LORENZO

Petruchio, where's your Lord? how moves the work? My witty villain! This may Have Tragical effects Petruchio: For Cosmo, we shall prune his fortune thus, Oriana's wealth would swell him in the S ate, He grows too fast already, be still ours. I would read— This o'th sudden, Sir I must owe the title of a Traitor To your high favours; Envy first conspired, And malice now accuses, but what story, Mentioned his name, that had his Princes bosom, Without the peoples hate, it's sin enough In some men to be great, the throng of stars The rout, and common people of the sky, Move still another way then the Sun does, That guilds the creature, take your honours back, And if you can, that purple of my veins, Which flows in yours, and you shall leave me in A state I sh'anot fear the great ones envy, Nor common peoples rage, and yet perhaps You may be credulous against me. But I am tame, as if I had no sense Nor other argument to vindicate My Loyalty, thus poisoned by a paper, In my eternal fame, and by a slave? Call to my brow, some one that dare accuse me, Let him have honour, great as mine, to forfeit, Or since your grace hath taken me so near, Your own hight, that may seal may not expect Such a proportioned adversary, yet let him Have name within his Country, and allow him A Soul, sgainst which, I may engage my more, Then equal honour, then I'll praise your justice But let him not be one condemned already, A desperate exile—is it possible A Treason hatched in Florence, gainst the Duke Should have no eyes at home to penetrate, The growing danger but at Sienna, one Mu to with a perspective discover all? Ask this good Councillor, or these gentlemen Whose faiths are tried, whose cares are always waking About your person, how have I appeared To them, that thus I should be rendered hateful, To you and my good Country, they are virtuous And dare not blemish a white faith, accuse My found heart of dishonour? sir you must Pardon my bold defence, my virtue bleeds By your much easiness, and I am compelled To break all modest limits, and to waken Your memory (if it be not to late To say you have one,) with the story of My fair deservings, who sir overthrw With his designs your late ambitious brother Hippolito, who Like a Meteor threatened A black and fatal omen? Whose service was commended when the exiles One of whose tribe accuseth me had raised Commotions in our Florence when the hindga Of State did faint under the burden and The people sweat with their own fears, to think The Soldier should inhabit their calm dwellings, Who then rose up your safety, and crushd all Their plots to air? When he that should reward, fogets the men That purchased his security, 'tis virtue To beast a merit with my services I would not starved your treasury, the grand Captain Gonzales accounted to King Ferdinand, Three hundred thousand crowns, forspies, what bills Have I brought in for such intelligence? I know he is her brother, leave the managing Of things to me. Sir be confident—and perish. The Duke's not come already. This must retire again into my Closet: admit him. Enter Florio. Welcome, how does Sciarrha? His Sister? It shall be done. To me? I wonot see her my self, command what you desire. I'll give directions instantly: poor Lady, This is the Dukes hight blood, but Heaven convert him, Follow me good Florio. Things shall be carried honourably. The readier for your pastime. She means no make a night on't. You cannot wake him, look you. Happy morning to My gracious Sovereign. Letters, these dread sir Have no direction to me, your highness Is only named. With licence of your highness, what Can you imagine I should gain by Treason? Admit I should be impious, as to kill you, I am your nearest kinsman, and should forfeit Both name and future title to the State, By such a hasty, bloody disposition, The rabble hate me now, how shall I then Expect a safety? is it reformation, Of Floence they accuse me of? suggesting I disaffect a Monarchy, which how Vain and ridiculous would appear in me, Your wisdom judge, in you I live and flourish, What in your death can I expect, to equal The riches I enjoy under your warmth? Should I for the air, and talk of a new government, A Common wealth, lose all my certainties? And you above they all, whose favours have Fallen Like the Due upon me? have I a soul To think the gilded of such a murder easy, Were there no other torments? or can I Expect the people will reward your murderer With any thing but death, a parricide? Be yet as just, and say whose art directed A countermine to check the pregnant Hope's Of Salviati, who for his Cardinals Cap, In Room was potent, and here popular? Pardon me sir I am a dangerous man. Temper your rage. My Lord— Then I'm sorry. Sir, You said you would hear me out. And greater Master, your high blood Till I conclude Sciarrha, I accuse not Your noble anger, which I have observed, Is not on every cheap and giddy motion Inflamed, but Sir, be thrifty in your passion, This is a petty trespass. My Lord, though the dishonouring your Sister, Be such a fact, the blood of any other But Alexander could no less then expiate, Yet this sin stretches farther, and involves With hers, your greater stain did you ever promise him? Yet why do I make any question? It were another crime, to think Sciarrah Could entertain a thought, so far beneath His birth, you stoop to such a horrid baseness, Then all the virtue of mankind would sicken, And soon take leave of earth. What then could the Duke find, to give him any Encouragement you would be guilty of And act, so fatal unto honour, what When you were least your self? (as we are all Frail compositions) did appear so wicked In you, he should conceive a hope, and flatter Himself with possibility, to corrupt Your Soul to a deed so monstrous? Though all the eeming glories of His Dukedom, Nay Florence State off rd it a ribe And tempted the betraying of your name To infamy, yet to imagine, you Would turn officious pander to his lust, And interpose the mercenary bewde To Court your Sister to his sinful coupling 'Tis horrid, affrights nature, I grow stiff With the imagination. Yet this was his command I should impose Your fancy would Transport you. Now the flame is mounted, My Lord I have given proof, although he be My Duke, and Kinsman, I abhorte his vices, How ever the world without examination, Shoot their malicious noise, and stain my actions: 'Tis policy in Princes, to create A Favourite, who must bear all the gilded Of things ill managed in the State, if any Design be happy, 'tis the Princes own. Heaven knows, how I have counseled this young man, By virtue to prevent his fate, and govern With modesty: Oh the religious days Of Commonwealths! We have outlived that blessing. What? How, I draw cuts? How is this? My Genius And thine are friends, I see they have conversed And I Applaud the wisdom of my Stars, That made me for his friendship, who preserves The same religious fire, I will confess, When Alexander left his piety To Florence, I placed him beneath my Country, As we should all, but we have lost our soules' Or changed our active spirits, for a dull And lazy sufferance, let this secret be n argument, how much I dare repose Upon Sciarrahs honour, virtue witness, I choose no other destiny, command Lorenzo'es fate, dissolve me with your breath, I'll either ive, in your exchange of faith A patriot, or die my Countries martyr's. Heaven knows I've no particular design To leap unto a throne, I will disclaim The privilege of blood, let me advance Our liberty, restore the ancient Laws Of the republic, rescue from the jaws Of lust your mother's, wives, your daughters, sisters, From horrid Rape las Amidea: Be constant. He will feast all Senses. This is too plain. Me thinks they Should have been first forth' antimaske. You are firm. Whom talked he too? What good Sciarrha? We are not left so miserable, Heaven is more kind to Florence. Defend Omnipotence, what murdered? and by noble Sciarrha? how my ear abuses me! How we? collect, I fear you are not well: pray tell me why You talk thus? where's the Duke? he hath a guard, And army of heaven about him; who in Florence, Dares be so black a devil to attempt His death. I in the practice? Then let me creep into the earth, and rise A monster to affright mankind, Sciarrha, I must abhor thee for it, o my Prince! My dearest kinsman, may thy hand rot off, Treason, treason. Tush, let him come, My royal Lord, nay, let him kill me now, Ive so much joy and peace about me, it A sin to wish my life beyond this minute. But I hold him noble: I see he made this trial of my faith, And I forgive him. Depazzi has remembered, My Lord there is no safety for the State, Unless you personally appease they. I hope theile tear him, would he were dead any way. Sciarrha, come near—you understand, admit him. Exit. Sir. Welcome my noble Lord, Enter Sciarrha. You were not wont to visit me. You bring frowns, J can be sullon too: what is your pleasure? You have injured me. Betrayed me basely to the Duke. Yes, J was no fool to run my neck upon The Axe, and give you such a cause of triumph, Were it again in question— You shall be humbled to Confess the contrary, nay subscribe That I am honest, and desire my pardon; Look, I have a sword, and arm, and vigour Dare fight with thee, didst ride upon a whirlwind, Provoke me on a rock, in waves, in fire? And kill thee without scruple, such a strength Is innocence. I grant it. More I do confess, I did exasperate you, to kill or murder him; Give it what name you please, with joy I brought him Under the colour of your guest, to be The common sacrifice: all this I remember; But is heavens stock of mercy spent already, That sins though great and horrid, may not be Forgiven, to the heart that groans with penitence? Are the eternal fountains quite sealed up? I was a Villain, Traitor, Murderer, In my consenting to his death, but hope Those stains are now washed off. Trust me, I have. As he was A lustful Duke, a Tyrant, I had lost him In his return to piety: he commanded My prayers, and fresh obedience to wait on him; He's now my Prince again. My life? within there, would? welcome. By no means good Sciarrha: You visit seldom, those are daily with me, Men that expect employment, that wear swords, And carry spirits, both to be engaged, If I but name a cause: Gentlemen, raw. Now Sciarrha, you that with single valour dare come home To affront me thus; know; but too late, thy heart Is at the mercy of my breath: these swords Can fetch it when I please, and to prevent Your boast of this great daring: I beseech As you do love and honour your Lorenzo, No hand advance a weapon, sheath again, And leave us; I owe service to your loves; But must not so dishonour you. You see I do not fear your sword; alone I have Too much advantage, yet you may imagine How easily I could correct this rashness: But in my fear to offend gracious Heaven With a new crime, having so late obtained My peace, I give you freedom. Pray chide me still, I will be patient To hear my shame. Why tell me Sciarrha, and let us argue a while In cooler blood; did not you once resolve To kill the Duke too? To give him death with your own hand? Methinks it should be the same parricide In you, if not a greater; yet you change Your purpose, why did you not go through And murder him? Good, that taught you mercy, & perhaps repe ̄ tance For your intent. Why should not sir The same conversion of the Duke possess My heart, with as much piety to him And sorrow for my self? if I should say You are but cunning, is this shape of honesty, And still suspect your soul to be a Traitor? Might you not blame my want of charity? I am reconciled to heaven already, and the Duke, if you Be still unsatisfied, I am ready sin. Come Sciarrha, We are both hasty: pardon my rash language In the beginning, I will study service Shall make you love me: I would been too wicked, Too full of passion, inexorable: My nature is corrected, at this minute: I'm friends with all the world, but in your love Shall number many blessing. Whats the news? Hang him property, let him Expect, thou art come i'the opportunity: I could have wished, be wise and second me. Married to Oriana: thou mistakest, 'Tis Amidea, Lord Sciarrha's sister. Sciarrha, I'st true Pisano marries Oriana The rich Morassa's daughter. We did expect to here your sister should Have been his bride: has he forsaken Amidea? That blow shall cost his life, It is not possible he dares affront You thus; the world takes notice of a contract, He's much to blame if he should wrong so sweet A Lady as Amidea, now by Hymen. 'Tis not so honourable he need not scorn, Such and alliance. What, disclaimed a Lady of her birth and glorious merit? It is strange you knew not this before. Be patient. A thousand furies swell his rage, although Pisano bleed, this is the safest killing; Wisemen secure their fates and execute Invisibly, Like that most subtle flame That burns the heart, yet leaves no path or touch Upon the skin to follow or suspect it: Farewell dull passionate fool, how this does feed me? Kill and be lost thy self; or if sword Conclude thy life both ways I am revenged. Petruchio, thou didst hit my instructions rarely, And I applaud thee': now send in Depazzi, and visit me anon. Some Politician That is not wise, but by a president, Would think me weak for using such and instrument, As this Depazzi; but I know by proof, Such men whom fear and honour make our creatures, Do prove safe Engines, fools will still obey, When cunning knaves our confidence betray. You may. Make no doubt sir. What needs this circumstance? I pray come to the point. Whats the matter? With what? How sir? You wonot betray me. This is very strange. Wherefore? And what do you resolve? Well sir, since you have expressed your self so freely, I will not council you against your disposition to stay at court, you may go when, and whither you please; and though at parting J have nothing worth your acceptation, I will bestow these Crowns upon your servant. He has been earnest with me, and please your highness To be his humble suitor, he may have Freedom to leave the Court. What time will your grace allow to provide? Enjoy the country, and return when the Duke sends for you. Yes my Lord. J know the cause, 'tis Amidea. I do not wish her dead. Not in heaven sir, yet There be Ladies, that would think it a promotion. I am very confident she's yet honest. I sir, but I'm not of opinion it is Impossible to know a change. I must confess she has been very valiant, In making you remove your siege, and showed Pretty dexterity at the poigniard, See her self bleed: but this a mortal Virgin Might do, and not be adored for't: other Women Have gone as far, or else false Legends have Been thrust upon the easy world: some say There have been creatures that have killed themselves, To save their sullen chastities; but I Have no strong faith that way, yet you were startled To see her strike her arm, and grew compassionate. I have read some aged Stories: What think you of Lucrece? she is remembered. How the world Was cozened in her? she knew of Tarquin first, And then suspecting she should never meet Again the active Gentleman, having Determined of his death, with well dissembled Sorrow did stab her self, in hope to meet The gamester in Elizium, Amidea, You will allow beneath this Roman Dame. Ascend again, And fix in your loved orb, he brings this comfort That can assure it, if you have not lost A heart to entertain with love and pleasure The beauteous Amidea. You shall enjoy her. Shake off your melancholy slumber, I Have here decreed you shall possess her: she Be sent submissive to your arms, and you Be gracious to accept what she made coy of. Thus: Sciarrhas life And Fortune's are already growing forfeit These brains have plotted so: your mercy shall Purchase what you can wish, for, in his Sister And he acknowledge rifling of her honour, A fair and cheap redemption. J go, to hasten your delight, prepare your blood For amorous game: Sciarrhas fate is cast Firmer then destiny. Trust these brains. Hold. No man attempt his death, I'll give yea reasons, this attempt deserves And exemplary justice. Disarm him: Return and comfort one another, some Exeunt all but Lorenzo, Sciar. & guard. Remove Pisanos body, while I make it My care Sciarrha escape not. You are my prisoner. And be confident to find that favour. Be at distance, more My Lord, J am sorry for your great misfortune And if you can but study how I may Assist you, you shall soon discern my love My readiness to serve you. I would deserve your faith, A friend but in affliction justify His heart and honour, I durst run some hazard, Might I secure your fate, name something to me That may declare my friendship. I will impose no more Restraint, then your own house, you're honourable: You have many severe enemies, the Duke Looked graciously upon Pisano, but—. I would thought a way. To recover you, if you incline too't, Dare you consent? There is no difficulty attends it, listen The time will not permit much circumstance: The Duke you know did love your sister. Her Virtue did but cool him for the present, As sprinklings on a flame, he's now more passionate To enjoy her. If she consent to meet His soft embrace, with his first kiss, he seals Your pardon, then the act upon Pisano Appears a true revenge, when none dares question it: Beside addition of state and fortune, To you and Amidea, weigh your danger, And what a trifle she gives up, to save Your life, that never can be valued, Less recompensed; the Duke may be so taken With her return to his delight, who knows But he may marry her, and discharge his Duchess With a quaint salad, you do apprehend me. I would done, And praise your heathen resolution Of death, go practice immortality, And tell us when you can get leave to visit This world again, what fine things you enjoy In hell, for thither these rash passion drive thee, And ere thy body hath three days inhabited, A melancholy chamber in the earth, Hung round about with skulls and dead men's bones, Ere Amidea have told all her tears Upon thy Marble, or the Epitaph Belie thy soul, by saying it is fled To Heaven: this Sister shall be ravished, Maugre thy dust and Heraldry. I advised you the best way my wisdom could direct. Most passionately. Perform this? Do this, And be for ever happy, when these have Only for form but waited on you home: This disingages'em. I'm confident, farewell; attend Sciarrha. Petruchio? Th'art now my servant. Th'art faithful, I must cherish thy desert, I shortly shall reward it, very shortly; Next morning must salute me Duke; the Sun And I must rise together. 'Tis handsome flattery, and becomes a Courtier Then th'art a fool: No Music to a Great man chimes so sweetly: And men must thrive, come hither, how many Hast thou killed? But one? But one? wait at the door, he is Not fit to kill a Duke, whose hand is guilty But of a single murder; or at least Not fit alone to act it: J would been Practised already, and though no man see't, Nor scarce the eye of Heaven, yet every day I kill a Prince, appear thou Tragic witness. Which though it bleed not, I may boast a Murder: Here first the Duke was painted to the life: But with this Pencil to the death: I love My brain for the invention, and thus Confirmed, dare trust my resolution. I did suspect his youth, and beauty might Win some compassion when J came to kill him: Or the remembrance that he is my Kinsman, Might thrill my blood: or something in his Title, Might give my hand repulse, and startle Nature: But thus J have armed my self against all pity, That when J come to strike, my Poigniard may Through all his charms as confidently wound him, As thus J stab his Picture, and stare on it. Me thinks the Duke should feel me now: is not His soul acquainted; can he less then tremble When J lift up my arm to wound his counterfeit? Witches can persecute the lives of whom They hate, when they torment their senseless figures, And stick the waxed model full of pins. Can any stroke of mine carry less spell To wound his heart, sent with as great a malice? He smiles, he smiles upon me: J will dig Thy wanton eyes out, and supply the dark And hollow Cells with two pitch burning Tapers: Then place thee Porter in some Charnel house To light the Coffins in. Trust me my Lord . Her brother Florio. He will deserve some office about your person. I leave you sir to Actium, Florio Is soon dismissed. Here my Lord. Dead? 'tis impossible, Y , sh'as a wound upon her breast. A little longer say ee It was my duty to obey you sir. What would you say? no cares but ours Can reach his voice, but be not tedious. I could have wished you better Prepared, but let your soul e'entake his chance. Will it not? I'll presently put in security. So lay him beside his mistress, hide their faces, The Duke dismissed the train came with him. Run to Sciarrha, pray him come, and speak wo'mee, Secure his passage to this Chamber, haste, Exit Pet. He's dead; I'll trust him now, and his ghost too; Fools start at shadows, I'm in love with night And her complexion. Already? leave us. Welcome, let embraces Chain us together, noble Florio welcome: But I must honour thy great soul. They are a bed together. He's not stirring yet: Thou kildst thy sister, didst not? So it was bravely done. A sleep I tell you. And in his death we two begin our life Of gr tnesse, and of Empire, nay he's dead. Now I pronounce Sciarrha, Thy pardon, and to recompense thy lose, The share of Florence, I'll but wear the title, The power weel divide. It was to gain a faction With discontented persons, a fine trick To make a buzz of reformation. My ends are compassed: hang the ribble rabble. I'll have it given out The Duke did kill thy sister. Havingfirst ravished her, he cannot be Too hateful; it will dull the examination Of his own death, or if that come to question— Most descreetely thought on. Rare wit: How hastily he climbs the the precipice, From whence one Fillup topples him to ruin: We two shall live Like brother's. I'm betrayed. This is somewhat noble. None to assist me? help Petruchio, help. Reach thy jaws wider villain, cry out murder, Treason, any thing; hold—o. My Lord he is not worth your anger, he Declares but what his master hath committed, 'Tis none of his fault. You have forced him with discretion.