ROBERTO

Since injustice In your Duke, meets this correction, can you press us With any seeming argument of reason, In foolish pity to decline his dangers, To draw they on our self? Shall we not be, Warned by his harms? The league proclaimed between us. Bound neither of us farther then to aid Each other, if by foreign force invaded, And so far in my honour I was tied. But ince without our counsel, or allowance, He hath took arms, with his good leave, he must Excuse us, if we steer not on a rock We see, and may avoid. Let other Monarchs Contend to be made glorious by proud war, And with the blood of their poor Subject's purchase Increase of Empire, and augment their cares In keeping that which was by wrongs extorted; Guilding unjust invasions with the trimne Of glorious conquests; we that would be known The father of our people in our study, And vigilance for their safety, must not change Their ploughshares into swords, or force them from The secure shade of their own vines to be Scorched with the flames of war, or for our sport Expose their lives to ruin. No, but preserve our self: Who's that? How's this? Embarked to night do you say? Are we grown so contemptible? A wilful scorn Of duty and allegiance, you give it Too fair a name. But we shall think on't: can you Guess what the numbers were that followed him In his desperate Actium? More then you think, Sir. All ill affected spirits in Palermo, Or to your government, or person, with The turbulent swordmen, such whose poverty forced they To wish a change, are gone along with him; Crea ures devoted to his undertakings In right or wrong, and to express their zeal, And readiness to serve him, ere they went Profanely took the sacrament on their knees, To live and die with him. Oh most impious! their loyalty to us forgotten? You must beside from us take some instructions To be imparted, as you judge they useful, To the General Gonzagam. Instantly Pr pare you for your journey. Of my promise, And aids, to further you in your amorous project To the fair, and rich Camiola : there's my ring Whatever you shall say that I entreat Or can command by power, I will make good. Let us take our seats, What is your title to him? In his silence it's acknoledg'd By my life You have shown your self of such and abject temper, So poor, and low conditiou'd, as I grieve for Your nearness to me. Venus prove propitious to you. Exit Robert. Look on him I favour, By you sco Ned and negelected. Excellent virgin! How I admire her confidence Have you done this? Answer truly on your life. Out of my sighed, For I vow, if by to we pen to nce thou win n This injured L die to sue out thy pardon , Thy g we is dug already. You shall know Lady While I w e a crown, justice hall use her sword To cut offenders oh f, though nearest to S. You must rise. Rise in our favour, and protection ever: Kisses her To my power I will enable him to prevent all danger Envy can raise against your choice. One word m re Touching the Articles. Enter Full. Cam. Syl. Ador. On to the Temple I have given so proof, sweet Lady, of my prompt nes To do you right, you needs not therefore doubt me, And rest assured, that this great work dispatched, You shall have audience and satisfaction To all you can demand. Who is this? And I'll grant the r suit, Hence with the fool, proceed Sir I thus confirm it. Gives his hand to Fulgen. to Bertoldo I restore this The white cross. Once more brother's in arms, She well deserves Her name, to e Maid of Honour! Mny she stand To all posterity, a fair example, For noble Maids to imitate. Since to live In wealth and pleasure is common; but to partly with Such poisoned baits is rare, there being nothing Upon this S oge of life to be commended, Though well begun, till it be fully ended. Exeunt. Think not Our counsel's built upon so weak a base, As to be overturned, or shaken with Tempestuous winds of words. As I, my Lord, Before resolved you, I will not engage My person in this quarrel; neither press My Subject's to maintain it: yet to show My rule is gentle, and that I have feeling Of your Master's sufferings, since these Gallants weary Of the happiness of peace, desire to taste The bitter sweets of war, we do consent That as Adventures, and Vounteers (No way compelled by us) they may make trial Of their boasted valours. It's well, and but my grant in this, expect not Assistance from me. Govern as you please The Province you make choice of, for I vow. By all things sacred, if that thou miscarry In this rash undertaking, I will hear it No otherwise then as a sad disaster, Fallen on a stranger: nor will I esteem That man my Subject, who in thy extremes In purse or person aids thee. Take your fortune: You know me, I have said it. So my Lord You have my absolute answer. Follow me, Fulgentio, And you, Astutio. Exeunt Roberto, Fulgentio, Astutio attendants. May she answer My expectation. You mistake me, I come not (Lady) that you may report, TO e king to do you honour, made your house (He being there) his court, but to correct Your stubborn disobedience. A pardon For that, could you obtain it, were well purchased With this humility. We fit prepared to hear. Which now proves The seat of his captivity not triumph. Heaven is still just. Where's your warrant For this presumption? Harebrained fool! what reason Canst thou infer to make this good? No minion, though that were too much. How can you Answer the setting on your desperate bravo To murder him? HAd our division been greater, Madam, Your clemency, the wrong being done to you In pardon of it, l ke the rod of concord Must make a perfect union, once more With a brotherly affection we receive you Into our favour. Let it be your study Hereafter to deserve this blessing, far Beyond your merit. This writing is Authentical. I'll take it into My special care. True; and as I'll fashion it, they shall feel it too Astutio, you shall presently be dispatched With letters writ, and signed with our own hand, To the Duchess of Sie a, in excuse Of that see orces sent against her. If you spare And oath to give it credit, that, we never Con ented to it, swearing for the King, Though false, it is no perjury. And without taking of his leave? So young and so religious. Nor will I Madam,