My happiness, and mighty kings look pale Fran. Your excellence, Their numbers full, and in their councils wise [Asid [Apar In his attempts, married to victory. Though I confess you give her but her own, Disperse these clouds; and, but yourself, there Forces her modesty to the defence Of a sweet blush. Sfor. It need not, my Marcelia; That, but to speak the least part to the height, Isa. You still court her As if she were a mistress, not your wife. My pride, my glory, in a word, my all! Sfor 'Tis believ'd Believ'd, my blest one. Immortal viands ta'en in at his eyes. Mari. How she winds herself [Aside. banquets with I could live ever thus. Cour. Delivers a Letter] The letter will inform you. [Exit. Fran. How his hand shakes, And I have heard you swear, I being safe, Is by your gift made mine. Can you revo Sfor. Out of my sight! [Throws away the Lette And all thoughts that may strangle mir forsake me. Fall what can fall, I dare the worst of fate The glorious eye of heaven lose his splendou That wears one furrow in his face. [Aside. To heighten our delights. Sfor. Though it bring death, I'll read it. [Reads. May it please your excellence to un derstand, that the very hour I wrote From Gaspero? Cour. [Delivers a Letter] With the del very of this, and prayers, can guard committed to my charge, en- To guard your excellency from certain danger Your high- He ceased to be a man. [Music. Er GASPERO. Sfor. All that my fears am nothing. Could fashion to me, or my enemies wish, [Aside. Is fallen upon me. Silence that harsh musi forces me to end abruptly. ness's humble servant. Ready to join!-By this, then, I Or my estate secure. I cannot be so greedy of a sorrow, In which you must not share. Mare. And cheerfully I will sustain my part. Why look you pale? May low from me, not danger. It is for thee I fear; for thee, thy Sforza To so proud enemies. Mare. Then you have just cause To show you are a man. Sfor. All this were nothing, Though I add to it, that I am assured, For giving aid to this unfortunate king, The emperor, incens'd, lays his command On his victorious army, flesh'd with spoil, A bold of conquest, to march up against me, And seize on my estates: suppose that done too, ve city ta'en, the kennels running blood, sef bound fast in chains, to grace their triumph; I would be Sforza still. But when I think 7 my Marcelia, to whom all these Ve but as atoms to the greatest hill, Think, think, Marcelia, what a cursed thing were, beyond expression! Marc. Do not feed Those jealous thoughts; the only blessing that Re-enter FRANCISCO. Upon your privacies. Your constant friend, Such friendly counsel, as, perhaps, may make Your sad disaster less. Sfor. You are all goodness; Est suffer in my cause, and for me suffer! earthly torments, nay, even those the damn'd lil for in hell, are gentle strokes, compar'dAnd I give up myself to be dispos'd of, That I feel, Marcelia. Marc. Good sir, have patience: can as well partake your adverse fortune, I thus long have had an ample share cur prosperity. Tis not in the power tte to alter me; for while I am, w white of it, I'm yours. Vor. But should that will teso-forced, Marcelia; and I live As in your wisdom you think it. Pes. Thus, then, sir; To hope you can hold out against the emperor, Sfor. I understand you; And I will put your counsel into act, Pray take your rest. Pes. Indeed, I have travell'd hard; And will embrace your counsel. Sfor. With all care Attend my noble friend. [Exit. Stay you, Francisco. And if the loss of my poor life could bo Sfor. I think so; For I have ever found you true and thankful, And in my dukedom made you next myself; I find you are worthy of them, in your love Fran. Sir, I am your creature; I gladly will put on. That were before us; and such as succeed, come near us. Art thou not shaken yet? Fran. I grant you move me: Fran. As a thing sacred; To whose fair name and memory I pay gladly Sfor. Is she not the abstract Of all that's rare, or to be wish'd in woman? Sfor. Add too, her goodness, Her tenderness of me, her care to please me, Fran. Now I find the end Of all your conjurations; there's some service To be done for this sweet lady. If she have enemies, That she would have remov'd Sfor. Alas! Francisco, Her greatest enemy is her greatest lover; you would have me wear, One smile of hers would make a savage tame; Sfor. Thus, then, Francisco: I now am to deliver to your trust A weighty secret; of so strange a nature, Or to one unacquainted with your bounties, a Sfor. But you must swear it; To fall upon't like thunder. Fran. Minister One accent of that tongue would calm the seas, empire. Yet I, for whom she thinks all this too little, Fran. Murder'd!-She that loves so, What is decreed can never be recall'd. There is no heaven without her, nor a hell Her purer soul from her unspotted body. Fran. Tis not fear Mus. But if we should offend, Isa. But the purpose, daughter, That brings us hither? Is it to bestow A visit on this woman? Mari. If to vex her The dutchess having silenc'd us, and these lords May be interpreted to do her honour, Stand by to hear us. Grac. They in name are lords, She shall have many of them. My brother, being not by now to protect her, But I am one in power; and, for the dutchess, I am her equal. But yesterday we were merry for her pleasure; Well now be for my lady's. [Tiberio and Stephano come forward. Tib. Seignior Graccho. Grae. A poor man, sir, a servant to the Play any thing That's light and loud enough but to torment her. [Music. [Apart. Mari. May it please your greatness, one smile, I pray you, On your poor servants. Isa. She's made of courtesy. Mari. Mistress of all hearts! Marc. If doting age could let you but Than in a paradise at her entreaty. remember, You have a son; or frontless impudence, [Apart. And for you, upstart Offi. What shall become of these? Grac. I preach patience, And must endure my fortune. [Exeunt all but Francisco and Marcelia. Fran. Let them first know themselves, and how you are Marc. For both shall understand, though To be serv'd and honour'd; which, when they the one presume Upon the privilege due to a mother; confess, You may again receive them to your favour; The duke stands now on his own legs, and And then it will show nobly. needs Marc. For you, Marc. With my thanks, The duke shall pay you his, if he return Fran. Any service done to so much sweet ness, In your favour finds A wish'd and glorious end. From this hour learn to serve me, or you'll feel As loyal duty; but in any other, I must make use of my authority, And, as a princess, punish it. Isa. A princess! It would appear gross flattery. You are so rare and excellent in all things, Mari. I had rather be a slave unto a Moor, And rais'd so high upon a rock of goodness, Than know thee for my equal. Enter FRANCISCO and Guards. Mari. Do you hear, sir? As that vice cannot reach you: who but looks on Right me on this monster, or ne'er look to Teach me to hope my piety and love have A quiet hour with me. Isa. If my son were here, And would endure this, may a mother's curse Fran. O, forbear: In me he's present, both in power and will; And death with torments tyrants ne'er found Yet I must say I love you. And 'twill become you. Fran. Farewell circumstance! As when himself perform'd the willing office. Mari. And I will justify it. Fran. Remember she's the dutchess. Fran. Think not then I speak Isa. Mari. Prisoners! But pleas'd they may have liberty. Marc. Keep off! O, you powers! And find one act of mine so loosely carrie Mari. I'llrather live in any loathsome dungeon, To the least hope to find way to my favo |