Thomas Middleton

The Revenger’s Tragedy


Authorship: Probable
Source text for this digital edition:
Middleton, Thomas. The Revenger’s Tragedy. In Thomas Middleton: Five Plays. Edited by Bryan Loughrey and Neil Taylor. Harmondsworth: Penguin Books, 1988, pp. 71-160.
Digital text encoding for EMOTHE:
  • Tronch Pérez, Jesus
  • Ramírez Sánez, Elena

Note on this digital edition

The EMOTHE Digital Library is grateful to Bryan Loughrey and Neil Taylor for giving permission to reproduce the text of their Penguin Classics edition (1988).

This digital edition reproduces the text edited by Bryan Loughrey and Neil Taylor, except for the modernization of the past participle (that is, "steep'd" is here modernized as "steeped", and “abused” as “abusèd”), and in other formal aspects derived from the adaptation of the printed text to the electronic format and XML-TEI encoding for the EMOTHE Digital Library.


In memoriam, Byran Loughrey (1952-2021)

[ DRAMATIS PERSONAE

The Duke
Lussurioso, the Duke’s son
Spurio, the Duke’s bastard
Ambitioso, the Duchess’s second son
Supervacuo, the Duchess’s second son
Junior, the Duchess’s youngest son
Antonio, a noble
Piero, a noble
Vindice, Gratiana’s son
Hippolito, Gratiana’s son
Dondolo, Gratiana’s servant
Nencio, Lussurioso’s follower
Sordido, Lussurioso’s follower
The Duchess
Gratiana
Castiza, Gratiana’s daughter
Nobles; Judges; Gentlemen; Guards; Prison-Keeper; Officers; Servants. ]

[ Scene: An Italian Court. ]

ACT ONE

SCENE 1

Enter Vindice [holding a skull]. The Duke, Duchess, Lussurioso his son, Spurio the bastard, with a train, pass over the stage with torch-light.

VINDICE
1
Duke: royal lecher; go, grey-haired Adultery;
2
And thou his son, as impious steeped as he;
3
And thou his bastard, true-begot in evil;
4
And thou his Duchess, that will do with Devil.
5
Four ex'lent characters — o that marrowless age
6
Would stuff the hollow bones with damned desires
7
And 'stead of heat kindle infernal fires
8
Within the spendthrift veins of a dry Duke,
9
A parched and juiceless luxur. O God! One
10
That has scarce blood enough to live upon,
11
And he to riot it like a son and heir?
12
O the thought of that
13
Turns my abusèd heart-strings into fret.
14
[To the skull.]
Thou sallow picture of my poisoned love,
15
My study's ornament, thou shell of death,
16
Once the bright face of my betrothèd lady,
17
When life and beauty naturally filled out
18
These ragged imperfections,
19
When two heaven-pointed diamonds were set
20
In those unsightly rings — then 'twas a face
21
So far beyond the artificial shine
22
Of any woman's bought complexion
23
That the uprightest man (if such there be,
24
That sin but seven times a day) broke custom,
25
And made up eight with looking after her.
26
O she was able to ha' made a usurer's son
27
Melt all his patrimony in a kiss,
28
And what his father fifty years told,
29
To have consumed, and yet his suit been cold.
30
But o accursèd palace!
31
Thee when thou wert appareled in thy flesh,
32
The old Duke poisoned,
33
Because thy purer part would not consent
34
Unto his palsy-lust; for old men lustful
35
Do show like young men angry, eager-violent,
36
Outbid like their limited performances.
37
O 'ware an old man hot and vicious:
38
Age, as in gold, in lust is covetous.
39
Vengeance, thou Murder's quit-rent, and whereby
40
Thou show'st thyself tenant to Tragedy,
41
O keep thy day, hour, minute, I beseech,
42
For those thou hast determined. Hum, whoe'er knew
43
Murder unpaid? Faith, give Revenge her due,
44
Sh'as kept touch hitherto. Be merry, merry,
45
Advance thee, o thou terror to fat folks,
46
To have their costly three-piled flesh worn off
47
As bare as this — for banquets, ease and laughter
48
Can make great men, as greatness goes by clay,
49
But wise men little are more great than they.

Enter his brother Hippolito.

HIPPOLITO
50
Still sighing o'er Death's vizard?

VINDICE
Brother, welcome,
51
What comfort bring'st thou? How go things at Court?

HIPPOLITO
52
In silk and silver, brother: never braver.

VINDICE
53
Puh,
54
Thou play'st upon my meaning. Prithee say,
55
Has that bald madam, Opportunity,
56
Yet thought upon's? Speak, are we happy yet?
57
Thy wrongs and mine are for one scabbard fit.

HIPPOLITO
58
It may prove happiness.

VINDICE
What is't may prove?
59
Give me to taste.

HIPPOLITO
Give me your hearing then.
60
You know my place at Court.

VINDICE
Ay, the Duke's chamber,
61
But 'tis a marvel thou'rt not turned out yet!

HIPPOLITO
62
Faith, I have been shoved at but 'twas still my hap
63
To hold by th'Duchess' skirt; you guess at that;
64
Whom such a coat keeps up can ne'er fall flat.
65
But to the purpose.
66
Last evening, predecessor unto this,
67
The Duke's son warily inquired for me,
68
Whose pleasure I attended. He began
69
By policy to open and unhusk me
70
About the time and common rumour;
71
But I had so much wit to keep my thoughts
72
Up in their built houses, yet afforded him
73
An idle satisfaction without danger.
74
But the whole aim and scope of his intent
75
Ended in this, conjuring me in private
76
To seek some strange-digested fellow forth
77
Of ill-contented nature, either disgraced
78
In former times, or by new grooms displaced
79
Since his stepmother's nuptials; such a blood,
80
A man that were for evil only good;
81
To give you the true word, some base-coined pander.

VINDICE
82
I reach you for I know his heat is such,
83
Were there as many concubines as ladies,
84
He would not be contained, he must fly out.
85
I wonder how ill-featured, vile-proportioned
86
That one should be, if she were made for woman,
87
Whom at the insurrection of his lust
88
He would refuse for once; heart, I think none,
89
Next to a skull, though more unsound than one,
90
Each face he meets he strongly dotes upon.

HIPPOLITO
91
Brother, y'ave truly spoke him.
92
He knows not you but I'll swear you know him.

VINDICE
93
And therefore I'll put on that knave for once,
94
And be a right man then, a man o'th'time,
95
For to be honest is not to be i'th'world.
96
Brother, I'll be that strange-composèd fellow.

HIPPOLITO
97
And I'll prefer you, brother.

VINDICE
Go to, then.
98
The small'st advantage fattens wrongèd men.
99
It may point out Occasion; if I meet her
100
I'll hold her by the foretop fast enough,
101
Or like the French mole heave up hair and all.
102
I have a habit that will fit it quaintly.
[Enter Gratiana and Castiza.]
103
Here comes our mother.

HIPPOLITO
And sister.

VINDICE
We must coin.
104
Women are apt, you know, to take false money;
105
But I dare stake my soul for these two creatures,
106
Only excuse excepted — that they'll swallow
107
Because their sex is easy in belief.

GRATIANA
108
What news from court, son Carlo?

HIPPOLITO
Faith, mother,
109
'Tis whispered there, the Duchess' youngest son
110
Has played a rape on Lord Antonio's wife.

GRATIANA
111
On that religious lady!

CASTIZA
112
Royal blood! Monster, he deserves to die,
113
If Italy had no more hopes but he.

VINDICE
114
Sister, y'ave sentenced most direct and true,
115
The Law's a woman and would she were you.
116
Mother, I must take leave of you.

GRATIANA
117
Leave for what?

VINDICE
I intend speedy travel.

HIPPOLITO
118
That he does, madam.

GRATIANA
Speedy indeed!

VINDICE
119
For since my worthy father's funeral,
120
My life's unnatural to me, e'en compelled
121
As if I lived now when I should be dead.

GRATIANA
122
Indeed he was a worthy gentleman.
123
Had his estate been fellow to his mind.

VINDICE
124
The Duke did much deject him.

GRATIANA
Much!

VINDICE
Too much.
125
And through disgrace, oft smothered in his spirit
126
When it would mount, surely I think he died
127
Of discontent, the nobleman's consumption.

GRATIANA
128
Most sure he did!

VINDICE
Did he? 'Lack, you know all,
129
You were his midnight secretary.

GRATIANA
No.
130
He was too wise to trust me with his thoughts.

VINDICE
131
[Aside]
I'faith then, father, thou wast wise indeed,
132
Wives are but made to go to bed and feed.
133
Come mother, sister; you'll bring me onward, brother?

HIPPOLITO
134
I will.

VINDICE
I'll quickly turn into another.

Exeunt.

[SCENE 2]

Enter the old Duke, Lussurioso his son, the Duchess, [Spurio] the Bastard, the Duchess's two sons Ambitioso and Supervacuo, the third her youngest [Junior] brought out with Officers for the rape; two Judges.

DUKE
1
Duchess, it is your youngest son; we're sorry
2
His violent act has e'en drawn blood of honour
3
And stained our honours,
4
Thrown ink upon the forehead of our state,
5
Which envious spirits will dip their pens into
6
After our death, and blot us in our tombs.
7
For that which would seem treason in our lives
8
Is laughter when we're dead. Who dares now whisper
9
That dares not then speak out, and e'en proclaim
10
With loud words and broad pens our closest shame?

JUDGE 1
11
Your Grace hath spoke like to your silver years
12
Full of confirmèd gravity; for what is it to have
13
A flattering false insculption on a tomb,
14
And in men's hearts reproach? The bowelled corpse
15
May be cered in, but, with free tongue I speak,
16
The faults of great men through their cerecloths break.

DUKE
17
They do, we're sorry for't, it is our fate
18
To live in fear and die to live in hate.
19
I leave him to your sentence — doom him, lords,
20
The fact is great — whilst I sit by and sigh.

DUCHESS
21
[Kneeling.]
My gracious lord, I pray be merciful;
22
Although his trespass far exceed his years,
23
Think him to be your own, as I am yours,
24
Call him not son-in-law: the Law I fear
25
Will fall too soon upon his name and him.
26
Temper his fault with pity!

LUSSURIOSO
Good my lord,
27
Then 'twill not taste so bitter and unpleasant
28
Upon the judges' palate, for offences
29
Gilt o'er with mercy show like fairest women,
30
Good only for their beauties, which washed off,
31
No sin is uglier.

AMBITIOSO
I beseech your grace,
32
Be soft and mild, let not relentless Law
33
Look with an iron forehead on our brother.

SPURIO
34
[Aside]
He yields small comfort yet, hope he shall die,
35
And if a bastard's wish might stand in force,
36
Would all the court were turned into a corse.

DUCHESS
37
No pity yet? Must I rise fruitless then?
38
A wonder in a woman! Are my knees
39
Of such low metal that without respect —

JUDGE 1
40
Let the offender stand forth.
41
'Tis the Duke's pleasure that impartial doom
42
Shall take fast hold of his unclean attempt.
43
A rape! Why, 'tis the very core of lust,
44
Double adultery.

JUNIOR
So, sir.

JUDGE 2
And which was worse,
45
Committed on the Lord Antonio's wife,
46
That general honest lady. Confess, my lord.
47
What moved you to't?

JUNIOR
Why flesh and blood, my lord;
48
What should move men unto a woman else?

LUSSURIOSO
49
O do not jest thy doom, trust not an axe
50
Or sword too far; the Law is a wise serpent
51
And quickly can beguile thee of thy life.
52
Though marriage only has made thee my brother,
53
I love thee so far, play not with thy death.

JUNIOR
54
I thank you, troth; good admonitions, faith,
55
If I'd the grace now to make use of them.

JUDGE 1
56
That lady's name has spread such a fair wing
57
Over all Italy that, if our tongues
58
Were sparing toward the fact, judgment itself
59
Would be condemned and suffer in men's thoughts.

JUNIOR
60
Well then 'tis done, and it would please me well
61
Were it to do again: sure she's a goddess,
62
For I'd no power to see her and to live;
63
It falls out true in this, for I must die.
64
Her beauty was ordained to be my scaffold.
65
And yet methinks I might be easier ceased;
66
My fault being sport, let me but die in jest.

JUDGE 1
67
This be the sentence —

DUCHESS
68
O keep't upon your tongue, let it not slip;
69
Death too soon steals out of a lawyer's lip.
70
Be not so cruel-wise!

JUDGE 1
Your Grace must pardon us,
71
'Tis but the justice of the Law.

DUCHESS
The Law
72
Is grown more subtle than a woman should be.

SPURIO
73
[Aside]
Now, now he dies; rid 'em away!

DUCHESS
74
[Aside]
O what it is to have an old-cool Duke,
75
To be as slack in tongue as in performance.

JUDGE 1
76
Confirmed, this be the doom irrevocable.

DUCHESS
77
O!

JUDGE 1
78
Tomorrow early —

DUCHESS
Pray be abed, my lord.

JUDGE 1
79
Your grace much wrongs yourself.

AMBITIOSO
No, 'tis that tongue,
80
Your too much right, does do us too much wrong.

JUDGE 1
81
Let that offender —

DUCHESS
Live, and be in health.

JUDGE 1
82
Be on a scaffold —

DUKE
Hold, hold, my lord.

SPURIO
[Aside]
Pax on't,
83
What makes my dad speak now?

DUKE
84
We will defer the judgment till next sitting.
85
In the meantime let him be kept close prisoner:
86
Guard, bear him hence.

AMBITIOSO
87
[To Junior.]
Brother, this makes for thee;
88
Fear not, we'll have a trick to set thee free.

JUNIOR
89
Brother, I will expect it from you both,
90
And in that hope I rest.

SUPERVACUO
Farewell, be merry.

Exit [Junior] with a Guard.

SPURIO
91
[Aside]
Delayed, deferred — nay then if Judgment have
92
Cold blood, flattery and bribes will kill it.

DUKE
93
About it then, my lords, with your best powers,
94
More serious business calls upon our hours.

Exeunt [all but the] Duchess.

DUCHESS
95
Was't ever known step-Duchess was so mild
96
And calm as I? Some now would plot his death
97
With easy doctors, those loose-living men,
98
And make his withered Grace fall to his grave
99
And keep church better.
100
Some second wife would do this, and dispatch
101
Her double-loathèd lord at meat and sleep.
102
Indeed 'tis true an old man's twice a child;
103
Mine cannot speak; one of his single words
104
Would quite have freed my youngest dearest son
105
From death or durance, and have made him walk
106
With a bold foot upon the thorny law,
107
Whose prickles should bow under him; but 'tis not,
108
And therefore wedlock faith, shall be forgot.
109
I'll kill him in his forehead, hate there feed;
110
That wound is deepest though it never bleed.
[Enter Spurio.]
111
And here comes he whom my heart points unto,
112
His bastard son, but my love's true-begot.
113
Many a wealthy letter have I sent him,
114
Swelled up with jewels, and the timorous man
115
Is yet but coldly kind;
116
That jewel's mine that quivers in his ear,
117
Mocking his master's chillness and vain fear.
118
H'as spied me now.

SPURIO
Madam? Your Grace so private?
119
My duty on your hand.

DUCHESS
120
Upon my hand, sir? Troth, I think you'd fear
121
To kiss my hand too if my lip stood there.

SPURIO
122
Witness I would not, madam.

[Kisses her.]

DUCHESS
'Tis a wonder,
123
For ceremony has made many fools;
124
It is as easy way unto a Duchess
125
As to a hatted dame (if her love answer)
126
But that by timorous honours, pale respects,
127
Idle degrees of fear, men make their ways
128
Hard of themselves – what, have you thought of me?

SPURIO
129
Madam, I ever think of you in duty,
130
Regard and —

DUCHESS
Puh, upon my love, I mean.

SPURIO
131
I would 'twere love, but 't'as a fouler name
132
Than lust; you are my father's wife;
133
Your Grace may guess now what I could call it.

DUCHESS
134
Why th'art his son but falsely;
135
'Tis a hard question whether he begot thee.

SPURIO
136I'faith 'tis true too; I'm an uncertain man, of more uncertain woman. Maybe his groom o'th'stable begot me, you know I know not; he could ride a horse well, a shrewd suspicion, marry; he was wondrous tall, he had his length, i'faith, for peeping over half-shut holiday windows; men would desire him 'light. When he was afoot, he made a goodly show under a penthouse, and when he rid, his hat would check the signs, and clatter barbers' basins.

DUCHESS
137
Nay, set you a-horseback once, you'll ne'er light off.

SPURIO
138
Indeed, I am a beggar.

DUCHESS
139
That's more the sign th'art great — but to our love.
140
Let it stand firm both in thought and mind
141
That the Duke was thy father, as no doubt then
142
He bid fair for't. Thy injury is the more;
143
For had he cut thee a right diamond,
144
Thou hadst been next set in the Dukedom's ring,
145
When his worn self, like Age's easy slave,
146
Had dropped out of the collet into th'grave.
147
What wrong can equal this? Canst thou be tame
148
And think upon't?

SPURIO
No, mad and think upon't.

DUCHESS
149
Who would not be revenged of such a father,
150
E'en in the worst way? I would thank that sin
151
That could most injury him, and be in league with it.
152
O what a grief 'tis that a man should live
153
But once i'th'world, and then to live a bastard,
154
The curse o'the womb, the thief of Nature,
155
Begot against the seventh commandment,
156
Half-damned in the conception, by the justice
157
Of that unbribèd everlasting Law.

SPURIO
158
O I'd a hot-backed devil to my father.

DUCHESS
159
Would not this mad e'en Patience, make blood rough?
160
Who but an eunuch would not sin, his bed
161
By one false minute disinherited?

SPURIO
162
[Aside]
Ay, there's the vengeance that my birth was wrapped in
163
I'll be revenged for all; now hate begin,
164
I'll call foul incest but a venial sin.

DUCHESS
165
Cold still: in vain then must a Duchess woo?

SPURIO
166
Madam, I blush to say what I will do.

DUCHESS
167
Thence flew sweet comfort. Earnest, and farewell.

[Kisses him.]

SPURIO
168
O one incestuous kiss picks open hell.

DUCHESS
169
Faith now, old Duke, my vengeance shall reach high,
170
I'll arm thy brow with woman's heraldry.

Exit.

SPURIO
171
Duke, thou didst do me wrong, and by thy act
172
Adultery is my nature.
173
Faith, if the truth were known, I was begot
174
After some gluttonous dinner, some stirring dish
175
Was my first father, when deep healths went round,
176
And ladies' cheeks were painted red with wine,
177
Their tongues as short and nimble as their heels,
178
Uttering words sweet and thick; and when they rose
179
Were merrily disposed to fall again.
180
In such a whisp'ring and withdrawing hour,
181
When base male-bawds kept sentinel at stair-head,
182
Was I stol'n softly; o Damnation met
183
The sin of feasts, drunken Adultery.
184
I feel it swell me, my revenge is just,
185
I was begot in impudent wine and lust.
186
Step-mother, I consent to thy desires,
187
I love thy mischief well, but I hate thee,
188
And those three cubs thy sons, wishing confusion,
189
Death and disgrace may be their epitaphs.
190
As for my brother, the Duke's only son,
191
Whose birth is more beholding to report
192
Than mine, and yet perhaps as falsely sown
193
(Women must not be trusted with their own),
194
I'll loose my days upon him, hate all I;
195
Duke, on thy brow I'll draw my bastardy.
196
For indeed a bastard by nature should make cuckolds
197
Because he is the son of a cuckold-maker.

Exit.

[SCENE 3]

Enter Vindice and Hippolito, Vindice in disguise to attend Lord Lussurioso, the Duke's son.

VINDICE
1
What, brother? Am I far enough from myself?

HIPPOLITO
2
As if another man had been sent whole
3
Into the world, and none wist how he came.

VINDICE
4
It will confirm me bold; the child o'th'Court.
5
Let blushes dwell i'th'country. Impudence!
6
Thou goddess of the palace, mistress of mistresses,
7
To whom the costly-perfumed people pray,
8
Strike thou my forehead into dauntless marble,
9
Mine eyes to steady sapphires; turn my visage,
10
And if I must needs glow, let me blush inward
11
That this immodest season may not spy
12
That scholar in my cheeks, fool-bashfulness,
13
That maid in the old time, whose flush of grace
14
Would never suffer her to get good clothes.
15
Our maids are wiser, and are less ashamed;
16
Save Grace the bawd, I seldom hear grace named!

HIPPOLITO
17
Nay, brother, you reach out o'th'verge now —
[Enter Lussurioso attended.]
18
'Sfoot, the Duke's son! Settle your looks.

VINDICE
19
Pray let me not be doubted.

HIPPOLITO
20
My lord —

LUSSURIOSO
Hippolito? —
[To Servants.]
Be absent; leave us.

[Exeunt Servants.]

HIPPOLITO
21
My lord, after long search, wary inquiries,
22
And politic siftings, I made choice of yon fellow,
23
Whom I guess rare for many deep employments;
24
This our age swims within him, and if Time
25
Had so much hair, I should take him for Time,
26
He is so near kin to this present minute.

LUSSURIOSO
27
'Tis enough,
28
We thank thee; yet words are but great men's blanks,
29
Gold, though it be dumb, does utter the best thanks.

[Gives him money.]

HIPPOLITO
30
Your plenteous honour — an ex'lent fellow, my lord.

LUSSURIOSO
31So, give us leave. [Exit Hippolito.] 32Welcome, be not far off, we must be better acquainted. Push, be bold with us: thy hand.

VINDICE
33
With all my heart, i'faith. How dost, sweet musk-cat?
34
When shall we lie together?

LUSSURIOSO
[Aside]
Wondrous knave!
35
Gather him into boldness? 'Sfoot, the slave's
36
Already as familiar as an ague,
37
And shakes me at his pleasure. — Friend, I can
38
Forget myself in private, but elsewhere
39
I pray do you remember me.

VINDICE
40
O very well, sir — I conster myself saucy.

LUSSURIOSO
41
What hast been, of what profession?

VINDICE
42
A bone-setter.

LUSSURIOSO
43
A bone-setter?

VINDICE
44
A bawd, my lord, one that sets bones together.

LUSSURIOSO
45
[Aside]
Notable bluntness!
46
Fit, fit for me, e'en trained up to my hand. —
47
Thou hast been scrivener to much knavery then?

VINDICE
48
Fool to abundance, sir; I have been witness
49
To the surrenders of a thousand virgins,
50
And not so little;
51
I have seen patrimonies washed a-pieces,
52
Fruit-fields turned into bastards,
53
And in a world of acres
54
Not so much dust due to the heir 'twas left to
55
As would well gravel a petition.

LUSSURIOSO
56
[Aside]
Fine villain! Troth, I like him wondrously,
57
He's e'en shaped for my purpose. — Then thou know'st
58
I'th'world strange lust?

VINDICE
Oh, Dutch lust! Fulsome lust!
59
Drunken procreation, which begets so many drunkards.
60
Some father dreads not (gone to bed in wine)
61
To slide from the mother, and cling the daughter-in-law;
62
Some uncles are adulterous with their nieces,
63
Brothers with brothers' wives. O hour of incest!
64
Any kin now next to the rim o'th'sister
65
Is man's meat in these days, and in the morning,
66
When they are up and dressed, and their mask on,
67
Who can perceive this, save that eternal eye
68
That sees through flesh and all? Well, if anything
69
Be damned, it will be twelve o'clock at night,
70
That twelve will never 'scape;
71
It is the Judas of the hours, wherein
72
Honest salvation is betrayed to sin.

LUSSURIOSO
73
In troth it is, too; but let this talk glide.
74
It is our blood to err, though hell gaped loud;
75
Ladies know Lucifer fell, yet still are proud.
76
Now, sir; wert thou as secret as thou'rt subtle
77
And deeply fathomed into all estates
78
I would embrace thee for a near employment,
79
And thou shouldst swell in money, and be able
80
To make lame beggars crouch to thee.

VINDICE
My lord!
81
Secret? I ne'er had that disease o'th'mother,
82
I praise my father. Why are men made close
83
But to keep thoughts in best? I grant you this,
84
Tell but some woman a secret overnight,
85
Your doctor may find it in the urinal i'th'morning.
86
But my lord —

LUSSURIOSO
87
So, thou'rt confirmed in me,
88
And thus I enter thee.

[Gives him money.]

VINDICE
This Indian devil
89
Will quickly enter any man — but a usurer;
90
He prevents that, by ent'ring the devil first.

LUSSURIOSO
91
Attend me, I am past my depth in lust.
92
And I must swim or drown. All my desires
93
Are levelled at a virgin not far from Court,
94
To whom I have conveyed by messenger
95
Many waxed lines, full of my neatest spirit,
96
And jewels that were able to ravish her
97
Without the help of man; all which and more
98
She, foolish-chaste, sent back, the messengers
99
Receiving frowns for answers.

VINDICE
Possible?
100
'Tis a rare phoenix, whoe'er she be.
101
If your desires be such, she so repugnant,
102
In troth, my lord, I'd be revenged and marry her.

LUSSURIOSO
103
Push!
104
The dowry of her blood and of her fortunes
105
Are both too mean — good enough to be bad withal.
106
I am one of that number can defend
107
Marriage is good; yet rather keep a friend.
108
Give me my bed by stealth, there's true delight;
109
What breeds a loathing in't, but night by night?

VINDICE
110
A very fine religion!

LUSSURIOSO
Therefore thus:
111
I'll trust thee in the business of my heart
112
Because I see thee well experienced
113
In this luxurious day wherein we breathe.
114
Go thou, and with a smooth enchanting tongue
115
Bewitch her ears, and cozen her of all grace;
116
Enter upon the portion of her soul,
117
Her honour, which she calls her chastity,
118
And bring it into expense, for honesty
119
Is like a stock of money laid to sleep
120
Which, ne'er so little broke, does never keep.

VINDICE
121
You have gi'n't the tang, i'faith, my lord.
122
Make known the lady to me, and my brain
123
Shall swell with strange invention: I will move it
124
Till I expire with speaking, and drop down
125
Without a word to save me; but I'll word —

LUSSURIOSO
126We thank thee, and will raise thee. Receive her name, it is the only daughter to Madam Gratiana, the late widow.

VINDICE
127
[Aside]
O my sister, my sister!

LUSSURIOSO
Why dost walk aside?

VINDICE
128
My lord, I was thinking how I might begin,
129
As thus, 'O lady' — or twenty hundred devices;
130
Her very bodkin will put a man in.

LUSSURIOSO
131
Ay, or the wagging of her hair.

VINDICE
132
No, that shall put you in, my lord.

LUSSURIOSO
133
Shall't? Why, content. Dost know the daughter then?

VINDICE
134
O ex'lent well by sight.

LUSSURIOSO
That was her brother
135
That did prefer thee to us.

VINDICE
My lord, I think so,
136
I knew I had seen him somewhere.

LUSSURIOSO
137
And therefore prithee let thy heart to him
138
Be as a virgin, close.

VINDICE
O my good lord.

LUSSURIOSO
139
We may laugh at that simple age within him.

VINDICE
140
Ha, ha, ha.

LUSSURIOSO
141
Himself being made the subtle instrument
142
To wind up a good fellow —

VINDICE
That's I, my lord.

LUSSURIOSO
143
That's thou.
144
To entice and work his sister.

VINDICE
A pure novice!

LUSSURIOSO
145
'Twas finely managed.

VINDICE
Gallantly carried;
146
A pretty perfumed villain.

LUSSURIOSO
I've bethought me,
147
If she prove chaste still and immoveable,
148
Venture upon the mother, and with gifts
149
As I will furnish thee, begin with her.

VINDICE
150O fie, fie, that's the wrong end, my lord. 'Tis mere impossible that a mother by any gifts should become a bawd to her own daughter.

LUSSURIOSO
151Nay then, I see thou'rt but a puny in the subtle mystery of a woman. Why 'tis held now no dainty dish: the name
152
Is so in league with age that nowadays
153
It does eclipse three quarters of a mother.

VINDICE
154
Does't so, my lord?
155
Let me alone then to eclipse the fourth.

LUSSURIOSO
156
Why well said, come I'll furnish thee, but first
157
Swear to be true in all.

VINDICE
True?

LUSSURIOSO
Nay, but swear!

VINDICE
158
Swear? I hope your honour little doubts my faith.

LUSSURIOSO
159
Yet for my humour's sake, 'cause I love swearing.

VINDICE
160
'Cause you love swearing, 'slud, I will.

LUSSURIOSO
Why, enough.
161
Ere long look to be made of better stuff.

VINDICE
162
That will do well indeed, my lord.

LUSSURIOSO
Attend me.

[Exit.]

VINDICE
163
O,
164
Now let me burst, I've eaten noble poison.
165
We are made strange fellows, brother, innocent villains;
166
Wilt not be angry when thou hear'st on't, think'st thou?
167
I'faith, thou shalt. Swear me to foul my sister!
168
Sword, I durst make a promise of him to thee,
169
Thou shalt dis-heir him, it shall be thine honour;
170
And yet, now angry froth is down in me,
171
It would not prove the meanest policy
172
In this disguise to try the faith of both;
173
Another might have had the self same office,
174
Some slave, that would have wrought effectually,
175
Ay, and perhaps o'erwrought 'em; therefore I,
176
Being thought travelled, will apply myself
177
Unto the self same form, forget my nature,
178
As if no part about me were kin to 'em,
179
So touch 'em — though I durst almost for good
180
Venture my lands in heaven upon their good.

Exit.

[SCENE 4]

Enter the discontented Lord Antonio, whose wife the Duchess' youngest son ravished; he discovering the body of her dead to certain lords, Piero and Hippolito.

ANTONIO
1
Draw nearer, lords, and be sad witnesses
2
Of a fair comely building newly fall'n,
3
Being falsely underminèd. Violent rape
4
Has played a glorious act; behold, my lords,
5
A sight that strikes man out of me.

PIERO
6
That virtuous lady!

ANTONIO
President for wives!

HIPPOLITO
7
The blush of many women, whose chaste presence
8
Would e'en call shame up to their cheeks, and make
9
Pale wanton sinners have good colours.

ANTONIO
Dead!
10
Her honour first drunk poison, and her life,
11
Being fellows in one house, did pledge her honour.

PIERO
12
O grief of many!

ANTONIO
I marked not this before —
13
A prayer-book the pillow to her cheek,
14
This was her rich confection, and another
15
Placed in her right hand, with a leaf tucked up,
16
Pointing to these words:
17
Melius virtute mori, quam per dedecus vivere.
18
True and effectual it is indeed.

HIPPOLITO
19
My lord, since you invite us to your sorrows,
20
Let's truly taste 'em, that with equal comfort
21
As to ourselves we may relieve your wrongs;
22
We have grief too, that yet walks without tongue:
23
Curae leves loquuntur, maiores stupent.

ANTONIO
24
You deal with truth, my lord.
25
Lend me but your attentions, and I'll cut
26
Long grief into short words. Last revelling night,
27
When torchlight made an artificial noon
28
About the Court, some courtiers in the masque,
29
Putting on better faces than their own,
30
Being full of fraud and flattery, amongst whom
31
The Duchess' youngest son (that moth to honour)
32
Filled up a room; and with long lust to eat
33
Into my wearing, amongst all the ladies
34
Singled out that dear form, who ever lived
35
As cold in lust as she is now in death
36
(Which that step-Duchess' monster knew too well);
37
And therefore in the height of all the revels,
38
When music was hard loudest, courtiers busiest,
39
And ladies great with laughter – o vicious minute!
40
Unfit but for relation to be spoke of —
41
Then with a face more impudent than his vizard
42
He harried her amidst a throng of panders
43
That live upon damnation of both kinds
44
And fed the ravenous vulture of his lust.
45
O death to think on't! She, her honour forced,
46
Deemed it a nobler dowry for her name
47
To die with poison than to live with shame.

HIPPOLITO
48
A wondrous lady, of rare fire compact,
49
Sh'as made her name an empress by that act.

PIERO
50
My lord, what judgment follows the offender?

ANTONIO
51
Faith, none, my lord, it cools and is deferred.

PIERO
52
Delay the doom for rape?

ANTONIO
53
O you must note who 'tis should die:
54
The Duchess' son; she'll look to be a saver.
55
Judgment in this age is near kin to favour.

HIPPOLITO
56
Nay then, step forth, thou bribeless officer.
[Draws his sword.]
57
I bind you all in steel to bind you surely,
58
Here let your oaths meet, to be kept and paid,
59
Which else will stick like rust and shame the blade.
60
Strengthen my vow, that if at the next sitting
61
Judgment speak all in gold, and spare the blood
62
Of such a serpent, e'en before their seats
63
To let his soul out, which long since was found
64
Guilty in heaven.

ALL
We swear it and will act it.

ANTONIO
65
Kind gentlemen, I thank you in mine ire.

HIPPOLITO
66
'Twere pity
67
The ruins of so fair a monument
68
Should not be dipped in the defacer's blood.

PIERO
69
Her funeral shall be wealthy, for her name
70
Merits a tomb of pearl. My lord Antonio,
71
For this time wipe your lady from your eyes;
72
No doubt our grief and yours may one day court it
73
When we are more familiar with revenge.

ANTONIO
74
That is my comfort, gentlemen, and I joy
75
In this one happiness above the rest,
76
Which will be called a miracle at last,
77
That, being an old man, I'd a wife so chaste.

Exeunt.

ACT TWO

SCENE 1

Enter Castiza the sister.

CASTIZA
1
How hardly shall that maiden be beset,
2
Whose only fortunes are her constant thoughts,
3
That has no other child's-part but her honour
4
That keeps her low and empty in estate.
5
Maids and their honours are like poor beginners;
6
Were not sin rich there would be fewer sinners.
7
Why had not virtue a revenue? Well,
8
I know the cause, 'twould have impoverished hell.
[Enter Dondolo.]
9
How now, Dondolo?

DONDOLO
10Madonna, there is one, as they say, a thing of flesh and blood, a man I take him by his beard, that would very desirously mouth to mouth with you.

CASTIZA
11What's that?

DONDOLO
12Show his teeth in your company.

CASTIZA
13I understand thee not.

DONDOLO
14Why, speak with you, Madonna.

CASTIZA
15Why, say so, madman, and cut off a great deal of dirty way; had it not been better spoke in ordinary words, that one would speak with me?

DONDOLO
16Ha, ha, that's as ordinary as two shillings. I would strive a little to show myself in my place; a gentleman-usher scorns to use the phrase and fancy of a serving-man.

CASTIZA
17Yours be your own, sir. Go, direct him hither;
[Exit Dondolo.]
18
I hope some happy tidings from my brother
19
That lately travelled, whom my soul affects.
20
Here he comes.

Enter Vindice her brother, disguised.

VINDICE
21
Lady, the best of wishes to your sex,
22
Fair skins and new gowns.

[Gives her a letter.]

CASTIZA
O they shall thank you, sir.
23
Whence this?

VINDICE
O from a dear and worthy friend,
24
Mighty!

CASTIZA
From whom?

VINDICE
The Duke's son.

CASTIZA
Receive that!
[s.d.]A box o'th'ear to her brother.
25
I swore I'd put anger in my hand,
26
And pass the virgin limits of myself
27
To him that next appeared in that base office,
28
To be his sin's attorney. Bear to him
29
That figure of my hate upon thy cheek
30
Whilst 'tis yet hot, and I'll reward thee for't;
31
Tell him my honour shall have a rich name
32
When several harlots shall share his with shame.
33
Farewell, commend me to him in my hate!

Exit.

VINDICE
34
It is the sweetest box that e'er my nose came nigh,
35
The finest drawn-work cuff that e'er was worn;
36
I'll love this blow for ever, and this cheek
37
Shall still henceforward take the wall of this.
38
O I'm above my tongue! Most constant sister,
39
In this thou hast right honourable shown;
40
Many are called by their honour that have none,
41
Thou art approved forever in my thoughts.
42
It is not in the power of words to taint thee,
43
And yet for the salvation of my oath,
44
As my resolve in that point, I will lay
45
Hard siege unto my mother, though I know
46
A siren's tongue could not bewitch her so.
[Enter Gratiana.]
47
Mass, fitly here she comes; thanks, my disguise. —
48
Madam, good afternoon.

GRATIANA
Y'are welcome, sir.

VINDICE
49
The next of Italy commends him to you,
50
Our mighty expectation, the Duke's son.

GRATIANA
51
I think myself much honoured that he pleases
52
To rank me in his thoughts.

VINDICE
So may you, lady.
53
One that is like to be our sudden Duke —
54
The crown gapes for him every tide — and then
55
Commander o'er us all; do but think on him,
56
How blest were they now that could pleasure him
57
E'en with anything almost.

GRATIANA
Ay, save their honour.

VINDICE
58
Tut, one would let a little of that go too
59
And ne'er be seen in't — ne'er be seen in't, mark you,
60
I'd wink, and let it go.

GRATIANA
Marry, but I would not.

VINDICE
61
Marry, but I would, I hope; I know you would too
62
If you'd that blood now which you gave your daughter.
63
To her indeed 'tis, this wheel comes about;
64
That man that must be all this, perhaps ere morning
65
(For his white father does but mould away),
66
Has long desired your daughter.

GRATIANA
Desired?

VINDICE
67
Nay but hear me,
68
He desires now that will command hereafter,
69
Therefore be wise, I speak as more a friend
70
To you than him; Madam, I know y'are poor
71
And, 'lack the day,
72
There are too many poor ladies already;
73
Why should you vex the number? 'Tis despised.
74
Live wealthy, rightly understand the world,
75
And chide away that foolish country-girl
76
Keeps company with your daughter, Chastity.

GRATIANA
77
O fie, fie, the riches of the world cannot hire
78
A mother to such a most unnatural task.

VINDICE
79
No, but a thousand angels can,
80
Men have no power, angels must work you to't.
81
The world descends into such base-born evils
82
That forty angels can make fourscore devils.
83
There will be fools still I perceive, still fools;
84
Would I be poor, dejected, scorned of greatness,
85
Swept from the palace, and see other daughters
86
Spring with the dew o'th'Court, having mine own
87
So much desired and loved — by the Duke's son?
88
No, I would raise my state upon her breast
89
And call her eyes my tenants; I would count
90
My yearly maintenance upon her cheeks,
91
Take coach upon her lip, and all her parts
92
Should keep men after men and I would ride
93
In pleasure upon pleasure.
94
You took great pains for her, once when it was,
95
Let her requite it now, though it be but some.
96
You brought her forth, she may well bring you home.

GRATIANA
97
O heavens! This overcomes me!

VINDICE
98
[Aside]
Not, I hope, already?

GRATIANA
99
[Aside]
It is too strong for me, men know that know us,
100
We are so weak their words can overthrow us.
101
He touched me nearly, made my virtues bate
102
When his tongue struck upon my poor estate.

VINDICE
103
[Aside]
I e'en quake to proceed, my spirit turns edge,
104
I fear me she's unmothered, yet I'll venture:
105
That woman is all male, whom none can enter. —
106
What think you now, lady, speak, are you wiser?
107
What said Advancement to you? Thus it said:
108
The daughter's fall lifts up the mother's head.
109
Did it not, madam? But I'll swear it does
110
In many places; tut, this age fears no man,
111
'Tis no shame to be bad, because 'tis common.

GRATIANA
112
Ay, that's the comfort on't.

VINDICE
[Aside]
The comfort on't! —
113
I keep the best for last; can these persuade you
114
To forget heaven – and –

[Gives her money.]

GRATIANA
Ay, these are they —

VINDICE
115
[Aside]
O!

GRATIANA
— that enchant our sex, these are the means
116
That govern our affections; that woman
117
Will not be troubled with the mother long,
118
That sees the comfortable shine of you;
119
I blush to think what for your sakes I'll do.

VINDICE
120
[Aside]
O suff'ring heaven, with thy invisible finger
121
E'en at this instant turn the precious side
122
Of both mine eyeballs inward, not to see myself!

GRATIANA
123
Look you, sir.

VINDICE
Holla.

GRATIANA
Let this thank your pains.

[Gives him money.]

VINDICE
124
O you're a kind madam.

GRATIANA
125
I'll see how I can move.

VINDICE
[Aside]
Your words will sting.

GRATIANA
126
If she be still chaste I'll ne'er call her mine.

VINDICE
127
[Aside]
Spoke truer than you meant it.

GRATIANA
128
Daughter Castiza.

[Enter Castiza.]

CASTIZA
Madam.

VINDICE
O she's yonder. Meet her.
129
[Aside]
Troops of celestial soldiers guard her heart.
130
Yon dam has devils enough to take her part.

CASTIZA
131
Madam, what makes yon evil-officed man
132
In presence of you?

GRATIANA
Why?

CASTIZA
He lately brought
133
Immodest writing sent from the Duke's son
134
To tempt me to dishonourable act.

GRATIANA
135
Dishonourable act? — Good honourable fool,
136
That wouldst be honest 'cause thou wouldst be so,
137
Producing no one reason but thy will.
138
And 't'as a good report, prettily commended,
139
But pray, by whom? Mean people, ignorant people,
140
The better sort I'm sure cannot abide it,
141
And by what rule should we square out our lives
142
But by our betters' actions? O if thou knew'st
143
What 'twere to lose it, thou would never keep it;
144
But there's a cold curse laid upon all maids,
145
Whilst others clip the sun, they clasp the shades.
146
Virginity is paradise locked up.
147
You cannot come by your selves without fee,
148
And 'twas decreed that man should keep the key.
149
Deny advancement, treasure, the Duke's son?

CASTIZA
150
I cry you mercy, lady, I mistook you.
151
Pray, did you see my mother? Which way went she?
152
Pray God I have not lost her.

VINDICE
[Aside]
Prettily put by.

GRATIANA
153
Are you as proud to me as coy to him?
154
Do you not know me now?

CASTIZA
Why are you she?
155
The world's so changed, one shape into another,
156
It is a wise child now that knows her mother!

VINDICE
157
[Aside]
Most right, i'faith.

GRATIANA
I owe your cheek my hand
158
For that presumption now, but I'll forget it;
159
Come, you shall leave those childish haviours
160
And understand your time. Fortunes flow to you,
161
What, will you be a girl?
162
If all feared drowning that spy waves ashore
163
Gold would grow rich and all the merchants poor.

CASTIZA
164
It is a pretty saying of a wicked one,
165
But methinks now
166
It does not show so well out of your mouth,
167
Better in his.

VINDICE
168
[Aside]
Faith, bad enough in both,
169
Were I in earnest, as I'll seem no less —
170
[To Castiza]
I wonder, lady, your own mother's words
171
Cannot be taken, nor stand in full force.
172
'Tis honesty you urge; what's honesty?
173
'Tis but heavens beggar, and what woman
174
So foolish to keep honesty,
175
And be not able to keep herself? No,
176
Times are grown wiser and will keep less charge;
177
A maid that has small portion now intends
178
To break up house and live upon her friends.
179
How blest are you, you have happiness alone,
180
Others must fall to thousands, you to one,
181
Sufficient in himself to make your forehead
182
Dazzle the world with jewels, and petitionary people
183
Start at your presence.

GRATIANA
O if I were young
184
I should be ravished.

CASTIZA
Ay, to lose your honour.

VINDICE
185
'Slid, how can you lose your honour
186
To deal with my Lord's Grace?
187
He'll add more honour to it by his title,
188
Your mother will tell you how.

GRATIANA
That I will.

VINDICE
189
O think upon the pleasure of the palace:
190
Secured ease and state, the stirring meats
191
Ready to move out of the dishes
192
That e'en now quicken when they're eaten,
193
Banquets abroad by torch-light, musics, sports,
194
Bare-headed vassals that had ne'er the fortune
195
To keep on their own hats but let horns wear 'em,
196
Nine coaches waiting — hurry, hurry, hurry.

CASTIZA
197
Ay, to the Devil.

VINDICE
198
[Aside]
Ay, to the Devil.
[Aloud]
To th'Duke, by my faith.

GRATIANA
199
Ay, to the Duke. Daughter, you'd scorn to think
200
O'th'Devil and you were there once.

VINDICE
[Aside]
True, for most
201
There are as proud as he for his heart, i'faith. —
202
Who'd sit at home in a neglected room,
203
Dealing her short-lived beauty to the pictures
204
That are as useless as old men, when those
205
Poorer in face and fortune than herself
206
Walk with a hundred acres on their backs,
207
Fair meadows cut into green foreparts? O
208
It was the greatest blessing ever happened to women
209
When farmers' sons agreed and met again
210
To wash their hands and come up gentlemen.
211
The commonwealth has flourished ever since:
212
Lands that were mete by the rod, that labour's spared,
213
Tailors ride down and measure 'em by the yard;
214
Fair trees, those comely foretops of the field,
215
Are cut to maintain head-tires; much untold,
216
All thrives but chastity, she lies a-cold.
217
Nay, shall I come nearer to you? Mark but this:
218why are there so few honest women, but because 'tis the poorer profession? That's accounted best that's best followed, least in trade, least in fashion, and that's not honesty, believe it. And do but note the low and dejected price of it:
219
Lose but a pearl, we search and cannot brook it.
220
But that once gone, who is so mad to look it?

GRATIANA
221
Troth, he says true.

CASTIZA
False, I defy you both.
222
I have endured you with an ear of fire,
223
Your tongues have struck hot irons on my face.
224
Mother, come from that poisonous woman there!

GRATIANA
225
Where?

CASTIZA
226
Do you not see her? She's too inward then.
227
[To him.]
Slave, perish in thy office. You heavens, please
228
Henceforth to make the mother a disease —
229
Which first begins with me, yet I've outgone you.

Exit.

VINDICE
230
[Aside]
O angels, clap your wings upon the skies
231
And give this virgin crystal plaudities!

GRATIANA
232
Peevish, coy, foolish! But return this answer:
233
My lord shall be most welcome when his pleasure
234
Conducts him this way. I will sway mine own,
235
Women with women can work best alone.

Exit.

VINDICE
236
Indeed I'll tell him so.
237
O more uncivil, more unnatural
238
Than those base-titled creatures that look downward,
239
Why does not heaven turn black, or with a frown
240
Undo the world? Why does not earth start up
241
And strike the sins that tread upon't? O,
242
Wer't not gold and women, there would be no damnation,
243
Hell would look like a lord's great kitchen without fire in't;
244
But 'twas decreed before the world began
245
That they should be the hooks to catch at man.

Exit.

[SCENE 2]

Enter Lussurioso with Hippolito, Vindice's brother.

LUSSURIOSO
1
I much applaud thy judgment, thou art well-read in a fellow,
2
And 'tis the deepest art to study man.
3
I know this, which I never learned in schools,
4
The world's divided into knaves and fools.

HIPPOLITO
5
[Aside]
Knave in your face, my lord, — behind your back!

LUSSURIOSO
6
And I much thank thee that thou hast preferred
7
A fellow of discourse, well-mingled,
8
And whose brain time hath seasoned.

HIPPOLITO
True, my lord.
9
[Aside]
We shall find season once, I hope. O villain,
10
To make such an unnatural slave of me, but —

LUSSURIOSO
11
Mass, here he comes.

[Enter Vindice disguised.]

HIPPOLITO
12
[Aside]
And now shall I have free leave to depart.

LUSSURIOSO
13
Your absence, leave us.

HIPPOLITO
[Aside]
Are not my thoughts true?
14
I must remove, but brother, you may stay;
15
Heart, we are both made bawds a new-found way!

Exit.

LUSSURIOSO
16
Now we're an even number. A third man's dangerous,
17
Especially her brother. Say, be free,
18
Have I a pleasure toward?

VINDICE
O my lord.

LUSSURIOSO
19
Ravish me in thine answer; art thou rare?
20
Hast thou beguiled her of salvation
21
And rubbed hell o'er with honey? Is she a woman?

VINDICE
22
In all but in desire.

LUSSURIOSO
Then she's in nothing —
23
I bate in courage now.

VINDICE
The words I brought
24
Might well have made indifferent honest naught;
25
A right good woman in these days is changed
26
Into white money with less labour far;
27
Many a maid has turnèd to Mahomet
28
With easier working; I durst undertake
29
Upon the pawn and forfeit of my life
30
With half those words to flat a puritan's wife.
31
But she is close and good — yet 'tis a doubt
32
By this time. O the mother, the mother!

LUSSURIOSO
33
I never thought their sex had been a wonder
34
Until this minute. What fruit from the mother?

VINDICE
35
[Aside]
Now must I blister my soul, be forsworn,
36
Or shame the woman that received me first;
37
I will be true, thou liv'st not to proclaim;
38
Spoke to a dying man, shame has no shame. —
39
My lord.

LUSSURIOSO
Who's that?

VINDICE
Here's none but I, my lord.

LUSSURIOSO
40
What would thy haste utter?

VINDICE
Comfort.

LUSSURIOSO
Welcome.

VINDICE
41
The maid being dull, hating no mind to travel
42
Into unknown lands, what did me I straight
43
But set spurs to the mother? Golden spurs
44
Will put her to a false gallop in a trice.

LUSSURIOSO
45
Is't possible that in this
46
The mother should be damned before the daughter?

VINDICE
47O that's good manners, my lord; the mother for her age must go foremost, you know.

LUSSURIOSO
48
Thou'st spoke that true, but where comes in this comfort?

VINDICE
49
In a fine place, my lord — the unnatural mother
50
Did with her tongue so hard beset her honour
51
That the poor fool was struck to silent wonder,
52
Yet still the maid, like an unlighted taper,
53
Was cold and chaste, save that her mother's breath
54
Did blow fire on her cheeks. The girl departed
55
But the good ancient madam, half mad, threw me
56
These promising words which I took deeply note of:
57
'My lord shall be most welcome —'

LUSSURIOSO
Faith, I thank her.

VINDICE
58
'When his pleasure conducts him this way —'

LUSSURIOSO
59
That shall be soon, i'faith.

VINDICE
'I will sway mine own —'

LUSSURIOSO
60
She does the wiser; I commend her for't.

VINDICE
61
'Women with women can work best alone.'

LUSSURIOSO
62By this light, and so they can; give 'em their due, men are not comparable to 'em.

VINDICE
63No, that's true, for you shall have one woman knit more in a hour than any man can ravel again in seven and twenty year.

LUSSURIOSO
64
Now my desires are happy, I'll make 'em freemen now;
65
Thou art a precious fellow, faith, I love thee,
66
Be wise, and make it thy revenue: beg, leg,
67
What office couldst thou be ambitious for?

VINDICE
68Office, my lord? Marry, if I might have my wish, I would have one that was never begged yet.

LUSSURIOSO
69Nay then, thou canst have none.

VINDICE
70Yes, my lord, I could pick out another office yet, nay, and keep a horse and drab upon't.

LUSSURIOSO
71Prithee, good bluntness, tell me.

VINDICE
72Why I would desire but this, my lord: to have all the fees behind the arras, and all the farthingales that fall plump about twelve o'clock at night upon the rushes.

LUSSURIOSO
73Thou'rt a mad apprehensive knave; dost think to make any great purchase of that?

VINDICE
74O 'tis an unknown thing, my lord; I wonder 't'as been missed so long!

LUSSURIOSO
75
Well, this night I'll visit her, and 'tis till then
76
A year in my desires — farewell, attend,
77
Trust me with thy preferment.

Exit.

VINDICE
My loved lord. —
78
[Draws his sword.]
O shall I kill him o'th'wrong side now? No!
79
Sword, thou wast never a back-biter yet,
80
I'll pierce him to his face, he shall die looking upon me;
81
Thy veins are swelled with lust, this shall unfill 'em;
82
Great men were gods if beggars could not kill 'em.
83
Forgive me, heaven, to call my mother wicked,
84
O lessen not my days upon the earth.
85
I cannot honour her; by this I fear me
86
Her tongue has turned my sister into use.
87
I was a villain not to be forsworn
88
To this our lecherous hope, the Duke's son,
89
For lawyers, merchants, some divines and all
90
Count beneficial perjury a sin small.
91
It shall go hard yet, but I'll guard her honour
92
And keep the ports sure.

Enter Hippolito.

HIPPOLITO
93
Brother, how goes the world? I would know news
94
Of you, but I have news to tell you.

VINDICE
95
What, in the name of knavery?

HIPPOLITO
Knavery, faith,
96
This vicious old Duke's worthily abused,
97
The pen of his bastard writes him cuckold!

VINDICE
98
His bastard?

HIPPOLITO
Pray believe it, he and the Duchess
99
By night meet in their linen; they have been seen
100
By stair-foot panders.

VINDICE
O sin foul and deep,
101
Great faults are winked at when the Duke's asleep.
102
See, see, here comes the Spurio.

HIPPOLITO
Monstrous luxur!

[Enter Spurio with two Servants.]

VINDICE
103
Unbraced; two of his valiant bawds with him.
104
O there's a wicked whisper; hell is in his ear.
105
Stay, let's observe his passage —

[They retire.]

SPURIO
106
O but are you sure on't?

SERVANT 1
107
My lord, most sure on't, for 'twas spoke by one
108
That is most inward with the Duke's son's lust:
109
That he intends within this hour to steal
110
Unto Hippolito's sister, whose chaste life
111
The mother has corrupted for his use.

SPURIO
112
Sweet world, sweet occasion! Faith then, brother,
113
I'll disinherit you in as short time
114
As I was when I was begot in haste,
115
I'll damn you at your pleasure: precious deed!
116
After your lust, o 'twill be fine to bleed. —
117
Come, let our passing out be soft and wary.

Exeunt [Spurio and Servants].

VINDICE
118
Mark, there, there, that step, now to the Duchess;
119
This their second meeting writes the Duke cuckold
120
With new additions, his horns newly revived.
121
Night! Thou that look'st like funeral heralds' fees
122
Torn down betimes i'th'morning, thou hang'st fitly
123
To grace those sins that have no grace at all.
124
Now 'tis full sea abed over the world,
125
There's juggling of all sides; some that were maids
126
E'en at sunset are now perhaps i'th'toll-book;
127
This woman in immodest thin apparel
128
Lets in her friend by water; here a dame
129
Cunning nails leather hinges to a door
130
To avoid proclamation; now cuckolds are
131
A-coining, apace, apace, apace, apace!
132
And careful sisters spin that thread i'th'night
133
That does maintain them and their bawds i'th'day.

HIPPOLITO
134
You flow well, brother.

VINDICE
Puh, I'm shallow yet,
135
Too sparing and too modest. Shall I tell thee?
136
If every trick were told that's dealt by night,
137
There are few here that would not blush outright.

HIPPOLITO
138
I am of that belief too.

VINDICE
Who's this comes?
[Enter Lussurioso.]
139
The Duke's son up so late? Brother, fall back
140
And you shall learn some mischief. — My good lord.

[Hippolito withdraws.]

LUSSURIOSO
141
Piato! Why, the man I wished for; come,
142
I do embrace this season for the fittest
143
To taste of that young lady.

VINDICE
[Aside]
Heart and hell!

HIPPOLITO
144
[Aside]
Damnèd villain!

VINDICE
145
[Aside]
I ha' no way now to cross it, but to kill him.

LUSSURIOSO
146
Come, only thou and I.

VINDICE
My lord, my lord!

LUSSURIOSO
147
Why dost thou start us?

VINDICE
I'd almost forgot –
148
The Bastard!

LUSSURIOSO
149
What of him?

VINDICE
This night, this hour,
150
This minute, now —

LUSSURIOSO
What? What?

VINDICE
Shadows the Duchess —

LUSSURIOSO
151
Horrible word.

VINDICE
And like strong poison eats
152
Into the Duke your father's forehead.

LUSSURIOSO
O!

VINDICE
153
He makes horn royal.

LUSSURIOSO
Most ignoble slave!

VINDICE
154
This is the fruit of two beds.

LUSSURIOSO
I am mad.

VINDICE
155
That passage he trod warily.

LUSSURIOSO
He did!

VINDICE
156
And hushed his villains every step he took.

LUSSURIOSO
157
His villains? I'll confound them.

VINDICE
158
Take 'em finely, finely now.

LUSSURIOSO
159
The Duchess' chamber door shall not control me.

Exeunt [Lussurioso and Vindice.]

HIPPOLITO
160
Good, happy, swift, there's gunpowder i'th'Court,
161
Wildfire at midnight. In this heedless fury
162
He may show violence to cross himself;
163
I'll follow the event.

Exit.

[SCENE 3]

[Duke and Duchess discovered in bed.]
Enter again [Lussurioso and Vindice].

LUSSURIOSO
1
Where is that villain?

VINDICE
2
Softly, my lord, and you may take 'em twisted.

LUSSURIOSO
3
I care not how.

VINDICE
O 'twill be glorious
4
To kill 'em doubled, when they're heaped. Be soft, my lord.

LUSSURIOSO
5
Away! My spleen is not so lazy; thus and thus
6
I'll shake their eyelids ope, and with my sword
7
Shut 'em again for ever. – Villain! Strumpet!

DUKE
8
You upper guard defend us!

DUCHESS
Treason, treason!

DUKE
9
O take me not in sleep,
10
I have great sins, I must have days,
11
Nay months, dear son, with penitential heaves
12
To lift 'em out and not to die unclear.
13
O thou wilt kill me both in heaven and here.

LUSSURIOSO
14
I am amazed to death.

DUKE
Nay, villain traitor,
15
Worse than the foulest epithet, now I'll gripe thee
16
E'en with the nerves of wrath, and throw thy head
17
Amongst the lawyers. Guard!

Enter [Guards, Hippolito,] Nobles, and [Ambitioso and Supervacuo, the Duke's] sons.

NOBLE 1
18
How comes the quiet of your grace disturbed?

DUKE
19
This boy that should be myself after me
20
Would be myself before me, and in heat
21
Of that ambition bloodily rushed in
22
Intending to depose me in my bed.

NOBLE 2
23
Duty and natural loyalty forfend!

DUCHESS
24
He called his father villain, and me strumpet,
25
A word that I abhor to file my lips with.

AMBITIOSO
26
That was not so well done, brother.

LUSSURIOSO
I am abused —
27
I know there's no excuse can do me good.

VINDICE
28
[Aside]
'Tis now good policy to be from sight;
29
His vicious purpose to our sister's honour
30
Is crossed beyond our thought.

HIPPOLITO
[Aside]
You little dreamt
31
His father slept here.

VINDICE
32
[Aside]
O 'twas far beyond me.
33
But since it fell so, without frightful word,
34
Would he had killed him, 'twould have eased our swords.

[Vindice and Hippolito] dissemble a flight.

DUKE
35
Be comforted, our Duchess, he shall die.

LUSSURIOSO
36
Where's this slave-pander now? Out of mine eye,
37
Guilty of this abuse.

Enter Spurio with [two Servants,] his villains.

SPURIO
You're villains, fablers,
38
You have knaves' chins and harlots' tongues, you lie,
39
And I will damn you with one meal a day!

SERVANT 1
40
O good my lord!

SPURIO
'Sblood, you shall never sup.

SERVANT 2
41
O I beseech you, sir!

SPURIO
To let my sword
42
Catch cold so long and miss him.

SERVANT 1
Troth, my lord,
43
'Twas his intent to meet there.

SPURIO
Heart, he's yonder.
44
Ha? What news here? Is the day out o'th'socket
45
That it is noon at midnight? The Court up?
46
How comes the guard so saucy with his elbows?

LUSSURIOSO
47
[Aside]
The bastard here?
48
Nay then, the truth of my intent shall out.
49
[To the Duke]
My lord and father, hear me.

DUKE
Bear him hence.

LUSSURIOSO
50
I can with loyalty excuse —

DUKE
51
Excuse? To prison with the villain!
52
Death shall not long lag after him.

SPURIO
53
[Aside]
Good i'faith, then 'tis not much amiss.

LUSSURIOSO
54
Brothers, my best release lies on your tongues,
55
I pray persuade for me.

AMBITIOSO
It is our duties:
56
Make yourself sure of us.

SUPERVACUO
We'll sweat in pleading.

LUSSURIOSO
57
And I may live to thank you.

[Exeunt Lussurioso and Guards].

AMBITIOSO
[Aside]
No, thy death
58
Shall thank me better.

SPURIO
[Aside]
He's gone; I'll after him,
59
And know his trespass, seem to bear a part
60
In all his ills, but with a puritan heart.

Exit [Spurio and Servants].

AMBITIOSO
61
Now, brother, let our hate and love be woven
62
So subtly together that in speaking
63
One word for his life we may make three for his death;
64
The craftiest pleader gets most gold for breath.

SUPERVACUO
65
Set on, I'll not be far behind you, brother.

DUKE
66
Is't possible a son should be disobedient as far as the sword?
67
It is the highest, he can go no farther.

AMBITIOSO
68
My gracious lord, take pity —

DUKE
Pity, boys?

AMBITIOSO
69
Nay, we'd be loath to move your Grace too much,
70
We know the trespass is unpardonable,
71
Black, wicked, and unnatural —

SUPERVACUO
72
In a son, o monstrous!

AMBITIOSO
Yet, my lord,
73
A Duke's soft hand strokes the rough head of Law
74
And makes it lie smooth.

DUKE
But my hand shall ne'er do't.

AMBITIOSO
75
That as you please, my lord.

SUPERVACUO
We must needs confess
76
Some father would have entered into hate
77
So deadly-pointed that before his eyes
78
He would ha' seen the execution sound
79
Without corrupted favour.

AMBITIOSO
But my lord,
80
Your grace may live the wonder of all times
81
In pard'ning that offence which never yet
82
Had face to beg a pardon.

DUKE
[Aside]
Honey? How's this?

AMBITIOSO
83
Forgive him, good my lord, he's your own son,
84
And I must needs say 'twas the vildlier done.

SUPERVACUO
85
He's the next heir, yet this true reason gathers:
86
None can possess that dispossess their fathers.
87
Be merciful —

DUKE
[Aside]
Here's no stepmother's wit,
88
I'll try them both upon their love and hate.

AMBITIOSO
89
Be merciful – although —

DUKE
You have prevailed,
90
My wrath like flaming wax hath spent itself.
91
I know 'twas but some peevish moon in him;
92
Go, let him be released.

SUPERVACUO
[Aside]
'Sfoot, how now, brother?

AMBITIOSO
93
Your Grace doth please to speak beside your spleen;
94
I would it were so happy.

DUKE
Why go, release him.

SUPERVACUO
95
O my good lord, I know the fault's too weighty
96
And full of general loathing, too inhuman,
97
Rather by all men's voices worthy death.

DUKE
98
'Tis true too.
99
Here then, receive this signet, doom shall pass;
100
Direct it to the judges, he shall die
101
Ere many days. Make haste.

AMBITIOSO
All speed that may be.
102
We could have wished his burthen not so sore,
103
We knew your Grace did but delay before.

Exeunt [Ambitioso and Supervacuo].

DUKE
104
Here's Envy with a poor thin cover o'er't,
105
Like scarlet hid in lawn, easily spied through.
106
This their ambition by the mother's side
107
Is dangerous and for safety must be purged.
108
I will prevent their envies; sure it was
109
But some mistaken fury in our son
110
Which these aspiring boys would climb upon:
111
He shall be released suddenly.

Enter [two] Nobles.

NOBLE 1
112
Good morning to your Grace.

DUKE
Welcome, my lords.

NOBLE 2
113
Our knees shall take away the office of our feet for ever,
114
Unless your Grace bestow a father's eye
115
Upon the clouded fortunes of your son,
116
And in compassionate virtue grant him that
117
Which makes e'en mean men happy — liberty.

DUKE
118
[Aside]
How seriously their loves and honours woo
119
For that which I am about to pray them do
120
Which —
[To them.]
rise, my lords, your knees sign his release:
121
We freely pardon him.

NOBLE 1
122
We owe your Grace much thanks, and he much duty.

Exeunt [Nobles].

DUKE
123
It well becomes that judge to nod at crimes
124
That does commit greater himself and lives;
125
I may forgive a disobedient error
126
That expect pardon for adultery
127
And in my old days am a youth in lust.
128
Many a beauty have I turned to poison
129
In the denial, covetous of all.
130
Age hot is like a monster to be seen;
131
My hairs are white and yet my sins are green.

[Exit.]

ACT THREE

[SCENE 1]

Enter Ambitioso and Supervacuo.

SUPERVACUO
1
Brother, let my opinion sway you once;
2
I speak it for the best, to have him die,
3
Surest and soonest. If the signet come
4
Unto the judges' hands, why then his doom
5
Will be deferred till sittings and court-days,
6
Juries and further; faiths are bought and sold,
7
Oaths in these days are but the skin of gold.

AMBITIOSO
8
In troth, 'tis true too.

SUPERVACUO
Then let's set by the judges
9
And fall to the officers; 'tis but mistaking
10
The Duke our father's meaning, and where he named
11
'E're many days' 'tis but forgetting that
12
And have him die i'th'morning.

AMBITIOSO
Excellent,
13
Then am I heir — Duke in a minute!

SUPERVACUO
[Aside]
Nay,
14
And he were once puffed out, here is a pin
15
Should quickly prick your bladder.

AMBITIOSO
Blest occasion!
16
He being packed, we'll have some trick and wile
17
To wind our younger brother out of prison
18
That lies in for the rape; the lady's dead
19
And people's thoughts will soon be buried.

SUPERVACUO
20
We may with safety do't, and live and feed;
21
The Duchess' sons are too proud to bleed.

AMBITIOSO
22
We are, i'faith, to say true. Come, let's not linger,
23
I'll to the officers, go you before
24
And set an edge upon the executioner.

SUPERVACUO
25
Let me alone to grind him.

Exit.

AMBITIOSO
Meet! Farewell,
26
I am next now, I rise just in that place
27
Where thou'rt cut off — upon thy neck, kind brother:
28
The falling of one head lifts up another.

Exit.

[SCENE 2]

Enter with the Nobles, Lussurioso from prison.

LUSSURIOSO
1
My lords, I am so much indebted to your loves
2
For this, o this delivery.

NOBLE 1
But our duties,
3
My lord, unto the hopes that grow in you.

LUSSURIOSO
4
If e'er I live to be myself I'll thank you.
5
O Liberty, thou sweet and heavenly dame!
6
But hell for prison is too mild a name.

Exeunt.

[SCENE 3]

Enter Ambitioso and Supervacuo, with Officers.

AMBITIOSO
1
Officers, here's the Duke's signet, your firm warrant, brings
2
The command of present death along with it
3
Unto our brother, the Duke's son; we are sorry
4
That we are so unnaturally employed
5
In such an unkind office, fitter far
6
For enemies than brothers.

SUPERVACUO
But you know,
7
The Duke's command must be obeyed.

OFFICER 1
8
It must and shall my lord. This morning then;
9
So suddenly?

AMBITIOSO
Ay, alas, poor good soul,
10
He must break fast betimes; the executioner
11
Stands ready to put forth his cowardly valour.

OFFICER 2
12
Already?

SUPERVACUO
13
Already, i'faith. O sir, destruction hies,
14
And that is least impudent soonest dies.

OFFICER 1
15
Troth, you say true, my lord, we take our leaves;
16
Our office shall be sound, we'll not delay
17
The third part of a minute.

AMBITIOSO
Therein you show
18
Yourselves good men and upright officers.
19
Pray let him die as private as he may;
20
Do him that favour, for the gaping people
21
Will but trouble him at his prayers
22
And make him curse and swear, and so die black.
23
Will you be so far kind?

OFFICER 1
It shall be done, my lord.

AMBITIOSO
24
Why we do thank you; if we live to be
25
You shall have a better office.

OFFICER 2
Your good lordship.

SUPERVACUO
26
Commend us to the scaffold in our tears.

OFFICER 1
27
We'll weep and do your commendations.

Exeunt [Officers].

AMBITIOSO
28
Fine fools in office!

SUPERVACUO
Things fall out so fit.

AMBITIOSO
29
So happily, come, brother, ere next clock
30
His head will be made serve a bigger block.

Exeunt.

[SCENE 4]

Enter in prison Junior.

JUNIOR
1Keeper.

[Enter Keeper.]

KEEPER
2My lord.

JUNIOR
3No news lately from our brothers? Are they unmindful of us?

KEEPER
4My lord, a messenger came newly in and brought this from 'em.

[Gives him a letter.]

JUNIOR
5Nothing but paper comforts? I looked for my delivery before this, had they been worth their oaths. Prithee be from us. [Exit Keeper.] 6Now what say you, forsooth? Speak out, I pray. [Reads] letter. 7'Brother, be of good cheer.' — 'Slud, it begins like a whore, with good cheer! 'Thou shalt not be long a prisoner.' — Not five and thirty year like a bankrupt, I think so! 'We have thought upon a device to get thee out by a trick.' — By a trick? Pox o'your trick, and it be so long a-playing! 'And so rest comforted, be merry and expect it suddenly.' — Be merry? Hang merry, draw and quarter merry; I'll be mad! Is't not strange that a man should lie in a whole month for a woman? Well, we shall see how sudden our brothers will be in their promise. I must expect still a trick. I shall not be long a prisoner.
[Enter Keeper.]
8
How now, what news?

KEEPER
9
Bad news, my lord, I am discharged of you.

JUNIOR
10
Slave, call'st thou that bad news? I thank you, brothers.

KEEPER
11
My lord, 'twill prove so; here come the officers
12
Into whose hands I must commit you.

JUNIOR
Ha,
13
Officers? What, why?

[Enter four Officers.]

OFFICER 1
You must pardon us, my lord,
14
Our office must be sound. Here is our warrant,
15
The signet from the Duke: you must straight suffer.

JUNIOR
16
Suffer? I'll suffer you to be gone, I'll suffer you
17
To come no more; what would you have me suffer?

OFFICER 2
18
My lord, those words were better changed to prayers,
19
The time's but brief with you, prepare to die.

JUNIOR
20
Sure 'tis not so.

OFFICER 3
It is too true, my lord.

JUNIOR
21
I tell you 'tis not, for the Duke my father
22
Deferred me till next sitting, and I look
23
E'en every minute threescore times an hour
24
For a release, a trick wrought by my brothers.

OFFICER 1
25
A trick, my lord? If you expect such comfort
26
Your hope's as fruitless as a barren woman.
27
Your brothers were the unhappy messengers
28
That brought this powerful token for your death.

JUNIOR
29
My brothers? No, no.

OFFICER 2
'Tis most true, my lord.

JUNIOR
30
My brothers to bring a warrant for my death?
31
How strange this shows!

OFFICER 3
There's no delaying time.

JUNIOR
32
Desire 'em hither, call 'em up, my brothers!
33
They shall deny it to your faces.

OFFICER 1
My lord,
34
They're far enough by this, at least at Court,
35
And this most strict command they left behind 'em.
36
When grief swum in their eyes they showed like brothers
37
Brimfull of heavy sorrow; but the Duke
38
Must have his pleasure.

JUNIOR
His pleasure?

OFFICER 1
39
These were their last words which my memory bears:
40
'Commend us to the scaffold in our tears'.

JUNIOR
41
Pox dry their tears, what should I do with tears?
42
I hate 'em worse than any citizen's son
43
Can hate salt water. Here came a letter now,
44
New-bleeding from their pens, scarce stinted yet —
45
Would I'd been torn in pieces when I tore it —
46
Look, you officious whoresons, words of comfort:
47
'Not long a prisoner'.

OFFICER 1
48It says true in that, sir, for you must suffer presently.

JUNIOR
49A villainous Duns upon the letter, knavish exposition. Look you then here, sir: 'We'll get thee out by a trick,' says he.

OFFICER 2
50That may hold too, sir, for you know a trick is commonly four cards, which was meant by us four officers.

JUNIOR
51
Worse and worse dealing.

OFFICER 1
The hour beckons us,
52
The headsman waits, lift up your eyes to heaven.

JUNIOR
53
I thank you, faith; good, pretty, wholesome counsel:
54
I should look up to heaven as you said
55
Whilst he behind me cozens me of my head.
56
Ay, that's the trick.

OFFICER 3
You delay too long, my lord.

JUNIOR
57
Stay, good Authority's bastards; since I must
58
Through brothers' perjury die, o let me venom
59
Their souls with curses.

OFFICER 1
Come, 'tis no time to curse.

JUNIOR
60
Must I bleed then, without respect of sign? Well —
61
My fault was sweet sport which the world approves,
62
I die for that which every woman loves.

Exeunt.

[SCENE 5]

Enter Vindice [disguised] with Hippolito his brother.

VINDICE
1
O sweet, delectable, rare, happy, ravishing!

HIPPOLITO
2
Why, what's the matter, brother?

VINDICE
O 'tis able
3
To make a man spring up and knock his forehead
4
Against yon silver ceiling.

HIPPOLITO
Prithee tell me,
5
Why may not I partake with you? You vowed once
6
To give me share to every tragic thought.

VINDICE
7
By th'mass I think I did too.
8
Then I'll divide it to thee: the old Duke,
9
Thinking my outward shape and inward heart
10
Are cut out of one piece (for he that prates
11
His secrets, his heart stands o'th'outside),
12
Hires me by price to greet him with a lady
13
In some fit place veiled from the eyes o'th'Court,
14
Some darkened blushless angle, that is guilty
15
Of his forefathers' lusts and great folks' riots;
16
To which I easily (to maintain my shape)
17
Consented and did wish his impudent grace
18
To meet her here in this unsunned lodge
19
Wherein 'tis night at noon; and here the rather
20
Because unto the torturing of his soul
21
The Bastard and the Duchess have appointed
22
Their meeting too in this luxurious circle,
23
Which most afflicting sight will kill his eyes
24
Before we kill the rest of him.

HIPPOLITO
25
'Twill, i'faith, most dreadfully digested.
26
I see not how you could have missed me, brother.

VINDICE
27
True, but the violence of my joy forgot it.

HIPPOLITO
28
Ay, but where's that lady now?

VINDICE
O at that word
29
I'm lost again, you cannot find me yet;
30
I'm in a throng of happy apprehensions.
31
He's suited for a lady, I have took care
32
For a delicious lip, a sparkling eye.
33
You shall be witness, brother;
34
Be ready, stand with your hat off.

Exit.

HIPPOLITO
35
Troth, I wonder what lady it should be?
36
Yet 'tis no wonder, now I think again,
37
To have a lady stoop to a Duke that stoops unto his men.
38
'Tis common to be common through the world,
39
And there's more private common shadowing vices
40
Than those who are known both by their names and prices.
41
'Tis part of my allegiance to stand bare
42
To the Duke's concubine — and here she comes.

Enter Vindice with the skull of his love dressed up in tires.

VINDICE
43
Madam, his grace will not be absent long.
44
Secret? Ne'er doubt us, madam; 'twill be worth
45
Three velvet gowns to your ladyship. Known?
46
Few ladies respect that! Disgrace? A poor thin shell,
47
'Tis the best grace you have to do it well.
48
I'll save your hand that labour, I'll unmask you.

[Reveals the skull.]

HIPPOLITO
49
Why brother, brother!

VINDICE
50
Art thou beguiled now? Tut, a lady can
51
At such all hid beguile a wiser man.
52
Have I not fitted the old surfeiter
53
With a quaint piece of beauty? Age and bare bone
54
Are e'er allied in action: here's an eye
55
Able to tempt a great man — to serve God;
56
A pretty hanging lip, that has forgot now to dissemble,
57
Methinks this mouth should make a swearer tremble,
58
A drunkard clasp his teeth, and not undo 'em
59
To suffer wet damnation to run through 'em.
60
Here's a cheek keeps her colour, let the wind go whistle;
61
Spout rain, we fear thee not; be hot or cold,
62
All's one with us; and is not she absurd,
63
Whose fortunes are upon their faces set
64
That fear no other god but wind and wet?

HIPPOLITO
65
Brother, y'ave spoke that right,
66
Is this the form that living shone so bright?

VINDICE
67
The very same.
68
And now methinks I could e'en chide myself
69
For doting on her beauty, though her death
70
Shall be revenged after no common action.
71
Does the silk-worm expend her yellow labours
72
For thee? For thee does she undo herself?
73
Are lordships sold to maintain ladyships
74
For the poor benefit of a bewitching minute?
75
Why does yon fellow falsify high ways
76
And put his life between the judge's lips
77
To refine such a thing, keeps horse and men
78
To beat their valours for her?
79
Surely we are all mad people and they,
80
Whom we think are, are not; we mistake those,
81
'Tis we are mad in sense, they but in clothes.

HIPPOLITO
82
Faith, and in clothes too we, give us our due.

VINDICE
83
Does every proud and self-affecting dame
84
Camphor her face for this? And grieve her maker
85
In sinful baths of milk when many an infant starves
86
For her superfluous outside, all for this?
87
Who now bids twenty pound a night, prepares
88
Music, perfumes and sweetmeats, all are hushed;
89
Thou mayst lie chaste now. It were fine methinks
90
To have thee seen at revels, forgetful feasts
91
And unclean brothels; sure, 'twould fright the sinner
92
And make him a good coward, put a reveller
93
Out of his antic amble
94
And cloy an epicure with empty dishes!
95
Here might a scornful and ambitious woman
96
Look through and through herself; see, ladies, with false forms
97
You deceive men but cannot deceive worms.
98
Now to my tragic business: look you, brother,
99
I have not fashioned this only for show
100
And useless property, no, it shall bear a part
101
E'en in it own revenge. This very skull
102
Whose mistress the Duke poisoned with this drug,
103
The mortal curse of the earth, shall be revenged
104
In the like strain and kiss his lips to death.
105
As much as the dumb thing can, he shall feel:
106
What fails in poison we'll supply in steel.

HIPPOLITO
107
Brother, I do applaud thy constant vengeance,
108
The quaintness of thy malice, above thought.

[Vindice poisons the skull's mouth.]

VINDICE
109
So, 'tis laid on. Now come and welcome, Duke,
110
I have her for thee. I protest it, brother,
111
Methinks she makes almost as fair a sign
112
As some old gentlewoman in a periwig.
113
[To the skull]
Hide thy face now for shame, thou hadst need have a mask now.
[Covers the skull with a mask.]
114
'Tis vain when beauty flows, but when it fleets
115
This would become graves better than the streets.

HIPPOLITO
116
You have my voice in that. Hark, the Duke's come.

VINDICE
117
Peace, let's observe what company he brings
118
And how he does absent 'em, for you know
119
He'll wish all private. Brother, fall you back a little
120
With the bony lady.

HIPPOLITO
That I will.

VINDICE
So, so –
121
Now nine years' vengeance crowd into a minute!

[Enter Duke and Gentlemen.]

DUKE
122
You shall have leave to leave us with this charge
123
Upon your lives, if we be missed by th'Duchess
124
Or any of the nobles to give out
125
We're privately rid forth.

VINDICE
[Aside]
O happiness!

DUKE
126
With some few honourable gentlemen, you may say;
127
You may name those that are away from Court.

GENTLEMEN
128
Your will and pleasure shall be done, my lord.

[Exeunt Gentlemen.]

VINDICE
129
[Aside]
'Privately rid forth')
130
He strives to make sure work on't!
[To Duke]
Your good Grace.

DUKE
131
Piato, well done, hast brought her? What lady is't?

VINDICE
132Faith, my lord, a country lady, a little bashful at first as most of them are, but after the first kiss, my lord, the worst is past with them. Your Grace knows now what you have to do; sh'as somewhat a grave look with her, but —

DUKE
133
I love that best, conduct her.

VINDICE
[Aside]
Have at all!

DUKE
134
In gravest looks the greatest faults seem less.
135
Give me that sin that's robed in holiness.

VINDICE
136
[Aside]
Back with the torch, brother, raise the perfumes.

DUKE
137
How sweet can a Duke breathe? Age has no fault,
138
Pleasure should meet in a perfumed mist.
139
Lady, sweetly encountered, I came from Court,
140
I must be bold with you.
[Kisses the skull.]
O what's this? O!

VINDICE
141
Royal villain, white devil!

DUKE
O!

VINDICE
Brother,
142
Place the torch here that his affrighted eyeballs
143
May start into those hollows. — Duke, dost know
144
Yon dreadful vizard? View it well, 'tis the skull
145
Of Gloriana, whom thou poisonedst last.

DUKE
146
O 't'as poisoned me.

VINDICE
147
Didst not know that till now?

DUKE
What are you two?

VINDICE
148
Villains all three! The very ragged bone
149
Has been sufficiently revenged.

DUKE
150
O Hippolito! Call treason.

HIPPOLITO
151
Yes, my good lord, treason, treason, treason!

Stamping on him.

DUKE
152
Then I'm betrayed.

VINDICE
153
Alas, poor lecher, in the hands of knaves,
154
A slavish Duke is baser than his slaves.

DUKE
155
My teeth are eaten out.

VINDICE
Hadst any left?

HIPPOLITO
156
I think but few.

VINDICE
157
Then those that did eat are eaten.

DUKE
O my tongue!

VINDICE
158
Your tongue? 'Twill teach you to kiss closer,
159
Not like a slobbering Dutchman. You have eyes still:
160
Look, monster, what a lady hast thou made me
161
My once betrothèd wife.

[Throwing off his disguise.]

DUKE
Is it thou, villain?
162
Nay then —

VINDICE
'Tis I, 'tis Vindice, 'tis I.

HIPPOLITO
163
And let this comfort thee: our lord and father
164
Fell sick upon the infection of thy frowns
165
And died in sadness; be that thy hope of life.

DUKE
166
O!

VINDICE
167
He had his tongue, yet grief made him die speechless.
168
Puh, 'tis but early yet, now I'll begin
169
To stick thy soul with ulcers; I will make
170
Thy spirit grievous sore, it shall not rest
171
But like some pestilent man toss in thy breast.
172
Mark me, Duke,
173
Thou'rt a renowned, high, and mighty cuckold.

DUKE
174
O!

VINDICE
175
Thy bastard, thy bastard rides a-hunting in thy brow.

DUKE
176
Millions of deaths!

VINDICE
Nay, to afflict thee more,
177
Here in this lodge they meet for damnèd clips;
178
Those eyes shall see the incest of their lips.

DUKE
179
Is there a hell besides this, villains?

VINDICE
Villain!
180
Nay, heaven is just, scorns are the hires of scorns,
181
I ne'er knew yet adulterer without horns.

HIPPOLITO
182
Once ere they die 'tis quitted.

VINDICE
Hark, the music,
183
Their banquet is prepared, they're coming —

DUKE
184
O kill me not with that sight!

VINDICE
185
Thou shalt not lose that sight for all thy Dukedom.

DUKE
186
Traitors, murderers!

VINDICE
187What? Is not thy tongue eaten out yet? Then we'll invent a silence. Brother, stifle the torch.

DUKE
188
Treason, murder!

VINDICE
189
Nay, faith, we'll have you hushed; now with thy dagger
190
Nail down his tongue and mine shall keep possession
191
About his heart. If he but gasp he dies.
192
We dread not death to quittance injuries, brother;
193
If he but wink, not brooking the foul object,
194
Let our two other hands tear up his lids
195
And make his eyes like comets shine through blood;
196
When the bad bleeds, then is the tragedy good.

HIPPOLITO
197
Whist, brother, music's at our ear, they come.

Enter the Bastard [Spurio] meeting the Duchess.

SPURIO
198
Had not that kiss a taste of sin 'twere sweet.

DUCHESS
199
Why there's no pleasure sweet but it is sinful.

SPURIO
200
True, such a bitter sweetness fate hath given,
201
Best side to us is the worst side to heaven.

DUCHESS
202
Push, come; 'tis the old Duke thy doubtful father,
203
The thought of him rubs heaven in thy way.
204
But I protest by yonder waxen fire,
205
Forget him or I'll poison him.

SPURIO
206
Madam, you urge a thought which ne'er had life.
207
So deadly do I loathe him for my birth
208
That if he took me hasped within his bed
209
I would add murder to adultery
210
And with my sword give up his years to death.

DUCHESS
211
Why now thou'rt sociable, let's in and feast.
212
Loud'st music sound, Pleasure is Banquet's guest.

Exeunt [Duchess and Spurio].

DUKE
213
I cannot brook —

[Dies.]

VINDICE
The brook is turned to blood.

HIPPOLITO
214
Thanks to loud music.

VINDICE
'Twas our friend indeed,
215
'Tis state in music for a Duke to bleed:
216
The Dukedom wants a head, though yet unknown;
217
As fast as they peep up let's cut 'em down.

Exeunt.

[SCENE 6]

Enter the Duchess's two sons, Ambitioso and Supervacuo.

AMBITIOSO
1
Was not this execution rarely plotted?
2
We are the Duke's sons now.

SUPERVACUO
3
Ay, you may thank my policy for that.

AMBITIOSO
4
Your policy? For what?

SUPERVACUO
5
Why, was't not my invention, brother,
6
To slip the judges? And, in lesser compass,
7
Did not I draw the model of his death,
8
Advising you to sudden officers
9
And e'en extemporal execution?

AMBITIOSO
10
Heart, 'twas a thing I thought on too.

SUPERVACUO
11
You thought on't too? 'Sfoot, slander not your thoughts
12
With glorious untruth, I know 'twas from you.

AMBITIOSO
13
Sir, I say 'twas in my head.

[SUPERVACUO]
Ay, like your brains then,
14
Ne'er to come out as long as you lived.

AMBITIOSO
15
You'd have the honour on't, forsooth, that your wit
16
Led him to the scaffold.

SUPERVACUO
Since it is my due
17
I'll publish't, but I'll ha't in spite of you.

AMBITIOSO
18
Methinks y'are much too bold, you should a little
19
Remember us, brother, next to be honest Duke.

SUPERVACUO
20
[Aside]
Ay, it shall be as easy for you to be Duke
21
As to be honest, and that's never, i'faith.

AMBITIOSO
22
Well, cold he is by this time, and because
23
We're both ambitious be it our amity
24
And let the glory be shared equally.

SUPERVACUO
25
I am content to that.

AMBITIOSO
26
This night our younger brother shall out of prison;
27
I have a trick.

SUPERVACUO
A trick, prithee what is't?

AMBITIOSO
28
We'll get him out by a wile.

SUPERVACUO
Prithee what wile?

AMBITIOSO
29
No, sir, you shall not know it till't be done,
30
For then you'd swear 'twere yours.

[Enter an Officer with a head.]

SUPERVACUO
31
How now, what's he?

AMBITIOSO
One of the officers.

SUPERVACUO
32
Desired news.

AMBITIOSO
How now, my friend?

OFFICER
My lords,
33
Under your pardon I am allotted
34
To that desertless office to present you
35
With the yet bleeding head —

SUPERVACUO
[Aside]
Ha, ha, excellent.

AMBITIOSO
36
[Aside]
All's sure our own. Brother, canst weep, think'st thou?
37
'Twould grace our flattery much; think of some dame,
38
'Twill teach thee to dissemble.

SUPERVACUO
[Aside]
I have thought;
39
Now for yourself.

AMBITIOSO
Our sorrows are so fluent
40
Our eyes o'erflow our tongues. Words spoke in tears
41
Are like the murmurs of the waters, the sound
42
Is loudly heard but cannot be distinguished.

SUPERVACUO
43
How died he, pray?

OFFICER
O full of rage and spleen.

SUPERVACUO
44
He died most valiantly then, we're glad
45
To hear it.

OFFICER
We could not woo him once to pray.

AMBITIOSO
46
He showed himself a gentleman in that,
47
Give him his due.

OFFICER
But in the stead of prayer
48
He drew forth oaths.

SUPERVACUO
Then did he pray, dear heart,
49
Although you understood him not.

OFFICER
My lords,
50
E'en at his last, with pardon be it spoke,
51
He cursed you both.

SUPERVACUO
He cursed us? 'Las, good soul.

AMBITIOSO
52
It was not in our powers, but the Duke's pleasure.
53
[Aside]
Finely dissembled o'both sides, sweet fate,
54
O happy opportunity!

Enter Lussurioso.

LUSSURIOSO
Now, my lords.

BOTH
O!

LUSSURIOSO
55
Why do you shun me, brothers?
56
You may come nearer now,
57
The savour of the prison has forsook me.
58
I thank such kind lords as yourselves, I'm free.

AMBITIOSO
59
Alive!

SUPERVACUO
60
In health!

AMBITIOSO
61
Released!
62
We were both e'en amazed with joy to see it.

LUSSURIOSO
63
I am much to thank you.

SUPERVACUO
64
Faith, we spared no tongue unto my lord the Duke.

AMBITIOSO
65
I know your delivery, brother,
66
Had not been half so sudden but for us.

SUPERVACUO
67
O how we pleaded!

LUSSURIOSO
Most deserving brothers,
68
In my best studies I will think of it.

Exit.

AMBITIOSO
69
O death and vengeance!

SUPERVACUO
Hell and torments!

AMBITIOSO
70
Slave, cam'st thou to delude us?

OFFICER
Delude you, my lords?

SUPERVACUO
71
Ay, villain, where's this head now?

OFFICER
Why here, my lord;
72
Just after his delivery you both came
73
With warrant from the Duke to behead your brother.

AMBITIOSO
74
Ay, our brother, the Duke's son.

OFFICER
The Duke's son,
75
My lord, had his release before you came.

AMBITIOSO
76
Whose head's that, then?

OFFICER
His whom you left command for,
77
Your own brother's.

AMBITIOSO
Our brother's? O furies!

SUPERVACUO
78
Plagues!

AMBITIOSO
Confusions!

SUPERVACUO
Darkness!

AMBITIOSO
Devils!

SUPERVACUO
79
Fell it out so accursèdly?

AMBITIOSO
So damnèdly?

SUPERVACUO
80
Villain, I'll brain thee with it.

OFFICER
O my good lord.

[Exit.]

SUPERVACUO
81
The Devil overtake thee!

AMBITIOSO
O fatal!

SUPERVACUO
82
O prodigious to our bloods!

AMBITIOSO
Did we dissemble?

SUPERVACUO
83
Did we make our tears women for thee?

AMBITIOSO
84
Laugh and rejoice for thee?

SUPERVACUO
85
Bring warrant for thy death?

AMBITIOSO
Mock off thy head?

SUPERVACUO
86
You had a trick, you had a wile, forsooth.

AMBITIOSO
87A murrain meet 'em, there's none of these wiles that ever come to good. I see now there is nothing sure in mortality but mortality.
88
Well, no more words, 'shalt be revenged i'faith.
89
Come throw off clouds now, brother, think of vengeance
90
And deeper settled hate; sirrah, sit fast,
91
We'll pull down all, but thou shalt down at last.

Exeunt.

ACT FOUR

SCENE 1

Enter Lussurioso with Hippolito.

LUSSURIOSO
1
Hippolito.

HIPPOLITO
My lord, has your good lordship
2
Ought to command me in?

LUSSURIOSO
I prithee leave us.

HIPPOLITO
3
[Aside]
How's this? Come and leave us?

LUSSURIOSO
Hippolito.

HIPPOLITO
4
Your honour, I stand ready for any duteous employment.

LUSSURIOSO
5
Heart, what mak'st thou here?

HIPPOLITO
[Aside]
A pretty, lordly humour:
6
He bids me to be present, to depart.
7
Something has stung his honour.

LUSSURIOSO
Be nearer, draw nearer;
8
Ye are not so good, methinks, I'm angry with you.

HIPPOLITO
9
With me, my lord? I'm angry with myself for't.

LUSSURIOSO
10
You did prefer a goodly fellow to me,
11
'Twas wittily elected, 'twas. I thought
12
H'ad been a villain and he proves a knave,
13
To me a knave!

HIPPOLITO
I chose him for the best, my lord,
14
'Tis much my sorrow if neglect in him
15
Breed discontent in you.

LUSSURIOSO
Neglect? 'Twas will!
16
Judge of it:
17
Firmly to tell of an incredible act,
18
Not to be thought, less to be spoken of,
19
'Twixt my stepmother and the bastard, o
20
Incestuous sweets between 'em.

HIPPOLITO
Fie, my lord.

LUSSURIOSO
21
I, in kind loyalty to my father's forehead
22
Made this a desperate arm, and in that fury
23
Committed treason on the lawful bed
24
And with my sword e'en rased my father's bosom,
25
For which I was within a stroke of death.

HIPPOLITO
26
Alack, I'm sorry.
27
[Aside]
'Sfoot, just upon the stroke
28
Jars in my brother, 'twill be villainous music.

Enter Vindice.

VINDICE
29
My honoured lord.

LUSSURIOSO
30
Away, prithee forsake us, hereafter we'll not know thee.

VINDICE
31
Not know me, my lord? Your lordship cannot choose.

LUSSURIOSO
32
Be gone, I say, thou art a false knave.

VINDICE
33
Why, the easier to be known, my lord.

LUSSURIOSO
34
Push, I shall prove too bitter with a word,
35
Make thee a perpetual prisoner
36
And lay this iron-age upon thee.

VINDICE
[Aside]
Mum,
37
For there's a doom would make a woman dumb.
38
Missing the Bastard, next him, the wind's come about;
39
Now 'tis my brother's turn to stay, mine to go out.

Exit.

LUSSURIOSO
40
H'as greatly moved me.

HIPPOLITO
Much to blame, i'faith.

LUSSURIOSO
41But I'll recover, to his ruin. 'Twas told me lately, I know not whether falsely, that you'd a brother.

HIPPOLITO
42
Who, I? Yes, my good lord, I have a brother.

LUSSURIOSO
43
How chance the Court ne'er saw him? Of what nature?
44
How does he apply his hours?

HIPPOLITO
Faith, to curse fates
45
Who, as he thinks, ordained him to be poor,
46
Keeps at home, full of want and discontent.

LUSSURIOSO
47
There's hope in him, for discontent and want
48
Is the best clay to mould a villain of.
49
Hippolito, wish him repair to us.
50
If there be aught in him to please our blood,
51
For thy sake we'll advance him and build fair
52
His meanest fortunes; for it is in us
53
To rear up towers from cottages.

HIPPOLITO
54
It is so, my lord. He will attend your honour,
55
But he's a man in whom much melancholy dwells.

LUSSURIOSO
56
Why, the better: bring him to Court.

HIPPOLITO
57
With willingness and speed.
58
[Aside]
Whom he cast off e'en now, must now succeed.
59
Brother, disguise must off,
60
In thine own shape now I'll prefer thee to him:
61
How strangely does himself work to undo him.

Exit.

LUSSURIOSO
62
This fellow will come fitly, he shall kill
63
That other slave that did abuse my spleen
64
And made it swell to treason. I have put
65
Much of my heart into him, he must die.
66
He that knows great men's secrets and proves slight,
67
That man ne'er lives to see his beard turn white.
68
Ay, he shall speed him, I'll employ the brother,
69
Slaves are but nails to drive out one another.
70
He being of black condition, suitable
71
To want and ill content, hope of preferment
72
Will grind him to an edge.

[Two Nobles enter.]

NOBLE 1
73
Good days unto your honour.

LUSSURIOSO
74
My kind lords, I do return the like.

NOBLE 2
75
Saw you my lord the Duke?

LUSSURIOSO
76
My lord and father? Is he from Court?

NOBLE 1
77He's sure from Court, but where, which way his pleasure took, we know not, nor can we hear on't.

LUSSURIOSO
78
Here come those should tell.
[Enter more Nobles.]
79
Saw you my lord and father?

NOBLE 3
80
Not since two hours before noon, my lord,
81
And then he privately rid forth.

LUSSURIOSO
82
O he's rode forth.

NOBLE 1
'Twas wondrous privately.

NOBLE 2
83
There's none i'th'Court had any knowledge on't.

LUSSURIOSO
84
His Grace is old and sudden, 'tis no treason
85
To say the duke my father has a humour
86
Or such a toy about him; what in us
87
Would appear light, in him seems virtuous.

NOBLE 3
88
'Tis oracle, my lord.

Exeunt.

[SCENE 2]

Enter Vindice and Hippolito, Vindice out of his disguise.

HIPPOLITO
1
So, so, all's as it should be, y'are yourself.

VINDICE
2
How that great villain puts me to my shifts.

HIPPOLITO
3
He that did lately in disguise reject thee
4
Shall, now thou art thyself, as much respect thee.

VINDICE
5
'Twill be the quainter fallacy. But, brother,
6
'Sfoot, what use will he put me to now, think'st thou?

HIPPOLITO
7
Nay you must pardon me in that, I know not.
8
H'as some employment for you, but what 'tis
9
He and his secretary the Devil knows best.

VINDICE
10
Well, I must suit my tongue to his desires,
11
What colour soe'er they be, hoping at last
12
To pile up all my wishes on his breast.

HIPPOLITO
13
Faith, brother, he himself shows the way.

VINDICE
14
Now the Duke is dead the realm is clad in clay;
15
His death being not yet known, under his name
16
The people still are governed. Well, thou his son
17
Art not long-lived, thou shalt not 'joy his death.
18
To kill thee, then, I should most honour thee,
19
For 'twould stand firm in every man's belief
20
Thou'st a kind child and only died'st with grief.

HIPPOLITO
21
You fetch about well, but let's talk in present;
22
How will you appear in fashion different,
23
As well as in apparel, to make all things possible?
24
If you be but once tripped we fall for ever.
25
It is not the least policy to be doubtful,
26
You must change tongue — familiar was your first.

VINDICE
27
Why, I'll bear me in some strain of melancholy
28
And string myself with heavy-sounding wire
29
Like such an instrument, that speaks
30
Merry things sadly.

HIPPOLITO
Then 'tis as I meant,
31
I gave you out at first in discontent.

VINDICE
32
I'll turn myself, and then —

HIPPOLITO
'Sfoot, here he comes!
33
Hast thought upon't?

VINDICE
Salute him, fear not me.

[Enter Lussurioso.]

LUSSURIOSO
34
Hippolito.

HIPPOLITO
Your lordship.

LUSSURIOSO
What's he yonder?

HIPPOLITO
35
'Tis Vindice my discontented brother
36
Whom, 'cording to your will, I've brought to Court.

LUSSURIOSO
37
Is that thy brother? Beshrew me, a good presence,
38
I wonder h'as been from the Court so long.
39
Come nearer.

HIPPOLITO
Brother, Lord Lussurioso, the Duke's son.

LUSSURIOSO
40
Be more near to us, welcome, nearer yet.

[Vindice] snatches off his hat and makes legs to him.

VINDICE
41
How don you? God you god den.

LUSSURIOSO
We thank thee.
42
[Aside]
How strangely such a coarse, homely salute
43
Shows in the palace, where we greet in fire
44
Nimble and desperate tongues; should we name
45
God in a salutation 'twould ne'er be stood on't — heaven!
46
Tell me, what has made thee so melancholy?

VINDICE
47
Why, going to Law.

LUSSURIOSO
48
Why, will that make a man melancholy?

VINDICE
49Yes, to look long upon ink and black buckram. I went me to Law in anno quadregesimo secondo, and I waded out of it in anno sextagesimo tertio.

LUSSURIOSO
50
What, three and twenty years in Law?

VINDICE
51I have known those that have been five and fifty, and all about pullen and pigs.

LUSSURIOSO
52
May it be possible such men should breathe
53
To vex the Terms so much?

VINDICE
'Tis food to some, my lord.
54There are old men at the present that are so poisoned with the affectation of Law words (having had many suites canvassed) that their common talk is nothing but Barbary Latin. They cannot so much as pray but in Law, that their sins may be removed with a writ of error and their souls fetched up to heaven with a sasarara.

[LUSSURIOSO]
55
It seems most strange to me,
56
Yet all the world meets round in the same bent;
57
Where the heart's set, there goes the tongue's consent.
58
How dost apply thy studies, fellow?

VINDICE
59Study? Why, to think how a great rich man lies a-dying and a poor cobbler tolls the bell for him; how he cannot depart the world and see the great chest stand before him when he lies speechless; how he will point you readily to all the boxes, and when he is past all memory, as the gossips guess, then thinks he of forfeitures and obligations; nay, when to all men's hearings he whirls and rattles in the throat, he's busy threat'ning his poor tenants: and this would last me now some seven years thinking or thereabouts. But I have a conceit a-coming in picture upon this, I draw it myself; which, i'faith la, I'll present to your honour. You shall not choose but like it for your lordship shall give me nothing for it.

LUSSURIOSO
60
Nay, you mistake me then,
61
For I am published bountiful enough.
62
Let's taste of your conceit.

VINDICE
In picture, my lord?

LUSSURIOSO
63
Ay, in picture.

VINDICE
Marry, this it is —
64A usuring father to be boiling in hell, and his son and heir with a whore dancing over him.

HIPPOLITO
65
[Aside]
H'as pared him to the quick.

LUSSURIOSO
66
The conceit's pretty, i'faith,
67
But take 't upon my life 'twill ne'er be liked.

VINDICE
68
No? Why, I'm sure the whore will be liked well enough.

HIPPOLITO
69
[Aside]
Ay, if she were out o'th'picture he'd like her then himself.

VINDICE
70And as for the son and heir, he shall be an eyesore to no young revellers for he shall be drawn in cloth-of-gold breeches.

LUSSURIOSO
71
And thou hast put my meaning in the pockets
72
And canst not draw that out! My thought was this:
73
To see the picture of a usuring father
74
Boiling in hell, our rich men would ne'er like it.

VINDICE
75O true, I cry you heartily mercy; I know the reason, for some of 'em had rather be damned indeed than damned in colours.

LUSSURIOSO
76
[Aside]
A parlous melancholy! H'as wit enough
77
To murder any man, and I'll give him means. —
78
I think thou art ill-monied.

VINDICE
Money? Ho, ho,
79
'T 'as been my want so long 'tis now my scoff.
80
I've e'en forgot what colour silver's of.

LUSSURIOSO
81
[Aside]
It hits as I could wish.

VINDICE
I get good clothes
82
Of those that dread my humour, and for table-room
83
I feed on those that cannot be rid of me.

LUSSURIOSO
84
[Gives him money]
Somewhat to set thee up withal.

VINDICE
85
O mine eyes!

LUSSURIOSO
How now, man?

VINDICE
Almost struck blind;
86
This bright unusual shine to me seems proud,
87
I dare not look till the sun be in a cloud.

LUSSURIOSO
88
[Aside]
I think I shall affect his melancholy. —
89
How are they now?

VINDICE
The better for your asking.

LUSSURIOSO
90
You shall be better yet if you but fasten
91
Truly on my intent. Now y'are both present
92
I will unbrace such a close, private villain
93
Unto your vengeful swords, the like ne'er heard of,
94
Who hath disgraced you much and injured us.

HIPPOLITO
95
Disgraced us, my lord?

LUSSURIOSO
Ay, Hippolito.
96
I kept it here till now that both your angers
97
Might meet him at once.

VINDICE
I'm covetous
98
To know the villain.

LUSSURIOSO
You know him, that slave-pander
99
Piato, whom we threatened last
100
With iron's perpetual prisonment.

VINDICE
101
[Aside]
All this is I.

HIPPOLITO
Is't he, my lord?

LUSSURIOSO
I'll tell you,
102
You first preferred him to me.

VINDICE
Did you, brother?

HIPPOLITO
103
I did indeed.

LUSSURIOSO
And the ingrateful villain
104
To quit that kindness strongly wrought with me,
105
Being as you see a likely man for pleasure,
106
With jewels to corrupt your virgin sister.

HIPPOLITO
107
O villain!

VINDICE
He shall surely die that did it.

LUSSURIOSO
108
I, far from thinking any virgin harm,
109
Especially knowing her to be as chaste
110
As that part which scarce suffers to be touched,
111
Th' eye would not endure him.

VINDICE
Would you not,
112
My lord? 'Twas wondrous honourably done.

LUSSURIOSO
113
But with some fine frowns kept him out.

VINDICE
[Aside]
Out, slave!

LUSSURIOSO
114
What did me he but in revenge of that
115
Went of his own free will to make infirm
116
Your sister's honour, whom I honour with my soul
117
For chaste respect, and not prevailing there
118
(As 'twas but desperate folly to attempt it)
119
In mere spleen, by the way, waylays your mother,
120
Whose honour being a coward, as it seems,
121
Yielded by little force.

VINDICE
Coward indeed!

LUSSURIOSO
122
He, proud of their advantage (as he thought),
123
Brought me these news for happy, but I, heaven
124
Forgive me for't —

VINDICE
125
What did your honour?

LUSSURIOSO
In rage pushed him from me,
126
Trampled beneath his throat, spurned him, and bruised;
127
Indeed I was too cruel, to say troth.

HIPPOLITO
128
Most nobly managed.

VINDICE
129
[Aside]
Has not heaven an ear? Is all lightning wasted?

LUSSURIOSO
130
If I now were so impatient in a modest cause,
131
What should you be?

VINDICE
Full mad, he shall not live
132
To see the moon change.

LUSSURIOSO
He's about the palace,
133
Hippolito, entice him this way that thy brother
134
May take full mark of him.

HIPPOLITO
135
Heart, that shall not need, my lord.
136
I can direct him so far.

LUSSURIOSO
Yet, for my hate's sake,
137
Go wind him this way; I'll see him bleed myself.

HIPPOLITO
138
[Aside]
What now, brother?

VINDICE
139
[Aside]
Nay, e'en what you will; y'are put to't, brother.

HIPPOLITO
140
[Aside]
An impossible task, I'll swear,
141
To bring him hither that's already here.

Exit.

LUSSURIOSO
142
Thy name, I have forgot it.

VINDICE
Vindice, my lord.

LUSSURIOSO
143
'Tis a good name that.

VINDICE
Ay, a revenger.

LUSSURIOSO
144
It does betoken courage; thou shouldst be valiant
145
And kill thine enemies.

VINDICE
That's my hope, my lord.

LUSSURIOSO
146
This slave is one.

VINDICE
I'll doom him.

LUSSURIOSO
Then I'll praise thee!
147
Do thou observe me best and I'll best raise thee.

Enter Hippolito.

VINDICE
148
Indeed I thank you.

LUSSURIOSO
149
Now, Hippolito, where's the slave pander?

HIPPOLITO
150
Your good lordship
151
Would have a loathsome sight of him, much offensive.
152
He's not in case now to be seen, my lord;
153
The worst of all the deadly sins is in him,
154
That beggarly damnation, drunkenness.

LUSSURIOSO
155
Then he's a double slave.

VINDICE
[Aside]
'Twas well conveyed,
156
Upon a sudden wit.

LUSSURIOSO
What, are you both
157
Firmly resolved? I'll see him dead myself.

VINDICE
158
Or else let not us live.

LUSSURIOSO
You may direct
159
Your brother to take note of him.

HIPPOLITO
I shall.

LUSSURIOSO
160
Rise but in this, and you shall never fall.

VINDICE
161
Your honour's vassals.

LUSSURIOSO
[Aside]
This was wisely carried,
162
Deep policy in us makes fools of such:
163
Then must a slave die, when he knows too much.

Exit.

VINDICE
164
O thou almighty Patience! 'Tis my wonder
165
That such a fellow, impudent and wicked,
166
Should not be cloven as he stood,
167
Or with a secret wind burst open!
168
Is there no thunder left, or is't kept up
169
In stock for heatier vengeance? There it goes!

HIPPOLITO
170
Brother, we lose ourselves.

VINDICE
But I have found it.
171
'Twill hold, 'tis sure; thanks, thanks to any spirit
172
That mingled it 'mongst my inventions.

HIPPOLITO
173
What is't?

VINDICE
'Tis sound and good, thou shalt partake it.
174
I'm hired to kill myself.

HIPPOLITO
True.

VINDICE
Prithee mark it:
175
And the old Duke being dead, but not conveyed,
176
For he's already missed too, and you know
177
Murder will peep out of the closest husk —

HIPPOLITO
178
Most true.

VINDICE
What say you then to this device:
179
If we dressed up the body of the Duke?

HIPPOLITO
180
In that disguise of yours?

VINDICE
Y'are quick, y'ave reached it.

HIPPOLITO
181
I like it wondrously.

VINDICE
182
And being in drink, as you have published him,
183
To lean him on his elbow, as if sleep had caught him,
184
Which claims most interest in such sluggy men.

HIPPOLITO
185
Good yet, but here's a doubt:
186
We, thought by th'Duke's son to kill that pander,
187
Shall, when he is known, be thought to kill the Duke.

VINDICE
188
Neither, o thanks, it is substantial;
189
For that disguise being on him which I wore,
190It will be thought I, which he calls the pander, did kill the Duke and fled away in his apparel, leaving him so disguised to avoid swift pursuit.

HIPPOLITO
191
Firmer and firmer.

VINDICE
Nay, doubt not 'tis in grain;
192
I warrant it hold colour.

HIPPOLITO
Let's about it.

VINDICE
193
But by the way too, now I think on't, brother,
194
Let's conjure that base devil out of our mother.

Exeunt.

[SCENE 3]

Enter the Duchess arm in arm with the Bastard [Spurio]; he seemeth lasciviously to her. After them, enter Supervacuo, running with a rapier; his brother [Ambitioso] stops him.

SPURIO
1
Madam, unlock yourself, should it be seen
2
Your arm would be suspected.

DUCHESS
3
Who is't that dares suspect or this or these?
4
May not we deal our favours where we please?

SPURIO
5
I'm confident you may.

Exeunt [Duchess and Spurio].

AMBITIOSO
'Sfoot, brother, hold.

SUPERVACUO
6
Wouldst let the bastard shame us?

AMBITIOSO
Hold, hold, brother!
7
There's fitter time than now.

SUPERVACUO
Now, when I see it?

AMBITIOSO
8
'Tis too much seen already.

SUPERVACUO
Seen and known,
9
The nobler she's the baser is she grown.

AMBITIOSO
10
If she were bent lasciviously, the fault
11
Of mighty women that sleep soft – o death!
12
Must she needs choose such an unequal sinner
13
To make all worse?

SUPERVACUO
A bastard, the Duke's bastard!
14
Shame heaped on shame!

AMBITIOSO
O our disgrace!
15
Most women have small waist the world throughout,
16
But their desires are thousand miles about.

SUPERVACUO
17
Come, stay not here, let's after and prevent,
18
Or else they'll sin faster than we'll repent.

Exeunt.

[SCENE 4]

Enter Vindice and Hippolito, bringing out their mother [Gratiana], one by one shoulder, and the other by the other, with daggers in their hands.

VINDICE
1
O thou, for whom no name is bad enough!

GRATIANA
2
What means my sons? What, will you murder me?

VINDICE
3
Wicked, unnatural parent!

HIPPOLITO
Fiend of women!

GRATIANA
4
O are sons turned monsters? Help!

VINDICE
In vain.

GRATIANA
5
Are you so barbarous to set iron nipples
6
Upon the breast that gave you suck?

VINDICE
That breast
7
Is turned to quarled poison.

GRATIANA
8
Cut not your days for't, am not I your mother?

VINDICE
9
Thou dost usurp that title now by fraud
10
For in that shell of mother breeds a bawd.

GRATIANA
11
A bawd? O name far loathsomer than hell.

HIPPOLITO
12
It should be so, knew'st thou thy office well.

GRATIANA
13
I hate it.

VINDICE
14
Ah, is't possible? Thou only? You powers on high,
15
That women should dissemble when they die!

GRATIANA
16
Dissemble!

VINDICE
Did not the Duke's son direct
17
A fellow of the world's condition hither
18
That did corrupt all that was good in thee?
19
Made thee uncivilly forget thyself
20
And work our sister to his lust?

GRATIANA
Who, I?
21
That had been monstrous! I defy that man
22
For any such intent. None lives so pure
23
But shall be soiled with slander — good son, believe it not.

VINDICE
24
O I'm in doubt whether I'm myself or no.
25
Stay, let me look again upon this face.
26
Who shall be saved when mothers have no grace?

HIPPOLITO
27
'Twould make one half despair.

VINDICE
I was the man,
28
Defy me now! Let's see, do't modestly.

GRATIANA
29
O hell unto my soul.

VINDICE
30
In that disguise I, sent from the Duke's son,
31
Tried you and found you base metal
32
As any villain might have done.

GRATIANA
O no,
33
No tongue but yours could have bewitched me so.

VINDICE
34
O nimble in damnation, quick in tune,
35
There is no devil could strike fire so soon.
36
I am confuted in a word.

GRATIANA
O sons,
37
Forgive me, to myself I'll prove more true,
38
You that should honour me, I kneel to you.

[Kneels and weeps.]

VINDICE
39
A mother to give aim to her own daughter!

HIPPOLITO
40
True, brother; how far beyond nature 'tis,
41
Though many mothers do't.

VINDICE
42
Nay, and you draw tears once, go you to bed,
43
Wet will make iron blush and change to red.
44
Brother, it rains, 'twill spoil your dagger, house it.

HIPPOLITO
45
'Tis done.

VINDICE
46
I'faith, 'tis a sweet shower, it does much good.
47
The fruitful grounds and meadows of her soul
48
Has been long dry. Pour down thou blessed dew,
49
Rise mother; troth, this shower has made you higher.

GRATIANA
50
O you heavens,
51
Take this infectious spot out of my soul,
52
I'll rinse it in seven waters of mine eyes!
53
Make my tears salt enough to taste of grace!
54
To weep is to our sex naturally given,
55
But to weep truly, that's a gift from heaven.

VINDICE
56
Nay, I'll kiss you now; kiss her, brother.
57
Let's marry her to our souls, wherein's no lust,
58
And honourably love her.

HIPPOLITO
Let it be.

VINDICE
59
For honest women are so seld and rare
60
'Tis good to cherish those poor few that are. —
61
O you of easy wax, do but imagine
62
Now the disease has left you, how leprously
63
That office would have clinged unto your forehead;
64
All mothers that had any graceful hue
65
Would have worn masks to hide their face at you.
66
It would have grown to this: at your foul name
67
Green-coloured maids would have turned red with shame.

HIPPOLITO
68
And then our sister, full of hire and baseness.

VINDICE
69
There had been boiling lead again.
70
The Duke's son's great concubine,
71
A drab of state, a cloth o'silver slut;
72
To have her train borne up and her soul
73
Trail i'th'dirt; great —

HIPPOLITO
To be miserably great;
74
Rich, to be eternally wretched.

VINDICE
75
O common madness!
76
Ask but the thriving'st harlot in cold blood,
77
She'd give the world to make her honour good.
78
Perhaps you'll say, 'But only to the Duke's son
79
In private'. Why, she first begins with one
80
Who afterward to thousand proves a whore:
81
Break ice in one place, it will crack in more.

GRATIANA
82
Most certainly applied.

HIPPOLITO
83
O brother, you forget our business.

VINDICE
84
And well remembered. Joy's a subtle elf,
85
I think man's happiest when he forgets himself.
86
Farewell, once dried, now holy-watered mead,
87
Our hearts wear feathers that before wore lead.

GRATIANA
88
I'll give you this, that one I never knew
89
Plead better for and 'gainst the Devil than you.

VINDICE
90
You make me proud on't.

HIPPOLITO
91
Commend us in all virtue to our sister.

VINDICE
92
Ay, for the love of heaven, to that true maid.

GRATIANA
93
With my best words.

VINDICE
Why, that was motherly said.

Exeunt [Vindice and Hippolito].

GRATIANA
94
I wonder now what fury did transport me.
95
I feel good thoughts begin to settle in me.
96
O with what forehead can I look on her
97
Whose honour I've so impiously beset?
98
And here she comes.

[Enter Castiza.]

CASTIZA
99
Now mother, you have wrought with me so strongly
100
That what for my advancement, as to calm
101
The trouble of your tongue, I am content.

GRATIANA
102
Content to what?

CASTIZA
To do as you have wished me,
103
To prostitute my breast to the Duke's son
104
And to put myself to common usury.

GRATIANA
105
I hope you will not so.

CASTIZA
Hope you I will not?
106
That's not the hope you look to be saved in.

GRATIANA
107
Truth, but it is.

CASTIZA
Do not deceive yourself;
108
I am as you e'en out of marble wrought.
109
What would you now? Are ye not pleased yet with me?
110
You shall not wish me to be more lascivious
111
Than I intend to be.

GRATIANA
Strike not me cold.

CASTIZA
112
How often have you charged me on your blessing
113
To be a cursèd woman? When you knew
114
Your blessing had no force to make me lewd
115
You laid your curse upon me. That did more,
116
The mother's curse is heavy: where that fights
117
Suns set in storm and daughters lose their lights.

GRATIANA
118
Good child, dear maid, if there be any spark
119
Of heavenly intellectual fire within thee
120
O let my breath revive it to a flame;
121
Put not all out with woman's wilful follies.
122
I am recovered of that foul disease
123
That haunts too many mothers; kind, forgive me,
124
Make me not sick in health. If then
125
My words prevailed when they were wickedness,
126
How much more now when they are just and good!

CASTIZA
127
I wonder what you mean; are not you she
128
For whose infect persuasions I could scarce
129
Kneel out my prayers, and had much ado
130
In three hours' reading to untwist so much
131
Of the black serpent as you wound about me?

GRATIANA
132
'Tis unfruitful, held tedious to repeat what's past,
133
I'm now your present mother.

CASTIZA
Push, now 'tis too late.

GRATIANA
134
Bethink again, thou know'st not what thou say'st.

CASTIZA
135
No? Deny advancement, treasure, the Duke's son?

GRATIANA
136
O see, I spoke those words, and now they poison me.
137
What will the deed do then?
138
Advancement: true, as high as shame can pitch!
139
For treasure: who e'er knew a harlot rich,
140
Or could build by the purchase of her sin
141
An hospital to keep their bastards in?
142
The Duke's son! O when women are young courtiers
143
They are sure to be old beggars;
144
To know the miseries most harlots taste
145
Thou'dst wish thyself unborn when thou art unchaste.

CASTIZA
146
O mother, let me twine about your neck
147
And kiss you till my soul melt on your lips;
148
I did but this to try you.

GRATIANA
O speak truth!

CASTIZA
149
Indeed I did not,
150
For no tongue has force to alter me from honest.
151
If maidens would, men's words could have no power,
152
A virgin honour is a crystal tower
153
Which, being weak, is guarded with good spirits;
154
Until she basely yields no ill inherits.

GRATIANA
155
O happy child! Faith and thy birth hath saved me.
156
'Mongst thousands daughters happiest of all others,
157
Be thou a glass for maids, and I for mothers.

Exeunt.

ACT FIVE

[SCENE 1]

Enter Vindice and Hippolito [carrying the corpse of the Duke dressed as 'Piato'; they arrange it in a seated position].

VINDICE
1
So, so he leans well, take heed you wake him not, brother.

HIPPOLITO
2
I warrant you, my life for yours.

VINDICE
3That's a good lay, for I must kill myself. Brother, that's I, that sits for me, do you mark it? And I must stand ready here to make away myself yonder — I must sit to be killed, and stand to kill myself. I could vary it not so little as thrice over again; 't'as some eight returns like Michaelmas Term.

HIPPOLITO
4
That's enow, o'conscience.

VINDICE
5
But sirrah, does the Duke's son come single?

HIPPOLITO
6No, there's the hell on't, his faith's too feeble to go alone. He brings flesh-flies after him that will buzz against supper-time and hum for his coming out.

VINDICE
7Ah, the fly-flop of vengeance beat 'em to pieces! Here was the sweetest occasion, the fittest hour to have made my revenge familiar with him, show him the body of the Duke his father and how quaintly he died, like a politician in hugger-mugger, made no man acquainted with it, and in catastrophe slain him over his father's breast; and o I'm mad to lose such a sweet opportunity.

HIPPOLITO
8
Nay, push, prithee be content, there's no remedy present. May not hereafter times open in as fair faces as this?

VINDICE
9
They may if they can paint so well.

HIPPOLITO
10
Come now, to avoid all suspicion let's forsake this room and be going to meet the Duke's son.

VINDICE
11
Content, I'm for any weather. Heart, step close, here he comes.

Enter Lussurioso.

HIPPOLITO
12
My honoured lord!

LUSSURIOSO
13
O me, you both present?

VINDICE
14E'en newly, my lord, just as your lordship entered now. About this place we had notice given he should be, but in some loathsome plight or other.

HIPPOLITO
15
Came your honour private?

LUSSURIOSO
16
Private enough for this, only a few
17
Attend my coming out.

HIPPOLITO
[Aside]
Death rot those few.

LUSSURIOSO
18
Stay, yonder's the slave.

VINDICE
19
Mass, there's the slave indeed, my lord.
20
[Aside]
'Tis a good child, he calls his father slave.

LUSSURIOSO
21
Ay, that's the villain, the damned villain. Softly,
22
Tread easy.

VINDICE
Puh, I warrant you, my lord,
23
We'll stifle in our breaths.

LUSSURIOSO
That will do well.
24
Base rogue, thou sleep'st thy last.
[Aside]
'Tis policy
25
To have him killed in's sleep, for if he waked
26
He would betray all to them.

VINDICE
But my lord!

LUSSURIOSO
27
Ha, what sayst?

VINDICE
Shall we kill him now he's drunk?

LUSSURIOSO
28
Ay, best of all.

VINDICE
29
Why, then he will ne'er live to be sober.

LUSSURIOSO
30
No matter, let him reel to hell.

VINDICE
31
But being so full of liquor, I fear he will put out all the fire.

LUSSURIOSO
32
Thou art a mad beast.

VINDICE
33[Aside] And leave none to warm your lordship's golls withal,for he that dies drunk falls into hellfire like a bucket o'water, qush, qush.

LUSSURIOSO
34
Come, be ready, nake your swords, think of your wrongs.
35
This slave has injured you.

VINDICE
36
Troth, so he has. —
[Aside]
And he has paid well for't.

LUSSURIOSO
37
Meet with him now.

VINDICE
You'll bear us out, my lord?

LUSSURIOSO
38
Puh, am I a lord for nothing, think you?
39
Quickly, now.

VINDICE
Sa, sa, sa, thump!
[Stabs the corpse.]
There he lies.

LUSSURIOSO
40
Nimbly done. Ha! O villains, murderers,
41
'Tis the old Duke my father!

VINDICE
[Aside]
That's a jest.

LUSSURIOSO
42
What, stiff and cold already?
43
O pardon me to call you from your names,
44
'Tis none of your deed: that villain Piato,
45
Whom you thought now to kill, has murdered him
46
And left him thus disguised.

HIPPOLITO
And not unlikely.

VINDICE
47
O rascal! Was he not ashamed
48
To put the Duke into a greasy doublet?

LUSSURIOSO
49
He has been cold and stiff, who knows how long?

VINDICE
50
[Aside]
Marry, that do I.

LUSSURIOSO
51
No words, I pray, of anything intended.

VINDICE
52
O my lord.

HIPPOLITO
53
I would fain have your lordship think that we have small reason to prate.

LUSSURIOSO
54
Faith, thou say'st true. I'll forthwith send to Court
55
For all the nobles, Bastard, Duchess, all,
56
How here by miracle we found him dead
57
And in his raiment that foul villain fled.

VINDICE
58
That will be the best way, my lord, to clear us all; let's cast about to be clear.

LUSSURIOSO
59
Ho, Nencio, Sordido, and the rest.

Enter [Sordido, Nencio and Attendants].

SORDIDO
60
My lord.

NENCIO
61
My lord.

LUSSURIOSO
62
Be witnesses of a strange spectacle:
63
Choosing for private conference that sad room
64
We found the Duke my father gealed in blood.

SORDIDO
65
My lord the Duke? — Run, hie thee, Nencio,
66
Startle the Court by signifying so much.

[Exit Nencio.]

VINDICE
67
[Aside]
Thus much by wit a deep revenger can,
68
When murder's known to be the clearest man.
69
We're furthest off and with as bold an eye
70
Survey his body as the standers-by.

LUSSURIOSO
71
My royal father, too basely let blood
72
By a malevolent slave!

HIPPOLITO
[Aside]
Hark,
73
He calls thee slave again.

VINDICE
[Aside]
Ha's lost, he may.

LUSSURIOSO
74
O sight! Look hither, see, his lips are gnawn
75
With poison.

VINDICE
How, his lips? By th'mass, they be.

LUSSURIOSO
76
O villain! O rogue! O slave! O rascal!

HIPPOLITO
77
[Aside]
O good deceit, he quits him with like terms!

[Enter Nobles, Ambitioso and Supervacuo.]

NOBLE 1
78
Where?

NOBLE 2
79
Which way?

AMBITIOSO
80
Over what roof hangs this prodigious comet
81
In deadly fire?

LUSSURIOSO
Behold, behold, my lords,
82
The Duke my father's murdered by a vassal
83
That owes this habit and here left disguised.

[Enter Duchess and Spurio.]

DUCHESS
84
My lord and husband!

NOBLE 2
Reverend majesty.

NOBLE 1
85
I have seen these clothes often attending on him.

VINDICE
86
[Aside]
That nobleman has been i'th'country, for he does not lie!

SUPERVACUO
87
[To Ambitioso]
Learn of our mother, let's dissemble too;
88
I am glad he's vanished – so, I hope, are you.

AMBITIOSO
89
[To Supervacuo]
Ay, you may take my word for't.

SPURIO
[Aside]
Old dad dead?
90
I, one of his cast sins, will send the fates
91
Most hearty commendations by his own son;
92
I'll tug in the new stream till strength be done.

LUSSURIOSO
93
Where be those two that did affirm to us
94
My lord the Duke was privately rid forth?

NOBLE 1
95
O pardon us, my lords, he gave that charge
96
Upon our lives, if he were missed at Court,
97
To answer so. He rode not anywhere,
98
We left him private with that fellow here.

VINDICE
99
[Aside]
Confirmed.

LUSSURIOSO
O heavens, that false charge was his death!
100
Impudent beggars! Durst you to our face
101
Maintain such a false answer? Bear him straight
102
To execution.

NOBLE 1
My lord!

LUSSURIOSO
Urge me no more.
103
In this, excuse may be called half the murder.

VINDICE
104
[Aside]
You've sentenced well.

LUSSURIOSO
Away, see it be done.

[Exit First Noble under guard.]

VINDICE
105
[Aside]
Could you not stick? See what confession doth!
106
Who would not lie, when men are hanged for truth?

HIPPOLITO
107
[Aside]
Brother, how happy is our vengeance!

VINDICE
[Aside]
Why, it hits
108
Past the apprehension of indifferent wits.

LUSSURIOSO
109
My lord, let post-horse be sent
110
Into all places to entrap the villain.

VINDICE
111
[Aside]
Post-horse, ha, ha!

NOBLE 2
112
My lord, we're something bold to know our duty.
113
You father's accidentally departed,
114
The titles that were due to him meet you.

LUSSURIOSO
115
Meet me? I'm not at leisure, my good lord.
116
I've many griefs to dispatch out o'th'way.
117
[Aside]
Welcome, sweet titles! — Talk to me, my lords,
118
Of sepulchers and mighty emperors' bones;
119
That's thought for me.

VINDICE
[Aside]
So one may see by this
120
How foreign markets go:
121
Courtiers have feet o'th'nines and tongues o'th'twelves,
122
They flatter dukes and dukes flatter themselves.

NOBLE 2
123
My lord, it is your shine must comfort us.

LUSSURIOSO
124
Alas, I shine in tears like the sun in April.

SORDIDO
125
You're now my lord's Grace.

LUSSURIOSO
126
My lord's Grace? I perceive you'll have it so.

SORDIDO
127
'Tis but your own.

LUSSURIOSO
128
Then heavens give me grace to be so.

VINDICE
129
[Aside]
He prays well for himself.

NOBLE 3
[To the Duchess]
Madam, all sorrows
130
Must run their circles into joys. No doubt but time
131
Will make the murderer bring forth himself.

VINDICE
132
[Aside]
He were an ass then, i'faith.

NOBLE 2
In the mean season
133
Let us bethink the latest funeral honours
134
Due to the Duke's cold body – and, withal,
135
Calling to memory our new happiness
136
Spread in his royal son. Lords, gentlemen,
137
Prepare for revels.

VINDICE
[Aside]
Revels!

NOBLE 3
Time hath several falls,
138
Griefs lift up joys, feasts put down funerals.

LUSSURIOSO
139
Come then, my lords, my favours to you all.
140
[Aside]
The Duchess is suspected foully bent,
141
I'll begin Dukedom with her banishment!

Exeunt Lussurioso, Sordido, Nobles and Duchess.

HIPPOLITO
142
[To Vindice]
Revels!

VINDICE
[To Hippolito]
Ay, that's the word, we are firm yet.
143
Strike one strain more and then we crown our wit.

Exeunt Vindice and Hippolito.

SPURIO
144
[Aside]
Well, have at the fairest mark! — So said the Duke when he begot me —
145
And if I miss his heart or near about
146
Then have at any, a bastard scorns to be out.

[Exit.]

SUPERVACUO
147
Notest thou that Spurio, brother?

[AMBITIOSO]
148
Yes, I note him to our shame.

SUPERVACUO
149He shall not live, his hair shall not grow much longer; in this time of revels tricks may be set afoot. Seest thou yon new moon? It shall outlive the new Duke by much, this hand shall dispossess him, then we're mighty.
150
A masque is treason's license — that build upon;
151
'Tis murder's best face when a vizard's on.

Exit.

AMBITIOSO
152
Is't so? 'Tis very good.
153
And do you think to be Duke then, kind brother?
154
I'll see fair play: drop one and there lies tother.

Exit.

[SCENE 2]

Enter Vindice and Hippolito with Piero and other Nobles.

VINDICE
1
My lords, be all of music,
2
Strike old griefs into other countries
3
That flow in too much milk and have faint livers,
4
Not daring to stab home their discontents.
5
Let our hid flames break out as fire, as lightning,
6
To blast this villainous Dukedom vexed with sin;
7
Wind up your souls to their full height again.

PIERO
8
How?

NOBLE 1
Which way?

NOBLE 2
Any way: our wrongs are such,
9
We cannot justly be revenged too much.

VINDICE
10
You shall have all enough. Revels are toward,
11
And those few nobles that have long suppressed you
12
Are busied to the furnishing of a masque
13
And do affect to make a pleasant tale on't;
14
The masquing suits are fashioning; now comes in
15
That which must glad us all — we to take pattern
16
Of all those suits, the colour, trimming, fashion,
17
E'en to an undistinguished hair almost;
18
Then, ent'ring first, observing the true form,
19
Within a strain or two we shall find leisure
20
To steal our swords out handsomely
21
And, when they think their pleasure sweet and good,
22
In midst of all their joys they shall sigh blood.

PIERO
23
Weightily, effectually.

NOBLE 3
24
Before the t'other masquers come —

VINDICE
25
We're gone, all done and past.

PIERO
26
But how for the Duke's guard?

VINDICE
Let that alone,
27
By one and one their strengths shall be drunk down.

HIPPOLITO
28
There are five hundred gentlemen in the action
29
That will apply themselves and not stand idle.

PIERO
30
O let us hug your bosoms!

VINDICE
Come, my lords,
31
Prepare for deeds, let other times have words.

Exeunt.

[SCENE 3]

In a dumb show, the possessing of the young Duke [Lussurioso] with all his Nobles; then sounding music. A furnished table is brought forth; then enters the Duke and his Nobles to the banquet. A blazing star appeareth.

NOBLE 1
1
Many harmonious hours and choicest pleasures
2
Fill up the royal numbers of your years.

LUSSURIOSO
3
My lords, we're pleased to thank you – though we know
4
'Tis but your duty now to wish it so.

NOBLE 2
5
That shine makes us all happy.

NOBLE 3
[Aside]
His grace frowns?

NOBLE 2
6
[Aside]
Yet we must say he smiles.

NOBLE 1
[Aside]
I think we must.

LUSSURIOSO
7
[Aside]
That foul, incontinent Duchess we have banished,
8
The Bastard shall not live. After these revels
9
I'll begin strange ones; he and the stepsons
10
Shall pay their lives for the first subsidies.
11
We must not frown so soon, else 't'ad been now.

NOBLE 1
12
My gracious lord, please you prepare for pleasure,
13
The masque is not far off.

LUSSURIOSO
We are for pleasure.
14
[Aside]
Beshrew thee, what art thou? Mad'st me start!
15
Thou hast committed treason! — A blazing star!

NOBLE 1
16
A blazing star? O where, my lord?

LUSSURIOSO
Spy out.

NOBLE 2
17
See, see, my lords, a wondrous dreadful one.

LUSSURIOSO
18
I am not pleased at that ill-knotted fire,
19
That bushing, flaring star. Am not I Duke?
20
It should not quake me now. Had it appeared
21
Before it, I might then have justly feared,
22
But yet they say, whom Art and Learning weds,
23
When stars wear locks they threaten great men's heads.
24
Is it so? You are read, my lords.

NOBLE 1
May it please your Grace,
25
It shows great anger.

LUSSURIOSO
That does not please our Grace.

NOBLE 2
26
Yet here's the comfort, my lord: many times,
27
When it seems most it threatens farthest off.

LUSSURIOSO
28
Faith, and I think so, too.

NOBLE 1
Beside, my lord,
29
You're gracefully established with the loves
30
Of all your subjects; and for natural death,
31
I hope it will be threescore years a-coming.

LUSSURIOSO
32
True. No more but threescore years?

NOBLE 1
33
Fourscore I hope, my lord.

NOBLE 2
And fivescore, I.

NOBLE 3
34
But 'tis my hope, my lord, you shall ne'er die.

LUSSURIOSO
35
Give me thy hand, these others I rebuke;
36
He that hopes so is fittest for a Duke,
37
Thou shalt sit next me. Take your places, lords,
38
We're ready now for sports, let 'em set on.
39
You thing, we shall forget you quite anon!

NOBLE 3
40
I hear 'em coming, my lord.

Enter the masque of revengers, the two brothers [Vindice and Hippolito] and two Lords more.

LUSSURIOSO
[Aside]
Ah, 'tis well,
41
Brothers and Bastard, you dance next in hell.

The revengers dance. At the end, steal out their swords, and these four kill the four at the table in their chairs. It thunders.

VINDICE
42
[Aside]
Mark, thunder! Dost know thy cue, thou big-voiced crier?
43
Dukes' groans are thunder's watchwords.

HIPPOLITO
[Aside]
So, my lords,
44
You have enough.

VINDICE
[Aside]
Come, let's away, no ling'ring.

HIPPOLITO
45
[Aside]
Follow, go!

Exeunt [all the masquers but Vindice].

VINDICE
46
No power is angry when the lustful die,
47
When thunder claps heaven likes the tragedy.

Exit.

LUSSURIOSO
48
O! O!

Enter the other masque of intended murderers, stepsons [Ambitioso and Supervacuo], Bastard [Spurio], and a Fourth Man, coming in dancing. The Duke [Lussurioso] recovers a little in voice, and groans — calls, 'A guard! Treason!' At which they all start out of their measure and, turning towards the table, they find them all to be murdered.

SPURIO
49
Whose groan was that?

LUSSURIOSO
Treason, a guard!

AMBITIOSO
50
How now? All murdered!

SUPERVACUO
Murdered!

NOBLE 4
51
And those his nobles!

AMBITIOSO
[Aside]
Here's a labour saved,
52
I thought to have sped him. — 'Sblood, how came this?

SUPERVACUO
53
Then I proclaim myself. Now I am Duke.

AMBITIOSO
54
Thou Duke? Brother, thou liest.

[Stabs Supervacuo.]

SPURIO
Slave, so dost thou.

[Stabs Ambitioso.]

NOBLE 4
55
Base villain, hast thou slain my lord and master?

[Stabs Spurio.]
Enter [Vindice, Hippolito, and the other] first masquers.

VINDICE
56
Pistols! Treason! Murder! Help! Guard my lord
57
The Duke!

[Enter Antonio with a Guard.]

HIPPOLITO
58
Lay hold upon this traitor.

[The Guard seizes the Fourth Noble.]

LUSSURIOSO
O!

VINDICE
59
Alas, the Duke is murdered.

HIPPOLITO
And the nobles.

VINDICE
60
Surgeons, surgeons!
[Aside]
Heart, does he breathe so long?

ANTONIO
61
A piteous tragedy, able to make
62
An old man's eyes bloodshot.

LUSSURIOSO
63
O!

VINDICE
64
Look to my lord the Duke. —
[Aside]
A vengeance throttle him! —
65
Confess, thou murderous and unhallowed man,
66
Didst thou kill all these?

NOBLE 4
None but the Bastard, I.

VINDICE
67
How came the Duke slain, then?

NOBLE 4
We found him so.

LUSSURIOSO
68
O villain!

VINDICE
Hark!

LUSSURIOSO
Those in the masque did murder us.

VINDICE
69
Law you now, sir.
70
O marble impudence! Will you confess now?

NOBLE 4
71
'Sblood, 'tis all false.

ANTONIO
Away with that foul monster,
72
Dipped in a prince's blood.

NOBLE 4
Heart, 'tis a lie!

ANTONIO
73
Let him have bitter execution.

[Exit the Fourth Noble under guard.]

VINDICE
74
[Aside]
New marrow! No, I cannot be expressed! —
75
How fares my lord the Duke?

LUSSURIOSO
Farewell to all,
76
He that climbs highest has the greatest fall.
77
My tongue is out of office.

VINDICE
Air, gentlemen, air!
78
[Whispers to Lussurioso.]
Now thou'lt not prate on't, 'twas Vindice murdered thee —

LUSSURIOSO
79
O!

VINDICE
— murdered thy father —

LUSSURIOSO
O!

[Dies.]

VINDICE
— and I am he.
80
Tell nobody. So, so, the Duke's departed.

ANTONIO
81
It was a deadly hand that wounded him;
82
The rest, ambitious who should rule and sway,
83
After his death were so made all away.

VINDICE
84
My lord was unlikely.

HIPPOLITO
Now the hope
85
Of Italy lies in your reverend years.

VINDICE
86
Your hair will make the silver age again
87
When there was fewer but more honest men.

ANTONIO
88
The burden's weighty and will press age down;
89
May I so rule that heaven may keep the crown.

VINDICE
90
The rape of your good lady has been 'quited
91
With death on death.

ANTONIO
Just is the Law above!
92
But of all things it puts me most to wonder
93
How the old Duke came murdered.

VINDICE
O my lord.

ANTONIO
94
It was the strangeliest carried, I not heard of the like.

HIPPOLITO
95
'Twas all done for the best, my lord.

VINDICE
96All for your Grace's good. We may be bold to speak it now; 'twas somewhat witty carried, though we say it. 'Twas we two murdered him.

ANTONIO
97
You two?

VINDICE
98
None else, i'faith, my lord; nay, 'twas well managed.

ANTONIO
99
Lay hands upon those villains.

[Vindice and Hippolito are seized.]

VINDICE
How? On us?

ANTONIO
100
Bear 'em to speedy execution.

VINDICE
101
Heart, was't not for your good, my lord?

ANTONIO
My good?
102
Away with 'em! Such an old man as he,
103
You that would murder him would murder me.

VINDICE
104
Is't come about?

HIPPOLITO
'Sfoot, brother, you begun.

VINDICE
105
May not we set as well as the Duke's son?
106
Thou hast no conscience; are we not revenged?
107
Is there one enemy left alive amongst those?
108
'Tis time to die when we are ourselves our foes.
109
When murd'rers shut deeds close this curse does seal 'em:
110
If none disclose 'em they themselves reveal 'em.
111
This murder might have slept in tongueless brass,
112
But for ourselves, and the world died an ass.
113
Now I remember too, here was Piato
114
Brought forth a knavish sentence once.
115
No doubt, said he, but time
116
Will make the murderer bring forth himself.
117
'Tis well he died; he was a witch.
118
And now, my lord, since we are in for ever
119
This work was ours, which else might have been slipped,
120
And if we list we could have nobles clipped
121
And go for less than beggars; but we hate
122
To bleed so cowardly. We have enough, i'faith:
123
We're well, our mother turned, our sister true;
124
We die after a nest of dukes. Adieu.

Exeunt [Vindice and Hippolito under guard].

ANTONIO
125
How subtly was that murder closed! Bear up
126
Those tragic bodies; 'tis a heavy season.
127
Pray heaven their blood may wash away all treason!

Exeunt.
FINIS