Chapter CXLIV: Act V: Scene I.4397

_Enter two_ Lords.

_1 Lord._ Columbo’s death doth much afflict the king.

_2 Lord._ I thought the Cardinal would have lost his wits
At first, for ’s nephew; it drowns all the talk
Of the others that were slain.

_1 Lord._ We are friends.
I do suspect Hernando had some interest, 5
And knew how their wounds came.

_2 Lord._ His flight confirms it,
For whom the Cardinal has spread his nets.

_1 Lord._ He is not so weak to trust himself at home
To his enemy’s gripe.

_2 Lord._ All strikes not me so much
As that the duchess, most oppressed lady, 10
Should be distracted, and before Columbo
Was slain.

_1 Lord._ But that the Cardinal should be made
Her guardian, is to me above that wonder.

_2 Lord._ So it pleas’d the king; and she, with that small stock
Of reason left her, is so kind and smooth 15
Upon him.

_1 Lord._ She ’s turn’d a child again: a madness,
That would ha’ made her brain and blood boil high,
In which distemper she might ha’ wrought something—

_2 Lord._ Had been to purpose.

_1 Lord._ The Cardinal is cunning; and howe’er 20
His brow does smile, he does suspect Hernando
Took fire from her, and waits a time to punish it.

_2 Lord._ But what a subject of disgrace and mirth
Hath poor Celinda made herself by pride,
In her belief Columbo was her servant! 25
Her head hath stoop’d much since he died, and she
Almost ridiculous at court.

_Enter_ CARDINAL, ANTONELLI, _and_ Servant.

_1 Lord._ The Cardinal
Is come into the garden, now—

_Car._ Walk off.— [_Exeunt_ Lords.]
It troubles me the duchess by her loss
Of brain, is now beneath my great revenge. 30
She is not capable to feel my anger,
Which, like to unregarded thunder spent
In woods, and lightning aim’d at senseless trees,
Must idly fall, and hurt her not, not to
That sense her guilt deserves: a fatal stroke, 35
Without the knowledge for what crime, to fright her
When she takes leave, and make her tug with death,
Until her soul sweat, is a pigeon’s torment,
And she is sent a babe to the other world.
Columbo’s death will not be satisfied, 40
And I but wound her with a two-edg’d feather.
I must do more: I have all opportunity,
(She by the king now made my charge,) but she’s
So much a turtle, I shall lose by killing her,
Perhaps do her a pleasure and preferment; 45
That must not be.

_Enter_ CELINDA _with a parchment_.

_Anton._ [_stopping her._]—Is not this she, that would be thought to
have been
Columbo’s mistress?—Madam, his grace is private,
And would not be disturb’d; you may displease him.

_Cel._ What will your worship wager that he shall 50
Be pleas’d again before we part?

_Anton._ I’ll lay this diamond, madam, ’gainst a kiss,
And trust yourself to keep the stakes.

_Cel._ ’T is done. [_Comes forward._]

_Anton._ I have long had an appetite to this lady;
But the lords keep her up so high—this toy 55
May bring her on.

_Car._ This interruption tastes not of good manners.

_Cel._ But where necessity, my lord, compels,
The boldness may meet pardon, and when you
Have found my purpose, I may less appear 60
Unmannerly.

_Car._ To the business.

_Cel._ It did please
Your nephew, sir, before his death, to credit me
With so much honourable favour, I
Am come to tender to his near’st of blood,
Yourself, what does remain a debt to him. 65
Not to delay your grace with circumstance.
That deed, if you accept, makes you my heir
Of no contemptible estate.—[_Aside._] This way _He reads._
Is only left to tie up scurrile tongues
And saucy men, that since Columbo’s death 70
Venture to libel on my pride and folly;
His greatness and this gift, which I enjoy
Still for my life, (beyond which term a kingdom’s
Nothing,) will curb the giddy spleens of men
That live on impudent rhyme, and railing at 75
Each wandering fame they catch.

_Car._ Madam, this bounty
Will bind my gratitude, and care to serve you.

_Cel._ I am your grace’s servant.

_Car._ Antonelli!—_Whisper._
And when this noble lady visits me,
Let her not wait. 80

_Cel._ What think you, my officious sir? His grace
Is pleas’d, you may conjecture: I may keep
Your gem; the kiss was never yours.

_Anton._ Sweet madam—

_Cel._ Talk if you dare; you know I must not wait;
And so, farewell for this time. [_Exit._] 85

_Car._ ’T is in my brain already, and it forms
Apace—good, excellent revenge, and pleasant!
She’s now within my talons: ’t is too cheap
A satisfaction for Columbo’s death,
Only to kill her by soft charm or force. 90
I ’ll rifle first her darling chastity;
’T will be after time enough to poison her,
And she to th’ world be thought her own destroyer.
As I will frame the circumstance, this night
All may be finished: for the colonel, 95
Her agent in my nephew’s death, (whom I
Disturb’d at counsel with her,) I may reach him
Hereafter, and be master of his fate.
We starve our conscience when we thrive in state. _Exeunt._

[SCENE II.][4398]

_Enter_ Secretary [ANTONIO] _and_ PLACENTIA.

_Ant._ Placentia, we two are only left
Of all my lady’s servants; let us be true
To her, and one another; and be sure,
When we are at prayers, to curse the Cardinal.

_Pla._ I pity my sweet lady. 5

_Ant._ I pity her too, but am a little angry;
She might have found another time to lose
Her wits.

_Pla._ That I were a man!

_Ant._ What would’st thou do, Placentia? 10

_Pla._ I would revenge my lady.

_Ant._ ’T is better, being a woman; thou may’st do
Things that may prosper better, and the fruit
Be thy own another day.

_Pla._ Your wit still loves
To play the wanton.

_Ant._ ’T is a sad time, Placentia; 15
Some pleasure would do well: the truth is, I
Am weary of my life, and I would have
One fit of mirth before I leave the world.

_Pla._ Do not you blush to talk thus wildly?

_Ant._ ’T is good manners 20
To be a little mad after my lady;
But I ha’ done. Who is with her now?

_Pla._ Madam Valeria.

_Ant._ Not Celinda? There’s a lady for my humour!
A pretty book of flesh and blood, and well 25
Bound up, in a fair letter too. Would I
Had her with all the errata!

_Pla._ She has not
An honourable fame.

_Ant._ Her fame! that’s nothing;
A little stain; her wealth will fetch again
The colour, and bring honour into her cheeks 30
As fresh;—
If she were mine, and I had her exchequer,
I know the way to make her honest;
Honest to th’ touch, the test, and the last trial.

_Pla._ How, prithee? 35

_Ant._ Why,
First I would marry her, that’s a verb material;
Then I would print her with an _index_
_Expurgatorius_; a table drawn
Of her court heresies; and when she’s read, 40
_Cum privilegio_, who dares call her whore?

_Pla._ I’ll leave you, if you talk thus.

_Ant._ I ha’ done;
Placentia, thon may’st be better company
After another progress; and now tell me,
Didst ever hear of such a patient madness 45
As my lady is possest with? She has rav’d
But twice:—an she would fright the Cardinal,
Or at a supper if she did but poison him,
It were a frenzy I could bear withal.
She calls him her dear governor.—

_Enter_ HERNANDO _disguised, having a letter_.

_Pla._ Who is this? 50

_Her._ Her secretary!—Sir,
Here is a letter, if it may have so
Much happiness to kiss her grace’s hand.

_Ant._ From whom?

_Her._ That’s not in your commission, sir,
To ask, or mine to satisfy; she will want 55
No understanding when she reads.

_Ant._ Alas!
Under your favour, sir, you are mistaken;
Her grace did never more want understanding.

_Her._ How?

_Ant._ Have you not heard? Her skull is broken, sir, 60
And many pieces taken out; she’s mad.

_Her._ The sad fame of her distraction
Has too much truth, it seems.

_Pla._ If please you, sir,
To expect awhile, I will present the letter.

_Her._ Pray do.— _Exit_ PLACENTIA. 65
How long has she been thus distemper’d, sir?

_Ant._ Before the Cardinal came to govern here,
Who, for that reason, by the king was made
Her guardian. We are now at his devotion.

_Her._ A lamb given up to a tiger! May diseases 70
Soon eat him through his heart!

_Ant._ Your pardon, sir.
I love that voice; I know it too a little.
Are not you—be not angry, noble sir,
I can with ease be ignorant again,
And think you are another man; but if 75
You be that valiant gentleman they call—

_Her._ Whom? what?

_Ant._ That kill’d—I would not name him, if I thought
You were not pleas’d to be that very gentleman.

_Her._ Am I betray’d?

_Ant._ The devil sha’ not 80
Betray you here: kill me, and I will take
My death you are the noble colonel.
We are all bound to you for the general’s death,
Valiant Hernando! When my lady knows
You are here, I hope ’t will fetch her wits, again. 85
But do not talk too loud; we are not all
Honest[4399] i’ th’ house; some are the Cardinal’s creatures.

_Her._ Thou wert faithful to thy lady. I am glad
’T is night. But tell me how the churchman uses
The duchess. 90

_Enter_ ANTONELLI.

_Ant._ He carries angels in his tongue and face, but I
Suspect his heart: this is one of his spawns.—
Signor Antonelli.

_Anton._ Honest Antonio!

_Ant._ And how, and how—a friend of mine—where is 95
The Cardinal’s grace?

_Her._ [_Aside._] That will be never answered.

_Anton._ He means to sup here with the duchess.

_Ant._ Will he?

_Anton._ We’ll have the charming bottles at my chamber. 100
Bring that gentleman; we’ll be mighty merry.

_Her._ [_Aside._] I may disturb your jollity.

_Anton._ Farewell, sweet— [_Exit._]

_Ant._ Dear Antonelli!—A round pox confound you!
This is court rhetoric at the back-stairs. 105

_Enter_ PLACENTIA.

_Pla._ Do you know this gentleman?

_Ant._ Not I.

_Pla._ My lady presently dismist Valeria,
And bade me bring him to her bed-chamber.

_Ant._ The gentleman has an honest face.

_Pla._ Her words 110
Fell from her with some evenness and joy.—
Her grace desires your presence.

_Her._ I’ll attend her. _Exit_ [_with_ PLACENTIA].

_Ant._ I would this soldier had the Cardinal
Upon a promontory, with what a spring
The churchman would leap down! It were a spectacle 115
Most rare, to see him topple from the precipice,
And souse in the salt water with a noise
To stun the fishes; and if he fell into
A net, what wonder would the simple sea-gulls
Have, to draw up the o’ergrown lobster.[4400] 120
So ready boil’d! He shall have my good wishes.
This colonel’s coming may be lucky; I
Will be sure none shall interrupt ’em.

_Enter_ CELINDA.

_Cel._ Is
Her grace at opportunity?

_Ant._ No, sweet madam;
She is asleep, her gentlewoman says. 125

_Cel._ My business is but visit. I’ll expect.[4401]

_Ant._ That must not be, although I like your company!

_Cel._ You are grown rich, Master Secretary.

_Ant._ I, madam? Alas!

_Cel._ I hear you are upon another purchase. 130

_Ant._ I upon a purchase!

_Cel._ If you want any sum—

_Ant._ If I could purchase your sweet favour, madam.

_Cel._ You shall command me, and my fortune, sir.

_Ant._ [_Aside._] How’s this? 135

_Cel._ I have observ’d you, sir, a staid
And prudent gentleman—and I shall want—

_Ant._ Not me?

_Cel._ A father for some infant: he has credit
I’ th’ world.—[_Aside._] I am not the first cast lady 140
Has married a secretary.

_Ant._ Shall I wait upon you?

_Cel._ Whither?

_Ant._ Any whither.

_Cel._ I may chance lead you then— 145

_Ant._ I shall be honour’d to obey. My blood
Is up, and in this humour I’m for anything.

_Cel._ Well, sir, I’ll try your manhood.

_Ant._ ’Tis my happiness;
You cannot please me better.

_Cel._ [_Aside._] This was struck
I’ the opportunity.

_Ant._ I am made for ever. [_Exit_, _following her_.] 150

[SCENE III.][4402]

_Enter_ HERNANDO _and_ DUCHESS.

_Her._ Dear madam, do not weep.

_Duch._ Y’ are very welcome;
I ha’ done; I wo’ not shed a tear more
Till I meet Alvarez, then I’ll weep for joy.
He was a fine young gentleman, and sung sweetly; 5
An you had heard him but the night before
We were married, you would ha’ sworn he had been
A swan, and sung his own sad epitaph.
But we’ll talk o’ the Cardinal.

_Her._ Would his death
Might ransom your fair sense! he should not live 10
To triumph in the loss. Beshrew my manhood,
But I begin to melt.

_Duch._ I pray, sir, tell me,—
For I can understand, although they say
I have lost my wits; but they are safe enough,
And I shall have ’em when the Cardinal dies;—
Who had a letter from his nephew, too, 15
Since he was slain?

_Her._ From whence?

_Duch._ I know not where he is. But in some bower
Within a garden he is making chaplets,
And means to send me one; but I’ll not take it;
I have flowers enough, I thank him, while I live.

_Her._ But do you love your governor? 22

_Duch._ Yes, but I’ll never marry him; I am promis’d
Already.

_Her._ To whom, madam?

_Duch._ Do not you
Blush when you ask me that? Must not you be 25
My husband? I know why, but that’s a secret.
Indeed, if you believe me, I do love
No man alive so well as you: the Cardinal
Shall never know ’t; he’ll kill us both; and yet
He says he loves me dearly, and has promis’d 30
To make me well again; but I’m afraid,
One time or other, he will give me poison.

_Her._ Prevent him, madam, and take nothing from him.

_Duch._ Why, do you think ’t will hurt me?

_Her._ It will kill you.

_Duch._ I shall but die, and meet my dear-lov’d lord, 35
Whom, when I have kist, I’ll come again and work
A bracelet of my hair for you to carry him,
When you are going to Heaven; the posy shall
Be my own name, in little tears, that I
Will weep next winter, which congeal’d i’ th’ frost, 40
Will show like seed-pearl. You’ll deliver it?
I know he’ll love, and wear it for my sake.

_Her._ She is quite lost.

_Duch._ I pray give me, sir, your pardon:
I know I talk not wisely; but if you had
The burthen of my sorrow, you would miss 45
Sometimes your better reason. Now I’m well;
What will you do when the Cardinal comes?
He must not see you for the world.

_Her._ He sha’ not;
I’ll take my leave before he come.

_Duch._ Nay, stay;
I shall have no friend left me when you go. 50
He will but sup; he sha’ not stay to lie with me.
I have the picture of my lord abed;
Three are too much this weather.

_Enter_ PLACENTIA.

_Pla._ Madam, the Cardinal.

_Her._ He shall sup with the devil.

_Duch._ I dare not stay;
The red cock[4403] will be angry. I’ll come again. 55
_Exeunt_ [DUCHESS _and_ PLACENTIA.]

_Her._ This sorrow is no fable. Now I find
My curiosity is sadly satisfied.—
Ha! if the duchess in her straggled wits
Let fall words to betray me to the Cardinal,
The panther will not leap more fierce to meet 60
His prey, when a long want of food hath parch’d
His starved maw, than he to print his rage,
And tear my heart-strings. Everything is fatal;
And yet she talk’d sometimes with chain of sense,
And said she lov’d me. Ha! they come not yet.
I have a sword about me, and I left 65
My own security to visit death.
Yet I may pause a little, and consider
Which way does lead me to ’t most honourably.
Does not the chamber that I walk in tremble?
What will become of her, and me, and all 71
The world in one small hour? I do not think
Ever to see the day again; the wings
Of night spread o’er me like a sable hearse-cloth;
The stars are all close mourners too; but I 75
Must not alone to the cold silent grave,
I must not.—If thou canst, Alvarez, open
That ebon curtain, and behold the man,
When the world’s justice fails, shall right thy ashes,
And feed their thirst with blood! Thy duchess is
Almost a ghost already, and doth wear 81
Her body like an useless upper garment,
The trim and fashion of it lost.—Ha!

_Re-enter_ PLACENTIA.

_Pla._ You need not doubt me, sir.—My lady prays
You would not think it long; she in my ear 85
Commanded me to tell you, that when last
She drank, she had happy wishes to your health.

_Her._ And did the Cardinal pledge it?

_Pla._ He was not
Invited to’t, nor must he know you are here.

_Her._ What do they talk of, prithee? 90

_Pla._ His grace is very pleasant _A lute is heard._
And kind to her; but her returns[4404] are after
The sad condition of her sense, sometimes
Unjointed.

_Her._ They have music.

_Pla._ A lute only, 94
His grace prepar’d; they say, the best of Italy,
That waits upon my lord.

_Her._ He thinks the duchess
Is stung with a tarantula.

_Pla._ Your pardon;
My duty is expected. _Exit._

_Her._ Gentle lady!—
A voice too!

SONG _within_.

_Strep._ Come, my Daphne, come away, 100
We do waste the crystal day,
’Tis Strephon calls. _Dap._ What says my love?
_Strep._ Come, follow to the myrtle grove,
Where Venus shall prepare
New chaplets for thy hair. 105
_Dap._ Were I shut up within a tree,
I’d rend my bark to follow thee.
_Strep._ My shepherdess, make haste,
The minutes slide too fast.
_Dap._ In those cooler shades will I, 110
Blind as Cupid, kiss thine eye.
_Strep._ In thy bosom then I’ll stay;
In such warm snow who would not lose his way?
_Chor._ We’ll laugh, and leave the world behind,
And gods themselves that see, 115
Shall envy thee and me,
But never find
Such joys, when they embrace a deity.

_Her._ If at this distance I distinguish, ’tis not
Church music; and the air’s wanton, and no anthem 120
Sung to’t, but some strange ode of love and kisses.
What should this mean?—Ha? he is coming hither.
[_Draws his sword._]
I am betray’d; he marches in her hand.
I’ll trust a little more; mute as the arras,
My sword and I here. 125
_He_ [_conceals himself behind the arras, and_] _observes_.

_Enter_ CARDINAL, DUCHESS, ANTONELLI, _and_ Attendants.

_Car._ Wait you in the first chamber, and let none
Presume to interrupt us.—
_Exeunt_ [ANTONELLI _and_ Attendants.]
She is pleasant;
Now for some art, to poison all her innocence.

_Duch._ I do not like the Cardinal’s humour; he
Little suspects what guest is in my chamber. 130

_Car._ Now, madam, you are safe. [_Embraces her._]

_Duch._ How means your lordship?

_Car._ Safe in my arms, sweet duchess.

_Duch._ Do not hurt me.

_Car._ Not for the treasures of the world! You are
My pretty charge. Had I as many lives
As I have careful thoughts to do you service, 135
I should think all a happy forfeit, to
Delight your grace one minute; ’tis a Heaven
To see you smile.

_Duch._ What kindness call you this?

_Car._ It cannot want a name while you preserve
So plentiful a sweetness; it is love. 140

_Duch._ Of me? How shall I know’t, my lord?

_Car._ By this, and this, swift messengers to whisper
Our hearts to one another. _Kisses her._

_Duch._ Pray, do you come a wooing?

_Car._ Yes, sweet madam;
You cannot be so cruel to deny me. 145

_Duch._ What, my lord?

_Car._ Another kiss.

_Duch._ Can you
Dispense with this, my lord?—(_Aside._) Alas; I fear
Hernando is asleep, or vanish’d from me.

_Car._ [_Aside._] I have mock’d my blood into a flame; and what
My angry soul had form’d for my revenge, 150
Is now the object of my amorous sense.
I have took a strong enchantment from her lips,
And fear I shall forgive Columbo’s death,
If she consent to my embrace.—Come, madam.

_Duch._ Whither, my lord?

_Car._ But to your bed or couch, 155
Where, if you will be kind, and but allow
Yourself a knowledge, love, whose shape and raptures
Wise poets have but glorified in dreams,
Shall make your chamber his eternal palace;
And with such active and essential streams 160
Of new delights glide o’er your bosom, you
Shall wonder to what unknown world you are
By some blest change translated. Why d’ ye pause,
And look so wild? Will you deny your governor?

_Duch._ How came you by that cloven foot?

_Car._ Your fancy
Would turn a traitor to your happiness. 165
I am your friend; you must be kind.

_Duch._ Unhand me,
Or I’ll cry out a rape.

_Car._ You wo’ not, sure?

_Duch._ I have been cozen’d with Hernando’s shadow;
Here’s none but Heaven to hear me.—Help! a rape! 170

_Car._ Are you so good at understanding?
Then, I must use other argument.
_He forces her._ [_Hernando rushes from the arras._]

_Her._ Go to, Cardinal. _Strikes him_; _exit_ DUCHESS.

_Car._ Hernando? Murder! treason! help!

_Her._ An army sha’ not rescue thee. Your blood 175
Is much inflam’d; I have brought a lancet wi’ me
Shall open your hot veins, and cool your fever.—
To vex thy parting soul, it was the same
Engine that pierc’d[4405] Columbo’s heart.

_Car._ Help! murder! [_Stabs him._]

_Enter_ ANTONELLI _and_ Servants.

_Anton._ Some ring the bell, ’t will raise the court; 180
My lord is murder’d! ’T is Hernando. _The bell rings._

_Her._ I’ll make you all some sport.—[_Stabs himself._]—So; now we
are even.
Where is the duchess? I would take my leave
of her, and then bequeath my curse among you. _He falls._

_Enter_ KING, DUCHESS, VALERIA, Lords, _and_ Guard.

_King._ How come these bloody objects? 185

_Her._ With a trick my sword found out. I hope he’s paid.

_1 Lord._ [_Aside._] I hope so too.—A surgeon
For my lord Cardinal!

_King._ Hernando?

_Duch._ Justice! oh, justice, sir, against a ravisher! 190

_Her._ Sir, I ha’ done you service.

_King._ A bloody service.

_Her._ ’T is pure scarlet.

_Enter_ Surgeon.

_Car._ [_Aside._] After such care to perfect my revenge,
Thus bandied out o’ th’ world by a woman’s plot!

_Her._ I have preserv’d the duchess from a rape. 195
Good night to me and all the world for ever. _Dies._

_King._ So impious!

_Duch._ ’T is most true; Alvarez’ blood
Is now reveng’d; I find my brain return,
And every straggling sense repairing home. 200

_Car._ I have deserv’d you should turn from me, sir.
My life hath been prodigiously wicked;
My blood is now the kingdom’s balm. Oh, sir,
I have abus’d your ear, your trust, your people,
And my own sacred office: my conscience 205
Feels now the sting. Oh, show your charity,
And with your pardon, like a cool soft gale,
Fan my poor sweating soul, that wanders through
Unhabitable climes, and parched deserts.
But I am lost, if the great world forgive me, 210
Unless I find your mercy for a crime
You know not, madam, yet, against your life,
I must confess, more than my black intents
Upon your honour; you’re already poison’d.

_King._ By whom? 215

_Car._ By me,
In the revenge I ow’d Columbo’s loss;
With your last meat was mixt a poison, that
By subtle, and by sure degrees, must let
In death.

_King._ Look to the duchess, our physicians!

_Car._ Stay; 221
I will deserve her mercy, though I cannot
Call back the deed. In proof of my repentance,
If the last breath of a now dying man
May gain your charity and belief, receive 225
This ivory box; in it an antidote,
’Bove that they boast the great magistral medicine:
That powder, mixt with wine, by a most rare
And quick access to the heart, will fortify it
Against the rage of the most nimble poison, 230
I am not worthy to present her with it.
Oh, take it, and preserve her innocent life.

_1 Lord._ Strange, he should have a good thing
in such readiness.

_Car._ ’T is that, which in my jealousy and state,
Trusting to false predictions of my birth, 235
That I should die by poison, I preserv’d
For my own safety; wonder not, I made
That my companion was to be my refuge.

_Enter_ Servant _with a bowl of wine_.

_1 Lord._ Here’s some touch of grace.

_Car._ In greater proof of my pure thoughts, I take 240
This first, and with my dying breath confirm
My penitence; it may benefit her life,
But not my wounds. [_He drinks._] Oh, hasten to preserve her;
And though I merit not her pardon, let not
Her fair soul be divorc’d. 245
[_The_ DUCHESS _takes the bowl and drinks_.]

_King._ This is some charity; may it prosper, madam!

_Val._ How does your grace?

_Duch._ And must I owe my life to him, whose death
Was my ambition? Take this free acknowledgment;
I had intent, this night, with my own hand 250
To be Alvarez’ justicer.

_King._ You were mad,
And thought past apprehension of revenge.

_Duch._ That shape I did usurp, great sir, to give
My heart more freedom and defence; but when
Hernando came to visit me, I thought 255
I might defer my execution;
Which his own rage suppli’d without my guilt,
And when his lust grew high, met with his blood.

_1 Lord._ The Cardinal smiles.

_Car._ Now my revenge has met
With you, nimble duchess! I have took 260
A shape[4406] to give my act more freedom too,
And now I am sure she’s poison’d with that dose
I gave her last.

_King._ Thou’rt not so horrid?

_Duch._ Ha! some cordial.

_Car._ Alas, no preservative
Hath wings to overtake it; were her heart 265
Lock’d in a quarry, it would search and kill
Before the aids can reach it. I am sure
You sha’ not now laugh at me.

_King._ How come you by that poison?

_Car._ I prepar’d it,
Resolving, when I had enjoy’d her, which 270
The colonel prevented, by some art
To make her take it, and by death conclude
My last revenge. You have the fatal story.

_King._ This is so great a wickedness, it will
Exceed belief.

_Car._ I knew I could not live. 275

_Surg._ Your wounds, sir, were not desperate.

_Car._ Not mortal? Ha! were they not mortal?

_Surg._ If I have skill in surgery.

_Car._ Then I have caught myself in my own engine.

_2 Lord._ It was your fate, you said, to die by poison. 280

_Car._ That was my own prediction, to abuse
Your faith; no human art can now resist it:
I feel it knocking at the seat of life;
It must come in; I have wrackt all my own
To try your charities: now it would be rare, 285
If you but waft me with a little prayer;
My wings that flag may catch the wind; but ’tis
In vain, the mist is risen, and there’s none
To steer my wand’ring bark. _Dies._

_1 Lord._ He’s dead.

_King._ With him
Die all deceived trust.

_2 Lord._ This was a strange 290
Impiety.

_King._ When men
Of gifts and sacred function once decline
From virtue, their ill deeds transcend example.

_Duch._ The minute’s come that I must take my leave, too.
Your hand, great sir; and though you be a king, 295
We may exchange forgiveness. Heaven forgive,
And all the world! I come, I come, Alvarez. _Dies._

_King._ Dispose their bodies for becoming funeral.
How much are kings abus’d by those they take
To royal grace, whom, when they cherish most
By nice indulgence, they do often arm 301
Against themselves! from whence this maxim springs:
None have more need of perspectives[4407] than kings. _Exeunt._