this secret,

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 noble favours.

And there's no hope of safety. Till I get
Fran. 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

[Erit. Familiar with the dutchess.

Scene II.- Another Apartment in the Castle.
Grac. And incens'd
For her commitment in her brother's absence; Enter MARCELIA, TIBERIO, STEPHANO, and
And by her mother's anger is spurr'd on

Gentlewoman.
To make discovery of it.

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

with such scorn

As he would rate his slave! La making thee acquainted with a greater, Tib. 'Twas in bis fury. And of•more moment. I delight in change Steph. And he repents it, madam. And sweet variely; 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 wife pleas'd me a day; the dutches, two Must I run mad ? (And 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. in 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 duke already being, as 'tis reported,

him. Doubtful she hath play'd false.

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

And reconcil'd passions that are at war llis dotage, like an ague, keeps his course, Within myself, I purpose to be private: And now 'tis strongly on him. 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.
Thou art to be my instrument; and, in spite Tib. How! Francisco ?
Of the old saw, that says, “It is not safe
On terms to trust a man that's wrong’d,"

Enter FRANCISCO.
any
I dare thee 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,

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

Marc. Your face is full
Of what I knew before; and, having won Of fears and doubts: the reason!
Some weighty secret from me, in revenge, Fran. O, best madam,
To 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.
Br
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,
I have thee freshly tortur'd, if thou miss Since his return, but what you heard.
In the least charge that I impose upon thee. Fran. Yet malice
Though wirat 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
Nas, grant thou hadst a thousand witnesses Unsure foundations.
To be depos’d they heard it, 'tis in me, Marc. Jealousy!
With one word, such is Sforza's confidence Fran. It takes.

[ Aside. of my fidelity not to be shaken,

Marc. Who dares but only think I can be
To make all void, and ruin my accusers.

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

Fran. Whether grounded on
fool

Your noble, yet chaste favours, shewn unto To bope, by being acquainted with my courses,

: me; To curb and awe me; or that I should live Or her imprisonment, for her contempt

as thou didst saucily divine: To you, by my command, my frantic wife prying in my counsels, still live mine. Hath put it in his head.

[Exit. Marc. Have I then liv'd Grac. I am caught on both sides. This 'tis So long, now to be doubted? Are my favours for a puisne

The themes of her discourse? or what I do,

Thy slave,
For

you ?

88

That never trod in a suspected path, Deject your valour? Shall, I say, these virtues,
Subject to base construction? Be undaunted; So many and so various trials of
For now, as of a creature that is mine, Your constant mind, be buried in the frown
I rise up your protectress: all the grace (To please you, I will say so) of a fair woman?
I hitherto bave done you, was bestow'd - Yet I have seen her equals.
With a shut hand; it shall be now more free, Sfor. Good Pescara,
Open, and liberal. But let it not,

This language in another were profane ;
Though counterfeited to the life, teach you In you it is unmannerly. Her equal!
To nourish saucy hopes.

I tell you as a friend, and tell you plainly. Fran. May I be accursid,

(To all men else my

sword should make reply), When I prove such a monster!

Her goodness does disdain comparison, Marc. I will stand then

And, but herself, admits no parallel. Between you and all danger. He shall know, Pes. Well, sir, I'll not cross you, Suspicion overlurns what confidence builds; Nor labour to diminish your esteem, And he that dares but doubt when there's no Hereafter, of her.

ground, Is neither to himself nor others sound. [E.xit

.

Enter TIBERIO and STEPHANO. Fran. So, let it work! Her goodness, that Sfor. O! you are well return'd; denied

Say, am I blest? hath she vouchsaf'd to hear My service, branded with the name of lust, Shall now destroy itself; and she shall find, Is there hope left that she may be appeas'd ? When he's a suitor, that brings cunning arm'd Tib. She, sir, yet is froward, With power to be his advocates, the denial And desires respite, and some privacy. Is a disease as killing as the plague,

Steph. She was harsh at first; but, ere we And chastity a clue that leads to death.

parted, seem'd not
Hold but thy nature, duke, and be but rash Implacable.
And violent enough, and then at leisure Sfor. There's comfort yet: I'll ply her
Repent; I care not.

Each hour with new ambassadors of more And let my plots produce this long'd-for birth,

honours, In my revenge I have my heaven on earth. Titles, and eminence: my second self,

[Exit. Francisco, shall solicit her. Scene III.-- Another Room in the same.

Steph. That a wise man,

And what is more, a prince that may comEnter Ludovico SFORZA, PESCARA, Julio,

mand, and GIOVANNI.

Should sue thus poorly, and treat with his wife, Pes. You promis'd to be merry.

As she were a victorious enemy.
Julio. There are pleasures,

Sfor. What is that you mutter?
And of all kinds, to entertain the time. I'll have thy thoughts.
Gio. Your excellence vouchsafing to make Steph. You shall. You are too fond,
choice

And feed a pride that's swoln too big already, Of that which best affects you.

And surfeits with observance. Sfor. Hold your prating.

Sfor. O my patience! Learn manners too; you are rude.

My vassal speak thus ?
Pes. I must borrow

Steph. Let my head answer it,
The privilege of a friend, and will; or else If I offend. She, that you think a saint,
I am, like these, a servant; or, what's worse, I fear, may play the devil.
A parasite to the sorrow Sforza worships Pes. Well said, old fellow.
In spite of reason.

Steph. And he that hath so long engross’d
Sfor. Pray you, use your freedom;

your favours, And so far, if you please, allow me mine, 'Though to be nam'd with rev'rence, lord To hear you only; not to be compellid

Francisco, To take your moral potions. I am a man, Who, as you purpose, shall solicit for you, And, though philosophy, your mistress, rage I think's too near her. fort,

[Sfor. lays his Hand on his Sword. Now I have cause to grieve, I must be sad; Pes. Hold, sir! this is madness. And I dare show it.

Steph. It may be they confer of joining Pes. Would it were bestow'd

lordships ; Upon a worthier subject !

I'm sure he's private with her.
Sfor. Take heed, friend.

Sfor. Let me go
You rub a sore, whose pain will make me I scorn to touch him; he deserves my pity,

And not my anger. Dotard! and to be one And I shall then forget myself and you. Is thy, protection, else thou durst not think Lance it no further.

That love to my Marcelia bath left room
Pes. Have you stood the shock

In my full heart for any jealous thought: Of thousand enemies, and outfac'd the anger I could smile to think, what wretched things of a great emperor, that vow'd your ruin,

they are, Though by a desperate, a glorious way, That dare be jealous. That had 'no precedent?

T'ib. This is a confidence Ilave you given proof, to this hour of your Beyond example.

life, Prosperity, that searches the best temper,

Enter ISABELLA, and MARJANA. Could never puff you up, nor adverse fate Sfor. If you come

[Aside,

mad;

kill me;

To bring me comfort, say that you have made Let them at once dispatch me.
My peace with my Marcelia.

Fran. Draw your sword then,
Isa. I bad rather

And, as you wish your own peace, quickly Wait on you to your funeral. Sfor. You are my mother;

Consider not, but do it. Or, by her life, you were dead else.

Sfor. Art thou mad? Mari. Would you were,

Fran. Would from my youth'a loathsonie To your dishonour! Here

your
mother was

leprosy
Committed by your servant (for I scorn Kad run upon this face, or that my breath
To call him husband), and myself, your sister, had been infectious, and so made me shunnd
If that you dare remember such a name, Of all societies! Curs'd be he that taught me
Merd up, to make the way open and free Discourse or manners, or lent any grace
For the adultress; I am unwilling

That makes the owner pleasing in the eye To say, a part of Sforza.

Of wanton woman! Sfor. She bath blasphem'd, and by our law Sfor. I am on the rack! must die.

Dissolve this doubtful riddle. Isa. Blasphem'd! for giving a false woman Fran. That I alone, her true name.

Of all mankind, that stand most bound to love Sfor. O hell, what do I suffer?

you, Mari. Or is it treason

And study your content, should be appointed, For me, that am a subject, to endeavour Not by my will, but forc'd by cruel fate, To save the bonour of the duke, and, that To be your greatest enemy! Not to hold you He should not be a wittol on record ? In this amazement longer, in a word, Sfor. Some proof, vile creature!

Your dutchess loves me. Or thou hast spoke thy last.

Sfor. Loves thee!
Mari. The public fame,

Fran. Is mad for me-
Their hourly private meetings; and, e'en now, Pursues me hourly.
When, under a pretence of grief or anger,

Sfor. Oh!
You are denied the joys due to a husband, Fran, And from hence grew
And made a stranger to her, at all times Her late neglect of you,
The door stands open to him.

Sfor. O women! women!
Sfor. O the malice

Fran. I labourd to divert her by persuasion, And envy of base women! Wretches! you Then urg'd your much love to her, and the have rais'd

danger; A monumental trophy to her. I'm so far Denied her and with scorn. From giving credit to you, tbis would teach me Sfor. 'Twas like thyself. More to admire and serve her. You are not Fran. But when I saw her smile, then heard

worthy To fall as sacrifices to appease her ;

Your love and extreme dotage, as a cloak, And therefore live till your own envy burst Should cover our embraces, and your power you.

Fright others from suspicion; and all favours Isa. All is in vain; he is not to be mor’d. That should preserve her in her innocence, Mari. She has bewitch'd him.

By lust inverted to be us'd as bawds; Pes. 'Tis so past belief,

I could not but in duty (though I know To me it shows a fable.

That the relation kills in you all hope

Of peace hereafter, and in me 'twill show Enter Francisco, speaking to a Servant Both base and poor to rise up her accuser) within.

Freely discover it. Fran. On thy life,

Sfor. Eternal plagues Provide my borses, and without the port Pursue and overtake her! But, like a village With care attend me.

nurse, Sero. [within] I shall, my lord.

Stand I now cursing and considering, when Fran. Great sir,

The tamnest fool would do. Within there!

Stephano,
Please you to lend your ear, a weighty secret, Tiberio, and the rest! I will be sudden,
I am in labour to deliver to you.

And she shall know and feel, love in extremes Sfor. All leave the room.

Abus'd, knows no degree in bate.
Ereunt Isa. and Mari.]
Excuse me, good Pescara,

Re-enter TIBERIO and STEPHANO.
Fre long I will wait on you.

Tib. My lord. Pes. You speak, sir,

Sfor. Go to the chamber of that wicked The language I should use.

[E.cit. Sfor. Be within call,

Steph. What wicked woman, sir? we may have use of you.

Sfor. The devil, my wife. Tib. We shall, sir.

Force a rude entry; drag her hither; [Exeunt Tiberio and Stephano. And know no pity: any gentle usage Sfor. Say on, my comfort!

To her will call on cruelty from me, Fran. Comfort! no, your torment,

To such as show it. Stand you staring! Go, For so my fate appoints me. I could curse Put

my

will in act. The hour that gave me being.

[Exeunt Tiberio and Stephano. Sfor. Wbat new monsters

Since she dares damnation, Of misery stand ready to devour me? I'll be a fury to ber.

her say;

I would impart,

Woman

Perbaps

on me

Fran. Yet, great sir,

Indeed, the unkindness to be sentenc'd by you, Exceed not in your fury; she's yet guilty Before that I was guilty in a thought, Only in her inient.

Made me put on a seeming anger towards you, Sfor. Intent, Francisco!

And now

-behold the issue! As I do, It does include all fact; and I might sooner May heaven forgive you!

[Dies. Be won to pardon treason to my crown, Sfor. Then I believe thee; Or one that kill'd

my
father,

Believe thee innocent too.
Fran. You are wise,

Tib. Her sweet soul has left And know what's best to do: yet, if you please, Her beauteous prison. To prove her temper to the height, say only Steph. Look to the duke; he stands Thai I am dead, and then observe how far As if he wanted motion. She'll be transported. I'll remove a little, Tib. Grief hath 'stopp'd But be within your call. Now to the upshot! The organ of his speech. Howe'er, I'll shift for one. [Aside, and exit. Sfor. O my heart-strings! [Exeunt. Re-enter TIBERIO, STEPHANO, and Guard,

ACT V. with MARCELIA.

Scene I.-The MILANESE. A Room in ErMarc. Where is this monster,

GENIA'S House.
This walking tree of jealousy? Are you here?
Is it by your commandment or allowance,

Enter FRANCISCO and EUGENIA.
I am thus basely us'd? \Vhich of my virtues, Fran. Why, couldst thou think, Eugenia,
My labours, services, and cares to please you,

that rewards, Invites this barbarous course? Dare you look Graces, or favours, though strew'd thick upon

me, Without a seal of shame?

Could ever bribe me to forget mine honour? Sfor. Impudence,

Or that I tamely would set down, before How ugly thou appear'st now! Thy intent I had dried these eyes, still wet with showers To be a wanton, Teaves thee not blood enough

of tears To make an honest blush: what had the act By the fire of my revenge? Look up, my

dearest! done?

For that proud fair, that thief-like, stepp'd Marc. Return'd' thee the dishonour thou

between deserv'st.

Thy promis'd hopes, and robb’d thee of a fortune Sfor. Your chosen farourite, your woo'd Almost in thy possession, hath found, Francisco,

With horrid proof, his love she thought her llas dearly paid fort; for, wretch! know, he's

glory, dead,

But hasten'd her sad ruin. And by my hand.

Eug. Do not flatter Marc. Thou hast killd then,

A grief that is beneath it; for, however A man I do profess I lov’d; a man

The credulous duke to me prov'd false and cruel, For whom a thousand queens might well be It is impossible he could be wrought on rivals.

So to serve her. But he, I speak it to thy teeth, that dares be Fran. Such indeed, I grant, A jealous fool, dares be a murderer, The stream of his affection was, and ran, And knows no end in mischief.

A constant course, till I, with cunning malice Sfor. I begin now

(And yet I wrong my act, for it was justice), In this my justice.

[Stabs her. Made it turn backward; and hate, in extremes Marc. Oh! I have foold myself

(Love banish'd from bis heart), to fill the room. Into my grave, and only grieve for that In a word, know the fair Marcelia's dead. Which, when you know you're slain an in- Eug. Dead! nocent,

Fran. And by Sforza's hand. Does it not You needs must suffer.

move you? Sfor. An innocent! Let one

How coldly you receive it! I expecied Cali in Francisco; for he lives, vile creature, The mere relation of so great a blessing,

[E.xit Stephano. Borne proudly on the wings of sweet revenge, To justify thy falsehood.

Would have callid on a sacrifice of thanks. With wanton flatteries thou hast tempted him. You entertain it with a look, as if

You wish'd it were undone.
Re-enter STEPHANO.

Eug. Indeed I do:
Steph. Seignior Francisco, sir, but even now For if my sorrows could receive addition,
Took'. horse without the ports.

Her sad fate would increase, not lessen them. Marc. We are both abus'd,

She never injur'd me. And both by him undone. Stay, death, a little, Fran. Have you then no gall, Till I bave clear’d me to my lord, and then Anger, or spleen, familiar looyour sex? I willingly obey thee. O my Sforza ! Or is it possible that you could see Francisco was not tempted, but the templer; Another io possess what was your due, And, as he thought to win me, show'd the And not grow pale with envy? warrant

Eug. Yes, of 'bim That you sign'd for my, death. But, being That did deceive me. There's no passion, that contemn'd,

A maid so injur'd ever could partake of, Upon his knees with tears he did beseech me, But I have dearly suffer'd. These three years, Not to reveal it: I, soft-hearted fool, In my desire and labour of revenge, Judging his penitence true, was won unto it: Trusicd to you, I have endur'd the throes

sought for.

Of teeming women; and will bazard all

Speak, my oraculous Graccho.
Fale can inflict on me, but I will reach Grac. I have heard, sir,
Thy heart, false Sforza!

Of men in debt that, laid for by their creditors,
Fran. Still mine own, and dearer! In all such places where it could be thought
And yet in this you but pour oil on fire, They would take shelter, chose for sanctuary
And offer your assistance where it needs not: Their lodgings underneath their creditors'noses;
And that you may perceive I lay not fallow, Confident that there they never should be
But bad your wrongs stamp'd deeply on my
heart,

Fran. But what infer you from it? I did begin his tragedy in her death,

Grac. This, my lord ; To which it servd as prologue, and will make That since all ways of your escape are stopp'd, A memorable story of your fortunes In Milan only, or, what's more, in the court, In my assur'd revenge: only, best sister, Whither it is presum'd you dare not come, Let us not lose ourselves in the performance, Conceal'd in some disguise, you may live sase. By your rash undertaking: we will be

Fran. And not to be discover'd ? As sudden as you could wish.

Grac, Bąt by myself. Eug. Upon those terms

Fran. By thee? 'Alas! I know thee honest, I yield myself and cause, to be dispos'd of

Graccho, As you think fit.

And I will put thy counsel into act,

And suddenly. Yet, not to be ungrateful
Enter a Servant.

For all thy loving travail to preserve me, Fran. Thy purpose ?

What bloody end soe'er my stars appoint, Sere. There's one Graccho,

Thou shalt be safe, good "Graccho.-Who's That follow'd you, it seems, upon the track,

within there? Since you left Milan, that's importunate Grac. In the devil's name, what means be? To have access, and will not be denied;

[Aside. His haste, he says, concerns you. Fran. Bring him to me. [Exit Servant.

Enter Servanis. Though he bath laid an ambush for my life, Fran. Take

my

friend Or apprehension, yet I will prevent him, Into your custody, and bind him fast: And work mine owo ends out.

I would not part with him.

Grac. My good lord !
Enter Graccho.

Frun. Dispatch:
Grac. Now for my whipping!

'L'is for your good, to keep you honest, . And if I now outstrip him not, and catch him,

Graccho: I'll swear there are worms in my brains. I would not have len thousand ducals tempt

[Aside.

you Fran. Now, my good Graccho! To play the traitor. Why, thou fool! We meet as 'were by miracle.

I can look through and through thee! thy Be brief; what brought thee hither ?

intents Grac. Love and duty,

Appear to me as written in thy forehead, And vigilance in me for

my

lord's safely. In plain and easy characters: and, but that' You are

a condemu'd man, pursued and I scorn a slave's base blood should rust that sought for,

sword And your head rated at ten thousand ducats That from a prince expects a scarlet die, To him that brings it.

Thou now wert dead. Away with him! Fran. Very good.

I will not hear a syllable. Grac. All passengers

[Exeuni Servants, with Graccho. Are intercepted, and your picture sent We must trust To every siate confederate with Milan: Ourselves, Eugenia; and though we make It is impossible you

use of Their curious search.

The counsel of our servants, that oil spent, Eug. Why, let us then turn Romans. Like snuffs that do offend, we tread them out. And, falling by our own hands, mock their But now to our last scene, which we'll so threats.

carry, Fran. 'Twould show nobly:

That few shall understand how 'l was begun, But that the honour of our full revenge Till all, with half an eye, may see 'tis done. Were lost in the rash action. No, Eugenia,

[Exeunt. Graccho is wise; my friend too, not my Scene Il. - Milan. A Room in the Castle.

servant; And I dare trust him with my latest secret. Enter Pescara, TIBERIO, and STEPHANO. We would, and thou must help us to perform it, Pes. The like was never read of. First kill the duke-then, fall what can upon us! Steph. But that melancholy should work For injuries are writ in brass, kind Graccho, So far upon a man, as to compel him And not to be focgolten.

To court a thing that has nor sense' nor being, Grac. He instructs me

Is unto me a miracle. What I should do.

[Aside.

Pes. Troth, I'll tell you, Fran. What's that?

And briefly as I can, by what degrees Grar. I labour with

Ile fell into this madness. When, by the care A strong desire to assist you with my service; of his physicians, he was brought to life, And now I am deliver'd 'of it,

He call'd for fair Marcelia, and being told Fran. I told you.

That she was dead, he broke forth in cxtremes

should escape