When understanding ripens in thy soul, time. Prithee, withdraw a little, and attend me Page. It shall be done, my lord. Lies here, like virtue's close and hidden seed. A Voice within-I am not here. Gov. What's that? who is not here? Ghost. He that dares do more, Gov. All the miseries below Ghost. I am now at court In his own private chamber; there he And plies his suit to me with as serious pains, And will send privately for a hand of art, Some idle sounds the beaten vaults send That may dissemble life upon my face, forth. [On a sudden, in a kind of noise like a wind, the doors clattering, the tombstone flies open, and a great light appears in the midst of the tomb, his lady as [she] went out standing just before him all in white, stuck with jewels and a great crucifix on her breast. Gov. Mercy, look to me!-Faith, I fly to thee! Keep a strong watch about me! now thy O, never came astonishment and fear If this be sorrow, let it never die ! To please his lustful eye. Gov. O piteous wrongs! My rest is lost, thou must restore't again. [The Ghost disappears. Gov. I cannot spare thee yet. I'll make myself Over to death too, and we'll walk together I must dispatch this business upon earth, I'll to my brother for his aid or counsel. Her body I will place in her first nest, ACT V. SCENE I. Enter Votarius, with Anselmus Vot. You shall stand here, my lord, un- Do I deal now like a right friend with you? Vot. You shall have her mind, e'en as it Though I undo her by't; your friendship, Is the sweet mistress that I only serve; Ans. And that's an honest mind of thee. Vot. Troth, he says true there, 'tis a match indeed. He does not know the strength of his own words, For, if he did, there were no mastering of him. He's cleft the pin in two with a blind man's eyes; Though I shoot wide, I'll cozen him of the game. [Exit. Enter Leonella above in a Gallery, with her Lover, Bellarius. Leo. Dost thou see thine enemy walk? Bel. I would I did not. Leo. Prithee rest quiet, man; I have fee'd one for him, A trusty catchpole too that will be sure of him ; Thou know'st this gallery, well, 'tis at thy Leo. Alas! a woman's action's always ready; Yet I'll down now I think on't. Bel. Do; 'tis time, i'faith. [Leonella descends. Ans. I know not yet where I should plant belief, I am so strangely toss'd between two tales; I'm told by my wife's woman the deed's done, And in Votarius' tongue 'tis yet to come. The castle is but upon yielding yet, 'Tis not deliver'd up: well, we shall find The mystery shortly; I will entertain The patience of a prisoner i'th' mean time. [Locks himself in. Enter Wife, with Leonella. Wife. Is all set ready, wench? Leo. Pish, madam ! all. Leo. Nay, good sweet madam. You would not think how much this passion alters you; It drinks up all the beauty of your cheek. blood. Wife. Let it draw death upon me, for I shall be mistress of no true content: Leo. Nay, that's most certain : Wife. Which way, were that wisdom? prithee, wench, to whom? Leo. To him that makes all whole again, my lord. To one that, if he be a kind good husband, Will let you bear no more than you are able. Wife. Thou know'st not what thou speak'st; why, my lord's he That gives him the house-freedom, all his boldness; Keeps him o' purpose here to war with me. Leo. Now I hold wiser of my lord than So, He knows the world, he would not be so idle. Wife. I speak sad truth to thee; I am not private In mine own chamber, such his impudence is: Nay, my repenting time is scarce blest from him, He will offend my prayers. Leo. Out upon him: I believe, madam, he's of no religion. Wife. He serves my lord, and that's And preys upon poor ladies like myself; Leo. Marry, the devil of hell give him his blessing! Wife. Pray, watch the door, and suffer none to trouble us, Unless it be my lord. Leo. 'Twas finely spoke that! My lord indeed is the most trouble to her. Now must I show a piece of service here; Wife. Tell not me so; she lives not for I must be married as my lady is, first, a lady That has less peace than I. And then my maid may do as much for [Aside. me. Do wake in honourable pity to me, Whom I have check'd so often: here I I'll imitate my noble sister's fate, Enter Votarius, to the door within. Leo. Back, you're too forward, sir! there's no coming for you. Vot. How, mistress Len, my lady's smock-woman, Am I no farther in your duty yet? friend; Take thou my vengeance, thou bold per- At the same instant Bellarius enters. That durst accuse thy virtuous lady falsely. What make I here? I had forgot my part; Leo. Duty! look for't of them you keep The blackness of this season cannot miss under, sir. Vot. You'll let me in. Leo. Who would you speak withal? Vot. Why, the best lady you make Leo. She will not speak with you. I scorn to take her answer of her broker. Wife. What's there? How now, sir, We see your boldness plain. Vot. I came to see you, madam. Wife. Farewell then! though 'twas impudence too much When I was private. Vot. Madam! Wife. 'Life, he was born To beggar all my patience. Vot. I'm bold Still to prefer my love; your woman hears me not. Wife. Where's modesty and honour? Leo. By'r lady, I think oftener. [Aside. Since nothing will prevail, come death, I will forget the weakness of my kind, [She thrusts at Votarius with the Vot. How now, lady! 'Uds life, you prick me, madam! me. Sirrah-you-lord! Wife Is he there! welcome, ruin! For this poor gentlewoman. Ans. And art thou then receiver ! I'll pay thee largely, slave, for thy last 'scape. [They make a dangerous pass at one another, the Lady purposely runs between them, and is killed by them both. Wife. I come, Votarius. Ans. Hold, if manhood guide thee! O what has fury done now? Bel. What has it done now? Why kill'd an honourable whore, that's all. Ans. Villain, I'll seal that lie upon thy heart. Bel. That was deceived once in her own deceit, [They fight, both are mortally wounded. As I am now; the poison I prepared Upon that weapon for mine enemy's bosom, I will not hurt thee [aside]; will you yet Is bold to take acquaintance of my blood Wife. Prithee, peace! begone, sir? Leo. He's upon going, I think. Ans. I ask no more of destiny, but to fall Close by the chaste side of my virtuous mistress; If all the treasure of my weeping strength Enter Govianus, with Servants. Gov. Where should he be ? 1st Serv. My lady, sir, will tell you. She's in her chamber here. 2nd Serv. O! my lord! Gov. Peace My honourable brother, madam, all,— Left to proclaim 'em. Bel. Yes, here, if a voice Some minutes long may satisfy your ear, Gov. 'Tis enough, Bestow it quickly, ere death snatch it from thee. Bel. That lord, your brother, made his To tempt his lady; she was won to lust, man; But that wise close adultress, stored with art To prey upon the weakness of that lord, He slew this right discoverer in his fury, I fling thee thus from my believing breast With all the strength I have; my rage is great, Although my veins grow beggars; now I sue To die far from thee; may we never meet: O thou beguiler of man's easy trust, Gov. Is death so long a-coming to man- It must be met half-way? 'Las! the full time Is to eternity but a minute; or Was that so long to stay? O cruel speed! There's few men pay their debts before their day; If they be ready at their time 'tis well : And but a few that are so; what strange haste Was made among these people! My heart weeps for't. Go, bear those bodies to a place more Brother, I came for thy advice, but I The body of my love is still at court: Was with me once again about it, troth; I must to court, I've plighted my faith to't; in'T has open'd me the way to the revenge. Tyrant, I'll run thee on a dangerous shelf, Though I be forced to fly this land myself. [Exit. To take some pains with him, and he's As for the cunning lady, I commend her; tried, Ans. O thunder! that awakes me e'en from death, SCENE II. Enter Tyrant, with Attendants. Tyr. In vain my spirit wrestles with my blood: Affection will be mistress here on earth; And makes me curse my confidence with The house is hers, the soul is but a tenant. cold lips; I feel his words in flames about my soul, Gov. Brother! Ans. I repent the smile That I bestow'd on destiny; O whore ! I have task'd myself but with the absti nence Of one poor hour, yet cannot conquer that: As we have caused her body to be deck'd In all the glorious riches of our palace; Our mind has felt a famine for the time; All comfort has been dear and scarce with us. The times are alter'd since-strike on, sweet harmony! Enter Soldiers with the Lady. A braver world comes toward us. silent awhile, letting the music play, beckoning the soldiers that bring her in to make obeisance to her, and he himself makes a low honour to the body, and kisses the hand. IO who dares play with destiny but he Of all my Latin prayers, nor ne'er sought for't. Tyr. How pleasing art thou to us even in death! I love thee yet above all women living; I can see nothing to be mended in thee, colours, And think it the best bargain That ever king made yet, but fate's my hindrance; And I must only rest content with art, And that I'll have in spite on't; is he come, sir? 2nd Sol. Who, my lord? Tyr. Dull-the fellow that we sent For a court schoolmaster, a picture-drawer; A lady's forenoon tutor; is he come, sir? Tyr. 'Twas circumspectly carried: leave us, go. Be nearer, sir, thou'rt much commended to us. Gov. It is the hand, my lord, commends the workman. Tyr. Thou speak'st both modesty and truth in that: We need that art that thou art master of. Gov. My king is master both of that and me. Tyr. Look on yon face, and tell me what it wants. Gov. Which? that, sir? Tyr. That what wants it? Some thousand years' sleep, and a marble pillow. Tyr. What's that? observe it still all the best arts Have the most fools and drunkards to their masters. |