A Digital Anthology of Early Modern English Drama emed.folger.edu

Discover over four hundred early modern English plays that were professionally performed in London between 1576 and 1642. Browse plays written by Shakespeare’s contemporaries; explore the repertoires of London’s professional companies; and download plays for reading and research.

This documentary edition has been edited to provide an accurate and transparent transcription of a single copy of the earliest surviving print edition of this play. Further material, including editorial policy and XML files of the play, is available on the EMED website. EMED texts are edited and encoded by Meaghan Brown, Michael Poston, and Elizabeth Williamson, and build on work done by the EEBO-TCP and the Shakespeare His Contemporaries project. This project is funded by a Humanities Collections and Reference Resources grant from the NEH’s Division of Preservation and Access.

Plays distributed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. img: 1­a ismigg: :[ N1­/bA] sig: A1r ln 0001 THE ln 0002 WHITE DEVIL, ln 0003 OR, ln 0004 The Tragedy of Paulo Giordano ln 0005 Ursini, Duke of Brachiano, ln 0006 With ln 0007 The Life and Death of Vittoria ln 0008 Corombona the famous ln 0009 Venetian Courtesan. ln 0010 Acted by the Queen’s Majesty’s Servants. ln 0011 Written by JOHN WEBSTER. ln 0012 Non inferiora secutus. ln 0013 LONDON, ln 0014 Printed by N. O. for Thomas Archer, and are to be sold ln 0015 at his Shop in Pope’s head Palace, near the ln 0016 Royal Exchange. 1612. img: 2­a ismigg: :A 21­vb sig: A2r ln 0001 To the Reader. ln 0002 IN publishing this Tragedy, I do but ln 0003 challenge to myself that liberty, ln 0004 which other men have ta’en before me; ln 0005 not that I affect praise by it, for, nos haec ln 0006 novimus esse nihil, only since it was ln 0007 acted, in so dull a time of Winter, presented ln 0008 in so open and black a Theater, ln 0009 that it wanted (that which is the only ln 0010 grace and setting out of a Tragedy) a full and understanding ln 0011 Auditory: and that since that time I have noted, most ln 0012 of the people that come to that Playhouse, resemble those ignorant ln 0013 asses (who visiting Stationers’ shops their use is not ln 0014 to inquire for good books, but new books) I present it to the ln 0015 general view with this confidence. ln 0016 Nec Rhoncos metues, maligniorum, ln 0017 Nec Scombris tunicas, dabis molestas. ln 0018 If it be objected this is no true Dramatic Poem, I shall ln 0019 easily confess it, non potes in nugas dicere plura meas: Ipse ln 0020 ego quam dixi, willingly, and not ignorantly, in this kind ln 0021 have I faulted: for should a man present to such an Auditory, ln 0022 the most sententious Tragedy that ever was written, observing ln 0023 all the critical laws, as height of style; and gravity ln 0024 of person; enrich it with the sententious Chorus, and as it img: 3­a sig: A2v ln 0025 were lifen Death, in the passionate and weighty Nuntius: yet ln 0026 after all this divine rapture, O dura messorum ilia, the ln 0027 breath that comes from the uncapable multitude, is able to poison ln 0028 it, and ere it be acted, let the Author resolve to fix to every ln 0029 scene, this of Horace, ln 0030 — Haec hodie Porcis comedenda relinques. ln 0031 To those who report I was a long time in finishing this ln 0032 Tragedy, I confess I do not write with a goose­quill, winged ln 0033 with two feathers, and if they will needs make it my fault, ln 0034 I must answer them with that of Eurypides to Alcestides, ln 0035 a Tragic Writer: Alcestides objecting that Eurypides ln 0036 had only in three days composed three verses, whereas himself ln 0037 had written three hundred: Thou tell’st truth, (quoth he) ln 0038 but here’s the difference, thine shall only be read for three ln 0039 days, whereas mine shall continue three ages. ln 0040 Detraction is the sworn friend to ignorance: For mine ln 0041 own part I have ever truly cherished my good opinion of other ln 0042 men’s worthy Labors, especially of that full and heightened ln 0043 style of Master Chapman. The labored and understanding ln 0044 works of Master Johnson: The no less worthy composures ln 0045 of the both worthily excellent Master Beaumont, and Master ln 0046 Fletcher: And lastly (without wrong last to be named) the right ln 0047 happy and copious industry of Master Shakespeare, Master Decker, ln 0048 and Master Heywood, wishing what I write may be read by their ln 0049 light: Protesting, that, in the strength of mine own judgement, ln 0050 I know them so worthy, that though I rest silent in my ln 0051 own work, yet to most of theirs I dare (without flattery) fix ln 0052 that of Martial. linm 0g0:5 33­b — non norunt, Haec monumenta mori. sig: B1r wln 0001 THE TRAGEDY wln 0002 OF PAULO GIORDANO wln 0003 Ursini Duke of Brachiano, and Vittoria wln 0004 Corombona. wln 0005 Enter Count Lodovico, Antonelli and Gasparo. wln 0006 LODOVICO. wln 0007 BAnished? ANTONELLI It grieved me much to wln 0008 hear the sentence. wln 0009 LODOVICO Ha, Ha, ô Democritus thy Gods wln 0010 That govern the whole world! Courtly reward, wln 0011 and punishment. Fortune’s a right whore. wln 0012 If she give aught, she deals it in small parcels, wln 0013 That she may take away all at one swoop. wln 0014 This ’tis to have great enemies, God ’quite them: wln 0015 Your wolf no longer seems to be a wolf wln 0016 Then when she’s hungry. GASPARO You term those enemies wln 0017 Are men of Princely rank. wln 0018 LODOVICO Oh I pray for them. wln 0019 The violent thunder is adored by those wln 0020 Are pashed in pieces by it. ANTONELLI Come my Lord, wln 0021 You are justly doomed; look but a little back wln 0022 Into your former life: you have in three years wln 0023 Ruined the noblest Earldom GASPARO Your followers wln 0024 Have swallowed you like Mummia, and being sick wln 0025 With such unnatural and horrid Physic wln 0026 Vomit you up i’ th’ kennel ANTONELLI All the damnable degrees img: 4­a sig: B1v wln 0027 Of drinkings have you, you staggered through one Citizen wln 0028 Is Lord of two fair Manors, called you master wln 0029 Only for Caviar. GASPARO Those noblemen wln 0030 Which were invited to your prodigal feasts, wln 0031 Wherein the Phoenix scarce could scape your throats, wln 0032 Laugh at your misery, as foredeeming you: wln 0033 An idle Meteor which drawn forth the earth wln 0034 Would be soon lost i’ th’ air. ANTONELLI Jest upon you, wln 0035 And say you were begotten in an Earthquake, wln 0036 You have ruined such fair Lordships. LODOVICO Very good, wln 0037 This Well goes with two buckets, I must tend wln 0038 The pouring out of either. GASPARO Worse than these, wln 0039 You have acted, certain Murders here in Rome, wln 0040 Bloody and full of horror. LODOVICO ’Las they were flea­bitings: wln 0041 Why took they not my head then? GASPARO O my Lord wln 0042 The law doth sometimes mediate, thinks it good wln 0043 Not ever to steep violent sins in blood, wln 0044 This gentle penance may both end your crimes, wln 0045 And in the example better these bad times. wln 0046 LODOVICO So, but I wonder then some great men scape wln 0047 This banishment, there’s Paulo Giordano Orsini, wln 0048 The Duke of Brachiano, now lives in Rome, wln 0049 And by close pandarism seeks to prostitute wln 0050 The honor of Vittoria Corombona, wln 0051 Vittoria, she that might have got my pardon wln 0052 For one kiss to the Duke. ANTONELLI Have a full man within you, wln 0053 We see that Trees bear no such pleasant fruit wln 0054 There where they grew first, as where the are new set. wln 0055 Perfumes the more they are chafed the more they render wln 0056 Their pleasing scents, and so affliction wln 0057 Expresseth virtue, fully, whether true, wln 0058 Or else adulterate. LODOVICO Leave your painted comforts, wln 0059 I’ll make Italian cut­works in their guts wln 0060 If ever I return. GASPARO O Sir. LODOVICO I am patient, wln 0061 I have seen some ready to be executed wln 0062 Give pleasant looks, and money, and grown familiar wln 0063 With the knave hangman, so do I, I thank them, img: 4­b sig: B2r wln 0064 And would account them nobly merciful wln 0065 Would they dispatch me quickly, ANTONELLI Fare you well, wln 0066 We shall find time I doubt not to repeal wln 0067 Your banishment. LODOVICO I am ever bound to you: Enter wln 0068 This is the world’s alms; pray make use of it, Sennet wln 0069 Great men sell sheep, thus to be cut in pieces, wln 0070 When first they have shorn them bare and sold their fleeces. wln 0071 Exeunt. wln 0072 Enter Brachiano, Camillo, Flamineo, Vittoria wln 0073 Corombona. wln 0074 BRACHIANO Your best of rest. VITTORIA Unto my Lord the Duke, wln 0075 The best of welcome, More lights, attend the Duke. wln 0076 BRACHIANO Flamineo. FLAMINEO My Lord. wln 0076 BRACHIANO Quite lost Flamineo. wln 0077 FLAMINEO Pursue your noble wishes, I am prompt wln 0078 As lightning to your service, ô my Lord! wln 0079 The fair Vittoria, my happy sister wln 0080 Shall give you present audience, gentlemen (whisper wln 0081 Let the caroche go on, and ’tis his pleasure wln 0082 You put out all your torches and depart. wln 0083 BRACHIANO Are we so happy. FLAMINEO Can ’t be otherwise? wln 0084 Observed you not tonight my honored Lord wln 0085 Which way soe’er you went she threw her eyes, wln 0086 I have dealt already with her chambermaid wln 0087 Zanche the Moor, and she is wondrous proud wln 0088 To be the agent for so high a spirit. wln 0089 BRACHIANO We are happy above thought, because ’bove merit. wln 0090 FLAMINEO ’bove merit! we may now talk freely: ’bove merit; wln 0091 what is ’t you doubt, her coyness, that’s but the superficies of lust wln 0092 most women have; yet why should Ladies blush to hear that wln 0093 named, which they do not fear to handle? O they are politic, wln 0094 They know our desire is increased by the difficulty of enjoying; wln 0095 where a satiety is a blunt, weary and drowsy passion, if wln 0096 the buttery hatch at Court stood continually open their would wln 0097 be nothing so passionate crowding, nor hot suit after the beverage, wln 0098 BRACHIANO O but her jealous husband. wln 0099 FLAMINEO Hang him, a guilder that hath his brains perished with img: 5­a sig: B2v wln 0100 quicksilver is not more cold in the liver. The great Barriers wln 0101 molted not more feathers than he hath shed hairs, by the confession wln 0102 of his doctor. An Irish gamester that will play himself naked, wln 0103 and then wage all downward, at hazard, is not more venturous. wln 0104 So unable to please a woman that like a dutch doublet wln 0105 all his back is shrunk into his breeches. wln 0106 Shroud you within this closet, good my Lord, wln 0107 Some trick now must be thought on to divide wln 0108 My brother­in­law from his fair bedfellow, wln 0109 BRACHIANO O should she fail to come, wln 0110 FLAMINEO I must not have your Lordship thus unwisely amorous, wln 0111 I myself have loved a lady and pursued her with a great deal wln 0112 of underage protestation, whom some three or four gallants that have wln 0113 enjoyed would with all their hearts have been glad to have been rid wln 0114 of. ’Tis just like a summer birdcage in a garden, the birds that are wln 0115 without, despair to get in, and the birds that are within despair wln 0116 and are in a consumption for fear they shall never get out: away wln 0117 away my Lord, Enter Camillo, wln 0118 See here he comes, this fellow by his apparel wln 0119 Some men would judge a politician, wln 0120 But call his wit in question you shall find it wln 0121 Merely an Ass in ’s foot cloth, wln 0122 How now brother what travailing to bed to your kind wife? wln 0123 CAMILLO I assure you brother no, My voyage lies wln 0124 More northerly, in a far colder clime, wln 0125 I do not well remember I protest when I last lay with her. wln 0126 FLAMINEO Strange you should lose your Count. wln 0127 CAMILLO We never lay together but ere morning wln 0128 Their grew a flaw between us. FLAMINEO ’T had been your part wln 0129 To have made up that flaw. wln 0130 CAMILLO True, but she loathes I should be seen in ’t. wln 0131 FLAMINEO Why Sir, what’s the matter? wln 0132 CAMILLO The Duke your master visits me I thank him, wln 0133 And I perceive how like an earnest bowler wln 0134 He very passionately leans that way, wln 0135 He should have his bowl run wln 0136 FLAMINEO I hope you do not think img: 5­b sig: B3r wln 0137 CAMILLO That noble men bowl booty, Faith his cheek wln 0138 Hath a most excellent Bias, it would fain jump with my mistress. wln 0139 FLAMINEO Will you be an ass. wln 0140 Despite you Aristotle or a Cuckold wln 0141 Contrary to your Ephemerides wln 0142 Which shows you under what a smiling planet wln 0143 You were first swaddled, wln 0144 CAMILLO Pew wew, Sir tell not me wln 0145 Of planets nor of Ephemerides wln 0146 A man may be made Cuckold in the day time wln 0147 When the Stars eyes are out. FLAMINEO Sir God boy you, wln 0148 I do commit you to your pitiful pillow wln 0149 Stuffed with horn­shavings. CAMILLO Brother. wln 0149 FLAMINEO God refuse me wln 0150 Might I advise you now your only course wln 0151 Were to lock up your wife. CAMILLO ’Twere very good. wln 0152 FLAMINEO Bar her the sight of revels. CAMILLO Excellent. wln 0153 FLAMINEO Let her not go to Church, but like a hound wln 0154 In Leon at your heels. CAMILLO ’Twere for her honor wln 0155 FLAMINEO And so you should be certain in one fortnight, wln 0156 Despite her chastity or innocence wln 0157 To be Cuckolded, which yet is in suspense: wln 0158 This is my counsel and I ask no fee for ’t. wln 0159 CAMILLO Come you know not where my nightcap wrings me. wln 0160 FLAMINEO Wear it o’ th’ old fashion, let your large ears come wln 0161 through, it will be more easy, nay I will be bitter, bar your wife wln 0162 of her entertainment: women are more willingly and more gloriously wln 0163 chaste, when they are least restrained of their liberty. It wln 0164 seems you would be a fine Capricious Mathematically jealous wln 0165 Coxcomb, take the height of your own horns with a Jacob’s wln 0166 staff afore they are up. These politic enclosures for paltry wln 0167 mutton, makes more rebellion in the flesh than all the provocative wln 0168 electuaries Doctors have uttered since last Jubilee. wln 0169 CAMILLO This doth not physic me, wln 0170 FLAMINEO It seems you are Jealous, i’ll show you the error of it by wln 0171 a familiar example, I have seen a pair of spectacles fashioned wln 0172 with such perspective art, that lay down but one twelvepence wln 0173 o’ th’ board ’twill appear as if there were twenty, now should you img: 6­a sig: B3v wln 0174 wear a pair of these spectacles, and see your wife tying her wln 0175 shoe, you would Imagine twenty hands were taking up of wln 0176 your wife’s clothes, and this would put you into a horrible wln 0177 causeless fury, wln 0178 CAMILLO The fault there Sir is not in the eyesight wln 0179 FLAMINEO True, but they that have the yellow Jaundice, think wln 0180 all objects they look on to be yellow. Jealousy is worser, wln 0181 her fit’s present to a man, like so many bubbles in a Basin of wln 0182 water, twenty several crabbed faces, many times makes his wln 0183 Enter own shadow his cuckold­maker. See she comes, what reason wln 0184 Corombona. have you to be jealous of this creature? what an ignorant ass or wln 0185 flattering knave might he be counted, that should write sonnets wln 0186 to her eyes, or call her brow the snow of Ida, or Ivory of Corinth, wln 0187 or compare her hair to the blackbird’s bill, when ’tis wln 0188 liker the blackbird’s feather. This is all: Be wise, I will make wln 0189 you friends and you shall go to bed together, marry look you, wln 0190 it shall not be your seeking, do you stand upon that by any wln 0191 means, walk you aloof, I would not have you seen in ’t, sister wln 0192 my Lord attends you in the banquetting house, your husband wln 0193 is wondrous discontented. wln 0194 VITTORIA I did nothing to displease him, I carved to him at wln 0195 suppertime wln 0196 FLAMINEO You need not have carved him in faith, they say he is wln 0197 a capon already, I must now seemingly fall out with you. Shall wln 0198 a gentleman so well descended as Camillo. — a lousy slave that wln 0199 within this twenty years rode with the black guard in the wln 0200 Duke’s carriage ’mongst spits and dripping­pans. wln 0201 CAMILLO Now he begins to tickle her. wln 0202 FLAMINEO An excellent scholar, one that hath a head filled with wln 0203 calves’ brains without any sage in them, — come crouching wln 0204 in the hams to you for a night’s lodging — that hath an itch wln 0205 in ’s hams, which like the fire at the glass house hath not gone out wln 0206 this seven years — is he not a courtly gentleman, — when wln 0207 he wears white satin one would take him by his black muzzle wln 0208 to be no other creature than a maggot, you are a goodly Foil, wln 0209 I confess, well set out — but covered with a false stone you counterfeit wln 0210 diamond. img: 6­b sig: B4r wln 0211 CAMILLO He will make her know what is in me. wln 0212 FLAMINEO Come, my Lord attends you, thou shalt go to bed to wln 0213 my Lord. CAMILLO Now he comes to ’t. wln 0214 FLAMINEO With a relish as curious as a vintner going to taste new wln 0215 wine, I am opening your case hard. wln 0216 CAMILLO A virtuous brother o’ my credit. wln 0217 FLAMINEO He will give thee a ring with a philosopher’s stone in it. wln 0218 CAMILLO Indeed I am studying Alchemy. wln 0219 FLAMINEO Thou shalt lie in a bed stuffed with turtle’s feathers, wln 0220 swoon in perfumed linen like the fellow was smothered in wln 0221 roses, so perfect shall be thy happiness, that as men at Sea think wln 0222 land and trees and ships go that way they go, so both heaven wln 0223 and earth shall seem to go your voyage. Shalt meet him, ’tis wln 0224 fixed, with nails of diamonds to inevitable necessity. wln 0225 VITTORIA How shall’s rid him hence? wln 0226 FLAMINEO I will put breese in ’s tail, set him gadding presently, wln 0227 I have almost wrought her to it, I find her coming, but might wln 0228 I advise you now for this night I would not lie with her, I would wln 0229 cross her humor to make her more humble. wln 0230 CAMILLO Shall I, shall I? wln 0231 FLAMINEO It will show in you a supremacy of Judgement. wln 0232 CAMILLO True, and a mind differing from the tumultuary wln 0233 opinion, for quae negata grata. wln 0234 FLAMINEO Right you are the Adamant shall draw her to you, wln 0235 though you keep distance off: wln 0236 CAMILLO A philosophical reason. wln 0237 FLAMINEO Walk by her o’ the nobleman’s fashion, and tell her wln 0238 you will lie with her at the end of the Progress wln 0239 CAMILLO Vittoria, I cannot be induced, or as a man would say wln 0240 incited. VITTORIA To do what Sir? wln 0241 CAMILLO To lie with you tonight; your silkworm useth to wln 0242 fast every third day, and the next following spins the better. wln 0243 Tomorrow at night I am for you. wln 0244 VITTORIA You’ll spin a fair thread, trust to ’t. wln 0245 FLAMINEO But do you hear I shall have you steal to her chamber wln 0246 about midnight. wln 0247 CAMILLO Do you think so, why look you brother, because img: 7­a sig: B4v wln 0248 you shall not think i’ll gull you, take the key, lock me into the wln 0249 chamber, and say you shall be sure of me. wln 0250 FLAMINEO In troth I will, i’ll be your jailer once, wln 0251 But have you ne’er a false door. wln 0252 CAMILLO A pox on ’t, as I am a Christian tell me tomorrow wln 0253 how scurvily she takes my unkind parting wln 0254 FLAMINEO I will. CAMILLO Didst thou not make the jest of the wln 0255 silkworm? good night in faith I will use this trick often, wln 0256 FLAMINEO Do, do, do. Exit Camillo. wln 0257 So now you are safe. Ha ha ha, thou entanglest thyself in thine wln 0258 own work like a silkworm Enter Brachiano. wln 0259 Come sister, darkness hides your blush, women are like cursed wln 0260 dogs, civility keeps them tied all day time, but they are let wln 0261 loose at midnight, then they do most good or most mischief, wln 0262 my Lord, my Lord wln 0263 BRACHIANO Give credit: I could wish time would stand still wln 0264 And never end this interview this hour, Zanche brings out a Carpet wln 0265 But all delight doth itself soon’st devour. Spreads it and lays on it wln 0266 Let me into your bosom happy Lady, two fair Cushions wln 0267 Pour out in stead of eloquence my vows, Enter Cornelia wln 0268 Loose me not Madam, for if you forego me I am lost eternally. wln 0269 VITTORIA Sir in the way of pity I wish you heart­whole. wln 0270 BRACHIANO You are a sweet Physician. wln 0271 VITTORIA Sure Sir a loathed cruelty in Ladies wln 0272 Is as to Doctors many funerals: It takes away their credit. wln 0273 BRACHIANO Excellent Creature. wln 0274 We call the cruel fair, what name for you wln 0275 That are so merciful? ZANCHE See now they close. wln 0276 FLAMINEO Most happy union. wln 0277 CORNELIA My fears are fall’n upon me, oh my heart! wln 0278 My son the pander: now I find our house wln 0279 Sinking to ruin. Earthquakes leave behind, wln 0280 Where they have tyrannized, iron, or lead, or stone, wln 0281 But woe to ruin violent lust leaves none wln 0282 BRACHIANO What value is this Jewel VITTORIA ’Tis the ornament wln 0283 Of a weak fortune. wln 0284 BRACHIANO In sooth i’ll have it; nay I will but change img: 7­b sig: C1r wln 0285 My Jewel for your Jewel. FLAMINEO Excellent, wln 0286 His Jewel for her Jewel, well put in Duke. wln 0287 BRACHIANO Nay let me see you wear it. VITTORIA Here sir. wln 0288 BRACHIANO Nay lower, you shall wear my Jewel lower. wln 0289 FLAMINEO That’s better she must wear his Jewel lower. wln 0290 VITTORIA To pass away the time I’ll tell your grace, wln 0291 A dream I had last night. BRACHIANO Most wishedly. wln 0292 VITTORIA A foolish idle dream, wln 0293 Methought I walked about the mid of night, wln 0294 Into a Churchyard, where a goodly Yew Tree wln 0295 Spread her large root in ground, under that Yew, wln 0296 As I sat sadly leaning on a grave, wln 0297 Checkered with cross­sticks, there came stealing in wln 0298 Your Duchess and my husband, one of them wln 0299 A pickax bore, th’ other a Rusty spade, wln 0300 And in rough terms they ’gan to challenge me, wln 0301 About this Yew. BRACHIANO That Tree. wln 0302 VITTORIA This harmless Yew: wln 0303 They told me my intent was to root up wln 0304 That well­grown Yew, and plant i’ th’ stead of it wln 0305 A withered blackthorn, and for that they vowed wln 0306 To bury me alive: my husband straight wln 0307 With pickax ’gan to dig, and your fell Duchess wln 0308 With shovel, like a fury, voided out wln 0309 The earth and scattered bones, Lord how methought wln 0310 I trembled, and yet for all this terror wln 0311 I could not pray. FLAMINEO No the devil was in your dream. wln 0312 VITTORIA When to my rescue there arose methought wln 0313 A whirlwind, which let fall a massy arm wln 0314 From that strong plant, wln 0315 And both were struck dead by that sacred Yew wln 0316 In that base shallow grave that was their due. wln 0317 FLAMINEO Excellent Devil. wln 0318 She hath taught him in a dream wln 0319 To make away his Duchess and her husband. wln 0320 BRACHIANO Sweetly shall I interpret this your dream, wln 0321 You are lodged within his arms who shall protect you, img: 8­a sig: C1v wln 0322 From all the fevers of a jealous husband, wln 0323 From the poor envy of our phlegmatic Duchess, wln 0324 I’ll seat you above law and above scandal, wln 0325 Give to your thoughts the invention of delight wln 0326 And the fruition, nor shall government wln 0327 Divide me from you longer than a care wln 0328 To keep you great: you shall to me at once, wln 0329 Be Dukedom, health, wife, children, friends and all. wln 0330 CORNELIA Woe to light hearts they still forerun our fall. wln 0331 FLAMINEO What fury raised thee up? away, away Exit Zanche. wln 0332 CORNELIA What make you here my Lord this dead of night? wln 0333 Never dropped mildew on a flower here, till now. wln 0334 FLAMINEO I pray will you go to bed then, wln 0335 Lest you be blasted. CORNELIA O that this fair garden, wln 0336 Had all poisoned herbs of Thessaly, wln 0337 At first been planted, made a nursery wln 0338 For witchcraft; rather a burial plot, wln 0339 For both your Honors. VITTORIA Dearest mother hear me. wln 0340 CORNELIA O thou dost make my brow bend to the earth, wln 0341 Sooner than nature, see the curse of children wln 0342 In life they keep us frequently in tears, wln 0343 And in the cold grave leaves us in pale fears. wln 0344 BRACHIANO Come, come, I will not hear you. wln 0345 VITTORIA Dear my Lord. wln 0346 CORNELIA Where is thy Duchess now adulterous Duke? wln 0347 Thou little dreamed’st this night she is come to Rome. wln 0348 FLAMINEO How? come to Rome, VITTORIA The Duchess, wln 0349 BRACHIANO She had been better, wln 0350 CORNELIA The lives of Princes should like dials move, wln 0351 Whose regular example is so strong, wln 0352 They make the times by them go right or wrong. wln 0353 FLAMINEO So, have you done? CORNELIA Unfortunate Camillo. wln 0354 VITTORIA I do protest if any chaste denial, wln 0355 If anything but blood could have allayed, wln 0356 His long suit to me. wln 0357 CORNELIA I will join with thee, wln 0358 To the most woeful end e’er mother kneeled, img: 8­b sig: C2r wln 0359 If thou dishonor thus thy husband’s bed, wln 0360 Be thy life short as are the funeral tears wln 0361 In great men’s. BRACHIANO Fie, fie, the woman’s mad. wln 0362 CORNELIA Be thy act Judas­like betray in kissing, wln 0363 Mayest thou be envied during his short breath, wln 0364 And pitied like a wretch after this death. wln 0365 VITTORIA O me accursed. Exit Vittoria wln 0366 FLAMINEO Are you out of your wits, my Lord wln 0367 I’ll fetch her back again? BRACHIANO No I’ll to bed. wln 0368 Send Doctor Julio to me presently, wln 0369 Uncharitable woman thy rash tongue wln 0370 Hath raised a fearful and prodigious storm, wln 0371 Be thou the cause of all ensuing harm. Exit Brachiano. wln 0372 FLAMINEO Now, you that stand so much upon your honor, wln 0373 Is this a fitting time a’ night think you, wln 0374 To send a Duke home without e’er a man: wln 0375 I would fain know where lies the mass of wealth wln 0376 Which you have hoarded for my maintenance, wln 0377 That I may bear my beard out of the level wln 0378 Of my Lord’s Stirrup. CORNELIA What? because we are poor, wln 0379 Shall we be vicious? FLAMINEO Pray what means have you wln 0380 To keep me from the galleys, or the gallows? wln 0381 My father proved himself a Gentleman, wln 0382 Sold all’s land, and like a fortunate fellow, wln 0383 Died ere the money was spent. You brought me up, wln 0384 At Padua I confess, where I protest wln 0385 For want of means, the University judge me, wln 0386 I have been fain to heel my Tutor’s stockings wln 0387 At least seven years: Conspiring with a beard wln 0388 Made me a Graduate, then to this Duke’s service, wln 0389 I visited the Court, whence I returned: wln 0390 More courteous, more lecherous by far, wln 0391 But not a suit the richer, and shall I, wln 0392 Having a path so open and so free wln 0393 To my preferment, still retain your milk wln 0394 In my pale forehead, no this face of mine wln 0395 I’ll arm and fortify with lusty wine, img: 9­a sig: C2v wln 0396 ’Gainst shame and blushing. wln 0397 CORNELIA O that I ne’er had borne thee, wln 0398 FLAMINEO So would I. wln 0399 I would the common’st Courtesan in Rome, wln 0400 Had been my mother rather than thyself. wln 0401 Nature is very pitiful to whores wln 0402 To give them but few children, yet those children wln 0403 Plurality of fathers, they are sure wln 0404 They shall not want. Go, go, wln 0405 Complain unto my great Lord Cardinal, wln 0406 Yet may be he will justify the act. wln 0407 Lycurgus wond’red much men would provide wln 0408 Good stallions for their Mares, and yet would suffer wln 0409 Their fair wives to be barren, wln 0410 CORNELIA Misery of miseries. Exit Cornelia. wln 0411 FLAMINEO The Duchess come to Court, I like not that, wln 0412 We are engaged to mischief and must on. wln 0413 As Rivers to find out the Ocean wln 0414 Flow with crook bendings beneath forced banks, wln 0415 Or as we see to aspire some mountain’s top, wln 0416 The way ascends not straight, but Imitates wln 0417 The subtle foldings of a Winter’s snake, wln 0418 So who knows policy and her true aspect, wln 0419 Shall find her ways winding and indirect. Exit. wln 0420 Enter Francisco de Medicis, Cardinal Monticelso, Marcello, wln 0421 Isabella, young Giovanni, with little Jaques the Moor. wln 0422 FRANCISCO Have you not seen your husband since you arrived? wln 0423 ISABELLA Not yet sir. FRANCISCO Surely he is wondrous kind, wln 0424 If I had a such Dovehouse as Camillo’s wln 0425 I would set fire on ’t, were ’t but to destroy wln 0426 The Polecats that haunt to ’t, — my sweet cousin. wln 0427 GIOVANNI Lord uncle you did promise me a horse wln 0428 And armor. FRANCISCO That I did my pretty cousin, wln 0429 Marcello see it fitted. MARCELLO My Lord the Duke is here. wln 0430 FRANCISCO Sister away you must not yet be seen. wln 0431 ISABELLA I do beseech you entreat him mildly, wln 0432 Let not your rough tongue img: 9­b sig: C3r wln 0433 Set us at louder variance, all my wrongs wln 0434 Are freely pardoned, and I do not doubt wln 0435 As men to try the precious Unicorn’s horn wln 0436 Make of the powder a preservative Circle wln 0437 And in it put a spider, so these arms wln 0438 Shall charm his poison, force it to obeying wln 0439 And keep him chaste from an infected straying wln 0440 FRANCISCO I wish it may. Be gone. Exit. wln 0441 Enter Brachiano, and Flamineo. wln 0442 Void the chamber, wln 0443 You are welcome, will you sit, I pray my Lord wln 0444 Be you my Orator, my heart’s too full, wln 0445 I’ll second you anon. MONTICELSO Ere I begin wln 0446 Let me entreat your grace forgo all passion wln 0447 Which may be raised by my free discourse. wln 0448 BRACHIANO As silent as i’ th’ Church you may proceed. wln 0449 MONTICELSO It is a wonder to your noble friends, wln 0450 That you have as ’twere entered the world, wln 0451 With a free Sceptre in your able hand, wln 0452 And have to th’ use of nature well applied wln 0453 High gifts of learning, should in your prime­age wln 0454 Neglect your awful throne, for the soft down wln 0455 Of an insatiate bed. o my Lord, wln 0456 The Drunkard after all his lavish cups, wln 0457 Is dry, and then is sober, so at length, wln 0458 When you awake from this lascivious dream, wln 0459 Repentance then will follow; like the sting wln 0460 Placed in the Adder’s tail: wretched are Princes wln 0461 When fortune blasteth but a petty flower wln 0462 Of their unwieldy crowns; or ravisheth wln 0463 But one pearl from their Sceptre: but alas! wln 0464 When they to wilful shipwreck lose good Fame wln 0465 All Princely titles perish with their name. wln 0466 BRACHIANO You have said my Lord, wln 0466 MONTICELSO Enough to give you taste wln 0467 How far I am from flattering your greatness? wln 0468 BRACHIANO Now you that are his second, what say you? wln 0469 Do not like young hawks fetch a course about img: 10­a sig: C3v wln 0470 Your game flies fair and for you, FRANCISCO Do not fear it: wln 0471 I’ll answer you in your own hawking phrase, wln 0472 Some Eagles that should gaze upon the Sun wln 0473 Seldom soar high, but take their lustful ease, wln 0474 Since they from dunghill birds their prey can seize, wln 0475 You know Vittoria, BRACHIANO Yes. wln 0476 FRANCISCO You shift your shirt there wln 0477 When you retire from Tennis. BRACHIANO Happily. wln 0478 FRANCISCO Her husband is Lord of a poor fortune wln 0479 Yet she wears cloth of Tissue, BRACHIANO What of this? wln 0480 Will you urge that my good Lord Cardinal wln 0481 As part of her confession at next Shrift, wln 0482 And know from whence it sails. FRANCISCO She is your Strumpet, wln 0483 BRACHIANO Uncivil sir there’s Hemlock in thy breath wln 0484 And that black slander, were she a whore of mine wln 0485 All thy loud Cannons, and thy borrowed Switzers wln 0486 Thy Galleys, nor thy sworn confederates, wln 0487 Durst not supplant her. FRANCISCO Let’s not talk on thunder, wln 0488 Thou hast a wife, our sister, would I had given wln 0489 Both her white hands to death, bound and locked fast wln 0490 In her last winding sheet, when I gave thee wln 0491 But one. BRACHIANO Thou hadst given a soul to God then. wln 0492 FRANCISCO True, wln 0493 Thy ghostly father with all’s absolution, wln 0494 Shall ne’er do so by thee. BRACHIANO Spit thy poison, wln 0495 FRANCISCO I shall not need, lust carries her sharp whip wln 0496 At her own girdle, look to ’t for our anger wln 0497 Is making thunderbolts. BRACHIANO Thunder? in faith, wln 0498 They are but crackers. FRANCISCO We’ll end this with the Cannon. wln 0499 BRACHIANO Thou ’lt get naught by it but iron in thy wounds, wln 0500 And gunpowder in thy nostrils. FRANCISCO Better that wln 0501 Than change perfumes for plasters, BRACHIANO Pity on thee, wln 0502 ’Twere good you’ld show your slaves or men condemned wln 0503 Your new plowed forehead defiance, and I’ll meet thee, wln 0504 Even in a thicket of thy ablest men. wln 0505 MONTICELSO My Lords, you shall not word it any further wln 0506 Without a milder limit. FRANCISCO Willingly. img: 10­b sig: C4r wln 0507 BRACHIANO Have you proclaimed a Triumph that you bait a wln 0508 Lion thus. MONTICELSO My Lord. wln 0508 BRACHIANO I am tame, I am tame sir. wln 0509 FRANCISCO We send, unto the Duke for conference wln 0510 ’Bout levies ’gainst the Pirates, my Lord Duke wln 0511 Is not at home, we come ourself in person, wln 0512 Still my Lord Duke is busied, but we fear wln 0513 When Tiber to each prowling passenger wln 0514 Discovers flocks of wild ducks, then my Lord wln 0515 ’Bout moulting time, I mean we shall be certain wln 0516 To find you sure enough and speak with you. BRACHIANO Ha? wln 0517 FRANCISCO A mere tale of a tub, my words are idle, wln 0518 But to express the Sonnet by natural reason, Enter Giovanni wln 0519 When Stags grow melancholic you’ll find the season wln 0520 MONTICELSO No more my Lord, hear comes a Champion, wln 0521 Shall end the difference between you both, wln 0522 Your son the Prince Giovanni, see my Lords wln 0523 What hopes you store in him, this is a casket wln 0524 For both your Crowns, and should be held like dear: wln 0525 Now is he apt for knowledge, therefore know wln 0526 It is a more direct and even way wln 0527 To train to virtue those of Princely blood, wln 0528 By examples than by precepts: if by examples wln 0529 Whom should he rather strive to imitate wln 0530 Than his own father: be his pattern then, wln 0531 Leave him a stock of virtue that may last, wln 0532 Should fortune rend his sails, and split his mast. wln 0533 BRACHIANO Your hand boy growing to soldier. wln 0533 GIOVANNI Give me a pike. wln 0534 FRANCISCO What practising your pike so young, fair coz. wln 0535 GIOVANNI Suppose me one of Homer’s frogs, my Lord, wln 0536 Tossing my bulrush thus, pray sir tell me wln 0537 Might not a child of good discretion wln 0538 Be leader to an army: FRANCISCO Yes cousin a young Prince wln 0539 Of good discretion might. GIOVANNI Say you so, wln 0540 Indeed I have heard ’tis fit a General wln 0541 Should not endanger his own person oft, wln 0542 So that he make a noise, when he’s a horseback wln 0543 Like a dansk drummer, ô ’tis excellent. img: 11­a sig: C4v wln 0544 He need not fight, methinks his horse as well wln 0545 Might lead an army for him; if I live wln 0546 I’ll charge the French foe, in the very front wln 0547 Of all my troops, the foremost man. FRANCISCO What, what, wln 0548 GIOVANNI And will not bid my Soldiers up and follow wln 0549 But bid them follow me. BRACHIANO Forward Lapwing. wln 0550 He flies with the shell on’s head. FRANCISCO Pretty cousin, wln 0551 GIOVANNI The first year uncle that I go to war, wln 0552 All prisoners that I take I will set free wln 0553 Without their ransom. FRANCISCO Ha, without their ransom, wln 0554 How then will you reward your soldiers wln 0555 That took those prisoners for you. GIOVANNI Thus my Lord, wln 0556 I’ll marry them to all the wealthy widows wln 0557 That falls that year. FRANCISCO Why then the next year following wln 0558 You’ll have no men to go with you to war. wln 0559 GIOVANNI Why then I’ll press the women to the war, wln 0560 And then the men will follow. MONTICELSO Witty Prince. wln 0561 FRANCISCO See a good habit makes a child a man, wln 0562 Whereas a bad one makes a man a beast: wln 0563 Come you and I are friends. BRACHIANO Most wishedly, wln 0564 Like bones which broke in sunder and well set wln 0565 Knit the more strongly. FRANCISCO Call Camillo hither wln 0566 You have received the rumor, how Count Lodowick wln 0567 Is turned a Pirate. BRACHIANO Yes. FRANCISCO We are now preparing, wln 0568 Some ships to fetch him in: behold your Duchess, Exeunt Francisco wln 0569 We now will leave you and expect from you Monticelso Giovanni wln 0570 Nothing but kind entreaty. BRACHIANO You have charmed me. wln 0571 You are in health we see. ISABELLA And above health wln 0572 To see my Lord well, BRACHIANO So I wonder much, wln 0573 What amorous whirlwind hurried you to Rome wln 0574 ISABELLA Devotion my Lord. BRACHIANO Devotion? wln 0575 Is your soul charged with any grievous sin wln 0576 ISABELLA ’Tis burdened with too many, and I think wln 0577 The oftener that we cast our reckonings up, wln 0578 Our sleeps will be the sounder. BRACHIANO Take your chamber? wln 0579 ISABELLA Nay my dear Lord I will not have you angry, wln 0580 Doth not my absence from you two months, img: 11­b sig: D1r wln 0581 Merit one kiss? BRACHIANO I do not use to kiss, wln 0582 If that will dispossess your jealousy, wln 0583 I’ll swear it to you. ISABELLA O my loved Lord, wln 0584 I do not come to chide; my jealousy, wln 0585 I am to learn what that Italian means, wln 0586 You are as welcome to these longing arms, wln 0587 As I to you a Virgin. BRACHIANO O your breath, wln 0588 Out upon sweet meats, and continued Physic. wln 0589 The plague is in them. ISABELLA You have oft for these two lips wln 0590 Neglected Cassia or the natural sweets wln 0591 Of the Spring violet, they are not yet much withered, wln 0592 My Lord I should be merry, these your frowns wln 0593 Show in a Helmet, lovely but on me, wln 0594 In such a peaceful interview methinks wln 0595 They are too too roughly knit. BRACHIANO O dissemblance. wln 0596 Do you bandy factions ’gainst me? have you learnt, wln 0597 The trick of impudent baseness to complain wln 0598 Unto your kindred? ISABELLA Never my dear Lord. wln 0599 BRACHIANO Must I be haunted out, or was’t your trick wln 0600 To meet some amorous gallant here in Rome wln 0601 That must supply our discontinuance? wln 0602 ISABELLA I pray sir burst my heart, and in my death wln 0603 Turn to your ancient pity, though not love. wln 0604 BRACHIANO Because your brother is the corpulent Duke, wln 0605 That is the great Duke, ’Sdeath I shall not shortly wln 0606 Racket away five hundred Crowns at Tennis, wln 0607 But it shall rest upon record: I scorn him wln 0608 Like a shaved Polack, all his reverent wit wln 0609 Lies in his wardrobe, he’s a discreet fellow wln 0610 When he’s made up in his robes of state, wln 0611 Your brother the great Duke, because h’as galleys, wln 0612 And now and then ransacks a Turkish flyboat, wln 0613 (Now all the hellish furies take his soul,) wln 0614 First made this match, accursed be the Priest wln 0615 That sang the wedding Mass, and even my Issue. wln 0616 ISABELLA O too too far you have cursed. wln 0616 BRACHIANO Your hand I’ll kiss, wln 0617 This is the latest ceremony of my love, img: 12­a sig: D1v wln 0618 Henceforth I’ll never lie with thee, by this, wln 0619 This wedding ring: I’ll ne’ermore lie with thee. wln 0620 And this divorce shall be as truly kept, wln 0621 As if the Judge had doomed it: fare you well, wln 0622 Our sleeps are severed. ISABELLA Forbid it the sweet union wln 0623 Of all things blessed; why the Saints in heaven wln 0624 Will knit their brows at that. BRACHIANO Let not thy love, wln 0625 Make thee an unbeliever, this my vow, wln 0626 Shall never on my soul be satisfied wln 0627 With my repentance: let thy brother rage wln 0628 Beyond a horrid tempest or sea­fight, wln 0629 My vow is fixed. ISABELLA O my winding sheet, wln 0630 Now shall I need thee shortly, dear my Lord, wln 0631 Let me hear once more, what I would not hear, wln 0632 Never. BRACHIANO Never? wln 0633 ISABELLA O my unkind Lord may your sins find mercy, wln 0634 As I upon a woeful widowed bed, wln 0635 Shall pray for you, if not to turn your eyes, wln 0636 Upon your wretched wife, and hopeful son, wln 0637 Yet that in time you’ll fix them upon heaven. wln 0638 BRACHIANO No more, go, go, complain to the great Duke. wln 0639 ISABELLA No my dear Lord, you shall have present witness, wln 0640 How I’ll work peace between you, I will make wln 0641 Myself the author of your cursed vow wln 0642 I have some cause to do it, you have none, wln 0643 Conceal it I beseech you, for the weal wln 0644 Of both your Dukedoms, that you wrought the means wln 0645 Of such a separation, let the fault wln 0646 Remain with my supposed jealousy, wln 0647 And think with what a piteous and rent heart, wln 0648 I shall perform this sad ensuing part. wln 0649 Enter Francisco, Flamineo, Monticelso, Marcello, Camillo. wln 0650 BRACHIANO Well, take your course my honorable brother. wln 0651 FRANCISCO Sister, this is not well my Lord, why sister, wln 0652 She merits not this welcome. BRACHIANO Welcome say? wln 0653 She hath given a sharp welcome. FRANCISCO Are you foolish? wln 0654 Come dry your tears, is this a modest course. img: 12­b sig: D2r wln 0655 To better what is naught, to rail and weep, wln 0656 Grow to a reconcilement, or by heaven, wln 0657 I’ll ne’er more deal between you. ISABELLA Sir you shall not, wln 0658 No though Vittoria upon that condition wln 0659 Would become honest. FRANCISCO Was your husband loud. wln 0660 Since we departed. ISABELLA By my life sir no, wln 0661 I swear by that I do not care to lose. wln 0662 Are all these ruins of my former beauty, wln 0663 Laid out for a whore’s triumph? FRANCISCO Do you hear wln 0664 Look upon other women, with what patience wln 0665 They suffer these slight wrongs, with what justice wln 0666 They study to requite them, take that course. wln 0667 ISABELLA O that I were a man, or that I had power wln 0668 To execute my apprehended wishes, wln 0669 I would whip some with scorpions. FRANCISCO What? turned fury? wln 0670 ISABELLA To dig the strumpet’s eyes out, let her lie wln 0671 Some twenty months a­dying, to cut off wln 0672 Her nose and lips, pull out her rotten teeth, wln 0673 Preserve her flesh like Mummia, for trophies wln 0674 Of my just anger: Hell to my affliction wln 0675 Is mere snow­water. by your favor sir, wln 0676 Brother draw near, and my Lord Cardinal, wln 0677 Sir let me borrow of you but one kiss, wln 0678 Henceforth I’ll never lie with you, by this, wln 0679 This wedding ring. FRANCISCO How? ne’er more lie with him, wln 0680 ISABELLA And this divorce shall be as truly kept, wln 0681 As if in thronged Court, a thousand ears wln 0682 Had heard it, and a thousand Lawyer’s hands, wln 0683 Sealed to the separation. BRACHIANO Ne’er lie with me? wln 0684 ISABELLA Let not my former dotage, wln 0685 Make thee an unbeliever, this my vow wln 0686 Shall never on my soul be satisfied wln 0687 With my repentance, manet alta mente repositum. wln 0688 FRANCISCO Now by my birth you are a foolish, mad, wln 0689 And jealous woman. BRACHIANO You see ’tis not my seeking. wln 0690 FRANCISCO Was this your circle of pure Unicorn’s horn, wln 0691 You said should charm your Lord; now horns upon thee, img: 13­a sig: D2v wln 0692 For jealousy deserves them, keep your vow, wln 0693 And take your chamber. ISABELLA No sir I’ll presently to Padua, wln 0694 I will not stay a minute. MONTICELSO O good Madam. wln 0695 BRACHIANO ’Twere best to let her have her humor, wln 0696 Some half­day’s journey will bring down her stomach, wln 0697 And then she’ll turn in post. FRANCISCO To see her come, wln 0698 To my Lord Cardinal for a dispensation wln 0699 Of her rash vow will beget excellent laughter. wln 0700 „ ISABELLA Unkindness do thy office, poor heart break, wln 0701 „Those are the killing griefs which dare not speak. Exit. wln 0702 MARCELLO Camillo’s come my Lord. Enter Camillo. wln 0703 FRANCISCO Where’s the commission? MARCELLO ’Tis here. wln 0704 FRANCISCO Give me the Signet. wln 0705 FLAMINEO My Lord do you mark their whispering, I will compound wln 0706 a medicine out of their two heads, stronger than garlic, wln 0707 deadlier than stibium, the Cantharides which are scarce seen to wln 0708 stick upon the flesh when they work to the heart, shall not do it wln 0709 with more silence or invisible cunning. Enter Doctor. wln 0710 BRACHIANO About the murder. wln 0711 FLAMINEO They are sending him to Naples, but I’ll send him to wln 0712 Candy, here’s another property too. BRACHIANO O the Doctor, wln 0713 FLAMINEO A poor quacksalving knave, my Lord, one that should wln 0714 have been lashed for’s lechery, but that he confessed a judgement, wln 0715 had an execution laid upon him, and so put the whip to a nonplus. wln 0716 DOCTOR And was cozened, my Lord, by an arranter knave wln 0717 than myself, and made pay all the colorable execution. wln 0718 FLAMINEO He will shoot pills into a man’s guts, shall make them wln 0719 have more ventages than a cornet or a lamprey, he will poison wln 0720 a kiss, and was once minded, for his Masterpiece, because Ireland wln 0721 breeds no poison, to have prepared a deadly vapor in a wln 0722 Spaniard’s fart that should have poisoned all Dublin. wln 0723 BRACHIANO O Saint Anthony fire: wln 0724 DOCTOR Your Secretary is merry my Lord: wln 0725 FLAMINEO O thou cursed antipathy to nature, look his eye’s wln 0726 bloodshed like a needle a Chirurgeon stitcheth a wound with, wln 0727 let me embrace thee toad, and love thee ô thou abominable loathsome wln 0728 gargarism, that will fetch up lungs, lights, heart, and liver img: 13­b sig: D3r wln 0729 by scruples. wln 0730 BRACHIANO No more, I must employ thee honest Doctor, wln 0731 You must to Padua and by the way, use some of your skill for us. wln 0732 DOCTOR Sir I shall. BRACHIANO But for Camillo? wln 0733 FLAMINEO He dies this night by such a politic strain, wln 0734 Men shall suppose him by’s own engine slain. wln 0735 But for your Duchess’ death. DOCTOR I’ll make her sure wln 0736 BRACHIANO Small mischiefs are by greater made secure. wln 0737 FLAMINEO Remember this you slave, when knaves come to preferment wln 0738 they rise as gallowses are raised i’ th’ low countries, one wln 0739 upon another shoulders. Exeunt. wln 0740 MONTICELSO Here is an Emblem nephew pray peruse it. wln 0741 ’Twas thrown in at your window, CAMILLO At my window, wln 0742 Here is a Stag my Lord hath shed his horns, wln 0743 And for the loss of them the poor beast weeps wln 0744 The word Inopem me copia fecit. MONTICELSO That is. wln 0745 Plenty of horns hath made him poor of horns. wln 0746 CAMILLO What should this mean. wln 0746 MONTICELSO I’ll tell you, ’tis given out wln 0747 You are a Cuckold. CAMILLO Is it given out so. wln 0748 I had rather such report as that my Lord. wln 0749 Should keep within doors. FRANCISCO Have you any children. wln 0750 CAMILLO None my Lord. FRANCISCO You are the happier wln 0751 I’ll tell you a tale. CAMILLO Pray my Lord. FRANCISCO An old tale. wln 0752 Upon a time Phoebus the God of light wln 0753 Or him we call the Sun would need be married. wln 0754 The Gods gave their consent, and Mercury wln 0755 Was sent to voice it to the general world. wln 0756 But what a piteous cry there straight arose wln 0757 Amongst Smiths, and Felt­makers, Brewers and Cooks. wln 0758 Reapers and Butter­women, amongst Fishmongers wln 0759 And thousand other trades, which are annoyed wln 0760 By his excessive heat; ’twas lamentable. wln 0761 They came to Jupiter all in a sweat wln 0762 And do forbid the bans; a great fat Cook wln 0763 Was made their Speaker, who entreats of Jove wln 0764 That Phoebus might be gelded, for if now wln 0765 When there was but one, Sun so many men, img: 14­a sig: D3v wln 0766 Were like to perish by his violent heat. wln 0767 What should they do if he were married wln 0768 And should be more, and those children wln 0769 Make fireworks like their father, so say I, wln 0770 Only I will apply it to your wife, wln 0771 Her issue should not providence prevent it wln 0772 Would make both nature, time, and man repent it. wln 0773 MONTICELSO Look you cousin. wln 0774 Go change the air for shame see if your absence, wln 0775 Will blast your Cornucopia, Marcello wln 0776 Is chosen with you joint commissioner wln 0777 For the relieving our Italian coast wln 0778 From pirates. MARCELLO I am much honored in ’t. CAMILLO But sir wln 0779 Ere I return the Stag’s horns may be sprouted, wln 0780 Greater than these are shed. MONTICELSO Do not fear it, wln 0781 I’ll be your ranger. CAMILLO You must watch i’ th’ nights, wln 0782 Then’s the most danger. FRANCISCO Farewell good Marcello. wln 0783 All the best fortunes of a Soldier’s wish, wln 0784 Bring you o’ shipboard. wln 0785 CAMILLO Were I not best now I am turned Soldier, wln 0786 Ere that I leave my wife, sell all she hath, wln 0787 And then take leave of her. MONTICELSO I expect good from you, wln 0788 Your parting is so merry. wln 0789 CAMILLO Merry my Lord, o’ th’ Captain’s humor right wln 0790 I am resolved to be drunk this night. Exit. wln 0791 FRANCISCO So, ’twas well fitted, now shall we discern, wln 0792 How his wished absence will give violent way, wln 0793 To Duke Brachiano’s lust, MONTICELSO Why that was it; wln 0794 To what scorned purpose else should we make choice wln 0795 Of him for a sea Captain, and besides, wln 0796 Count Lodowick which was rumored for a pirate. wln 0797 Is now in Padua. FRANCISCO Is ’t true? MONTICELSO Most certain. wln 0798 I have letters from him, which are suppliant wln 0799 To work his quick repeal from banishment, wln 0800 He means to address himself for pension, wln 0801 Unto our sister Duchess. FRANCISCO O ’twas well. wln 0802 We shall not want his absence past six days, img: 14­b sig: D4r wln 0803 I fain would have the Duke Brachiano run wln 0804 Into notorious scandal, for there’s naught wln 0805 In such cursed dotage, to repair his name, wln 0806 Only the deep sense of some deathless shame: wln 0807 MONTICELSO It may be objected I am dishonorable, wln 0808 To play thus with my kinsman, but I answer. wln 0809 For my revenge I’d stake a brother’s life, wln 0810 That being wronged durst not avenge himself. wln 0811 FRANCISCO Come to observe this Strumpet. wln 0811 MONTICELSO Curse of greatness, wln 0812 Sure he’ll not leave her. FRANCISCO There’s small pity in ’t wln 0813 Like mistletoe on sere Elms spent by weather, wln 0814 Let him cleave to her and both rot together. Exeunt. wln 0815 Enter Brachiano with one in the habit of a Conjurer. wln 0816 BRACHIANO Now sir I claim your promise, ’tis dead midnight, wln 0817 The time prefixed to show me by your Art, wln 0818 How the intended murder of Camillo, wln 0819 And our loathed Duchess grow to action. wln 0820 CONJUROR You have won me by your bounty to a deed, wln 0821 I do not often practice, some there are, wln 0822 Which by Sophistic tricks, aspire that name wln 0823 Which I would gladly lose, of Nigromancer: wln 0824 As some that use to juggle upon cards, wln 0825 Seeming to conjure, when indeed they cheat. wln 0826 Others that raise up their confederate spirits, wln 0827 ’Bout windmills, and endanger their own necks, wln 0828 For making of a squib, and some there are wln 0829 Will keep a curtal to show juggling tricks wln 0830 And give out ’tis a spirit: besides these wln 0831 Such a whole ream of Almanac­makers, figure­flingers. wln 0832 Fellows indeed that only live by stealth, wln 0833 Since they do merely lie about stol’n goods, wln 0834 They’d make men think the devil were fast and loose, wln 0835 With speaking fustian Latin: pray sit down, wln 0836 Put on this nightcap sir, ’tis charmed, and now wln 0837 I’ll show you by my strong­commanding Art wln 0838 The circumstance that breaks your Duchess’ heart. img: 15­a sig: D4v wln 0839 A DUMB SHOW. wln 0840 Enter suspiciously, Julio and Christophero, they draw a curtain wln 0841 where Brachiano’s picture is, they put on spectacles of glass, wln 0842 which cover their eyes and noses, and then burn perfumes afore the wln 0843 picture, and wash the lips of the picture, that done, quenching the fire, wln 0844 and putting off their spectacles they depart laughing. wln 0845 Enter Isabella in her nightgown as to bed­ward, with lights after her, wln 0846 Count Lodovico, Giovanni, Guid­antonio and others waiting wln 0847 on her, she kneels down as to prayers, then draws the curtain of wln 0848 the picture, does three reverences to it, and kisses it thrice, she faints wln 0849 and will not suffer them to come near it, dies, sorrow expressed in Giovanni wln 0850 and in Count Lodovico, she’s conveyed out solemnly. wln 0851 BRACHIANO Excellent, then she’s dead, CONJUROR She’s poisoned, wln 0852 By the fumed picture, ’twas her custom nightly, wln 0853 Before she went to bed, to go and visit wln 0854 Your picture, and to feed her eyes and lips wln 0855 On the dead shadow, Doctor Julio wln 0856 Observing this, infects it with an oil wln 0857 And other poisoned stuff, which presently wln 0858 Did suffocate her spirits. BRACHIANO Methought I saw, wln 0859 Count Lodowick there. CONJUROR He was, and by my art wln 0860 I find he did most passionately dote wln 0861 Upon your Duchess, now turn another way, wln 0862 And view Camillo’s far more politic face, wln 0863 Strike louder music from this charmed ground, wln 0864 To yield, as fits the act, a Tragic sound. wln 0865 THE SECOND DUMB SHOW. wln 0866 Enter Flamineo, Marcello, Camillo, with four more as Captains, wln 0867 they drink healths and dance, a vaulting horse is brought into the wln 0868 room, Marcello and two more whispered out of the room, while wln 0869 Flamineo and Camillo strip themselves into their shirts, as to vault, wln 0870 compliment who shall begin, as Camillo is about to vault, Flamineo wln 0871 pitcheth him upon his neck, and with the help of the rest, writhes wln 0872 his neck about, seems to see if it be broke, and lays him folded wln 0873 double as ’twere under the horse, makes shows to call for help. img: 15­b sig: E1r wln 0874 Marcello comes in, laments, sends for the Cardinal and Duke, who wln 0875 comes forth with armed men, wonder at the act, commands the body wln 0876 to be carried home, apprehends Flamineo, Marcello, and the rest, wln 0877 and go as ’twere to apprehend Vittoria. wln 0878 BRACHIANO ’Twas quaintly done, but yet each circumstance, wln 0879 I taste not fully. CONJUROR O ’twas most apparent, wln 0880 You saw them enter charged with their deep healths wln 0881 To their boon voyage, and to second that, wln 0882 Flamineo calls to have a vaulting horse wln 0883 Maintain their sport. The virtuous Marcello, wln 0884 Is innocently plotted forth the room, wln 0885 Whilst your eye saw the rest, and can inform you wln 0886 The engine of all. MARCELLO It seems Marcello, and Flamineo wln 0887 Are both committed. CONJUROR Yes, you saw them guarded, wln 0888 And now they are come with purpose to apprehend wln 0889 Your Mistress, fair Vittoria; we are now wln 0890 Beneath her roof: ’twere fit we instantly wln 0891 Make out by some back postern: BRACHIANO Noble friend, wln 0892 You bind me ever to you, this shall stand wln 0893 As the firm seal annexed to my hand. Exit Brachiano wln 0894 It shall enforce a payment. CONJUROR Sir I thank you. wln 0895 Both flowers and weeds, spring when the Sun is warm, wln 0896 And great men do great good, or else great harm. Exit Conjuror wln 0897 Enter Francisco, and Monticelso, their Chancellor wln 0898 and Register. wln 0899 FRANCISCO You have dealt discreetly to obtain the presence, wln 0900 Of all the grave Lieger Ambassadors wln 0901 To hear Vittoria’s trial. MONTICELSO ’Twas not ill, wln 0902 For sir you know we have naught but circumstances wln 0903 To charge her with, about her husband’s death, wln 0904 Their approbation therefore to the proofs wln 0905 Of her black lust, shall make her infamous wln 0906 To all our neighboring Kingdoms, I wonder wln 0907 If Brachiano will be here. FRANCISCO O fie ’twere impudence too palpable wln 0908 Enter Flamineo and Marcello guarded, and a Lawyer. wln 0909 LAWYER What are you in by the week, so I will try now img: 16­a sig: E1v wln 0910 whether thy wit be close prisoner, methinks none should sit wln 0911 upon thy sister but old whoremasters, wln 0912 FLAMINEO Or cuckolds, for your cuckold is your most terrible wln 0913 tickler of lechery: whoremasters would serve, for none are wln 0914 judges at tilting, but those that have been old Tilters. wln 0915 LAWYER My Lord Duke and she have been very private: wln 0916 FLAMINEO You are a dull ass, ’tis threatened they have been very wln 0917 public. wln 0918 LAWYER If it can be proved they have but kissed one another. wln 0919 FLAMINEO What then? LAWYER My Lord Cardinal will ferret them, wln 0920 FLAMINEO A Cardinal I hope will not catch conies. wln 0921 LAWYER For to sow kisses (mark what I say) to sow kisses, is wln 0922 to reap lechery, and I am sure a woman that will endure kissing wln 0923 is half won. wln 0924 FLAMINEO True, her upper part by that rule, if you will win her wln 0925 nether part too, you know what follows. wln 0926 LAWYER Hark the Ambassadors are lighted, wln 0927 FLAMINEO I do put on this feigned Garb of mirth, wln 0928 To gull suspicion. wln 0929 MARCELLO O my unfortunate sister! wln 0930 I would my dagger’s point had cleft her heart wln 0931 When she first saw Brachiano: You ’tis said, wln 0932 Were made his engine, and his stalking­horse wln 0933 To undo my sister. FLAMINEO I made a kind of path wln 0934 To her and mine own preferment. MARCELLO Your ruin. wln 0935 FLAMINEO Hum! thou art a soldier, wln 0936 Followest the great Duke, feedest his victories, wln 0937 As witches do their serviceable spirits, wln 0938 Even with thy prodigal blood, what hast got? wln 0939 But like the wealth of Captains, a poor handful, wln 0940 Which in thy palm thou bear’st, as men hold water wln 0941 Seeking to gripe it fast, the frail reward wln 0942 Steals through thy fingers. MARCELLO Sir, wln 0943 FLAMINEO Thou hast scarce maintenance wln 0944 To keep thee in fresh chamois. MARCELLO Brother. wln 0945 FLAMINEO Hear me, wln 0946 And thus when we have even poured ourselves, img: 16­b sig: E2r wln 0947 Into great fights, for their ambition wln 0948 Or idle spleen, how shall we find reward, wln 0949 But as we seldom find the mistletoe wln 0950 Sacred to physic: Or the builder Oak, wln 0951 Without a Mandrake by it, so in our quest of gain. wln 0952 Alas the poorest of their forced dislikes wln 0953 At a limb proffers, but at heart it strikes: wln 0954 This is lamented doctrine. MARCELLO Come, come. wln 0955 FLAMINEO When age shall turn thee, wln 0956 White as a blooming hawthorn. MARCELLO I’ll interrupt you. wln 0957 For love of virtue bear an honest heart, wln 0958 And stride over every politic respect, wln 0959 Which where they most advance they most infect. wln 0960 Were I your father, as I am your brother, wln 0961 I should not be ambitious to leave you Enter Savoy. wln 0962 A better patrimony. FLAMINEO I’ll think on ’t, The Lord Ambassadors. wln 0963 Here there is a passage of the Lieger Ambassadors over wln 0964 the Stage severally. Enter French Ambassadors. wln 0965 LAWYER O my sprightly Frenchman, do you know him, he’s an wln 0966 admirable Tilter. wln 0967 FLAMINEO I saw him at last Tilting, he showed like a pewter candlestick wln 0968 fashioned like a man in armor, holding a Tilting wln 0969 staff in his hand, little bigger than a candle of twelve i’ th’ pound. wln 0970 LAWYER O but he’s an excellent horseman. wln 0971 FLAMINEO A lame one in his lofty tricks, he sleeps o’ horseback wln 0972 like a poulter, Enter English and Spanish wln 0973 LAWYER Lo you my Spaniard. wln 0974 FLAMINEO He carries his face in ’s ruff, as I have seen a servingman wln 0975 carry glasses in a cypress hatband, monstrous steady for fear wln 0976 of breaking, He looks like the claw of a blackbird, first salted wln 0977 and then broiled in a candle. Exeunt. wln 0978 THE ARRAIGNMENT OF VITTORIA. wln 0979 Enter Francisco, Monticelso, the six lieger Ambassadors, Brachiano, wln 0980 Vittoria, Isabella, Lawyer, and a guard. wln 0981 MONTICELSO Forbear my Lord, here is no place assigned you, wln 0982 This business by his holiness is left wln 0983 To our examination. img: 17­a sig: E2v wln 0984 BRACHIANO May it thrive with you. Lays a rich gown wln 0985 FRANCISCO A Chair there for his Lordship. under him, wln 0986 BRACHIANO Forbear your kindness, an unbidden guest wln 0987 Should travail as dutchwomen go to Church: wln 0988 Bear their stools with them. MONTICELSO At your pleasure Sir. wln 0989 Stand to the table gentlewomen: now Signior wln 0990 Fall to your plea. wln 0991 Domine Judex converte oculos in hanc pestem wln 0992 mulierum corruptissimam. VITTORIA What’s he? wln 0993 FRANCISCO A Lawyer, that pleads against you. wln 0994 VITTORIA Pray my Lord, Let him speak his usual tongue wln 0995 I’ll make no answer else. FRANCISCO Why you understand latin. wln 0996 VITTORIA I do Sir, but amongst this auditory wln 0997 Which come to hear my cause, the half or more wln 0998 May be ignorant in ’t. MONTICELSO Go on Sir: wln 0999 VITTORIA By your favor, wln 1000 I will not have my accusation clouded, wln 1001 In a strange tongue: All this assembly wln 1002 Shall hear what you can charge me with. FRANCISCO Signior. wln 1003 You need not stand on ’t much; pray change your language, wln 1004 MONTICELSO Oh for God sake: gentlewoman, your credit wln 1005 Shall be more famous by it. wln 1006 LAWYER Well then have at you. wln 1007 VITTORIA I am at the mark Sir, I’ll give aim to you, wln 1008 And tell you how near you shoot. wln 1009 LAWYER Most literated Judges, please your Lordships, wln 1010 So to connive your Judgements to the view wln 1011 Of this debauched and diversivolent woman wln 1012 Who such a black concatenation wln 1013 Of mischief hath effected, that to extirp wln 1014 The memory of ’t, must be the consummation wln 1015 Of her and her projections VITTORIA What’s all this wln 1016 LAWYER Hold your peace. wln 1017 Exorbitant sins must have exulceration. wln 1018 VITTORIA Surely my Lords this lawyer here hath swallowed wln 1019 Some Pothecary’s bills, or proclamations. wln 1020 And now the hard and undigestible words, img: 17­b sig: E3r wln 1021 Come up like stones we use give Hawks for physic. wln 1022 Why this is Welsh to Latin. LAWYER My Lords, the woman wln 1023 Knows not her tropes nor figures, nor is perfect wln 1024 In the academic derivation wln 1025 Of Grammatical elocution. FRANCISCO Sir your pains wln 1026 Shall be well spared, and your deep eloquence wln 1027 Be worthily applauded amongst those wln 1028 Which understand you. LAWYER My good Lord. FRANCISCO Sir, wln 1029 Put up your papers in your fustian bag, Francisco speaks this wln 1030 Cry mercy Sir, ’tis buckram, and accept as in scorn. wln 1031 My notion of your learned verbosity. wln 1032 LAWYER I most graduatically thank your Lordship. wln 1033 I shall have use for them elsewhere. wln 1034 MONTICELSO I shall be plainer with you, and paint out wln 1035 Your follies in more natural red and white. wln 1036 Than that upon your cheek. VITTORIA O you mistake. wln 1037 You raise a blood as noble in this cheek wln 1038 As ever was your mother’s. wln 1039 MONTICELSO I must spare you till proof cry whore to that, wln 1040 Observe this creature here my honored Lords, wln 1041 A woman of a most prodigious spirit wln 1042 In her effected. VITTORIA Honorable my Lord, wln 1043 It doth not suit a reverend Cardinal wln 1044 To play the Lawyer thus wln 1045 MONTICELSO Oh your trade instructs your language! wln 1046 You see my Lords what goodly fruit she seems, wln 1047 Yet like those apples travelers report wln 1048 To grow where Sodom and Gomorrah stood. wln 1049 I will but touch her and you straight shall see wln 1050 She’ll fall to soot and ashes. wln 1051 VITTORIA Your envenomed Pothecary should do ’t wln 1052 MONTICELSO I am resolved. wln 1053 Were there a second Paradise to lose wln 1054 This Devil would betray it. VITTORIA O poor charity! wln 1055 Thou art seldom found in scarlet. wln 1056 MONTICELSO Who knows not how, when several night by night wln 1057 Her gates were choked with coaches, and her rooms. img: 18­a sig: E3v wln 1058 Outbraved the stars with several kind of lights, wln 1059 When she did counterfeit a Prince’s Court. wln 1060 In music banquets and most riotous surfeits wln 1061 This whore, forsooth, was holy. wln 1062 VITTORIA Ha? whore what’s that? wln 1063 MONTICELSO Shall I expound whore to you? sure I shall; wln 1064 I’ll give their perfect character. They are first, wln 1065 Sweetmeats which rot the eater: In man’s nostril wln 1066 Poisoned perfumes. They are cozening Alchemy, wln 1067 Shipwrecks in Calmest weather? What are whores? wln 1068 Cold Russian winters, that appear so barren, wln 1069 As if that nature had forgot the spring. wln 1070 They are the true material fire of hell, wln 1071 Worse than those tributes i’ th’ low countries paid, wln 1072 Exactions upon meat, drink, garments sleep. wln 1073 Ay even on man’s perdition, his sin. wln 1074 They are those brittle evidences of law wln 1075 Which forfeit all a wretched man’s estate wln 1076 For leaving out one syllable. What are whores? wln 1077 They are those flattering bells have all one tune: wln 1078 At weddings, and at funerals, your rich whores wln 1079 Are only treasuries by extortion filled, wln 1080 And emptied by cursed riot. They are worse, wln 1081 Worse than dead bodies, which are begged at gallows wln 1082 And wrought upon by surgeons, to teach man wln 1083 Wherein he is imperfect. What’s a whore? wln 1084 She’s like the guilty counterfeited coin wln 1085 Which whosoe’er first stamps it bring in trouble wln 1086 All that receive it VITTORIA This character scapes me. wln 1087 MONTICELSO You gentlewoman; wln 1088 Take from all beasts, and from all minerals wln 1089 Their deadly poison. VITTORIA Well what then? wln 1089 MONTICELSO I’ll tell thee wln 1090 I’ll find in thee a Pothecary’s shop wln 1091 To sample them all. FRENCH AMBASSADOR She hath lived ill. wln 1092 ENGLISH AMBASSADOR True, but the Cardinal’s too bitter. wln 1093 MONTICELSO You know what Whore is next the devil; Adult’ry. wln 1094 Enters the devil, murder. FRANCISCO Your unhappy husband img: 18­b sig: E4r wln 1095 Is dead. VITTORIA O he’s a happy husband wln 1096 Now he owes Nature nothing. wln 1097 FRANCISCO And by a vaulting engine. MONTICELSO An active plot wln 1098 He jumped into his grave. FRANCISCO what a prodigy was’t, wln 1099 That from some two yards’ height a slender man wln 1100 Should break his neck? MONTICELSO I’ th’ rushes. wln 1100 FRANCISCO And what’s more, wln 1101 Upon the instant lose all use of speech, wln 1102 All vital motion, like a man had lain wln 1103 Wound up three days. Now mark each circumstance. wln 1104 MONTICELSO And look upon this creature was his wife. wln 1105 She comes not like a widow: she comes armed wln 1106 With scorn and impudence: Is this a mourning habit. wln 1107 VITTORIA Had I foreknown his death as you suggest, wln 1108 I would have bespoke my mourning. wln 1109 MONTICELSO O you are cunning. wln 1110 VITTORIA You shame your wit and Judgement wln 1111 To call it so; What is my just defense wln 1112 By him that is my Judge called impudence? wln 1113 Let me appeal then from this Christian Court wln 1114 To the uncivil Tartar. MONTICELSO See my Lords. wln 1115 She scandals our proceedings. VITTORIA Humbly thus. wln 1116 Thus low, to the most worthy and respected wln 1117 Lieger Ambassadors, my modesty wln 1118 And womanhood I tender; but withal wln 1119 So entangled in a cursed accusation wln 1120 That my defense of force like Perseus. wln 1121 Must personate masculine virtue to the point. wln 1122 Find me but guilty, sever head from body: wln 1123 We’ll part good friends: I scorn to hold my life. wln 1124 at yours or any man’s entreaty, Sir, wln 1125 ENGLISH AMBASSADOR She hath a brave spirit wln 1126 MONTICELSO Well, well, such counterfeit Jewels wln 1127 Make true one’s oft suspected. VITTORIA You are deceived. wln 1128 For know that all your strict combined heads, wln 1129 Which strike against this mine of diamonds, wln 1130 Shall prove but glassen hammers, they shall break, wln 1131 These are but feigned shadows of my evils. img: 19­a sig: E4v wln 1132 Terrify babes, my Lord, with painted devils, wln 1133 I am past such needless palsy, for your names, wln 1134 Of Whore and Murd’ress they proceed from you, wln 1135 As if a man should spit against the wind, wln 1136 The filth returns in ’s face. wln 1137 MONTICELSO Pray you Mistress satisfy me one question: wln 1138 Who lodged beneath your roof that fatal night wln 1139 Your husband brake his neck? BRACHIANO That question wln 1140 Enforceth me break silence, I was there. wln 1141 MONTICELSO Your business? BRACHIANO Why I came to comfort her, wln 1142 And take some course for settling her estate, wln 1143 Because I heard her husband was in debt wln 1144 To you my Lord. MONTICELSO He was. wln 1145 BRACHIANO And ’twas strangely feared, wln 1146 That you would cozen her. MONTICELSO Who made you overseer? wln 1147 BRACHIANO Why my charity, my charity, which should flow wln 1148 From every generous and noble spirit, wln 1149 To orphans and to widows. MONTICELSO Your lust. wln 1150 BRACHIANO Cowardly dogs bark loudest. Sirrah Priest, wln 1151 I’ll talk with you hereafter, — Do you hear? wln 1152 The sword you frame of such an excellent temper, wln 1153 I’ll sheath in your own bowels: wln 1154 There are a number of thy coat resemble wln 1155 Your common post boys. MONTICELSO Ha? wln 1156 BRACHIANO Your mercenary post boys, wln 1157 Your letters carry truth, but ’tis your guise wln 1158 To fill your mouths with gross and impudent lies. wln 1159 SERVANT My Lord your gown. wln 1160 BRACHIANO Thou liest ’twas my stool. wln 1161 Bestow ’t upon thy master that will challenge wln 1162 The rest o’ th’ household stuff for Brachiano wln 1163 Was ne’er so beggarly, to take a stool wln 1164 Out of another’s lodging: let him make wln 1165 Valance for his bed on ’t, or a demi foot­cloth, wln 1166 For his most reverent moil, Monticelso, wln 1167 Nemo me Impune lacessit. Exit Brachiano. wln 1168 MONTICELSO Your Champion’s gone. img: 19­b sig: F1r wln 1169 VITTORIA The wolf may prey the better. wln 1170 FRANCISCO My Lord there’s great suspicion of the murder, wln 1171 But no sound proof who did it: for my part wln 1172 I do not think she hath a soul so black wln 1173 To act a deed so bloody, if she have, wln 1174 As in cold countries husbandmen plant Vines, wln 1175 And with warm blood manure them, even so wln 1176 One summer she will bear unsavory fruit, wln 1177 And ere next spring wither both branch and root. wln 1178 The act of blood let pass, only descend, wln 1179 To matter of incontinence. VITTORIA I discern poison, wln 1180 Under your gilded pills. wln 1181 MONTICELSO Now the Duke’s gone, I will produce a letter, wln 1182 Wherein ’twas plotted, her and you should meet, wln 1183 At an Apothecary’s summer­house. wln 1184 Down by the river Tiber: view ’t my Lords: wln 1185 Where after wanton bathing and the heat wln 1186 Of a lascivious banquet. — I pray read it, wln 1187 I shame to speak the rest. VITTORIA Grant I was tempted, wln 1188 Temptation to lust proves not the act, wln 1189 Casta est quam nemo rogavit, wln 1190 You read his hot love to me, but you want wln 1191 My frosty answer. MONTICELSO Frost i’ th’ dog­days! strange! wln 1192 VITTORIA Condemn you me for that the Duke did love me, wln 1193 So may you blame some fair and crystal river wln 1194 For that some melancholic distracted man, wln 1195 Hath drowned himself in ’t. MONTICELSO Truly drowned indeed. wln 1196 VITTORIA Sum up my faults I pray, and you shall find, wln 1197 That beauty and gay clothes, a merry heart, wln 1198 And a good stomach to feast, are all, wln 1199 All the poor crimes that you can charge me with: wln 1200 In faith my Lord you might go pistol flies, wln 1201 The sport would be more noble. MONTICELSO Very good. wln 1202 VITTORIA But take you your course, it seems you have beggared me first wln 1203 And now would fain undo me, I have houses, wln 1204 Jewels, and a poor remnant of Crusadoes, wln 1205 Would those would make you charitable. MONTICELSO If the devil wln 1206 Did ever take good shape behold his picture. img: 20­a sig: F1v wln 1207 VITTORIA You have one virtue left, wln 1208 You will not flatter me. FRANCISCO Who brought this letter? wln 1209 VITTORIA I am not compelled to tell you. wln 1210 MONTICELSO My Lord Duke sent to you a thousand ducats, wln 1211 The twelfth of August. VITTORIA ’Twas to keep your cousin wln 1212 From prison, I paid use for ’t. MONTICELSO I rather think wln 1213 ’Twas Interest for his lust. wln 1214 VITTORIA Who says so but yourself? if you be my accuser wln 1215 Pray cease to be my Judge, come from the Bench, wln 1216 Give in your evidence ’gainst me, and let these wln 1217 Be moderators: my Lord Cardinal, wln 1218 Were your intelligencing ears as loving wln 1219 As to my thoughts, had you an honest tongue wln 1220 I would not care though you proclaimed them all. wln 1221 MONTICELSO Go to, go to. wln 1222 After your goodly and vainglorious banquet, wln 1223 I’ll give you a choke­pear. VITTORIA O’ your own grafting? wln 1224 MONTICELSO You were born in Venice, honorably descended, wln 1225 From the Vittelli, ’twas my cousin’s fate, wln 1226 Ill may I name the hour to marry you, wln 1227 He bought you of your father. VITTORIA Ha? wln 1228 MONTICELSO He spent there in six months wln 1229 Twelve thousand Ducats, and to my acquaintance wln 1230 Received in dowry with you not one Julio: wln 1231 ’Twas a hard pennyworth, the ware being so light, wln 1232 I yet but draw the curtain now to your picture, wln 1233 You came from thence a most notorious strumpet, wln 1234 And so you have continued. VITTORIA My Lord. wln 1235 MONTICELSO Nay hear me, wln 1236 You shall have time to prate my Lord Brachiano, wln 1237 Alas I make but repetition, wln 1238 Of what is ordinary and Rialto talk, wln 1239 And balladed, and would be played o’ th’ stage, wln 1240 But that vice many times finds such loud friends. wln 1241 That Preachers are charmed silent. wln 1242 You Gentlemen Flamineo and Marcello, wln 1243 The Court hath nothing now to charge you with, img: 20­b sig: F2r wln 1244 Only you must remain upon your sureties, wln 1245 For your appearance. FRANCISCO I stand for Marcello. wln 1246 FLAMINEO And my Lord Duke for me. wln 1247 MONTICELSO For you Vittoria, your public fault, wln 1248 Joined to th’ condition of the present time, wln 1249 Takes from you all the fruits of noble pity. wln 1250 Such a corrupted trial have you made wln 1251 Both of your life and beauty, and been styled wln 1252 No less in ominous fate than blazing stars wln 1253 To Princes here’s; your sentence, you are confined, wln 1254 VITTORIA Unto a house of convertites and your bawd. wln 1255 FLAMINEO Who I? MONTICELSO The Moor. wln 1256 FLAMINEO O I am a sound man again. wln 1257 VITTORIA A house of convertites, what’s that? wln 1258 MONTICELSO A house of penitent whores. wln 1259 VITTORIA Do the Noblemen in Rome, wln 1260 Erect it for their wives, that I am sent wln 1261 To lodge there? FRANCISCO You must have patience. wln 1262 VITTORIA I must first have vengeance. wln 1263 I fain would know if you have your salvation wln 1264 By patent, that you proceed thus. MONTICELSO Away with her, wln 1265 Take her hence. VITTORIA A rape, a rape. MONTICELSO How? wln 1266 VITTORIA Yes you have ravished justice, wln 1267 Forced her to do your pleasure. MONTICELSO fie she’s mad wln 1268 VITTORIA Die with these pills in your most cursed maws, wln 1269 Should bring you health, or while you sit o’ th’ Bench, wln 1270 Let your own spittle choke you. MONTICELSO She’s turned fury. wln 1271 VITTORIA That the last day of judgement may so find you, wln 1272 And leave you the same devil you were before, wln 1273 Instruct me some good horse­leech to speak Treason, wln 1274 For since you cannot take my life for deeds, wln 1275 Take it for words, ô woman’s poor revenge wln 1276 Which dwells but in the tongue, I will not weep, wln 1277 No I do scorn to call up one poor tear wln 1278 To fawn on your injustice, bear me hence, wln 1279 Unto this house of what’s your mitigating Title? wln 1280 MONTICELSO Of convertites. wln 1280 VITTORIA It shall not be a house of convertites img: 21­a sig: F2v wln 1281 My mind shall make it honester to me wln 1282 Than the Pope’s Palace, and more peaceable wln 1283 Than thy soul, though thou art a Cardinal, wln 1284 Know this, and let it somewhat raise your spite, wln 1285 Through darkness Diamonds spread their richest light. wln 1286 Enter Brachiano. Exit Vittoria. wln 1287 BRACHIANO Now you and I are friends sir, we’ll shake hands, wln 1288 In a friend’s grave, together, a fit place, wln 1289 Being the emblem of soft peace t’ atone our hatred. wln 1290 FRANCISCO Sir, what’s the matter? wln 1291 BRACHIANO I will not chase more blood from that loved cheek, wln 1292 You have lost too much already, fare you well. wln 1293 FRANCISCO How strange these words sound? what’s the interpretation? wln 1294 FLAMINEO Good, this is a preface to the discovery of the Duchess’ wln 1295 death: He carries it well: because now I cannot counterfeit a wln 1296 whining passion for the death of my Lady, I will feign a mad wln 1297 humor for the disgrace of my sister, and that will keep off idle wln 1298 questions, Treason’s tongue hath a villainous palsy in ’t, I will talk wln 1299 to any man, hear no man, and for a time appear a politic wln 1300 madman. Enter Giovanni, Count Lodovico. wln 1301 FRANCISCO How now my Noble cousin, what in black? wln 1302 GIOVANNI Yes Uncle, I was taught to imitate you wln 1303 In virtue, and you must imitate me wln 1304 In colors for your garments, my sweet mother wln 1305 Is, FRANCISCO How? Where? wln 1306 GIOVANNI Is there, no yonder, indeed sir I’ll not tell you, wln 1307 For I shall make you weep. FRANCISCO Is dead. wln 1308 GIOVANNI Do not blame me now, wln 1309 I did not tell you so. LODOVICO She’s dead my Lord. wln 1310 FRANCISCO Dead? MONTICELSO Blessed Lady; wln 1311 Thou art now above thy woes, wln 1312 Wilt please your Lordships to withdraw a little. wln 1313 GIOVANNI What do the dead do, uncle? do they eat, wln 1314 Hear music, go a­hunting, and be merry, as we that live? wln 1315 FRANCISCO No coz; they sleep. wln 1316 GIOVANNI Lord, Lord, that I were dead, wln 1317 I have not slept these six nights. When do they wake? img: 21­b sig: F3r wln 1318 FRANCISCO When God shall please. wln 1319 Good God let her sleep ever. wln 1320 GIOVANNI For I have known her wake an hundred nights, wln 1321 When all the pillow, where she laid her head, wln 1322 Was brine­wet with her tears. I am to complain to you Sir. wln 1323 I’ll tell you how they have used her now she’s dead: wln 1324 They wrapped her in a cruel fold of lead, wln 1325 And would not let me kiss her. FRANCISCO Thou didst love her. wln 1326 GIOVANNI I have often heard her say she gave me suck, wln 1327 And it should seem by that she dear loved me, wln 1328 Since Princes seldom do it. wln 1329 FRANCISCO O, all of my poor sister that remains! wln 1330 Take him away for God’s sake. MONTICELSO How now my Lord? wln 1331 FRANCISCO Believe me I am nothing but her grave, wln 1332 And I shall keep her blessed memory, wln 1333 Longer than thousand Epitaphs. Enter Flamineo as distracted. wln 1334 FLAMINEO We endure the strokes like anvils or hard steel, wln 1335 Till pain itself make us no pain to feel. wln 1336 Who shall do me right now? Is this the end of service? I’d wln 1337 rather go weed garlic; travail through France, and be mine wln 1338 own ostler; wear sheepskin linings; or shoes that stink of wln 1339 blacking; be entered into the list of the forty thousand pedlars wln 1340 in Poland. Enter Savoy. wln 1341 Would I had rotted in some Surgeon’s house at Venice, built wln 1342 upon the Pox as well as on piles, ere I had served Brachiano. wln 1343 SAVOY You must have comfort. wln 1344 FLAMINEO Your comfortable words are like honey. They relish wln 1345 well in your mouth that’s whole; but in mine that’s wounded wln 1346 they go down as if the sting of the Bee were in them. Oh they wln 1347 have wrought their purpose cunningly, as if they would not wln 1348 seem to do it of malice. In this a Politician imitates the wln 1349 devil, as the devil imitates a Cannon. Wheresoever he comes to wln 1350 do mischief, he comes with his backside towards you. wln 1351 Enter the French. wln 1352 FRENCH AMBASSADOR The proofs are evident. wln 1353 FLAMINEO Proof! ’twas corruption. O Gold, what a God art wln 1354 thou! and ô man, what a devil art thou to be tempted by that img: 22­a sig: F3v wln 1355 cursed Mineral! You diversivolent Lawyer; mark him, knaves wln 1356 turn informers, as maggots turn to flies, you may catch gudgeons wln 1357 with either. A Cardinal; I would he would hear me, wln 1358 there’s nothing so holy but money will corrupt and putrify it, wln 1359 Enter English like victual under the line. You are happy in England, my Lord; wln 1360 Ambassador. here they sell justice with those weights they press men to wln 1361 death with. O horrible salary! wln 1362 ENGLISH AMBASSADOR Fie, fie, Flamineo. wln 1363 FLAMINEO Bells ne’er ring well, till they are at their full pitch, wln 1364 And I hope yon Cardinal shall never have the grace to pray wln 1365 well, till he come to the scaffold. wln 1366 If they were racked now to know the confederacy! But your wln 1367 Noblemen are privileged from the rack; and well may. For wln 1368 a little thing would pull some of them a’ pieces afore they came wln 1369 to their arraignment. Religion; oh how it is commeddled with wln 1370 policy. The first bloodshed in the world happened about religion. wln 1371 Would I were a Jew. MARCELLO O, there are too many. wln 1372 FLAMINEO You are deceived. There are not Jews enough; wln 1373 Priests enough, nor gentlemen enough. MARCELLO How? wln 1374 FLAMINEO I’ll prove it. For if there were Jews enough, so many wln 1375 Christians would not turn usurers; if Priests enough, one wln 1376 should not have six Benefices; and if gentlemen enough, so wln 1377 many early mushrooms, whose best growth sprang from a wln 1378 dunghill, should not aspire to gentility. Farewell. Let others wln 1379 live by begging. Be thou one of them; practice the art of Wolnor wln 1380 in England to swallow all’s given thee; and yet let one purgation wln 1381 make thee as hungry again as fellows that work in wln 1382 saw­pit. I’ll go hear the screech­owl. Exit. wln 1383 LODOVICO This was Brachiano’s Pander, and ’tis strange wln 1384 That in such open and apparent guilt wln 1385 Of his adulterous sister, he dare utter wln 1386 So scandalous a passion. I must wind him. Enter Flamineo. wln 1387 FLAMINEO How dares this banished Count return to Rome, wln 1388 His pardon not yet purchased? I have heard wln 1389 The deceased Duchess gave him pension, wln 1390 And that he came along from Padua wln 1391 I’ th’ train of the young Prince. There’s somewhat in ’t. img: 22­b sig: F4r wln 1392 Physicians, that cure poisons, still do work wln 1393 With counterpoisons. wln 1394 MARCELLO Mark this strange encounter. wln 1395 FLAMINEO The God of Melancholy turn thy gall to poison, wln 1396 And let the stigmatic wrinkles in thy face, wln 1397 Like to the boisterous waves in a rough tide wln 1398 One still overtake another. LODOVICO I do thank thee wln 1399 And I do wish ingeniously for thy sake wln 1400 The dog­days all year long. wln 1401 FLAMINEO How croaks the raven? wln 1402 Is our good Duchess dead? LODOVICO Dead FLAMINEO O fate! wln 1403 Misfortune comes like the Crowner’s business, wln 1404 Huddle upon huddle. LODOVICO Shalt thou and I join housekeeping? wln 1405 FLAMINEO Yes, content. wln 1406 Let’s be unsociably sociable. wln 1407 LODOVICO Sit some three days together, and discourse. wln 1408 FLAMINEO Only with making faces; wln 1409 Lie in our clothes. LODOVICO With faggots for our pillows. wln 1410 FLAMINEO And be lousy. wln 1411 LODOVICO In taffeta linings; that’s gentle melancholy, wln 1412 Sleep all day. FLAMINEO Yes: and like your melancholic hare wln 1413 Feed after midnight. wln 1414 We are observed: see how yon couple grieve. wln 1415 LODOVICO What a strange creature is a laughing fool, wln 1416 As if man were created to no use wln 1417 But only to show his teeth. FLAMINEO I’ll tell thee what, wln 1418 It would do well instead of looking­glasses wln 1419 To set one’s face each morning by a saucer wln 1420 Of a witch’s congealed blood. LODOVICO Precious gue. wln 1421 We’ll never part. FLAMINEO Never: till the beggary of Courtiers, wln 1422 The discontent of churchmen, want of soldiers, wln 1423 And all the creatures that hang manacled, wln 1424 Worse than strappadoed, on the lowest felly wln 1425 Of fortune’s wheel be taught in our two lives. Enter Antonelli. wln 1426 To scorn that world which life of means deprives. wln 1427 ANTONELLI My Lord, I bring good news. The Pope on’s deathbed, wln 1428 At th’ earnest suit of the great Duke of Florence, img: 23­a sig: F4v wln 1429 Hath signed your pardon, and restored unto you — wln 1430 LODOVICO I thank you for your news. Look up again wln 1431 Flamineo, see my pardon. FLAMINEO Why do you laugh? wln 1432 There was no such condition in our covenant. LODOVICO Why? wln 1433 FLAMINEO You shall not seem a happier man than I, wln 1434 You know our vow sir, if you will be merry, wln 1435 Do it i’ th’ like posture, as if some great man wln 1436 Sat while his enemy were executed: wln 1437 Though it be very lechery unto thee, wln 1438 Do ’t with a crabbed Politician’s face. wln 1439 LODOVICO Your sister is a damnable whore. FLAMINEO Ha? wln 1440 LODOVICO Look you; I spake that laughing. wln 1441 FLAMINEO Dost ever think to speak again? wln 1442 LODOVICO Do you hear? wln 1443 Wilt sell me forty ounces of her blood, wln 1444 To water a mandrake? FLAMINEO Poor Lord; you did vow wln 1445 To live a lousy creature. LODOVICO Yes; FLAMINEO Like one wln 1446 That had for ever forfeited, the daylight, wln 1447 By being in debt, LODOVICO Ha, ha? wln 1448 FLAMINEO I do not greatly wonder you do break: wln 1449 Your Lordship learned long since. But I’ll tell you, wln 1450 LODOVICO What? FLAMINEO And ’t shall stick by you. wln 1451 LODOVICO I long for it. wln 1452 FLAMINEO This laughter scurvily becomes your face, wln 1453 If you will not be melancholy, be angry. Strikes him. wln 1454 See now I laugh too. wln 1455 MARCELLO You are to blame, I’ll force you hence. wln 1456 LODOVICO Unhand me: Exit Marcello and Flamineo wln 1457 That e’er I should be forced to right myself, wln 1458 Upon a Pander. ANTONELLI My Lord. wln 1459 LODOVICO H’ad been as good met with his fist a thunderbolt. wln 1460 GASPARO How this shows! wln 1461 LODOVICO Ud’s death, how did my sword miss him? wln 1462 These rogues that are most weary of their lives, wln 1463 Still scape the greatest dangers, wln 1464 A pox upon him: all his reputation; wln 1465 Nay all the goodness of his family; img: 23­b sig: G1r wln 1466 Is not worth half this earthquake. wln 1467 I learned it of no fencer to shake thus; wln 1468 Come, I’ll forget him, and go drink some wine. Exeunt. wln 1469 Enter Francisco and Monticelso. wln 1470 MONTICELSO Come, come my Lord, untie your folded thoughts, wln 1471 And let them dangle loose as a bride’s hair. wln 1472 Your sister’s poisoned. wln 1473 FRANCISCO Far be it from my thoughts wln 1474 To seek revenge. wln 1475 MONTICELSO What, are you turned all marble? wln 1476 FRANCISCO Shall I defy him, and impose a war wln 1477 Most burdensome on my poor subjects’ necks, wln 1478 Which at my will I have not power to end? wln 1479 You know; for all the murders, rapes, and thefts, wln 1480 Committed in the horrid lust of war, wln 1481 He that unjustly caused it first proceed, wln 1482 Shall find it in his grave and in his seed. wln 1483 MONTICELSO That’s not the course I’d wish you: pray, observe me, wln 1484 We see that undermining more prevails wln 1485 Than doth the Cannon, Bear your wrongs concealed, wln 1486 And, patient as the Tortoise, let this Camel wln 1487 Stalk o’er your back unbruised: sleep with the Lion, wln 1488 And let this brood of secure foolish mice wln 1489 Play with your nostrils, till the time be ripe wln 1490 For th’ bloody audit, and the fatal gripe: wln 1491 Aim like a cunning fowler, close one eye, wln 1492 That you the better may your game espy. wln 1493 FRANCISCO Free me my innocence; from treacherous acts: wln 1494 I know there’s thunder yonder: and I’ll stand, wln 1495 Like a safe valley, which low bends the knee wln 1496 To some aspiring mountain: since I know wln 1497 Treason, like spiders weaving nets for flies, wln 1498 By her foul work is found, and in it dies. wln 1499 To pass away these thoughts, my honored Lord, wln 1500 It is reported you possess a book wln 1501 Wherein you have quoted, by intelligence, wln 1502 The names of all notorious offenders img: 24­a sig: G1v wln 1503 Lurking about the City, MONTICELSO Sir I do wln 1504 And some there are which call it my black book: wln 1505 Well may the title hold: for though it teach not wln 1506 The Art of conjuring, yet in it lurk, wln 1507 The names of many devils. FRANCISCO Pray let’s see it. wln 1508 MONTICELSO I’ll fetch it to your Lordship. wln 1509 FRANCISCO Monticelso, Exit Monticelso. wln 1510 I will not trust thee, but in all my plots wln 1511 I’ll rest as jealous as a Town besieged. wln 1512 Thou canst not reach what I intend to act. wln 1513 Your flax soon kindles, soon is out again, wln 1514 But gold slow heats, and long will hot remain. wln 1515 MONTICELSO ’Tis here my Lord. Enter Monticelso wln 1516 FRANCISCO First your Intelligencers pray let’s see. Francisco wln 1517 MONTICELSO Their number rises strangely, with wln 1518 And some of them wln 1519 You’d Take for honest men. wln 1520 Next are Panders. wln 1521 These are your Pirates: and these following leaves, wln 1522 For base rogues that undo young Gentlemen wln 1523 By taking up commodities: for politic bankrupts: wln 1524 For fellows that are bawds to their own wives, wln 1525 Only to put off horses and slight jewels, wln 1526 Clocks, defaced plate, and such commodities, wln 1527 At birth of their first children. FRANCISCO Are there such? wln 1528 MONTICELSO These are for Impudent bawds, wln 1529 That go in men’s apparel: for usurers wln 1530 That share with scriveners for their good reportage: wln 1531 For Lawyers that will antedate their writs: wln 1532 And some Divines you might find folded there; wln 1533 But that I slip them o’er for conscience’ sake. wln 1534 Here is a general catalog of knaves. wln 1535 A man might study all the prisons o’er, wln 1536 Yet never attain this knowledge. FRANCISCO Murderers. wln 1537 Fold down the leaf I pray, wln 1538 Good my Lord let me borrow this strange doctrine. wln 1539 MONTICELSO Pray use ’t my Lord. img: 24­b sig: G2r wln 1540 FRANCISCO I do assure your Lordship, wln 1541 You are a worthy member of the State, wln 1542 And have done infinite good in your discovery wln 1543 Of these offenders. MONTICELSO Somewhat Sir. FRANCISCO O God! wln 1544 Better than tribute of wolves paid in England. wln 1545 ’Twill hang their skins o’ th’ hedge. wln 1546 MONTICELSO I must make bold wln 1547 To leave your Lordship. FRANCISCO Dearly sir, I thank you, wln 1548 If any ask for me at Court, report wln 1549 You have left me in the company of knaves. Exit Monticelso wln 1550 I gather now by this, some cunning fellow wln 1551 That’s my Lord’s Officer, one that lately skipped wln 1552 From a Clerk’s desk up to a Justice chair, wln 1553 Hath made this knavish summons; and intends, wln 1554 As th’ Irish rebels wont were to sell heads, wln 1555 So to make prize of these. And thus it happens, wln 1556 Your poor rogues pay for ’t, which have not the means wln 1557 To present bribe in fist: the rest o’ th’ band wln 1558 Are razed out of the knave’s record; or else wln 1559 My Lord he winks at them with easy will, wln 1560 His man grows rich, the knaves are the knaves still. wln 1561 But to the use I’ll make of it; it shall serve wln 1562 To point me out a list of murderers, wln 1563 Agents for any villainy. Did I want wln 1564 Ten leash of Courtesans, it would furnish me; wln 1565 Nay laundress three Armies. That so in little paper wln 1566 Should lie th’ undoing of so many men! wln 1567 ’Tis not so big as twenty declarations. wln 1568 See the corrupted use some make of books: wln 1569 Divinity, wrested by some factious blood, wln 1570 Draws swords, swells battles, and o’erthrows all good. wln 1571 To fashion my revenge more seriously, wln 1572 Let me remember my dead sister’s face: wln 1573 Call for her picture: no; I’ll close mine eyes, wln 1574 And in a melancholic thought I’ll frame wln 1575 Enter Isabella’s Ghost. wln 1576 Her figure ’fore me. Now I — ha ’t how strong img: 25­a sig: G2v wln 1577 Imagination works! how she can frame wln 1578 Things which are not! methinks she stands afore me; wln 1579 And by the quick Idea of my mind, wln 1580 Were my skill pregnant, I could draw her picture. wln 1581 Thought, as a subtle Juggler, makes us deem wln 1582 Things, supernatural, which have cause wln 1583 Common as sickness. ’Tis my melancholy, wln 1584 How cam’st thou by thy death? — how idle am I wln 1585 To question mine own idleness? — did ever wln 1586 Man dream awake till now? — remove this object wln 1587 Out of my brain with ’t: what have I to do wln 1588 With tombs, or deathbeds, funerals, or tears, wln 1589 That have to meditate upon revenge? wln 1590 So now ’tis ended, like an old wives’ story. wln 1591 Statesmen think often they see stranger sights wln 1592 Than madmen. Come, to this weighty business. wln 1593 My Tragedy must have some idle mirth in ’t, wln 1594 Else it will never pass. I am in love, wln 1595 In love with Corombona; and my suit wln 1596 Thus halts to her in verse. — wln 1597 I have done it rarely: ô the fate of Princes! wln 1598 I am so used to frequent flattery, he writes wln 1599 That being alone I now flatter myself; wln 1600 But it will serve, ’tis sealed; bear this Enter servant wln 1601 To th’ house of Convertites; and watch your leisure wln 1602 To give it to the hands of Corombona, wln 1603 Or to the Matron, when some followers wln 1604 Of Brachiano may be by. Away Exit servant. wln 1605 He that deals all by strength, his wit is shallow: wln 1606 When a man’s head goes through each limb will follow. wln 1607 The engine for my business, bold Count Lodowick: wln 1608 ’Tis gold must such an instrument procure, wln 1609 With empty fist no man doth falcons lure. wln 1610 Brachiano, I am now fit for thy encounter. wln 1611 Like the wild Irish I’ll ne’er think thee dead, wln 1612 Till I can play at football with thy head. wln 1613 Flectere si nequeo Superos, Acheronta movebo. Exit Monticelso img: 25­b sig: G3r wln 1614 Enter the Matron, and Flamineo. wln 1615 MATRON Should it be known the Duke hath such recourse. wln 1616 To your imprisoned sister, I were like wln 1617 T’ incur much damage by it. FLAMINEO Not a scruple. wln 1618 The Pope lies on his deathbed, and their heads wln 1619 Are troubled now with other business wln 1620 Than guarding of a Lady. Enter servant. wln 1621 SERVANT Yonder’s Flamineo in conference wln 1622 With the Matrona. Let me speak with you. wln 1623 I would entreat you to deliver for me wln 1624 This letter to the fair Vittoria. wln 1625 MATRON I shall Sir. Enter Brachiano. wln 1626 SERVANT With all care and secrecy, wln 1627 Hereafter you shall know me, and receive wln 1628 Thanks for this courtesy. FLAMINEO How now? what’s that? wln 1629 MATRON A letter. FLAMINEO To my sister: I’ll see ’t delivered. wln 1630 BRACHIANO What’s that you read Flamineo? FLAMINEO Look. wln 1631 BRACHIANO Ha? To the most unfortunate his best respected Vittoria wln 1632 Who was the messenger? FLAMINEO I know not. wln 1633 BRACHIANO No! Who sent it? wln 1634 FLAMINEO Ud’s foot you speak, as if a man wln 1635 Should know what fowl is coffined in a baked meat wln 1636 Afore you cut it up. wln 1637 BRACHIANO I’ll open ’t, were ’t her heart. What’s here subscribed Florence? wln 1638 This juggling is gross and palpable. wln 1639 I have found out the conveyance; read it, read, it. wln 1640 FLAMINEO Your tears I’ll turn to triumphs, be but mine. Reads the wln 1641 Your prop is fall’n; I pity that a vine letter, wln 1642 Which Princes heretofore have longed to gather, wln 1643 Wanting supporters, now should fade and wither. wln 1644 Wine i’ faith, my Lord, with lees would serve his turn. wln 1645 Your sad imprisonment I’ll soon uncharm, wln 1646 And with a princely uncontrolled arm wln 1647 Lead you to Florence, where my love and care wln 1648 Shall hang your wishes in my silver hair. wln 1649 A halter on his strange equivocation. wln 1650 Nor for my years return me the sad willow, img: 26­a sig: G3v wln 1651 Who prefer blossoms before fruit that’s mellow. wln 1652 Rotten on my knowledge with lying too long i’ th’ bedstraw. wln 1653 And all the lines of age this line convinces: wln 1654 The Gods never wax old, no more do Princes. wln 1655 A pox on ’t tear it, let’s have no more Atheists for God’s sake. wln 1656 BRACHIANO Ud’s death, I’ll cut her into Atomies wln 1657 And let th’ irregular Northwind sweep her up wln 1658 And blow her int’ his nostrils. Where’s this whore? wln 1659 FLAMINEO That? what do you call her? wln 1660 BRACHIANO Oh, I could be mad, wln 1661 Prevent the cursed disease she’ll bring me to; wln 1662 And tear my hair off. Where’s this changeable stuff? wln 1663 FLAMINEO O’er head and ears in water, I assure you, wln 1664 She is not for your wearing. BRACHIANO In you Pander? wln 1665 FLAMINEO What me, my Lord, am I your dog? wln 1666 BRACHIANO A bloodhound: do you brave? do you stand me? wln 1667 FLAMINEO Stand you? let those that have diseases run; wln 1668 I need no plasters. BRACHIANO Would you be kicked? wln 1669 FLAMINEO Would you have your neck broke? wln 1670 I tell you Duke, I am not in Russia; wln 1671 My shins must be kept whole. BRACHIANO Do you know me? wln 1672 FLAMINEO O my Lord! methodically. wln 1673 As in this world there are degrees of evils: wln 1674 So in this world there are degrees of devils. wln 1675 You’re a great Duke; I your poor secretary. wln 1676 I do look now for a Spanish fig, or an Italian sallet daily. wln 1677 BRACHIANO Pander, ply your convoy, and leave your prating. wln 1678 FLAMINEO All your kindness to me is like that miserable courtesy wln 1679 of Polyphemus to Ulysses, you reserve me to be devoured wln 1680 last, you would dig turfs out of my grave to feed your Larks: wln 1681 that would be music to you. Come, I’ll lead you to her. wln 1682 BRACHIANO Do you face me? wln 1683 FLAMINEO O Sir I would not go before a Politic enemy with wln 1684 my back towards him, though there were behind me a whirlpool. wln 1685 Enter Vittoria to Brachiano and Flamineo. wln 1686 BRACHIANO Can you read Mistress? look upon that letter; wln 1687 There are no characters nor Hieroglyphics. img: 26­b sig: G4r wln 1688 You need no comment, I am grown your receiver, wln 1689 God’s precious you shall be a brave great Lady, wln 1690 A stately and advanced whore. VITTORIA Say Sir. wln 1691 BRACHIANO Come, come, let’s see your Cabinet, discover wln 1692 Your treasury of love­letters. Death and furies, wln 1693 I’ll see them all. VITTORIA Sir, upon my soul, wln 1694 I have not any. Whence was this directed? wln 1695 BRACHIANO Confusion on your politic ignorance. wln 1696 You are reclaimed; are you? I’ll give you the bells wln 1697 And let you fly to the devil. FLAMINEO Ware hawk, my Lord. wln 1698 VITTORIA Florence! This is some treacherous plot, my Lord, wln 1699 To me, he ne’er was lovely I protest, wln 1700 So much as in my sleep. BRACHIANO Right: they are plots. wln 1701 Your beauty! ô, ten thousand curses on ’t. wln 1702 How long have I beheld the devil in crystal? wln 1703 Thou hast led me, like an heathen sacrifice, wln 1704 With music, and with fatal yokes of flowers wln 1705 To my eternal ruin. Woman to man wln 1706 Is either a God or a wolf. VITTORIA My Lord. BRACHIANO Away. wln 1707 We’ll be as differing as two Adamants; wln 1708 The one shall shun the other. What? dost weep? wln 1709 Procure but ten of thy dissembling trade, wln 1710 Ye’d furnish all the Irish funerals wln 1711 With howling, past wild Irish. FLAMINEO Fie, my Lord. wln 1712 BRACHIANO That hand, that cursed hand, which I have wearied wln 1713 With doting kisses! O my sweetest Duchess wln 1714 How lovely art thou now! Thy loose thoughts wln 1715 Scatter like quicksilver, I was bewitched; wln 1716 For all the world speaks ill of thee. VITTORIA No matter. wln 1717 I’ll live so now I’ll make that world recant wln 1718 And change her speeches. You did name your Duchess. wln 1719 BRACHIANO Whose death God pardon. wln 1720 VITTORIA Whose death God revenge wln 1721 On thee most godless Duke. FLAMINEO Now for two whirlwinds. wln 1722 VITTORIA What have I gained by thee but infamy? wln 1723 Thou hast stained the spotless honor of my house, wln 1724 And frighted thence noble society: img: 27­a sig: G4v wln 1725 Like those, which sick o’ th’ Palsy, and retain wln 1726 Ill­scenting foxes ’bout them, are still shunned wln 1727 By those of choicer nostrils. What do you call this house? wln 1728 Is this your palace? did not the Judge style it wln 1729 A house of penitent whores? who sent me to it? wln 1730 Who hath the honor to advance Vittoria wln 1731 To this incontinent college? is ’t not you? wln 1732 Is ’t not your high preferment? Go, go brag wln 1733 How many Ladies you have undone, like me. wln 1734 Fare you well Sir; let me hear no more of you. wln 1735 I had a limb corrupted to an ulcer, wln 1736 But I have cut it off: and now I’ll go wln 1737 Weeping to heaven on crutches. For your gifts, wln 1738 I will return them all; and I do wish wln 1739 That I could make you full Executor wln 1740 To all my sins, ò that I could toss myself wln 1741 Into a grave as quickly: for all thou art worth wln 1742 I’ll not shed one tear more; — I’ll burst first. She throws herself wln 1743 BRACHIANO I have drunk Lethe. upon a bed. wln 1744 Vittoria? My dearest happiness? Vittoria? wln 1745 What do you ail my Love? why do you weep? wln 1746 VITTORIA Yes, I now weep poniards, do you see. wln 1747 BRACHIANO Are not those matchless eyes mine? wln 1747 VITTORIA I had rather. wln 1748 They were not matches. BRACHIANO Is not this lip mine? wln 1749 VITTORIA Yes: thus to bite it off, rather than give it thee. wln 1750 FLAMINEO Turn to my Lord, good sister. wln 1751 VITTORIA Hence you Pander. wln 1752 FLAMINEO Pander! Am I the author of your sin? wln 1753 VITTORIA Yes: He’s a base thief that a thief lets in. wln 1754 FLAMINEO We’re blown up, my Lord, wln 1755 BRACHIANO Wilt thou hear me? wln 1756 Once to be jealous of thee is t’ express wln 1757 That I will love thee everlastingly, wln 1758 And never more be jealous. VITTORIA O thou fool, wln 1759 Whose greatness hath by much o’ergrown thy wit! wln 1760 What dar’st thou do, that I not dare to suffer, wln 1761 Excepting to be still thy whore? for that; img: 27­b sig: H1r wln 1762 In the sea’s bottom sooner thou shalt make wln 1763 A bonfire. FLAMINEO O, no oaths for god’s sake. wln 1764 BRACHIANO Will you hear me? VITTORIA Never. wln 1765 FLAMINEO What a damned impostume is a woman’s will? wln 1766 Can nothing break it? fie, fie, my Lord. wln 1767 Women are caught as you take Tortoises, wln 1768 She must be turned on her back. Sister, by this hand wln 1769 I am on your side. Come, come, you have wronged her. wln 1770 What a strange credulous man were you, my Lord, wln 1771 To think the Duke of Florence could love her? wln 1772 Will any Mercer take another’s ware wln 1773 When once ’t is toused and sullied? And, yet sister, wln 1774 How scurvily this frowardness becomes you? wln 1775 Young Leverets stand not long; and women’s anger wln 1776 Should, like their flight, procure a little sport; wln 1777 A full cry for a quarter of an hour; wln 1778 And then be put to th’ dead quat. BRACHIANO Shall these eyes, wln 1779 Which have so long time dwelt upon your face, wln 1780 Be now put out? FLAMINEO No cruel Landlady i’ th’ world, wln 1781 Which lends forth groats to broom­men, and takes use for them, wln 1782 Would do ’t. wln 1783 Hand her, my Lord, and kiss her: be not like wln 1784 A ferret to let go your hold with blowing. wln 1785 BRACHIANO Let us renew right hands. VITTORIA Hence. wln 1786 BRACHIANO Never shall rage, or the forgetful wine, wln 1787 Make me commit like fault. wln 1788 FLAMINEO Now you are i’ th’ way out, follow ’t hard. wln 1789 BRACHIANO Be thou at peace with me; let all the world wln 1790 Threaten the Cannon. FLAMINEO Mark his penitence. wln 1791 Best natures do commit the grossest faults, wln 1792 When they’re given o’er to jealousy; as best wine wln 1793 Dying makes strongest vinegar. I’ll tell you; wln 1794 The Sea’s more rough and raging than calm rivers, wln 1795 But nor so sweet nor wholesome. A quiet woman wln 1796 Is a still water under a great bridge. wln 1797 A man may shoot her safely. VITTORIA O ye dissembling men! wln 1798 FLAMINEO We sucked that, sister, from women’s breasts, in our img: 28­a sig: H1v wln 1799 first infancy. VITTORIA To add misery to misery. BRACHIANO Sweetest. wln 1800 VITTORIA Am I not low enough? wln 1801 Ay, Ay, your good heart gathers like a snowball wln 1802 Now your affection’s cold. FLAMINEO Ud’ foot, it shall melt, wln 1803 To a heart again, or all the wine in Rome wln 1804 Shall run o’ th’ lees for ’t. wln 1805 VITTORIA Your dog or hawk should be rewarded better wln 1806 Than I have been. I’ll speak not one word more. wln 1807 FLAMINEO Stop her mouth, wln 1808 With a sweet kiss, my Lord. wln 1809 So now the tide’s turned the vessel’s come about wln 1810 He’s a sweet armful. O we curled­haired men wln 1811 Are still most kind to women. This is well. wln 1812 BRACHIANO That you should chide thus! wln 1813 FLAMINEO O, sir, your little chimneys wln 1814 Do ever cast most smoke. I sweat for you. wln 1815 Couple together with as deep a silence, wln 1816 As did the Grecians in their wooden horse. wln 1817 My Lord supply your promises with deeds. wln 1818 You know that painted meat no hunger feeds. wln 1819 BRACHIANO Stay ingrateful Rome. wln 1820 FLAMINEO Rome! it deserves to be called Barbary, for our villainous usage. wln 1821 BRACHIANO Soft; the same project which the Duke of Florence, wln 1822 (Whether in love or gullery I know not) wln 1823 Laid down for her escape, will I pursue. wln 1824 FLAMINEO And no time fitter than this night, my Lord; wln 1825 The Pope being dead; and all the Cardinals entered wln 1826 The Conclave for th’ electing a new Pope; wln 1827 The City in a great confusion; wln 1828 We may attire her in a Page’s suit, wln 1829 Lay her post­horse, take shipping, and amain wln 1830 For Padua. wln 1831 BRACHIANO I’ll instantly steal forth the Prince Giovanni, wln 1832 And make for Padua. You two with your old Mother wln 1833 And young Marcello that attends on Florence, wln 1834 If you can work him to it, follow me. wln 1835 I will advance you all: for you Vittoria, img: 28­b sig: H2r wln 1836 Think of a Duchess’ title. FLAMINEO Lo you sister. wln 1837 Stay, my Lord; I’ll tell you a tale. The crocodile, which lives in wln 1838 the river Nilus, hath a worm breeds i’ th’ teeth of ’t, which puts it wln 1839 to extreme anguish: a little bird, no bigger than a wren, is barber­surgeon wln 1840 to this crocodile; flies into the jaws of ’t; picks out wln 1841 the worm; and brings present remedy. The fish, glad of ease wln 1842 but ingrateful to her that did it, that the bird may not talk wln 1843 largely of her abroad for non payment, closeth her chaps intending wln 1844 to swallow her, and so put her to perpetual silence. But nature wln 1845 loathing such ingratitude, hath armed this bird with a quill wln 1846 or prick on the head, top o’ th’ which wounds the crocodile i’ th’ wln 1847 mouth; forceth her open her bloody prison; and away flies the wln 1848 pretty tooth­picker from her cruel patient. wln 1849 BRACHIANO Your application is, I have not rewarded wln 1850 The service you have done me. FLAMINEO No, my Lord; wln 1851 You sister are the crocodile: you are blemished in your fame, My wln 1852 Lord cures it. And though the comparison hold not in every wln 1853 particle; yet observe, remember, what good the bird with the wln 1854 prick i’ th’ head hath done you; and scorn ingratitude. wln 1855 It may appear to some ridiculous wln 1856 Thus to talk knave and madman; and sometimes wln 1857 Come in with a dried sentence, stuffed with sage. wln 1858 But this allows my varying of shapes, wln 1859 Knaves do grow great by being great men’s apes. Exeunt. wln 1860 Enter Francisco, Lodovico, Gasparo, and six Ambassadors. wln 1861 At another door the Duke of Florence. wln 1862 FRANCISCO So, my Lord, I commend your diligence wln 1863 Guard well the conclave, and, as the order is, wln 1864 Let none have conference with the Cardinals. wln 1865 LODOVICO I shall, my Lord: room for the Ambassadors, wln 1866 GASPARO They’re wondrous brave today: why do they wear wln 1867 These several habits? LODOVICO O sir, they’re Knights wln 1868 Of several Order. wln 1869 That Lord i’ th’ black cloak with the silver cross wln 1870 Is Knight of Rhodes; the next Knight of St. Michael, wln 1871 That of the golden fleece; the Frenchman there wln 1872 Knight of the Holy Ghost; my Lord of Savoy img: 29­a sig: H2v wln 1873 Knight of th’ annunciation; the Englishman wln 1874 Is Knight of th’ honored Garter, dedicated wln 1875 Unto their Saint, St. George. I could describe to you wln 1876 Their several institutions, with the laws wln 1877 Annexed to their Orders, but that time wln 1878 Permits not such discovery. wln 1879 FRANCISCO Where’s Count Lodowick? wln 1880 LODOVICO Here my Lord. wln 1881 FRANCISCO ’Tis o’ th’ point of dinner­time, wln 1882 Marshal the Cardinal’s service, LODOVICO Sir I shall. Enter wln 1883 Stand, let me search your dish, who’s this for? servants with wln 1884 SERVANT For my Lord Cardinal Monticelso, several dishes wln 1885 LODOVICO Whose this? covered. wln 1886 SERVANT For my Lord Cardinal of Bourbon. wln 1887 FRENCH AMBASSADOR Why doth he search the dishes, to observe wln 1888 What meat is dressed? ENGLISH AMBASSADOR No Sir, but to prevent. wln 1889 Lest any letters should be conveyed in wln 1890 To bribe or to solicit the advancement wln 1891 Of any Cardinal, when first they enter wln 1892 ’Tis lawful for the Ambassadors of Princes wln 1893 To enter with them, and to make their suit wln 1894 For any man their Prince affecteth best; wln 1895 But after, till a general election, wln 1896 No man may speak with them. wln 1897 LODOVICO You that attend on the Lord Cardinals wln 1898 Open the window, and receive their viands. wln 1899 A CARDINAL You must return the service; the Lord Cardinals wln 1900 Are busied ’bout electing of the Pope, wln 1901 They have given o’er scrutiny, and are fallen wln 1902 To admiration. LODOVICO Away, away. wln 1903 FRANCISCO I’ll lay a thousand Ducats you hear news A Cardinal wln 1904 Of a Pope presently, Hark; sure he’s elected, on the Terrace wln 1905 Behold! my Lord of Arragon appears, wln 1906 On the Church battlements. wln 1907 ARRAGON. Denuntio vobis gaudium magnum. Reverendissimus wln 1908 Cardinalis Lorenzo de Monticelso electus est in sedem Apostolicam, wln 1909 et elegit sibi nomen Paulum quartum. img: 29­b sig: H3r wln 1910 OMNES. Vivat sanctus Pater Paulus Quartus. wln 1911 SERVANT Vittoria my Lord. wln 1912 FRANCISCO Well: what of her? SERVANT Is fled the City, wln 1912 FRANCISCO Ha? wln 1913 SERVANT With Duke Brachiano. wln 1913 FRANCISCO Fled? Where’s the Prince Giovanni wln 1914 SERVANT Gone with his father. wln 1915 FRANCISCO Let the Matrona of the Convertites wln 1916 Be apprehended: fled ô damnable! wln 1917 How fortunate are my wishes. Why? ’twas this wln 1918 I only labored. I did send the letter wln 1919 T’ instruct him what to do. Thy fame, fond Duke, wln 1920 I first have poisoned; directed thee the way wln 1921 To marry a whore; what can be worse? This follows. wln 1922 The hand must act to drown the passionate tongue, wln 1923 I scorn to wear a sword and prate of wrong. wln 1924 Enter Monticelso in state. wln 1925 MONTICELSO My Lord reports Vittoria Corombona wln 1926 Is stol’n from forth the house of Convertites wln 1927 By Brachiano, and they’re fled the City. wln 1928 Now, though this be the first day of our state, wln 1929 We cannot better please the divine power, wln 1930 Than to sequester from the holy Church wln 1931 These cursed persons. Make it therefore known, wln 1932 We do denounce excommunication wln 1933 Against them both: all that are theirs in Rome wln 1934 We likewise banish. Set on. Exeunt. wln 1935 FRANCISCO Come dear Lodovico. wln 1936 You have ta’en the sacrament to prosecute wln 1937 Th’ intended murder. LODOVICO With all constancy. wln 1938 But, Sir, I wonder you’ll engage yourself, wln 1939 In person, being a great Prince. FRANCISCO Divert me not. wln 1940 Most of his Court are of my faction, wln 1941 And some are of my council. Noble friend, wln 1942 Our danger shall be ’like in this design, wln 1943 Give leave, part of the glory may be mine. wln 1944 Why did the Duke of Florence with such care wln 1945 Labor your pardon? say. wln 1946 LODOVICO Italian beggars will resolve you that img: 30­a sig: H3v wln 1947 Who, begging of an alms, bid those they beg of Enter wln 1948 Do good for their own sakes; or ’t may be Monticelso. wln 1949 He spreads his bounty with a sowing hand, wln 1950 Like Kings, who many times give out of measure; wln 1951 Not for desert so much as for their pleasure. wln 1952 MONTICELSO I know you’re cunning. Come, what devil was that wln 1953 That you were raising? LODOVICO Devil, my Lord? wln 1954 I ask you. wln 1955 MONTICELSO How doth the Duke employ you, that his bonnet wln 1956 Fell with such compliment unto his knee, wln 1957 When he departed from you? LODOVICO Why, my Lord, wln 1958 He told me of a resty Barbary horse wln 1959 Which he would fain have brought to the career, wln 1960 The ’sault, and the ring galliard. Now, my Lord, wln 1961 I have a rare French Rider. MONTICELSO Take you heed: wln 1962 Lest the Jade break your neck. Do you put me off wln 1963 With your wild horse­tricks? Sirrah you do lie. wln 1964 O, thou ’rt a foul black cloud, and thou dost threat wln 1965 A violent storm. LODOVICO Storms are i’ th’ air, my Lord; wln 1966 I am too low to storm. MONTICELSO Wretched creature! wln 1967 I know that thou art fashioned for all ill, wln 1968 Like dogs, that once get blood, they’ll ever kill. wln 1969 About some murder? was’t not? LODOVICO I’ll not tell you; wln 1970 And yet I care not greatly if I do; wln 1971 Marry with this preparation. Holy father, wln 1972 I come not to you as an Intelligencer, wln 1973 But as a penitent sinner. What I utter wln 1974 Is in confession merely; which you know wln 1975 Must never be revealed. MONTICELSO You have o’erta’en me. wln 1976 LODOVICO Sir I did love Brachiano’s Duchess dearly; wln 1977 Or rather I pursued her with hot lust, wln 1978 Though she ne’er knew on ’t. She was poisoned; wln 1979 Upon my soul she was: for which I have sworn wln 1980 T’ avenge her murder. MONTICELSO To the Duke of Florence? wln 1981 LODOVICO To him I have. MONTICELSO Miserable Creature! wln 1982 If thou persist in this, ’tis damnable. wln 1983 Dost thou imagine thou canst slide on blood img: 30­b sig: H4r wln 1984 And not be tainted with a shameful fall? wln 1985 Or like the black, and melancholic Yew tree, wln 1986 Dost think to root thyself in dead men’s graves, wln 1987 And yet to prosper? Instruction to thee wln 1988 Comes like sweet showers to over­hardened ground: wln 1989 They wet, but pierce not deep. And so I leave thee wln 1990 With all the Furies hanging ’bout thy neck, wln 1991 Till by thy penitence thou remove this evil, wln 1992 In conjuring from thy breast that cruel Devil. wln 1993 LODOVICO I’ll give it o’er. He says ’tis damnable: Exit Monticelso wln 1994 Besides I did expect his suffrage, wln 1995 By reason of Camillo’s death. Enter servant wln 1996 and Francisco, wln 1997 FRANCISCO Do you know that Count? SERVANT Yes, my Lord, wln 1998 FRANCISCO Bear him these thousand Ducats to his lodging; wln 1999 Tell him the Pope hath sent them. Happily wln 2000 That will confirm more than all the rest. SERVANT Sir. wln 2001 LODOVICO To me sir? wln 2002 SERVANT His holiness hath sent you a thousand Crowns, wln 2003 And will you if you travel, to make him wln 2004 Your Patron for intelligence. LODOVICO His creature ever to be commanded. wln 2005 Why now ’tis come about. He railed upon me; wln 2006 And yet these Crowns were told out and laid ready, wln 2007 Before he knew my voyage. O the Art wln 2008 The modest form of greatness! that do sit wln 2009 Like Brides at wedding dinners, with their looks turned wln 2010 From the least wanton jests, their puling stomach wln 2011 Sick of the modesty, when their thoughts are loose. wln 2012 Even acting of those hot and lustful sports wln 2013 Are to ensue about midnight: such his cunning! wln 2014 He sounds my depth thus with a golden plummet, wln 2015 I am doubly armed now. Now to th’ act of blood, wln 2016 There’s but three furies found in spacious hell; wln 2017 But in a great man’s breast three thousand dwell. wln 2018 A passage over the stage of Brachiano, Flamineo, Marcello, Hortensio, wln 2019 Corombona. Cornelia, Zanche and others. wln 2020 FLAMINEO In all the weary minutes of my life, img: 31­a sig: H4v wln 2021 Day ne’er broke up till now. This marriage. wln 2022 Confirms me happy. HORTENSIO ’Tis a good assurance. wln 2023 Saw you not yet the Moor that’s come to Court? wln 2024 FLAMINEO Yes, and conferred with him i’ th’ Duke’s closet, wln 2025 I have not seen a goodlier personage, wln 2026 Nor ever talked with man better experienced wln 2027 In State affairs or rudiments of war. wln 2028 He hath by report, served the Venetian wln 2029 In Candy these twice seven years, and been chief wln 2030 In many a bold design. HORTENSIO What are those two, wln 2031 That bear him company? wln 2032 FLAMINEO Two Noblemen of Hungary, that living in the Emperor’s wln 2033 service as commanders, eight years since, contrary to the wln 2034 expectation of all the Court entered into religion, into the strict wln 2035 order of Capuchins: but being not well settled in their undertaking wln 2036 they left their Order and returned to Court: for which being wln 2037 after troubled in conscience, they vowed their service against wln 2038 the enemies of Christ; went to Malta; were there knighted; and wln 2039 in their return back, at this great solemnity, they are resolved wln 2040 for ever to forsake the world, and settle themselves here in a wln 2041 house of Capuchins in Padua. HORTENSIO ’Tis strange. wln 2042 FLAMINEO One thing makes it so. They have vowed for ever to wln 2043 wear next their bare bodies those coats of mail they served wln 2044 in. HORTENSIO Hard penance. wln 2045 Is the Moor a Christian? FLAMINEO He is. wln 2046 HORTENSIO Why proffers he his service to our Duke? wln 2047 FLAMINEO Because he understands there’s like to grow wln 2048 Some wars between us and the Duke of Florence, wln 2049 In which he hopes employment. Enter Duke Brachiano. wln 2050 I never saw one in a stern bold look wln 2051 Wear more command, nor in a lofty phrase wln 2052 Express more knowing, or more deep contempt wln 2053 Of our slight airy Courtiers. He talks wln 2054 As if he had traveled all the Prince’s Courts wln 2055 Of Christendom; in all things strives t’ express, wln 2056 That all that should dispute with him may know, wln 2057 Glories, like glowworms, afar off shine bright img: 31­b sig: I1r wln 2058 But looked to near, have neither heat nor light. wln 2059 The Duke. wln 2060 Enter Brachiano, Florence disguised like Mulinassar; Lodovico, Antonelli, wln 2061 Gasparo, Farnese bearing their swords and helmets. wln 2062 BRACHIANO You are nobly welcome. We have heard at full wln 2063 Your honorable service ’gainst the Turk. wln 2064 To you, brave Mulinassar, we assign wln 2065 A competent pension: and are inly sorrow, wln 2066 The vows of those two worthy gentlemen, wln 2067 Make them incapable of our proffered bounty. wln 2068 Your wish is you may leave your warlike swords wln 2069 For Monuments in our Chapel. I accept it wln 2070 As a great honor done me, and must crave wln 2071 Your leave to furnish out our Duchess’ revels. wln 2072 Only one thing, as the last vanity wln 2073 You e’er shall view, deny me not to stay wln 2074 To see a Barriers prepared tonight; wln 2075 You shall have private standings: It hath pleased wln 2076 The great Ambassadors of several Princes wln 2077 In their return from Rome to their own Countries wln 2078 To grace our marriage, and to honor me wln 2079 With such a kind of sport. FRANCISCO I shall persuade them wln 2080 To stay, my Lord. Exeunt Brachiano, Flamineo, wln 2081 Set on there to the presence and Marcello. wln 2082 CARLO Noble my Lord, most fortunately welcome, The wln 2083 You have our vows sealed with the sacrament Conspirators here embrace. wln 2084 To second your attempts. PEDRO And all things ready. wln 2085 He could not have invented his own ruin, wln 2086 Had he despaired with more propriety. wln 2087 LODOVICO You would not take my way. wln 2087 FRANCISCO ’Tis better ordered. wln 2088 LODOVICO T’ have poisoned his prayer book, or a pair of beads, wln 2089 The pummel of his saddle, his looking­glass, wln 2090 Or th’ handle of his racket, ô that, that! wln 2091 That while he had been bandying at Tennis, wln 2092 He might have sworn himself to hell, and struck wln 2093 His soul into the hazard! O my Lord! wln 2094 I would have our plot be ingenious, img: 32­a sig: I1v wln 2095 And have it hereafter recorded for example wln 2096 Rather than borrow example. FRANCISCO There’s no way wln 2097 More speeding than this thought on. LODOVICO On then. wln 2098 FRANCISCO And yet methinks that this revenge is poor, wln 2099 Because it steals upon him like a thief, wln 2100 To have ta’en him by the Casque in a pitched field, wln 2101 Led him to Florence! LODOVICO It had been rare. — And there wln 2102 Have crowned him with a wreath of stinking garlic. wln 2103 T’ have shown the sharpness of his government; Exeunt Lodovico wln 2104 And rankness of his lust. Antonelli. wln 2105 Flamineo comes. Enter Flamineo, Marcello, wln 2106 MARCELLO Why doth this devil haunt you? say. and Zanche. wln 2107 FLAMINEO I know not. wln 2108 For by this light I do not conjure for her. wln 2109 ’Tis not so great a cunning as men think wln 2110 To raise the devil: for here’s one up already, wln 2111 The greatest cunning were to lay him down wln 2112 MARCELLO She is your shame. FLAMINEO I prithee pardon her. wln 2113 In faith you see, women are like to burrs; wln 2114 Where their affection throws them, there they’ll stick. wln 2115 ZANCHE That is my Countryman, a goodly person; wln 2116 When he’s at leisure I’ll discourse with him Exit Zanche wln 2117 In our own language. FLAMINEO I beseech you do, wln 2118 How is ’t brave soldier; ô that I had seen wln 2119 Some of your iron days! I pray relate wln 2120 Some of your service to us. wln 2121 FRANCISCO ’Tis a ridiculous thing for a man to be his own wln 2122 Chronicle, I did never wash my mouth with mine own praise wln 2123 for fear of getting a stinking breath. wln 2124 MARCELLO You’re too Stoical. The Duke will expect other wln 2125 discourse from you wln 2126 FRANCISCO I shall never flatter him, I have studied man too much wln 2127 to do that: What difference is between the Duke and I? no more wln 2128 than between two bricks; all made of one clay. Only ’t may wln 2129 be one is placed on the top of a turret; the other in the bottom wln 2130 of a well by mere chance; if I were placed as high as the Duke, wln 2131 I should stick as fast; make as fair a show; and bear out img: 32­b sig: I2r wln 2132 weather equally. wln 2133 FLAMINEO If this soldier had a patent to beg in Churches, then wln 2134 he would tell them stories, MARCELLO I have been a soldier too. wln 2135 FRANCISCO How have you thrived? MARCELLO Faith poorly. wln 2136 FRANCISCO That’s the misery of peace. Only outsides are then wln 2137 respected: As ships seem very great upon the river, which wln 2138 show very little upon the Seas: So some men i’ th’ Court seem wln 2139 Colossuses in a chamber, who if they came into the field would wln 2140 appear pitiful. Pygmies. wln 2141 FLAMINEO Give me a fair room yet hung with Arras, and wln 2142 some great Cardinal to lug me by th’ ears as his endeared wln 2143 Minion. wln 2144 FRANCISCO And thou mayst do, the devil knows what villainy. wln 2145 FLAMINEO And safely. wln 2146 FRANCISCO Right; you shall see in the Country in harvest time, wln 2147 pigeons, though they destroy never so much corn, the farmer wln 2148 dare not present the fowling piece to them! why? because they wln 2149 belong to the Lord of the Manor; whilst your poor sparrows wln 2150 that belong to the Lord of heaven, they go to the pot for ’t. wln 2151 FLAMINEO I will now give you some politic instruction. The wln 2152 Duke says he will give you pension; that’s but bare promise: wln 2153 get it under his hand. For I have known men that have come wln 2154 from serving against the Turk; for three or four months they wln 2155 have had pension to buy them new wooden legs and fresh wln 2156 plasters; but after ’twas not to be had. And this miserable courtesy wln 2157 shows, as if a Tormenter should give hot cordial drinks wln 2158 to one three quarters dead o’ th’ rack, only to fetch the miserable wln 2159 soul again to endure more dog­days. Enter Hortensio, wln 2160 a young Lord, Zanche, and two more. wln 2161 How now, Gallants; what are they ready for the Barriers? wln 2162 YOUNG LORD. Yes: the Lords are putting on their armor. wln 2163 HORTENSIO What’s he? wln 2164 FLAMINEO A new upstart: one that swears like a Falconer, and wln 2165 will lie in the Duke’s ear day by day like a maker of Almanacs; wln 2166 And yet I knew him since he came to th’ Court smell worse of wln 2167 sweat than an under­tennis­court­keeper. wln 2168 HORTENSIO Look you, yonder’s your sweet Mistress. img: 33­a sig: I2v wln 2169 FLAMINEO Thou art my sworn brother, I’ll tell thee, I do love wln 2170 that Moor, that Witch very constrainedly: she knows some of wln 2171 my villainy; I do love her, just as a man holds a wolf by the wln 2172 ears. But for fear of turning upon me, and pulling out my wln 2173 throat, I would let her go to the Devil. wln 2174 HORTENSIO I hear she claims marriage of thee. wln 2175 FLAMINEO ’Faith, I made to her some such dark promise, and in wln 2176 seeking to fly from ’t I run on, like a frighted dog with a bottle wln 2177 at ’s tail, that fain would bite it off and yet dares not look behind wln 2178 him. Now my precious Gypsy! wln 2179 ZANCHE Ay your love to me rather cools than heats. wln 2180 FLAMINEO Marry, I am the sounder, lover, we have many wenches wln 2181 about the Town heat too fast. wln 2182 HORTENSIO What do you think of these perfumed Gallants then? wln 2183 FLAMINEO Their satin cannot save them. I am confident wln 2184 They have a certain spice of the disease, wln 2185 For they that sleep with dogs; shall rise with fleas. wln 2186 ZANCHE Believe it! A little painting and gay clothes, wln 2187 Make you loathe me. wln 2188 FLAMINEO How? love a Lady for painting or gay apparel? I’ll unkennel wln 2189 one example more for thee. Aesop had a foolish dog that wln 2190 let go the flesh to catch the shadow. I would have Courtiers be wln 2191 better Divers. ZANCHE You remember your oaths. wln 2192 FLAMINEO Lovers’ oaths are like Mariners’ prayers, uttered in extremity; wln 2193 but when the tempest is o’er, and that the vessel leaves wln 2194 tumbling, they fall from protesting to drinking. And yet amongst wln 2195 Gentlemen protesting and drinking go together, and agree as wln 2196 well as Shoemakers and Westphalia bacon. They are both wln 2197 drawers on: for drink draws on protestation; and protestation wln 2198 draws on more drink. Is not this discourse better now than wln 2199 the mortality of your sunburnt Gentleman. Enter Cornelia. wln 2200 CORNELIA Is this your perch, you haggard? fly to th’ stews. wln 2201 FLAMINEO You should be clapped by th’ heels now: strike i’ th’ Court. wln 2202 ZANCHE She’s good for nothing but to make her maids, wln 2203 Catch cold o’ nights; they dare not use a bedstaff, wln 2204 For fear of her light fingers. MARCELLO You’re a strumpet. wln 2205 An impudent one. FLAMINEO Why do you kick her? say, img: 33­b sig: I3r wln 2206 Do you think that she’s like a walnut­tree? wln 2207 Must she be cudgeled ere she bear good fruit? wln 2208 MARCELLO She brags that you shall marry her. FLAMINEO What then? wln 2209 MARCELLO I had rather she were pitched upon a stake wln 2210 In some new­seeded garden, to affright wln 2211 Her fellow crows thence. FLAMINEO You’re a boy, a fool, wln 2212 Be guardian to your hound, I am of age. wln 2213 MARCELLO If I take her near you I’ll cut her throat. wln 2214 FLAMINEO With a fan of feathers? MARCELLO And for you; I’ll whip wln 2215 This folly from you. FLAMINEO Are you choleric? wln 2216 I’ll purge ’t with Rhubarb. HORTENSIO O your brother. wln 2216 FLAMINEO Hang him. wln 2217 He wrongs me most that ought t’ offend me least, wln 2218 I do suspect my mother played foul play, wln 2219 When she conceived thee. MARCELLO Now by all my hopes. wln 2220 Like the two slaughtered sons of Oedipus, wln 2221 The very flames of our affection, wln 2222 Shall turn ten ways. Those words I’ll make thee answer wln 2223 With thy heart blood. FLAMINEO Do like the geese in the progress, wln 2224 You know where you shall find me, MARCELLO Very good, wln 2225 And thou beest a noble, friend, bear him my sword, wln 2226 And bid him fit the length on ’t. YOUNG LORD. Sir I shall. wln 2227 ZANCHE He comes. Hence petty thought of my disgrace, wln 2228 I ne’er loved my complexion till now, Enter Francisco the wln 2229 Cause I may boldly say without a blush, Duke of Florence. wln 2230 I love you. FLAMINEO Your love is untimely sown, wln 2231 There’s a Spring at Michaelmas, but ’tis but a faint one, I am sunk wln 2232 In years, and I have vowed never to marry. wln 2233 ZANCHE Alas! poor maids get more lovers than husbands, wln 2234 Yet you may mistake my wealth. For, as when Ambassadors wln 2235 are sent to congratulate Princes, there’s commonly sent along wln 2236 with them a rich present; so that though the Prince like not the wln 2237 Ambassador’s person nor words, yet he likes well of the presentment. wln 2238 So I may come to you in the same manner, and be better loved wln 2239 for my dowry than my virtue. FLAMINEO I’ll think on the motion. wln 2240 ZANCHE Do, I’ll now detain you no longer. At your better wln 2241 leisure I’ll tell you things shall startle your blood. wln 2242 Nor blame me that this passion I reveal; img: 34­a sig: I3v wln 2243 Lovers die inward that their flames conceal. wln 2244 FLAMINEO Of all intelligence this may prove the best, wln 2245 Sure I shall draw strange fowl, from this foul nest. Exeunt. wln 2246 Enter Marcello and Cornelia. wln 2247 CORNELIA I hear a whispering all about the Court, wln 2248 Your are to fight, who is your opposite? wln 2249 What is the quarrel? MARCELLO ’Tis an idle rumor. wln 2250 CORNELIA Will you dissemble? sure you do not well wln 2251 To fright me thus, you never look thus pale, wln 2252 But when you are most angry. I do charge you wln 2253 Upon my blessing; nay I’ll call the Duke, wln 2254 And he shall school you. MARCELLO Publish not a fear wln 2255 Which would convert to laughter; ’tis not so, wln 2256 Was not this Crucifix my father’s? CORNELIA Yes. wln 2257 MARCELLO I have heard you say, giving my brother suck, wln 2258 He took the Crucifix between his hands, Enter Flamineo, wln 2259 And broke a limb off. CORNELIA Yes: but ’tis mended. wln 2260 FLAMINEO I have brought your weapon back. Flamineo runs wln 2261 CORNELIA Ha, O my horror! Marcello through. wln 2262 MARCELLO You have brought it home indeed. wln 2263 CORNELIA Help, oh he’s murdered. wln 2264 FLAMINEO Do you turn your gall up? I’ll to sanctuary, wln 2265 And send a surgeon to you. HORTENSIO How? o’ th’ ground? wln 2266 MARCELLO O mother now remember what I told, wln 2267 Of breaking off the Crucifix: farewell Enter Carlo Hortensio wln 2268 There are some sins which heaven doth duly punish, Pedro. wln 2269 In a whole family. This it is to rise wln 2270 By all dishonest means. Let all men know wln 2271 That tree shall long time keep a steady foot wln 2272 Whose branches spread no wilder than the root. wln 2273 CORNELIA O my perpetual sorrow! HORTENSIO Virtuous Marcello. wln 2274 He’s dead: pray leave him Lady; come, you shall. wln 2275 CORNELIA Alas he is not dead: he’s in a trance. wln 2276 Why here’s nobody shall get any thing by his death. Let me call wln 2277 him again for God’s sake. CARLO I would you were deceived. wln 2278 CORNELIA O you abuse me, you abuse me, you abuse me. How wln 2279 many have gone away thus for lack of tendance; rear up’s head, img: 34­b sig: I4r wln 2280 rear up’s head; His bleeding inward will kill him. wln 2281 HORTENSIO You see he is departed. wln 2282 CORNELIA Let me come to him; give me him as he is, if he wln 2283 be turned to earth; let me but give him one hearty kiss, and wln 2284 you shall put us both into one coffin: fetch a looking­glass, see wln 2285 if his breath will not stain it; or pull out some feathers from wln 2286 my pillow, and lay them to his lips, will you lose him for a wln 2287 little painstaking? HORTENSIO Your kindest office is to pray for him. wln 2288 CORNELIA Alas! I would not pray for him yet. He may live to wln 2289 lay me i’ th’ ground, and pray for me, if you’ll let me come wln 2290 to him. Enter Brachiano all armed, save wln 2291 BRACHIANO Was this your handiwork? the beaver, with wln 2292 FLAMINEO It was my misfortune. Flamineo. wln 2293 CORNELIA He lies, he lies, he did not kill him: these have wln 2294 killed him, that would not let him be better looked to. wln 2295 BRACHIANO Have comfort my grieved Mother. wln 2296 CORNELIA O you screech­owl. HORTENSIO Forbear, good Madam. wln 2297 CORNELIA Let me go, let me go. She runs to Flamineo wln 2298 The God of heaven forgive thee. Dost not wonder with her wln 2299 I pray for thee? I’ll tell thee what’s the reason, knife drawn and wln 2300 I have scarce breath to number twenty minutes; coming to wln 2301 I’d not spend that in cursing. Fare thee well him lets it fall. wln 2302 Half of thyself lies there: and mayst thou live wln 2303 To fill an hourglass with his moldered ashes, wln 2304 To tell how thou shouldst spend the time to come wln 2305 In blessed repentance. BRACHIANO Mother, pray tell me wln 2306 How came he by his death? what was the quarrel? wln 2307 CORNELIA Indeed my younger boy presumed too much wln 2308 Upon his manhood; gave him bitter words; wln 2309 Drew his sword first; and so I know not how, wln 2310 For I was out of my wits, he fell with’s head wln 2311 Just in my bosom. PAGE. This is not true Madam. wln 2312 CORNELIA I pray thee peace. wln 2313 One arrow’s grazed already; it were vain wln 2314 T’ lose this: for that will ne’er be found again. wln 2315 BRACHIANO Go, bear the body to Cornelia’s lodging: wln 2316 And we command that none acquaint our Duchess img: 35­a sig: I4v wln 2317 With this sad accident: for you Flamineo, wln 2318 Hark you, I will not grant your pardon. FLAMINEO No? wln 2319 BRACHIANO Only a lease of your life. And that shall last wln 2320 But for one day. Thou shalt be forced each evening to renew it, wln 2321 or be hanged. FLAMINEO At your pleasure. wln 2322 Lodovico sprinkles Brachiano’s beaver with a poison. wln 2323 Your will is law now, I’ll not meddle with it. wln 2324 BRACHIANO You once did brave me in your sister’s lodging; wln 2325 I’ll now keep you in awe for ’t. Where’s our beaver? wln 2326 FRANCISCO He calls for his destruction. Noble youth, wln 2327 I pity thy sad fate. Now to the barriers. wln 2328 This shall his passage to the black lake further, wln 2329 The last good deed he did, he pardoned murder. Exeunt. wln 2330 Charges and shouts, They fight at Barriers; wln 2331 first single pairs, then three to three. wln 2332 Enter Brachiano and Flamineo with others. wln 2333 BRACHIANO An Armorer? ud’s death an Armorer? wln 2334 FLAMINEO Armorer; where’s the Armorer? wln 2335 BRACHIANO Tear off my beaver. FLAMINEO Are you hurt, my Lord? wln 2336 BRACHIANO O my brain’s on fire, Enter Armorer. wln 2337 The helmet is poisoned. ARMORER My Lord upon my soul. wln 2338 BRACHIANO Away with him to torture. wln 2339 There are some great ones that have hand in this, wln 2340 And near about me. VITTORIA O my loved Lord, poisoned? wln 2341 FLAMINEO Remove the bar: here’s unfortunate revels, wln 2342 Call the Physicians; a plague upon you; Enter two Physicians: wln 2343 We have too much of your cunning here already. wln 2344 I fear the Ambassadors are likewise poisoned. wln 2345 BRACHIANO Oh I am gone already: the infection wln 2346 Flies to the brain and heart. O thou strong heart! wln 2347 There’s such a covenant ’tween the world and it, wln 2348 They’re loath to break. GIOVANNI O my most loved father! wln 2349 BRACHIANO Remove the boy away, wln 2350 Where’s this good woman? had I infinite worlds wln 2351 They were too little for thee. Must I leave thee? wln 2352 What say yon screech­owls, is the venom mortal? wln 2353 PHYSICIAN Most deadly. BRACHIANO Most corrupted politic hangman! img: 35­b sig: K1r wln 2354 You kill without book; but your art to save wln 2355 Fails you as oft, as great men’s needy friends. wln 2356 I that have given life to offending slaves wln 2357 And wretched murderers, have I not power wln 2358 To lengthen mine own a twelvemonth? wln 2359 Do not kiss me, for I shall poison thee. wln 2360 This unction is sent from the great Duke of Florence. wln 2361 FRANCISCO Sir be of comfort, wln 2362 BRACHIANO O thou soft natural death, that art joint­twin, wln 2363 To sweetest slumber: no rough­bearded Comet, wln 2364 Stares on thy mild departure: the dull Owl wln 2365 Beats not against thy casement: the hoarse wolf wln 2366 Scents not thy carrion. Pity winds thy corse, wln 2367 Whilst horror waits on Princes. VITTORIA I am lost for ever. wln 2368 BRACHIANO How miserable a thing it is to die, wln 2369 ’Mongst women howling! What are those. FLAMINEO Franciscans. wln 2370 They have brought the extreme unction. wln 2371 BRACHIANO On pain of death, let no man name death to me, wln 2372 It is a word infinitely terrible, wln 2373 Withdraw into our Cabinet Exeunt but Francisco and Flamineo. wln 2374 FLAMINEO To see what solitariness is about dying Princes. As wln 2375 heretofore they have unpeopled Towns; divorced friends, and wln 2376 made great houses unhospitable: so now, ô justice! where are wln 2377 their flatterers now? Flatterers are but the shadows of Prince’s wln 2378 bodies the least thick cloud makes them invisible. wln 2379 FRANCISCO There’s great moan made for him. wln 2380 FLAMINEO ’Faith, for some few hours salt water will run most wln 2381 plentifully in every Office o’ th’ Court. But believe it; most of wln 2382 them do but weep over their stepmothers’ graves. wln 2383 FRANCISCO How mean you? wln 2384 FLAMINEO Why? They dissemble, as some men do that live wln 2385 within compass o’ th’ verge. wln 2386 FRANCISCO Come you have thrived well under him. wln 2387 FLAMINEO ’Faith, like a wolf in a woman’s breast; I have been wln 2388 fed with poultry; but for money, understand me, I had as good a wln 2389 will to cozen him, as e’er an Officer of them all. But I had not wln 2390 cunning enough to do it. img: 36­a sig: K1v wln 2391 FRANCISCO What didst thou think of him; ’faith speak freely. wln 2392 FLAMINEO He was a kind of Statesman, that would sooner wln 2393 have reckoned how many Cannon bullets he had discharged wln 2394 against a Town, to count his expense that way, than how many wln 2395 of his valiant and deserving subjects he lost before it. wln 2396 FRANCISCO O, speak well of the Duke. FLAMINEO I have done. wln 2397 Wilt hear some of my Court wisdom? Enter Lodovico. wln 2398 To reprehend Princes is dangerous: and to over­commend some wln 2399 of them is palpable lying. FRANCISCO How is it with the Duke? wln 2400 LODOVICO Most deadly ill. wln 2401 He’s fall’n into a strange distraction. wln 2402 He talks of Battles and Monopolies, wln 2403 Levying of taxes, and from that descends wln 2404 To the most brainsick language. His mind fastens wln 2405 On twenty several objects, which confound wln 2406 Deep Sense with folly. Such a fearful end wln 2407 May teach some men that bear too lofty crest, wln 2408 Though they live happiest, yet they die not best. wln 2409 He hath conferred the whole State of the Dukedom wln 2410 Upon your sister, till the Prince arrive wln 2411 At mature age. FLAMINEO There’s some good luck in that yet. wln 2412 FRANCISCO See here he comes. Enter Brachiano, presented in wln 2413 There’s death in ’s face already. a bed Vittoria and others. wln 2414 VITTORIA O my good Lord! BRACHIANO Away, you have abused me. wln 2415 You have conveyed coin forth our territories; wln 2416 These speeches Bought and sold offices; oppressed the poor, wln 2417 are several And I ne’er dreamt on ’t. Make up your accounts; kinds of wln 2418 distractions and I’ll now be mine own Steward. FLAMINEO Sir, have patience. wln 2419 in the action BRACHIANO Indeed I am to blame. wln 2420 should appear For did you ever hear the dusky raven wln 2421 so. Chide blackness? or was’t ever known, the devil wln 2422 Railed against cloven Creatures. VITTORIA O my Lord! wln 2423 BRACHIANO Let me have some quails to supper. wln 2423 FLAMINEO Sir, you shall. wln 2424 BRACHIANO No: some fried dogfish. Your Quails feed on poison, wln 2425 That old dog­fox, that Politician Florence, wln 2426 I’ll forswear hunting and turn dog­killer; wln 2427 Rare! I’ll be friends with him. for mark you, sir, one dog img: 36­b sig: K2r wln 2428 Still sets another a­barking: peace, peace, wln 2429 Yonder’s a fine slave come in now. FLAMINEO Where? wln 2430 BRACHIANO Why there. wln 2431 In a blue bonnet, and a pair of breeches wln 2432 With a great codpiece. Ha, ha, ha, wln 2433 Look you his codpiece is stuck full of pins wln 2434 With pearls o’ th’ head of them. Do not you know him? wln 2435 FLAMINEO No, my Lord. BRACHIANO Why ’tis the Devil. wln 2436 I know him by a great rose he wears on’s shoe wln 2437 To hide his cloven foot. I’ll dispute with him. wln 2438 He’s a rare linguist. VITTORIA My Lord here’s nothing. wln 2439 BRACHIANO Nothing? rare! nothing! when I want money, wln 2440 Our treasury is empty; there is nothing, wln 2441 I’ll not be used thus. VITTORIA O! lie still, my Lord wln 2442 BRACHIANO See, see, Flamineo that killed his brother wln 2443 Is dancing on the ropes there: and he carries wln 2444 A moneybag in each hand, to keep him even, wln 2445 For fear of breaking’s neck. And there’s a Lawyer wln 2446 In a gown whipped with velvet, stares and gapes wln 2447 When the money will fall. How the rogue cuts capers! wln 2448 It should have been in a halter. wln 2449 ’Tis there; what’s she? FLAMINEO Vittoria, my Lord. wln 2450 BRACHIANO Ha, ha, ha. Her hair is sprinkled with Arras powder, wln 2451 that makes her look as if she had sinned in the Pastry. What’s wln 2452 he? FLAMINEO A Divine my Lord. wln 2453 BRACHIANO He will be drunk: Avoid him: th’ argument is wln 2454 fearful when Churchmen stagger in ’t. Brachiano wln 2455 Look you; six gray rats that have lost their tails, crawl up the seems here near his end. wln 2456 pillow, send for a Rat­catcher. Lodovico and wln 2457 I’ll do a miracle: I’ll free the Court Gasparo in wln 2458 From all foul vermin. Where’s Flamineo? the habit of wln 2459 FLAMINEO I do not like that he names me so often, Capuchins present him wln 2460 Especially on’s deathbed: ’tis a sign in his bed wln 2461 I shall not live long: see he’s near his end. with a Crucifix wln 2462 LODOVICO Pray give us leave; Attende Domine Brachiane, and hallowed wln 2463 FLAMINEO See, see, how firmly he doth fix his eye candle. wln 2464 Upon the Crucifix. VITTORIA O hold it constant. img: 37­a sig: K2v wln 2465 It settles his wild spirits; and so his eyes wln 2466 Melt into tears. wln 2467 By the LODOVICO Domine Brachiane, solebas in bello tutus esse tuo clypeo, wln 2468 Crucifix nunc hunc clypeum hosti tuo opponas infernali. wln 2469 GASPARO Olim hasta valuisti in bello; nunc hanc sacram hastam vibrabis wln 2470 By the Hallowed contra hostem animarum. wln 2471 taper. LODOVICO Attend Domine Brachiane si nunc quoque probas ea quae wln 2472 acta sunt inter nos, flecte Caput in dextrum. wln 2473 GASPARO Esto securus Domine Brachiane: cogita quantum habeas wln 2474 meritorum denique memineris meam animam pro tua oppignoratem si wln 2475 quid esset periculi. wln 2476 LODOVICO Si nunc quoque probas ea quae acta sunt inter nos, flecte caput wln 2477 in loevum. wln 2478 He is departing: pray stand all apart, wln 2479 And let us only whisper in his ears wln 2480 Some private meditations, which our order Here the rest wln 2481 Permits you not to hear. GASPARO Brachiano. being departed wln 2482 LODOVICO Devil Brachiano. Lodovico and Gasparo discover wln 2483 Thou art damned. GASPARO Perpetually. themselves. wln 2484 LODOVICO A slave condemned, and given up to the gallows wln 2485 Is thy great Lord and Master. GASPARO True: for thou wln 2486 Art given up to the devil. LODOVICO O you slave! wln 2487 You that were held the famous Politician; wln 2488 Whose art was poison. GASPARO And whose conscience murder. wln 2489 LODOVICO That would have broke your wife’s neck down the wln 2490 stairs ere she was poisoned. GASPARO That had your villainous salads wln 2491 LODOVICO And fine embroidered bottles, wln 2492 And perfumes wln 2493 Equally mortal with a winter plague wln 2494 GASPARO Now there’s Mercury. LODOVICO And copperas wln 2495 GASPARO And quicksilver. wln 2496 LODOVICO With other devilish pothecary stuff wln 2497 A­melting in your politic brains: dost hear. wln 2498 GASPARO This is Count Lodovico. LODOVICO This Gasparo. wln 2499 And thou shalt die like a poor rogue. GASPARO And stink wln 2500 Like a dead fly­blown dog. wln 2501 LODOVICO And be forgotten before thy funeral sermon. img: 37­b sig: K3r wln 2502 BRACHIANO Vittoria? Vittoria! LODOVICO O the cursed devil, wln 2503 Come to himself again. We are undone. wln 2504 Enter Vittoria and the attendants. wln 2505 GASPARO Strangle him in private. What? will you call him again wln 2506 To live in treble torments? for charity, wln 2507 For Christian charity, avoid the chamber. wln 2508 LODOVICO You would prate, Sir. This is a true­love knot wln 2509 Sent from the Duke of Florence. Brachiano is strangled wln 2510 GASPARO What is it done? wln 2511 LODOVICO The snuff is out. No woman­keeper i’ th’ world, wln 2512 Though she had practiced seven year at the Pest­house, wln 2513 Could have done ’t quaintlier. My Lords he’s dead. wln 2514 OMNES Rest to his soul. wln 2515 VITTORIA O me! this place is hell. Exit Vittoria. wln 2516 FLORENCE How heavily she takes it. FLAMINEO O yes, yes; wln 2517 Had women navigable rivers in their eyes wln 2518 They would dispend them all; surely I wonder wln 2519 Why we should wish more rivers to the City, wln 2520 When they sell water so good cheap. I’ll tell thee, wln 2521 These are but Moonish shades of griefs or fears, wln 2522 There’s nothing sooner dry than women’s tears. wln 2523 Why here’s an end of all my harvest, he has given me nothing wln 2524 Court promises! Let wise men count them cursed wln 2525 For while you live he that scores best pays worst. wln 2526 FLORENCE Sure, this was Florence’ doing. FLAMINEO Very likely. wln 2527 Those are found weighty strokes which come from th’ hand, wln 2528 But those are killing strokes which come from th’ head. wln 2529 O the rare tricks of a Machiavellian! wln 2530 He doth not come like a gross plodding slave wln 2531 And buffet you to death: No, my quaint knave, wln 2532 He tickles you to death; makes you die laughing; wln 2533 As if you had swallowed down a pound of saffron wln 2534 You see the seat, ’tis practiced in a trice wln 2535 To teach Court­honesty, it jumps on Ice. wln 2536 FLORENCE Now have the people liberty to talk wln 2537 And descant on his vices. FLAMINEO Misery of Princes, wln 2538 That must of force be censured by their slaves! img: 38­a sig: K3v wln 2539 Not only blamed for doing things are ill, wln 2540 But for not doing all that all men will. wln 2541 One were better be a thresher. wln 2542 Ud’s death, I would fain speak with this Duke yet. wln 2543 FLORENCE Now he’s dead? wln 2544 FLAMINEO I cannot conjure; but if prayers or oaths wln 2545 Will get to th’ speech of him: though forty devils wln 2546 Wait on him in his livery of flames, wln 2547 I’ll speak to him, and shake him by the hand, wln 2548 Though I be blasted. FRANCISCO Excellent Lodovico! wln 2549 What? did you terrify him at the last gasp? Exit Flamineo. wln 2550 LODOVICO Yes; and so idly, that the Duke had like wln 2551 T’ have terrified us. FRANCISCO How? Enter the Moor. wln 2552 LODOVICO You shall hear that hereafter, wln 2553 See! yon’s the infernal, that would make up sport. wln 2554 Now to the revelation of that secret, wln 2555 She promised when she fell in love with you. wln 2556 FLORENCE You’re passionately met in this sad world. wln 2557 MOOR I would have you look up, Sir; these Court tears wln 2558 Claim not your tribute to them. Let those weep wln 2559 That guiltily partake in the sad cause. wln 2560 I knew last night by a sad dream I had wln 2561 Some mischief would ensue; yet to say truth wln 2562 My dream most concerned you. wln 2563 LODOVICO Shall’s fall a­dreaming? wln 2564 FRANCISCO Yes, and for fashion’ sake I’ll dream with her. wln 2565 MOOR Methought sir, you came stealing to my bed. wln 2566 FRANCISCO Wilt thou believe me sweeting; by this light wln 2567 I was a­dreamt on thee too: for methought wln 2568 I saw thee naked MOOR Fie sir! as I told you, wln 2569 Methought you lay down by me. wln 2570 FRANCISCO So dreamt I; wln 2571 And lest thou shouldst take cold, I covered thee wln 2572 With this Irish mantle. MOOR Verily I did dream, wln 2573 You were somewhat bold with me; but to come to ’t. wln 2574 LODOVICO How? how? I hope you will not go to ’t here. wln 2575 FRANCISCO Nay: you must hear my dream out. img: 38­b sig: K4r wln 2576 MOOR. Well, sir, forth. wln 2577 FRANCISCO When I threw the mantle o’er thee, thou didst laugh wln 2578 Exceedingly methought. MOOR. Laugh? wln 2579 FLAMINEO And cried’st out, wln 2580 The hair did tickle thee. MOOR There was a dream indeed. wln 2581 LODOVICO Mark her I prithee, she simpers like the suds wln 2582 A Collier hath been washed in. wln 2583 MOOR Come, sir; good fortune tends you; I did tell you wln 2584 I would reveal a secret, Isabella wln 2585 The Duke of Florence sister was empoisoned, wln 2586 By a ’fumed picture: and Camillo’s neck wln 2587 Was broke by damned Flamineo; the mischance wln 2588 Laid on a vaulting horse. FRANCISCO Most strange! wln 2589 MOOR Most true. LODOVICO The bed of snakes is broke. wln 2590 MOOR I sadly do confess I had a hand wln 2591 In the black deed. wln 2592 FRANCISCO Thou kept’st their counsel, MOOR Right, wln 2593 For which, urged with contrition, I intend wln 2594 This night to rob Vittoria. LODOVICO Excellent penitence! wln 2595 Usurer’s dream on ’t while they sleep out Sermons. wln 2596 MOOR To further our escape, I have entreated wln 2597 Leave to retire me, till the funeral, wln 2598 Unto a friend i’ th’ country. That excuse wln 2599 Will further our escape, In coin and jewels wln 2600 I shall, at least, make good unto your use wln 2601 An hundred thousand crowns. FRANCISCO O noble wench! wln 2602 LODOVICO Those crowns we’ll share. MOOR It is a dowry, wln 2603 Methinks, should make that sunburnt proverb false, wln 2604 And wash the Ethiop white. FRANCISCO It shall, away wln 2605 MOOR Be ready for our flight. FRANCISCO An hour ’fore day. wln 2606 O strange discovery! why till now we knew not Exit the Moor. wln 2607 The circumstance of either of their deaths. Enter Moor. wln 2608 MOOR You’ll wait about midnight wln 2609 In the Chapel. FRANCISCO There. wln 2610 LODOVICO Why now our action’s justified, wln 2611 FRANCISCO Tush for justice. wln 2612 What harms it Justice? we now, like the partridge img: 39­a sig: K4v wln 2613 Purge the disease with laurel: for the fame wln 2614 Shall crown the enterprise and quit the shame. Exeunt. wln 2615 Enter Flamineo and Gasparo at one door, another way wln 2616 Giovanni attended. wln 2617 GASPARO The young Duke: Did you e’er see a sweeter Prince? wln 2618 FLAMINEO I have known a poor woman’s bastard better favored, wln 2619 This is behind him: Now, to his face all comparisons were hateful: wln 2620 Wise was the Courtly Peacock, that being a great Minion, and wln 2621 being compared for beauty, by some dottrels that stood by, to wln 2622 the Kingly Eagle, said the Eagle was a far fairer bird than wln 2623 herself, not in respect of her feathers, but in respect of her long wln 2624 Tallants. His will grow out in time, wln 2625 My gracious Lord. GIOVANNI I pray leave me Sir. wln 2626 FLAMINEO Your Grace must be merry: ’tis I have cause to mourn, wln 2627 for wot you what said the little boy that rode behind his father wln 2628 on horseback? GIOVANNI Why, what said he? wln 2629 FLAMINEO When you are dead father (said he) I hope then I shall wln 2630 ride in the saddle, O ’tis a brave thing for a man to sit by himself: wln 2631 he may stretch himself in the stirrups, look about, and see the wln 2632 whole compass of the Hemisphere, you’re now, my Lord, i’ th’ wln 2633 saddle. GIOVANNI Study your prayers, sir, and be penitent, wln 2634 ’Twere fit you’d think on what hath former been, wln 2635 I have heard grief named the eldest child of sin. Exit Giovanni wln 2636 FLAMINEO Study my prayers? he threatens me divinely, wln 2637 I am falling to pieces already, I care not, though, like Anacharsis wln 2638 I were pounded to death in a mortar. And yet that death were wln 2639 fitter for Usurer’s gold and themselves to be beaten together, to wln 2640 make a most cordial cullis for the devil. wln 2641 He hath his uncle’s villainous look already, Enter Courtier. wln 2642 In decimo sexto. Now sir, what are you? wln 2643 COURTIER It is the pleasure sir, of the young Duke wln 2644 That you forbear the Presence, and all room, wln 2645 That owe him reverence. wln 2646 FLAMINEO So, the wolf and the raven are very pretty fools when wln 2647 they are young. Is it your office, sir, to keep me out? wln 2648 COURTIER So the Duke wills. wln 2649 FLAMINEO Verily, Master Courtier, extremity is not to be used img: 39­b sig: L1r wln 2650 in all offices: Say that a gentlewoman were taken out of her wln 2651 bed about midnight, and committed to Castle Angelo, to the wln 2652 Tower yonder, with nothing about her, but her smock: would wln 2653 it not show a cruel part in the gentleman porter to lay claim to wln 2654 her upper garment, pull it o’er her head and ears; and put her in wln 2655 naked? COURTIER Very good: you are merry wln 2656 FLAMINEO Doth he make a Court ejectment of me? A flaming wln 2657 firebrand casts more smoke without a chimney, than within ’t. I’ll wln 2658 smoor some of them. Enter Florence. wln 2659 How now? Thou art sad. wln 2660 FRANCISCO I met even now with the most piteous sight. wln 2661 FLAMINEO Thou met’st another here a pitiful wln 2662 Degraded Courtier. FRANCISCO Your reverend mother wln 2663 Is grown a very old woman in two hours. wln 2664 I found them winding of Marcello’s corse; wln 2665 And there is such a solemn melody wln 2666 ’Tween doleful songs, tears, and sad elegies: wln 2667 Such, as old grandames, watching by the dead, wln 2668 Were wont t’ outwear the nights with; that believe me wln 2669 I had no eyes to guide me forth the room, wln 2670 They were so o’ercharged with water. FLAMINEO I will see them. wln 2671 FRANCISCO ’Twere much uncharity in you: for your sight wln 2672 Will add unto their tears. FLAMINEO I will see them. wln 2673 They are behind the traverse. I’ll discover wln 2674 Their superstitious howling. wln 2675 Cornelia, the Moor and three other Ladies discovered, winding wln 2676 Marcello’s Corpse. A song. wln 2677 CORNELIA This rosemary is withered, pray get fresh; wln 2678 I would have these herbs grow up in his grave wln 2679 When I am dead and rotten. Reach the bays, wln 2680 I’ll tie a garland here about his head: wln 2681 ’Twill keep my boy from lightning. This sheet wln 2682 I have kept this twenty year, and every day wln 2683 Hallowed it with my prayers, I did not think wln 2684 He should have wore it. MOOR Look you; who are yonder. wln 2685 CORNELIA O reach me the flowers. wln 2686 MOOR Her Ladyship’s foolish. WOMAN Alas! her grief img: 40­a sig: L1v wln 2687 Hath turned her child again. CORNELIA You’re very welcome. wln 2688 There’s Rosemary for you, and Rue for you, to Flamineo. wln 2689 Hearts­ease for you. I pray make much of it. wln 2690 I have left more for myself. FRANCISCO Lady, who’s this? wln 2691 CORNELIA You are, I take it, the grave­maker. FLAMINEO So. wln 2692 MOOR ’Tis Flamineo. wln 2693 CORNELIA Will you make me such a fool? here’s a white hand: wln 2694 Can blood so soon be washed out? Let me see, wln 2695 When screech­owls croak upon the chimney tops, wln 2696 And the strange Cricket i’ th’ oven sings and hops, wln 2697 When yellow spots do on your hands appear, wln 2698 Be certain then you of a Corse shall hear. wln 2699 Out upon ’t, how ’tis speckled! h’as handled a toad sure. wln 2700 Cowslip­water is good for the memory: pray buy me three ounces wln 2701 of ’t. FLAMINEO I would I were from hence. CORNELIA Do you hear, sir? wln 2702 I’ll give you a saying which my grandmother wln 2703 Was wont, when she heard the bell toll, to sing o’er unto her lute wln 2704 FLAMINEO Do and you will, do. wln 2705 CORNELIA Call for the Robin redbreast and the wren, wln 2706 Since o’er shady groves they hover, Cornelia doth this wln 2707 And with leaves and flowers do cover in several forms wln 2708 The friendless bodies of unburied men. of distraction. wln 2709 Call unto his funeral Dole wln 2710 The Ant, the fieldmouse, and the mole wln 2711 To rear him hillocks, that shall keep him warm, wln 2712 And (when gay tombs are robbed) sustain no harm, wln 2713 But keep the wolf far thence: that’s foe to men, wln 2714 For with his nails he’ll dig them up again. wln 2715 They would not bury him ’cause he died in a quarrel wln 2716 But I have an answer for them. wln 2717 Let holy Church receive him duly wln 2718 Since he paid the Church tithes truly. wln 2719 His wealth is summed, and this is all his store: wln 2720 This poor men get; and great men get no more. wln 2721 Now the wares are gone, we may shut up shop. wln 2722 Bless you all good people, Exeunt Cornelia and Ladies. wln 2723 FLAMINEO I have a strange thing in me, to th’ which img: 40­b sig: L2v wln 2724 I cannot give a name, without it be wln 2725 Compassion, I pray leave me. Exit Francisco. wln 2726 This night I’ll know the utmost most of my fate, wln 2727 I’ll be resolved what my rich sister means wln 2728 T’ assign me for my service: I have lived wln 2729 Riotously ill, like some that live in Court. wln 2730 And sometimes, when my face was full of smiles wln 2731 Have felt the maze of conscience in my breast. wln 2732 Oft gay and honored robes those tortures try, wln 2733 „We think caged birds sing, when indeed they cry. wln 2734 Ha! I can stand thee. Nearer, nearer yet. Enter Brachiano’s Ghost. In his leather wln 2735 What a mockery hath death made of thee? thou look’st sad. Cassock and breeches wln 2736 In what place art thou? in yon starry gallery, boots, a cowl wln 2737 Or in the cursed dungeon? No? not speak? a pot of lily wln 2738 Pray, Sir, resolve me, what religion’s best flowers with wln 2739 For a man to die in? or is it in your knowledge a skull in ’t. wln 2740 To answer me how long I have to live? wln 2741 That’s the most necessary question. wln 2742 Not answer? Are you still like some great men wln 2743 That only walk like shadows up and down, wln 2744 And to no purpose: say: — The Ghost wln 2745 What’s that? O fatal! he throws earth upon me. throws earth upon him and wln 2746 A dead man’s skull beneath the roots of flowers. shows him wln 2747 I pray speak Sir, our Italian Churchmen the skull. wln 2748 Make us believe, dead men hold conference wln 2749 With their familiars, and many times wln 2750 Will come to bed to them, and eat with them. Exit Ghost. wln 2751 He’s gone; and see, the skull and earth are vanished. wln 2752 This is beyond melancholy. I do dare my fate wln 2753 To do its worst. Now to my sister’s lodging, wln 2754 And sum up all these horrors; the disgrace wln 2755 The Prince threw on me; next the piteous sight wln 2756 Of my dead brother; and my Mother’s dotage; wln 2757 And last this terrible vision. All these wln 2758 Shall with Vittoria’s bounty turn to good, wln 2759 Or I will drown this weapon in her blood. Exit. wln 2760 Enter Francisco, Lodovico, and Hortensio. img: 41­a sig: L2v wln 2761 LODOVICO My Lord upon my soul you shall no further: wln 2762 You have most ridiculously engaged yourself wln 2763 Too far already. For my part, I have paid wln 2764 All my debts, so if I should chance to fall wln 2765 My Creditors fall not with me; and I vow wln 2766 To quite all in this bold assembly wln 2767 To the meanest follower. My Lord leave the City, wln 2768 Or I’ll forswear the murder. wln 2769 FRANCISCO Farewell Lodovico. wln 2770 If thou dost perish in this glorious act, wln 2771 I’ll rear unto thy memory that fame wln 2772 Shall in the ashes keep alive thy name. wln 2773 HORTENSIO There’s some black deed on foot. I’ll presently wln 2774 Down to the Citadel, and raise some force. wln 2775 These strong Court factions that do brook no checks, wln 2776 In the career oft break the Riders’ necks. wln 2777 Enter Vittoria FLAMINEO What are you at your prayers? Give o’er. wln 2778 with a VITTORIA How Ruffin? book in her wln 2779 hand. Zanche, FLAMINEO I come to you ’bout worldly business: wln 2780 Flamineo, Sit down, sit down: Nay stay blouze, you may hear it, wln 2781 following The doors are fast enough. VITTORIA Ha, are you drunk? wln 2782 them. FLAMINEO Yes, yes, with wormwood water, you shall taste wln 2783 Some of it presently. VITTORIA What intends the fury? wln 2784 FLAMINEO You are my Lord’s Executrix, and I claim wln 2785 Reward, for my long service. VITTORIA For your service wln 2786 FLAMINEO Come therefore here is pen and Ink, set down wln 2787 What you will give me. wln 2788 She writes. VITTORIA There, FLAMINEO Ha! have you done already, wln 2789 ’Tis a most short conveyance. VITTORIA I will read it. wln 2790 I give that portion to thee, and no other wln 2791 Which Cain groaned under having slain his brother. wln 2792 FLAMINEO A most courtly Patent to beg by. wln 2793 VITTORIA You are a villain. wln 2794 FLAMINEO Is ’t come to this? they say affrights cure agues: wln 2795 Thou hast a Devil in thee; I will try wln 2796 If I can scare him from thee: Nay sit still: wln 2797 My Lord hath left me yet two case of Jewels wln 2798 Shall make me scorn your bounty; you shall see them. img: 41­b sig: L3r wln 2799 VITTORIA Sure he’s distracted. ZANCHE O he’s desperate He enters wln 2800 For your own safety give him gentle language. with two of pistols. wln 2801 FLAMINEO Look, these are better far at a dead lift, wln 2802 Than all your jewel house. VITTORIA And yet methinks, wln 2803 These stones have no fair lustre, they are ill set. wln 2804 FLAMINEO I’ll turn the right side towards you: you shall see wln 2805 how they will sparkle. VITTORIA Turn this horror from me: wln 2806 What do you want? what would you have me do? wln 2807 Is not all mine, yours? have I any children? wln 2808 FLAMINEO Pray thee good woman do not trouble me wln 2809 With this vain worldly business; say your prayers, wln 2810 I made a vow to my deceased Lord, wln 2811 Neither yourself, nor I should outlive him, wln 2812 The numb’ring of four hours. VITTORIA Did he enjoin it. wln 2813 FLAMINEO He did, and ’twas a deadly jealousy, wln 2814 Lest any should enjoy thee after him; wln 2815 That urged him vow me to it: For my death wln 2816 I did propound it voluntarily, knowing wln 2817 If he could not be safe in his own Court wln 2818 Being a great Duke, what hope then for us? wln 2819 VITTORIA This is your melancholy and despair. FLAMINEO Away, wln 2820 Fool, thou art to think that Politicians wln 2821 Do use to kill the effects of injuries wln 2822 And let the cause live: shall we groan in irons, wln 2823 Or be a shameful and a weighty burden wln 2824 To a public scaffold: This is my resolve wln 2825 I would not live at any man’s entreaty wln 2826 Nor die at any’s bidding. VITTORIA Will you hear me? wln 2827 FLAMINEO My life hath done service to other men, wln 2828 My death shall serve mine own turn; make you ready wln 2829 VITTORIA Do you mean to die indeed. wln 2830 FLAMINEO With as much pleasure wln 2831 As e’er my father gat me. VITTORIA Are the doors locked? wln 2832 ZANCHE Yes Madam. wln 2833 VITTORIA Are you grown an Atheist? will you turn your body, wln 2834 Which is the goodly palace of the soul wln 2835 To the soul’s slaughter house? ô the cursed Devil img: 42­a sig: L3v wln 2836 Which doth present us with all other sins wln 2837 Thrice candied o’er; Despair with gall and stibium, wln 2838 Yet we carouse it off; Cry out for help, wln 2839 Makes us forsake that which was made for Man, wln 2840 The world, to sink to that was made for devils, wln 2841 Eternal darkness. ZANCHE Help, help. FLAMINEO I’ll stop your throat wln 2842 With Winter plums, VITTORIA I prithee yet remember, wln 2843 Millions are now in graves, which at last day wln 2844 Like Mandrakes shall rise shrieking. FLAMINEO Leave your prating, wln 2845 For these are but grammatical laments, wln 2846 Feminine arguments, and they move me wln 2847 As some in Pulpits move their Auditory wln 2848 More with their exclamation than sense wln 2849 Of reason, or sound Doctrine. ZANCHE Gentle Madam wln 2850 Seem to consent, only persuade him teach wln 2851 The way to death; let him die first. wln 2852 VITTORIA ’Tis good, I apprehend it, wln 2853 To kill one’s self is meat that we must take wln 2854 Like pills, not chew ’t, but quickly swallow it, wln 2855 The smart o’ th’ wound, or weakness of the hand wln 2856 May else bring treble torments. FLAMINEO I have held it wln 2857 A wretched and most miserable life, wln 2858 Which is not able to die. VITTORIA O but frailty! wln 2859 Yet I am now resolved, farewell affliction; wln 2860 Behold Brachiano, I that while you lived wln 2861 Did make a flaming Altar of my heart wln 2862 To sacrifice unto you; Now am ready wln 2863 To sacrifice heart and all. Farewell Zanche. wln 2864 ZANCHE How Madam! Do you think that I’ll outlive you? wln 2865 Especially when my best self Flamineo wln 2866 Goes the same voyage. FLAMINEO O most loved Moor! wln 2867 ZANCHE Only by all my love let me entreat you; wln 2868 Since it is most necessary none of us wln 2869 Do violence on ourselves; let you or I wln 2870 Be her sad taster, teach her how to die. wln 2871 FLAMINEO Thou dost instruct me nobly, take these pistols, wln 2872 Because my hand is stained with blood already: img: 42­b sig: L4r wln 2873 Two of these you shall level at my breast, wln 2874 Th’ other ’gainst your own, and so we’ll die, wln 2875 Most equally contented: But first swear wln 2876 Not to outlive me. VITTORIA and MOOR Most religiously. wln 2877 FLAMINEO Then here’s an end of me: farewell daylight wln 2878 And ô contemptible Physic! that dost take wln 2879 So long a study, only to preserve wln 2880 So short a life, I take my leave of thee. wln 2881 These are two cupping­glasses, that shall draw Showing the wln 2882 All my infected blood out, pistols. wln 2883 Are you ready? BOTH. Ready. wln 2884 FLAMINEO Whither shall I go now? O Lucian thy ridiculous Purgatory wln 2885 to find Alexander the great cobbling shoes, Pompey tagging wln 2886 points, and Julius Caesar; making hair buttons, Hannibal selling wln 2887 blacking, and Augustus crying garlic, Charlemagne selling wln 2888 lists by the dozen, and King Pippin crying Apples in a cart drawn wln 2889 with one horse. wln 2890 Whether I resolve to Fire, Earth, water, Air, wln 2891 Or all the Elements by scruples; I know not wln 2892 Nor greatly care, — Shoot, shoot, wln 2893 Of all deaths the violent death is best, wln 2894 For from ourselves it steals ourselves so fast They shoot wln 2895 The pain once apprehended is quite past. and run to him and tread wln 2896 VITTORIA What are you dropped. upon him. wln 2897 FLAMINEO I am mixed with Earth already: As you are Noble wln 2898 Perform your vows, and bravely follow me. wln 2899 VITTORIA Whither to hell, ZANCHE To most assured damnation. wln 2900 VITTORIA O thou most cursed devil. ZANCHE Thou art caught wln 2901 VITTORIA In thine own Engine, I tread the fire out wln 2902 That would have been my ruin. wln 2903 FLAMINEO Will you be perjured? what a religious oath was Styx wln 2904 that the Gods never durst swear by and violate? ô that we had wln 2905 such an oath to minister, and to be so well kept in our Courts of wln 2906 Justice. VITTORIA Think whither thou art going. ZANCHE And remember wln 2907 What villainies thou hast acted. VITTORIA This thy death, wln 2908 Shall make me like a blazing ominous star, wln 2909 Look up and tremble. FLAMINEO O I am caught with a spring! img: 43­a sig: L4v wln 2910 VITTORIA You see the Fox comes many times short home, wln 2911 ’Tis here proved true. FLAMINEO Killed with a couple of braches. wln 2912 VITTORIA No fitter off’ring for the infernal furies wln 2913 Than one in whom they reigned while he was living. wln 2914 FLAMINEO O the way’s dark and horrid! I cannot see, wln 2915 Shall I have no company? VITTORIA O yes thy sins, wln 2916 Do run before thee to fetch fire from hell, wln 2917 To light thee thither. wln 2918 FLAMINEO O I smell soot, most sinking soot, the chimney’s afire, wln 2919 My liver’s parboiled like scotch holy­bread; wln 2920 There’s a plumber, laying pipes in my guts, it scalds; wln 2921 Wilt thou outlive me? ZANCHE Yes, and drive a stake wln 2922 Through thy body; for we’ll give it out, wln 2923 Thou didst this violence upon thyself. wln 2924 FLAMINEO O cunning Devils! now I have tried your love, wln 2925 And doubled all your reaches. I am not wounded: Flamineo wln 2926 The pistols held no bullets: ’twas a plot riseth. wln 2927 To prove your kindness to me; and I live wln 2928 To punish your ingratitude, I knew wln 2929 One time or other you would find a way wln 2930 To give me a strong potion, ô Men wln 2931 That lie upon your deathbeds, and are haunted wln 2932 With howling wives, ne’er trust them, they’ll remarry wln 2933 Ere the worm pierce your winding sheet: ere the Spider wln 2934 Make a thin curtain for your Epitaphs. wln 2935 How cunning you were to discharge? Do you practice at wln 2936 the Artillery yard? Trust a woman; never, never; Brachiano be wln 2937 my precedent: we lay our souls to pawn to the Devil for a little wln 2938 pleasure, and a woman makes the bill of sale. That ever man wln 2939 should marry! For one Hypermnestra that saved her Lord and wln 2940 husband, forty­nine of her sisters cut their husbands’ throats all wln 2941 in one night. There was a shoal of virtuous horseleeches. wln 2942 Here are two other Instruments. Enter Lodovico Gasparo Pedro, Carlo. wln 2943 VITTORIA Help, help. wln 2944 FLAMINEO What noise is that? hah? false keys i’ th’ Court. wln 2945 LODOVICO We have brought you a Mask. wln 2945 FLAMINEO A matachin it seems, wln 2946 By your drawn swords. img: 43­b sig: M1r wln 2947 Churchmen turned revellers. CONSPIRATORS Isabella, Isabella, wln 2948 LODOVICO Do you know us now? FLAMINEO Lodovico and Gasparo. wln 2949 LODOVICO Yes and that Moor the Duke gave pension to wln 2950 Was the great Duke of Florence. VITTORIA O we are lost. wln 2951 FLAMINEO You shall not take Justice from forth my hands, wln 2952 O let me kill her. — I’ll cut my safety wln 2953 Through your coats of steel: Fate’s a Spaniel, wln 2954 We cannot beat it from us: what remains now? wln 2955 Let all that do ill, take this precedent: wln 2956 Man may his Fate foresee, but not prevent. wln 2957 And of all Axioms this shall win the prize, wln 2958 ’Tis better to be fortunate than wise. wln 2959 GASPARO Bind him to the pillar. VITTORIA O your gentle pity: wln 2960 I have seen a blackbird that would sooner fly wln 2961 To a man’s bosom, than to stay the gripe wln 2962 Of the fierce Sparrow­hawk. GASPARO Your hope deceives you. wln 2963 VITTORIA If Florence be i’ th’ Court, would he would kill me. wln 2964 GASPARO Fool! Princes give rewards with their own hands, wln 2965 But death or punishment by the hands of others. wln 2966 LODOVICO Sirrah you once did strike me, I’ll strike you wln 2967 Into the Center. wln 2968 FLAMINEO Thou ’lt do it like a hangman; a base hangman; wln 2969 Not like a noble fellow, for thou seest wln 2970 I cannot strike again. LODOVICO Dost laugh? wln 2971 FLAMINEO Wouldst have me die, as I was born, in whining. wln 2972 GASPARO Recommend yourself to heaven. wln 2973 FLAMINEO No I will carry mine own commendations thither. wln 2974 LODOVICO Oh could I kill you forty times a day wln 2975 And use ’t four year together; ’twere too little: wln 2976 Naught grieves but that you are too few to feed wln 2977 The famine of our vengeance. What dost think on? wln 2978 FLAMINEO Nothing; of nothing: leave thy idle questions; wln 2979 I am i’ th’ way to study a long silence, wln 2980 To prate were idle, I remember nothing. wln 2981 There’s nothing of so infinite vexation wln 2982 As man’s own thoughts. LODOVICO O thou glorious strumpet, wln 2983 Could I divide thy breath from this pure air img: 44­a sig: M1v wln 2984 When ’t leaves thy body, I would suck it up wln 2985 And breath ’t upon some dunghill. VITTORIA You, my Death’s man; wln 2986 Methinks thou dost not look horrid enough, wln 2987 Thou hast too good a face to be a hangman,, wln 2988 If thou be do thy office in right form; wln 2989 Fall down upon thy knees and ask forgiveness. wln 2990 LODOVICO O thou hast been a most prodigious comet, wln 2991 But I’ll cut off your train: kill the Moor first. wln 2992 VITTORIA You shall not kill her first. behold my breast, wln 2993 I will be waited on in death; my servant wln 2994 Shall never go before me. GASPARO Are you so brave. wln 2995 VITTORIA Yes I shall welcome death wln 2996 As Princes do some great Ambassadors; I’ll meet thy weapon wln 2997 half way. LODOVICO Thou dost tremble, wln 2998 Methinks fear should dissolve thee into air. wln 2999 VITTORIA O thou art deceived, I am too true a woman: wln 3000 Conceit can never kill me: I’ll tell thee what, wln 3001 I will not in my death shed one base tear, wln 3002 Or if look pale, for want of blood, not fear. wln 3003 CARLO Thou art my task, black fury. ZANCHE I have blood wln 3004 As red as either of theirs; wilt drink some? wln 3005 ’Tis good for the falling sickness: I am proud wln 3006 Death cannot alter my complexion, wln 3007 For I shall ne’er look pale. LODOVICO Strike, strike, wln 3008 With a Joint motion. VITTORIA ’Twas a manly blow wln 3009 The next thou giv’st, murder some sucking Infant, wln 3010 And then thou wilt be famous. FLAMINEO O what blade is ’t? wln 3011 A Toledo, or an English Fox. wln 3012 I ever thought a Cutler should distinguish wln 3013 The cause of my death, rather than a Doctor. wln 3014 Search my wound deeper: tent it with the steel that made it. wln 3015 VITTORIA O my greatest sin lay in my blood. wln 3016 Now my blood pays for ’t. FLAMINEO Th’ art a noble sister wln 3017 I love thee now; if woman do breed man wln 3018 She ought to teach him manhood: Fare thee well. wln 3019 Know many glorious women that are famed wln 3020 For masculine virtue, have been vicious img: 44­b sig: M2r wln 3021 Only a happier silence did betide them wln 3022 She hath no faults, who hath the art to hide them. wln 3023 VITTORIA My soul, like to a ship in a black storm, wln 3024 Is driven I know not whither. FLAMINEO Then cast anchor. wln 3025 „Prosperity doth bewitch men seeming clear, wln 3026 „But seas do laugh, show white, when Rocks are near. wln 3027 „We cease to grieve, cease to be fortune’s slaves, wln 3028 „Nay cease to die by dying. Art thou gone wln 3029 And thou so near the bottom: false report wln 3030 Which says that women vie with the nine Muses wln 3031 For nine tough durable lives: I do not look wln 3032 Who went before, nor who shall follow me; wln 3033 No, at myself I will begin and end: wln 3034 „While we look up to heaven we confound wln 3035 „Knowledge with knowledge. ô I am in a mist. wln 3036 VITTORIA O happy they that never saw the Court, wln 3037 „Nor ever knew great Man but by report. Vittoria dies. wln 3038 FLAMINEO I recover like a spent taper, for a flash wln 3039 And instantly go out. wln 3040 Let all that belong to Great men remember th’ old wives’ tradition, wln 3041 to be like the Lions i’ th’ Tower on Candlemas day, to wln 3042 mourn if the Sun shine, for fear of the pitiful remainder of wln 3043 winter to come. wln 3044 ’Tis well yet there’s some goodness in my death, wln 3045 My life was a black charnel: I have caught wln 3046 An everlasting cold. I have lost my voice wln 3047 Most irrecoverably: Farewell glorious villains, wln 3048 „This busy trade of life appears most vain, wln 3049 „Since rest breeds rest, where all seek pain by pain. wln 3050 Let no harsh flattering Bells resound my knell, wln 3051 Strike thunder, and strike loud to my farewell. Dies. wln 3052 Enter Ambassador and Giovanni. wln 3053 ENGLISH AMBASSADOR This way, this way, break ope the doors, this way. wln 3054 LODOVICO Ha, are we betrayed; wln 3055 Why then let’s constantly die all together, wln 3056 And having finished this most noble deed, wln 3057 Defy the worst of fate; not fear to bleed. img: 45­a sig: M2v wln 3058 ENGLISH AMBASSADOR Keep back the Prince, shoot, shoot, wln 3059 LODOVICO O I am wounded. wln 3060 I fear I shall be ta’en. GIOVANNI You bloody villains, wln 3061 By what authority have you committed wln 3062 This Massacre. LODOVICO By thine. GIOVANNI Mine? wln 3063 LODOVICO Yes, thy uncle, which is a part of thee enjoined us to ’t: wln 3064 Thou know’st me I am sure, I am Count Lodowick, wln 3065 And thy most noble uncle in disguise wln 3066 Was last night in thy Court. GIOVANNI Ha! wln 3067 CARLO Yes, that Moor thy father chose his pensioner. wln 3068 GIOVANNI He turned murderer; wln 3069 Away with them to prison, and to torture; wln 3070 All that have hands in this, shall taste our justice, wln 3071 As I hope heaven. LODOVICO I do glory yet, wln 3072 That I can call this act mine own: For my part, wln 3073 The rack, the gallows, and the torturing wheel wln 3074 Shall be but sound sleeps to me, here’s my rest wln 3075 „I limbed this night­piece and it was my best. wln 3076 GIOVANNI Remove the bodies, see my honored Lord, wln 3077 what use you ought make of their punishment. wln 3078 Let guilty men remember their black deeds, wln 3079 Do lean on crutches, made of slender reeds. ln 0001 In stead of an Epilogue only this of Martial supplies ln 0002 me. ln 0003 Haec fuerint nobis praemia si placui. ln 0001 For the action of the play, ’twas generally well, and I dare affirm, ln 0002 with the Joint testimony of some of their own quality, (for ln 0003 the true imitation of life, without striving to make nature a monster) ln 0004 the best that ever became them: whereof as I make a general ln 0005 acknowledgement, so in particular I must remember the ln 0006 well­approved industry of my friend Master Perkins, and confess ln 0007 the worth of his action did Crown both the beginning ln 0008 and end. linm 0g0:0 495­b FINIS. sig: [N/A] Textual Notes

1. 147 (5­b) : The regularized reading boy comes from the original boy, though possible variants include be w’. 2. 183 (6­a) : The regularized reading Corombona is supplied for the original Corom[***]a. 3. 342 (8­a) : The regularized reading frequently is amended from the original fteqeuently. 4. 420 (9­a) : The regularized reading Monticelso is amended from the original Mountcelso. 5. 474 (10­a) : The regularized reading prey is amended from the original pery. 6. 509 (10­b) : The regularized reading FRANCISCO is amended from the original FLAN.. 7. 517 (10­b) : The regularized reading FRANCISCO is amended from the original FLAN.. 8. 649 (12­a) : The regularized reading Monticelso is amended from the original Montcello. 9. 841 (15­a) : The regularized reading Brachiano’s is amended from the original Brachian’s. 10. 886 (15­b) : Erroneous speech prefix. 11. 979 (16­b) : The regularized reading Monticelso is amended from the original Montcelso. 12. 1182 (19­b) : The regularized reading her comes from the original her, though possible variants include he. 13. 1253 (20­b) : Some editions move the semi­colon before ’heares’. 14. 1254 (20­b) : Some editions give this line to Monticelso not Vittoria. 15. 1515 (24­a) : This unusual stage direction is expanded in some editions to: Enter Monticelso [and presents] Francisco with [a book]. 16. 1860 (28­b) : The regularized reading Gasparo is amended from the original Gasper. 17. 2003 (30­b) : The regularized reading will comes from the original will, though possible variants include wills. 18. 2047 (31­a) : The regularized reading FLAMINEO is amended from the original FLV.. 19. 2061 (31­b) : The regularized reading Gasparo is amended from the original Gaspar. 20. 2222 (33­b) : The regularized reading ten comes from the original 10, though possible variants include two. 21. 2230 (33­b) : Erroneous speech prefix. Suggest: Francisco. 22. 2239 (33­b) : Erroneous speech prefix. Suggest: Francisco. 23. 2244 (34­a) : Erroneous speech prefix. Suggest: Francisco. 24. 2248 (34­a) : The regularized reading Your comes from the original Your, though possible variants include You. 25. 2267 (34­a) : Some editions give Lodovico in place of Carlo. 26. 2277 (34­a) : Some editions give this speech to Lodovico. 27. 2456 (36­b) : The regularized reading Rat­catcher is amended from the original Rat­cather. 28. 2467 (37­a) : The regularized reading By is supplied for the original [*]y. 29. 2467 (37­a) : The regularized reading Crucifix is supplied for the original Cru[**]fix. 30. 2470 (37­a) : The regularized reading Hallowed is supplied for the original Ho[***]wed. 31. 2516 (37­b) : Florence is another name for Francisco de Medici, Duke of Florence. 32. 2557 (38­a) : Moor refers to Zanche. 33. 2639 (39­a) : The regularized reading fitter is amended from the original fittter. 34. 2659 (39­b) : The regularized reading art is amended from the original hart. 35. 2734 (40­b) : The regularized reading Cassock is supplied for the original Cassoc[*]. 36. 2734 (40­b) : The regularized reading cowl is supplied for the original coo[*]. 37. 2744 (40­b) : The regularized reading earth is supplied for the original ear[**]. 38. 2744 (40­b) : The regularized reading and is supplied for the original a[**]. 39. 2777 (41­a) : The regularized reading Zanche is amended from the original Zanke. 40. 2794 (41­a) : The regularized reading they is amended from the original the. 41. 2799 (41­b) : The margins are trimmed, resulting in lost text. A potential alternate reading is: He enters with two case of pistols. 42. 2805 (41­b) : The regularized reading they is amended from the original the. 43. 2808 (41­b) : The regularized reading thee is amended from the original theee. 44. 2881 (42­b) : The regularized reading the is supplied for the original t[**]. 45. 2894 (42­b) : The regularized reading tread is supplied for the original tr[**]. 46. 2918 (43­a) : The regularized reading sinking comes from the original sinking, though possible variants include stinking. 47. 2947 (43­b) : The regularized reading Churchmen is amended from the original Chuch­men. 48. 3064 (45­a) : The regularized reading Count is amended from the original Cout. 49. 3079 (45­a) : The regularized reading crutches is amended from the original cruthes.