The White Devil

THE TRAGEDY OF PAVLO GIORDANO Vrsini Duke of Brachiano , and Vittoria Corombona . Enter Count Lodouico , Antonelli and Gasparo . LODOVICO . BAnisht ? ANTO. It greeu'd me much to heare the sentence . LODO. Ha , Ha , ô Democritus thy Gods That gouerne the whole world ! Courtly reward , and punishment . Fortun 's a right whore . If she giue ought , she deales it in smal percels , That she may take away all at one swope . This t is to haue great enemies , God quite them : Your woolfe no longer seemes to be a woolfe Then when shee s hungry . GAS. You terme those enemies Are men of Princely ranke . LOD. Oh I pray for them . The violent thunder is adored by those Are pasht in peeces by it . ANTO. Come my Lord , You are iustly dom'd , looke but a little backe Into your former life : you haue in three yeares Ruin'd the noblest Earldome GAS. Your followers Haue swallowed you like Mummia , and being sicke With such vnnaturall and horrid Phisicke Vomit you vp i th kennell ANTO. All the damnable degrees Of drinkings haue you , you staggerd through one Cittizen . Is Lord of two faire Manors , cald you master Only for Cauiare . GAS. Those noblemen Which were inuited to your prodigall feastes , Wherin the Phaenix scarce could scape your throtes , Laugh at your misery , as fore-deeminge you : An idle Meteor which drawne forth the earth Would bee soone lost i th aire . ANTO. Ieast vpon you , And say you were begotten in an Earthquake , You haue ruin'd such faire Lordships . LODO. Very good , This Well goes with two buckets , I must tend The powring out of eather . GAS. Worse then these , You haue acted , certaine Murders here in Rome , Bloody and full of horror . LOD. Las they were flea-bytinges ? Why tooke they not my head then ? GAS. O my Lord The law doth somtimes mediate , thinkes it good Not euer to steepe violent sinnes in blood , This gentle pennance may both end your crimes , And in the example better these bad times . LOD. So , but I wonder then some great men scape This banishment , ther 's Paulo Giordano Orfani , The Duke of Brachiano , now liues in Rome , And by close pandarisme seekes to prostitute The honour of Uittoria Corombona , Vittoria , she that might haue got my pardon For one kisse to the Duke . ANTO. Haue a full man within you , Wee see that Trees beare no such pleasant fruite There where they grew first , as where the are new set . Perfumes the more they are chaf'd the more they render Their pleasing sents , and so affliction Expresseth vertue , fully , whether trew , Or ells adulterate . LOD. Leaue your painted comforts , I le make Italian cut-works in their guts If euer I returne . GASP. O Sir . LODO. I am patient , I haue seene some ready to be executed Giue pleasant lookes , and money , and growne familiar With the knaue hangman , so do I , I thanke them , And would account them nobly mercifull Would they dispatch me quicklie , ANTO. Fare you well , Wee shall find time I doubt not to repeale Your banishment . LOD. I am euer bound to you : Enter This is the worlds almes ; pray make vse of it , Senate Great men sell sheep , thus to be cut in peeces , When first they haue shorne them bare and sold their fleeces . Exeunt . Enter Brachiano , Camillo , Flamineo , Uittoria Corombona . BRA. Your best of rest . VIT. Vnto my Lord the Duke , The best of well come , More lights , attend the Duke . BRA. Flamineo . FLA. My Lord . BRA. Quite lost Flamineo . FLA. Pursew your noble wishes , I am prompt As lightning to your seruice , ô my Lord ! The faire Vittoria , my happy sister Shall giue you present audience , gentlemen ( whisper Let the caroach go on , and t is his pleasure You put out all your torches and depart . BRA. Are wee so happy . FLA. Can 't be otherwise ? Obseru'd you not to night my honor'd Lord Which way so ere you went shee threw her eyes , I haue dealt already with her chamber-maid Zanche the More , and she is wondrous proud To be the agent for so high a spirit . BRA. Wee are happie aboue thought , because boue merrit . FLA.

'boue merrit ! wee may now talke freely : 'boue merrit ; what is t you doubt , her coynesse , that s but the superficies of lust most women haue ; yet why should Ladyes blush to heare that nam'd , which they do not feare to handle ? O they are polliticke , They know our desire is increas'd by the difficultie of injoying ; where a satiety is a blunt , weary and drowsie passion , if the buttery hatch at Court stood continually open their would be nothing so passionat crouding , nor hot suit after the beuerage ,

BRA. O but her iealous husband . FLA.

Hang him , a guilder that hath his braynes perisht with quicke-siluer is not more could in the liuer . The great Barriers moulted not more feathers then he hath shed haires , by the confession of his doctor . An Irish gamster that will play himselfe naked , and then wage all downeward , at hazard , is not more venterous . So vn-able to please a woman that like a dutch doublet all his backe is shrunke into his breeches .

Shrowd you within this closet , good my Lord ,

Some tricke now must be thought on to deuide

My brother in law from his faire bed-fellow ,

BRA. O should she faile to come , FLA. I must not haue your Lordship thus vnwisely amorous ,

I my selfe haue loued a lady and peursued her with a great deale of vnder-age protestation , whom some 3. or 4. gallants that haue enioyed would with all their harts haue bin glad to haue bin rid of T is iust like a summer bird-cage in a garden , the birds that are without , despaire to get in , and the birds that are within despaire and are in a consumption for feare they shall neuer get out : away away my Lord ,

Enter Camillo , See here he comes , this fellow by his apparell Some men would iudge a pollititian , But call his wit in question you shall find it Merely an Asse in 's foot cloath , How now brother what trauailing to bed to your kind wife ? CAM. I assure you brother no , My voyage lyes More northerlie , in a farre colder clime , I do not well remember I protest when I last lay with her . FLA. Strange you should loose your Count . CAM. Wee neuer lay together but eare morning Their grew a flaw betweene vs . FLA. T 'had byn your part To haue made vp that flaw . CAM. Trew , but shee loathes I should be seene in 't . FLA. Why Sir , what 's the matter ? CAM. The Duke your maister visits me I thanke him , And I perceaue how like an earnest bowler Hee very passionatelie leanes that way , He should haue his boule runne FLA. I hope you do not thinke CAM. That noble men boule bootie , Faith his cheeke Hath a most excellent Bias , it would faine iumpe with my mistris . FLA. Will you be an asse . Despight you Aristotle or a Cocould Contrary to your Ephemerides Which shewes you vnder what a smiling planet You were first swadled , CAM: Pew wew , Sir tell not me Of planets nor of Ephemeridas A man may be made Cocould in the day time When the Stars eyes are out . FLA. Sir God boy you , I do commit you to your pittifull pillow Stuft with horne-shauings . CAM. Brother . FLA. God refuse me Might I aduise you now your onlie course Weare to locke vp your wife . CAM. T' weare very good . FLA. Bar her the sight of reuels . CAM. Excellent . FLA. Let her not go to Church , but like a hounde In Leon at your heeles . CAM. T weare for her honour FLA. And so you should be certayne in one fortnight , Despight her chastity or innocence To bee Cocoulded , which yet is in suspence : This is my counsell and I aske no see for 't . CAM. Come you know not where my night cap wringes mee . FLA.

Weare it a th' old fashion , let your large eares come through , it will be more easy , nay I will be bitter , barre your wife of her entertaynment : women are more willinglie & more gloriouslie chast , when they are least restrayned of their libertie . It seemes you would be a fine Capricious Mathematically iealous Coxcombe , take the height of your owne hornes with a Iacobs staffe afore they are vp . These polliticke inclosures for paltry mutton , makes more rebellion in the flesh then all the prouocatiue electuaries Doctors haue vttered sence last Iubilee .

CAM. This doth not phisicke me , FLA:

It seemes you are Iealous , i le shew you the error of it by a familiar example , I haue seene a paire of spectacles fashiond with such perspectiue art , that lay downe but one twelue pence a th' bord t will appeare as if there were twenty , now should you weare a paire of these spectacles , and see your wife tying her shooe , you would Imagine twenty hands were taking vp of your wiues clothes , and this would put you into a horrible causlesse fury ,

CAM. The fault there Sir is not in the eye-sight FLA.

True , but they that haue the yellow Iaundeise , thinke all obiects they looke on to bee yellow . Iealousy is worser , her fit 's present to a man , like so many bubles in a Bason of water , twenty seuerall crabbed faces , many times makes his owne shadow his cocould-maker . * See she comes , what reason Enter Corombona . haue you to be iealous of this creature ? what an ignorant asse or flattering knaue might he be counted , that should write sonnets to her eyes , or call her brow the snow of Ida , or Iuorie of Corinth , or compare her haire to the blacke birds bill , when 't is liker the blacke birds feather . This is all : Be wise , I will make you freinds and you shall go to bed together , marry looke you , it shall not be your seeking , do you stand vpon that by any meanes , walk you a loofe , I would not haue you seene in 't , sister my Lord attends you in the banquetting house , your husband is wondrous discontented .

VIT.

I did nothing to displease him , I carued to him at supper-time

FLA.

You need not haue carued him infaith , they say he is a capon already , I must now seemingly fall out with you . Shall a gentleman so well descended as Camillo . — a lousy slaue that within this twenty yeares rode with the blacke guard in the Dukes cariage mongst spits and dripping-pannes .

CAM. Now he begins to tickle her . FLA.

An excellent scholler , one that hath a head fild with calues braynes without any sage in them , — come crouching in the hams to you for a nights lodging — that hath an itch in 's hams , which like the fier at the glasse house hath not gone out this seauen yeares — is hee not a courtly gentleman , — when he weares white sattin one would take him by his blacke mussel to be no other creature then a maggot , you are a goodly Foile , I confesse , well set out — but couerd with a false stone you conterfaite dyamond .

CAM. He will make her know what is in mee . FLA.

Come , my Lord attends you , thou shalt go to bed to my Lord .

CAM. Now he comes to 't . FLA.

With a relish as curious as a vintner going to taste new wine , I am opening your case hard .

CAM. A vertuous brother a my credit . FLA. He will giue thee a ringe with a philosophers stone in it . CAM. Indeede I am studying Alcumye . FLA.

Thou shalt lye in a bed stuft with turtles feathers , swoone in perfumed lynnen like the fellow was smothered in roses , so perfect shall be thy happinesse , that as men at Sea thinke land and trees and shippes go that way they go , so both heauen and earth shall seeme to go your voyage . Shal't meete him , t is fixt , with nayles of dyamonds to ineuitable necessitie .

VITTO. How shal s rid him hence ? FLA.

I will put brees in 's tayle , set him gadding presentlie , I haue almost wrought her to it , I find her comming , but might I aduise you now for this night I would not lye with her , I would crosse her humor to make her more humble .

CAMIL. Shall I , shall I ? FLA: It will shew in you a supremacie of Iudgement . CAMIL.

Trew , and a mind differing from the tumultuary opinion , for quae negata grat .

FLA.

Right you are the Adamant shall draw her to you , though you keepe distance of :

CAMIL. A philosophicall reason . FLA.

Walke by her a' the noble mans fashion , and tell her you will lye with her at the end of the Progresse

CAMIL.

Vittoria , I cannot be induc'd , or as a man would say incited .

VITTO. To do what Sir ? CAMIL.

To lye with you to night ; your silkeworme vseth to fast euery third day , and the next following spinnes the better . Tomorrow at night I am for you .

VITTO. You le spinne a faire thread , trust to 't . FLA.

But do you heare I shall haue you steale to her chamber about midnight .

CAMIL.

Do you thinke so , why looke you brother , because you shall not thinke i le gull you , take the key , locke me into the chamber , and say you shall be sure of me .

FLA. Introth I will , i le be your iaylor once , But haue you nere a false dore . CAM.

A pox on 't , as I am a Christian tell mee to morrow how scuruelie shee takes my vnkind parting

FLA. I will . CAM.

Didst thou not make the ieast of the silke-worme ? good night in faith I will vse this tricke often ,

FLA. Do , do , do . Exit Camillo .

So now you are safe . Ha ha ha , thou intanglest thy selfe in thine owne worke like a silke-worme

Enter Brachiano .

Come sister , darkenesse hides your blush , women are like curst dogges , ciuilitie keepes them tyed all day time , but they are let loose at midnight , then they do most good or most mischeefe , my Lord , my Lord

BRA. Giue credit : I could wish time would stand still And neuer end this enteruew this hower , Zanche brings out a Carpet Spreads it and layes on it two faire Cushions Enter Cornelia But all delight doth it selfe soon'st dcuour . Let me into your bosome happy Ladie , Powre out in stead of eloquence my vowes , Loose me not Madam , for if you forego me I am lost eternallie . VIT. Sir in the way of pittie I wish you hart-hole . BRA. You are a sweet Phisition . VIT. Sure Sir a loathed crueltie in Ladyes Is as to Doctors many funeralls : It takes away their credit . BRA. Excellent Creature . Wee call the cruell fayre , what name for you That are so mercifull ? ZAN. See now they close . FLA. Most happie vnion . COR. My feares are falne vpon me , oh my heart ! My sonne the pandar : now I find our house Sinking to ruine . Earth-quakes leaue behind , Where they haue tyrannised , iron , or lead , or stone , But woe to ruine violent lust leaues none BRA. What valew is this Iewell VIT. T is the ornament Of a weake fortune . BRA. In sooth i le haue it ; nay I will but change My Iewell for your Iewell . FLAM. Excellent , His Iewell for her Iewell , well put in Duke . BRAC. Nay let me see you weare it . VIT. Heare sir . BRAC. Nay lower , you shall weare my Iewell lower . FLAM. That 's better she must weare his Iewell lower . VIT. To passe away the time I 'le tell your grace , A dreame I had last night . BRAC. Most wishedly . VIT. A foolish idle dreame , Me thought I walkt about the mid of night , Into a Church-yard , where a goodly Eu Tree Spred her large roote in ground , vnder that Eu , As I sat sadly leaning on a graue , Checkered with crosse-sticks , their came stealing in Your Dutchesse and my husband , one of them A picax bore , th' other a Rusty spade , And in rough termes they gan to challenge me , About this Eu. BRAC. That Tree . VIT. This harmelesse Eu: They told me my entent was to root vp That well-growne Eu , and plant i' th steed of it A withered blacke-thorne , and for that they vow'd To bury me aliue : my husband straight With picax gan to dig , and your fell Dutchesse With shouell , like a fury , voyded out The earth & scattered bones , Lord how me thought I trembled , and yet for all this terror I could not pray . FLAM. No the diuell was in your dreame . VIT. When to my rescue there arose me thought A whirlewind , which let fall a massy arme From that strong plant , And both were strucke dead by that sacred Eu In that base shallow graue that was their due . FLAM. Excellent Diuell . Shee hath taught him in a dreame To make away his Dutchesse and her husband . BRAC. Sweetly shall I enterpret this your dreame , You are lodged within his armes who shall protect you , From all the feauers of a iealous husband , From the poore enuy of our flegmaticke Dutchesse , I 'le seate you aboue law and aboue scandall , Giue to your thoughts the inuention of delight And the fruition , nor shall gouernment Diuide me from you longer then a care To keepe you great : you shall to me at once , Be Dukedome , health , wife , children , friends and all . COR. Woe to light hearts they still forerun our fall . FLAM. What fury rais'd thee vp ? away , away Exit Zanche . COR. What make you heare my Lord this dead of night ? Neuer dropt meldew on a flower here , tell now . FLAM. I pray will you go to bed then , Least you be blasted . COR. O that this faire garden , Had all poysoned hearbes of Thessaly , At first bene planted , made a nursery For witch-craft ; rather a buriall plot , For both your Honours . VIT. Dearest mother heare me . COR. O thou dost make my brow bend to the earth , Sooner then nature , see the curse of children In life they keepe vs freqeuently in teares , And in the cold graue leaues vs in pale feares . BRAC. Come , come , I will not heare you . VIT. Deere my Lord . COR. Where is thy Dutchesse now adulterous Duke ? Thou little dreamd'st this night shee is come to Rome . FLAM. How ? come to Rome , VIT. The Dutchesse , BRAC. She had bene better , COR. The liues of Princes should like dyals moue , Whose regular example is so strong , They make the times by them go right or wrong . FLAM. So , haue you done ? COR. Vnfortunate Camillo . VIT. I do protest if any chast deniall , If any thing but bloud could haue alayed , His long suite to me . COR. I will ioyne with thee , To the most wofull end ere mother kneel'd , If thou dishonour thus thy husbands bed , Bee thy life short as are the funerall teares In great mens . BRAC. Fye , fye , the womans mad . COR. Bee thy act Iudas-like betray in kissing , Maiest thou be enuied during his short breath , And pittied like a wretch after this death . VIT. O me accurst . Exit Uictoria FLAM. Are you out of your wits , my Lord I le fetch her backe againe ? BRAC. No I 'le to bed . Send Doctor Iulio to me presently , Vncharitable woman thy rash tongue Hath rais'd a fearefull and prodigious storme , Bee thou the cause of all ensuing harme . Exit Brachiano . FLAM. Now , you that stand so much vpon your honour , Is this a fitting time a night thinke you , To send a Duke home without ere a man : I would faine know where lies the masse of wealth Which you haue whoorded for my maintenance , That I may beare my beard out of the leuell Of my Lords Stirop . COR. What ? because we are poore , Shall we be vitious ? FLAM. Pray what meanes haue you To keepe me from the gallies , or the gallowes ? My father prou'd himselfe a Gentleman , Sold als land , and like a fortunate fellow , Died ere the money was spent . You brought me vp , At Padua I confesse , where I protest For want of meanes , the Vniuersity iudge me , I haue bene faine to heele my Tutors stockings At least seuen yeares : Conspiring with a beard Made me a Graduate , then to this Dukes seruice , I visited the Court , whence I return'd : More courteous , more letcherous by farre , But not a suite the richer , and shall I , Hauing a path so open and so free To my preferment , still retaine your milke In my pale forehead , no this face of mine I 'le arme and fortefie with lusty wine , Gainst shame and blushing . COR. O that I ne're had borne thee , FLAM. So would I . I would the common'st Courtezan in Rome , Had bene my mother rather then thy selfe . Nature is very pittfull to whoores To giue them but few children , yet those children Plurality of fathers , they are sure They shall not want . Go , go , Complaine vnto my great Lord Cardinall , Yet may be he will iustifie the act . Lycurgus wondred much men would prouide Good stalions for their Mares , and yet would suffer Their faire wiues to be barren , COR. Misery of miseries . Exit Cornelia . FLAM. The Dutchesse come to Court , I like not that , Wee are ingag'd to mischiefe and must on . As Riuers to finde out the Ocean Flow with crooke bendings beneath forced bankes , Or as wee see to aspire some mountaines top , The way ascends not straight , but Imitates The suttle fouldings of a Winters snake , So who knowes policy and her true aspect , Shall finde her waies winding and indirect . Exit . Enter Francisco de Medicis , Cardinall Mountcelso , Marcello , Isabella , young Giouanni , with little Iaques the Moore . FRAN. Haue you not seene your husband since you ariued ? ISAB. Not yet sir . FRAN. Surely he is wondrous kind , If I had a such Doue-house as Camillo's I would set fire on 't , wer 't but to destroy The Pole-cats that haunt to 't , — my sweet cossin . GIO. Lord vnkle you did promise mee a horse And armour . FRAN. That I did my pretty cossin , Marcello see it fitted . MAR. My Lord the Duke is here . FRAN. Sister away you must not yet bee seene . ISAB. I do beseech you intreate him mildely , Let not your rough tongue Set vs at louder variance , all my wrongs Are freely pardoned , and I do not doubt As men to try the precious Vnicornes horne Make of the powder a preseruatiue Circle And in it put a spider , so these armes Shall charme his poyson , force it to obeying And keepe him chast from an infected straying FRAN. I wish it may . Be gone . Exit . Enter Brachiano , and Flamineo . Void the chamber , You are welcome , will you sit , I pray my Lord Bee you my Orator , my hearts too full , I 'le second you anon . MONT. E're I beginne Let me entreat your grace forgo all passion Which may be raised by my free discourse : BRAC. As silent as i' th Church you may proceed . MONT. It is a wonder to your noble friends , That you haue as 't were entred the world , With a free Scepter in your able hand , And haue to th' use of nature well applyed High gifts of learning , should in your prime-age Neglect your awfull throne , for the soft downe Of an insatiate bed . oh my Lord , The Drunkard after all his lauish cuppes , Is dry , and then is sober , so at length , When you awake from this lasciuious dreame , Repentance then will follow ; like the sting Plac't in the Adders tayle : wretched are Princes When fortune blasteth but a petty flower Of their vnweldy crownes ; or rauesheth But one pearle from their Scepter : but alas ! When they to wilfull shipwrake loose good Fame All Princely titles perish with their name . BRAC. You haue said my Lord , MON. Inough to giue you tast How farre I am from flattering your greatnesse ? BRAC. Now you that are his second , what say you ? Do not like yong hawkes fetch a course about Your game flies faire and for you , FRAN. Do not feare it : I 'le answere you in your owne hawking phrase , Some Eagles that should gaze vpon the Sunne Seldome soare high , but take their lustfull ease , Since they from dunghill birds their pery can ceaze , You know Uittoria , BRA. Yes . FRAN. You shift your shirt there When you retire from Tennis . BRAC. Happely . FRAN. Her husband is Lord of a poore fortune Yet she wears cloth of Tissue , BRAC. What of this ? Will you vrge that my good Lord Cardinall As part of her confession at next Shrift , And know from whence it sailes . FRAN. She is your Strumpet , BRAC. Vnciuill sir ther 's Hemlocke in thy breath And that blacke slander , were she a whore of mine All thy loud Cannons , and thy borrowed Switzers Thy Gallies , nor thy sworne confederates , Durst not supplant her . FRAN. Let 's not talke on thunder , Thou hast a wife , our sister , would I had giuen Both her whitehands to death , bound and lockt fast In her last winding sheere , when I gaue thee But one . BRAC. Thou hadst giuen a soule to God then . FRAN. True , Thy ghostly father with als absolution , Shall ne're do so by thee . BRAC. Spit thy poyson , FRAN. I shall not need , lust carries her sharpe whippe At her owne girdle , looke to 't for our anger Is making thunder-bolts . BRAC. Thunder ? in faith , They are but crackers . FRAN. Wee 'le end this with the Cannon . BRAC. Thou 'lt get nought by it but iron in thy wounds , And gunpowder in thy nostrels . FRAN. Better that Then change perfumes for plaisters , BRAC. Pitty on thee , 'T were good you 'ld shew your slaues or men condemn'd Your new plow'd fore-head defiance , and I 'le meete thee , Even in a thicket of thy ablest men . MON. My Lords , you shall not word it any further Without a milder limit . FRAN. Willingly . BRAC. Haue you proclaimed a Triumph that you baite a Lyon thus . MON. My Lord . BRAC. I am tame , I am tame sir . FLAN. We send , vnto the Duke for conference Bout leauyes 'gainst the Pyrates , my Lord Duke Is not at home , we come our selfe in person , Still my Lord Duke is busied , but we feare When Tyber to each proling passenger Discouers flockes of wild-duckes , then my Lord 'Bout moulting time , I meane wee shall be certaine To finde you sure enough and speake with you . BRAC. Ha ? FLAN. A meere tale of a tub , my wordes are idle , But to expresse the Sonnet by naturall reason , Enter Giouanni When Stagges grow melancholike you 'le finde the season MON. No more my Lord , heare comes a Champion , Shall end the difference betweene you both , Your sonne the Prince Giouanni , see my Lords What hopes you store in him , this is a casket For both your Crowns , & should be held like deere : Now is he apt for knowledge , therefore know It is a more direct and euen way To traine to vertue those of Princely bloud , By examples then by precepts : if by examples Whom should he rather striue to imitate Then his owne father : be his patterne then , Leaue him a stocke of vertue that may last , Should fortune rend his sailes , and split his mast . BRA. Your hand boy growing to souldier . GIO. Giue me a pike . FRAN. What practising your pike so yong , faire cous . GIO. Suppose me one of Homers frogges , my Lord , Tossing my bul-rush thus , pray sir tell mee Might not a child of good descretion Be leader to an army : FRAN. Yes cousin a yong Prince Of good descretion might . GIO. Say you so , Indeed I haue heard 't is fit a Generall Should not endanger his owne person oft , So that he make a noyse , when hee 's a horsebacke Like a danske drummer , ô 't is excellent . Hee need not fight , me thinkes his horse as well Might lead an army for him ; if I liue I 'le charge the French foe , in the very front Of all my troupes , the formost man . FRA. What , what , GIO. And will not bid my Souldiers vp and follow But bid them follow me . BRAC. Forward Lap-wing . He flies with the shell on 's head . FRAN. Pretty cousin , GIO. The first yeare vnkle that I go to warre , All prisoners that I take I will set free Without their ransome . FRAN. Ha , without thier ransome , How then will you reward your souldiers That tooke those prisoners for you . GIO. Thus my Lord , I 'le marry them to all the wealthy widowes That fals that yeare . FRAN. Why then the next yeare following You 'le haue no men to go with you to warre . GIO. Why then I 'le presse the women to the war , And then the men will follow . MON. Witty Prince . FRAN. See a good habite makes a child a man , Whereas a bad one makes a man a beast : Come you and I are friends . BRAC. Most wishedly , Like bones which broke in sunder and well set Knit the more strongly . FRAN. Call Camillo hither You haue receiued the rumor , how Count Lodowicke Is turn'd a Pyrate . BRAC. Yes . FRA. We are now preparing , Some shippes to fetch him in : behold your Dutchesse , Exeunt Fr. Mon. Giou. Wee now will leaue you and expect from you Nothing but kind intreaty . BRAC. You haue charm'd mee . You are in health we see . ISA. And aboue health To see my Lord well , BRAC. So I wonder much , What amorous whirlewind hurryed you to Rome ISA. Deuotion my Lord . BRAC. Deuotion ? Is your soule charg'd with any grieuous sinne ISA. 'T is burdened with too many , and I thinke The oftner that we cast our reckonings vp , Our sleepes will be the sounder . BRAC. Take your chamber ? ISA. Nay my deere Lord I will not haue you angry , Doth not my absence from you two moneths , Merit one kisse ? BRAC. I do not vse to kisse , If that will dispossesse your iealousy , I 'le sweare it to you . ISA. O my loued Lord , I do not come to chide ; my iealousy , I am to learne what that Italian meanes , You are as welcome to these longing armes , As I to you a Virgine . BRAC. O your breath , Out vpon sweete meates , and continued Physicke . The plague is in them . ISA. You haue oft for these two lippes Neglected Cassia or the naturall sweetes Of the Spring-violet , they are not yet much whithered , My Lord I should be merry , these your frownes Shew in a Helmet , louely but on me , In such a peacefull enterueiw me thinkes They are to too roughly knit . BRA. O dissemblance . Do you bandy factions gainst me ? haue you learn't , The trick of impudent basenes to complaine Vnto your kindred ? ISA. Neuer my deere Lord . BRAC. Must I be haunted out , or wast your trick To meete some amorous gallant heere in Rome That must supply our discontinuance ? ISA. I pray sir burst my heart , and in my death Turne to your antient pitty , though not loue . BRA. Because your brother is the corpulent Duke , That is the great Duke , S'death I shall not shortly Rackit away fiue hundreth Crownes at Tenis , But it shall rest vpon record : I scorne him Like a shau'd Pollake , all his reuerent wit Lies in his wardrope , hee 's a discret fellow When hee 's made vp in his roabes of state , Your brother the great Duke , because h 'as gallies , And now and then ransackes a Turkish flye-boate , ( Now all the hellish furies take his soule , ) First made this match , accursed be the Priest That sang the wedding Masse , and euen my Issue . ISA. O to too far you haue curst . BRA. Your hand I 'le kisse , This is the latest ceremony of my loue , Hence-forth I 'le neuer lye with thee , by this , This wedding-ring : I 'le ne'remore lye with thee . And this diuorce shall be as truely kept , As if the Iudge had doom'd it : fare you well , Our sleeps are seuer'd . ISA. Forbid it the sweet vnion Of all things blessed ; why the Saints in heauen Will knit their browes at that . BRA. Let not thy loue , Make thee an vnbeleeuer , this my vow , Shall neuer on my soule bee satisfied With my repentance : let thy brother rage Beyond a horred tempest or sea-fight , My vow is fixed . ISA. O my winding sheet , Now shall I need thee shortly , deere my Lord , Let me heare once more , what I would not heare , Neuer . BRA. Neuer ? ISA. O my vnkind Lord may your sins find mercy , As I vpon a woefull widowed bed , Shall pray for you , if not to turne your eyes , Vpon your wretched wife , and hopefull sonne , Yet that in time you 'le fix them vpon heauen . BRAC. No more , go , go , complaine to the great Duke . ISA. No my deere Lord , you shall haue present witnesse , How I 'le worke peace betweene you , I will make My selfe the author of your cursed vow I haue some cause to do it , you haue none , Conceale it I beseech you , for the weale Of both your Dukedomes , that you wrought the meanes Of such a separation , let the fault Remaine with my supposed iealousy , And thinke with what a pitteous and rent hear , I shall performe this sad insuing part . Enter Francisco , Flamineo , Montcello , Marcello , Camillo . BRAC. Well , take your course my honourable brother . FRAN. Sister , this is not well my Lord , why sister , She merits not this welcome . BRAC. Welcome say ? Shee hath giuen a sharpe welcome . FRAN. Are you foolish ? Come dry your teares , is this a modest course . To better what is nought , to raile and weepe , Grow to a reconcilement , or by heauen , I 'le nere more deale betweene you . ISA. Sir you shall not , No though Uittoria vpon that condition Would become honest . FRAN. Was your husband loud . Since we departed . ISA. By my life sir no , I sweare by that I do not care to loose . Are all these ruines of my former beauty , Laid out for a whores triumph ? FRA. Do you heare Looke vpon other women , with what patience They suffer these slight wrongs , with what iustice They study to requite them , take that course . ISA. O that I were a man , or that I had power To execute my apprehended wishes , I would whip some with scorpions . FRAN. What ? turn'd fury ? ISA. To dig the strumpets eyes out , let her lye Some twenty monethes a dying , to cut off Her nose and lippes , pull out her rotten teeth , Preserue her flesh like Mummia , for trophies Of my iust anger : Hell to my affliction Is meere snow-water , by your fauour sir , Brother draw neere , and my Lord Cardinall , Sir let me borrow of you but one kisse , Hence-forth I 'le neuer lye with you , by this , This wedding ring . FRA. How ? nere more lie with him , ISA. And this diuorce shall be as truly kept , As if in thronged Court , a thousand eares Had heard it , and a thousand Lawyers hands , Seal'd to the separation . BRAC. Nere lie with me ? ISA. Let not my former dotage , Make thee an vnbeleuer , this my vow Shall neuer on my soule be satisfied With my repentance , manet alta mente repositum . FRAN. Now by my birth you are a foolish , mad , And iealous woman . BRA. You see 't is not my seeking . FRAN. Was this your circle of pure Vnicornes horne , You said should charme your Lord ; now hornes vpon thee , For iealousy deserues them , keepe your vow , And take your chamber . ISA. No sir I 'le presently to Padua , I will not stay a minute . MONT. O good Madame . BRAC. 'T were best to let her haue her humor . Some halfe daies iourney will bring downe her stomacke , And then she 'le turne in post . FRAN. To see her come , To my Lord Cardinall for a dispensation Of her rash vow will beget excellent laughter . ISA. " Vnkindnesse do thy office , poore heart breake , " Those are the killing greifes which dare not speake . Exit . MAR. Camill 's come my Lord . Enter Camillo . FRAN. Where 's the commission ? MAR. T is here . FRAN. Giue me the Signet . FLAM.

My Lord do you marke their whispering , I will compound a medicine out of their two heads , stronger then garlick , deadlier then stibium , the Cantarides which are scarce seene to sticke vpon the flesh when they work to the heart , shall not do it with more silence or inuisible cunning .

Enter Doctor . BRAC. About the murder . FLAM.

They are sending him to Naples , but I 'le send him to Candy , her 's another property to .

BRAC. O the Doctor , FLA.

A poore quackesaluing knaue , my Lord , one that should haue bene lasht for 's letchery , but that he confest a iudgement , had an execution laid vpon him , and so put the whip to a non-plus .

DOCT.

And was consin'd , my Lord , by an arranter knaue then my selfe , and made pay all the coulourable execution .

FLAM.

He will shoot pils into a mans guts , shall make them haue more ventages then a cornet or a lamprey , hee will poyson a kisse , and was once minded , for his Master-peece , because Ireland breeds no poyson , to haue prepared a deadly vapour in a Spaniards fart that should haue poison'd all Dublin .

BRAC. O Saint Anthony fire : DOCT. Your Secretary is merry my Lord : FLAM.

O thou cursed antipathy to nature , looke his eyes bloud-shed like a needle a Chirurgeon stitcheth a wound with , let me embrace thee toad , & loue thee ô thou abhominable lothsome gargarisme , that will fetch vp lungs , lights , heart , and liuer by scruples .

BRAC. No more , I must employ thee honest Doctor , You must to Padua and by the way , vse some of your skil for vs . DOC. Sir I shall . BRAC. But for Camillo ? FLAM. He dies this night by such a polliticke straine , Men shall suppose him by 's owne engine slaine . But for your Dutchesse death . DOCT. I 'le make her sure BRAC. Small mischiefes are by greater made secure . FLAM.

Remember this you slaue , when knaues come to preferment they rise as gallouses are raised i' th low countries , one vpon another shoulders .

Exeunt . MONT. Here is an Embleme nephew pray peruse it . 'T was throwne in at your window , CAM. At my window , Here is a Stag my Lord hath shed his hornes , And for the losse of them the poore beast weepes The word Inopem me copia fecit . MON. That is . Plenty of hornes hath made him poore of hornes . CAM. What should this meane . MON. I le tell you , 't is giuen out You are a Cocould . CAM. Is it giuen out so . I had rather such report as that my Lord . Should keepe within dores . FRAN. Haue you any children . CAM. None my Lord . FRA. You are the happier I le tell you a tale . CAM. Pray my Lord . FRAN. An old tale . Vppon a time Phoebus the God of light Or him wee call the Sunne would neede be married . The Gods gaue their consent , and Mercury Was sent to voice it to the generall world . But what a pitious cry their straight arose Amongst Smiths , & Felt-makers , Brewers & Cooks . Reapers and Butter-women , amongst Fishmongers And thousand other trades , which are annoyed By his excessiue heate ; t was lamentable . They came to Iupiter all in a sweat And do forbid the banes ; a great fat Cooke Was made their Speaker , who intreates of Ioue That Phoebus might bee guelded , for if now When there was but one , Sunne so many men , Weare like to perish by his violent heate . What should they do if hee were married And should beget more , and those children Make fier-workes like their father , so say I , Only I will apply it to your wife , Her issue should not prouidence preuent it Would make both nature , time , and man repent it . MON. Looke you cossin . Go change the aire for shame see if your absence , Will blast your Cornucopia , Marcello Is chosen with you ioint commissioner For the relieuing our Italian coast From pirats . MAR. I am much honord in t . CAM. But sir Ere I returne the Stagges hornes may be sprouted , Greater then these are shed . MONT. Do not feare it , I 'le bee your ranger . CAM. You must watch i' ch nights , Then 's the most danger . FRAN. Farewell good Marcello . All the best fortunes of a Souldiers wish , Bring you a ship-board . CAM. Were I not best now I am turn'd Souldier , E're that I leaue my wife , sell all shee hath , And then take leaue of her . MONT. I expect good from you , Your parting is so merry . CAM. Merry my Lord , a' th Captaines humor right I am resolued to be drunke this night . Exit . FRA. So , 't was well fitted , now shall we descerne , How his wisht absence will giue violent way , To Duke Brachiano's lust , MONT. Why that was it ; To what scorn'd purpose else should we make choice Of him for a sea Captaine , and besides , Count Lodowicke which was rumor'd for a pirate . Is now in Padua . FRAN. Is 't true ? MONT. Most certaine . I haue letters from him , which are suppliant To worke his quicke repeale from banishment , He meanes to adresse himselfe for pention , Vnto our sister Dutchesse . FRAN. O 't was well . We shall not want his absence past sixe daies , I faine would haue the Duke Brachiano run Into notorious scandale , for their 's nought In such curst dotage , to repaire his name , Onely the deepe sence of some deathlesse shame : MON. It may be obiected I am dishonourable , To play thus with my kinsman , but I answere . For my reuenge I 'de stake a brothers life , That being wrong'd durst not auenge himselfe . FRA. Come to obserue this Strumper . MON. Cursse of greatnes , Sure hee 'le not leaue her . FRAN. There 's small pitty in 't Like mistle-tow on seare Elmes spent by weather , Let him cleaue to her and both rot together . Exeunt . Enter Brachiano with one in the habite of a Coniurer . BRAC. Now sir I claime your promise , 't is dead midnight , The time prefixt to shew me by your Art , How the intended murder of Camillo , And our loathed Dutchesse grow to action . CON. You haue won me by your bounty to a deed , I do not often practise , some there are , Which by Sophisticke tricks , aspire that name Which I would gladly loose , of Nigromancer : As some that vse to iuggle vpon cardes , Seeming to coniure , when indeed they cheate . Others that raise vp their confederate spirits , 'Bout wind-mils , and indanger their owne neckes , For making of a squib , and some their are Will keepe a curtall to shew iuggling trickes And giue out 't is a spirit : besides these Such a whole reame of Almanacke-makers , figure-flingers . Fellowes indeed that onely liue by stealth , Since they do meerely lie about stolne goods , Thei 'd make men thinke the diuell were fast and loose , With speaking fustian Lattine : pray sit downe , Put on this night-cap sir , 't is charm'd , and now I 'le shew you by my strong-commanding Art The circumstance that breakes your Dutchsse heart . A DVMBE SHEW . Enter suspiciously , Iulio and Christophero , they draw a curtains wher Brachian's picture is , they put on spectacles of glasse , which couer their eyes and noses , and then burne perfumnes afore the picture , and wash the lips of the picture , that done , quenching the fire , and putting off their spectacles they depart laughing . Enter Isabella in her night-gowne as to did-ward , with lights after her , Count Lodouico , Giouanni , Guid-antonio and others waighting on her , shee kneeles downe as to prayers , then drawes the curtaine of the picture , doe's three reuerences to it , and kisses it thrice , shee faints and will not suffer them to come nere it , dies , sorrow exprest in Giouanni and in Count Lodouico , shee s conueid out solemnly . BRAC. Excellent , then shee 's dead , CON. She 's poysoned , By the fum'd picture , 't was her custome nightly , Before shee went to bed , to go and visite Your picture , and to feed her eyes and lippes On the dead shadow , Doctor Iulio Obseruing this , infects it with an oile And other poison'd stuffe , which presently Did suffocate her spirits . BRAC. Me thought I saw , Count Lodowicke there . CON. He was , and by my art I finde hee did most passionately doate Vpon your Dutchesse , now turne another way , And view Camillo's farre more polliticke face , Strike louder musicke from this charmed ground , To yeeld , as fits the act , a Tragicke sound . THE SECOND DVMBE SHEW . Enter Flamineo , Marcello , Camillo , with foure more as Captaines , they drinke healths and dance , a vauting horse is brought into the roome , Marcello and two more whisper'd out of the roome , while Flamineo and Camillo strip themselues into their shirts , as to vault , complement who shall beginne , as Camillo it about to vault , Flamineo pitcheth him vpon his necke , and with the help of the rest , wriths his necke about , seeme's to see if it be broke , and layes him foulded double as 't were vnder the herse , makes showes to call for helpe . Marcello comes in , laments , sends for the Cardinall and Duke , who comes forth with armed men , wonder at the act , commands the bodie to be carried home , apprehends Flamineo , Marcello , and the rest , and go as 't were to apprehend Vittoria . BRAC. 'T was quaintly done , but yet each circumstance , I tast not fully . CON. O 't was most apparant , You saw them enter charged with their deepe helthes To their boone voyage , and to second that , Flamineo cals to haue a vaulting horse Maintaine their sport . The vertuous Marcello , Is innocently plotted forth the roome , Whilst your eye saw the rest , and can informe you The engine of all . MAR. It seemes Marcello , and Flamineo Are both committed . CON. Yes , you saw them guarded , And now they are come with purpose to apprehend Your Mistresse , faire Uittoria ; wee are now Beneath her roofe : 't were fit we instantly Make out by some backe posterne : BRAC. Noble friend , You bind me euer to you , this shall stand As the firme seale annexed to my hand . Exit Brac. It shall inforce a payment . CON. Sir I thanke you . Both flowers and weedes , spring when the Sunne is warme , And great men do great good , or else great harme . Exit Con. Enter Francisco , and Monticelso , their Chancellor and Register . FRAN. You haue dealt discreetly to obtaine the presence , Of all the graue Leiger Embassadours To heare Vittorias triall . MON. 'T was not ill , For sir you know we haue nought but circumstances To charge her with , about her husbands death , Their approbation therefore to the proofes Of her blacke lust , shall make her infamous To all our neighbouring Kingdomes , I wonder ( pable If Brachiano will be here . FRA. O fye 't were impudence too pal - Enter Flamineo and Marcello guarded , and a Lawyer . LAW.

What are you in by the weeke , so I will try now whether thy wit be close prisoner , mee thinke's none should sit vpon thy sister but old whoore-maisters ,

FLAM.

Or cocoulds , for your cocould is your most terrible tickler of letchery : whoore-maisters would serue , for none are iudges at tilting , but those that haue bene old Tilters .

LAW. My Lord Duke and shee haue bene very priuate : FLAM.

You are a dull asse , 't is threatned they haue bene very publicke .

LAW. If it can be proued they haue but kist one another . FLAM. What then ? LAW. My Lord Cardinall will ferit them , FLAM. A Cardinall I hope will not catch conyes . LAW.

For to sowe kisses ( marke what I say ) to sowe kisses , is to reape letchery , and I am sure a woman that will endure kissing is halfe won .

FLAM.

True , her vpper part by that rule , if you will win her nether part to , you know what followes .

LAW. Harke the Embassadours are lighted , FLAM. I do put on this feigned Garbe of mirth , To gull suspition . MAR. O my vnfortunate sister ! I would my daggers point had cleft her heart When she first saw Brachiano : You 't is said , Were made his engine , and his stauking horse To vndo my sister . FLAM. I made a kind of path To her & mine owne preferment . MAR. Your ruine , FLAM. Hum ! thou art a souldier , Followest the great Duke , feedest his victories , As witches do their seruiceable spirits , Euen with thy prodigall bloud , what hast got ? But like the wealth of Captaines , a poore handfull , Which in thy palme thou bear'st , as men hold water Seeking to gripe it fast , the fraile reward Steales through thy fingers . MAR. Sir , FLAM. Thou hast scarce maintenance To keepe thee in fresh shamoyes . MAR. Brother . FLAM. Heare me , And thus when we haue euen powred ourselues , Into great fights , for their ambition Or idle spleene , how shall we find reward , But as we seldome find the mistle-towe Sacred to physicke : Or the builder Oke , Without a Mandrake by it , so in our quest of gaine . Alas the poorest of their forc'd dislikes At a limbe proffers , but at heart it strikes : This is lamented doctrine . MAR. Come , come . FLAM. When age shall turne thee , White as a blooming hauthorne . MAR. I 'le interrupt you . For loue of vertue beare an honest heart , And stride ouer euery polliticke respect , Which where they most aduance they most infect . Were I your father , as I am your brother , I should not be ambitious to leaue you Enter Sauoy . A better patrimony . FLA. I 'le think on 't , The Lord Embassadors . Here there is a passage of the Lieger Embassadours ouer the Stage seuerally . Enter French Embassadours . LAW.

O my sprightly Frenchman , do you know him , he 's an admirable Tilter .

FLAM.

I saw him at last Tilting , he shewed like a peuter candlesticke fashioned like a man in armour , houlding a Tilting staffe in his hand , little bigger then a candle of twelue i' th pound .

LAW. O but he 's an excellent horseman . FLAM.

A lame one in his lofty trickes , hee sleepes a horsebacke like a poulter ,

Enter English and Spanish LAW. Lo you my Spaniard . FLAM.

He carries his face in 's ruffe , as I haue seene a seruingman carry glasses in a cipres hat-band , monstrous steddy for feare of breaking , He lookes like the claw of a blacke-bird , first salted and then broyled in a candle .

Exeunt . THE ARAIGNEMENT OF VITTORIA . Enter Francisco , Montcelso , the sixe lieger Embassadours , Brachiano , Uittoria , Isabella , Lawyer , and a guard . MONT. Forbeare my Lord , here is no place assing'd you , This businesse by his holinesse is left To our examination . BRA. May it thriue with you . Laies a rich gowne vnder him , FRAN. A Chaire there for his Lordship . BRA. Forbeare your kindnesse , an vnbidden guest Should trauaile as dutch-women go to Church : Beare their stooles with them . MON. At your pleasure Sir . Stand to the table gentlewomen : now Signior Fall to your plea . Domine Iudex conuerte oculos in hanc pestem mulierum corruptissimam . VIT. What 's he ? FRAN. A Lawyer , that pleades against you . VIT. Pray my Lord , Let him speake his vsuall tongue I le make no answere else . FRAN. Why you vnderstand lattin . VIT. I do Sir , but amongst this auditory Which come to heare my cause , the halfe or more May bee ignorant int' . MON. Go on Sir : VIT. By your fauour , I will not haue my accusation clouded , In a strange tongue : All this assembly Shall heare what you can charge mee with . FRAN. Signior . You need not stand on 't much ; pray change your language , MON. Oh for God sake : gentlewoman , your credit Shall bee more famous by it . LAW. Well then haue at you . VIT. I am at the marke Sir , I le giue aime to you , And tell you how neare you shoote . LAW. Most literated Iudges , please your Lordships , So to conniue your Iudgements to the view Of this debausht and diuersiuolent woman Who such a blacke concatenation Of mischiefe hath effected , that to exterpe The memory of 't , must be the consummation Of her and her proiections VIT. What 's all this LAW. Hould your peace . Exorbitant sinnes must haue exulceration . VIT. Surely my Lords this lawier here hath swallowed Some Poticaryes bils , or proclamations . And now the hard and vndegestable wordes , Come vp like stones wee vse giue Haukes for phisicke . Why this is welch to Lattin . LAW. My Lords , the woman Know's not her tropes nor figures , nor is perfect In the accademick deriuation Of Grammaticall elocution . FRAN. Sir your paynes Shall bee well spared , and your deepe eloquence Bee worthely applauded amongst those Which vnderstand you . LAW. My good Lord . FRAN. Sir , Put vp your papers in your fustian bag , Francisco speakes this as in scorne . Cry mercy Sir , t is buckeram , and accept My notion of your learn'd verbosity . LAW. I most graduatically thanke your Lordship . I shall haue vse for them elswhere . MON. I shall bee playner with you , and paint out Your folies in more naturall red and white . Then that vpon your cheeke . VIT. O you mistake . You raise a blood as noble in this cheeke As euer was your mothers . MON. I must spare you till proofe cry whore to that , Obserue this creature here my honoured Lords , A woman of a most prodigious spirit In her effected . VIT. Honorable my Lord , It doth not sute a reuerend Cardinall To play the Lawier thus MON. Oh your trade instructs your language ! You see my Lords what goodly fruict she seemes , Yet like those apples trauellers report To grow where Sodom and Gomora stood . I will but touch her and you straight shall see Shee le fall to soote and ashes . VIT. Your inuenom'd Poticary should doo 't MON. I am resolued . Were there a second Paradice to loose This Deuell would betray it . VIT. O poore charity ! Thou art seldome found in scarlet . MON. Who knowes not how , when seuerall night by night Her gates were choak'd with coaches , and her roomes . Out-brau'd the stars with seuerall kind of lights , When shee did counterfet a Princes Court . In musicke banquets and most ryotous surfets This whore , forsooth , was holy . VIT. Ha ? whore what 's that ? MON. Shall I expound whore to you ? sure I shal ; I le giue their perfect character . They are first , Sweete meates which rot the eater : In mans nostrill Poison'd perfumes . They are coosning Alcumy , Shipwrackes in Calmest weather ? What are whores ? Cold Russian winters , that appeare so barren , As if that nature had forgot the spring . They are the trew matteriall fier of hell , Worse then those tributes i th low countries payed , Exactions vpon meat , drinke , garments sleepe . I euen on mans perdition , his sin . They are those brittle euidences of law Which forfait all a wretched mans estate For leauing out one sillable . What are whores ? They are those flattering bels haue all one tune : At weddings , and at funerals , your ritch whores Are only treasuries by extortion fild , And empted by curs'd riot . They are worse , Worse then dead bodies , which are beg'd at gallowes And wrought vpon by surgeons , to teach man Wherin hee is imperfect . What s a whore ? Shee s like the guilty conterfetted coine Which who so eare first stampes it bring in trouble All that receaue it VIT. This carracter scapes me . MON. You gentlewoman ; Take from all beasts , and from all mineralls Their deadly poison . VIT. Well what then ? MON. I le tell thee I le find in thee a Poticaries shop To sample them all . FR. EMB. Shee hath liued ill . ENG. and EMB. Trew , but the Cardinals too bitter . MON. You know what Whore is next the deuell ; Adultry . Enters the deuell , murder . FRAN. Your vnhappy husband Is dead . VIT. O hee 's a happy husband Now hee owes Nature nothing . FRAN. And by a vaulting engine . MON. An actiue plot Hee iumpt into his graue . FRAN. what a prodigy wa st , That from some two yardes height a slender man ( more , Should breake his necke ? MON. I th' rushes . FRA. And what 's . Vpon the instant loose all vse of speach , All vitall motion , like a man had laine Wound vp three dayes . Now marke each circumstance . MON. And looke vpon this creature was his wife . Shee comes not like a widow : shee comes arm'd With scorne and impudence : Is this a mourning habit . VIT. Had I forknowne his death as you suggest , I would haue bespoke my mourning . MON. O you are conning . VIT. You shame your wit and Iudgement To call it so ; What is my iust defence By him that is my Iudge cal'd impudence ? Let mee appeale then from this Christian Court To the vnciuill Tartar . MON. See my Lords . Shee scandals our proceedings . VIT. Humbly thus . Thus low , to the most worthy and respected Leigier Embassadors , my modesty And womanhood I tender ; but withall So intangled in a cursed accusation That my defence of force like Perseus . Must personate masculine vertue to the point . Find mee but guilty , seuer head from body : Wee le part good frindes : I scorne to hould my life . at yours or any mans intreaty , Sir , ENG. EMB. Shee hath a braue spirit MON. Well , well , such counterfet Iewels Make trew on 's oft suspected . VIT. You are deceaued . For know that all your strickt combined heads , Which strike against this mine of diamondes , Shall proue but glassen hammers , they shall breake , These are but faigned shadowes of my euels . Terrify babes , my Lord , with painted deuils , I am past such needlesse palsy , for your names , Of Whoore and Murdresse they proceed from you , As if a man should spit against the wind , The filth returne's in 's face . MON. Pray you Mistresse satisfy me one question : Who lodg'd beneath your roofe that fatall night Your husband brake his necke ? BRA. That question Inforceth me breake silence , I was there . MONT. Your businesse ? BRAC. Why I came to comfort her , And take some course for setling her estate , Because I heard her husband was in debt To you my Lord . MONT. He was . BRAC. And 't was strangely fear'd , That you would cosen her . MONT. Who made you ouer-seer ? BRAC. Why my charity , my charity , which should flow From euery generous and noble spirit , To orphans and to widdows . MONT. Your lust . BRA. Cowardly dogs barke loudest . Sirrah Priest , I le talke with you hereafter , — Do you heare ? The sword you frame of such an excellent temper , I 'le sheath in your owne bowels : There are a number of thy coate resemble Your common post-boyes . MONT. Ha ? BRAC. Your mercinary post-boyes , Your letters carry truth , but 't is your guise To fill your mouth 's with grosse and impudent lies . SER. My Lord your gowne . BRAC. Thou liest 't was my stoole . Bestow 't vpon thy maister that will challenge The rest a' th houshold-stuffe for Brachiano Was nere so beggarly , to take a stoole Out of anothers lodging : let him make Valence for his bed on 't , or a demy foote-cloth , For his most reuerent moile , Monticelso , Nemo me Impune lacescit . Exit Brachiano . MONT. Your Champions gon . VIT. The wolfe may prey the better . FRA. My Lord there 's great suspition of the murder , But no sound proofe who did it : for my part I do not thinke she hath a soule so blacke To act a deed so bloudy , if shee haue , As in cold countries husband-men plant Vines , And with warme bloud manure them , euen so One summer she will beare vnsauory fruite , And ere next spring wither both branch and roote . The act of bloud let passe , onely descend , To matter of incontinence . VIT. I decerne poison , Vnder your guilded pils . MON. Now the Duke 's gone , I wil produce a letter , Wherein 't was plotted , her and you should meete , At an Appoticaries summer-house . Downe by the riuer Tiber : veiw 't my Lords : Where after wanton bathing and the heat Of a lasciuious banquet . — I pray read it , I shame to speak the rest . VIT. Grant I was tempted , Temptation to lust proues not the act , Cast a est quam nemo rogauit , You reade his hot loue to me , but you want My frosty answere . MON. Frost i' th dog-daies ! strange ! VIT. Condemne you me for that the Duke did loue mee , So may you blame so me faire and christall riuer For that some melancholike distracted man , Hath drown'd himselfe in 't . MON. Truly drown'd indeed . VIT. Summe vp my faults I pray , and you shall finde , That beauty and gay clothes , a merry heart , And a good stomacke to feast , are all , All the poore crimes that you can charge me with : Infaith my Lord you might go pistoll flyes , The sport would be more noble . MON. Very good . VIT. But take you your course , it seemes you haue beggerd me And now would faine vndo me , I haue houses , ( first Iewels , and a poore remnant of Crusado's , Would those would make you charitable . MON. If the deuill Did euer take good shape behold his picture . VIT. You haue one vertue left , You will not flatter me . FRA. Who brought this letter ? VIT. I am not compel'd to tell you . MON. My Lord Duke sent to you a thousand duckets , The twelfth of August . VIT. 'T was to keepe your cosen From prison , I paid vse for 't . MON. I rather thinke 'T was Interest for his lust . VIT. Who saies so but your selfe ? if you bee my accuser Pray cease to be my Iudge , come from the Bench , Giue in your euidence 'gainst me , and let these Be moderators : my Lord Cardinall , Were your intelligencing eares as louing As to my thoughts , had you an honest tongue I would not care though you proclaim'd them all . MONT. Go to , go to . After your goodly and vaine-glorious banquet , I 'le giue you a choake peare . VIT. A' your owne grafting ? MON. You were borne in Uenice , honourably descended , From the Vittelli , 't was my cossins fate , Ill may I name the hower to marry you , Hee bought you of your father . VIT. Ha ? MON. Hee spent there in sixe monthes Twelue thousand Dukets , and to my acquaintance Receiu'd in dowry with you not one Iulio : 'T was a hard peny-worth , the ware being so light , I yet but draw the curtaine now to your picture , You came from thence a most notorious strumpet , And so you haue continued . VIT. My Lord . MON. Nay heare me , You shall haue time to prate my Lord Brachiano , Alas I make but repetition , Of what is ordinary and Ryalto talke , And ballated , and would bee plaid a' th stage , But that vice many times findes such loud freinds . That Preachers are charm'd silent . You Gentlemen Flamineo and Marcello , The Court hath nothing now to charge you with , Onely you must remaine vpon your suerties , For your appearance . FRA. I stand for Marcello . FLA. And my Lord Duke for me . MON. For you Vittoria , your publicke fault , Ioyn'd to 'th condition of the present time , Takes from you all the fruits of noble pitty . Such a corrupted triall haue you made Both of your life and beauty , and bene stil'd No lesse in ominous fate then blasing starres To Princes . Hear your sentence , you are confin'd , VIT. Vnto a house of conuertites and your baud . FLA. Who I ? MON. The Moore . FLA. O I am a sound man againe . VIT. A house of conuertites , what 's that ? MON. A house of penitent whoores . VIT. Do the Noblemen in Rome , Erect it for their wiues , that I am sent To lodge there ? FRAN. You must haue patience . VIT. I must first haue vengeance . I faine would know if you haue your saluation By patent , that you proceed thus . MON. Away with her ? Take her hence . VIT. A rape , a rape . MON. How ? VIT. Yes you haue rauisht iustice , Forc't her to do your pleasure . MON. fy shee 's mad VIT. Dye with these pils in your most cursed mawes , Should bring you : health , or while you sit a' th Bench , Let your owne spittle choake you . MON. She 's turn'd fury . VIT. That the last day of iudgement may so find you , And leaue you the same deuill you were before , Instruct me some good horse-lech to speak Treason , For since you cannot take my life for deeds , Take it for wordes , ô womans poore reuenge Which dwels but in the tongue , I will not weepe , No I do scorne to call vp one poore teare To fawne one your iniustice , beare me hence , Vnto this house of what 's your mittigating Title ? MON. Of conuertites . VIT. It shal not be a house of conuertites My minde shall make it honester to mee Then the Popes Pallace , and more peaceable Then thy soule , though thou art a Cardinall , Know this , and let it some what raise your spight , Through darkenesse Diamonds spred their ritchest light . Enter Brachiano . Exit Uittoria . BRA. Now you and I are friends sir , wee 'le shake hands , In a friends graue , together , a fit place , Being the embleme of soft peace t' attone our hatred . FRA. Sir , what 's the matter ? BRA. I will not chase more bloud from that lou'd checke , You haue lost too much already , fare-you-well . FRA. How strange these words sound ? what 's the interpretation ? FLA.

Good , this is a preface to the discouery of the Dutches death : Hee carries it well : because now I cannot counterfeit a whining passion for the death of my Lady , I will faine a madde humor for the disgrace of my sister , and that will keepe off idle questions , Treasons tongue hath a villanous palsy in 't , I will talk to any man , heare no man , and for a time appeare a polliticke mad-man .

Enter Giouanni , Count Lodouico . FRA. How now my Noble cossin , what in blacke ? GIO. Yes Vnckle , I was taught to imitate you In vertue , and you must imitate mee In couloures for your garments , my sweete mother Is , FRA. How ? Where ? GIO. Is there , no yonder , indeed sir I 'le not tell you , For I shall make you weepe . FRA. Is dead . GIO. Do not blame me now , I did not tell you so . LOD. She 's dead my Lord . FRA. Dead ? MON. Blessed Lady ; Thou art now aboue thy woes , Wil t please your Lordships to with-draw a little . GIO. What do the dead do , vncle ? do they eate , Heare musicke , goe a hunting , and bee merrie , as wee that liue ? FRAN. No cose ; they sleepe . GIO. Lord , Lord , that I were dead , I haue not slept these sixe nights . When doe they wake ? FRAN. When God shall please . Good God let her sleepe euer . GIO. For I haue knowne her wake an hundreth nights , When all the pillow , where shee laid her head , Was brine-wet with her teares . I am to complaine to you Sir . I le tell you how they haue vsed her now shee s dead : They wrapt her in a cruell fould of lead , And would not let mee kisse her . FRAN. Thou didst loue her . GIO. I haue often heard her say shee gaue mee sucke , And it should seeme by that shee deerely lou'd mee , Since Princes seldome doe it . FRAN. O , all of my poore sister that remaines ! Take him away for Gods sake . MON. How now my Lord ? FRAN. Beleeue mee I am nothing but her graue , And I shall keepe her blessed memorie , Longer then thousand Epitaphs . Enter Flamineo as distracted . FLA. Wee indure the strokes like anuiles or hard steele , Till paine it selfe make vs no paine to feele .

Who shall doe mee right now ? Is this the end of seruice ? I de rather go weede garlicke ; trauaile through France , and be mine owne ostler ; weare sheepe-skin lininges ; or shoos that stinke of blacking ; bee entred into the list of the fourtie thousand pedlars in Poland .

Enter Sauoy .

Would I had rotted in some Surgeons house at Venice , built vpon the Pox as well as on piles , ere I had seru'd Brachiano .

SAV. You must haue comfort . FLA.

Your comfortable wordes are like honie . They rellish well in your mouth that 's whole ; but in mine that 's wounded they go downe as if the sting of the Bee were in them . Oh they haue wrought their purpose cunningly , as if they would not seeme to doe it of malice . In this a Polititian imitates the deuill , as the deuill imitates a Canon . Wheresoeuer he comes to doe mischiefe , he comes with his backside towardes you .

Enter the French . FRE. The proofes are euident . FLA.

Proofe ! t' was corruption . O Gold , what a God art thou ! and ô man , what a deuill art thou to be tempted by that cursed Minerall ! You diuersiuolent Lawyer ; marke him , knaues turne informers , as maggots turne to flies , you may catch gudgions with either . A Cardinall ; I would hee would heare mee , there s nothing so holie but mony will corrupt and putrifie it , like vittell vnder the liue . You are happie in England , my Lord ; here they sell iustice with those weights they presse men to death with . O horrible salarie !

Enter English Embassador . ENG. Fie , fie , Flamineo . FLA.

Bels nere ring well , till they are at their full pitch , And I hope yon Cardinall shall neuer haue the grace to pray well , till he come to the scaffold .

If they were rackt now to know the confederacie ! But your Noblemen are priuiledged from the racke ; and well may . For a little thing would pull some of them a peeces afore they came to their arraignement . Religion ; oh how it is commeddled with policie . The first bloudshed in the world happened about religion . Would I were a Iew .

MAR. O , there are too many . FLA. You are deceiu'd . There are not Iewes enough ; Priests enough , nor gentlemen enough . MAR. How ? FLA.

I le proue it . For if there were Iewes enough , so many Christians would not turne vsurers ; if Preists enough , one should not haue sixe Benefices ; and if gentlemen enough , so many earlie mushromes , whose best growth sprang from a dunghill , should not aspire to gentilitie . Farewell . Let others liue by begging . Bee thou one of them ; practize the art of Wolnor in England to swallow all 's giuen thee ; and yet let one purgation make thee as hungrie againe as fellowes that worke in saw-pit . I le go heare the scritch-owle .

Exit . LOD. This was Brachiano's Pandar , and 't is strange That in such open and apparant guilt Of his adulterous sister , hee dare vtter So scandalous a passion . I must wind him . Enter Flamineo . FLA. How dares this banisht Count returne to Rome , His pardon not yet purchast ? I haue heard The deceast Dutchesse gaue him pension , And that he came along from Padua I' th' traine of the yong Prince . There 's somewhat in 't . Phisitians , that cure poisons , still doe worke With counterpoisons . MAR. Marke this strange incounter . FLA. The God of Melancholie turne thy gall to poison , And let the stigmaticke wrincles in thy face , Like to the boisterous waues in a rough tide One still ouertake an other . LOD. I doe thanke thee And I doe wish ingeniously for thy sake The dog-daies all yeare long . FLA. How crokes the rauen ? Is our good Dutchesse dead ? LOD. Dead FLA. O fate ! Misfortune comes like the Crowners businesse , Huddle vpon huddle . LOD. Shalt thou & I ioyne housekeeping ? FLA. Yes , content . Let 's bee vnsociably sociable . LOD. Sit some three daies together , and discourse . FLA. Onely with making faces ; Lie in our clothes . LOD. With faggots for our pillowes . FLA. And bee lowsie . LOD. In taffeta lininges ; that 's gentile melancholie , Sleepe all day . FLA. Yes : and like your melancholike hare Feed after midnight . Wee are obserued : see how yon couple greue . LOD. What a strange creature is a laughing foole , As if man were created to no vse But onely to shew his teeth . FLA. I le tell thee what , It would doe well in stead of looking glasses To set ones face each morning by a sawcer Of a witches congealed bloud . LOD. Pretious gue . Wee l neuer part . FLA. Neuer : till the beggerie of Courtiers , The discontent of church-men , want of souldiers , And all the creatures that hang manacled , Worse then strappado'd , on the lowest fellie Of fortunes wheele be taught in our two liues . Enter Antonelli . To scorne that world which life of meanes depriues . AN. My Lord , I bring good newes . The Pope on 's death-bed , At th' earnest suit of the great Duke of Florence , Hath sign'd your pardon , and restor'd vnto you — LOD. I thanke you for your news . Look vp againe Flamineo , see my pardon . FLAM. Why do you laugh ? There was no such condition in our couenant . LOD. Why ? FLAM. You shall not seeme a happier man then I , You know our vow sir , if you will be merry , Do it i' th like posture , as if some great man Sate while his enemy were executed : Though it be very letchery vnto thee , Doo 't with a crabbed Polititians face . LOD. Your sister is a damnable whore . FLAM. Ha ? LOD. Looke you ; I spake that laughing . FLAM. Dost euer thinke to speake againe ? LOD: Do you heare ? Wil 't sel me fourty ounces of her bloud , To water a mandrake ? FL. Poore Lord ; you did vow To liue a lowzy creature . LOD. Yes ; FLA. Like one That had for euer forfaited , the day-light , By being in debt , LOD. Ha , ha ? FLAM. I do not greatly wonder you do breake : Your Lordship learn't long since . But I le tell you , LOD. What ? FLA. And 't shall sticke by you . LOD. I long for it . FLAM. This laughter scuruily becomes your face , If you will not be melancholy , be angry . Strikes him . See now I laugh too . MAR. You are to blame , I le force you hence . LOD. Vnhand me : Exit Mar. & Flam. That ere I should be forc't to right my selfe , Vpon a Pandar . ANT. My Lord . LOD. H 'had bene as good met with his fist a thunderbolt . GAS. How this shewes ! LOD. Vds' death , how did my sword misse him ? These rogues that are most weary of their liues , Still scape the greatest dangers , A pox vpon him : all his reputation ; Nay all the goodnesse of his family ; Is not worth halfe this earthquake . I learnt it of no fencer to shake thus ; Come , I 'le forget him , and go drinke some wine . Exeunt . Enter Franciso and Monticelso . MON. Come , come my Lord , vntie your foulded thoughts , And let them dangle loose as a brid's haire . Your sister 's poisoned . FRA. Farre bee it from my thoughts To seeke reuenge . MON. What , are you turn'd all marble ? FRA. Shall I defye him , and impose a warre Most burthensome on my poore subiects neckes , Which at my will I haue not power to end ? You know ; for all the murders , rapes , and thefts , Committed in the horred lust of warre , He that vniustly caus'd it first proceed , Shall finde it in his graue and in his seed . MON. That 's not the course I 'de wish you : pray , obserue me , We see that vndermining more preuailes Then doth the Canon , Beare your wrongs conceal'd , And , patient as the Tortoise , let this Cammell Stalke o're your back vnbruis'd : sleep with the Lyon , And let this brood of secure foolish mice Play with your nosthrils , till the time bee ripe For th' bloudy audit , and the fatall gripe : Aime like a cunning fowler , close one eie , That you the better may your game espy . FRA. Free me my innocence ; from treacherous actes : I know ther 's thunder yonder : and I 'le stand , Like a safe vallie , which low bends the knee To some aspiring mountaine : since I know Treason , like spiders weauing nets for flies , By her foule worke is found , and in it dies . To passe away these thoughts , my honour'd Lord , It is reported you possesse a booke Wherein you haue quoted , by intelligence , The names of all notorious offenders Lurking about the Citty , MON. Sir I doe And some there are which call it my blacke booke : Well may the title hold : for though it teach not The Art of coniuring , yet in it lurke , The names of many deuils . FRAN. Pray let 's see it . MON. I 'le fetch it to your Lordship . FRA. Monticelso , Exit Monticelso . I will not trust thee , but in all my plots I 'le rest as iealous as a Towne besieg'd . Thou canst not reach what I intend to act . Your flax soone kindles , soone is out againe , But gold slow heat's , and long will hot remaine . MON. 'T is here my Lord . Enter Mont. FRA. First your Intelligencers pray let 's see . Fran. with MON. Their number rises strangely , And some of them You 'd Take for honest men . Next are Pandars . These are your Pirats : and these following leaues , For base rogues that vndo yong Gentlemen , By taking vp commodities : for pollitick bankroupts : For fellowes that are bawdes to their owne wiues , Onely to put off horses and slight iewels , Clockes , defac't plate , and such commodities , At birth of their first children . FRA. Are there such ? MON. These are for Impudent baudes , That go in mens apparell : for vsurers That share with scriueners for their good reportage : For Lawyers that will antedate their writtes : And some Diuines you might find foulded there ; But that I slip them o're for conscience sake . Here is a generall catalogue of knaues . A man might study all the prisons o're , Yet neuer attaine this knowledge . FRA. Murderers . Fould downe the leafe I pray , Good my Lord let me borrow this strange doctrine . MON. Pray vse 't my Lord . FRAN. I do assure your Lordship , You are a worthy member of the State , And haue done infinite good in your discouery Of these offendors . MON. Some-what Sir . FRA. O God! Better then tribute of wolues paid in England . 'T will hang their skinnes o' th hedge . MON. I must make bold To leaue your Lord-ship . FRA. Deerely sir , I thanke you , If any aske for me at Court , report You haue left me in the company of knaues . Exit Mont. I gather now by this , some cunning fellow That 's my Lords Officer , one that lately skipt From a Clerkes deske vp to a Iustice chaire , Hath made this knauish summons ; and intendes , As th' Irish rebels wont were to sell heads , So to make prize of these . And thus it happens , Your poore rogues pay for 't , which haue not the meanes To present bribe in fist : the rest o' th' band Are raz'd out of the knaues record ; or else My Lord he winkes at them with easy will , His man growes rich , the knaues are the knaues still . But to the vse I 'le make of it ; it shall serue To point me out a list of murderers , Agents for any villany . Did I want Ten leash of Curtisans , it would furnish me ; Nay lawndresse three Armies . That so in little paper Should lye th' vndoing of so many men ! 'T is not so big as twenty declarations . See the corrupted vse some make of bookes : Diuinity , wrested by some factious bloud , Draws swords , swels battels , & orethrowes all good . To fashion my reuenge more seriously , Let me remember my dead sisters face : Call for her picture : no ; I 'le close mine eyes , And in a melancholicke thought I 'le frame Enter Isabola's Ghost . Her figure 'fore me . Now I — ha' te how strong Imagination workes ! how she can frame Things which are not ! me thinks she stands afore me ; And by the quicke Idea of my minde , Were my skill pregnant , I could draw her picture . Thought , as a subtile Iugler , makes vs deeme Things , supernaturall , which haue cause Common as sickenesse . 'T is my melancholy , How cam'st thou by thy death ? — how idle am I To question mine owne idlenesse ? — did euer Man dreame awake till now ? — remoue this obiect Out of my braine with 't : what haue I to do With tombes , or death-beds , funerals , or teares , That haue to meditate vpon reuenge ? So now 't is ended , like an old wiues story . States-men thinke often they see stranger sights Then mad-men , Come , to this waighty businesse . My Tragedy must haue some idle mirth in 't , Else it will neuer passe . I am in loue , In loue with Corombona ; and my suite Thus haltes to her in verse . — I haue done it rarely : ô the fate of Princes ! I am so vs'd to frequent flattery , he writes That being alone I now flatter my selfe ; But it will serue , 't is seal'd ; beare this Enter seruant To th' house of Conuertites ; and watch your leisure To giue it to the hands of Corombona , Or to the Matron , when some followers Of Brachiano may be by . Away Exit seruant . He that deales all by strength , his wit is shallow : When a mans head goes through each limbe will follow . The engine for my busines , bold Count Lodowicke : 'T is gold must such an instrument procure , With empty fist no man doth falcons lure . Brachiano , I am now fit for thy encounter . Like the wild Irish I 'le nere thinke thee dead , Till I can play at footeball with thy head . Flectere sinequeo Superes , Acheronta mouebo . Exit Mon. Enter the Matron , and Flamineo . MAT. Should it be knowne the Duke hath such recourse . To your imprison'd sister , I were like T' incur much damage by it . FLA. Not a scruple . The Pope lies on his death-bed , and their heads Are troubled now with other businesse Than guarding of a Ladie . Enter seruant . SER. Yonder 's Flamineo in conference With the Matrona . Let mee speake with you . I would intreat you to deliuer for mee This letter to the faire Uittoria . MAT. I shall Sir . Enter Brachiano . SER. With all care and secrecie , Hereafter you shall know mee , and receiue Thankes for this curtesie . FLA. How now ? what 's that ? MAT. A letter . FLA. To my sister : I le see 't deliuered . BRA. What 's that you read Flamineo ? FLA. Looke . BRA. Ha ? To the most vnfortunate his best respected Uittoria . Who was the messenger ? FLA. I know not . BRA. No! Who sent it ? FLA. Vd's foot you speake , as if a man Should know what foule is coffind in a bak't meate Afore you cut it vp . BRA. I le open 't , were 't her heart . What 's heere subscribed This iugling is grosse and palpable . ( Florence ? I haue found out the conueyance ; read it , read , it . FLA. Your teares I le turne to triumphes , bee but mine . Reades the letter , Your prop is fall'n ; I pittie that a vine Which Princes heretofore haue long'd to gather , Wanting suppperters , now should fade and wither . Wine yfaith , my Lord , with lees would serue his turne . Your sad imprisonment I le soone vncharme , And with a princelie vncontrolled arme Lead you to Florence , where my loue and care Shall hang your wishes in my siluer haire . A halter on his strange aequiuocation . Nor for my yeares returne mee the sad willow , Who prefer blossomes before fruit that 's mellow . Rotten on my knowledge with lying too long i' th bed-straw . And all the lines of age this line conuinces : The Gods neuer wax old , no more doe Princes . Apox on 't teare it , let 's haue no more Atheists for Gods sake . BRA. Vds'death , I le cut her into Atomies And let th' irregular North-winde sweepe her vp And blow her int' his nosthrils . Where 's this whore ? FLA. That ? what doe you call her ? BRA. Oh , I could bee mad , Preuent the curst disease shee 'l bring mee to ; And teare my haire off . Where 's this changeable stuffe ? FLA. Ore head and eares in water , I assure you , Shee is not for your wearing . BRA. In you Pandar ? FLA. What mee , my Lord , am I your dog ? BRA. A bloud-hound : doe you braue ? doe you stand mee ? FLA. Stand you ? let those that haue diseases run ; I need no plaisters . BRA. Would you bee kickt ? FLA. Would you haue your necke broke ? I tell you Duke , I am not in Russia ; My shinnes must be kept whole . BRA. Do you know mee ? FLA. O my Lord ! methodically . As in this world there are degrees of euils : So in this world there are degrees of deuils . You 'r a great Duke ; I your poore secretarie . I doe looke now for a Spanish fig , or an Italian sallet daily . BRA. Pandar , plie your conuoy , and leaue your prating . FLA.

All your kindnesse to mee is like that miserable curtesie of Polyphemus to Ulisses , you reserue mee to be deuour'd last , you would dig turues out of my graue to feed your Larkes : that would bee musicke to you . Come , I le lead you to her .

BRA. Do you face mee ? FLA.

O Sir I would not go before a Pollitique enemie with my backe towards him , though there were behind mee a whirlepoole .

Enter Vittoria to Brachiano and Flamineo . BRA. Can you read Mistresse ? looke vpon that letter ; There are no characters nor Hieroglyphicks . You need no comment , I am growne your receiuer , Gods pretious you shall bee a braue great Ladie , A statelie and aduanced whore . VIT. Say Sir . BRA. Come , come , let 's see your Cabinet , discouer Your treasurie of loue-letters . Death and furies , I le see them all . VIT. Sir , vpon my soule , I haue not any . Whence was this directed ? BRA. Confusion on your politicke ignorance . You are reclaimed ; are you ? I le giue you the bels And let you flie to the deuill . FLA. Ware hawke , my Lord . VIT. Florence ! This is some treacherous plot , my Lord , To mee , he nere was louely I protest , So much as in my sleepe . BRA. Right : they are plots . Your beautie ! ô , ten thousand curses on 't . How long haue I beheld the deuill in christall ? Thou hast lead mee , like an heathen sacrifice , With musicke , and with fatal ! yokes of flowers To my eternall ruine . Woman to man Is either a God or a wolfe . VIT. My Lord . BRA. Away . Wee 'l bee as differing as two Adamants ; The one shall shunne the other . What ? do'st weepe ? Procure but ten of thy dissembling trade , Yee 'ld furnish all the Irish funeralls With howling , past wild Irish . FLA. Fie , my Lord . BRA. That hand , that cursed hand , which I haue wearied With doting kisses ! O my sweetest Dutchesse How louelie art thou now ! Thy loose thoughtes Scatter like quicke-siluer , I was bewitch'd ; For all the world speakes ill of thee . VIT. No matter . I le liue so now I le make that world recant And change her speeches . You did name your Dutchesse . BRA. Whose death God pardon . VIT. Whose death God reuenge On thee most godlesse Duke . FLA. Now for tow whirle windes . VIT. What haue I gain'd by thee but infamie ? Thou hast stain'd the spotlesse honour of my house , And frighted thence noble societie : Like those , which sicke 'o th' Palsie , and retaine Ill-senting foxes 'bout them , are still shun'd By those of choicer nosthrills . What doe you call this house ? Is this your palace ? did not the Iudge stile it A house of penitent whores ? who sent mee to it ? Who hath the honour to aduance Uittoria To this incontinent colledge ? is 't not you ? Is 't not your high preferment ? Go , go brag How many Ladies you haue vndone , like mee . Fare you well Sir ; let me heare no more of you . I had a limbe corrupted to an vlcer , But I haue cut it off : and now I le go Weeping to heauen on crutches . For your giftes , I will returne them all ; and I do wish That I could make you full Executor To all my sinnes , ò that I could tosse my selfe Into a graue as quickly : for all thou art worth I le not shed one teare more ; — I le burst first . She throwes her selfe vpon a bed . BRA. I haue drunke Lethe . Uittoria ? My dearest happinesse ? Vittoria ? What doe you aile my Loue ? why doe you weepe ? VIT. Yes , I now weepe poniardes , doe you see . BRA. Are not those matchlesse eies mine ? VIT. I had rather . They were not matches . BRA. Is not this lip mine ? VIT. Yes : thus to bite it off , rather than giue it thee . FLA. Turne to my Lord , good sister . VIT. Hence you Pandar . FLA. Pandar ! Am I the author of your sinne ? VIT. Yes : Hee 's a base theif that a theif lets in . FLA. Wee 're blowne vp , my Lord , BRA. Wilt thou heare mee ? Once to bee iealous of thee is t' expresse That I will loue thee euerlastingly , And neuer more bee iealous . VIT. O thou foole , Whose greatnesse hath by much oregrowne thy wit ! What dar'st thou doe , that I not dare to suffer , Excepting to bee still thy whore ? for that ; In the seas bottome sooner thou shalt make A bonefire . FLA. O , no othes for gods sake . BRA. Will you heare mee ? VIT. Neuer . FLA. What a damn'd impostume is a womans will ? Can nothing breake it ? fie , fie , my Lord . Women are caught as you take Tortoises , Shee must bee turn'd on her backe . Sister , by this hand I am on your side . Come , come , you haue wrong'd her . What a strange credulous man were you , my Lord , To thinke the Duke of Florence could loue her ? Will any Mercer take an others ware When once 't is tows'd and sullied ? And , yet sister , How scuruily this frowardnesse becomes you ? Yong Leuerets stand not long ; and womens anger Should , like their flight , procure a little sport ; A full crie for a quarter of an hower ; And then bee put to th' dead quat . BRA. Shall these eies , Which haue so long time dwelt vpon your face , Be now put out ? FLA. No cruell Land-ladie ' i th' world , Which lend's forth grotes to broome-men , & takes vse for them , Would doe 't . Hand her , my Lord , and kisse her : be not like A ferret to let go your hold with blowing . BRA. Let vs renew right handes . VIT. Hence . BRA. Neuer shall rage , or the forgetfull wine , Make mee commit like fault . FLA. Now you are i th' way out , follow 't hard . BRA. Bee thou at peace with mee ; let all the world Threaten the Cannon . FLA. Marke his penitence . Best natures doe commit the grossest faultes , When they 're giu'n ore to iealosie ; as best wine Dying makes strongest vinneger . I le tell you ; The Sea 's more rough and raging than calme riuers , But nor so sweet nor wholesome . A quiet woman Is a still water vnder a great bridge . A man may shoot her safely . VIT. O yee dissembling men ! FLA.

Wee suckt that , sister , from womens brestes , in our first infancie .

VIT. To ad miserie to miserie . BRA. Sweetest . VIT. Am I not low enough ? I , I , your good heart gathers like a snow-ball Now your affection 's cold . FLA. Vd'foot , it shall melt , To a hart againe , or all the wine in Rome Shall run o' th lees for 't . VIT. Your dog or hawke should be rewarded better Then I haue bin . I le speake not one word more . FLA. Stop her mouth , With a sweet kisse , my Lord . So now the tide 's turne'd the vessel 's come about Hee 's a sweet armefull . O wee curl'd-haird men Are still most kind to women . This is well . BRA. That you should chide thus ! FLA. O , sir , your little chimnies Doe euer cast most smoke . I swet for you . Couple together with as deepe a silence , As did the Grecians in their wodden horse . My Lord supplie your promises with deedes . You know that painted meat no hunger feedes . BRA. Stay ingratefull Rome . ( vsage . FLA. Rome ! it deserues to be cal'd Barbarie , for our villainous BRA. Soft ; the same proiect which the Duke of Florence , ( Whether in loue or gullerie I know not ) Laid downe for her escape , will I pursue . FLA. And no time fitter than this night , my Lord ; The Pope being dead ; and all the Cardinals entred The Conclaue for th' electing a new Pope ; The Cittie in a great confusion ; Wee may attire her in a Pages suit , Lay her post-horse , take shipping , and amaine For Padua . BRA. I le instantly steale forth the Prince Giouanni , And make for Padua . You two with your old Mother And yong Marcello that attendes on Florence , If you can worke him to it , follow mee . I will aduance you all : for you Vittoria , Thinke of a Dutchesse title . FLA. Lo you sister .

Stay , my Lord ; I 'le tell you a tale . The crocodile , which liues in the riuer Nilus , hath a worme breds i' th teeth of 't , which puts it to extreame anguish : a little bird , no bigger then a wren , is barbor-surgeon to this crocodile ; flies into the iawes of 't ; pickes out the worme ; and brings present remedy . The fish , glad of ease but ingratefull to her that did it , that the bird may not talke largely of her abroad for non payment , closeth her chaps intending to swallow her , and so put her to perpetuall silence . But nature loathing such in gratitude , hath arm'd this bird with a quill or pricke on the head , top o' th which wounds the crocodile i' th mouth ; forceth her open her bloudy prison ; and away flies the pretty tooth-picker from her cruell patient .

BRAC. Your application is , I haue not rewarded The seruice you haue done me . FLAM. No , my Lord ;

You sister are the crocodile : you are blemisht in your fame , My Lord cures it . And though the comparison hold not in euery particle ; yet obserue , remember , what good the bird with the pricke i' th head hath done you ; and scorne ingratitude .

It may appeare to some ridiculous Thus to talke knaue and madman ; and sometimes Come in with a dried sentence , stuft with sage . But this allowes my varying of shapes , Knaues do grow great by being great mens apes . Exeunt . Enter Francisco , Lodouico , Gasper , and sixe Embassadours . At another dore the Duke of Florence . FRA. So , my Lord , I commend your diligence Guard well the conclaue , and , as the order is , Let none haue conference with the Cardinals . LOD. I shall , my Lord : roome for the Embassadors , GAS. They 're wondrous braue to day : why do they weare These seuerall habits ? LOD, O sir , they 'r Knights Of seuerall Orders . That Lord i' th blacke cloak with the siluer crosse Is Knight of Rhodes ; the next Knight of S. Michael , That of the golden fleece ; the French-man there Knight of the Holy-Ghost ; my Lord of Sauoy Knight of th' Annuntiation ; the Englishman Is Knight of th' honoured Garter , dedicated Vnto their Saint , S. George . I could describe to you Their seuerall institutions , with the lawes Annexed to their Orders , but that time Permits not such discouery . FRAN. Where 's Count Lodowicke ? LOD. Here my Lord . FRA. 'T is o' th point of dinnertime , Marshall the Cardinals seruice , LOD. Sir I shall . Enter seruants with seuerall dishes couered . Stand , let me search your dish , who 's this for ? SER. For my Lord Cardinall Monticelso , LOD. Whos 's this ? SER. For my Lord Cardinall of Burbon . FRE. Why doth he search the dishes , to obserue What meate is drest ? ENG. No Sir , but to preuent . Least any letters should be conuei'd in To bribe or to sollicite the aduancement Of any Cardinall , when first they enter 'T is lawfull for the Embassadours of Princes To enter with them , and to make their suit For any man their Prince affecteth best ; But after , till a generall election , No man may speake with them . LOD. You that attend on the Lord Cardinals Open the window , and receiue their viands . A CAR. You must returne the seruice ; the L. Cardinals Are busied 'bout electing of the Pope , They haue giuen o're scrutinie , and are fallen To admiration . LOD. Away , away . FRAN. I 'le lay a thousand Duckets you here news A Cardinal on the Tarras Of a Pope presently , Hearke ; sure he 's elected , Behold ! my Lord of Arragon appeares , On the Church battlements . ARRAGON .

Denuntio vobis gaudium magnum . Reuerendissimus Cardinalis Lorenso de Monticelso electus est in sedem Apostolicam , & elegit sibi nomen Paulum quartum .

OMNES . Uiuat sanctus Pater Paulus Quartus . SER. Vittoria my Lord . FRAN. Wel : what of her ? SER. Is fled the Citty , FRA. Ha ? SER. With Duke Brachiano . FRA. Fled ? Where 's the Prince SER. Gone with his father . ( Giouanni FRAN. Let the Matrona of the Conuertites Be apprehended : fled ô damnable ! How fortunate are my wishes . Why ? 't was this I onely laboured . I did send the letter T' instruct him what to doe . Thy fame , fond Duke , I first haue poison'd ; directed thee the way To marrie a whore ; what can be worse ? This followes ; The hand must act to drowne the passionate tongue , I scorne to weare a sword and prate of wrong . Enter Monticelso in state . MON. My Lord reportes Vittoria Corombona Is stol'ne from forth the house of Conuertites By Brachiano , and they 're fled the Cittie . Now , though this bee the first daie of our state , Wee cannot better please the diuine power , Than to sequester from the holie Church These cursed persons . Make it therefore knowne , Wee doe denounce excommunication Against them both : all that are theirs in Rome Wee likewise banish . Set on . Exeunt . FRAN. Come deare Lodouico . You haue tane the sacrament to prosecute Th' intended murder . LOD. With all constancie . But , Sir , I wonder you 'l ingage your selfe , In person , being a great Prince . FRAN. Diuert mee not . Most of his Court are of my faction , And some are of my councell . Noble freind , Our danger shall be ' like in this designe , Giue leaue , part of the glorie may bee mine . Why did the Duke of Florence with such care Labour your pardon ? say . LOD. Italian beggars will resolue you that Who , begging of an almes , bid those they beg of Enter Monticelso . Doe good for their owne sakes ; or 't may bee Hee spreades his bountie with a sowing hand , Like Kinges , who many times giue out of measure ; Not for desert so much as for their pleasure . MON. I know you 're cunning . Come , what deuill was that That you were raising ? LOD. Deuill , my Lord ? I aske you . MONT. How doth the Duke imploy you , that his bonnet Fell with such complement vnto his knee , When hee departed from you ? LOD. Why , my Lord , Hee told mee of a restie Barbarie horse Which he would faine haue brought to the carreere , The 'sault , and the ring galliard . Now , my Lord , I haue a rare French Rider . MONT. Take you heede : Least the Iade breake your necke . Doe you put mee off With your wild horse-trickes ? Sirra you doe lie . O , thou' rt a foule blacke cloud , and thou do'st threat A violent storme . LOD. Stormes are 'i th aire , my Lord ; I am too low to storme . MONT. Wretched creature ! I know that thou art fashion'd for all ill , Like dogges , that once get bloud , they 'l euer kill . About some murder ? was 't not ? LOD. I le not tell you ; And yet I care not greatly if I doe ; Marry with this preparation . Holie father , I come not to you as an Intelligencer , But as a penitent sinner . What I vtter Is in confession meerely ; which you know Must neuer bee reueal'd . MONT. You haue oretane mee . LOD. Sir I did loue Brachiano's Dutchesse deerely ; Or rather I pursued her with hot lust , Though shee nere knew on 't . Shee was poyson'd ; Vpon my soule shee was : for which I haue sworne T' auenge her murder . MONT. To the Duke of Florence ? LOD. To him I haue . MON. Miserable Creature ! If thou persist in this , 't is damnable . Do'st thou imagine thou canst slide on bloud And not be tainted with a shamefull fall ? Or like the blacke , and melancholicke Eugh-tree , Do'st thinke to roote thy selfe in dead mens graues , And yet to prosper ? Instruction to thee Comes like sweet shewers to ouer-hardned ground : They wet , but peirce not deepe . And so I leaue thee With all the Furies hanging bout thy necke , Till by thy penitence thou remoue this euill , In coniuring from thy breast that cruell Deuill . LOD. I 'le giue it o're . He saies 't is damable : Exit Mon. Besides I did expect his suffrage , By reason of Camillo's death . Enter seruant FRA. Do you know that Count ? SER. Yes , my Lord , & Francisco , FRA. Beare him these thousand Duckets to his lodging ; Tell him the Pope hath sent them . Happily That will confirme more then all the rest . SER. Sir . LOD. To me sir ? SER. His holinesse hath sent you a thousand Crownes , And will you if you trauaile , to make him ( commanded . Your Patron for intelligence . LOD. His creature euer to bee Why now 't is come about . He rai'ld vpon me ; And yet these Crownes were told out and laid ready , Before he knew my voiage . O the Art The modest forme of greatnesse ! that do sit Like Brides at wedding dinners , with their look's turn'd From the least wanton iests , their puling stomacke Sicke of the modesty , when their thoughts are loose . Euen acting of those hot and lustfull sports Are to ensue about midnight : such his cunning ! Hee soundes my depth thus with a golden plummet , I am doubly arm'd now . Now to th' act of bloud , There 's but three furies found in spacious hell ; But in a great mans breast three thousand dwell . A passage ouer the stage of Brachiano , Flamineo , Marcello , Hortensio , Corombona , Cornelia , Zanche and others . FLA. In all the weary minutes of my life , Day nere broke vp till now . This mariage . Confirmes me happy . HOR. 'T is a good assurance . Saw you not yet the Moore that 's come to Court ? FLA. Yes , and confer'd with him i' th Dukes closet , I haue not seene a goodlier personage , Nor euer talkt with man better experienc't In State-affares or rudiments of warre . Hee hath by report , seru'd the Venetian In Candy these twice seuen yeares , and bene cheife In many a bold designe . HOR. What are those two , That beare him company ? FLA.

Two Noblemen of Hungary , that liuing in the Emperours seruice as commanders , eight yeares since , contrary to the expectation of all the Court entred into religion , into the strickt order of Capuchins : but being not well setled in their vndertaking they left their Order and returned to Court : for which being after troubled in conscience , they vowed their seruice against the enemies of Christ ; went to Malta ; were there knighted ; and in their returne backe , at this great solemnity , they are resolued for euer to forsake the world , and settle themselues here in a house of Capuchines in Padua .

HOR. 'T is strange . FLA.

One thing makes it so . They haue vowed for euer to weare next their bare bodies those coates of maile they serued in .

HOR. Hard penance . Is the Moore a Christian ? FLA. Hee is . HOR. Why proffers hee his seruice to our Duke ? FLV. Because he vnderstands ther 's like to grow Some warres betweene vs and the Duke of Florence , In which hee hopes imployment . Enter Duke Brachiano . I neuer saw one in a sterne bold looke Weare more command , nor in a lofty phrase Expresse more knowing , or more deepe contempt Of our slight airy Courtiers . Hee talkes As if hee had trauail'd all the Princes Courts Of Christendome ; in all things striues t' expresse , That all that should dispute with him may know , Glories , like glow-wormes , a farre off shine bright But lookt to neare , haue neither heat nor light . The Duke . Enter Brachiano , Florence disguised like Mulinassar ; Lodouico , Antonelli , Gaspar , Farnese bearing their swordes and helmets . BRA. You' are nobly welcome . Wee haue heard at full Your honourable seruice 'gainst the Turke . To you , braue Mulinassar , wee assigne A competent pension : and are inly sorrow , The vowes of those two worthie gentlemen , Make them incapable of our proffer'd bountie . Your wish is you may leaue your warlike swordes For Monuments i in our Chappell . I accept it As a great honour done mee , and must craue Your leaue to furnish out our Dutchesse reuells . Onely one thing , as the last vanitie You ere shall view , denie mee not to stay To see a Barriers prepar'd to night ; You shall haue priuate standings : It hath pleas'd The great Ambassadours of seuerall Princes In their returne from Rome to their owne Countries To grace our marriage , and to honour mee With such a kind of sport . FRAN. I shall perswade them To stay , my Lord . Exeunt Brachiano , Flamineo ? and Marcello . Set on there to the presence CAR. Noble my Lord , most fortunately wellcome , The Conspirators here imbrace . You haue our vowes seal'd with the sacrament To second your attempts . PED. And all thinges readie . Hee could not haue inuented his owne ruine , Had hee despair'd with more proprietie . LOD. You would not take my way . FRA. 'T is better ordered . LOD. ' T' haue poison'd his praier booke , or a paire of beades , The pummell of his saddle , his looking-glasse , Or th' handle of his racket , ô that , that ! That while he had bin bandying at Tennis , He might haue sworne himselfe to hell , and strooke His soule into the hazzard ! O my Lord ! I would haue our plot bee ingenious , And haue it hereafter recorded for example Rather than borrow example . FRAN. There 's no way More speeding than this thought on . LOD. On then . FRAN. And yet mee thinkes that this reuenge is poore , Because it steales vpon him like a theif , To haue tane him by the Caske in a pitcht feild , Led him to Florence ! LOD. It had bin rare . — And there Haue crown'd him with a wreath of stinking garlicke . T' haue showne the sharpnesse of his gouernment ; Exeunt Lodouico Antonelli . And rancknesse of his lust . Flamineo comes . Enter Flamineo , Marcello , and Zanche . MAR. Why doth this deuill haunt you ? say . FLA. I know not . For by this light I doe not coniure for her . T is not so great a cunning as men thinke To raise the deuill : for heere s one vp allreadie , The greatest cunning were to lay him downe MAR. Shee is your shame . FLA. I prethee pardon her . In faith you see , women are like to burres ; Where their affection throwes them , there they 'l sticke . ZAN. That is my Country-man , a goodly person ; When hee 's at leisure I le discourse with him Exit Zanche In our owne language . FLA. I beseech you doe , How is 't' braue souldier ; ô that I had seene Some of your iron daies ! I pray relate Some of your seruice to vs . FRAN.

T' is a ridiculous thing for a man to bee his owne Chronicle , I did neuer wash my mouth with mine owne praise for feare of getting a stincking breath .

MAR.

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

FRAN.

I shall neuer flatter him , I haue studied man to much to do that : What difference is betweene the Duke and I ? no more than betweene two brickes ; all made of one clay . Onely 't may bee one is plac't on the top of a turret ; the other in the bottom of a well by meere chance ; if I were plac't as high as the Duke , I should sticke as fast ; make as faire a shew ; and beare out weather equally .

FLA.

If this souldier had a patent to beg in Churches , then hee would tell them stories ,

MAR. I haue bin a souldier too . FRAN. How haue you thriu'd ? MAR. Faith poorely . FRAN.

That 's the miserie of peace . Onely outsides are then respected : As shippes seeme verie great vpon the riuer , which shew verie little vpon the Seas : So some men i' th Court seeme Colossusses in a chamber , who if they came into the feild would appeare pittifull . Pigmies .

FLA.

Giue mee a faire roome yet hung with Arras , and some great Cardinall to lug mee by th' eares as his endeared Minion .

FRA. And thou maist doe , the deuill knowes what vilanie . FLA. And safely . FRA.

Right ; you shall see in the Countrie in haruest time , pigeons , though they destroy neuer so much corne , the farmer dare not present the fowling peece to them ! why ? because they belong to the Lord of the Mannor ; whilest your poore sparrowes that belong to the Lord of heauen , they go to the pot for 't .

FLA.

I will now giue you some polliticke instruction . The Duke saies hee will giue you pension ; that 's but bare promise : get it vnder his hand . For I haue knowne men that haue come from seruing against the Turke ; for three or foure moneths they haue had pension to buy them new woodden legges and fresh plaisters ; but after 't was not to bee had . And this miserable curtesie shewes , as if a Tormenter should giue hot cordiall drinkes to one three quarters dead o' th' racke , onely to fetch the miserable soule againe to indure more dogdaies .

Enter Hortensio , a yong Lord , Zanche , and two more . How now , Gallants ; what are they readie for the Barriers ? Y. LORD . Yes : the Lordes are putting on their armour . HOR. What 's hee ? FLA.

A new vp-start : one that sweares like a Falckner , and will lye in the Dukes eare day by day like a maker of Almanacks ; And yet I knew him since hee came to th' Court smell worse of sweat than an vnder-tennis-court keeper .

HOR. Looke you , yonder 's your sweet Mistresse . FLA.

Thou art my sworne brother , I 'le tell thee , I doe loue that Moore , that Witch very constrainedly : shee knowes some of my villanny ; I do loue her , iust as a man holds a wolfe by the eares . But for feare of turning vpon mee , and pulling out my throate , I would let her go to the Deuill .

HOR. I heare she claimes marriage of thee . FLA.

'Faith , I made to her some such darke promise , and in seeking to flye from 't I run on , like a frighted dog with a bottle at 's taile , that faine would bite it off and yet dares not looke behind him . Now my pretious Gipsie !

ZAN. I your loue to me rather cooles then heates . FLA.

Marry , I am the sounder , louer , we haue many wenches about the Towne heate too fast .

HOR. What do you thinke of these perfum'd Gallants then ? FLAM. Their sattin cannot saue them . I am confident They haue a certaine spice of the disease , For they that sleep with dogs ; shall rise with fleas . ZAN. Beleeue it ! A little painting and gay clothes , Make you loath me . FLA.

How ? loue a Lady for painting or gay apparell ? I 'le vnkennell one example more for thee . Esop had a foolish dog that let go the flesh to catch the shadow . I would haue Courtiers bee better Diuers .

ZAN. You remember your oathes . FLA.

Louers oathes are like Marriners prayers , vttered in extremity ; but when the tempest is o're , and that the vessell leaues tumbling , they fall from protesting to drinking . And yet amongst Gentlemen protesting and drinking go together , and agree as well as Shooemakers and West-phalia bacon . They are both drawers on : for drinke drawes on protestation ; and protestation drawes on more drinke . Is not this discourse better now then the mortality of your sun-burnt Gentleman .

Enter Cornelia . COR. Is this your pearch , you haggard ? flye to 'th stewes . FLA. You should be clapt by th' heeles now : strike i' th Court . ZAN. She 's good for nothing but to make her maids , Catch cold a nights ; they dare not vse a bedstaffe , For feare of her light fingers . MAR. You r'e a strumpet . An impudent one . FLA. Why do you kicke her ? say , Do you thinke that she 's like a walnut-tree ? Must she be cudgel'd ere shee beare good fruite ? Shee brags that you shall marry her . FLA. What then ? MAR. I had rather she were pitcht vpon a stake In some new-seeded garden , to affright Her fellow crowes thence . FLA. Your a boy , a foole , Be guardian to your hound , I am of age . MAR. If I take her neere you I 'le cut her throate . FLA. With a fan of feathers ? MAR. And for you ; I 'le whip This folly from you . FLAM. Are you cholericke ? I 'le purg 't with Rubarbe . HOR. O your brother . FLA. Hang him . Hee wrongs me most that ought t' offend mee least , I do suspect my mother plaid soule play , When she conceiu'd thee . MAR. Now by all my hopes . Like the two slaughtred sonnes of Oedipus , The very flames of our affection , Shall turne 10 waies . Those words I 'le make thee answere With thy heart bloud . FLA. Doe like the geesse in the progresse , You know where you shall finde mee , MAR. Very good , And thou beest a noble , friend , beare him my sword , And bid him fit the length on 't . Y. LORD . Sir I shall . ZAN. He comes . Hence petty thought of my disgrace , I neere lou'd my complexion till now , Enter Francisco the Duke of Florence . Cause I may boldly say without a blush , I loue you . FLA. Your loue is vntimely sowen , Ther 's a Spring at Michaelmas , but 't is but a faint one , I am sunck In yeares , and I haue vowed neuer to marry . ZAN. Alas ! poore maides get more louers then husbands ,

Yet you may mistake my wealth . For , as when Embassadours are sent to congratulate Princes , there 's commonly sent along with them a rich present ; so that though the Prince like not the Embassadours person nor words , yet he likes well of the presentment . So I may come to you in the same maner , & be better loued for my dowry then my vertue .

FLA. I 'le thinke on the motion . ZAN.

Do , I le now detaine you no longer . At your better leasure I 'le tell you things shall startle your bloud .

Nor blame me that this passion I reueale ; Louers dye inward that their flames conceale . FLA. Of all intelligence this may proue the best , Sure I shall draw strange fowle , from this foule nest . Exeunt . Enter Marcello and Cornelia . COR. I heare a whispering all about the Court , You are to fight , who is your opposite ? What is the quarrell ? MRA. 'T is an idle rumour . COR. Will you dissemble ? sure you do not well To fright me thus , you neuer look thus pale , But when you are most angry . I do charge you Vpon my blessing ; nay I 'le call the Duke , And he shall schoole you . MAR. Publish not a feare Which would conuert to laughter ; 't is not so , Was not this Crucifix my fathers ? COR. Yes . MAR. I haue heard you say , giuing my brother sucke , Hee tooke the Crucifix betweene his hands , Enter Flamineo , And broke a limbe off . COR. Yes : but 't is mended . FLA. I haue brought your weapon backe . Flamineo runnes COR. Ha , O my horrour ! Marcello through . MAR. You haue brought it home indeed . COR. Helpe , oh he 's murdered . FLA. Do you turne your gaule vp ? I 'le to sanctuary , And send a surgeon to you . HOR. How ? o' th ground ? MAR. O mother now remember what I told , Of breaking off the Crucifix : farewell Enter Car. Hort. Pedro . There are some sinnes which heauen doth duly punish , In a whole family . This it is to rise By all dishonest meanes . Let all men know That tree shall long time keepe a steddy foote Whose branches spread no wilder then the roote . COR. O my perpetuall sorrow ! HOR. Vertuous Marcello . Hee 's dead : pray leaue him Lady ; come , you shall . COR. Alas he is not dead : hee 's in a trance .

Why here 's no body shall get any thing by his death . Let me call him againe for Gods sake .

CAR. I would you were deceiu'd . COR.

O you abuse mee , you abuse me , you abuse me . How many haue gone away thus for lacke of tendance ; reare vp 's head , reare vp 's head ; His bleeding inward will kill him .

HOR. You see hee is departed . COR.

Let mee come to him ; giue mee him as hee is , if hee bee turn'd to earth ; let mee but giue him one heartie kisse , and you shall put vs both into one coffin : fetch a looking glasse , see if his breath will not staine it ; or pull out some feathers from my pillow , and lay them to his lippes , will you loose him for a little paines taking ?

HOR. Your kindest office is to pray for him . COR.

Alas ! I would not pray for him yet . Hee may liue to lay mee i th' ground , and pray for mee , if you 'l let mee come to him .

Enter Brachiano all armed , saue the beauer , with Flamineo . BRA. Was this your handy-worke ? FLA. It was my misfortune . COR.

Hee lies , hee lies , hee did not kill him : these haue kill'd him , that would not let him bee better look't to .

BRA. Haue comfort my greiu'd Mother . COR. O you scritch-owle . HOR. Forbeare , good Madam . COR. Let mee goe , let mee goe . Shee runes to Flamineo with her knif drawne and comming to him lets it fall . The God of heauen forgiue thee . Do'st not wonder I pray for thee ? I le tell thee what 's the reason , I haue scarce breath to number twentie minutes ; I de not spend that in cursing . Fare thee well Halfe of thy selfe lies there : and maist thou liue To fill an howre-glasse with his mouldred ashes , To tell how thou shouldst spend the time to come In blest repentance . BRA. Mother , pray tell mee How came hee by his death ? what was the quarrell ? COR. Indeed my yonger boy presum'd too much Vpon his manhood ; gaue him bitter wordes ; Drew his sword first ; and so I know not how , For I was out of my wits , hee fell with 's head Iust in my bosome . PAGE . This is not trew Madam . COR. I pray thee peace . One arrow 's graz'd allready ; it were vaine T' lose this : for that will nere bee found againe . BRA. Go , beare the bodie to Corneliá ; lodging : And wee commaund that none acquaint our Dutchesse : With this sad accident : for you Flamineo , Hearke you , I will not graunt your pardon . FLA. No ? BRA. Onely a lease of your life . And that shall last

But for one day . Thou shalt be forc't each euening to renew it , or be hang'd .

FLA. At your pleasure . Lodouico sprinckles Brachiano's beuer with a poison . Your will is law now , I le not meddle with it . BRA. You once did braue mee in your sisters lodging ; I 'le now keepe you in awe for 't . Where 's our beauer ? FRAN. Hee cals for his destruction . Noble youth , I pitty thy sad fate . Now to the barriers . This shall his passage to the blacke lake further , The last good deed hee did , he pardon'd murther . Exeunt . Charges and shoutes , They fight at Barriers ; first single paires , then three to three . Enter Brachiano & Flamineo with others . BRA. An Armorer ? vds death an Armorer ? FLA. Armorer ; where 's the Armorer ? BRA. Teare off my beauer . FLA. Are you hurt , my Lord ? BRA. O my braine 's on fire , Enter Armorer . The helmet is poison'd . ARM. My Lord vpon my soule . BRA. Away with him to torture . There are some great ones that haue hand in this , And neere about me . VIT. O my loued Lord , poisoned ? FLA. Remoue the barre : heer 's vnfortunate reuls , Call the Physitions ; a plague vpon you ; Ent. 2 Physitian : Wee haue to much of your cunning here already . I feare the Embassadours are likewise poyson'd . BRA. Oh I am gone already : the infection Flies to the braine and heart . O thou strong heart ! There 's such a couenant 'tweene the world and it , They 're loath to breake . GIO. O my most loued father ! BRA. Remoue the boy away , Where 's this good woman ? had I infinite worlds They were too little for thee . Must I leaue thee ? What say you scritch-owles , is the venomne mortall ? PHYS. Most deadly . BRA. Most corrupted pollitick hangman ! You kill without booke ; but your art to saue Failes you as oft , as great mens needy friends . I that haue giuen life to offending slaues And wretched murderers , haue I not power To lengthen mine owne a twelue-month ? Do not kisse me , for I shall poyson thee . This vnction is sent from the great Duke of Florence . FRA. Sir bee of comforts BRA. O thou soft naturall death , that art ioint-twin , To sweetest slumber : no rough-bearded Comet , Stares on thy milde departure : the dull Owle Beates not against thy casement : the hoarse wolfe Sents not thy carion . Pitty windes thy coarse , Whilst horrour waights on Princes . VIT. I am lost for euer . BRAC. How miserable a thing it is to die , 'Mongst women howling ! What are those . FLA. Franciscant . They haue brought the extreame vnction . BRA. On paine of death , let no man name death to me , It is a word infinitely terrible , Withdraw into our Cabinet Exeunt but Francisco and Flamineo . FLA.

To see what solitarinesse is about dying Princes . As heretofore they haue vnpeopled Townes ; diuorst friends , and made great houses vnhospitable : so now , ô iustice ! where are their flatterers now ? Flatterers are but the shadowes of Princes bodies the least thicke cloud makes them inuisible .

FRA. There 's great moane made for him . FLA.

'Faith , for some few howers salt water will runne most plentifully in euery Office o' th Court . But beleeue it ; most of them do but weepe ouer their step-mothers graues .

FRA. How meane you ? FLA.

Why ? They dissemble , as some men doe that liue within compasse o' th verge .

FRA. Come you haue thriu'd well vnder him . FLA.

'Faith , like a wolfe in a womans breast ; I haue beene fed with poultry ; but for money , vnderstand me , I had as good a will to cosen him , as e're an Officer of them all . But I had not cunning enough to doe it .

FRAN. What did'st thou thinke of him ; 'faith speake freely . FLA.

Hee was a kinde of States-man , that would sooner haue reckond how many Cannon bullets he had discharged against a Towne , to count his expence that way , than how many of his valiant and deseruing subiects hee lost before it .

FRAN. O , speake well of the Duke . FLA. I haue done . Will 't heare some of my Court wisedome ? Enter Lodouico . To reprehend Princes is dangerous : and to ouer-commend some of them is palpable lying . FRAN. How is it with the Duke ? LOD. Most deadly ill . Hee 's fall'n into a strange distraction . Hee talkes of Battailes and Monopolies , Leuying of taxes , and from that descends To the most brain-sicke language . His minde fastens On twentie seuerall obiects , which confound Deepe Sence with follie . Such a fearefull end May teach some men that beare too loftie crest , Though they liue happiest , yet they dye not best . Hee hath conferr'd the whole State of the Dukedome Vpon your sister , till the Prince arriue At mature age . FLA. There 's some good lucke in that yet . FRAN. See heere he comes . Enter Brachiano , presented in a bed Uittoria and others . There 's death in 's face allready . VIT. O my good Lord ! BRA. Away , you haue abus'd mee . You haue conuayd coyne forth our territories ; Bought and sold offices ; oppres'd the poore , These speches are seuerall kinds of distractions and in the action should appeare so . And I nere dreampt on 't . Make vp your accountes ; I le now bee mine owne Steward . FLA. Sir , haue patience . BRA. Indeed I am too blame . For did you euer heare the duskie rauen Chide blacknesse ? or wa st euer knowne , the diuell Raild against clouen Creatures . VIT. O my Lord ! BRA. Let mee haue some quailes to supper . FLA. Sir , you shal . BRA. No : some fried dog-fish . Your Quailes feed on poison , That old dog-fox , that Polititian Florence , I le forsweare hunting and turne dog-killer ; Rare ! I le bee frindes with him . for marke you , sir , one dog Still sets another a barking : peace , peace , Yonder 's a fine slaue come in now . FLA. Where ? BRA. Why there . In a blew bonnet , and a paire of breeches With a great codpeece . Ha , ha , ha , Looke you his codpeece is stucke full of pinnes With pearles o' th head of them . Doe not you know him ? FLA. No , my Lord . BRA. Why 't is the Deuill . I know him by a great rose he weares on 's shooe To hide his clouen foot . I le dispute with him . Hee 's a rare linguist . VIT. My Lord heer 's nothing . BRA. Nothing ? rare ! nothing ! when I want monie , Our treasurie is emptie ; there is nothing , I le not bee vs'd thus . VIT. O! ' ly still , my Lord BRA. See , see , Flamineo that kill'd his brother Is dancing on the ropes there : and he carries A monie-bag in each hand , to keepe him euen , For feare of breaking 's necke . And there 's a Lawyer In a gowne whipt with veluet , stares and gapes When the mony will fall . How the rogue cuts capers ! It should haue bin in a halter . 'T is there ; what 's shee ? FLA. Uittoria , my Lord . BRA.

Ha , ha , ha . Her haire is sprinckled with Arras powder , that makes her looke as if she had sinn'd in the Pastrie . What 's hee ?

FLA. A Diuine my Lord . BRA.

Hee will bee drunke : Auoid him : th' argument is fearefull when Church-men stagger in 't .

Brachiano seemes heare neare his end . Lodouico & Gasparo in the habit of Capuchins present him in his bed with a Crucifix and hallowed candle .

Looke you ; six gray rats that haue lost their tailes , crall vp the pillow , send for a Rat-cather .

I le doe a miracle : I le free the Court

From all foule vermin . Where 's Flamineo ?

FLA. I doe not like that hee names mee so often , Especially on 's death-bed : 't is a signe I shall not liue long : see hee 's neere his end . LOD. Pray giue vs leaue ; Attende Domine Brachiane , FLA. See , see , how firmely hee doth fixe his eye Vpon the Crucifix . VIT. O hold it constant . It settles his wild spirits ; and so his eies Melt into teares . LOD.

Domine Brachiane , solebas in bello tutus esse tuo clypeo , nùnc hunc clypeum hostituo opponas infernali .

〈…〉 the Cru 〈…〉 Ex. GAS.

Olim hasta valuisti in bello ; nùnc hanc sacram hastam vibrabis contra hostem animarum .

〈…〉 y the Ho 〈…〉 wed taper . LOD.

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

GAS.

Esto securus Domine Brachiane : cogita quantum habeas meritorum denique memineris meam animam pro tua oppignoratem si quid esset periculi .

LOD.

Si nùnc quoque probas ea quae acta sunt inter nos , flecte caput in leuum .

Hee is departing : pray stand all apart , And let vs onely whisper in his eares Some priuate meditations , which our order Heare the rest being departed Lodouico and Gasparo discouer themselues . Permits you not to heare . GAS. Brachiano . LOD. Deuill Brachiano . Thou art damn'd . GAS. Perpetually . LOD. A slaue condemn'd , and giuen vp to the gallowes Is thy great Lord and Master . GAS. True : for thou Art giuen vp to the deuill . LOD. O you slaue ! You that were held the famous Pollititian ; Whose art was poison . GAS. And whose conscience murder . LOD.

That would haue broke your wiues necke downe the staires ere she was poison'd .

GAS. That had your villanous LOD. And fine imbrodered bottles , ( sallets And perfumes Equally mortall with a winter plague GAS. Now there 's Mercarie . LOD. And copperesse GAS. And quicke-siluer . LOD. With other deuelish potticarie stuffe A melting in your polliticke braines : do'st heare . GAS. This is Count Lodouico . LOD. This Gasparo . And thou shalt die like a poore rogue . GAS. And stinke Like a dead flie-blowne dog . LOD. And be forgotten before thy funerall sermon . BRA. Uittoria ? Uittoria ! LOD. O the cursed deuill , Come to himselfe a gaine . Wee are vndone . Enter Vittoria and the attend. ( againe GAS. Strangle him in priuate . What ? will you call him To liue in treble torments ? for charitie , For Christian charitie , auoid the chamber . LOD. You would prate , Sir . This is a true-loue knot Sent from the Duke of Florence . Brachiano is strangled GAS. What is it done ? LOD. The snuffe is out . No woman-keeper i' ch world , Though shee had practis'd seuen yere at the Pest-house , Could haue done 't quaintlyer . My Lordes hee 's dead . OMN. Rest to his soule . VIT. O mee ! this place is hell . Exit Vittoria . FLO. How heauily shee takes it . FLA. O yes , yes ; Had women nauigable riuers in their eies They would dispend them all ; surely I wonder Why wee should wish more riuers to the Cittie , When they sell water so good cheape . I le tell thee , These are but Moonish shades of greifes or feares , There 's nothing sooner drie than womens-teares . Why heere 's an end of all my haruest , hee has giuen mee nothing Court promises ! Let wisemen count them curst For while you liue hee that scores best paies worst . FLO. Sure , this was Florence doing . FLA. Very likelie . Those are found waightie strokes which come from th' hand , But those are killing strokes which come from th' head . O the rare trickes of a Machiuillian ! Hee doth not come like a grosse plodding slaue And buffet you to death : No , my quaint knaue , Hee tickles you to death ; makes you die laughing ; As if you had swallow'd downe a pound of saffron You see the seat , 't is practis'd in a trice To teach Court-honestie , it iumpes on Ice . FLO. Now haue the people libertie to talke And descant on his vices . FLA. Miserie of Princes , That must of force bee censur'd by their slaues ! Not onely blam'd for doing things are ill , But for not doing all that all men will . One were better be a thresher . Vds'death , I would faine speake with this Duke yet . FLO. Now hee 's dead ? FLAM. I cannot coniure ; but if praiers or oathes Will get to th' speech of him : though forty deuils Waight on him in his liuery of flames , I 'le speake to him , and shake him by the hand , Though I bee blasted . FRA Excellent Lodouico ! What ? did you terrifie him at the last gaspe ? Exit Flamineo . LOD. Yes ; and so idely , that the Duke had like T' haue terrified vs . FRA. How ? Enter the Moore . LOD. You shall heare that heareafter , See! yon 's the infernall , that would make vp sport . Now to the reuelation of that secret , Shee promi'st when she fell in loue with you . FLO. You 're passionately met in this sad world . MOO. I would haue you look vp , Sir ; these Court teares Claime not your tribute to them . Let those weepe That guiltily pertake in the sad cause . I knew last night by a sad dreame I had Some mischiefe would insue ; yet to say truth My dreame most concern'd you . LOD. Shal 's fall a dreaming ? FRA. Yes , and for fashion sake I le dreame with her . MOO. Mee thought sir , you came stealing to my bed . FRA. Wilt thou beleeue me sweeting ; by this light I was a dreampt on thee too : for me thought I saw thee naked MOO. Fy sir ! as I told you , Me thought you lay downe by me . FRA. So drempt I ; And least thou should'st take cold , I couer'd thee With this Irish mantle . MOO. Verily I did dreame , You were some what bold with me ; but to come to 't . LOD. How ? how ? I hope you will not go to there . FRA. Nay : you must heare my dreame out . MOORE . Well , sir , forth . FRA. When I threw the mantle ore thee , thou didst laugh Exceedingly me thought . MOORE . Laugh ? FLA. And cridst out , The haire did tickle thee . MOO. There was a dreame indeed . LOD. Marke her I prethee , shee simpers like the suddes A Collier hath bene washt in . MOO. Come , sir ; good fortune tends you ; I did tell you I would reueale a secret , Isabella The Duke of Florence sister was impoison'd , By a ' fum'd picture : and Camillo's necke Was broke by damn'd Flamineo ; the mischance Laid on a vaulting horse . FRA. Most strange ! MOO. Most true . LOD. The bed of snakes is broke . MOO. I sadly do confesse I had a hand In the blacke deed . FRA. Thou kepts their counsell , MOO. Right , For which , vrg'd with contrition , I intend This night to rob Vittoria . LOD. Excellent penitence ! Vsurers dreame on 't while they sleepe out Sermons . MOO. To further our escape , I haue entreated Leaue to retire me , till the funerall , Vnto a friend i' th country . That excuse Will further our escape , In coine and iewels I shall , at least , make good vnto your vse An hundred thousand crowns . FRA. O noble wench ! LOD. Those crownes we 'le share . MOO. It is a dowry , Me thinkes , should make that sun-burnt prouerbe false , And wash the Ethiop white . FRA. It shall , away MOO. Be ready for our flight . FRA. An howre 'fore day . O strange discouery ! why till now we knew not Exit the Moore . The circumstance of either of their deaths . Enter Moore . MOO. You 'le waight about midnight In the Chappel . FRA. There . LOD. Why now our action 's iustified , FRA. Tush for iustice . What harmes it Iustice ? we now , like the partridge Purge the disease with lawrell : for the fame Shall crowne the enterprise and quit the shame . Exeunt . Enter Flam. and Gasp. at one dore , another way Giouanni attended . GAS. The yong Duke : Did you e're see a sweeter Prince ? FLA.

I haue knowne a poore womans bastard better fauor'd , This is behind him : Now , to his face all comparisons were hateful : Wise was the Courtly Peacocke , that being a great Minion , and being compar'd for beauty , by some dottrels that stood by , to the Kingly Eagle , said the Eagle was a farre fairer bird then herselfe , not in respect of her feathers , but in respect of her long Tallants . His will grow out in time ,

My gratious Lord .

GIO. I pray leaue mee Sir . FLA.

Your Grace must be merry : 't is I haue cause to mourne , for wot you what said the little boy that rode behind his father on horsebacke ?

GIO. Why , what said hee ? FLA.

When you are dead father ( said he ) I hope then I shall ride in the saddle , O 't is a braue thing for a man to sit by himselfe : he may stretch himselfe in the stirrops , looke about , and see the whole compasse of the Hemisphere , you 're now , my Lord , i th saddle .

GIO. Study your praiers , sir , and be penitent , 'T were fit you 'd thinke on what hath former bin , I haue heard griefe nam'd the eldest child of sinne . Exit Giou. FLA. Study my praiers ? he threatens me diuinely , I am falling to peeces already , I care not , though , like Anacharsis

I were pounded to death in a mortar . And yet that death were fitter for Vsurers gold and themselues to be beaten together , to make a most cordiall cullice for the deuill .

He hath his vnckles villanous looke already , Enter Courtier . In dicimo sexto . Now sir , what are you ? COVR It is the pleasure sir , of the yong Duke That you forbeare the Presence , and all roome , That owe him reuerence . FLAM.

So , the wolfe and the rauen are very pretty fools when they are yong . Is it your office , sir , to keepe me out ?

COVR. So the Duke wils . FLA.

Verely , Maister Courtier , extreamity is not to bee vsed in all offices : Say that a gentlewoman were taken out of her bed about midnight , and committed to Castle Angelo , to the Tower yonder , with nothing about her , but her smocke : would it not shew a cruell part in the gentleman porter to lay clame to her vpper garment , pull it ore her head and eares ; and put her in nak'd ?

COVR. Very good : you are merrie FLA.

Doth hee make a Court eiectment of mee ? A flaming firebrand casts more smoke without a chimney , then withi nt . I le smoore some of them .

Enter Florence . How now ? Thou hart sad . FRAN. I met euen now with the most pitious sight . FLA. Thou metst another heare a pittifull Degraded Courtier . FRAN. Your reuerend mother Is growne a very old woman in two howers . I found them winding of Marcello's coarse ; And there is such a solemne melodie 'Tweene dolefull songes , teares , and sad elegies : Such , as old grandames , watching by the dead , Were wont t' out-weare the nights with ; that beleeue mee I had no eies to guide mee forth the roome , They were so ore-charg'd with water . FLA. I will see them . FRAN. 'T were much vncharety in you : for your sight Will adde vnto their teares . FLA. I will see them . They are behind the trauers . I le discouer Their superstitious howling . Cornelia , the Moore and 3. other Ladies discouered , winding Marcello's Coarse . A song . COR. This rosemarie is wither'd , pray get fresh ; I would haue these herbes grow vp in his graue When I am dead and rotten . Reach the bayes , I le tye a garland heere about his head : 'T will keepe my boy from lightning . This sheet I haue kept this twentie yere , and euerie daie Hallow'd it with my praiers , I did not thinke Hee should haue wore it . MOO. Looke you ; who are yonder . COR. O reach mee the flowers . MOO. Her Ladiships foolish . WOM. Alas ! her grief Hath turn'd her child againe . COR. You 're very wellcome . There 's Rosemarie for you , and Rue for you , to Flamineo . Hearts-ease for you . I pray make much of it . I haue left more for my selfe . FRAN. Ladie , who 's this ? COR. You are , I take it , the graue-maker . FLA. So . MOO. 'T is Flamineo . COR. Will you make mee such a foole ? heere 's a white hand : Can bloud so soone bee washt out ? Let mee see , When scritch-howles croke vpon the chimney tops , And the strange Cricket i th ouen singes and hoppes , When yellow spots doe on your handes appeare , Bee certaine then you of a Course shall heare . Out vpon 't , how 't is speckled ! h 'as handled a toad sure . Couslep-water is good for the memorie : pray buy mee 3. ounces of 't . FLA. I would I were from hence . COR. Do you heere , I le giue you a saying which my grandmother ( sir ? Was wont , when she heard the bell tolle , to sing ore vnto her lute FLA. Doe and you will , doe . COR. Call for the Robin-Red-brest and the wren , Since ore shadie groues they houer , Cornelia doth this in seuerall formes of distraction . And with leaues and flowres doe couer The friendlesse bodies of vnburied men . Call vnto his funerall Dole The Ante , the field-mouse , and the mole To reare him hillockes , that shall keepe him warme , And ( when gay tombes are rob'd ) sustaine no harme , But keepe the wolfe far thence : that 's foe to men , For with his nailes hee 'l dig them vp agen . They would not bury him 'cause hee died in a quarrell But I haue an answere for them . Let holie Church receiue him duly Since hee payd the Church tithes truly . His wealth is sum'd , and this is all his store : This poore men get ; and great men get no more . Now the wares are gone , wee may shut vp shop . Blesse you all good people , Exeunt Cornelia and Ladies . FLA. I haue a strange thing in mee , to th' which I cannot giue a name , without it bee Compassion , I pray leaue mee . Exit Francisco . This night I le know the vtmost most of my fate , I le bee resolu'd what my rich sister meanes T' assigne mee for my seruice : I haue liu'd Riotously ill , like some that liue in Court . And sometimes , when my face was full of smiles , Haue felt the mase of conscience in my brest . Oft gay and honour'd robes those tortures trie , " Wee thinke cag'd birds sing , when indeed they crie . Ha! I can stand thee . Neerer , neerer yet . Enter Brachia . Ghost . In his leather Cassock & breeches bootes , a coot a pot of lilly flowers with a scull in t . What a mockerie hath death made of thee ? thou look'st sad . In what place art thou ? in you starrie gallerie , Or in the cursed dungeon ? No ? not speake ? Pray , Sir , resolue mee , what religions best For a man to die in ? or is it in your knowledge To answere mee how long I haue to liue ? That 's the most necessarie question . Not answere ? Are you still like some great men That onely walke like shadowes vp and downe , And to no purpose : say : — The Ghost throwes earth vpon him and shewes him the scull . What 's that ? O fatall ! hee throwes earth vpon mee . A dead mans scull beneath the rootes of flowers . I pray speake Sir , our Italian Church-men Make vs beleue , dead men hold conference With their familiars , and many times Will come to bed to them , and eat with them . Exit Ghost . Hee 's gone ; and see , the scull and earth are vanisht . This is beyond melancholie . I doe dare my fate To doe its worst . Now to my sisters lodging , And summe vp all these horrours ; the disgrace The Prince threw on mee ; next the pitious sight Of my dead brother ; and my Mothers dotage ; And last this terrible vision . All these Shall with Vittoria's bountie turne to good , Or I will drowne this weapon in her blood . Exit . Enter Francisco , Lodouico , and Hortensio . LOD. My Lord vpon my soule you shall no further : You haue most ridiculously ingag'd your selfe Too far allready . For my part , I haue payd All my debts , so if I should chance to fall My Creditours fall not with mee ; and I vow To quite all in this bold assemblie To the meanest follower . My Lord leaue the Cittie , Or I le forsweare the murder . FRAN. Farewell Lodouico . If thou do'st perish in this glorious act , I le reare vnto thy memorie that fame Shall in the ashes keepe aliue thy name . HOR. There 's some blacke deed on foot . I le presently Downe to the Citadell , and raise some force . These strong Court factions that do brooke no checks , In the cariere of 't breake the Riders neckes . FLA. What are you at your prayers ? Giue o're . Enter Vittoria with a booke in her hand . Zanke , Flamineo , following them . VIT. How Ruffin ? FLA. I come to you 'bout worldly businesse : Sit downe , sit downe : Nay stay blouze , you may heare it , The dores are fast inough . VIT. Ha , are you drunke ? FLA. Yes , yes , with wormewood water , you shall tast Some of it presently . VIT. What intends the fury ? FLA. You are my Lords Executrix , and I claime Reward , for my long seruice . VIT. For your seruice FLA. Come therfore heere is pen and Inke , set downe What you will giue me . VIT. There , FLA. Ha! haue you done already , Shee writes . 'T is a most short conueyance . VIT. I will read it . I giue that portion to thee , and no other Which Caine gron'd vnder hauing slaine his brother . FLA. A most courtly Pattent to beg by . VIT. You are a villaine . FLA. Is 't come to this ? the say affrights cure agues : Thou hast a Deuill in thee ; I will try If I can scarre him from thee : Nay sit still : My Lord hath left me yet two case of Iewels Shall make me scorne your bounty ; you shall see them . VIT. Sure hee 's distracted . ZAN. O he 's desperate He enter with two of pistols . For your owne safety giue him gentle language . FLA. Looke , these are better far at a dead list , Then all your iewell house . VIT. And yet mee thinkes , These stones haue no faire lustre , they are ill set . FLA.

I 'le turne the right side towards you : you shall see how the will sparkle .

VIT. Turne this horror from mee : What do you want ? what would you haue mee doe ? Is not all mine , yours ? haue I any children ? FLA. Pray theee good woman doe not trouble mee With this vaine wordly businesse ; say your prayers , I made a vow to my deceased Lord , Neither your selfe , nor I should out-liue him , The numbring of foure howers . VIT. Did he enioyne it . FLA. He did , and 't was a deadly iealousy , Least any should enioy thee after him ; That vrg'd him vow me to it : For my death I did propound it voluntarily , knowing If hee could not be safe in his owne Court Being a great Duke , what hope then for vs ? VIT. This is your melancholy and dispaire . FLA. Away , Foole , thou art to thinke that Polititians Do vse to kill the effects of iniuries And let the cause liue : shall we groane in irons , Or be a shamefull and a waighty burthen To a publicke scaffold : This is my resolue I would not liue at any mans entreaty Nor dye at any 's bidding . VIT. Will you heare me ? FLA. My life hath done seruice to other men , My death shall serue mine owne turne ; make you ready VIT. Do you meane to die indeed . FLA. With as much pleasure As e're my father gat me . VIT. Are the dores lockt ? ZAN. Yes Madame . VIT. Are you growne an Atheist ? will you turne your body , Which is the goodly pallace of the soule To the soules slaughter house ? ô the cursed Deuill Which doth present vs with all other sinnes Thrice candied ore ; Despaire with gaule and stibium , Yet we carouse it off ; Cry out for helpe , Makes vs forsake that which was made for Man , The world , to sinke to that was made for deuils , Eternall darkenesse . ZAN. Helpe , helpe . FLA. I 'le stop your With Winter plums , VIT. I prethee yet remember , ( throate Millions are now in graues , which at last day Like Mandrakes shall rise shreeking . FLA. Leaue your prating , For these are but grammaticall laments , Feminine arguments , and they moue me As some in Pulpits moue their Auditory More with their exclamation then sence Of reason , or sound Doctrine . ZAN. Gentle Madam Seeme to consent , onely perswade him teach The way to death ; let him dye first . VIT. 'T is good , I apprehend it , To kill one's selfe is meate that we must take Like pils , not chew 't , but quickly swallow it , The smart a' th wound , or weakenesse of the hand May else bring trebble torments . FLA. I haue held it A wretched and most miserable life , Which is not able to dye . VIT. O but frailty ! Yet I am now resolu'd , farewell affliction ; Behold Brachiano , I that while you liu'd Did make a flaming Altar of my heart To sacrifice vnto you ; Now am ready To sacrifice heart and all . Fare-well Zanche . ZAN. How Madam ! Do you thinke that I 'le out-liue you ? Especially when my best selfe Flamineo Goes the same voiage . FLA. O most loued Moore ! ZAN. Onely by all my loue let me entreat you ; Since it is most necessary none of vs Do violence on our selues ; let you or I Be her sad taster , teach her how to dye . FLA. Thou dost instruct me nobly , take these pistols , Because my hand is stain'd with bloud already : Two of these you shall leuell at my brest , Th' other gainst your owne , and so we 'le dye , Most equally contented : But first sweare Not to out-liue me . VIT. & MOO. Most religiously . FLA. Then here 's an end of me : fare-well day-light And ô contemtible Physike ! that dost take So long a study , onely to preserue So short a life , I take my leaue of thee . These are two cupping-glasses , that shall draw Shewing pistols . All my infected bloud out , Are you ready ? BOTH . Ready . FLA.

Whither shall I go now ? O Lucian thy ridiculous Purgatory to finde Alexander the great cobling shooes , Pompey tagging points , and Iulius Caesar ; making haire buttons , Haniball selling blacking , and Augustus crying garlike , Charlemaigne selling lists by the dozen , and King Pippin crying Apples in a cart drawn with one horse .

Whether I resolue to Fire , Earth , water , Aire , Or all the Elements by scruples ; I know not Nor greatly care , — Shoote , shoote , Of all deaths the violent death is best , For from our selues it steales our selues so fast They shoot and run to him & tread vpon him . The paine once apprehended is quite past . VIT. What are you drop't . FLA.

I am mixt with Earth already : As you are Noble Performe your vowes , and brauely follow mee .

VIT. Whither to hell , ZAN. To most assured damnation . VIT. O thou most cursed deuill . ZAN. Thou art caught VIT. In thine owne Engine , I tread the fire out That would haue bene my ruine . FLA.

Will you be periur'd ? what a religious oath was Stix that the Gods neuer durst sweare by and violate ? ô that wee had such an oath to minister , and to be so well kept in our Courts of Iustice .

VIT. Thinke whither thou art going . ZAN. And remember What villanies thou hast acted . VIT. This thy death , Shall make me like a blazing ominous starre , Looke vp and tremble . FLA. O I am caught with a springe ! VIT. You see the Fox comes many times short ho me , 'T is here prou'd true . FLA. Kild with a couple of braches . VIT. No fitter offring for the infernall furies Then one in whom they raign'd while hee was liuing . FLA. O the waies darke and horrid ! I cannot see , Shall I haue no company ? VIT. O yes thy sinnes , Do runne before thee to fetch fire from hell , To light thee thither . FLA. O I smell soote , most sinking soote , the chimneis a fire , My liuers purboil'd like scotch holly-bread ; There 's a plumber , laying pipes in my guts , it scalds ; Wilt thou out-liue mee ? ZAN. Yes , and driue a stake Through thy body ; for we 'le giue it out , Thou didst this violence vpon thy selfe . FLA. O cunning Deuils ! now I haue tri'd your loue , And doubled all your reaches . I am not wounded : Flamineo riseth . The pistols held no bullets : 't was a plot To proue your kindnesse to mee ; and I liue To punish your ingratitude , I knew One time or other you would finde a way To giue me a strong potion , ò Men That lye vpon your death-beds , and are haunted With howling wiues , neere trust them , they 'le re-marry Ere the worme peirce your winding sheete : ere the Spider Make a thinne curtaine for your Epitaphes .

How cunning you were to discharge ? Do you practise at the Artillery yard ? Trust a woman ; neuer , neuer ; Brachiano bee my president : we lay our soules to pawne to the Deuill for a little pleasure , and a woman makes the bill of sale . That euer man should marry ! For one Hypermnestra that sau'd her Lord and husband , forty nine of her sisters cut their husbands throates all in one night . There was a shole of vertuous horse-leeches .

Here are two other Instruments .

Enter Lod. Gasp. Pedro , Carlo . VIT. Helpe , helpe . FLA. What noise is that ? hah ? falce keies i' th Court . LOD. We haue brought you a Maske . FLA. A matachine it By your drawne swords . ( seemes , Church-men turn'd reuellers . CON. Isabella , Isabella , LOD. Doe you know vs now ? FLA. Lodouico and Gasparo . LOD. Yes and that Moore the Duke gaue pention to Was the great Duke of Florence . VIT. O wee are lost . FLA. You shall not take Iustice from forth my hands , O let me kill her . — I le cut my safty Through your coates of steele : Fate 's a Spaniell , Wee cannot beat it from vs : what remaines now ? Let all that doe ill , take this president : Man may his Fate foresce , but not preuent . And of all Axiomes this shall winne the prise , 'T is better to be fortunate then wise . GAS. Bind him to the pillar . VIT. O your gentle pitty : I haue seene a black-bird that would sooner fly To a mans bosome , then to stay the gripe Of the feirce Sparrow-hawke . GAS. Your hope deceiues you . VIT. If Florence be i th Court , would hee would kill mee . GAS. Foole ! Princes giue rewards with their owne hands , But death or punishment by the handes of others . LOD. Sirha you once did strike mee , I le strike you Into the Center . FLA. Thou l't doe it like a hangeman ; a base hangman ; Not like a noble fellow , for thou seest I cannot strike againe . LOD. Dost laugh ? FLA. Wouldst haue me dye , as I was borne , in whining . GAS. Recommend your selfe to heauen . FLA. Noe I will carry mine owne commendations thither . LOD. Oh could I kill you forty times a day And vs't foure yeere together ; 't weare to little : Nought greeu's but that you are to few to feede The famine of our vengeance . What dost thinke on ? FLA. Nothing ; of nothing : leaue thy idle questions ; I am i th way to study a long silence , To prate were idle , I remember nothing . Ther s nothing of so infinit vexation As mans owne thoughts . LOD. O thou glorious strumpet , Could I deuide thy breath from this pure aire When 't leaues thy body , I would sucke it vp And breath 't vpon some dunghill . VIT. You , my Deaths man ; Me thinkes thou doest not looke horrid enough , Thou hast to good a face to be a hang-man , If thou be doe thy office in right forme ; Fall downe vpon thy knees and aske forgiuenesse . LOD. O thou hast bin a most prodigious comet , But I le cut of your traine : kill the Moore first . VIT. You shall not kill her first . behould my breast , I will be waited on in death ; my seruant Shall neuer go before mee . GAS. Are you so braue . VIT. Yes I shall wellcome death

As Princes doe some great Embassadors ; I le meete thy weapon halfe way .

LOD. Thou dost tremble , Mee thinkes feare should dissolue thee into ayre . VIT. O thou art deceiu'd , I am to true a woman : Conceit can neuer kill me : I le tell thee what , I will not in my death shed one base teare , Or if looke pale , for want of blood , not feare . CAR. Thou art my taske , blacke fury . ZAN. I haue blood As red as either of theirs ; wilt drinke some ? 'T is good for the falling sicknesse : I am proud Death cannot alter my complexion , For I shall neere looke pale . LOD. Strike , strike , With a Ioint motion . VIT. 'T was a manly blow The next thou giu'st , murder some sucking Infant , And then thou wilt be famous . FLA. O what blade is t ? A Toledo , or an English Fox . I euer thought a Cutler should distinguish The cause of my death , rather then a Doctor . Search my wound deeper : tent it with the steele that made it . VIT. O my greatest sinne lay in my blood . Now my blood paies for 't . FLA. Th' art a noble sister I loue thee now ; if woeman doe breed man Shee ought to teach him manhood : Fare thee well . Know many glorious woemen that are fam'd For masculine vertue , haue bin vitious Onely a happier silence did betyde them Shee hath no faults , who hath the art to hide them . VIT. My soule , like to a ship in a blacke storme , Is driuen I know not whither . FLA. Then cast ancor . " Prosperity doth bewitch men seeming cleere , " But seas doe laugh , shew white , when Rocks are neere . " Wee cease to greiue , cease to be fortunes slaues , " Nay cease to dye by dying . Art thou gonne And thou so neare the bottome : falce reporte Which saies that woemen vie with the nine Muses For nine tough durable liues : I doe not looke Who went before , nor who shall follow mee ; Noe , at my selfe I will begin and end : " While we looke vp to heauen wee confound " Knowledge with knowledge . ô I am in a mist . VIT. O happy they that neuer saw the Court , " Nor euer knew great Man but by report . Vittoria dyes . FLA, I recouer like a spent taper , for a flash And instantly go out .

Let all that belong to Great men remember th' ould wiues tradition , to be like the Lyons i th Tower on Candlemas day , to mourne if the Sunne shine , for feare of the pittifull remainder of winter to come .

'T is well yet there 's some goodnesse in my death , My life was a blacke charnell : I haue cought An euerlasting could . I haue lost my voice Most irrecouerably : Farewell glorious villaines , " This busie trade of life appeares most vaine , " Since rest breeds rest , where all seeke paine by paine . Let no harsh flattering Bels resound my knell , Strike thunder , and strike lowde to my farewell . Dyes . Enter Embassad: and Giouanni . ENG. and E. This way , this way , breake ope the doores , this way . LOD. Ha , are wee betraid ; Why then le ts constantly dye all together , And hauing finisht this most noble deede , Defy the worst of fate ; not feare to bleed . ENG. Keepe backe the Prince , shoot , shoot , LOD. O I am wounded . I feare I shall be tane . GIO. You bloudy villaines , By what authority haue you committed This Massakre . LOD. By thine . GIO. Mine ? LOD. Yes , thy vnckle , which is a part of thee enioyn'd vs to 't . Thou knowst me I am sure , I am Count Lodowicke , And thy most noble vnckle in disguise Was last night in thy Court . GIO. Ha! CAR. Yes , that Moore thy father chose his pentioner . GIO. He turn'd murderer ; Away with them to prison , and to torture ; All that haue hands in this , shall tast our iustice , As I hope heauen . LOD. I do glory yet , That I can call this act mine owne : For my part , The racke , the gallowes , and the torturing wheele Shall bee but sound sleepes to me , here 's my rest " I limb'd this night-peece and it was my best . GIO. Remoue the bodies , see my honoured Lord , what vse you ought make of their punishment . Let guilty men remember their blacke deedes , Do leane on cruthes , made of slender reedes .

In stead of an Epilogue onely this of Martial supplies me .

Haec fuerint nobis praemia si placui .