THE REVENGERS TRAGAEDIE As it hath beene sundry times Acted by the Kings Maiesties Seruants AT LONDON Printed by G. ELD and are to be fold at his house in Fleete-lane at the signe of the Printers-Presse 1607 The Reuengers Tragaedie ACT. 1. SCAE. 1. Enter Vendici the Duke Dutchesse Lusurioso her sonne Spurio the bastard with a traine passe ouer the Stage with Torch-light Vindi. DVke royall letcher goe gray hayrde adultery And thou his sonne as impious steept as hee And thou his bastard true-begott in euill And thou his Dutchesse that will doe with Diuill Foure exlent Characters O that marrow-lesse age Would stuffe the hollow Bones with dambd desires And stead of heate kindle infernall fires Within the spend-thrift veynes of a drye Duke A parcht and iuicelesse luxur O God! one That has scarce bloud inough to liue vpon And hee to ryct it like a sonne and heyre O the thought of that Turnes my abused heart-strings into fret Thou sallow picture of my poysoned loue My studies ornament thou shell of Death Once the bright face of my betrothed Lady When life and beauty naturally fild out These ragged imperfections When two-heauen-pointed Diamonds were set In those vnsightly Rings then 't was a face So farre beyond the artificiall shine Of any womans bought complexion That the vprightest man if such there be That sinne but seauen times a day broke custome And made vp eight with looking after her Oh she was able to ha made a Vsurers sonne Melt all his patrimony in a kisse And what his father fiftie yeares told To haue consumde and yet his sute beene cold But oh accursed Pallace Thee when thou wert appareld in thy flesh The old Duke poyson'd Because thy purer part would not consent Vnto his palsey-lust for old men lust-full Do show like young men angry eager violent Out-bid like their limited performances O ware an old man hot and vicious Age as in gold in lust is couetous Vengence thou murders Quit-rent and whereby Thou shoust thy selfe Tennant to Tragedy Oh keepe thy day houre minute I beseech For those thou hast determined hum who ere knew Murder vnpayd faith giue Reuenge her due Sha's kept touch hetherto be merry merry Aduance thee O thou terror to fat folkes To haue their Costly three-pilde flesh worne of As bare as this for banquets ease and laughter Can make great men as greatnesse goes by clay But wise men little are more great then they Enter her brother Hippolito Hip. Still sighing ore deaths vizard Vind. Brother welcome What comfort bringst thou how go things at Court Hip. In silke and siluer brother neuer brauer Vind. Puh Thou playst vpon my meaning pree-thee say Has that bald Madam Opportunity Yet thought vpon 's speake are we happy yet Thy wrongs and mine are for one scabberd fit Hip. It may proue happinesse Vind. What i st may proue Giue me to tast Hip. Giue me your hearing then You know my place at Court Vind. I the Dukes Chamber But t is a maruaile th ourt not turnd out yet Hip. Faith I haue beene shooud at but t was still my hap To hold by 'th Duchesse skirt you gesse at that Whome such a Coate keepes vp can nere fall flat But to the purpose Last euening predecessor vnto this The Dukes sonne warily enquird for me Whose pleasure I attended he began By policy to open and vnhuske me About the time and common rumour But I had so much wit to keepe my thoughts Vp in their built houses yet afforded him An idle satifaction without danger But the whole ayme and scope of his intent Ended in this coniuring me in priuate To seeke some strange digested fellow forth Of ill-contented nature either disgracst In former times or by new groomes displacst Since his Step-mothers nuptialls such a bloud A man that were for euill onely good To giue you the true word some base coynd Pander Vind. I reach you for I know his heate is such Were there as many Concubines as Ladies He would not be contaynd he must flie out I wonder how ill featurde vilde proportiond That one should be if she were made for woman Whom at the Insurrection of his lust He would refuse for once heart I thinke none Next to a skull tho more vnsound then one Each face he meetes he strongly doates vpon Hip. Brother y 'aue truly spoke him He knowes not you but I le sweare you know him Vind. And therefore I le put on that knaue for once And be a right man then a man a' th Time For to be honest is not to be i th world Brother I le be that strange composed fellow Hip. And I le prefer you brother Vind. Go too then The smallst aduantage fattens wronged men It may point out occasion if I meete her I le hold her by the fore-top fast ynough Or like the French Moale heaue vp hayre and all I haue a habit that wil fit it quaintly Here comes our Mother Hip. And Sister Vind. We must quoyne Women are apt you know to take false money But I dare stake my soule for these two creatures Onely excuse excepted that they 'le swallow Because their sexe is easie in beleefe Moth. What newes from Cour sonne Carlo Hip. Faith Mother T is whisperd there the Duchesse yongest sonne Has playd a Rape on Lord Antonios wife Moth. On that relligious Lady Cast. Royall bloud monster he deserues to die If Italy had no more hopes but he Vin. Sister y 'aue sentenc'd most direct and true The Lawes a woman and would she were you Mother I must take leaue of you Moth. Leaue for what Vin. I Intend speedy trauaile Hip. That he do's Madam Mo. Speedy indeed Vind. For since my worthy fathers funerall My life 's vnnaturally to me e'en compeld As if I hu'd now when I should be dead Mot. Indeed he was a worthy Gentleman Had his estate beene fellow to his mind Vind. The Duke did much deiect him Moth. Much Vind. To much And through disgrace oft smotherd in his spirit When it would mount surely I thinke hee dyed Of discontent the Noblemans consumption Moth. Most sure he did Vind. Did he lack you know all You were his mid-night secretary Moth. No He was to wise to trust me with his thoughts Vind. Yfaith then father thou wast wise indeed Wiues are but made to go to bed and feede Come mother sister you le bring me onward brother Hip. I will Vind. I le quickly turne into another Exeunt Enter the old Duke Lussiurioso his sonne the Duchesse the Bastard the Duchesse two sonnes Ambitioso and Superuacuo the third her yongest brought out with Officers for the Rape two Iudges Duke Duchesse it is your yongest sonne we 're sory His violent Act has e'en drawne bloud of honor And staind our honors Throwne inck vpon the for-head of our state Which enuious spirits will dip their pens into After our death and blot vs in our Toombes For that which would seeme treason in our liues Is
Time hath seasond Hip. True my Lord We shall finde season once I hope O villaine To make such an vnnaturall slaue of me but Luss. Masse here he comes Hip. And now shall I haue free leaue to depart Luss. Your absence leaue vs Hip. Are not my thoughts true I must remooue but brother you may stay Heart we are both made Bawdes a new-found way Exit Luss. Now we 're an euen number a third mans dangerous Especially her brother say be free Haue I a pleasure toward Vind. Oh my Lord Luss. Rauish me in thine answer art thou rare Hast thou beguilde her of saluation And rubd hell ore with hunny is she a woman Vind. In all but in Desire Luss. Then shee 's in nothing I bate in courage now Vind. The words I brought Might well haue made indifferent honest naught A right good woman in these dayes in changde Into white money with lesse labour farre Many a Maide has turn'd to Mahomet With easier working I durst vndertake Vpon the pawne and forfeit of my life With halfe those words to flat a Puritanes wife But she is closse and good yet 't is a doubt by this time oh the mother the mother Luss. I neuer thought their sex had beene a wonder Vntill this minute what fruite from the Mother Vind. Now must I blister my soule be forsworne Or shame the woman that receiu'd mee first I will be true thou liu'st not to proclaime Spoke to a dying man shame ha's no shame My Lord Luss. Whos 's that Vind. Here 's none but I my Lord Luss. What would thy hast vtter Vind. Comfort Luss. Welcome Vind. The Maide being dull hauing no minde to trauell Into vnknowne lands what did me I straight But set spurs to the Mother golden spurs Will put her to a false gallop in a trice Luss. I st possible that in this The Mother should be dambd before the daughter Vin. Oh that 's good manners my Lord the Mother for her age must goe formost you know Lu. Thou 'st spoke that true but where comes in this comfort Vind. In a fine place my Lord the vnnaturall mother Did with her tong so hard be set her honor That the poore foole was struck to silent wonder Yet still the maid like an vnlighted Taper Was cold and chast saue that her Mothers breath Did blowe fire on her checkes the girle departed But the good antient Madam halfe mad threwe me These promissing words which I tooke deepely note of My Lord shall be most wellcome Luss Faith I thanke her Vin. When his pleasure conducts him this way Luss. That shall be soone ifath Vind. I will sway mine owne Luss. Shee do's the wiser I commend her for t Vind. Women with women can worke best alone Luss. By this light and so they can giue 'em their due men are not comparable to 'em Vind. No that 's true for you shall haue one woman knit more in a hower then any man can Rauell agen in seauen and twenty yeare Luss. Now my desires are happy I le make 'em free-men now Thou art a pretious fellow faith I loue thee Be wise and make it thy reuennew beg leg What office couldst thou be Ambitious for Vind. Office my Lord marry if I might haue my wish I would haue one that was neuer begd yet Luss. Nay then thou canst haue none Vind. Yes my Lord I could picke out another office yet nay and keepe a horse and drab vppon t Luss. Prethee good bluntnes tell me Vind. Why I would desire but this my Lord to haue all the fees behind the Arras and all the farthingales that fal plumpe about twelue a clock at night vpon the Rushes Luss. Thou' rt a mad apprehensiue knaue dost thinke to make any great purchase of that Vind. Oh t is an vnknowne thing my Lord I wonder ta's been mist so long Luss. Well this night I le visit her and t is till then A yeare in my desires-farwell attend Trust me with thy preferment Exit Vind. My lou'd Lord Oh shall I kill him at h wrong-side now no! Sword thou wast neuer a back-biter yet I le peirce him to his face he shall die looking vpon me Thy veines are sweld with lust this shall vnfill e'm Great men were Gods if beggers could not kil e'm Forgiue me heauen to call my mother wicked Oh lessen not my daies vpon the earth I cannot honor her by this I feare me Her tongue has turnd my sister into vse I was a villaine not to be forsworne To this our lecherous hope the Dukes sonne For Lawiers Merchants some diuines and all Count beneficiall periury a sin small It shall go hard yet but I le guard her honor And keepe the portes sure Enter Hippol Hip. Brother how goes the world I would know newes of you But I haue newes to tell you Vind. What in the name of knauery Hipo. Knauery fayth This vicious old Duke 's worthily abusde The pen of his bastard writes him Cuckold Vind. His bastard Hip. Pray beleeue it he and the Duchesse By night meete in their linnen they haue beene seene By staire-foote pandars Vind. Oh sin foule and deepe Great faults are winckt at when the Duke 's a sleepe See see here comes the Spurio Hip. Monstrous Luxur Vind. Vnbrac'd two of his valiant bawdes with him O There 's a wicked whisper hell is in his care Stay let 's obserue his passage Spu. Oh but are you sure on 't Ser. My Lord most sure on 't for t was spoke by one That is most inward with the Dukes sonnes lust That he intends within this houre to steale Vnto Hippolitoes sister whose chast life The mother has corrupted for his vse Sp. Sweete word sweete occasion fayth then brother I le disinherit you in as short time As I was when I was begot in hast I le dam you at your pleasure pretious deed After your lust oh t will be fine to bleede Come let our passing out be soft wary Exeunt Vi. Marke there there that step now to the Duches This their second meeting writes the Duke Cuckold With new additions his hornes newly reuiu'd Night thou that lookst like funerall Heraulds fees Torne downe betimes i th morning thou hangst fittly To Grace those sins that haue no grace at all Now t is full sea a bed ouer the world There 's iugling of all sides some that were Maides E'en at Sun set are now perhaps i th Toale-booke This woman in immodest thin apparell Lets in her friend by water here a Dame Cunning nayles lether-hindges to a dore To auoide proclamation Now Cuckolds are a quoyning apace apace apace apace And carefull sisters spinne that thread i th night That does maintaine them and their bawdes i th daie Hip. You flow well brother Vind. Puh I 'me shallow vet Too sparing and too modest shall I tell thee If euery trick were told that 's dealt by night There are few here that would not blush out right Hip. I am of that beleefe
laughter when we 're dead who dares now whisper That dares not then speake out and e'en proclaime With lowd words and broad pens our closest shame Iud. Your grace hath spoke like to your siluer yeares Full of confirmed grauity for what is it to haue A flattering false insculption on a Toombe And in mens hearts reproch the boweld Corps May be seard in but with free tongue I speake The faults of great men through their fearce clothes breake Duk. They do we 're sory for 't it is our fate To liue in feare and die to liue in hate I leaue him to your sentance dome him Lords The fact is great whilst I sit by and sigh Duch. My gratious Lord I pray be mercifull Although his trespasse far exceed his yeares Thinke him to be your owne as I am yours Call him not sonne in law the law I feare Wil fal too soone vpon his name and him Temper his fault with pitty Luss. Good my Lord Then t will not tast so bitter and vnpleasant Vpon the Iudges pallat for offences Gilt ore with mercy show like fayrest women Good onely for their beauties which washt of no sin is ouglies Ambitis I beseech your grace Be soft and mild let not Relentlesse Law Looke with an iron for-head on our brother Spu. He yeelds small comfort yet hope he shall die And if a bastards wish might stand in force Would all the court were turn de into a coarse Duc, No pitty yet must I rise fruitlesse then A wonder in a woman are my knees Of such lowe mettall that without Respect 1. Iudg. Let the offender stand forth T is the Dukes pleasure that Impartiall Doome Shall take first hold of his vncleane attempt A Rape why t is the very core of lust Double Adultery Iuni. So Sir 2. Iud. And which was worse Committed on the Lord Antonioes wife That Generall honest Lady confesse my Lord What mou'd you too t Iuni. why flesh and blood my Lord What should moue men vnto a woman else Luss. O do not iest thy doome trust not an axe Or sword too far the Law is a wise serpent And quickly can beguile thee of thy life Tho marriage onely has made thee my brother I loue thee so far play not with thy Death Iuni. I thanke you troth good admonitions faith If the grace now to make vse of them 1. Iud. That Ladyes name has spred such a faire wing Ouer all Italy that if our Tongs Were sparing toward the Fact Iudgment it selfe Would be condemned and suffer in mens thoughts Iuni. Well then t is done and it would please me well Were it to doe agen sure shee s a Goddesse For I de no power to see her and to liue It falls out true in this for I must die Her beauty was ordaynd to be my scaffold And yet my thinks I might be easier ceast My fault being sport let me but die in iest 1. Iud. This be the sentence Dut. O keept vpon your Tongue let it not slip Death too soone steales out of a Lawyers lip Be not so cruell-wise 1. Iudg. Your Grace must pardon vs 'T is but the Iustice of the Lawe Dut. The Lawe Is growne more subtill then a woman should be Spu. Now now he dyes rid 'em away Dut. O what it is to haue an old-coole Duke To bee as slack in tongue as in performance 1. Iudg. Confirmde this be the doome irreuocable Dut. Oh! 1. Iudg. Tomorrow early Dut. Pray be a bed my Lord 1. Iudg. Your Grace much wrongs your selfe Ambi. No 't is that tongue Your too much right dos do vs too much wrong 1. Iudg. Let that offender Dut. Liue and be in health 1. Iud Be on a Scaffold Duk. Hold hold my Lord Spu. Pax on t What makes my Dad speake now Duke We will defer the iudgement till next sitting In the meane time let him be kept close prisoner Guard beare him hence Ambi. Brother this makes for thee Feare not wee le haue a trick to set thee free Iuni. Brother I will expect it from you both and in that hope I rest Super. Farewell be merry Exit with a garde Spu. Delayd deferd nay then if iudgement haue cold bloud Flattery and bribes will kill it Duke About it then my Lords with your best powers More serious businesse calls vpon our homes Exe. manet Du. Dut. Wast euer knowne step-Dutchesse was so milde And calme as I some now would plot his death With easie Doctors those loose liuing men And make his witherd Grace fall to his Graue And keepe Church better Some second wife would do this and dispatch Her double loathd Lord at meate and sleepe Indeed 't is true an old man 's twice a childe Mine cannot speake one of his single words Would quite haue freed my yongest deerest sonne From death or durance and haue made him walke With a bold foote vpon the thornie law Whose Prickles should bow vnder him but 't is not And therefore wedlock faith shall be forgot I le kill him in his fore-head hate there feede That wound is deepest tho it neuer bleed And here comes hee whom my heart points vnto His bastard sonne but my loues true-begot Many a wealthy letter haue I sent him Sweld vp with Iewels and the timorous man Is yet but coldly kinde That Iewel 's mine that quiuers in his eare Mocking his Maisters chilnesse and vaine feare Ha's spide me now Spu. Madame your Grace so priuate My duety on your hand Dut. Vpon my hand sir troth I thinke you de feare To kisse my hand too if my lip stood there Spi. Witnesse I would not Madam Dut. T is a wonder For ceremonie ha's made many fooles It is as easie way vnto a Dutchesse As to a Hatted-dame if her loue answer But that by timorous honors pale respects Idle degrees of feare men make their wayes Hard of themselues what haue you thought of me Spi. Madam I euer thinke of you in duty Regard and Dut. Puh vpon my loue I meane Spu. I would 't were loue but tus a fowler name Then lust you are my fathers wife your Grace may gesse now What I could call it Dut. Why th' art his sonne but falsly T is a hard question whether he begot thee Spu. Ifaith 't is true too I me an vncertaine man Of more vncertaine woman may be his groome 'ath stable begot me you know I know not hee could ride a horse well a shrowd suspition marry hee was wondrous tall hee had his length yfaith for peeping ouer halfe shut holy-day windowes Men would desire him light when he was a foote He made a goodly show vnder a Pent-house And when he rid his Hatt would check the signes and clatter Barbers Basons Dut. Nay set you a horse back once You le nere light off Spu. Indeed I am a beggar Dut. That 's more the signe thou' art Great but to our loue Let it stand firme both in thought and minde That the Duke was thy Father as no doubt then
euer Vnlesse your Grace bestow a fathers eye Vpon the Clouded fortunes of your sonne And in compassionate vertue grant him that Which makes e'en meane men happy liberty Duk. How seriously their loues and honors woo For that which I am about to pray them doo Which rise my Lords your knees signe his release We freely pardon him 1. Nob. We owe your Grace much thankes and he much duety Duk. It well becomes that Iudge to nod at crimes Exeunt That dos commit greater himselfe and liues I may forgiue a disobedient error That expect pardon for adultery And in my old daies am a youth in lust Many a beauty haue I turnd to poyson In the deniall couetous of all Age hot is like a Monster to be seene My haires are white and yet my sinnes are Greene ACT. 3. Enter Ambitioso and Superuacuo Sup. Brother let my opinion sway you once I speake it for the best to haue him die Surest and soonest if the signet come Vnto the iudges hands why then his doome Will be deferd till sittings and Court-daies Iuries and further Fayths are bought and sold Oths in these daies are but the skin of gold Amb. In troth t is true too Super. Then le ts set by the Iudges And fall to the Officers t is but mistaking The Duke our fathers meaning and where he nam'd Ere many daies t is but forgetting that And haue him die i' th morning Amb. Excellent Then am I heire Duke in a minute Super. Nay And he were once puffe out here is a pinne Should quickly prick your bladder Amb. Blast occasion He being packt wee le haue some trick and wile To winde our yonger brother out of prison That lies in for the Rape the Ladies dead And peoples thoughts will soone be buried Super. We may with safty do 't and liue and feede The Duchesse-sonnes are too proud to bleed Am. We are yfaith to say true come let 's not linger I le to the Officers go you before And set an edge vpon the Executioner Sup. Let me alone to grind him Exit Amb. Meete farewell I am next now I rise just in that place Where thou' rt cut of vpon thy Neck kind brother The falling of one head lifts vp another Exit Enter with the Nobles Lussurioso from pryson Luss. My Lords I am so much indebted to your loues For this O this deliuery 1. Nob. But our dueties my Lord vnto the hopes that growe in you Luss. If ere I liue to be my selfe I le thanke you O liberty thou sweete and heauenly Dame But hell for pryson is too milde a name Exeunt Enter Ambitioso and Superuacuo with Officers Am. Officers here 's the Dukes signet your firme warrant Brings the command of present death along with it Vnto our brother the Dukes sonne we are sory That we are so vnnaturally employde In such an vnkinde Office fitter farre For enemies then brothers Super. But you know The Dukes command must be obayde 1. Offi. It must and shal my Lord this morning then So suddainely Am. I alasse poore-good-soule Hee must breake fast betimes the executioner Stands ready to put forth his cowardly valour 2. Offi. Already Sup. Already ifath O sir destruction hies And that is least Impudent soonest dyes 1. Off. Troth you say true my Lord we take our leaues Our Office shall be sound wee le not delay The third part of a minute Amb. I herein you showe Your selues good men and vpright officers Pray let him die as priuat as he may Doe him that fauour for the gaping people Will but trouble him at his prayers And make him curse and sweare and so die black Will you be so far Kind 1. Off. It shall be done my Lord Amb. Why we do thanke you if we liue to be You shall haue a better office 2. Off. Your good Lord-shippe Sup. Commend vs to the scaffold in our teares 1. Off Wee le weepe and doe your commendations Exeunt Amb. Fine fooles in office Sup. Things fall our so fit Amb. So happily come brother ere next clock His head will be made serue a bigger block Exeunt Enter in prison Junior Brother Iuni. Keeper Keep My Lord Iuni. No newes lately from our brothers Are they vnmindfull of vs Keep My Lord a messenger came newly in and brought this from 'em Iuni. Nothing but paper comforts I look'd for my deliuery before this Had they beene worth their oths prethee be from vs Now what say you forsooth speake out I pray Letter Brother be of good cheere Slud it begins like a whore with good cheere Thou shalt not be long a prisoner Not fiue and thirty yeare like a banqrout I thinke so We haue thought vpon a deuice to get thee out by a tricke By a tricke pox a your tricke and it be so long a playing And so rest comforted be merry and expect it suddaynely Be merry hang merry draw and quarter merry I le be mad I st not strange that a man should lie in a whole month for a woman well wee shall see how suddaine our brothers will bee in their promise I must expect still a trick I shall not bee long a prisoner how now what newes Keeper Bad newes my Lord I am discharg'd of you Iunio. Slaue calst thou that bad newes I thanke you brothers Keep My Lord t will proue so here come the Officers Into whose hands I must commit you Iunio. Ha Officers what why 1. Offi. You must pardon vs my Lord Our Office must be sound here is our warrant The signet from the Duke you must straight suffer Iunior Suffer I le suffer you to be gon I le suffer you To come no more what would you haue me suffer 2. Offi. My Lord those words were better chang'd to praiers The times but breife with you prepare to die Iunior Sure t is not so 3. Offi. It is too true my Lord Iunior I tell you t is not for the Duke my father Defend me till next sitting and I looke E'en euery minute threescore times an houre For a release a tricke wrought by my brothers 1. Offi. A trick my Lord if you expect such comfort Your hopes as fruitlesse as a barren woman Your brothers were the vnhappy messengers That brought this powerfull token for your death Iunior My brothers no no 2. Offi. T is most true my Lord Iunior My brothers to bring a warrant for my death How strange this showes 3. Offi. There 's no delaying time Iunior Desire e'm hether call e'm vp my brothers They shall deny it to your faces 1. Offi. My Lord They 're far ynough by this at least at Court And this most strickt command they left behinde e'm When griefe swum in their eyes they show'd like brothers Brim-full of heauy sorrow but the Duke Must haue his pleasure Iunio. His pleasure 1. Off. These were their last words which my memory beares Commend vs to the Scaffold in our teares Iunior Pox drye their teares what should I do with teares
ridde forth Lus. Oh hee s rod forth 1. T was wondrous priuately 2. There 's none i th Court had any knowledge on t Lus. His Grace is old and sudden t is no treason To say the Duke my Father has a humor Or such a Toye about him what in vs Would appeare light in him seemes vertuous 3. T is Oracle my Lord Exeunt Enter Vindice and Hippolito Vind. out of his disguise Hip. So so all 's as it should be y' are your selfe Vind. How that great-villaine puts me to my shifts Hip. Hee that did lately in disguize reiect thee Shall now thou art thy selfe as much respect thee Vind. T will be the quainter fallacie but brother Sfoote what vse will hee put me to now thinkst thou Hip. Nay you must pardon me in that I know not Has some employment for you but what t is Hee and his Secretary the Diuell knowes best Vind, Well I must suite my toung to his desires What colour so ere they be hoping at last To pile vp all my wishes on his brest Hip. Faith Brother he himselfe showes the way Vind. Now the Duke is dead the realme is clad in claye His death being not yet knowne vnder his name The people still are gouernd well thou his sonne Art not long-liu'd thou shalt not ioy his death To kill thee then I should most honour thee For t would stand firme in euery mans beliefe Thou 'st a kinde child and onely dyedst with griefe Hip. You fetch about well but le ts talke in present How will you appeare in fashion different As well as in apparrell to make all things possible If you be but once tript wee fall for euer It is not the least pollicie to bee doubtfull You must change tongue familiar was your first Vind. Why I le beare me in some straine of melancholie And string my selfe with heauy sounding Wyre Like such an Instrument that speakes merry things sadly Hip. Then t is as I meant I gaue you out at first in discontent Vind. I le turne my selfe and then Hip. Sfoote here he comes hast thought vppon t Vind. Salute him feare not me Luss. Hippolito Hip. Your Lordship Luss. What 's he yonder Hip. T is Vindici my discontented Brother Whom cording to your will l 'aue brought to Court Luss Is that thy brother beshrew me a good presence I wonder h 'as beene from the Court so long Come neerer Hip. Brother Lord Lussurioso the Duke sonne Snatches of his hat and makes legs to him Luss. Be more neere to vs welcome neerer yet Vind. How don you god you god den Luss. We thanke thee How strangly such a course-homely salute Showes in the Pallace where we greete in fire Nimble and desperate tongues should we name God in a salutation t would neere be stood on 't heauen Tell me what has made thee so melancholy Vind. Why going to Law Luss. Why will that make a man mellancholy Vind. Yes to looke long vpon inck and black buckrom I went mee to law in Anno Quadragesimo secundo and I waded out of it in Anno sextagesimo tertio Luss. What three and twenty years in law Vind. I haue knowne those that haue beene fiue and fifty and all about Pullin and Pigges Luss. May it bee possible such men should breath To vex the Tearmes so much Vin. T is foode to some my Lord There are olde men at the present that are so poysoned with the affectatiō of law-words hauing had many suites canuast that their common talke is nothing but Barbery lattin they cannot so much as pray but in law that their sinnes may be remou'd with a writ of Error and their soules fetcht vp to heauen with a sasarara Hip. It seemes most strange to me Yet all the world meetes round in the same bent Where the hearts set there goes the tongues consent How dost apply thy studies fellow Vind. Study why to thinke how a great rich man lies a dying and a poore Cobler toales the bell for him how he cannot depart the world and see the great chest-stand before him when hee lies speechlesse how hee will point you readily to all the boxes and when hee is past all memory as the gosseps gesse then thinkes hee of forffetures and obligations nay when to all mens hearings he whurles and rotles in the throate hee 's bussie threatning his poore Tennants and this would last me now some seauen yeares thinking or there abouts but I haue a Conceit a comming in picture vpon this I drawe it my selfe which ifaith la I le present to your honor you shall not chose but like it for your Lordship shall giue me nothing for it Luss. Nay you misstake me then For I am publisht bountifull inough Le ts tast of your conceit Vin. In picture my Lord Luss. I in picture Vin. Marry this it is A vsuring Father to be boyling in hell and his sonne and Heire with a Whore dancing ouer him Hip. Has par'd him to the quicke Lus. The conceit 's pritty ifaith But tak 't vpon my life t will nere be likt Vind. No why I me sure the whore will be likt well enough Hip. I if she were out at h picture heede like her then himselfe Vin. And as for the sonne and heire he shall be an eyesore to no young Reuellers for hee shall bee drawne in cloth of gold breeches Luss. And thou hast put my meaning in the pock And canst not draw that out my thought was this ets To see the picture of a vsuring father Boyling in hell our richmen would nere like it Vin. O true I cry you heartly mercy I know the reason for some of 'em had rather be dambd indeed thē dambd in colours Lus. A parlous melancholy has wit enough To murder any man and I le giue him meanes I thinke thou art ill monied Vin. Money ho ho Tas beene my want so long t is now my scoffe Iue ene forgot what colour siluer 's off Lus. It hits as I could wish Vin. I get good cloths Of those that dread my humour and for table-roome I feed on those that cannot be rid of me Lus. Somewhat to set thee vp withall Vin. O mine eyes Lus. How now man Vin. Almost strucke blind This bright vnusuall shine to me seemes proud I dare not looke till the sunne be in a cloud Lus. I thinke I shall afecte his melancholy How are they now Vin. The better for your asking Lus. You shall be better yet if you but fasten Truly on my intent now y are both present I will vnbrace such a closse priuate villayne Vnto your vengfull swords the like nere heard of Who hath disgrac'd you much and iniur'd vs Hip. Disgraced vs my Lord Lus. I Hippolito I kept it here till now that both your angers Might meete him at once Vin. I me couetuous To know the villayne Lus. You know him that slaue Pandar Piato whome we threatened last With irons in perpetuall prisonment Vin. All this is I Hip. I
st he my Lord Lus. I le tell you you first preferd him to me Vin. Did you brother Hip. I did indeed Lus. And the ingreatfull villayne To quit that kindnes strongly wrought with me Being as you see a likely man for pleasure With iewels to corrupt your virgin sister Hip. Oh villaine Vin. He shall surely die that did it Lus. I far from thinking any Virgin harme Especially knowing her to be as chast As that part which scarce suffers to be toucht Th' eye would not endure him Vin. Would you not my Lord T was wondrous honorably donne Lus. But with some fiue frownes kept him out Vin. Out slaue Lus. What did me he but in reuenge of that Went of his owne free will to make infirme Your sisters honor whome I honor with my soule For chast respect and not preuayling there As t was but desperate folly to attempt it In meere spleene by the way way laies your mother Whose honor being a coward as it seemes Yeelded by little force Vind. Coward indeed Luss. He proud of their aduantage as he thought Brought me these newes for happy but I heauen forgiue mee for 't Vind. What did your honour Luss. In rage pusht him from mee Trampled beneath his throate spurnd him and bruizd Indeed I was too cruell to say troth Hip. Most Nobly managde Vind. Has not heauen an eare Is all the lightning wasted Luss. If I now were so impatient in a modest cause What should you be Vind. Full mad he shall not liue To see the Moone change Luss. He 's about the Pallace Hippolito intice him this way that thy brother May take full marke of him Hip. Heart that shall not neede my Lord I can direct him so far Luss. Yet for my hates sake Go winde him this way I le see him bleede my selfe Hip. What now brother Vind. Nay e'en what you will y' are put to 't brother Hip. An impossible taske I le sweare To bring him hither that 's already here Exit Hippo. Luss. Thy name I haue forgot it Vin. Vindice my Lord Luss. T is a good name that Vind. I a Reuenger Luss. It dos betoken courage thou shouldst be valiant And kill thine enemies Vind. That 's my hope my Lord Luss. This slaue is one Vind. I le doome him Luss. Then I le praise thee Do thou obserue me best and I le best raise thee Enter Hip. Vind. Indeed I thanke you Luss. Now Hippolito where 's the slaue Pandar Hip. Your good Lordship Would haue a loathsome sight of him much offensiue Hee 's not in case now to be seene my Lord The worst of all the deadly sinnes is in him That beggerly damnation drunkennesse Luss. Then he 's a double-slaue Vind. T was well conuaide vpon a suddaine wit Luss. What are you both Firmely resolud I le see him dead my selfe Vind. Or else let not vs liue Luss. You may direct your brother to take note of him Hip. I shall Luss. Rise but in this and you shall neuer fall Vind. Your honours Vassayles Luss. This was wisely carried Deepe policie in vs makes fooles of such Then must a slaue die when he knowes too much exit Luss. Vind. O thou almighty patience t is my wonder That such a fellow impudent and wicked Should not be clouen as he stood Or with a secret winde burst open Is there no thunder left or i st kept vp In stock for heauier vengeance there it goes Hip. Brother we loose our selues Vind. But I haue found it T will hold t is sure thankes thankes to any spirit That mingled it mongst my inuentions Hip. What i st Vind. T is sound and good thou shalt pertake it I 'me hir'd to kill my selfe Hip. True Vind. Pree-thee marke it And the old Duke being dead but not conuaide For he 's already mist too and you know Murder will peepe out of the closest huske Hip. Most true Vind. What say you then to this deuice If we drest vp the body of the Duke Hip. In that disguise of yours Vind. Y' are quick y' aue reacht it Hip. I like it wonderously Vind. And being in drinck as you haue publisht him To leane him on his elbowe as if sleepe had caught him Which claimes most interest in such sluggy men Hip. Good yet but here 's a doubt Me thought by 'th Dukes sonne to kill that pandar Shall when he is knowne be thought to kill the Duke Vind. Neither O thankes it is substantiall For that disguize being on him which I wore It wil be thought I which he calls the Pandar did kil the Duke fled away in his apparell leauing him so disguiz'd to auoide swift pursuite Hip. Firmer and firmer Vind. Nay doubt not t is in graine I warrant it hold collour Hip. Le ts about it Vind. But by the way too now I thinke on 't brother Let 's coniure that base diuill out of our Mother Exeunt Enter the Dutches arme in arme with the Bastard he seemeth lasciuiously to her after them Enter Superuacuo running with a rapier his Brother stops him Spuri. Madam vnlock your selfe should it be seene Your arme would be suspected Duch. Who it s that dares suspect or this or these May not we deale our fauours where we please Spu. I 'me confident you may Exeunt Amb. Sfoot brother hold Sup. Woult let the Bastard shame vs Amb. Hold hold brother there 's fitter time then now Sup. Now when I see it Amb. T is too much seene already Sup. Seene and knowne The Nobler she 's the baser is shee growne Amb. If she were bent lasciuiously the fault Of mighty women that sleepe soft O death Must she needes chuse such an vnequall sinner To make all worse Sup. A Bastard the Dukes Bastard Shame heapt on shame Amb. O our disgrace Most women haue small waste the world through-out But there desires are thousand miles about Exeunt Sup. Come stay not here le ts after and preuent Or els the I le sinne faster then wee le repent Enter Vindice and Hippolito bringing out there Mother one by one shoulder and the other by the other with daggers in their hands Vind. O thou for whom no name is bad ynough Moth. What meanes my sonnes what will you murder me Vind. Wicked vnnaturall Parents Hip. Feend of women Moth. Ohlare sonnes turnd monsters helpe Vind. In vaine Moth. Are you so barbarous to set Iron nipples Vpon the brest that gaue you suck Vind. That brest Is turnd to Quarled poyson Moth. Cut not your daies for 't am not I your mother Vind. Thou dost vsurpe that title now by fraud For in that shell of mother breeds a bawde Moth. A bawde O name far loathsomer then hell Hip. It should be so knewst thou thy Office well Moth I hate it Vind. Ah i st possible Thou onely you powers on hie That women should dissemble when they die Mot. Dissemble Vind. Did not the Dukes sonne direct A fellow of the worlds condition hither That did corrupt all that was good
in thee Made thee vnciuilly forget thy selfe And worke our sister to his lust Moth. Who I That had beene monstrous I defie that man For any such intent none liues so pure But shall be soild with slander good sonne beleiue it not Vind. Oh I 'me in doubt Whether I 'me my selfe or no Stay let me looke agen vpon this face Who shall be sau'd when mothers haue no grace Hip. T would make one halfe dispaire Vind. I was the man Defie me now le ts see do 't modestly Moth. O hell vnto my soule Vind. In that disguize I sent from the Dukes sonne Tryed you and found you base mettell As any villaine might haue donne Mo. One no tongue but yours could haue bewitcht me so Vind. O nimble in damnation quick in tune There is no diuill could strike fire so soone I am confuted in a word Mot. Oh sonnes forgiue me to my selfe I le proue more true You that should honor me I kneele to you Vind. A mother to giue ayme to her owne daughter Hip. True brother how far beyond nature 't is Tho many Mothers do 't Vind. Nay and you draw teares once go you to bed Wet will make yron blush and change to red Brother it raines t will spoile your dagger house it Hip T is done Vin. Yfaith t is a sweete shower it dos much good The fruitfull grounds and meadowes of her soule Has beene long dry powre downe thou blessed dew Rise Mother troth this shower has made you higher Mot. O you heauens take this infectious spot out of my soule I le rence it in seauen waters of mine eyes Make my teares salt ynough to tast of grace To weepe is to our sexe naturally giuen But to weepe truely that 's a gift from heauen Vind. Nay I le kisse you now kisse her brother Le ts marry her to our soules wherein 's no lust And honorably loue her Hip. Let it be Vind. For honest women are so fild and rare T is good to cherish those poore few that are Oh you of easie waxe do but imagine Now the disease has left you how leprously That Office would haue cling'd vnto your forehead All mothers that had any gracefull hue Would haue worne maskes to hide their face at you It would haue growne to this at your foule name Greene-collour'd maides would haue turnd red with shame Hip. And then our sister full of hire and bassenesse Vind. There had beene boyling lead agen The dukes sonnes great Concubine A drab of State a cloath a siluer slut To haue her traine borne vp and her soule traile i' th durt great Hip. To be miserably great rich to be eternally wretched Vind. O common madnesse Aske but the thriuingst harlot in cold bloud Shee l giue the world to make her honour good Perhaps you le say but onely to 'th Dukes sonne In priuate why shee first begins with one Who afterward to thousand prooues a whore Breake Ice in one place it will crack in more Mother Most certainly applyed Hip. Oh Brother you forget our businesse Vind. And well remembred ioye 's a subtill elfe I thinke man's happiest when he forgets himselfe Farewell once dryed now holy-watred Meade Our hearts weare Feathers that before wore Lead Mother I le giue you this that one I neuer knew Plead better for and gainst the Diuill then you Vind. You make me proud on t Hip. Commend vs in all vertue to our Sister Vind. I for the loue of heauen to that true maide Mother With my best words Vind. Why that was motherly sayd Exeunt Mother I wonder now what fury did transport me I feele good thoughts begin to settle in me Oh with what fore-head can I looke on her Whose honor I 'ue so impiouslie beset And here shee comes Cast. Now mother you haue wrought with me so strongly That what for my aduancement as to calme The trouble of your tongue I am content Mother Content to what Cast. To do as you haue wisht me To prostitute my brest to the Dukes sonne And put my selfe to common Vsury Mother I hope you will not so Cast. Hope you I will not That 's not the hope you looke to be saued in Mother Truth but it is Cast. Do not deceiue your selfe I am as you een out of Marble wrought What would you now are yee not pleasde yet with me You shall not wish me to be more lasciuious Then I intend to be Mother Strike not me cold Cast. How often haue you chargd me on your blessing To be a cursed woman when you knew Your blessing had no force to make me lewd You laide your cursse vpon me that did more The mothers curse is heauy where that fights Sonnes set in storme and daughters loose their lights Moth. Good childe deare maide if there be any sparke Of heauenly intellectuall fire within thee oh let my breath Reuiue it to a flame Put not all out with womans wilfull follyes I am recouerd of that foule disease That haunts too many mothers kinde forgiue me Make me not sick in health if then My words preuailde when they were wickednesse How much more now when they are iust and good Cast. I wonder what you meane are not you she For whose infect perswasions I could scarce Kneele out my prayers and had much adoo In three houres reading to vntwist so much Of the black serpent as you wound about me Moth. T is vnfruitfull held tedious to repeate what 's past I me now your present Mother Cast. Push now 't is too late Moth. Bethinke agen thou knowst not what thou sayst Cast. No deny aduancement treasure the Dukes sonne Moth. O see I spoke those words and now they poyson me What will the deed do then Aduancement true as high as shame can pitch For Treasure who ere knew a harlot rich Or could build by the purchase of her sinne An hospitall to keepe their bastards in The Dukes sonne Oh when woemen are yong Courtiers they are sure to be old beggars To know the miseries most harlots taste thou dst wish thy selfe vnborne when thou art vnchast Cast. O mother let me twine about your necke And kisse you till my soule melt on your lips I did but this to trie you Mot. O speake truth Cast. Indeed I did not for no tong has force to alter me from honest If maydens would mens words could haue no power A vergin honor is a christall Tower Which being weake is guarded with good spirits Vntill she basely yeelds no ill inherits Mot. O happy child faith and thy birth hath saued me Mongst thousand daughters happiest of all others Buy thou a glasse for maides and I for mothers Exeunt Enter Vindice and Hippolito Vin. So so he leanes well take heede you wake him not brother Hip. I warant you my life for yours Vin. That 's a good lay for I must kill my selfe Brother that 's I that sits for me do you marke it And I must stand ready here to make away