CAIAZZO

Yet, Sanseverin, If you observed some clouds obscured both Suns, For, when they smiled most freely, and expressed Their nearest friendship by a strict embrace, They looked so jealously, as if they feared A closer stab: and then the King took leave With that excess of hast, that one would think (After this eager preparation,) He did intend his journey to leave us, Not to win Naples. And he (As I have seen some wavering amorist) Neglects his conquest for the a ness, For when it certain F r a worser was fled, While they might justly yet fear his return, The French return, as if they meant to try Which would be soonest weary of the hast, Who had the swifter pace to away: France made this certain truth, who in his brags Had sworn the fallen of Mahomet: but now When he might hear the groans of Graeciam Delivered by the echos of their sea, To make them more, he thinks on a retreat, And chooseth home before a victory It was a valley, where our Taro laues The root of Appe nine, and a large plain Spheard with a row of swelling Earth makes war A spacious Amphitheater: where we Stayed for their coming; when mature advice That crowns most actions, strangely injured us, For rashness would have stole a victory Which tedious consultation gave away. Success had smiled on our temerity Had we assaulted them upon the hills And added to the mountains with the French. But I am tedious: only our van fought, And it the Frenchmen's victory to resist: Both were overcome, both conquerors, for they Still kept the field, and we still kept the prey. Oh do not hear her Heaven, and kill me straight If I dare touch her: he that sees those eyes And dares attempt to make those eyes not see, Has a blind soul: burn clearer, you kind lights Oh do not envy me the sighed of her: But what's there in a sighed? I must be brief, If not for love, yet for ambition: Her Marriage makes me greater then her Death, And she has taught me the condition. Pardon, bright Angel, and return the sword, Which Sforza made me swear to sheath in you, Into my bosom By this fair hand you injure me, and more Then ever Sforza did: can you suppose (Though you had herd the vows he forced me to) I meant what I protested? that this hand Which ever yet has used a sword for you, Would use it now for your destruction. Revoke that thought, deer Lady, that harsh thought, And let not so much sweeter innocence Make it self guilty by suspicion, Suspicion of impossibilities. Rather command, and you shall quickly see That he, who would have armed me against you, Shall find in his own entrails the joust steel. You shall see it then: Do not believe me Madam till I've done, Till I do bring my credit in my arms, The Traitors head, and when you see that time Confess you owe your life unto my crime. How's this? Is this a love-trick, Lady? I had thought After your thanks parted betwixt heaven and me, You would with greediness have given your self To him that gave you your desires: Yowl urge me to joust vengeance? do you hear Madam ingratitude, quickly profess That this harsh language was but a wise bait To make him faster, who was sure before, Or I profess I'll join your death with his With thy loathed Sforza. Hath death so little horror? well I'll do What shall enforce you to desire a death. This poigniards point shall nail thee to the to Struck through thy arms: where do not hope up A noble rauishet, my swa ty slaves, Slaves hated of their fellow Black a Moors, Shall on thy Honours ruin Tyre then Lust, And kill thee in thy loathfull suffering. Ent. Sforza, Sanseverin Belgiosa. What dare you struggle? A rape, a rape. Oh my good Lord you come in such a time As I could wish for, for this hour or more This wicked woman hath been wooing me, To murder your most sacred Majesty, And for reward hath promised me herself, Together with the Duchy: my good Lord, In detestation of such treachery, I gave her some harsh answers, with which moved, She used a woman's craft, and cried a Rape. Is this truth, Isabella; see, she's dumb: Have I then lived to have you seek my death? A Cousin-traitor? yet you shall not die, Nor know another prison then my Court, I love to see my Murderer: Oh heavens! Why, should I fear to kill her? yet 'tis reason: Who is no true Prince, can never punish treason. ASsist me, Hell, for I intend and Act, Which should your puny fiends but think upon, Would make their blacker cheeks receive a blush, Would give a redness which your weaker Fire Had never that heating power to work in them: And act, the Heavens did only then declare They would permit to be performed by man When they created Night: for were all Day, Could such a Crime be as well seen as done, Their Immortality might justly fear, Lest all the gilded should be removed on them, As Idle, or as Cruel lookers on, While Heaven, on Earth did suffer: this black night Must Isabella die, die, by this hand: This Chapel is her ordinary walk, Discovered to me by her Julia, Where when she comes to see her husbands tomb, This hand shall make her it for such a room. We wondered lately at the prouder French, And gave too high a value to their acts: When in a serious estimation, Their chiefest victory was of the miles, And more a journey then a war: if they Could gain a fame by nimble travelling, How shall we rear a trophy to his name, That made them go far faster then they came? For my partly (though I know his Modesty, Which will refuse the honours he deserves) I'de have him forced unto the government, To rule that happy land which he hath saved. I much fear Mine are not worthy your attention: Yet if it please you, noble Belgiosa, (Because my story will depend on that) To show the reason why the giddy French, So strangely left their conquest: such your power, Such a full conquest have you of your friend, I'll shame my self for your content. IT must succeed: Fortune may show her spite, Her power she cannot, in the hour I'm made A Princes Lord, or murderer: I've placed Close at the outward door, Sanseverin, That if success do crown my Hope's, his cares May give me safety, with my happiness, That I be not surprised: but if I fail I have in joined him on the noise he hears, Straight to go call the Duke, & enter hither. Ent Is b. Madame, 'tis done: and now the guilty head (Which while it stood, made all to fear their head, Who durst affirm it did usurp a crown,) Most humbly bends, and offers it to you. And I shall take you at your word, deer Sforza.