That never trod in a suspected path, Fran. May I be accurs'd, Between you and all danger. He shall know, Suspicion overturns what confidence builds; And he that dares but doubt when there's no ground, Is neither to himself nor others sound. [Exit. Fran. So, let it work! Her goodness, that denied My service, branded with the name of lust, And let my plots produce this long'd-for birth, [Exit. SCENE III. Another Room in the same. Enter LUDOVICO SFORZA, PESCARA, JULIO, and GIOVANNI. Pes. You promis'd to be merry. And of all kinds, to entertain the time. Gio. Your excellence vouchsafing to make choice Of that which best affects you. Sfor. Hold your prating. Learn manners too; you are rude. Pes. I must borrow The privilege of a friend, and will; or else Sfor. Pray you, use your freedom; Now I have cause to grieve, I must be sad; And I dare show it. Pes. Would it were bestow'd Upon a worthier subject Sfor. Take heed, friend. You rub a sore, whose pain will make And I shall then forget myself and you. Pes. Have you stood the shock Deject your valour? Shall, I say, these virtues, Sfor. Good Pescara, This language in another were profane; Pes. Well, sir, I'll not cross you, Enter TIBERIO and STEPHANO. Sfor. O! you are well return'd; Say, am I blest? hath she vouchsaf'd to hear you? Is there hope left that she may be appeas'd? Tib. She, sir, yet is froward, And desires respite, and some privacy. Steph. She was harsh at first; but, ere we parted, seem'd not Implacable. Sfor. There's comfort yet: I'll ply her Each hour with new ambassadors of more honours, Titles, and eminence: my second self, Steph. That a wise man, And what is more, a prince that may command, Should sue thus poorly, and treat with his wife As she were a victorious enemy. Sfor. What is that you mutter? I'll have thy thoughts. Steph. You shall. You are too fond, And feed a pride that's swoln too big already And surfeits with observance. Sfor. O my patience! My vassal speak thus? Steph. Let my head answer it, If I offend. She, that you think a saint, Pes. Well said, old fellow. [Aside Steph. And he that hath so long engross your favours, Though to be nam'd with rev'rence, lor Francisco, Who, as you purpose, shall solicit for you, think's too near her. I [Sfor. lays his Hand on his Sword I'm sure he's private with her. me I scorn to touch him; he deserves my pity, Of thousand enemies, and outfac'd the anger Ilave you given proof, to this hour of your life, Prosperity, that searches the best temper, Tib. This is a confidence Beyond example. Enter ISABELLA, and MARIANA. Sfor. If you come To bring me comfort, say that you have made Let them at once dispatch me. peace with my Marcelia. Isa. I had rather Wait on you to your funeral. Sfor. You are my mother; Or, by ber life, you were dead else, To your dishonour! Here your mother was Sfor. She hath blasphem'd, and by our law must die. Isa. Blasphem'd! for giving a false woman her true name. Sfor. O hell, what do I suffer? Mari. Or is it treason For me, that an a subject, to endeavour To save the honour of the duke, and that Mari. The public fame, Their hourly private meetings; and, e'en now, Sfor. O the malice Fran. Draw your sword then, And, as you wish your own peace, quickly kill me; Consider not, but do it. Sfor. Art thou mad? Fran. Would from my youth a loathsome leprosy Had run upon this face, or that my breath Sfor. I am on 'the rack! Of all mankind, that stand most bound to love you, And study your content, should be appointed, Sfor. Loves thee! Fran. And from hence grew Sfor. O women! women! Fran. 1 labour'd to divert her by persuasion, Then urg'd your much love to her, and the danger; Denied her and with scorn. Sfor. 'Twas like thyself. Fran. But when I saw her smile, then heard her say, Your love and extreme dotage, as a cloak, I could not but in duty (though I know Enter FRANCISCO, speaking to a Servant Both base and poor to rise up her accuser) within. I would impart, Fran. Great sir, Frase Freely discover it. Sfor. Eternal plagues Pursue and overtake ber! But, like a village nurse, Stand I now cursing and considering, when The tamest fool would do. Within there! Stephano, you to lend your ear, a weighty secret, Tiberio, and the rest! I will be sudden, I am in labour to deliver to you. Sfor. All leave the room. [Exeunt Isa. and Mari.] Excuse me, good Pescara, E long I will wait on you, P. You speak, sir, language I should use. Sfor. Be within call, Fraps we may have use of you. Tb. We shall, sir. [Exit. [Exeunt Tiberio and Stephano. Sfor. Say on, my comfort! Fran. Comfort! no, your torment, misery stand ready to devour me? And know what's best to do: yet, if you please, Marc. Where is this monster, Indeed, the unkindness to be sentenc'd by you, Sfor. Then I believe thee; Tib. Her sweet soul has left Steph. Look to the duke; he stands ACT Y. SCENE I.-The MILANESE. [Dies. [Exeunt A Room in Ex GENIA'S House. Enter FRANCISCO and EUGENIA. Fran. Why, couldst thou think, Eugenia, that rewards, Graces, or favours, though strew'd thick upon me, Could ever bribe me to forget mine honour? By the fire of my revenge? Look up, my dearest! Thy promis'd hopes, and robb'd thee of a fortune But hasten'd her sad ruin. Eug. Do not flatter A grief that is beneath it; for, however Fran. Such indeed, I grant, The stream of his affection was, and ran, Fran. And by Sforza's hand. Does it ne How coldly you receive it! I expected Her sad fate would increase, not lessen ther Steph. Seignior Francisco, sir, but even now For if my sorrows could receive addition, Took horse without the ports. Marc. We are both abus'd, And both by him undone. Stay, death, a little, Till I have clear'd me to my lord, and then I willingly obey thee. O my Sforza! Francisco was not tempted, but the tempter; And, as he thought to win me, show'd the warrant That you sign'd for my death. But, being Upon his knees with tears he did beseech me, Fran. Have you then no gall, Eug. Yes, of him That did deceive me. There's no passion, th Of teeming women; and will hazard all Fran. Still mine own, and dearer! I did begin his tragedy in her death, Eug. Upon those terms I yield myself and cause, to be dispos'd of you And vigilance in me for my lord's safety. Speak, my oraculous Graccho. Grac. I have heard, sir, Of men in debt that, laid for by their creditors, Fran. But what infer you from it? That since all ways of your escape are stopp'd, Fran. By thee? Alas! I know thee honest, And I will put thy counsel into act, Grac. In the devil's name, what means he? Appear to me as written in thy forehead, You are a condemn'd man, pursued and I scorn a slave's base blood should rust that sought for, And your head rated at ten thousand ducats Grue. All passengers Are intercepted, and your picture sent Eug. Why, let us then turn Romans, threats. Fran. Twould show nobly: But that the honour of our full revenge servant; And I dare trust him with my latest secret. Grae. He instructs me What I should do. Fran. What's that? Grac. I labour with A [Aside. SCENE II.-MILAN. A Room in the Castle. Pes. Troth, I'll tell you, And briefly as I can, by what degrees strong desire to assist you with my service; Of his physicians, he was brought to life, And now I am deliver'd of it, Fran. I told you. He call'd for fair Marcelia, and being told (I would not say blasphem'd); then it came And thrice his desp'rate hand was on his sword Tib. 'Twas well thought on. Pes. He, easily believing what he wish'd, Sfor. [Within] Support her gently. I am prevented. Enter LUDOVICO SFORZA, ISABELLA, MARIANA, Doctors, and Servants, with the Body of MARCELIA. Sfor. Carefully, I beseech you. How pale and wan she looks! O pardon me, That I presume, dyed o'er with bloody guilt, To touch this snow-white hand. How cold it is! This once was Cupid's fire-brand, and still Isa Oh! cross him not, dear daughter. Enter a Servant, and whispers PESCARA. Pes. With me? What is he? By his profession, as he says; who, hearing [Apart. Pes. Bring me to him. As I find cause, I'll do. Bite your tongues, vile creatures, The wicked steel, I'll have them, joint by joint, 1 Doc. You are too loud, sir; you disturb Her sweet repose. Sfor. I am hush'd. 1 Doc. He's past hope: we can no longer cover the imposture. Re-enter PESCARA, with FRANCISCO, as a Jew To give a new life to her; yet I'll hazard Till we use means to win upon his passions, T'endure to hear she's dead with some small patience, And make thy own reward. Admits no looker on: I only ask Pes. About it straight. [Exit Eugenia. sound? Pes. He is a man that can do wonders. [Beckons Francisco. Exit Francisco. Do not hinder Heaven keep her from a lethargy! How long The dutchess's wish'd recovery, to inquire (But answer me with comfort, I beseech you) Or what he is, or to give thanks; but leave him Does your judgment tell you that her sleep To work this miracle. will last? 1 Doc. We have given her, sir, A sleepy potion, that will hold her long; You see I do not rage, but wait your pleasure. sure, Although her body's organs are bound fast, Her fancy cannot slumber. 1 Doc. That, sir, looks on Your sorrow for your late rash act, and prepares To meet the free confession of your guilt Sfor. She was ever kind. Let her behold me in a pleasing dream [Kneels. Thus, on my knees before her (yet that duty In me is not sufficient); let her see me Compel my mother, from whom I took life, And this my sister, partner of my being, To bow thus low unto her: Sfor. Sure 'tis my good angel. I do obey in all things. Be it death Re-enter FRANCISCO, leading in EUGENIA Eug. Alas! I tremble: Thus to tyrannise upon, and mock the dead Is most inhuman. Fran. Come we for revenge, And can we think on pity? If to enjoy The wish'd-for sacrifice to thy, lost honour, Be in thy wavering thought a benefit, Now art thou blest. Eug. Ah me! what follows now? Fran. What, but a full conclusion of ou wishes! Look on this flow'r, Eugenia-such a thing As yonder corpse, whose fatal robe you wea Must the pale wretch be summon'd to appea |