou art a mad beast.
32
VINDICE
And leave none to warm your lordship's golls withal,for he that dies drunk falls into hellfire like a bucket o'water, qush, qush.
LUSSURIOSO
Come, be ready, nake your swords, think of your wrongs.
34
This slave has injured you.
35
VINDICE
And he has paid well for't.
36
LUSSURIOSO
Meet with him now.
37
VINDICE
You'll bear us out, my lord?
LUSSURIOSO
Puh, am I a lord for nothing, think you?
38
Quickly, now.
39
VINDICE
Sa, sa, sa, thump!
[Stabs the corpse.] There he lies.
LUSSURIOSO
Nimbly done. Ha! O villains, murderers,
40
'Tis the old Duke my father!
41
VINDICE
That's a jest.
LUSSURIOSO
What, stiff and cold already?
42
O pardon me to call you from your names,
43
'Tis none of your deed: that villain Piato,
44
Whom you thought now to kill, has murdered him
45
And left him thus disguised.
46
HIPPOLITO
And not unlikely.
VINDICE
O rascal! Was he not ashamed
47
To put the Duke into a greasy doublet?
48
LUSSURIOSO
He has been cold and stiff, who knows how long?
49
VINDICE
Marry, that do I.
50
LUSSURIOSO
No words, I pray, of anything intended.
51
VINDICE
O my lord.
52
HIPPOLITO
I would fain have your lordship think that we have small reason to prate.
53
LUSSURIOSO
Faith, thou say'st true. I'll forthwith send to Court
54
For all the nobles, Bastard, Duchess, all,
55
How here by miracle we found him dead
56
And in his raiment that foul villain fled.
57
VINDICE
That will be the best way, my lord, to clear us all; let's cast about to be clear.
58
LUSSURIOSO
Ho, Nencio, Sordido, and the rest.
59
(Enter [Sordido, Nencio and Attendants].)
SORDIDO
My lord.
60
NENCIO
My lord.
61
LUSSURIOSO
Be witnesses of a strange spectacle:
62
Choosing for private conference that sad room
63
We found the Duke my father gealed in blood.
64
SORDIDO
My lord the Duke? — Run, hie thee, Nencio,
65
Startle the Court by signifying so much.
66
([Exit Nencio.])
VINDICE
Thus much by wit a deep revenger can,
67
When murder's known to be the clearest man.
68
We're furthest off and with as bold an eye
69
Survey his body as the standers-by.
70
LUSSURIOSO
My royal father, too basely let blood
71
By a malevolent slave!
72
HIPPOLITO
Hark,
He calls thee slave again.
73
VINDICE
Ha's lost, he may.
LUSSURIOSO
O sight! Look hither, see, his lips are gnawn
74
With poison.
75
VINDICE
How, his lips? By th'mass, they be.
LUSSURIOSO
O villain! O rogue! O slave! O rascal!
76
HIPPOLITO
O good deceit, he quits him with like terms!
77
([Enter Nobles, Ambitioso and Supervacuo.])
NOBLE 1
Where?
78
NOBLE 2
Which way?
79
AMBITIOSO
Over what roof hangs this prodigious comet
80
In deadly fire?
81
LUSSURIOSO
Behold, behold, my lords,
The Duke my father's murdered by a vassal
82
That owes this habit and here left disguised.
83
([Enter Duchess and Spurio.])
DUCHESS
My lord and husband!
84
NOBLE 2
Reverend majesty.
NOBLE 1
I have seen these clothes often attending on him.
85
VINDICE
That nobleman has been i'th'country, for he does not lie!
86
SUPERVACUO
[To Ambitioso] Learn of our mother, let's dissemble too;
87
I am glad he's vanished – so, I hope, are you.
88
AMBITIOSO
[To Supervacuo] Ay, you may take my word for't.
89
SPURIO
Old dad dead?
I, one of his cast sins, will send the fates
90
Most hearty commendations by his own son;
91
I'll tug in the new stream till strength be done.
92
LUSSURIOSO
Where be those two that did affirm to us
93
My lord the Duke was privately rid forth?
94
NOBLE 1
O pardon us, my lords, he gave that charge
95
Upon our lives, if he were missed at Court,
96
To answer so. He rode not anywhere,
97
We left him private with that fellow here.
98
VINDICE
Confirmed.
99
LUSSURIOSO
O heavens, that false charge was his death!
Impudent beggars! Durst you to our face
100
Maintain such a false answer? Bear him straight
101
To execution.
102
NOBLE 1
My lord!
LUSSURIOSO
Urge me no more.
In this, excuse may be called half the murder.
103
VINDICE
You've sentenced well.
104
LUSSURIOSO
Away, see it be done.
([Exit First Noble under guard.])
VINDICE
Could you not stick? See what confession doth!
105
Who would not lie, when men are hanged for truth?
106
HIPPOLITO
Brother, how happy is our vengeance!
107
VINDICE
Why, it hits
Past the apprehension of indifferent wits.
108
LUSSURIOSO
My lord, let post-horse be sent
109
Into all places to entrap the villain.
110
VINDICE
Post-horse, ha, ha!
111
NOBLE 2
My lord, we're something bold to know our duty.
112
You father's accidentally departed,
113
The titles that were due to him meet you.
114
LUSSURIOSO
Meet me? I'm not at leisure, my good lord.
115
I've many griefs to dispatch out o'th'way.
116
Welcome, sweet titles! —
117
Of sepulchers and mighty emperors' bones;
118
That's thought for me.
119
VINDICE
So one may see by this
How foreign markets go:
120
Courtiers have feet o'th'nines and tongues o'th'twelves,
121
They flatter dukes and dukes flatter themselves.
122
NOBLE 2
My lord, it is your shine must comfort us.
123
LUSSURIOSO
Alas, I shine in tears like the sun in April.
124
SORDIDO
You're now my lord's Grace.
125
LUSSURIOSO
My lord's Grace? I perceive you'll have it so.
126
SORDIDO
'Tis but your own.
127
LUSSURIOSO
Then heavens give me grace to be so.
128
VINDICE
He prays well for himself.
129
NOBLE 3
[To the Duchess] Madam, all sorrows
Must run their circles into joys. No doubt but time
130
Will make the murderer bring forth himself.
131
VINDICE
He were an ass then, i'faith.
132
NOBLE 2
In the mean season
Let us bethink the latest funeral honours
133
Due to the Duke's cold body – and, withal,
134
Calling to memory our new happiness
135
Spread in his royal son. Lords, gentlemen,
136
Prepare for revels.
137
VINDICE
Revels!
NOBLE 3
Time hath several falls,
Griefs lift up joys, feasts put down funerals.
138
LUSSURIOSO
Come then, my lords, my favours to you all.
139
The Duchess is suspected foully bent,
140
I'll begin Dukedom with her banishment!
141
(Exeunt Lussurioso, Sordido, Nobles and Duchess.)
HIPPOLITO
[To Vindice] Revels!
142
VINDICE
[To Hippolito] Ay, that's the word, we are firm yet.
Strike one strain more and then we crown our wit.
143
(Exeunt Vindice and Hippolito.)
SPURIO
Well, have at the fairest mark!
144
And if I miss his heart or near about
145
Then have at any, a bastard scorns to be out.
146
([Exit.])
SUPERVACUO
Notest thou that Spurio, brother?
147
[AMBITIOSO]
Yes, I note him to our shame.
148
SUPERVACUO
He shall not live, his hair shall not grow much longer; in this time of revels tricks may be set afoot. Seest thou yon new moon? It shall outlive the new Duke by much, this hand shall dispossess him, then we're mighty.
A masque is treason's license — that build upon;
150
'Tis murder's best face when a vizard's on.
151
(Exit.)
AMBITIOSO
Is't so? 'Tis very good.
152
And do you think to be Duke then, kind brother?
153
I'll see fair play: drop one and there lies tother.
154
(Exit.)
[SCENE 2]
(Enter Vindice and Hippolito with Piero and other Nobles.)
VINDICE
My lords, be all of music,
1
Strike old griefs into other countries
2
That flow in too much milk and have faint livers,
3
Not daring to stab home their discontents.
4
Let our hid flames break out as fire, as lightning,
5
To blast this villainous Dukedom vexed with sin;
6
Wind up your souls to their full height again.
7
PIERO
How?
8
NOBLE 1
Which way?
NOBLE 2
Any way: our wrongs are such,
We cannot justly be revenged too much.
9
VINDICE
You shall have all enough. Revels are toward,
10
And those few nobles that have long suppressed you
11
Are busied to the furnishing of a masque
12
And do affect to make a pleasant tale on't;
13
The masquing suits are fashioning; now comes in
14
That which must glad us all — we to take pattern
15
Of all those suits, the colour, trimming, fashion,
16
E'en to an undistinguished hair almost;
17
Then, ent'ring first, observing the true form,
18
Within a strain or two we shall find leisure
19
To steal our swords out handsomely
20
And, when they think their pleasure sweet and good,
21
In midst of all their joys they shall sigh blood.
22
PIERO
Weightily, effectually.
23
NOBLE 3
Before the t'other masquers come —
24
VINDICE
We're gone, all done and past.
25
PIERO
But how for the Duke's guard?
26
VINDICE
Let that alone,
By one and one their strengths shall be drunk down.
27
HIPPOLITO
There are five hundred gentlemen in the action
28
That will apply themselves and not stand idle.
29
PIERO
O let us hug your bosoms!
30
VINDICE
Come, my lords,
Prepare for deeds, let other times have words.
31
(Exeunt.)
[SCENE 3]
(In a dumb show, the possessing of the young Duke [Lussurioso] with all his Nobles; then sounding music. A furnished table is brought forth; then enters the Duke and his Nobles to the banquet. A blazing star appeareth.)
NOBLE 1
Many harmonious hours and choicest pleasures
1
Fill up the royal numbers of your years.
2
LUSSURIOSO
My lords, we're pleased to thank you – though we know
3
'Tis but your duty now to wish it so.
4
NOBLE 2
That shine makes us all happy.
5
NOBLE 3
His grace frowns?
NOBLE 2
Yet we must say he smiles.
6
NOBLE 1
I think we must.
LUSSURIOSO
That foul, incontinent Duchess we have banished,
7
The Bastard shall not live. After these revels
8
I'll begin strange ones; he and the stepsons
9
Shall pay their lives for the first subsidies.
10
We must not frown so soon, else 't'ad been now.
11
NOBLE 1
My gracious lord, please you prepare for pleasure,
12
The masque is not far off.
13
LUSSURIOSO
We are for pleasure.
Beshrew thee, what art thou? Mad'st me start!
14
Thou hast committed treason! —
15
NOBLE 1
A blazing star? O where, my lord?
16
LUSSURIOSO
Spy out.
NOBLE 2
See, see, my lords, a wondrous dreadful one.
17
LUSSURIOSO
I am not pleased at that ill-knotted fire,
18
That bushing, flaring star. Am not I Duke?
19
It should not quake me now. Had it appeared
20
Before it, I might then have justly feared,
21
But yet they say, whom Art and Learning weds,
22
When stars wear locks they threaten great men's heads.
23
Is it so? You are read, my lords.
24
NOBLE 1
May it please your Grace,
It shows great anger.
25
LUSSURIOSO
That does not please our Grace.
NOBLE 2
Yet here's the comfort, my lord: many times,
26
When it seems most it threatens farthest off.
27
LUSSURIOSO
Faith, and I think so, too.
28
NOBLE 1
Beside, my lord,
You're gracefully established with the loves
29
Of all your subjects; and for natural death,
30
I hope it will be threescore years a-coming.
31
LUSSURIOSO
True. No more but threescore years?
32
NOBLE 1
Fourscore I hope, my lord.
33
NOBLE 2
And fivescore, I.
NOBLE 3
But 'tis my hope, my lord, you shall ne'er die.
34
LUSSURIOSO
Give me thy hand, these others I rebuke;
35
He that hopes so is fittest for a Duke,
36
Thou shalt sit next me. Take your places, lords,
37
We're ready now for sports, let 'em set on.
38
You thing, we shall forget you quite anon!
39
NOBLE 3
I hear 'em coming, my lord.
40
(Enter the masque of revengers, the two brothers [Vindice and Hippolito] and two Lords more.)
LUSSURIOSO
Ah, 'tis well,
Brothers and Bastard, you dance next in hell.
41
(The revengers dance. At the end, steal out their swords, and these four kill the four at the table in their chairs. It thunders.)
VINDICE
Mark, thunder! Dost know thy cue, thou big-voiced crier?
42
Dukes' groans are thunder's watchwords.
43
HIPPOLITO
So, my lords,
You have enough.
44
VINDICE
Come, let's away, no ling'ring.
HIPPOLITO
Follow, go!
45
(Exeunt [all the masquers but Vindice].)
VINDICE
No power is angry when the lustful die,
46
When thunder claps heaven likes the tragedy.
47
(Exit.)
LUSSURIOSO
O! O!
48
(Enter the other masque of intended murderers, stepsons [Ambitioso and Supervacuo], Bastard [Spurio], and a Fourth Man, coming in dancing. The Duke [Lussurioso] recovers a little in voice, and groans — calls, 'A guard! Treason!' At which they all start out of their measure and, turning towards the table, they find them all to be murdered.)
SPURIO
Whose groan was that?
49
LUSSURIOSO
Treason, a guard!
AMBITIOSO
How now? All murdered!
50
SUPERVACUO
Murdered!
NOBLE 4
And those his nobles!
51
AMBITIOSO
Here's a labour saved,
I thought to have sped him. —
52
SUPERVACUO
Then I proclaim myself. Now I am Duke.
53
AMBITIOSO
Thou Duke? Brother, thou liest.
54
([Stabs Supervacuo.])
SPURIO
Slave, so dost thou.
([Stabs Ambitioso.])
NOBLE 4
Base villain, hast thou slain my lord and master?
55
([Stabs Spurio.])
(Enter [Vindice, Hippolito, and the other] first masquers.)
VINDICE
Pistols! Treason! Murder! Help! Guard my lord
56
The Duke!
57
([Enter Antonio with a Guard.])
HIPPOLITO
Lay hold upon this traitor.
58
([The Guard seizes the Fourth Noble.])
LUSSURIOSO
O!
VINDICE
Alas, the Duke is murdered.
59
HIPPOLITO
And the nobles.
VINDICE
Heart, does he breathe so long?
60
ANTONIO
A piteous tragedy, able to make
61
An old man's eyes bloodshot.
62
LUSSURIOSO
O!
63
VINDICE
A vengeance throttle him! —
64
Confess, thou murderous and unhallowed man,
65
Didst thou kill all these?
66
NOBLE 4
None but the Bastard, I.
VINDICE
How came the Duke slain, then?
67
NOBLE 4
We found him so.
LUSSURIOSO
O villain!
68
VINDICE
Hark!
LUSSURIOSO
Those in the masque did murder us.
VINDICE
Law you now, sir.
69
O marble impudence! Will you confess now?
70
NOBLE 4
'Sblood, 'tis all false.
71
ANTONIO
Away with that foul monster,
Dipped in a prince's blood.
72
NOBLE 4
Heart, 'tis a lie!
ANTONIO
Let him have bitter execution.
73
([Exit the Fourth Noble under guard.])
VINDICE
New marrow! No, I cannot be expressed! —
74
How fares my lord the Duke?
75
LUSSURIOSO
Farewell to all,
He that climbs highest has the greatest fall.
76
My tongue is out of office.
77
VINDICE
Air, gentlemen, air!
[Whispers to Lussurioso.] Now thou'lt not prate on't, 'twas Vindice murdered thee —
78
LUSSURIOSO
O!
79
VINDICE
— murdered thy father —
LUSSURIOSO
O!
([Dies.])
VINDICE
— and I am he.
Tell nobody. So, so, the Duke's departed.
80
ANTONIO
It was a deadly hand that wounded him;
81
The rest, ambitious who should rule and sway,
82
After his death were so made all away.
83
VINDICE
My lord was unlikely.
84
HIPPOLITO
Now the hope
Of Italy lies in your reverend years.
85
VINDICE
Your hair will make the silver age again
86
When there was fewer but more honest men.
87
ANTONIO
The burden's weighty and will press age down;
88
May I so rule that heaven may keep the crown.
89
VINDICE
The rape of your good lady has been 'quited
90
With death on death.
91
ANTONIO
Just is the Law above!
But of all things it puts me most to wonder
92
How the old Duke came murdered.
93
VINDICE
O my lord.
ANTONIO
It was the strangeliest carried, I not heard of the like.
94
HIPPOLITO
'Twas all done for the best, my lord.
95
VINDICE
All for your Grace's good. We may be bold to speak it now; 'twas somewhat witty carried, though we say it. 'Twas we two murdered him.
ANTONIO
You two?
97
VINDICE
None else, i'faith, my lord; nay, 'twas well managed.
98
ANTONIO
Lay hands upon those villains.
99
([Vindice and Hippolito are seized.])
VINDICE
How? On us?
ANTONIO
Bear 'em to speedy execution.
100
VINDICE
Heart, was't not for your good, my lord?
101
ANTONIO
My good?
Away with 'em! Such an old man as he,
102
You that would murder him would murder me.
103
VINDICE
Is't come about?
104
HIPPOLITO
'Sfoot, brother, you begun.
VINDICE
May not we set as well as the Duke's son?
105
Thou hast no conscience; are we not revenged?
106
Is there one enemy left alive amongst those?
107
'Tis time to die when we are ourselves our foes.
108
When murd'rers shut deeds close this curse does seal 'em:
109
If none disclose 'em they themselves reveal 'em.
110
This murder might have slept in tongueless brass,
111
But for ourselves, and the world died an ass.
112
Now I remember too, here was Piato
113
Brought forth a knavish sentence once.
114
No doubt, said he, but time
115
Will make the murderer bring forth himself.
116
'Tis well he died; he was a witch.
117
And now, my lord, since we are in for ever
118
This work was ours, which else might have been slipped,
119
And if we list we could have nobles clipped
120
And go for less than beggars; but we hate
121
To bleed so cowardly. We have enough, i'faith:
122
We're well, our mother turned, our sister true;
123
We die after a nest of dukes. Adieu.
124
(Exeunt [Vindice and Hippolito under guard].)
ANTONIO
How subtly was that murder closed! Bear up
125
Those tragic bodies; 'tis a heavy season.
126
Pray heaven their blood may wash away all treason!
127
(Exeunt.)
FINIS