CORRODINO

Draw all these soldiers presently apart, The Senators will counsel of these events. Shall this conclusion stand, you noble peers? Bring forth the prisoners, Brishio march thou forth, Weighing the wondrous working of the heavens, We thus conclude, That Brishio shall be free from his supposed exile: and enjoy the goods and fortune he enjoyed before, We likewise do release his forward sons, and pardon their defaults what ere they be, We grant the pension of a thousand crowns To Lucida, as we have promised, Only in this our justice stands in force, That Lelio must for murder suffer death. Headsman dispatch, except Sempronio live, Lelio must die. Hermit why dalliest thou? Sempronio was young, but this is old, Sempronio was dead, but he does live: God wrought these things, we do applaud his works See how by mute embrace these friends embrace, Mark how they whisper in each others ears, Their troublous Fortune's, cares, & discontents, And now love works, see how Lelio hand in hand Joins Sempronio with his Lucida, The holy hermit knits up the knot, And all applaud this unity of peace. How now? what seeks this maid? Comest thou to plead for Servio Phillida? Go fetch him forth, joy shall have fullness now: Sempronio stand aside, wele make some sport. What wilt thou make bequeathe of others lands: Why man he lives again. Thou must restore to him his goods again. Nay force perforce he shall restore thy own. Phillida behold, thy uncle lives: See my Lords, no care of kindred holds her, She runs to meet Orphinio, love conducteth her. Knit up that knot within with jollity, And Register record this commodity. Thanks good Sempronio for this worthy skill, To register the memory of this, Henceforth where ere this history is herd, The world shall praise thee, in whose life began, The perfect knack to know and honest man. Servio stand forth, if thy important wrongs be such, Discourse to me and to these aged peers, Thy cause of grief, and what thou dost require. Servio come hither and possess thy place, We will consider of thy injuries. This homely tale does savour of truth. A lawful plea which may not be denied, Thy suit is granted, register it down. Now let our guard beset the city round, Search every house to find out Lelio: Mean while graven Senators, bethink your selves, Of some strict law against our Sessions, That may repulse these insolent debates. Exeunt omnes Bring tortors forth, bring me a cord, Stretch me the villains limes, force him to confess. What, have I made thee the marquess of Saint Marks And gave thee charge of all the City keys, And hast thou played me such a partly, To let those caitiff boys escape my hands. Who doubts but God beholds thy treachery, And therefore the minister of God, Will punish thee and make thee to confess Whither corruption or affliction Made thee discharge the prisoners of my wrath. If you be she that set my prisoners free, I am the Judge, and sentence thee to die: Slaves strangle her, let Servio be released. Fortunio what my son, what means these bans? Servio and Phillida, your judgement is, To lose Fortunios bands: Fortunios pains is to embrace old Corodinos neck: I thank my God that hath reclaimed thee, And made thee fly the vanities of youth, Now without fear shall I encounter death, When I am sure thy wanton days are passed. But thou ungracious man, pass from my Court, And exiled to the world: Come my Fortunio let us enter in And establish this perpetual law hence forth, That but in causes merely capital, A noble man submitting of him self, And after being reconciled to God, Shall have his pardon without prejudice. Usher let those that seek for audience Enter the Court, and move the Senators. The Treasurer shall pay thee Straight: Scribe give him a warrant, let him be dispatched: Lelio stand forth, art thou the hapless man that slew Sem pronio Tell me Lelio, what moves thee free from Justice hands To seek out death with desperate intent? Go, since you long to die, dispatch them two, Lelio for murder censured by himself, These for assaulting my Fortunio. By breach of prison they have forfeited. Bear hence the prisoner, we dissolve the court. Lords, let not Lelios honour blear your eyes, Speak sirrah, Did Lelio kill Sempronio. My son, my silence tells me many things, By it I find the depth of each men drift, And gathering things by certain circumstance, Am better able to discern the truth, Lords take your places, and resolve on this, That Lelio by approved truth is found To be the murderer of Sempronio, His lands and goods be seized to public use, We doom him dead. Beside, whatever man Can bring his head unto the Senate house, Shall have a thousand crowns for recompense, Paid him forth of our treasury, Further, least private friends should succour him, We do enact that whatsoever man, Shall dare conceal or hide the murderer, Shall be banished, and his goods confiscat. Senators allow you this. This is but delaying, rack him I say. Ent. Phil. How dares thy child Brishio visit us? Fearest thou not law? We grant thy suit. Then do the Senate presently decree, That Lucida shall have the promised coin, And Servio for breaking of the law, Shall be imprisoned for a twelvemonth space. This pretty accident does make me laugh. Now Servio you have good time to cast account, What interest and profit you have raised, By young Sempronios plate and coin. Law must have course, though pity plead for thee: Scribe read the sentence. It may not be, Justice will have no pause. What cause of plea hath this audacious maid? This was the certain hope of my desire: A way with him, I will not hear him speak. Ex. Sir. Lay hands on them and bind the fugitives. Now Servio, for thy forfeit to the state, What fine wilt thou afford for liberty.