The White Devil Part 26

Fran. Do you know that count?

Servant. Yes, my lord.

Fran. Bear him these thousand ducats to his lodging.

Tell him the Pope hath sent them. Happily That will confirm more than all the rest. [Exit.

Servant. Sir.

Lodo. To me, sir?

Servant. His Holiness hath sent you a thousand crowns, And wills you, if you travel, to make him Your patron for intelligence.

Lodo. His creature ever to be commanded.-- Why now 'tis come about. He rail'd upon me; And yet these crowns were told out, and laid ready, Before he knew my voyage. Oh, the art, The modest form of greatness! that do sit, Like brides at wedding-dinners, with their looks turn'd From the least wanton jests, their puling stomach Sick from the modesty, when their thoughts are loose, Even acting of those hot and l.u.s.tful sports Are to ensue about midnight: such his cunning!

He sounds my depth thus with a golden plummet.

I am doubly arm'd now. Now to th' act of blood, There 's but three furies found in s.p.a.cious h.e.l.l, But in a great man's breast three thousand dwell. [Exit.

ACT V

SCENE I

A pa.s.sage over the stage of Brachiano, Flamineo, Marcello, Hortensio, Corombona, Cornelia, Zanche, and others: Flamineo and Hortensio remain.

Flam. In all the weary minutes of my life, Day ne'er broke up till now. This marriage Confirms me happy.

Hort. 'Tis a good a.s.surance.

Saw you not yet the Moor that 's come to court?

Flam. Yes, and conferr'd with him i' th' duke's closet.

I have not seen a goodlier personage, Nor ever talk'd with man better experience'd In State affairs, or rudiments of war.

He hath, by report, serv'd the Venetian In Candy these twice seven years, and been chief In many a bold design.

Hort. What are those two That bear him company?

Flam. Two n.o.blemen of Hungary, that, living in the emperor's service as commanders, eight years since, contrary to the expectation of the court entered into religion, in the strict Order of Capuchins; but, being not well settled in their undertaking, they left their Order, and returned to court; for which, being after troubled in conscience, they vowed their service against the enemies of Christ, went to Malta, were there knighted, and in their return back, at this great solemnity, they are resolved for ever to forsake the world, and settle themselves here in a house of Capuchins in Padua.

Hort. 'Tis strange.

Flam. One thing makes it so: they have vowed for ever to wear, next their bare bodies, those coats of mail they served in.

Hort. Hard penance!

Is the Moor a Christian?

Flam. He is.

Hort. Why proffers he his service to our duke?

Flam. Because he understands there 's like to grow Some wars between us and the Duke of Florence, In which he hopes employment.

I never saw one in a stern bold look Wear more command, nor in a lofty phrase Express more knowing, or more deep contempt Of our slight airy courtiers As if he travell'd all the princes' courts Of Christendom: in all things strives t' express, That all, that should dispute with him, may know, Glories, like glow-worms, afar off shine bright, But look'd to near, have neither heat nor light.

The duke.

Enter Brachiano, Francisco disguised like Mulina.s.sar, Lodovico and Gasparo, bearing their swords, their helmets down, Antonelli, Farnese.

Brach. You are n.o.bly welcome. We have heard at full Your honourable service 'gainst the Turk.

To you, brave Mulina.s.sar, we a.s.sign A competent pension: and are inly sorry, The vows of those two worthy gentlemen Make them incapable of our proffer'd bounty.

Your wish is, you may leave your warlike swords For monuments in our chapel: I accept it, As a great honour done me, and must crave Your leave to furnish out our d.u.c.h.ess' revels.

Only one thing, as the last vanity You e'er shall view, deny me not to stay To see a barriers prepar'd to-night: You shall have private standings. It hath pleas'd The great amba.s.sadors of several princes, In their return from Rome to their own countries, To grace our marriage, and to honour me With such a kind of sport.

Fran. I shall persuade them to stay, my lord.

Brach. Set on there to the presence.

[Exeunt Brachiano, Flamineo, and Hortensio.

Lodo. n.o.ble my lord, most fortunately welcome; [The conspirators here embrace.

You have our vows, seal'd with the sacrament, To second your attempts.

Gas. And all things ready; He could not have invented his own ruin (Had he despair'd) with more propriety.

Lodo. You would not take my way.

Fran. 'Tis better order'd.