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Was proud to have a being; in whom justice, And all the gods, for our imaginations+, Can work into a man, were more than virtues? Ambition, down to hell, where thou wert foster'd! [whitest,

Th'hast poison'd the best soul, the purest, And meerest innocence itself+2, that ever Man's greedy hopes gave life to. [open Leon. This is still stranger! lay this treason To my correction.

Bacha. Oh, what a combat duty and affection Breed in my blood!

Leon. If thou conceal'st him, may, Beside my death, the curses of the country, Troubles of conscience, and a wretched end, Bring thee unto a poor forgotten grave!

Bacha. My being, for another tongue to tell it!

Oh, ease a mother, some good man that dares Speak for his king and country 43! I am full Of too much woman's pity: yet, oh, Heav'n, Since it concerns the safety of my sovereign, Let it not be a cruelty in me,

Nor draw a mother's name in question 'Mongst unborn people, to give up that man To law and justice, that unrighteously Kas sought his father's death! Be deaf, be deaf, sir!

Your son is the offender: now have you all; 'Would I might never speak again!

Leon. My son?

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That clean forgetting all obedience,
And only following his first heat unto me,
He hotly sought your death, and me in mar-
Leon. Oh, villain!
[riage.
Bacha. But I forget all; and am half asham'd
To press a man so far.

Enter Timantus.

Tim. Where is the duke?

For God's sake, bring me to him!
Leon. Here I am.

frights forth! Each corner of the dukedom sends new afWhat wouldst thou? Speak!

Tim. I cannot, sir; my fear

Ties up my tongue.

Leon. Why, what's the matter? Take Thy courage to thee, and boldly speak! Where are

The guard? In the gods' name, out with it! Tim. Treason, treason!

Leon. In whom?

Bacha. Double the guard!

Tim. There is a fellow, sir-
Leon. Leave shaking, man!

Tim. 'Tis not for fear, but wonder.
Leon. Well?

Tim. There is a fellow, sir,
Close in the lobby: you o' the guard,
Look to the door there!

Leon. But let me know the business.
Tim. Oh, that the hearts of men should be
so harden'd

Against so good a duke! for God's sake, sir, Seek means to save yourself: this wretched slave

Has his sword in his hand; I know his heart: Oh, it hath almost kill'd me with the thought of it!

Lcon. Where is he?

Enter the Guard.

Tim. I'th'lobby, sir, close in a corner: Look to yourselves, for Heaven's saxe! methinks,

He's here already. Fellows of the guard, be valiant!

41 For our imaginations.] Sympson would read imitations instead of imaginations: we think the text best. If the passage is at all corrupt, we should perhaps read on, not for our imaginations.

42 And meerest innocentst.] Mr. Theobald had prevented me in this correction.

43 My being for another tongue to tell it,

Cease, a mother! some good man that dares
Speak for his king and country: 1 am full

Seward.

Of too much woman's pity.] Few emendations have given me so much pleasure as that of this passage. The corruption lay in the loss only of about a fifth part of a letter, and yet it utterly spoil'd both metre and sense, where both were very beautiful. It cost me two or three turns before I could hit upon it, but when mention'd it carries immediate conviction. Instead of Cease a mother, it is only turning the C into an O.

O! case a mother some good man that dares

Speak for his king and country.

Seward.

Seward's variation here is ingenious and plausible, though perhaps the passage will not appear corrupt, when the points are altered, thus:

VOL. III.

My being, for another tongue to tell it,
Cease! A mother? Some good man, &c.

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Leon. Go, sirs, and apprehend him: treason Never dare me in mine own gates. [shall Tim. 'Tis done. [Guard bring the Prince in. Bucha. And thou shalt find it to thy best [They're happy

content.

Leon. Are these the comforts of my age? That end their days contented with a little, And live aloof from dangers! to a king, Every content doth a new peril bring. Oh, let me live no longer! Shame of nature, Bastard to honour, traitor, murderer, Devil in a human shape! Away with him; He shall not breathe his hot infection here. Leuc. Sir, hear me.

[him Leon. Am I or he your duke? Away with To a close prison! Your highness now shall know,

Such branches must be cropt before they grow. Leuc. Whatever fortune comes, I bid it welcome;

My innocence is my armour: gods preserve you!

Bacha. Fare thee well!

I shall ne'er see so brave a gentleman. "Would I could weep out his offences!

Tim. Or

I could weep out mine eyes!

Leon. Come, gentlemen!

[Exit.

We will determine presently about his death;
We cannot be too forward in our safety.
I'm very sick; lead me unto my bed! [Exe.

Enter Citizen and his Boy.

Cit. Sirrah, go fetch my fox from the cutler's44: [stop There's money for the scow'ring: tell him I A groat since th'last great muster, he had in stone pitch [his gun. For th' bruise he took, with the recoiling of Boy. Yes, sir.

Cit. And (do you hear?) when you come, take down my buckler, [on't, And sweep the cobwebs off, and grind the pick And fetch a nail or two, and tack on the bracers: [her,

Your mistress made a pot-lid on't, I thank At her maid's wedding, and burnt off the handle.

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1 Cit. Amen say I! Sh' has brought things to a fine pass with her Do you mark it? [good old duke;

2 Cit. One thing I am sure she has, the She gives him pap again, they say, and dandles him,

And hangs a coral and bells about his neck, And makes him believe his teeth will come again;

Which, if they did, and I he, I would worry

her

[bour, As never cur was worried 46! I would, neigh'Till my teeth met I know where; but that's counsel.

Enter Third Citizen.

3 Cit. Good morrow, neighbours! Hear you the sad news?

1 Cit. Yes; 'would we knew as well how to prevent it!

3 Cit. I cannot tell: methinks, 'twere no great matter,

If inen were men; but→→

4+ My fox; i. e. My sword. See note 36 on King and No King.

46 As never curr was worried.] As this is sense I don't change it, but cat is a much more common, as well as more proper comparison, than curr, to a shrew.

Seward.

2 Cit. You do not twit me with my calling, neighbour? [to be tall: 3 Cit. No, surely; for I know your spirit Pray be not vex'd!

2 Cit. Pray forward with your counsel. I'm what I am, and they that prove me shall Find me to their cost-Do you mark me, neighbour?

To their cost, I say.

1 Cit. Nay, look, how soon you're angry! 2 Cit. They shall, neighbours; yes, I say they shall.

3 Cit. I do believe they shall.

1 Cit. I know they shall.

2 Cit. Whether you do or no, I care not two-pence! [neighbours:

I am no beast; I know mine own strength, God bless the king! Your companies is fair. 1 Cit. Nay, neighbour, now ye err; I must tell you so,

An ye were twenty neighbours.

3 Cit. You had best

Go peach; do peach!

2 Cit. Peach? I scorn the motion.

3 Cit. Do, and see what follows! I'll spend an hundred pound

(An't be two, I care not), but I'll undo thee. 2 Cit. Peach? oh, disgrace! peach in thy face! and do [a free-man! The worst thou canst! I am a true-man, and Peach?

1 Cit. Nay, look, you will spoil all.

2 Cit. Peach?

1 Cit. Whilst you two brawl together,

The prince will lose his life.

[feel it

3 Cit. Come, give me your hand! I love you well. Are you for the action? 2 Cit. Yes; But peach provokes me! 'tis a cold fruit; I Cold in my stomach still. [gest it.

3 Cit. No more! I'll give you cake to diEnter Fourth Citizen.

4 Cit. Shut up my shop, and be ready at a call, boys! [few ashes

And one o' you run o'er my old tuck with a (Tis grown odious with toasting cheese), and burn

[it

[shirt!

A little juniper in my murrion (the maid made Her chamber-pot); an hour hence I'll come again. And as you hear from me, send me a clean 3 Cit. The chandler by the wharf, an it be thy will!

2 Cit. Gossip, good morrow!

4 Cit. Oh, good morrow, gossip! Good morrow, all! I see ye of one mind, Ye cleave so close together. Come; 'tis time! I have prepar'd an hundred, if they stand. 1 Cit. 'Tis well done: shall we sever, and about it?

[apiece

3 Cit. First let's to th' tavern! and a pint Will make us dragons.

2 Cit. I will have no mercy, Come what will of it.

4 Cit. If my tuck hold, I'll spit The guard like larks with sage between 'em. 2 Cit. I have

A foolish bill to reckon with 'em, will make Some of their hearts ache, and I'll lay it on! Now shall I fight, 'twill do you good to see me. s Cit. Come, I'll do something for the town to talk of

When I am rotten: pray God there be enough
To kill, that's all!
[Exeunt.
Enter Dorialus, Nisus, and Agenor.
Age. How black the day begins!
Dor. Can you blame it, and look
Upon such a deed as shall be done this
morning?

Nisus. Does the prince suffer to-day?
Dor. Within this hour, they say.

Age. Well, they that are most wicked are
most safe.

'Twill be a strange justice, and a lamentable : Gods keep us from the too-soon feeling of it! Dor. I care not if my throat were next;' for to live still,

Or

[shambles. And live here, were but to grow fat for the Nisus. Yet we must do't, and thank 'em May be accepted. [too, that our lives Age. Faith, I'll go starve myself, grow diseas'd, to shame the hangman; for I'm sure he shall be my herald, and quarter [lent at arms. Dor. Ay, a plague on him, he's too excel Nisus. Will you go see this sad sight, my lord Agenor?

me.

Age. I'll make a mourner.

[go;

Dor. If I could do him any good, I would The bare sight else would but afflict my spirit: My prayers shall be as near him as your eyes. As ye find him settled, remember my love To his grace. [and service

Nisus. We will weep for you, sir. Farewell!

Dor. Farewell!

[Exeunt.

To all our happiness, a long farewell!
Thou angry power, whether of heav'n or hell,
That lay'st this sharp correction on Our
kingdom

For our offences, infinite and nighty!
Oh, hear me, and at length be pleas'd, be
pleas'd

With pity to draw back thy vengeance,
Too heavy for our weakness; and accept
(Since it is your discretion, heav'nly wisdoms,
To have it so) this sacrifice for all,
That now is flying to your happiness,
Only for you most fit; let all our sins

[A shout within. Suffer in him!-Gods, what's the matter? I 'Tis joy: how now, my lords? [hope

Enter Agenor and Nisus.

Nisus. I'll tell you with that little breath I have:

[safe

More joy than you dare think; the prince is From danger,

3C%

Dor,

Dor. How? [was come Age. 'Tis true, and thus it was: his hour To lose his life: he, ready for the stroke, Nobly, and full of saint-lik patience, [saw, Went with his guard; which, when the people Compassion first went out, mingled with tears, That bred desires, and whispers to each other, To do some worthy kindness for the prince; And ere they understood well how to do, Fury step'd in, and taught them what to do, Thrusting on every hand to rescue him, As a white innocent. Then flew the roar Thro' all the streets, of Save him, save him, save him!

And as they cried, they did; for catching up Such sudden weapons as their madness shew'd them, [from 'em, In short, they beat the guard, and took him And now march with him like a royal army. Dor. Heav'n, Heav'n, I thank thee! what a slave was I

To have my hand so far from this brave rescue! "Thad been a thing to brag on when I was old. Shall we run for a wager to the next temple, And give thanks?

Nisus. As fast as wishes.

[Exeunt.

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From subtilties to undo myself with! but I know,

[part If Reason herself were here, she would not With her own safety.

Leuc. Well, pardon, Ismenus! for I know My courses are most ust; nor will I stain 'em With one bad action. For thyself, thou know'st,

That tho' I may command thee, I shall be A ready servant unto thee, if thou need'st: And so I'll take my leave.

Ism. Of whom?

Leuc. Of thee.

Ism. Heart, you shall take no leave of me! Leuc. Shall I not? [if you have Ism. No, by the gods, shall you not! Nay, No more wit but to go absolutely alone, I'll be in a little.

Leuc. Nay, prithee, good Ismenus, Part with me!

Ism. I wo'n't, i'faith, ne'er move it Any more; for by this good light, I wo'not! Leuc. This is an ill time to be thus unruly: Ismenus, you must leave me.

Ism. Yes, if you can

Beat me away; else the gods refuse me,
If I will leave vou till I see more reason!
You sha'n't undo yourself.

Leuc. But why wilt not leave me?

Ism. Why, I will tell you, because when you are gone,

Then-Life, if I have not forgot my reason, Hell take me! you put me out of patience so. Oh! marry, when you are gone, then will your mother [my head, -A pox confound her-she ne'er comes in But she spoils my memory too. There are a bundred reasons.

Leuc. But shew me one. Ism. Shew you what a stir here is! Why, I will shew you: do you think-well,

well,

['Tis in vain, I know what I know; I pray come, come! But I am sure-Devils take 'em! what do I meddle with them?

You know yourself—Soul, I think I am— Is there any man i' th' world—As if you knew not this [no reason! Already better than I! Pish, pish, I'll give Leuc. But I will tell thee one, why thou

shouldst stay:

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48 You may kill your mother, and ne'er offend your father, an honest man.] Former ediions. Both sense and measure require the emendation.

Seward.

Leuc

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Ism. What would her new grace have with me?

Ura. Leave us awhile. My lord Ismenus, [Exit Maid. I pray, for the love of Heav'n and God, That you would tell me one thing, which I You can do weel. [know

Ism. Where's her fain grace? [you mock; Ura. You know me weel inough, but that I'm she mysen.

Ism. God bless him that shall be [soon, Thy husband! if thou wear'st breeches thus Thou'lt be as impudent as thy mother. Ura. But will you

Tell me this one thing?

Ism. What is it? if it

Be no great matter whether I do or no,
Perhaps I will.

Ura. Yes, faith, 'tis matter.

Ism. And what is't?

Ura. I pray you, let me know where the prince my brother is.

Ism. I'faith, you shan be hang'd first! Is your mother so foolish to think your good Can sift it out of me?

[grace

Ura. If you have any mercy Left in you to a poor wench, tell me! Ism. Why, [for this, Wouldst not thou have thy brains beat out To follow thy mother's steps so young?

Ura. But believe me, she knows none of Ism. Believe you? [this. Why do you think I never had wits?

Or that I am run out of them? How should it Belong to you to know, if I could tell?

Ura. Why, I will tell you; and if I speak false,

Let the de'il ha' me! Yonder's a bad man, Come from a tayrant to my mother, and what name

They ha' for him, good feith, I cannot tell.
Ism. An ambassador?
[away,
Ura. That's it: but he would carry me
And have me marry his master; and I'll daye
Ere I will ha' him.

Ism. But what's this to knowing
Where the prince is?

[does

Ura. Yes; for ye know all my mother Agen the prince, is but to ma me great. Ism. Pray (I know that too well), what Ura. Why,

[then? I would go to the good marquis my brother, And put myself into his hands, that so He may preserve himself.

[ther in thee, Ism. Oh, that thou hadst no seed of thy moAnd couldst mean this now!

Ura. Why, ifeth I do;

'Would I might never stir more if I do not! Ism. I shall prove a ridiculous fool, I'll be damn'd else:

Hang me, if I don't half believe thee!

Ura. By my troth,

You may.

[ass for't,

Ism. By my troth, I do! I know I'm an But I can't help it.

Ura. And won you tell me then?

Ism. Yes, faith will I, or any thing else i'th' world;

For I think thou art as good a creature as
Ever was born.

Ura. But ail go i'this lad's reparel;
But you mun help me to silver.

Ism. Help thee? why, the pox take him That will not help thee to any thing i'th world! Esently too: I'll help thee to money, and I'll do't preAnd yet-Soul, if you should play the scurvy harlotry,

The

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