Chapter CXXII: Act V: Scene I.4001

_Enter_ BEATRICE: _a clock strikes one._

_Beat._ One struck, and yet she lies by ’t!
O my fears!
This strumpet serves her own ends, ’t is apparent now,
Devours the pleasure with a greedy appetite,
And never minds my honour or my peace, 5
Makes havoc of my right. But she pays dearly for ’t;
No trusting of her life with such a secret
That cannot rule her blood to keep her promise;
Beside, I ’ve some suspicion of her faith to me,
Because I was suspected of my lord, 10
And it must come from her. [_Striks two._] Hark! by my horrors,
Another clock strikes two!

_Enter_ DE FLORES.

_De F._ Pist! where are you?

_Beat._ De Flores?

_De F._ Ay. is she not come from him yet?

_Beat._ As I ’m a living soul, not!

_De F._ Sure the devil
Hath sow’d his itch within her. Who would trust 15
A waiting-woman?

_Beat._ I must trust somebody.

_De F._ Push! they ’re termagants;
Especially when they fall upon their masters
And have their ladies’ first fruits; they ’re mad whelps,
You cannot stave ’em off from game royal: then 20
You are so rash[4002] and hardy, ask no counsel;
And I could have helpt you to a ’pothecary’s daughter
Would have fall’n off before eleven, and thank[t] you too.

_Beat._ O me, not yet! this whore forgets herself.

_De F._ The rascal fares so well: look, you’re undone; 25
The day-star, by this hand! See Phosphorus[4003] plain yonder.

_Beat._ Advise me now to fall upon some ruin;
There is no counsel safe else.

_De F._ Peace! I ha ’t now,
For we must force a rising, there’s no remedy.

_Beat._ How? take heed of that. 30

_De F._ Tush! be you quiet, or else give over all.

_Beat._ Prithee, I ha’ done then.

_De F._ This is my reach:[4004] I ’ll set
Some part a-fire of Diaphanta’s chamber.

_Beat._ How? Fire, sir? That may endanger the whole house.

_De F._ You talk of danger when your fame ’s on fire? 35

_Beat._ That ’s true; do what thou wilt now.

_De F._ Push! I aim
At a most rich success strikes all dead sure.
The chimney being a-fire, and some light parcels
Of the least danger in her chamber only,
If Diaphanta should be met by chance then 40
Far from her lodging, which is now suspicious,
It would be thought her fears and affrights then
Drove her to seek for succour; if not seen
Or met at all, as that ’s the likeliest,
For her own shame she ’ll hasten towards her lodging; 45
I will be ready with a piece[4005] high-charg’d,
As ’t were to cleanse the chimney, there ’t is proper now
But she shall be the mark.

_Beat._ I ’m forc’d to love thee now,
’Cause thou provid’st so carefully for my honour.

_De F._ ’Slid, it concerns the safety of us both, 50
Our pleasure and continuance.

_Beat._ One word now,
Prithee; how for the servants?

_De F._ I ’ll despatch them,
Some one way, some another in the hurry,
For buckets, hooks, ladders; fear not you,
The deed shall find its time; and I ’ve thought since 55
Upon a safe conveyance for the body too:
How this fire purifies wit! Watch you your minute.

_Beat._ Fear keeps my soul upon ’t, I cannot stray from ’t.

_Enter_ ALONZO’S Ghost.

_De F._ Ha! what art thou that tak’st away the light
Betwixt that star and me? I dread thee not.— 60
’T was but a mist of conscience; all ’s clear again. _Exit._

_Beat._ Who ’s that, De Flores? Bless me, it slides by!
[_Exit_ Ghost.]
Some ill thing haunts the house; ’t has left behind it
A shivering sweat upon me; I ’m afraid now.
This night hath been so tedious! O this strumpet! 65
Had she a thousand lives, he should not leave her
Till he had destroy’d the last. List! O my terrors!
_Struck three o’clock._
Three struck by St. Sebastian’s!

_Within._ Fire, fire, fire!

_Beat._ Already? How rare is that man’s speed! 70
How heartily he serves me! his face loathes one;
But look upon his care, who would not love him?
The east is not more beauteous than his service.

_Within._ Fire, fire, fire!

_Re-enter_ DE FLORES: Servants _pass over: bell rings_.

_De F._ Away, despatch! hooks, buckets, ladders! that ’s well
said.[4006] 75
The fire-bell rings; the chimney works, my charge;
The piece is ready. _Exit._

_Beat._ Here ’s a man worth loving!
_Enter_ DIAPHANTA.
O you’re a jewel!

_Dia._ Pardon frailty, madam;
In troth, I was so well. I ev’n forgot myself.

_Beat._ You ’ve made trim work!

_Dia._ What?

_Beat._ Hie quickly to your chamber; 80
Your reward follows you.

_Dia._ I never made
So sweet a bargain. _Exit._

_Enter_ ALSEMERO.

_Als._ O my dear Joanna,
Alas! art thou risen too? I was coming,
My absolute treasure!

_Beat._ When I mist you,
I could not choose but follow.

_Als._ Thou ’rt all sweetness: 85
The fire is not so dangerous.

_Beat._ Think you so, sir?

_Als._ I prithee, tremble not; believe me, ’t is not.

_Enter_ VERMANDERO _and_ JASPERINO.

_Ver._ O bless my house and me!

_Als._ My lord your father.

_Re-enter_ DE FLORES _with a gun_.

_Ver._ Knave, whither goes that piece?

_De F._ To scour the chimney. _Exit._

_Ver._ O, well said, well said! 90
That fellow ’s good on all occasions.

_Beat._ A wondrous necessary man, my lord.

_Ver._ He hath a ready wit; he ’s worth ’em all, sir;
Dog at a house of fire; I ha’ seen him singed ere now.—
_The piece goes off._
Ha, there he goes!

_Beat._ ’T is done!

_Als._ Come, sweet, to bed now; 95
Alas! thou wilt get cold.

_Beat._ Alas! the fear keeps that out!
My heart will find no quiet till I hear
How Diaphanta, my poor woman, fares;
It is her chamber, sir, her lodging chamber.

_Ver._ How should the fire come there? 100

_Beat._ As good a soul as ever lady countenanc’d,
But in her chamber negligent and heavy:
She scapt a mine twice.

_Ver._ Twice?

_Beat._ Strangely twice, sir.

_Ver._ Those sleepy sluts are dangerous in a house,
An they be ne’er so good.

_Re-enter_ DE FLORES.

_De F._ O poor virginity, 105
Thou hast paid dearly for ’t!

_Ver._ Bless us, what ’s that?

_De F._ A thing you all knew once, Diaphanta’s burnt.

_Beat._ My woman! O my woman!

_De F._ Now the flames
Are greedy of her; burnt, burnt, burnt to death, sir!

_Beat._ O my presaging soul!

_Als._ Not a tear more! 110
I charge you by the last embrace I gave you
In bed, before this rais’d us.

_Beat._ Now you tie me;
Were it my sister, now she gets no more.

_Enter_ Servant.

_Ver._ How now?

_Ser._ All danger ’s past; you may now take 115
Your rests, my lords; the fire is throughly quencht.
Ah, poor gentlewoman, how soon was she stifled!

_Beat._ De Flores, what is left of her inter,
And we as mourners all will follow her.
I will entreat that honour to my servant 120
Ev’n of my lord himself.

_Als._ Command it, sweetness.

_Beat._ Which of you spied the fire first?

_De F._ ’T was I, madam.

_Beat._ And took such pains in ’t too? A double goodness!
’T were well he were rewarded.

_Ver._ He shall be.—
De Flores, call upon me.

_Als._ And upon me, sir. 125
_Exeunt_ [_all except_ DE FLORES].

_De F._ Rewarded? Precious! here ’s a trick beyond me.
I see in all bouts, both of sport and wit,
Always a woman strives for the last hit. _Exit._

[SCENE II.][4007]

_Enter_ TOMASO.

_Tom._ I cannot taste the benefits of life
With the same relish I was wont to do.
Man I grow weary of, and hold his fellowship
A treacherous bloody friendship; and because 4
I ’m ignorant in whom my wrath should settle,
I must think all men villains, and the next
I meet, whoe’er he be, the murderer
Of my most worthy brother. Ha! what ’s he?
DE FLORES _passes over the stage._
O, the fellow that some call honest De Flores;
But methinks honesty was hard bested 10
To come there for a lodging; as if a queen
Should make her palace of a pest-house.
I find a contrariety in nature
Betwixt that face and me; the least occasion
Would give me game upon him; yet he ’s so foul 15
One would scarce touch [him] with a sword he lov’d
And made account of; so most deadly venomous,
He would go near to poison any weapon
That should draw blood on him; one must resolve
Never to use that sword again in fight 20
In way of honest manhood that strikes him;
Some river must devour it; ’t were not fit
That any man should find it. What, again?
_Re-enter_ DE FLORES.
He walks a’ purpose by, sure, to choke me up,
T’ infect my blood.

_De F._ My worthy noble lord! 25

_Tom._ Dost offer to come near and breathe upon me? [_Strikes him._]

_De F._ A blow! [_Draws._]

_Tom._ Yea, are you so prepar’d?
I ’ll rather like a soldier die by th’ sword,
Than like a politician by thy poison. [_Draws._]

_De F._ Hold, my lord, as you are honourable!

_Tom._ All slaves that kill by poison are still cowards. 31

_De F._ [_Aside._] I cannot strike; I see his brother’s wounds
Fresh bleeding in his eye, as in a crystal.—
I will not question this, I know you ’re noble;
I take my injury with thanks given, sir, 35
Like a wise lawyer, and as a favour
Will wear it for the worthy hand that gave it.—
[_Aside._] Why this from him that yesterday appear’d
So strangely loving to me?
O, but instinct is of a subtler strain! 40
Guilt must not walk so near his lodge again;
He came near me now. _Exit._

_Tom._ All league with mankind I renounce for ever,
Till I find this murderer; not so much
As common courtesy but I ’ll lock up; 45
For in the state of ignorance I live in,
A brother may salute his brother’s murderer,
And wish good speed to th’ villain in a greeting.

_Enter_ VERMANDERO, ALIBIUS, _and_ ISABELLA.

_Ver._ Noble Piracquo!

_Tom._ Pray, keep on your way, sir;
I ’ve nothing to say to you.

_Ver._ Comforts bless you, sir; 50

_Tom._ I ’ve forsworn compliment, in troth I have, sir;
As you are merely man, I have not left
A good wish for you, nor for any here.

_Ver._ Unless you be so far in love with grief,
You will not part from ’t upon any terms, 55
We bring that news will make a welcome for us.

_Tom._ What news can that be?

_Ver._ Throw no scornful smile
Upon the zeal I bring you, ’t is worth more, sir.
Two of the chiefest men I kept about me 59
I hide not from the law of your just vengeance.

_Tom._ Ha!

_Ver._ To give your peace more ample satisfaction,
Thank these discoverers.

_Tom._ If you bring that calm,
Name but the manner I shall ask forgiveness in
For that contemptuous smile [I threw][4008] upon you;
I ’ll perfect it with reverence that belongs 66
Unto a sacred altar. [_Kneels._]

_Ver._ [_raising him._] Good sir, rise;
Why, now you overdo as much a’ this hand
As you fell short a’ t’ other.—Speak, Alibius.

_Alib._ ’T was my wife’s fortune, as she is most lucky 70
At a discovery, to find out lately,
Within our hospital of fools and madmen,
Two counterfeits slipt into these disguises,
Their names Franciscus and Antonio.

_Ver._ Both mine, sir, and I ask no favour for ’em. 75

_Alib._ Now that which draws suspicion to their habits,
The time of their disguisings agrees justly
With the day of the murder.

_Tom._ O blest revelation!

_Ver._ Nay, more, nay, more, sir—I ’ll not spare mine own 79
In way of justice—they both feign’d a journey
To Briamata, and so wrought out[4009] their leaves;
My love was so abus’d[4010] in ’t.

_Tom._ Time ’s too precious
To run in waste now; you have brought a peace
The riches of five kingdoms could not purchase.
Be my most happy conduct; I thirst for ’em: 85
Like subtle lightning will I wind about ’em,
And melt their marrow in ’em. _Exeunt._

[SCENE III.][4011]

_Enter_ ALSEMERO _and_ JASPERINO.

_Jas._ Your confidence, I ’m sure, is now of proof;
The prospect from the garden has show’d
Enough for deep suspicion.

_Als._ The black mask
That so continually was worn upon ’t
Condemns the face for ugly ere ’t be seen, 5
Her despite to him, and so seeming bottomless.

_Jas._ Touch it home then; ’t is not a shallow probe
Can search this ulcer soundly; I fear you ’ll find it
Full of corruption. ’T is fit I leave you,
She meets you opportunely from that walk; 10
She took the back door at his parting with her. _Exit._

_Als._ Did my fate wait for this unhappy stroke
At my first sight of woman? She is here.

_Enter_ BEATRICE.

_Beat._ Alsemero!

_Als._ How do you?

_Beat._ How do I?
Alas, sir! how do you? You look not well. 15

_Als._ You read me well enough; I am not well.

_Beat._ Not well, sir? Is ’t in my power to better you?

_Als._ Yes.

_Beat._ Nay, then you ’re cur’d again.

_Als._ Pray, resolve[4012] me one question, lady. 20

_Beat._ If I can.

_Als._ None can so sure: are you honest?

_Beat._ Ha, ha, ha! that ’s a broad question, my lord.

_Als._ But that ’s not a modest answer, my lady.
Do you laugh? My doubts are strong upon me.

_Beat._ ’T is innocence that smiles, and no rough brow 26
Can take away the dimple in her cheek.
Say I should strain a tear to fill the vault,
Which would you give the better faith to?

_Als._ ’T were but hypocrisy of a sadder colour,
But the same stuff; neither your smiles nor tears 31
Shall move or flatter me from my belief:
You are a whore!

_Beat._ What a horrid sound it hath!
It blasts a beauty to deformity;
Upon what face soever that breath falls, 35
It strikes it ugly. O, you have ruin’d
What you can ne’er repair again?

_Als._ I ’ll all
Demolish, and seek out truth within you,
If there be any left; let your sweet tongue
Prevent your heart’s rifling; there I ’ll ransack
And tear out my suspicion.

_Beat._ You may, sir; 41
It is an easy passage; yet, if you please,
Show me the ground whereon you lost your love;
My spotless virtue may but tread on that
Before I perish.

_Als._ Unanswerable; 45
A ground you cannot stand on; you fall down
Beneath all grace and goodness when you set
Your ticklish heel on ’t. There was a visor
Over that cunning face, and that became you;
Now Impudence in triumph rides upon ’t. 50
How comes this tender reconcilement else
’Twixt you and your despite, your rancorous loathing,
De Flores? he that your eye was sore at sight of,
He ’s now become your arm’s supporter, your
Lip’s saint!

_Beat._ Is there the cause?

_Als._ Worse, your lust’s devil, 55
Your adultery!

_Beat._ Would any but yourself say that,
’T would turn him to a villain!

_Als._ It was witnest
By the counsel of your bosom, Diaphanta.

_Beat._ Is your witness dead then?

_Als._ ’T is to be fear’d
It was the wages of her knowledge; poor soul,
She liv’d not long after the discovery. 61

_Beat._ Then hear a story of not much less horror
Than this your false suspicion is beguil’d with;
To your bed’s scandal I stand up innocence,
Which even the guilt of one black other deed 65
Will stand for proof of; your love has made me
A cruel murd’ress.

_Als._ Ha!

_Beat._ A bloody one;
I have kist poison for it, strokt a serpent:
That thing of hate, worthy in my esteem
Of no better employment, and him most worthy
To be so employ’d, I caus’d to murder 71
That innocent Piracquo, having no
Better means than that worst to assure
Yourself to me.

_Als._ O, the place itself e’er since
Has crying been for vengeance! The temple, 75
Where blood and beauty first unlawfully
Fir’d their devotion and quencht the right one;
’T was in my fears at first, ’t will have it now:
O, thou art all deform’d!

_Beat._ Forget not, sir, 79
It for your sake was done. Shall greater dangers
Make the less welcome?

_Als._ O, thou should’st have gone
A thousand leagues about to have avoided
This dangerous bridge of blood! Here we are lost.

_Beat._ Remember, I am true unto your bed.

_Als._ The bed itself ’s a charnel, the sheets shrouds 85
For murdered carcasses. It must ask pause
What I must do in this; meantime you shall
Be my prisoner only: enter my closet;
_Exit_ BEATRICE [_into closet_].
I ’ll be your keeper yet. O, in what part
Of this sad story shall I first begin? Ha! 90
This same fellow has put me in.—De Flores!

_Enter_ DE FLORES.

_De F._ Noble Alsemero!

_Als._ I can tell you
News, sir; my wife has her commended to you.

_De F._ That ’s news indeed, my lord; I think she would
Commend me to the gallows if she could, 95
She ever lov’d me so well; I thank her.

_Als._ What ’s this blood upon your band, De Flores?

_De F._ Blood! no, sure ’t was washt since.

_Als._ Since when, man?

_De F._ Since t’ other day I got a knock
In a sword-and-dagger school; I think ’t is out.

_Als._ Yes, ’t is almost out, but ’t is perceiv’d though. 101
I had forgot my message; this it is,
What price goes murder?

_De F._ How, sir?

_Als._ I ask you, sir;
My wife ’s behindhand with you, she tells me,
For a brave bloody blow you gave for her sake
Upon Piracquo.

_De F._ Upon? ’T was quite through him sure:
Has she confest it?

_Als._ As sure as death to both of you; 107
And much more than that.

_De F._ It could not be much more;
’T was but one thing, and that—she is a whore.

_Als._ It could not choose but follow. O cunning devils! 110
How should blind men know you from fair-fac’d saints?

_Beat._ [_within._] He lies! the villain does belie me!

_De F._ Let me go to her, sir.

_Als._ Nay, you shall to her.—
Peace, crying crocodile, your sounds are heard;
Take your prey to you;—get you into her, sir:
_Exit_ DE FLORES [_into closet_].
I ’ll be your pander now; rehearse again 116
Your scene of lust, that you may be perfect
When you shall come to act it to the black audience,
Where howls and gnashings shall be music to you.
Clip[4013] your adulteress freely, ’t is the pilot 120
Will guide you to the _mare mortuum_,
Where you shall sink to fathoms bottomless.

_Enter_ VERMANDERO, TOMASO, ALIBIUS, ISABELLA, FRANCISCUS, _and_ ANTONIO.

_Ver._ O Alsemero! I ’ve a wonder for you.

_Als._ No, sir, ’t is I, I have a wonder for you.

_Ver._ I have suspicion near as proof itself 125
For Piracquo’s murder.

_Als._ Sir, I have proof,
Beyond suspicion of Piracquo’s murder.

_Ver._ Beseech you, hear me; these who have been disguis’d
E’er since the deed was done.

_Als._ I have two other
That were more close disguis’d than your two could be 130
E’er since the deed was done.

_Ver._ You ’ll hear me—these mine own servants——

_Als._ Hear me—those nearer than your servants
That shall acquit them, and prove them guiltless.

_Fran._ That may be done with easy truth, sir. 135

_Tom._ How is my cause bandied through your delays!
’T is urgent in [my] blood and calls for haste.
Give me a brother [or] alive or dead;
Alive, a wife with him; if dead, for both
A recompense for murder and adultery. 140

_Beat._ (_within._) O, O, O!

_Als._ Hark! ’t is coming to you.

_De F._ (_within._) Nay, I ’ll along for company.

_Beat._ (_within._) O, O!

_Ver._ What horrid sounds are these?

_Als._ Come forth, you twins
Of mischief!

_Re-enter_ DE FLORES, _bringing in_ BEATRICE [_wounded_].

_De F._ Here we are: if you have any more
To say to us, speak quickly, I shall not 145
Give you the hearing else; I am so stout yet,
And so, I think, that broken rib of mankind.

_Ver._ A host of enemies ent’red my citadel
Could not amaze like this: Joanna! Beatrice! Joanna!

_Beat._ O, come not near me, sir, I shall defile you! 150
I that was of your blood was taken from you,
For your better health; look no more upon ’t,
But cast it to the ground regardlessly,
Let the common sewer take it from distinction.
Beneath the stars, upon yon meteor [_Pointing to_ DE FLORES.] 155
Ever hung my fate ’mongst things corruptible;
I ne’er could pluck it from him; my loathing
Was prophet to the rest, but ne’er believ’d.
Mine honour fell with him, and now my life.—
Alsemero, I ’m a stranger to your bed; 160
Your bed was coz’ned on the nuptial night,—
For which your false bride died.

_Als._ Diaphanta?

_De F._ Yes, and the while I coupled with your mate
At barley-break; now we are left in hell.[4014]

_Ver._ We are all there, it circumscribes us here. 165

_De F._ I lov’d this woman in spite of her heart:
Her love I earn’d out of Piracquo’s murder.

_Tom._ Ha! my brother’s murderer?

_De F._ Yes, and her honour’s prize
Was my reward; I thank life for nothing
But that pleasure; it was so sweet to me, 170
That I have drunk up all, left none behind
For any man to pledge me.

_Ver._ Horrid villain!
Keep life in him for future tortures.

_De F._ No!
I can prevent you; here ’s my pen-knife still;
It is but one thread more [_stabbing himself_],
and now ’t is cut.— 175
Make haste, Joanna, by that token to thee,
Canst not forget, so lately put in mind;
I would not go to leave thee far behind. _Dies._

_Beat._ Forgive me, Alsemero, all forgive!
’T is time to die when ’t is a shame to live. _Dies._ 180

_Ver._ O, my name ’s ent’red now in that record
Where till this fatal hour ’t was never read.

_Als._ Let it be blotted out; let your heart lose it,
And it can never look you in the face,
Nor tell a tale behind the back of life 185
To your dishonour. Justice hath so right
The guilty hit, that innocence is quit
By proclamation, and may joy again.—
Sir, you are sensible of what truth hath done;
’T is the best comfort that your grief can find.

_Tom._ Sir, I am satisfied; my injuries 191
Lie dead before me; I can exact no more,
Unless my soul were loose, and could o’ertake
Those black fugitives that are fled from hence,
To take[4015] a second vengeance; but there are wraths 195
Deeper than mine, ’t is to be fear’d, about ’em.

_Als._ What an opacous body had that moon
That last chang’d on us! Here is beauty chang’d
To ugly whoredom; here servant-obedience
To a master-sin, imperious murder; 200
I, a suppos’d husband, chang’d embraces
With wantonness,—but that was paid before.—
Your change is come too, from an ignorant wrath
To knowing friendship.—Are there any more on ’s? 204

_Ant._ Yes, sir, I was chang’d too from a little ass as I was to a
great fool as I am; and had like to ha’ been chang’d to the gallows,
but that you know my innocence[4016] always excuses me.

_Fran._ I was chang’d from a little wit to be stark mad, 210
Almost for the same purpose.

_Isa._ Your change is still behind,
But deserve best your transformation:
You are a jealous coxcomb, keep schools of folly,
And teach your scholars how to break your own head.

_Alib._ I see all apparent, wife, and will change now 215
Into a better husband, and ne’er keep
Scholars that shall be wiser than myself.

_Als._ Sir, you have yet a son’s duty living,
Please you, accept it; let that your sorrow,
As it goes from your eye, go from your heart.
Man and his sorrow at the grave must part. 221