make you Tumbling and juggling here? Land. I am quit now, signor, For all the pranks you play'd, and railings at me; Upon your high behaviours (which was a lie, Enter VECCHIO and CONSTANTIA. Duke. May I yet speak? Vec. Yes, and embrace her too, For one that loves you dearer- Duke. Oh, my sweetest! Petr. Blush not; I will not chide you. Unto the joy I know, I bring you (see, sir), The happy fruit of all our vows! Duke. Heaven's blessing Be round about thee ever! John. Pray bless me too; For if your grace be well instructed this way, You'll find the keeping half the getting. John. I'll tell you that anon. Con. 'Tis true, this gentleman Has done a charity worthy your favour, Duke. My best lady, He has, and ever shall have.-So must you, sir, Vec. For pardon for my boldness; yet 'twas harmless, And all the art I have, sir. Those your grace saw, Which you thought spirits, were my neighbours' children, For you have pleased me truly; so well pleased me, That, when I shall forget it Petr. Here's old Antonio, (I spied him at a window) coming mainly; John. I. Ant. How! John. I. Ant. Who was he? Ant. Do you hear, conjurer? Ant. Then I'll venture my dagger. Have at your devil's pate! [Strikes him, DON JOHN throws off his disguise.] Do you mew? Re-enter DUKE, PETRUCCIO, CONSTANTIA, FREDERIC, &c. Vec. Hold! Petr. Hold there ! I do command you hold. Ant. Is this the devil? Why, conjurer— Petr. He has been a devil to you, sir; But now you shall forget all. Your whore's safe, And all your jewels; your boy too. SCENE I.-CAEN.-An Apartment in the Palace. Enter GISBERT and BALDWIN. Bald. The brothers then are met? Gis. They are, sir. Bal. 'Tis thought They may be reconciled. Gis. 'Tis rather wish'd; For such, whose reason doth direct their thoughts, fortunes, The dukedom might be saved, had it but ten The brothers stood upon before they met ? Gis. I did; and yet, that ever brothers should Stand on more nice terms than sworn enemies After a war proclaim'd, would with a stranger Wrong the reporter's credit. They saluted At distance, and so strong was the suspicion Each had of other, that, before they durst Embrace, they were by several servants search'd, As doubting conceal'd weapons; antidotes Ta'en openly by both, fearing the room Appointed for the interview was poison'd; The chairs and cushions, with like care, survey'd ; And, in a word, in every circumstance, So jealous on both parts, that it is more Than to be feared, concord can never join Minds so divided. Bald. Yet our best endeavours Should not be wanting, Gisbert. Gis. Neither shall they. Enter GRANDPREE and Verdon. But what are these? Bald. They are without my knowledge; But, by their manners and behaviours, They should express themselves. Grandp. Since we serve Rollo, The eldest brother, we'll be Rollians, Verd. I do. Grandp. Why then, observe How much the business, the so-long'd-for business, By men that are named from their swords, concerns you. Lechery, our common friend, so long kept under Verd. Excellent! Grandp. And Hell but grant, the quarrel that's between The princes may continue, and the business To their most lousy fortunes. Bald. Here's a statesman ! Grandp. A creditor shall not dare, but by To make demand of any debt; and that [petition, Only once every leap year, in which, if The debtor may be won, for a French crown To pay a sous, he shall be register'd And will be heard, and have all I speak law. Grandp. Even so: The times, the times are changed; All business is not now preferr'd in parchment, This seal, do you see? Your gravity once laid Gis. To hang you: Think on that, ruffian ! Grandp. For you, schoolmaster, You have a pretty daughter: Let me see; Near three o'clock, (by which time, I much fear, Bald. Impudent rascal ! Enter TREVILE and DUPKETE. Gis. More of the crew? Grandp. What are you? Rollians? Trev. No; this for Rollo, and all such as serve him! We stand for Otto. [Snaps his fingers. Trev. I kiss Your hands for the good offer: Here's another, Grandp. Your idolater, sir. [Exeunt all but GISBERT and BALDWIN. Gis. That ever such should hold the names of Or justice be held cruelty, when it labours [men, To pluck such weeds up! Bald. Yet they are protected, And by the great ones. Gis. Not the good ones, Baldwin. Enter AUBREY. Aub. Is this a time to be spent thus, by such As are the principal ministers of the state, When they that are the heads have fill'd the court With factions, a weak woman only left To stay their bloody hands? Can her weak arms To fall upon the commonwealth, and bury Of what it was?-Oh, Gisbert, the fair trials Bald. 'Twas not in me, my lord, to alter nature. Gis. Nor can my counsels work on them, that Vouchsafe me hearing. [will not Aub. Do these answers sort Or with your place, or persons, or your years? Devilish designs, a man would shame to father! Enter ROLLO, with LATORCH, GRANDPREE, and VERDON; and Orro, with TREVILE and DUPRETS. See 't confirmed! Now do, or never speak more! Gis. We are yours.— Rollo. You shall know who I am! Rollo. Thy prince. Give way! Were we alone, In thy best blood to write thyself my subject, And glad I would receive it. Aub. Sir! Gis. Dear lord! Otto. Thy subject? Rollo. Yes; nor shall tame patience hold me, A minute longer, only half myself. My birth gave me this dukedom, and my sword Otto. I need it not, and would scorn to receive, Though offer'd, what I want not: Therefore know From me, (though not deliver'd in great words, Eyes red with rage, poor pride, and threatening action) Our father at his death, then, when no accent Trev. Nor will we see The will of the dead duke infringed. Lat. Nor I The elder robb'd of what's his right. Grandp. Nor you? Let me take place !-I say, I will not see't! My sword is sharpest. Aub. Peace, you tinder-boxes, That only carry matter to make a flame Rollo. You are troublesome : [down [TO BALDWIN. This is no time for arguments! My title Needs not your school-defences; but my sword, With which the gordian of your sophistry Being cut, shall shew th' imposture. For your laws, [TO GISBERT. It is in me to change them as I please, I being above them, Gisbert! Would you have me protect them? Let them now stretch their extremest rigour, For the sick state, the land's and people's quiet, Gis. Sir, I grant The laws are useful weapons, but found out To assure the innocent, not to oppress. Rollo. Then you conclude him innocent? Your father gave him must not prove a crime. All that dare challenge any part in goodness Rollo. They have none, That dare move me in this. Hence! I defy you! Be of his party, bring to it your laws; [To GISBERT. And thou thy double heart, thou popular fool, [TO BALDWIN. Your moral rules of justice, and her balance: I stand on my own guard! Otto. Which thy injustice Will make thy enemy's. By the memory Rollo. Thou shalt not live [He offers his sword at OTTO, the faction joining. Or shall these kill themselves, like to mad fencers, Grandp. Keep the peace! I am for you, my lord; and, if you'll have me, Aub. Live I to see this? Will you do that your enemies dare not wish, And, were I not confirm'd, my justice in Rollo. Hear this, and talk again? I'll break But I will reach thy heart. Otto. 'Tis better guarded. Enter SOPHIA. [Rushing upon OTTO. Soph. Make way, or I will force it!-Who are these? My sons? my shames! Turn all your swords on me, And make this wretched body but one wound, As if your arms could be advanced, and I And must be branded with those impious marks |