TIBERIO

Stephano, I know, as you are noble, you are honest, And capable of secrets, of more weight, Then now I shall deliver. If that Sforza, The present Duke, (though his whole life hath been, But one continued pilgrimage, through dangers, Affrights, and horrors: which, his Fortune, guided By his strong Judgement, still hath overcome) Appears now shaken, it deserves no wonder. All that his youth hath laboured for: the harvest Sown by his industry, ready to be reaped, to, Being now at the stake; And all his Hope's confirmed, Or lost for ever. Dangers that we see To threaten ruin are with ease prevented: But those strike deadly, that come unexpected; The lightning is far off: yet soon as seen, We may behold the terrible effects, That it produceth. But I'll help your knowledge, And make his cause of fear familiar to you. The war so long continued between The Emperor Charles, and Francis the French King Have interested in either's cause, the most Of the Italian Princes: Among which Sforza, As one of greatest power, was sought by both, But with assurance having one his friend, The other lived his enemy. But he, well knowing, And having too, (it seems) the Spanish pride, Lent his assistance to the King of France: Which hath so far incensed the Emperor, That all his Hope's, and honours are embarked, With his great Patrons Fortune. But should it change, The Dake's undone. They have drawn to the field Two royal armies, full of fiery youth, Of equal spirit to dare, and power to do: So near entrenched, that it's beyond all hope, Of human council, they can ere be severed, Until it be determined by the sword, Who hath the better cause. For the success, Concludes the victor innocent, and the vanquished Most miserably guilty. How uncertain, The Fortune of the war is, children know; And, it being in suspense, on whose fair Tent, Win'gd victory will make her glorious stand; You cannot blame the Duke, though he appear, Perplexed and troubled. I judge so too; But only in the cause to be excused. It is the Duchess Birthday: once a year Solemnized, with all pomp, and ceremony: In which, the Duke is not his own, but hers: Nay, every day indeed, he is her creature, For never man so doted; But to tell The tenth partly of his fondness, to a stranger, Would argue me of fiction. She knows it, And how to prize it. On my life, She's constant to his bed, and well deserves His largest Favours. But when beauty is Stamped on great women, great in birth, and fortune, And blown by flatterers greater then it is, It's seldom unaccompanied with pride; Nor is she, that-way free. Presuming on The Dukes affection, and her own Desert, She bears her self with such a Majesty, Looking with scorn on all, as things be neath her: That Sforzas mother, (that would lose no partly Of what, was once her own): Nor his fair Sister, (A Lady too acquainted with her worth, Will brook it well; And howsoer'e, their hate, Is smothered for a time, 'Tis more then feared, It will at length break out. Come, let us to the Court, We there shall see, all bravery, and cost, That art can boast of. Your excellence, (Though I confess you give her but her own) Inforces her modesty to the defence Of a sweet blush. Without guard or retinue Fitting a Prince. No, those are Cabinet counsels, And not to be communicated, but To such as are his own, and sure; Alas, We fill up empty places, and in public, Are taught to give our suffrages to that, Which was before determined: And are safe so; Signiour Francisco (upon whom alone His absolute power is with alstrength conferred, During his absence) can with ease resolve you. To me, they are Riddles. Oh Sir, He took the thryuing course: He had a Sister, A fair one too; With whom (as it is rumoured; The Duke was too familiar; But she cast off, (What promises socuer passed between them) Upon the sighed of this, forsook the Court, And since was never seen; To smother this, (As Honours never fail to purchase silence) Francisco first was graced, and step by step, Is raised up to this height. Sadly, it seems By the Duchess: For since he left the Court, For the most partly, she hath kept her private Chamber, No visitants admitted; In the Church, She hath been seen to pay her pure devotions, Seasoned with tears: And sure her sorrow's ttue, Or deeply counterfeited; Pomp, and State, And bravery cast off: And she that lately Riuald Poppaea in her varied shapes, Or the Egyptian Queen: Now, widowlike, In Sable coluors (as, her Husbands dangers, Strangled in her, the use of any pleasure) Mourns for his absence. You take it right; But on the other side, The darling of his Mother, Mariana, As there were and Antipathy, between Her, and the Duchess passion: And as Sh'ad no dependence on her brother's fortune, She never appeared so full of mirth. Signiour Graccho. Come, we know You are a Man in grace. Pray you, what news is stirring? you know all. And would be laid by the heals. The Princess; We must be patient. See, the informing rogue. No way, to be a Freeman? What shall become of these? Now Signiour Graccho, What think you of your greatness? All happiness to the Duchess, that may flow From the Dukes new and wished return. Observe their encounter. Flourish. As he were routed there, And had no motion. IT was in his fury. If that your Excellence Would please but to receive a feeling knowledge Of what he suffers, and how deep the least Unkindness wounds from you, you would excuse His hasty language. How Francisco! They are things above us, And so no way concern us. Nay spare your labour, Lady, we know our exit, And quit the room. She Sir, yet is froward, And desires respite, and some privacy. This is a confidence Beyond example. We shall Sir. My Lord. But it's a tempest on the sudden raised, Who durst have dreamed of? Her sweet soul has left Her beauteous prison. Grief hath stopped The organ of his speech. For Francisco, My wonder is the less because there are Too many Presidents of unthankful men Raised up to greatness, which have after studied The ruin of their makers. IT was well thought on. Which in his death will quickly be discovered I can but weep his fortune. In all things we will serve you. His speech is stopped. Call up the guard.