woman:

my pilot!

Fran. And while the duke did prize you to

Fran. But I am true, your value,

And live to make you happy. I well might enry him; but durst not hope Marc. I prefer the hate To stop you in your full career of goodness: Of Sforza, though it mark me for the grave, But now I lind that he's fall’n from his forlune, Before thy base affection. I am yet And, bowsoever he would appear doting, Pure and unspotted in my true love to him; Grove cold in his affection; I presume, Nor shall it be corrupted, though he's tainted; From his most barbarous neglect of you, Nor will I part with innocence, because To offer my true service. Nor stand 'I bound He is found guilty. For thyself

, thou art To look back on the courtesies of him A thing, that, equal with the devil himself, That, of all living men, is most unthankful. I do detest and scorn. Marc. Inheard-of arrogance!

Fran. Thou, then, art nothing: Fran. You'll say I am modest

Thy life is in my power, disdainful woman! When I have told the story.

Think on't, and tremble, Yee think he loves you

Marc. No, with my curses Wat unesamplid fervour; nay, dotes on you, Of horror to thy conscience in this life, As there were something in you more than And pains in hell hereafter, I defy thee. (Exit.

Fran. I am lost Wheo, on my knowledge, be long since hath In the discovery of this fatal secret. wish'd

Curs'd hope, that flatter'd me, that wrongs Jua were among the dead.

could make her Mare. Bless me, good angels,

A stranger to her goodness! all my plots Or I am blasted! Lies so false and wicked, Turn back upon myself; but I am in, And fastion'd to so damnable a purpose, And must go on; and since I have put off Camo be spoken by a human tongue. From the shore of innocence, guilt be now Mr busband bate me! give thyself the lie,

[Exit Faise and accurs'd! Thy soul, if thou hast any, Cao witness, never lady stood so bound

ACT III. To the unfeign'd affections of her lord, As I do io my Sforza. If thou wouldst work Scene I. - The Imperial Camp before Pavia. | poo my weak credulity, tell me, rather,

Enter MEDINA, HERNANDO, and AlphonSO. There's peace between the tion and the lamb; Med. The spoil, the spoil! 'tis that the solOr, to be ravenous eagle and the dove

dier fights for. herp in one aerie, and bring up their young; Our victory, as yet, affords us nothing Or any thing that is averse to nature; But wounds and empty honour. And I will sooner credit it than that

Her. Hell put it in Vi bord can think of me but as a jewel The enemy's mind to be desperate, and hold Hi loves more than himself, and all the world.

out! Fran. O innocence abus'd! simplicity cozen'd! Yieldings and compositions will undo us; I were a sin, for which we have no name, And what is that way given, for the most part, 10 keep you longer in this wilsul error. Comes to the emperor: the poor soldier left Bead his affections here; [Gives her a Pa-To starve, or fill up hospitals.

per] and then observe Alph. But, when F119 dear he holds you! 'Tis his character, We enter towns by force, and carve ourselves, itbird cunning yet could never counterfeit. Pleasure with pillageMarc. 'Tis his hand, I'm resolv'd of it: I'll Med. I long to be at it.

Her. My main hope is, M. at the inscription is.

To begin the sport at Milan: there's enough, Frun. Pray you do so.

And of all kinds of pleasure we can wish for, Mire. [Reads] You know my pleasure, To satisfy the most covetous, and the hour of Marcelia's death, which Alph. Every day ful not to execute, as you will answer We look for a remove. te contrary, not with your head alone, Med. For Lodowick Sforza, frat with the ruin of your whole family. The duke of Milan, I, on mine own knowledge, And this, written with my own hand, Can say thus much: he is too much a soldier; and signed with my prioy signet, shall Too confident of his own worth; too rich too; be your sufficient warrant.

And understands too well the emperor hates him, LUDOVICO SFORZA. To hope for composition. obey it! every word's a poniard, Alph. On my life reaches to my heart.

[Swoons. We need not fear his coming in. Pran. bat have I done?

Her. On mine cam! for heaven's sake, madam!

I do not wish it: I had rather that, sladı!

To show his valour, he'd put us to the trouble For the duke's sake! for Sforza's To fetch him in by the ears. sake

Med. The emperor! Narc. Sforra's! stand off! though dead, I will be bis ;

Flourish. Enter the EMPEROR CHARLES, sesen my asbes shall abhor the touch

PESCARA, and Attendants. y other. O unkind, and cruel!

Emp. C. You make me wonder; nay, it is wan2, women, learn to trust in one another;

no counsel: e is no faith in man: Sforza is false, You may partake it, gentlemen. Who'd have inelo Marcelia!

thought

try

Sworn

now

That he, that scorn'd our proffer'd amity My hate against thyself, and love to him When he was sued to, should, ere he be Freely acknowledged, to give up the reasons summond,

That made me so affected: in my wants First kneel for mercy ?

I ever found him faithful; had supplies Med. When your majesty,

Of men and money from him; and my hopes Shall please to instruct us who it is, we may Quite sunk, were, by his grace, buoy'd up again; Admire it with you.

I dare to speak his praise now, in as high Emp. C. Who, but the duke of Milan, And loud a key, as when he was thy equal. The right hand of the French! of all that stand the benefits he sow'd in me met not In our displeasure, whom necessity

Unthankful ground, but yielded him his own Compels to seek our favour, I would have With fair increase, and I still glory in it.

And though my fortunes Sforza had been the last.

Are in thy fury burnt, let it be mention'd, Her. And should be writ so

They serv'd but as small tapers to attend In the list of those you pardon. Would his The solemn flame at this great funeral: city

And with them I will gladly waste myself,
Had rather held us out a siege, like Troy, Rather than undergo the imputation
Than, by a feign'd submission, he should cheat Of being base, or unthankful.
you
Alph. Nobly spoken!

Apart Of a just revenge, or us of those fair glories Her. I do begin, I know not why, to hate We have sweat blood to purchase !

him Alph. The sack alone of Milan

Less than I did.

[Aparl. Will

pay
the
army.

Sfor. If that, then, to be grateful
Emp. C. I am not so weak,

For courtesies receiv'd, or not to leave To be wrought on as you fear; nor ignorant A friend in his necessities, be a crime That money is the sinew of the war: Amongst you Spaniards, Sforza brings his head Yet, for our glory, and to show him that To

pay, the forfeit. Nor come l as a slave, We've brought him on his knees, it is resolvid Pinion'd and fetter'd, in a squalid weed, To hear him as a suppliant. Bring him in; Falling before thy feet, kneeling and bowling But let him see the effects of our just anger, For a forestalld remission; I ne'er fear'd to die, In the guard that yhu make for him. More than I wish'd to live. When I had reach'd

[Exit Pescara. My ends in being a duke, I wore these robes, Her. I am now

This crown upon my head, and to my side
Familiar with the issue; all plagues on it! This sword was girt; and witness, truth, that
He will appear in some dejected habit,
His countenance suitable, and for his order, 'Tis in another's power, when I shall part
A rope about his neck; then kneel, and tell With them and life together, I'm the same:
Old stories- what more worthy thing it is My veins then did not swell with pride; nor
To have power than to use it;
To make a king than kill one: which apply'd Shrink they for fear. Know, sir, that Sforza
To the emperor and himself, a pardon's granted

stands
To him, an enemy; and we, his servants, Prepar'd for either fortune.
Condemn'd to beggary: [Apart to Medina. Her. As I live,
Med. Yonder he comes;

I do begin strangely to love this fellow.
But not as you expected.

[Apart.

Sfor. But, if example Re-enter Pescara, with Ludovico Sforza, of my lidelity to the French, strongly guarded.

Has power to invite you to make him a friend, Alph. He looks as if

That hath given evident proof he knows to love. lle would outface his dangers. [Apart. And to be thankful: this my crown, now yours Her. I am cozca'd:

You may restore me.
A suilor, in the devil's name! [-Apart. Alph. By this light,
Med. Hear him speak.
[Apart. 'Tis a brave gentleman.

[Apar Sfor. I come not, emperor, to invade thy · Emp. C. Thou hast so far mercy,

Outgone my expectation, noble Sforza, By fawning on thy fortune; nor bring with me For such l hold thee; and true constancy, Excuses or denials. I profess,

Rais'd on a brave foundation, bears such pair And with a good man's confidence, even this And privilege with it, that where we behold i instant

Though in an enemy, it does command us That I am in thy power, I was thine enemy; To love and honour it. By my future hope Thy deadly and vow'd enemy; one that wish'd I am glad, for thy sake, that

, in seeking favou Confusion to thy person and estates; Thou didst not borrow of vice her indirect, And with my utmost powers, and deepest Crooked, and abject means: and so far counsels,

I am from robbing thee of the least bonour Had they been truly follow'd, further'd it. That with my hands, to make it sit the faste Nor will I now, although my neck were under I set thy crown once more upon thy head The hangman's axe, with one poor syllable And do not only style thee duke of Milan, Confess, but that I honour'd the French king But vow to keep thee so. Yet, not to take More than thyself, and all men.

From others to give only to myself, Med. By saint Jaques,

I will not hinder your magnificence This is no flattery:

[Aside. To my commanders, neither will I urge it Sfor. Now give me leave,

But in that, as in all things else, I leave >

now

Sfor. May I live

access

I bear you company,

D

To be your own disposer.

Enter FRANCISCO and a Servant,

Hell now inspire me! How, the lord protector! To seal my loyalty, though with loss of life. Whither thus in private ? (Flourish. Exeunt Emperor Char- I will not see him.

[Stands aside.
les, Medina, Hernando, and Al- Fran. If I am sought for,
phonso.

Say I am indisposd, and will not hear
Pes. So, sir, this tempest is well overblown, Or suits, or suitors.
And all things fall out to our wishes; but, Sero. But, sir, if the princess
In my opinion, this quick return,

Inquire, what shall I answer?
Before you're made a party in the court Fran. Say I am rid
Among the great ones (for these needy cap- Abroad to take the air; but by no means
tains

Let her know I'm in court.
Have little power in peace), may beget danger,

Serv. So I shall tell her.

[E.rit. At least suspicion.

Fran. Within there!
Sfor. Where true honour lives,
Doubt hath no being; I desire no pawn,

Enter a Gentlewoman.
Bevond an emperor's word, for my assurance. Gentlew. My good lord, your pleasure ?
Besides, Pescara, to thyself, of all men, Fran. Prythee let me beg thy favour for
I will confess my weakness: though my state
And crown's restor’d me, though I am in grace, To the dutchess.
And that a little stay might be a step

Gentlew. In good sooth, my lord, I dare not; To greater bonours, I must hence. Alas, She's very private. I live not bere; my wife, my wife, Pescara,

Fran. "Come, there's goldBeing absent, I am dead. Prythee excuse,

Where is thy lady? And do not chide, for friendship's sake, my Gentlew. She's walking in the gallery. fondness;

Fran. Bring me to her. But ride along with me : I'll give you reasons,

[Exeunt Francisco and Gentlewoman. And strong ones, to plead for me.

Grac. A brave discovery, beyond my hope, Pes. I'se your own pleasure;

A

plot even offer'd to my hand to work on!

If Sfor. Farewell, grief! I am stored with The scorn of worms and slaves! Let me Two blessings mosi desired in human life,

consider; A constant friend, an unsuspected wife. My lady and her mother first committed,

[Exeunt. In the favour of the dutchess; and I whipt! Scsi l-Milan. A Room in the Castle. To be conceald! good, good. This to my lady

And all his brib'd approaches to the dutchess
Enter GRACCHO.

Deliver'd, as I'll order it, runs her mad.
Grae. Whipt like a rogue! no lighter pu-

[Exit. nishment serve

Scene III.- Another Room in the same. To balance with a little mirth! 'Tis well: Nr credit sunk for ever, I am now

Enter MARCELIA and FRANCISCO. Fit company only for pages and for footboys. Marc. Believe thy tears or oaths! can it be

hop'd, Enter Julio and GIOVANNI.

After a practice so abhorr'd and horrid,

Repentance e'er can find thee? Sonder the proud slave is. How he looks now,

Fran. Dearest lady, After his castigation!

[Apart. I do confess, humbly confess my fault, Julio. Let's be merry with him. Apart. To be beyond all pity; my attempt Grac. How they stare at me! am f turn'd So barbarously rude, that it would turn to an owl?

A saint-like patience into savage fury. The wonder, gentlemen?

Marc. I'st possible Julio. I read this morning,

This can be cunning ?

[Aside. Mange stories of the passive fortitude Fran. But, if no submission, #

Den in former ages, which I thought Nor prayers can appease you, that you may possible, and not io be believed ;

know But now I look on you my wonder ceases. l'Tis not the fear of death that makes me sue Grac. The reason, sir?

thus, Julio. Wby, sir, you have been whipt; I will not wait the sentence of the duke; il sipt, seignior Graccho; and the whip, I But I myself will do a fearful justice on myself

, take it,

No witness by but you. In to a gentleman, the greatest trial Yet, before I do it, it may be of his patience.

For I perceive in you no signs of mercy, Grac. Sir, I'll call you

I will disclose a secret

, which, dying with me, in a strict account for this.

May prove your ruin. Gio. I'll not deal with you,

.Marc. Speak it; it will take from aless I have a beadle for my second;. The burden of thy conscience.

Fran. Thus, then, madam : Julio. Farewell, poor Graccho.

The warrant, by my lord sign'd for your death, [Exeunt Julio and Giovanni. Was but conditional; but you must swear, Grac. Better and better still. If ever wrongs By your unspotted truth, not to reveal it, fald leach a wretch to find the way to Or I end here abruptly. vengeance.

Marc. By my hopes

Gio. See Julio,

had then I'll answer you.

rous heat

Of joys hereafter. On.

Till I had seen thee.
Fran, Nor was it hate

Marc. Sir, I am most happy
That forc'd him to it, but excess of love. To look upon you safe, and would express
“ And if I ne'er return (so said great Sforza), My love and duty in a modest fashion,
No living man deserving to enjoy

Such as might suit with the behaviour
My best Marcelia, with the first news Of one that knows herself a wife, and how
That I am dead (for no man aster me To temper her desires; nor can it wrong me
Must e'er enjoy her), fail not to kill her. To love discreetly.
But till certain proof

Sfor. How! why, can there be Assure thee I am lost (these were his words), A mean in your affections to Sforza? Observe and honour her, as if the soul My passions to you are in extremes, Of woman's goodness only dwelt in hers." And know no bounds.—Come, kiss me. This trust I have abus'd, and basely wrong'd; Marc. I obey you. And if the excelling pity of your mind Sfor. By all the joys of love, she does saCannot 'forgive it, as I dare not hope it,

lute me Rather than look on my offended lord, As if I were her father! What wilcb, I stand resolv'd to punish it.

With cursed spells, hath quench'd the amo

[Draws his Sword. Marc. Hold ! 'tis forgiven,

That liv'd upon these lips? Tell me, Marcelia,
And by me freely pardon'd. In thy fair life and truly tell mé, is't a fault of mine
Hereafter, study to deserve this bounty: That hath begot this coldness, or neglect
But that my lord, my Sforza, should esteem Of others in my absence ?
My life fit only as a page, to wait on

Marc. Neither, sir:
The various course of his uncertain fortunes; I stand indebted to your substitute,
Or cherish in himself that sensual hope, Noble and good Francisco, for his care,
In death to know me as a wife, afflicts me. And fair observance of me.
I will slack the ardour that I had to see him

Sfor. How!
Return in safety

Steph. How the duke stands! [Apart Frán. But if your entertainment

Tib. As he were rooted there, Should give the least ground to his jealousy,, And had no motion.

[Apart

. To raise up an opinion I am false,

Pes. My lord, from whence You then destroy your mercy.

Therefore Grows this amazement ? vouchsafe,

Sfor. It is more, dear my friend; In company, to do me those fair graces For I am doubtful wbether I've a being, And favours, which your innocence and honour But certain that my life's a burden to me. May safely warrant: it would to the duke, Take me back, good Pescara, show me to Caesar, I being to your best self alone known guilty, In all his rage and fury; Í disclaim Make me appear most innocent.

His mercy; to live now, which is his gift, Marc. Have your wishes;

Is. worse than death, and with all studied torAnd something I may do to try his temper,

ments. At least to make him know a constant wife Marcelia is unkind, nay, worse, grown cold Is not so slaved to her husband's doting hu- In her affection; my excess of fervour, mours,

Which yet was never equalld, grown disHer fate appointing it .

tasteful. Fran. It is enough,

But have thy wishes, woman; thou shalt know Nay, all I could desire; and will make way That I can be myself, and thus sbake off To my revenge, which shall disperse itself The fetters of fond dotage. From my sight, On bím, on her, and all,

Without reply; for I am apt to do
Aside, and exit. Shout, and flourish. Something I may repent.
Marc. What noise is that?

Oh! who would place

His happiness in most accursed woman; Enter Tiberio and STEPHANO.

In whom obsequiousness engenders pride, Tib. All happiness to the dutchess, that may And barshness, deadly hatred? From this hou flow

I'll labour to forget there are such creatures From the duke's new and wish'd return! True friends, be now my mistresses. Clea Marc. He's welcome.

your brows, Steph. How coldly she receives it! [Aparl. And, though my heart-strings crack for'i, Tib. Observe the encounter. [Apart.

will be

To all a free example of delight. Flourish. Enter Ludovico Sforza, Pescara, We will have sports of all kinds, and propoun and Attendants.

Rewards to such as can produce us new; Sfor. I have stood

Unsatisfied, though we surfeit in their stor Silent thus long, Marcelia, expecting And never think of curs'd Marcelia more. When, with more than a greedy haste, thou

[Exeur wouldst

ACT IV. Have flown into my arms, and on my lips

SCENE 1.-The same. Have printed a deep welcome. My desires

An Apartment in

Castle. To glass myself in these fair eyes, have borne

Enter Francisco and GRACCHO. With more than human speed: nor durst I stay Fran. And is it possible thou shouldst for In any temple, or to any saint,

A wrong of such a nature, and then studTo pay my vows and thanks for my return, My safety and content ?

[Exit Marcelia

mc

Grac. Sir, but allow me

In policy's roguish school, to try conclusions Not the abstruse and hidden arts to thrive With one that hath commenc'd, and gone out there:

doctor. And you may please to grant me so much if I discover what but now he bragg’d of, knowledge,

I shall not be believ'd: if I fall off That injuries from one in grace, like you, From him, his threats and actions go together, Are poble favours.

And there's no hope of safety. Till I get Fron. But to the purpose;

A plummet that may sound his deepest counsels, And then, that service done, make thine own I must obey and serve him. Want of skill fortunes.

Now makes me play the rogue against my will. My wise, thou say'st, is jealous I am too

[Exit

. Familiar with the dutchess.

SCENE II.-- Another Apartment in the Castle.
Grac. And incens'd
For ber commitment in her brother's absence; Enter MarceLIA, Tiberio, STEPHANO, and

Gentlewoman.
And by ber mother's anger is spurr'd on
To make discovery of it.

Marc. Command me from his sight, and Fran. I tbank thy care, and will deserve

with such scorn this secret,

As he would rate his slave! In making thee acquainted with a greater, Tib. 'Twas in his fury.. Aad of more moment. I delight in change Steph. And he repents it, madam. And sweet rariety; that's my heaven on earth, Marc. Was I born For which I love life only.' I confess, To observe his humours? or, because he dotes, My wil pleas'd me a day; the dutches, two Must I run mad ? (fod yet I must not say 'I have enjoy'd her); Tib. He hath paid the forfeit But now I care for neither: therefore, Grac- Of his offence, I'm sure, with such a sorrow, cho,

As if it had been greater, would deserve So far I am from stopping Mariana

A full remission.
Io making her complaint, that I desire thee Marc. Why, perhaps, he hath it;
To urge her to it.

And I stand more afflicted for his absence, Grac. That may prove your ruin: Than he can be for mine: so, pray you, tell The anke already being, as 'tis reported,

him. Doabttu! she hath play'd false.

But till [ have digested some sad thoughts, Fran. Tbere thou art cozen'd;

And reconcil'd passions that are at war Flis detage, like an ague, keeps his course, Within myself, I purpose to be private: And now 'tis strongly on bim. But I lose And have you care, unless it be Francisco, time;

That no man be admitted. And therefore know, whether thou wilt or no,

[Exit Gentlewoman. 10a art to be my instrument; and, in spite Tib. How! Francisco? 01 the old saw, that says, “It is not safe Da any terms to trust a man that's wrong'd,"

Enter FRANCISCO. I dare tbee to be false.

Steph. Here he comes. Grac. This is a language,

Is this her privacy! Vi lord, I understand not.

This may go to the duke. Fran. You thought, sirrah,

[Exeunt Tib. and Steph. To put a trick on me, for the relation

Marc. Your face is full i by wbat I knew before; and, having won Of fears and doubts: the reason! me weighty secret from me, in revenge, Fran. O, best madam, in play the traitor. Know, thou wretched They are not counterfeit. The duke, the duke, thing,

I more than fear, hath found that I am guilty. Be my command thou wert whipt; and every Marc. By my unspotted honour, not from me; day

Nor have I with him chang'd one syllable, bare thee freshly tortur'd, if thou miss Since his return, but what you heard. hthe least charge that I impose upon thee. Fran. Yet malice Toazt what I speak, for the most part, is Is eagle-ey'd, and would see that which is not; true;

And jealousy's too apt to build upon r, grant thou hadst a thousand witnesses Unsure foundations. to be depos'd they heard it, 'tis in me, Marc. Jealousy! Wib one word, such is Sforza's confidence Fran. It takes.

[Aside. In fidelity not to be shaken,

Marc. Who dares but only ihink I can be in make all joid, and ruin my accusers.

tainted ? wybore look to't; bring my wise hotly on But for him, though almost on certain proof, is arruse me to the duke-I have an end in't-- To give it hearing, not belief, deserves sink what 'tis makes man most miserable, My hate for ever. *sed that shall fall upon thee. Thou wert a

Fran. Whether grounded on fool

Your noble, yet chaste favours, shewn unto in bome, by being acquainted with my courses,

curb and awe me; or that I should live Or her imprisonment, for her contempt I disse, as thou didst saucily divine: To you, by my command, my frantic wife grying in my counsels, still live mine. Ilath put it in his head.

[Erit. Marc. Have I then liv'd fac. I am caught on both sides. . This ’lis So long, now to be doubled? Are my favours for a puisne

The themes of her discourse? or what I do,

me;