the gard Ser T is true my friends I heard the pullie creake The stirring crane did make a mightie noise And by a rope I sawe descending downe The cursed murderer Lord Lelio T is Brishio succors Lelio none else Mar What news my friends what makes Seruio vp Ser Captaine Lorde Lelio hetherto hath kept in Brishios house And this night from his lee is slipt awaie I sawe the ancor fisht the sailes new hoist Aske of this peasant if I tell not true Mar Sirrha didst thou see Lelio Fran I marie did I sir Ser What need we more Fran Marie to know when I sawe him last For the first time I sawe him was at his marriage For Vnbend thy musket souldier in the locke Presse me his thumbes and make the slaue confesse Here pinch him Fran O I confesse Lelio was shipt at our crane this night My master Brishio tooke him in I agreed with the shipmaster made clcane his shooes And so laide him in the rope of our crane And let him downe into the ship And he is gone into the Florentine campe Ma. So now let him loose the truth apparant is Fo Marchetto go prosecute the Senates will Attach Lord Brishio seize vpon his goods Come breake vp the doore Exit omnis manet Sempronio Seruio Sem. Soft gentle friend a word or two with you From whence proceed these troubles that arise Se For yong Sempronios death my honest friend Sem VVhy gentle sir is young Sempronio dead Se VVhy doubts thou that I tell thee I haue sought and found it so Sem. VVhere was he buried Se VVhy Sepheards brought me tidings of his death Some rauenous beast did seize him for his praie Sem And what hast thou lost or gotten by his death Se I haue annuall rents two thousand pounds The worth in plate of twice so many more A few such breakfasts friend would make me rich I le tell thee euerie daie throughout the yere I le loose a kinsman to possesse so much Semp Then not for loue thou bearest Sempronio But for a colour of thy honest minde Thou doest pursue Lord Lelio in this sort Se A foole were I so to accuse my selfe Thinke like a worldly man that so it is And so it is in deed who longeth to be rich Let him forget God but for a dozen yeres He shall be rich well landed stout and braue â—â—m Wipe out that water from thy eies my friend Se. VVhat ayleth me Sem VVhy thou art blind and canst not see Se. Thou wilt not make me mad I le take my spectacles Sem. Tush they auaile thee not for thou art blinde in deede Looke in thy heart and finde an honest thought Then will I saie thy eyes are perfect cleere Looke in thy conscience finde it not corrupt Then thou shalt see without thy spectacles Se. Awaie thou art a knaue I saie tempt me not Sem Yes but thou art an arrant couetous knaue for all mine vnkle Exit Seruio Enter Fortunio and Marchetto with Brishio and his two sonnes Bri T is true my Lord I fauord Lelios flight My loue hath crost the rigor of your lawes Fo Did you foreknow the penaltie my Lord That doomes you banishment and losse of goods Bri All this I knew but none of this I feare True friendship lightneth all these burdenous harme If Lelio be escapt I feare no wants My exile to me is libertie Go fruites of nature I will leaue you heere Go toward children thriue among my friends Glut you with my excesse of Vanities Feed your vncleane desires by spoiling me I wreake them not so Lelio liue to me Not irkesome age not lims with sicknes tir'd Nor you my sonnes nor all my other friends Not fortune nor intreate shall keep me backe Mar Whence growes thy resolution so austere Brish From honestie my friends which gouernes me First Lelio mongst our chiefest citizens Made me his father and his vowed friend Next to defend my daughter from defame He ventured life And shall a little pelfe These two yong boyes make me forget my friend That ventured life and vertue for my sake No I loue my Lelio do what fortune can Sem Why here 's a knacke to know an honest man Keepe him in Venice my Fortunio When he is gone few such will staie behinde For here our wonted faith is turn'd to fraud Our periuries are counted policies Our oaths are gates to catch the simple sort Our curtesie is but nodding of the head Discouering the cap or bending of the knee Swearing I loue your honor good my Lord The best dissembler hath the brauest wit Come let me loue thee for thy Lelios sake And when I meet him next I le tel him more Ex. Sem. Opre Deare father who shall succor vs when you are dead Brish Your diligence which can command the proudest miserie Zeph What if your friends repine and will not giue Brish Your hands my sons must teach you how to liue Courage and industrie can neuer want Vaine idlenesse growes wretched by itselfe But diligence inableth poorest men Well must I to prison Lordes or must I hence Tell me the Senates sentence speedily Fo Hie thee from Venice speedily for if thou stay But two houres space thou art adiudged death Brish Farewell my Lord and farewell gentle friend Adieu my sonnes nay weepe not Commend me to your sister loue her well Defend her honor as you loue your liues Zep Where nature parteth vs there sorrow thriues Exit Brishio Ma Come let vs let the Duke and Senate know The whole successe and fortune we haue had Exit omnis Enter Franco and Gnatto Gnat What Franco wel met whether art thou going Fran Faith my master is gone awaie and I am going a begging Gnat A begging why t is the best occupation thou canst vse A begger hath fiue of the seuen liberall sciences At his fingers ends he hath musike to sing for his dinner he hath logicke to cauel with the constable he hath rhetorike to perswade that hee should not go to the stockes he hath Geometrie to measure out his bed in the plaine field and he hast Astronomie to shew a warme sunne from a colde shade Nay I le proue that a begger deuours the foure morall vertues at one breakfast he 's valiant when he must needs fight he is liberall when he hath anie monie to spend and he is true if there be nothing to steale A begger why t is the ancientest occupation that is it began at Adam wil neuer end til doomes day But sirrha Franco I le tell thee what thou shalt do go professe thine olde occupation againe Fran. What 's that Gnat. O t is the best occupation that is for thee Fran Why what profit can that yeld Gnat. Why by being alwaies dronke thou shalt learne neuer to be sober O the vertue of a dronkard is much he speaks little because he sleeps much he stands not vpon opinion for euerie litle straw throwes him not
slew Sempronio But that assertion Seruio must not serue To proue him guiltie in these reuerend eares 2. Sen. What proofes produceth Seruio to the state To proue Lord Lelio guiltie of the murther When as through Venice nothing was more found Then faithfull friendship plighted twixt them twain Ser That loue which was twixt them before Doth make the murther farre more monstrous But princes in a word behold the man That sawe the murder and can witnes it Examine him and let his proofes preuaile Duke Lords let not Lelios honor bleare your eies Speake sirrha Did Lelio kill Sempronio Shep And shal please your honors grace and worships I for fault of a better shepheard to Lord Seruio heere And vpon a time let me see O t was yesterday when my masters sheep I were at breakfast together I sawe Lelio and Sempronio fighting so long That Lelio thrust his sword into Sempronios belly Whereupon he died and it shall please your worshipfull worships All this wil I be forsworne to with my neighbor Menalchus good man Coridon the rest that followed the crie with Slip my dog others forsoth Duke This homely tale doth sauor of truth Ser Truth soundeth sweetly in a silly tong 1. Sen Craft often lurketh in a shepheards coate Shep Sir you do abuse our profession For Craft goodman Coridons dog Nere wore coate nor breeches I le stand to it For My Lord and father breake contention off The proofes are found then let it not be sayde Your mightines should be miscarried By contradiction of two Senators Duke My sonne my silence tels me many things By it I finde the deapth of each mans drifte And gathering things by certaine circumstance Am better able to discerne the truth Lordes take your places and resolue on this That Lelio by approued truth is found To be the murtherer of Sempronio His lands and goods be siez'd to publike vse We doome him dead Besides whateuer man Can bring his head vnto the Senate house Shall haue a thousand crownes for recompence Paid him forth of our treasurie Further least priuate friends should succor him We do enact that whatsoeuer man Shall dare conceale or hide the murtherer Shall be banisht and his goods confiscat Senators allow you this Ser Iustice this sentence great Venetian Duke 2. Sen Remit thou yet thy sterne austeritie Most mightie prince and be not so seuere Though Lelio by the lawe do merit death There is no lawe that may defraud his wife Or leaue his daughter without maintenance O grant thou this iust fauor mightie Duke That they may keepe possession of his house Although the common-wealth command his goods Duke A lawfull plea which may not be denide Thy suite is granted register it downe Now let our gard beset the citie round Search euerie house to finde out Lelio Meane while graue Senators bethinke your selues Of some strict lawe against our Sessions That may repulse these insolent debates Exeunt omnes Enter Brisheo and Franco Brish Sirrha Franco what sayde olde Seruio to my money Fran Mary sir as soon as his fore eies had ouerlookt it And his fingers trembling had ouertolde it He tooke it vp and verie furiously cast it into hell Brish Into hell knaue what meanst thou by that Fran. Marie sir into his chest I meane the verie bottomlesse pit of vsurie where I am sure God neuer came but the deuil his angels fil it vp to the brim Brish Well sirrha leaue your ieasting and goe will the master of my barke to vnlode the wares and see that at the crane you hoise them vp Fran I will sir Ex. Fran. Enter Lelio Lel Where shall I hide me from too searching eies Oh whether may I go to saue my life Brish Me thinkes I see my Lelio quite dismaid What aileth thee my sonne Lel O staie me not Brishio for thy daughters sake Be not thou the meanes to bring me to my end Brish Be not so foolish to mistrust thy friend Thy troubles taint my weale Lel Father by marriage friend in my misdeed Thus fortune hath deprest my weake estate Sempronio found in Venice for my friend Deare to my soule while he held vertue deare Incenst thy daughter and my wedded wife Who scorning to defame her ancient stocke Disburdned his lewd suit within my eares Heereon in a rage I drew him to the field There he lies slaine I flie to saue my life Now as thou art a father for my sake Pittie thy daughter and my wofull child For by the law I am condemnd to die Farewel the rest who cannot tel if you enquire Brish Stay Lelio stay if for my daughters sake thou slewest thy friend I for thy vertues sake will keepe thee close within my house And ship thee priuily this present night So vnperceiu'd thou shalt escape awaie Lel Hast thou not heard the sentence of the Duke That who so succors me must loose his goods And liue a banisht life Brish Why thinkest thou threates shall make me leaue my friend When is the time for friends to shew themselues But in extremitie I blesse sweet fortune that giues me such meanes To shew how much I fauor true nobilitie Lel What God wil haue folly may not withstand Brish Go in my sonne I wil be day the night the euening the morning to thee my sonne The day to helpe thee flie from foes pursuit The euen to giue thee rest from all thy toile No daie nor night shall I retaine my rest Till Brishio know that thou art safely fled Exe omnes Enter Sempronio disguised with Phillip Semp Here leaue me father walke no further forth Leaue me supposed dead reuiu'd by thee Hide thou my name and couer from the world My fortunes and my birth and all misdeeds Here is that Venice that beheld me fond Here is that Venice that shall beholde me wise Looke how thy science hath disguisde these lookes So hath thy councell reconcilde my heart I hate all worldly pompe I scorne lewd lust This tongue from tempting in dishonest loue Shall labour to releeue the innocent Farewell thou knowest my vow Which I haue sworne to keepe irreuocable Neuer to disclose my name Vntill such time as thou releasest me Phil I wil conceale thy name thy fortune thy birth Thy friends and what thou wilt I will conceale And now redeemed from the iawes of death Loue deeds of vertue worthie Gentleman And euerie daie discouering of thy wound Thinke how thy God hath thus preserued thee Sem Phillip farewell and welcome pouertie From sinfull proud I waxe a cynike pure Die fortune flie deceit florish true repent Sinne folly breeds a good mans discontent Enter Fortunio and Marchetto with the gard For Marchetto if thou louest me grant me this That if thou enter Lelios house thy selfe I may accompanie or tend on thee Mar Your Lordship cannot will or wish the thing Wherein Marchetto will not pleasure you The gard alreadie hath beset the house And I will knocke
and call for enterance For Tell me Marchetto ere thou go What precious thing is hid in Lelios house That likes thee best Mar I long to be the Lord of all his coine For And I long and labour for his daughters loue Mar But by your patience worthie Lord I deeme my choice is best For who so gaineth wealth Hath beautie tide as captiue to his coine And worldly pleasure tendeth on his traine For But in respect of beautie it is vaine Riches are baites to teach vs nigardines But beautie to be bountie teacheth meanest men Mar Ioue first wonne Dania in a golden shower For But Dalia's ouerprest with power Wealth is the bodies slaue but beauty guids the mind And feeds the sense and animates the wit Mar But wealth by golden gifts commandeth it The fairest Ladies for a little bribe Will let Diogenes disport awhile Gold is a God in this desired age Semp The more corrupter men that vse it so For Why what art thou that listens our debate Semp. Euen he that scorns the world spurns at fates He that thinkes wealth a burden to the soule And he too fond that fondly vseth it He that thinkes beautie but a fraile delight The nurse of idlenesse a bait for fooles Vnmeet for Princes who should onely thinke To beautifie their soules Not to infect their hearts with outward shewes Mar What new bred Cynike doth disturbe vs thus Sem He that can teach thee how to chouse thy goods Ioyne both thy hands and blow them mightily Mar To what intent Sem Do what I bid thee man For I praie thee please the cynike fit his vaine Mar Fellow beholde I will effect thy will Marchetto blowes his hands Semp What profit hast thou by that breath of winde Mar Why it warmes my hands Sem But now the heate is laide Mar It is Sem Such is the golde and so it doth abide A breath of pleasure wauering but a space Maintaind by mightie care but quickly lost Now Fortunio let vs see what beautie is Seest thou not this sprig i st not fresh and greene Now looke againe a litle violence makes it deform'd Why such is beautie sir a bait wherewith the world Doth angle arts intangle towardnes Inforceth reason trauerseth aduice I praie thee let me serue thee Fortunio For To what intent Sem Because I hate thy course and will instruct thee If thou be wise to marke and proue and know an honest man For. Well I entertaine thee thou shalt tend on me But first tell me whence art thou Where wast thou borne Sem I first was borne to be gentle Nature inforst the seed of good and bad in me Till death threatned to whip me for my sinnes Mercie stept in Repent shed teares and kist me Deuotion heald me and new christned me In my owne bloud that dropped from this wound And cald me Penitent experience Eta serua vostra fettisima seruidore siniore For Speakes in parables Mar Let him attend t is time to knocke vp Lelios householde traine He knockes Gnat within Who knockes there Mar The princes gard Gna Gard we haue no need of gards go to the tailors Keepe out I saie Mar Sir if I catch you Gnat I and you can Mar What a foole is this Gnat What an asse is that Enter Annetta and Lucida An What noise is this What mean this troup of armed men about my dore Mar Madame the Senate by a late decree Hath sent vs to make search for Lelio And if we finde him not to seize his goods An All what is his my Lord you may command The scourge which God afflicteth on our heads Is for our sinnes we take our harmes in gree Go when you will search where you please And leaue the rest for this poore maid and me Exit Marchetto and the Gard. Fo Did euer eies behold so faire a face Sem Looke not Fortunio eies are arrowes keene That wounds all vnawares and are not seene Why weeps this tender maid why grieues the mother T is I should weepe and I will weepe for both Fie on Sempronio that was so vnkind Fo Fond man why doest thou torment thy selfe Sem I beate Sempronio for abusing thee Thou loose vnbridled man the cause of harmes Pardon Annetta pardon Lucida Luc What ailes this aged man he stormeth so Fo Some lunasie surpriseth me I feare Art thou Sempronio Sem. This is Annetta that Lucida thou Fortunio But I am not Sempronio but penitent experience Fo Faire Lucida as bright as is the morning starre Drie vp thy teares let not thy fathers fall Depresse thy courage but reuiue thy spirits And think thy beautie sufficient to wed thee presently Lu Fortunio now my wedding daies be past I haue that husband which contents me best Fo Words sounding death may I thy husband know Luc Why sir I late am wedded to my wo With him I liue he doth inioy my heart Fo Tush madame that mariage may bee quickly mad Beautie to dwel with wo were to to bad Here whisper Heare me a word Enter Marchetto with the gard Ma Madame I see your husband hath pruented vs Well let him flie his chests are sealed vp The house and some small helps are left for you But if in this your extreame miserie â—ou will vouchsafe to follow mine aduice I will assure you good and wealth inough An As how my Lord Mar Forget thy Lelios loue Grant me possession of thy priuate bed An Auant vnreuerend pailard touch me not Sem. Here 's first a knacke to know an honest Lady Mar T is but a tricke of youth refuse not me An Awaie dishonest man abuse not me My pouertie is happines to me So long as vertue guides and gouerne it Come Lucida beware of subtill men Fly from these Sirenes that inchant chast hearts Come let our toiling fingers get vs bread Before suspect should preiudice our names For Good madame but a word and then no more Luc Sir in a word you shalt not tempt me more I am too noble to forget my selfe Too chast to be a princes concubine Offer your lewd assaultes among your curtizans I am no stale for your vnhonest lust and so farewell Sem Do so as thou hast sayd Thou shalt be crownd with honor curteous maid For Despisde and scornd what should I but despaire Mar Vse force my Lord win what you wold haue Sem I here 's a knacke to know an arrant knaue Vertue neare taught thee that She sets a bit vpon her brideled lust She hath a water of a holy zeale To drowne the shame of vaine affection in Mar Peace foolish foole thou doest abuse our talke Sem What doo these flatterers where free men walke Hearke my Fortunio I will tell a tale An oxe in Memphes with his poaring tongue Licking in doctious weeds did so foretell His following death a wretch like to my selfe Beating Marchettos cloake doth prophesie His following shame vnles he mend his life Enter Seruio Franco and
determine warre by vs Fo rs I Brishio now we are agreed Bri. Then tell me mightie Duke but dally not Louest thou Orelio as a husband should For. I loue and honour her in word and soule Bri. Then nothing is to deare for her my leech For. I le hazard life and all to doe her good Bri. Performe hir Ioynter then and keepe thy worde For. Then let the Florentine pay me her dowrie Le. Feare not my Lord the Florentines are men that honor right Speake great Italian Duke shall it be bruted in the eares of men That Forsa graunts all dewtie vnto thee And thou denie her right of marriage Me. T is pitty that gold should part two noble minds Here Forsa take my hand this night one tent Shall lodge vs both here a legare shal my mony lie Vntill my treasurer hath brought thy dew For. Then march in peace here endeth all our hate Thus poore mens loue doth great mens harmes debate Exit omnis Enter Zepheron and Orphinio with the Souldiers Zep. This is the place now fellowes stand close a while If any shall attempt to scale these walles Assault him and kill him if you can For death is too good an end for him that fauours dishonestie Or. I heare them comming brother now stand close Enter Fortunio and Marchetto and Sempronio Fo. Now sleepes the Sunne in Thetis lickored lap And watery eyes are pleased with pleasant rest Now playes the siluer Moone vpon the Sea And all the traine of twinckling starres adorne The hollow compasse of our heauens spheare This is the place where I must purchase life or end my dayes Marchetto boldly knocke to see if by permission We may enter in lest rumor will bewraye vs this darksome night Here Marchetto knockes Gnat. within How nowe what scabis at the doore at this time of the night Mo. Sirra tel thy mistresse Fortunio is at hand to speake with her Gna. within Soft sir keepe out I say least I make garters of your guttes foote balles of your faces ho let forth the dogges there Fo. Sirra dispatch and call your Mystresse foorth Or with my Sword I le send thy soule to hell Gnat. Way way you may carry the message thether your selfe for poore mens soules were made for heauen and the rich for hell Enter Annetta and Lucyda Annetta What noyse is this what meaneth you thus to assault a haplesse Ladies house Ma. Annetta my faire loue my hartes sole Queene An. Auaunt dishonest man disturber of the poore I know thy drift I know Fortunio comes To heape dishonor on my haplesse house But you may be gone and get you to your rest For no man entreth these doores this night Mar. Seize I this haggard I le make her stoope Fo Heaue me the doores from of the hinges straight Zep. VVho liftes his handes to force these barred doores Shall buy his rashnes with his dearest blood Fo. VVhat hath she champions to resist vs then Orphi I such as scorne to be disgrac'd by thee Fo. Downe with the slaues fellowes beat them down Giue light Marchet Fortunio is slayne Souldiers goe rayse the watch Semp. The Prince is hurt Zepheronus and Orphinio flye a pace Fo. My sences fayles O helpe me to my bed Sem. Leane on my shoulder and let vs goe Exit Sempronio and Fortunio Enter Marchetto and Seruio Marchet These are the Traitors Seruio laie hands on them Ser. VVhoes this Orphinio and Zepheronus The sonnes of Brishio performers of this deede Ma. Goe Seruio keepe them close tell I enforme the Duke And visit young Fortunio in his bed Exit Marchetto Se. VVhat ho Phillyda my gerle come forth here Enter Phillida Phil. VVhat would my father Se. Go take these prisoners see thou keep them close Locke them in the vpper loft till I returne Orph. Vse vs like gentlemen we craue no more Ser. Vse you like knaues for you deserue no lesse go get you hence Exit omnis manet Seruio So now shall I see the end of Brishioes race Now shal Sempronioes death be well reuenged First will I goe to the Duke and there procure their death And hast againe to see their execution done Exit Enter Phtllida with the keyes Phil. Whether will loue and dewtie lead me now To whom shall I submit in these extreames If to my father then my Lord must die Louely Orphinio and young Zepheronio My cruell father now doth seeke their deathes And now in hast is gone vnto the Duke That both of them this morne may lose their heaads But I le preuent him for here I le set them free And hazard all their perill on my selfe Here open the doore and Enter the two brethren Phi. Orphinio come foorth Or. What seeks thou louely maide amongst wretched men Phil. I seeke for loue saw you not him of late Ophi He neuer keepes where wretched men abide Pdil Yes yes Orphinio down in thy eyes he keepes But now to tell you dangers that are prest And you must seeke preuention out of hand For Corrodino by Marchettoes mouth Hath taken order that to morrow morne Young Zepheronio and you shall lose your heads Zep. O cruell sentence vpon Innocents For what we did was in our sisters cause Orph. How doth Fortunio Phil. Like the dying man but greeue not Orphinio Hardest not thou what loue did promise late Wilt thou protest if I do set thee free And thou returne to Venice safe againe Vouchsafe to take me to thy wedded wife Orp. I vow before the mighty God of heauen To wed and honor none but Phillida Phil. I take thy word and soone shall set thee free Here take my fathers signet Giue it to the Porter of the gates and hee will let you passe and so farewell my sweete Orphinio I cannot stay and in thy Iorney thinke on Phillyda Exit Phillida Or. Danger then must hasten our departure Farewell sweet Phillida Queene of my heart Exit Enter Seruio solus Ser. Welcom sweet morne the meanes of my delight God and my industrie hath wrought thus much In iust reuenge of my Sempronios death First Lelio banisht next Brishio to liue in misery And last his sonnes to day must suffer death Haue I not foure for one Enter the Porter Por. Good morrow and good fortune to my Lord. Ser. How now Porter what newes Por. I bring your honors signet backe againe Which gaue me warrant for two gentlemen To passe the gate watch some two howres since Ser. My signet knaue to passe two gentlemen Alas poore slaue hast thou been ouer watcht For. Why looke on the ring my Lord Ser. Why thou wilt not make me madde I am sure Come let me see the marke is mine I feare me heer 's some villanie What Phillida come forth my heart misgiues I pray thee hold my head Enter Phillida Phil. Father did you call Ser. Thou Challet carrine drab who tooke this signet from my finger speake Ph. You aske me questions past my knowledge Ser.
a cord Stretch me the villanes lymes force him to confesse What haue I made thee the marquesse of Saint Marks And gaue thee charge of all the Citie keyes And hast thou playd me such a part To let those caitiue boyes escape my hands Ser Iust God great Duke can witnesse it with me With what great griefes I lost the prisoners Duke Who doubtes but God beholds thy treachery And therefore the minister of God Will punish thee and make thee to confesse Whether corruption or affliction Made thee discharge the prisoners of my wrath Se. Racke me to death shew all extremities You shall but wrecke your wrathes on Innocense Duke This is but delaying racke him I say Ent. Phil. Phil. Worke no iniustice great Venetian Duke Vnbind my aged father cruell man These pangs belongs to none but guiltie soules Inflict them then on those that merit them Se. What art thou that hinders Iustice so Phil. The haplesse daughter of this haplesse man I stole my fathers keyes by night I freed Orphinio and Zepheronio And if this deed doe meryt death my Lord Let lose my father wrecke your hate on mee Duke If you be she that set my prisoners free I am the Iudge and sentence thee to dye Slaues strangle her let Seruio be releast Ser. Oh pardon the daughter let the father dye Phil. Why stay you ministers is not the sentence past Must I not dye Enter Sempronio with Fortunio bound Sem. No marry must you not you foolish girle Good Lord how apt the world is now adaies To finde inuention to destroy a man VVhen as the greatest arts of our age Can neuer make or hardely mend a man Great Corridino let me councell thee If thou wilt punish damned and wretched men Put me these gray beards quickly from their seates And racke them soundly and they will confesse How they preferre their gold before their God Their lands and honors before their honestie Or if thou wilt conceiue the truth of things See here the man who drawne by lawlesse lust Did seeke sinisterly in time of night In company of that lewd letcher there To rauish Lucida Lord Lelios daughter And force the mother in whose iust defence Orphinio and Zepherius drew their swordes Then were these young men Iustifiers of right And this lewd man was he deserued death Looke on this prisoners face you know him well The world esteemes him next a kin to you Duke Fortunio what my sonne what meanes these bands For. What else but bandes belong to guilty men Why should my greatnes couer my misse deeds Or poore men suffer for a great mans sinne O Father roote from forth your royall Court This cursed flatterer that seduced me We two deserue to die Releasing Zepherionio and Orphinio These prisoners haue done thee honor for by wounding me They haue preserud their sister from a rape Me from perpetual shame thee from much griefe Therefore if Iustice punish any one begin with vs Else wil the prouerb hold smalest flies are tangled in thy twist When greater far breakes through and force the web Duke Seruio and Phillida your iudgement is To loose Fortunios bandes Fortunios paines is to embrace old Corodinos necke I thanke my God that hath reclaymed thee And made thee flye the vanities of youth Now without feare shall I incounter death When I am sure thy wanton daies are past But thou vngratious man passe from my Court And exild to the world Come my Fortunio let vs enter in And establish this perpetual law hence forth That but in causes meerely capitall A noble man submitting of him selfe And after being reconciled to God Shall haue his pardon without preiudice Se. This likes me well now growes the world to frame Fortunio now hath learnd to know a knaue And is expert to prooue an honest man Exit omnis Enter Lelio like a Colliar Le. VVill you buy any Coles fine small Coles Thus haue I entred Venice in disguise And through the streets haue gotten vnespied Silence Lelio my thinkes my doore doth ope Ah yonder comes my wife and daughter forth How fares Annetta how doth Lucida An. VVhat Lelio my Lord in this disguise Lu. A happie sight to see my fathers face Le. O comfort of my erst estemed life How do your sighes reuiue my drouping minde An. But wherefore doth my Lord thus venture life And come to Venice for to fetch his death Le. I come to rid thy father from his banishment And to endow my daughter Lucida come reselud to Venice here to die Come hether daughter thou knowst it is proclaym'd That who so brings me to the Senate house Shall haue a thousand Crownes for recompence Now therefore Lucida I yeeld to thee Take thou the gold and yeeld me to them straight And let my death end all your myseries Lu. Cursed be that gold that 's bought with blood Happie be that death that doth so many good Enter Seruio and the Garde An. Ah Lelio we are betrayd heere commeth the Garde Le. Buy anie Coles small Cooles fine Cooles Se. How now who walkes heere in this disguise Let 's see thy face Lu. This is our Collier Se. This is a Courtiers feate what Lelio you are welcome Sir you come in happie time to bring me Crownes Le. Sir I am Lelio I le not deny my name And I am prisoner to my Lucida To her belongs the ransome of my head Not to thee sonne of hate and nygardie Se. Well Sir whosoeuer clayme you I seise thee for my prisoner Who will present thee to the Senators Lu. Ah gentle Seruio grant me but one thing Then take all the profit if thou wilt for mee Se. What sounds of profite pleaseth Seruio Speake gentle maide I like thy manners well Lu. Reserue my father in thy prison close But three daies space and I aske no more Se. Well I grant thy sute it shal be so Come beare him in hence Lu. Father time shall discouer all till then farewell Ex. om Enter Brishio and his two Sonnes Br. Come murderers of my ioy goe flie my sight Bring me my Lelio or you both shall die Ze. Father the Souldiers tending in his tent Reports that he is gone to Venice Sem. Ha ha midest all these melancolly griefes And with resolued minde to end his daies Bri. Ah traiterous boyes t is you haue driuen him hence Thus villaines haue you cossened mee of fame And made him conquere me in curtesie Runne post hie with speed bring him to me Redeeme my Lelio though you loose your liues Or I will hate the ground where on you tread And curse the wombe that brought me forth such sonnes Or. If we retorne to Venice we are but dead Bri. Tut villanes tell not me of death I le lose you both to haue my friend againe Stay but on mynute we are mortall foes This sword shall soone reuenge me on your heads Zep. Wee goe but father Bri. What wilt thou dally yet Or. Kill vs before we perish by your
foes Bri. O mysery of man you will not goe Then stay and see your father with his sword Zep. We goe my Lord O spare your reuerent age Bri. Nay spare your words and spend your feete with hast Exit the two sonnnes What are they gone ah cruel and vnkinde In seeking to saue my friend I loose my sonnes Stay stay my sonnes leaue me some comfort in my age Whether wilt thou transport my zealous minde Let me surfeit in the sinne of loue They shall not die if all must perish I must perish too I will to Venice and redeeme their liues Else father friends and sonnes will die togither Exit Bri. Enter the Duke Fortunio and the Senators Duke Vsher let those that seeke for audience Enter the Court and moue the Senators Enter Seruio and the Garde with Lelio bound and Sempronio Ser. Most mighty Duke most worthy Senators Walking abroad as is my vsuall wont I found Lelio clothed in a base disguise Him when I saw I seazd and seazing brought To be presented to your honors heere And in humble wise request the largis which the state alowes Which is a thousand Crowns to him that brings The head of Lelio to the Senators Duke The Treasorer shall pay thee strayght Scribe giue him a warrant let him be dispatched Lelio stand forth art thou the haples man that slew Sempronio Le. My Lord I confesse the fault and am willing with my death to recompence the deed Sem. I cry in all mens eares with egar words That many seeke their danger by dispayre That many die for murders yet vndone I speake to thee alas that men were wise To know their good as their infirmitie Duke Tell me Lelio what moueth thee free from Iustice hands To seeke out death with desperate intent Le. That which would moue the best and wisest man Had he but selfe same causes as I had For. Discourse and let these aged fathers know them all Le. What shall they know in knowing my mishappe That will not molifie their marble mindes Who first hauing slayne his dearest friend Next caused his fathers banishment And last his wife to liue in misery And would not seeke ease for their disgrace First pay his slaughtered friend with dearest blood Next call his father home from banishment And seeing his wife and daughter once opprest To get indowment and reliefe for both But all my hope is lost I die in vaine VVhich yeelds a double torment to my payne Giue sentence Prince delay not by my death To rid me from a world of miseries Du. Law must haue course though pittie plead for thee Scribe read the sentence Cla. VVhereas by sufficient testimonie publicke confessiō Lord Lelio is founde guilty for the murder of Sempronio It is adiudged and ratified by the noble Duke of Venice And the most worthy Senators his assistantes That for his offence in publicke place of Iustice Lord Lelio shall loose his head Se. Seruio take the briefe see execution doone Enter Annetta and Lucyda An. Stay cruell man traynd vp in cruelty Annetta wofull wife with earnest teares Publish some sorrow for her zealous minde Great Iudges of the state heare me but speake Pyttie for Lelio grant my husband life Du. It may not be Iustice will haue no pause Lu. Yet mercy Prince should moderate the Lawes Le. VVho spares the guyltie anymates the bad Lu. VVho spareth none doth hate to Iustice adde Se. Pittie with Iustice neuer wel agrees Lu. Yes when it moderates seuere decrees Du. VVhat cause of plea hath this audacious mayde Lu. Such cause as vertuous men may wonder at I clayme the pension of a thousand crownes For I my Lords present my fathers head An. I clayme a reuocation noble Lords For Brishio for he doth merit it By sending Lelio home to you aliue And tendring him to Iustice by our meanes So then vnlesse you ratifie your lawes And call my father home from banishment And pay the thousand Crownes to Lucida Ad this to your Iustice cruell Lords That both the wife and daughter may be lead To die with him that doth vniustly die Se. Seruio presented Lelio vnto vs And hee deserues the pension of the state Lu. Lelio discouered vnto vs And we deserue the pension of the state Lu. Lelio first discouered vnto vs And we deserue the pension of the state He to indow me sought his danger forth An. Hee to redeeme his father did returne Lu. The issue of his forwardnes was zeale And Seruioes seruice was but treachery Your lawes command that on the first surpryse VVho met with Lelio should disclose him strayght But Seruio three daies space did keepe him close An. And therefore Seruio merits not the gold Du. This was the certayne hope of my desire For. And didst thou Seruio keepe him three daies close Ser. I did my lord vpon Annettas humble sute Se. I so the Foxe was taken in the net And nygardnes was caught by sutteltie Du Then do the Senate presently decree That Lucida shall haue the promist coine And Seruio for breaking of the law Shall be imprisoned for a twelue-month space This pretty accident doth make me laugh Now Seruio you haue good time to cast account What interest and profit you haue raysd By yong Sempronios plate and coine Ser. I hope your grace will pardon this misdeed Duke A way with him I will not heare him speak Ex. Ser. Enter Orphinio and Zepherius Or. Shall innocenth great Lords kill guilty men Zep. Lead me to death and if my brother dye Or. No man shall lead my Lelio to his death Except by selfe same sword we perish too Le. O life thou feedst me with continuall death When wilt thou end and ease my heinous harmes For. What men are these that hinder Iustice so Zep. The men that had thy life and sought thy death Se. These are old Brishios sonnes I know them well Duke Lay hands on them and bynd the fugitiues Or. Bynd breake our bones spare neither life nor lims We come to die and merit not to liue We bend no knees for mercy mighty Duke Only our sute is for our brothers life Whose danger we vnhappie men haue wrought Se. How wrought you Lelios danger tell vs true Or. When from the Citie speedily we fled Werey to see our fathers hard distresse We hied vs to the Duke of Florentines campe And sought out Lelio and with naked swords Forst him to hie to Venice and redeeme our sier Hereon through feare of vs he came And in his rescue both of vs wil die Zep. Take two for one great Duke it is enough Bloud shall haue bloud then be thou satisfied Lel You wrong me brothers Voluntarie intent Brought me to Venice not your wordes Orp Thou art too pitious to ingratefull men We forst thee hether we must ransome thee If Lelio die our father will not liue He priseth Lelio more than both his sonnes Duke Go since you long to die dispach them two Lelio for murther