VERDUGO

Under a homely habit many times, Virtue lies hid; this rustic weed conceals And Engine that can frustrate providence: When I attempt the death of any man, No town of Garrison, not his own house, Nor any place of sanctuary can save him: Nor does my praise consist in this alone, That I command the life of whom I list; A desperate wretch may claim that privilege: He that is weary of his own, may be Lord of another's life; but such attempts Hatched only by a frenzy, seldom prosper: My actions are the fruits of a bold spirit, Tempered with judgement, done with secrecy: Hence is our brave profession found to be Of special use to awe the insolent, And secure those that seek to live in peace. What satisfaction is it to a man That receives wrong, to call his enemy forth, And then expose himself to equal hazard? Or in strict Commonwealths appeal to law, As if a feigned submission in set words Could cure the piercing sting of injury; No, it's assurance of a close revenge That plants civility, deters and keeps men From giving, and from suffering affronts; This benefit we bring to every man, Yes, and the public States of Italy, How ere they censure our particular actions, Receive no small security from us; Treason would hardly find just punishment Within their narrow territories, if we Should not, Like eager hounds, pursue the traitors, And make them know, that in another Country The justice of their own can overtake them; Let then the slothful tax us, that our ends Are not the public good, but private gain, Which we prefer above mankind; this is But what's objected to the soldier; he Will fight against his brother for reward, Men ought to follow their vocation; The fountain of our livelihood is profit, Without which, honour challenging the skill To nourish arts, cannot provide us clothes, Nor virtue, noised to be the greatest good, Procure us bred. Nor yet is our profession More cruel then the gravest; I have herd Of Lawyers, that are privileged to cut Their clients throats, with a perplexed Indenture, A parchment Saw. The learned Physician Following the long and beneficial way Of reverend Galen, by degrees will purge The humours of his Patient, till he leaves Nothing but bo es for death, and hungry worms To gnaw upon; as for his pliant skin, That, while he lives, by pieces is pulled off, Till he be wholly flayed: the Usurer, I'st not his use to bind men first in bonds, And bring they then to execution, Extending both their bodies and their lands Upon a rack; we are more pitiful, And by and unexpected way dispatch Quicker then lightning, or a cunning headsman, For all the ill of death is apprehension; How's Imperial wronged? if when he hath But newly said his prayers, I release him From the ensuing Misery's of age; And when that work's performed, my charity May do as much for Spinola himself, Provided I be offered Like conditions: My hand of justice is not partial. But soft, this pleasing contemplation May make m' omit the time of Actium, Which now draws near; my plot is so contrived, That being pursued with resolution, It cannot want success; our best designs Are often crossed, when through a found remorse We change our counsels: few have learned the skill To be or wholly good, or wholly ill. The Canker take your Physiognomy That made you try conclusions upon me. The one had done me wrong, but destiny Made th'other take a Carnivall disguise Somewhat too soon. Had there been but hope To have enervated their testimony: The rack, nor the Strapado, no nor yet The subtler torment both of fire and water Should have enforced me to the least confession: But it's my fate, and therefore let me hear My passing bell, my doom quickly pronounced; For it were ridiculous to expect favour, Since your integrity (as you confessed) May not show any, where the law condemns. Can that be thought to be a great offence? Believe it, I have found um good at eight; Why there are many Like Quartella, sir, Remember not that they were ever maids. Sir? I'll bear it manfully, although I feel Ixion Like the torment of the wheel, I thank the state for their set compliment.