Steal thee to hell. So subtle are thy evils; In life they'll seem good angels, in death devils. I'll shew thy letters full of violent lust Sent to this Lady. Appius. My Lords, these are but dilatory shifts. Sirrah, I know you to the And I'll observe you. very heart, Icilius. Do, but do it with justice. Clear thyself first, O Appius, ere thou judge Our imperfections rashly, for we wot The office of a justice is perverted quite 1. Senator. You are too bold. Appius. Lictors, take charge of him. Will no man view these papers *, what not one? My duty to you. The ass that carried Isis on his back, Thought that the superstitious people kneel'd If thou thinkst so, proud judge, I let thee see Virginius. There's one in hold already. Noble Fetters grace one, being worn for speaking truth. * The Forgery. Appius. Your madness wrongs you: by my soul, I love you. Virginius. Thy soul! O thy opinion, old Pythagoras: Whither, O whither should thy black soul fly, Into what ravenous bird, or beast most vile? Love me! Thou lov'st me, Appius, as the earth loves rain, Appius. Know you the place you stand in? Good men, too much trusting their innocence, Appius. Let us proceed to sentence. Virginius. Ere you speak, One parting farewell let me borrow of you Appius. Pray, take your course. Virginius. Farewell, my sweet Virginia: never, never Shall I taste fruit of the most blessed hope I had in thee. Let me forget the thought Of thy most pretty infancy; when first, Returning from the wars, I took delight To rock thee in my target; when my girl Would kiss her father in his burganet Of glittering steel hung 'bout his armed neck, And, viewing the bright metal, smile to see Another fair Virginia smile on thee; When I first taught thee how to go, to speak ; And (when my wounds have smarted) I have sung, To bring my girl asleep. O my Virginia; When we begun to be, begun our woes; [Kills her. And see, proud Appius, see; THE TRAGEDY OF THE DUCHESS OF MALFY. The Duchess of Malfy marries Antonio, her Steward. Duchess. Is Antonio come? Cariola. He attends you. Duch. Good dear soul, Leave me but place thyself behind the arras, Where I shall find nor path nor friendly clue To be my guide. [ Cariola withdraws. ANTONIO enters. I sent for you, sit down. Take pen and ink and write. Are you ready? Ant. Yes. Duch. What did I say? Ant. That I should write somewhat. Duch. Oh, I remember. After these triumphs and this large expence It's fit, like thrifty husbands, we enquire Ant. So please your beauteous excellence. Duch. Beauteous indeed! I thank you; I look young your sake. You have tane my cares upon you. For Ant. I'll fetch your grace the particulars of your revenue and expence. Duch. Oh, you're an upright treasurer: but you mistook, For when I said I meant to make enquiry Ant. Where? Duch. In heaven. I'm making my will (as 'tis fit Princes should,) That violent distraction? Ant. Oh, much better. Duch. If I had a husband now, this care were quit. But I intend to make you overseer; What good deed shall we first remember, say? Ant. Begin with that first good deed, began in the world After man's creation, the sacrament of marriage. I'd have you first provide for a good husband; Give him all. Duch. All! Ant. Yes, your excellent self. Duch. In a winding sheet? Ant. In a couple. Duch. St. Winifred, that were a strange will. Ant. 'Twere stranger if there were no will in you To marry again. Duch. What do you think of marriage? Ant. I take it, as those that deny purgatory; It locally contains or heaven or hell, There's no third place in 't. Duch. How do you affect it? Ant. My banishment, feeding my melancholy, Would often reason thus. Duch. Pray, let us hear it. Ant. Say a man never marry, nor have children, Duch. Fie, fie, what's all this? One of your eyes is blood-shot; use my Ring to 't. But to my second husband. Ant. You have parted with it now. Duch. How? Ant. There is a saucy and ambitious devil, Is dancing in this circle. Duch. Remove him. Ant. How? Duch. There needs small conjuration, when your finger May do it; thus: is it fit? Ant. What said you? (She puts the Ring on his finger.) (He kneels.) Duch. Sir L |