That are importunate; and it should please you, sir,

That you should plead their 217 cases to the king. Hier. That I should plead their several actions? Why let them enter, and let me see them.

Enter three Citizens and an Old Man.

1 Cit. So, I tell you this, for learning, and for law,

There's not any advocate in Spain

That can prevail, or will take half the pain,
That he will, in pursuit of equity.

Hier. Come near, you men that thus importune

Hier. Say, father, tell me what's thy suit?
Senex. No, sir; could my woes

Give way unto my most distressful words,
Then should I not in paper (as you see)
With ink bewray what blood began in me.
Hier. What's here?—The humble supplication
of Don Bazulto, for his murdered son.
Sener. Aye, sir.

Hier. No, sir, it was my murdered son! Oh my

son,

Oh my son, Oh my son Horatio!

But mine, or thine, Bazulto, be content.
Here take my handkerchiet, and wipe thine eyes,
Whiles wretched I in thy mishaps may see
The lively pourtrait of my dying self.

[He draweth out a bloody Napkin.
O no, not this, Horatio, this was thine:
And when I dyed it in thy dearest blood,
This was a token 'twixt thy soul and me,
That of thy death revenged I should be.
But here, take this, and this,-what, my purse?
Aye, this, and that, and all of them are thine:
For all as one are our extremities.

1 Cit. Oh, see the kindness of Hieronimo! 2 Cit. This gentleness shows him a gentleman. Hier. See, see, oh see thy shame, Hieronimo; See here a loving father to his son;

Behold the sorrows and the sad laments,
That he delivereth 223 for his son's decease.
If love's 224 effects so strive in lesser things,
If love enforce such moods in meaner wits,
If love express 225 such power in poor estates;
Hieronimo, when as a raging sea,
Tost with the wind and tide, o'erturneth then
The upper billows, course of waves to keep,
Whilst lesser waters labour in the deep :-
Then shamest thou not, Hieronimo, to neglect
The sweet 226 revenge of thy Horatio?
Though on this earth justice will not be found,
I'll down to hell, and, in this passion,

217 Causes, 1623.33.

220 Stand you, 1618. 23. 33.

227

Knock at the dismal gates of Pluto's court,
Getting by force (as once Alcides did) 2
A troop of furies, and tormenting hags,
To torture Don Lorenzo and the rest.
Yet, lest the triple-beaded porter should
Deny my passage to the slimy strond,
The Thracian poet thou shalt counterfeit.-
Come on, 228 old father, be my Orpheus;
And if thou can'st 229 no notes upon the harp,
Then sound the burden of thy sore heart's grief
Till we do gain, that Proserpine may grant
Revenge on them that murdered my son.
Then will I rend and tear them thus, and thus,
Shivering their limbs in pieces with my teeth.
[Tears the Papers.

1 Cit. O, sir, my declaration!

[Exit HIERONIMO, and they after.

2 Cit. Save my bond.

Enter HIERONIMO.

3 Cit. Save my bond.

2 Cit. Alas, my lease! it cost me ten pound; And you, my lord, have torn the same.

Hier. That cannot be, I gave it 230 never a
wound;

Shew me one drop of blood fallen from the same:
How is it possible I should slay it then?
Tush, no; run after, catch me if you can.

[Exeunt all but the Old Man.

BAZULTO remains till HIERONIMO enters again, who staring him in the face speaketh.

Hier. And art thou come, Horatio, from the
depth,

To ask for justice in this upper earth,
To tell thy father thou art unrevenged,
To wring more tears from Isabella's eyes,
Whose lights are dimned with overlong laments?
Go back, my son, complain to Eacus,
For here's no justice; gentle boy, be gone,
For justice is exiled from the earth:
Hieronimo will bear thee company.
Thy mother cries on righteous Rhadamant,
For just revenge against the murderers.
Baz. Alas, my lord, whence springs this trou-
bled speech?

Horatio.

Hier. But let me look on my Sweet boy, how art thou changed in death's

231

black shade!

232

Had Proserpine no pity on thy youth,

But suffered thy fair crimson-coloured spring, With withered winter to be blasted thus?

Horatio, 233 thou art older than thy father:
Ah, ruthless fate! that favour thus transforms!
Baz. Ah, my good lord, I am not your young

son.

Hier. What, not my son? thou then 234 a fury

art,

Sent from the empty kingdom of black night,
To summon me to make appearance
Before grim Minos and just Rhadamant,
To plague Hieronimo that is remiss,
And seeks not vengeance for Horatio's death.
Buz. I am a grieved mau, and not a ghost,
That came for justice for my murdered son.
Hier. Aye, now I know thee, now thou nam'st
thy sou:

Thou art the lively image of my grief,
Within thy face, my sorrows I may sce:
Thy eyes are gum'd 235 with tears, thy cheeks are

wan,

Thy forehead troubled, and thy muttering lips
Murmur sad words abruptly broken off,
By force of windy sighs thy spirit breathes,
And all this sorrow riseth for thy son:
And self-same sorrow feel I for my son.
Come in, old man, thou shalt to Isabel :
Lean on my arm; I thee, thou me, shalt stay,
And thou, and I, and she, will sing a song;
Three parts in one, but all of discords framed :
Talk not of chords, but let us now be gone,
For with a cord Horatio was slain. [Exeunt.
Enter King of Spain, the Duke, Viceroy, and
LORENZO, BALTHEZAR, Don PEDRO, and BE-

227 Did, omitted, 1618.

228 On, omitted, 1618. 23. 33.

So, Spenser, and others.

230 Them, 1618 23. 33.

231 How, omitted, 1618. 233 Older, 1618. z3. 33.

235 Dimmed, 1618. 23. 33. 237 The, 1618. 23. 33.

3 s

(For it bescems us now that it be known)
Already is betrothed to Balthezar;
And, by appointment and our condescent,
To-morrow are they 239 to be married.
To this intent we entertain thyself,
Thy followers, their pleasure, 240 and our peace.
Speak, men of Portingale; shall it be so?
If ave, say so; if not, say flatly, no.

Vice. Renowned king, I come not as thou think'st,
With doubtful followers, unresolved men,
But such as have upon thine articles
Confirmed thy motion, and contented me.
Know, sovereign, I come to solemnize
The marriage of thy well-beloved niece,
Fair Belimperia, with my Balthezar;
With thee, my son, whom sith I live to see,
Here take my crown, I give it her and thee:
And let me live a solitary life,

In ceaseless prayers,

To think how strangely heaven hath thee preserved.

King. Sec, brother, see, how nature strives in him!

Come, worthy Viceroy, and accompany
Thy friend, with thine extremities;

A place more private fits this princely mood. Vice. Or here, or where your highness thinks it good.

[Exeunt all but CASTILE and LORENZO. Cast Nay, stay, Lorenzo, let me talk with you; Sce'st thou this entertainment of these kings? Lor. I do, my lord, and joy to see the same. Cast. And knowest thou why this meeting is? Lor. For her, my lord, whom Balthezar doth love,

And to confirm the promised marriage.

Cast. She is thy sister.

Lor. Who, Belimperia? Aye, my gracious lord; And this is the day that I have longed so happily

to see.

Cast. Thou would'st be loth that any fault of thine

Should intercept her in her happiness?

Lor. Heavens will not let Lorcuzo err so much. Cast. Why, then, Lorenzo, listen to my words. It is suspected, and reported too,

That thou, Lorenzo, wrong'st Hieronimo,
And in his suits towards his majesty
Still keep'st him back, and seek'st to cross his suit.
Lor. That I, my lord?

Cast. I tell thee, son, myself have heard it said, When (to my sorrow) I have been ashamed To answer for thee, though thou art 241 my son. Lorenzo, know'st thou not the common love, And kindness that Hieronimo bath won By his deserts, within the court of Spain? Or seest thou not the king my brother's care In his behalf, and to procure his health? Lorenzo, should'st thou thwart his passions, And he exclaim against thee to the king, What honour were't in this assembly, Or what a scandal were't among the kings, To hear Hieronimo exclaim on thee? Tell me, and look thou tell me truly too, 242 Whence grows the ground of this report in court?

Lor. My lord, it lies not in Lorenzo's power To stop the vulgar, liberal 243 of their tongues; A small advantage makes a water-breach, And no man lives, that long contenteth all.

Cast. Myself have seen thee busy to keep back Him and his supplications from the king.

Lor. Yourself, my lord, have seen his passions,
That ill-beseemed the presence of a king;
And, for I pitied him in his distress,

I held him thence with kind and courteous words,
As free from malice to Hieronimo,
As to my soul, my lord.

Cast. Hieronimo, my son, mistakes thee then.
Lor. My gracious father, believe me, so he doth.
But what's a silly man, distract in mind,
To think upon the murder of his son?
Alas? how easy is it for him to err?
But, for his satisfaction, and the world's,
'Twere good, my lord, that 244 Hieronimo and I
Were reconciled, if he misconstrue me.

Cast. Lorenzo, thou hast said, it shall be su.Go one of you, and call Hieronimo.

Enter BALTHEZAR and BELINPERIA. Bal. Come, Belimperia, Balthezar's content; My sorrow's ease, and sovereign of my bliss, Sith heaven hath ordained thee 245 to be mine, Disperse those clouds and melancholy looks, And clear 246 them up with those thy suu-bright

232 They are, 1633.

241 Wert, 1618 23.33.

240 Pleasures, 1623. 33.

242 Too, omitted, 1618. 23. 33.

244 That, omitted, 1623. 33. 246 Cheare, 1618. 23. 33.

Bel. But not too fast, lest heat and all be done. I see, my lord, my father.

Bal. Truce, my love, I will go salute him. Cast. Welcome, Balthezar; welcome, brave prince,

The pledge of Castile's peace;

And welcome, Belimperia.-How now, girl?
Why com'st thou sadly to salute us thus?
Content thyself, for I am satisfied.
It is not now as when Andrea lived,
We have forgotten and forgiven that,
And thou art graced with a happier love.-
But, Balthezar, here comes Hieronimo.
I'll have a word with him.

Enter HIERONIMO and Servant.

Hier. And where's the duke?

Serv. Yonder.

These be the scandalous reports of such,
As love not me, and hate my lord too much.
Should I suspect Lorenzo would prevent
Or cross my suit, that loved my son so well?
My lord, I am ashamed it should be said.
Lor, Hieronimo, I never gave you cause.
Hier. My good lord, I know you did not.
Cast. There pause;

And, for the satisfaction of the world,
Hieronimo, frequent my homely house,
The Duke of Castile, Cyprian's ancient seat;
And when thou wilt, use me, my son, and it:
But here, before Prince Balthezar and me,
Embrace each other, and be perfect friends.

Hier. Aye marry, my lord, and shall; Friends, quoth he; see, I'll be friends with you all;

Especially with you, my lovely lord:

vised tro?

Pocas palabras, 247 mild as the lamb :

I'st, I will be revenged? 248 no, I am not the man.

Cast. Welcome, Hieronimo.

Lor. Welcome, Hieronimo.

Bal. Welcome, Hieronimo.

Hier. My lords, I thank you for Horatio.
Cast. Hieronimo, the reason that I sent

To speak with you, is this.

Hier. What, so short?

Then I'll be gone, I thank you for't.

Cust. Nay, stay, Hieronimo :—go call him, son. Lor. Hieronimo, my father craves a word with you.

Hier. With me, sir? why, my lord, I thought you had done.

Lor. No; would he had!

Cast. Hieronimo, I hear

You find yourself aggrieved at my son,
Because you have not access unto the king;
And say 'tis he that intercepts your suits.

Hier. Why, is not this a miserable thing, my
lord?

Cast. Hieronimo, I hope you have no cause; And would be loth that one of your deserts, Should once have reason to suspect my son, Considering how I think of you myself.

Hier. Your son Lorenzo! whom, my noble lord? The hope of Spain? mine honourable friend? Grant me the combat of them, if they dare;

[Draws out his Sword. I'll meet him face to face to tell me so.

That we be friends; the world is suspicious,
And men may think what we imagine not.

Bal. Why this is friendly done, Hieronimo.
Lor. And thus, I hope, old grudges are forgot.
Hier. What else? it were a shame it should
uot be so.

Cast. Come on, Hieronimo, at my request, Let us intreat your company to-day.

Exeunt.

Hier. Your lordship's to command.-Pha! Keep your way.

"Awake, Revenge! or we are woe-be-gone. 252
"Rev. Thus worldlings ground what they have
dreamed upon.

"Content thyself, Andrea, though I sleep,
"Yet is 253 my mood soliciting their souls:
"Suffice it thee that poor Hieronimo
"Cannot forget his son Horatio.

"Nor dies Revenge, although he sleep a while: "For in unquiet, quietness is feigned, 254

"And slumbering is a common worldly wile. "Behold, Andrea, for an instance, how

"Rev. The two first, the nuptial torches bore, "As brightly 255 burning as the mid-day's sun: "But after them doth Hymen hie as fast, "Clothed in sable, and a saffron robe, "And blows them out, and quencheth them with blood,

"As discontent that things continue so.

"Ghost. Sufficeth me thy meaning's understood,

"And thanks to 256 thee, and those infernal

powers,

"That will not tolerate a lover's woe. "Rest thee, for I will sit to 257 see the rest "Rev. Then 258 argue not, for thou hast thy request.

Enter BELIMPERIA and HIERONIMO.
Bel. Is this the love thou bear'st Horatio?
Is this the kindness that thou counterfeit'st?
Are these the fruits of thy incessant tears?
Hieronimo, are these thy passions,
Thy protestations, and thy deep laments,
That thou wert wont to weary men withal?
Ob, unkind father! oh, deceitful world!
With what excuses can'st thou shew thyself?
With what dishonour, and the hate of men,
From this dishonour, and the hate of men;
Thus to neglect the loss and life 259 of him,
Whom both my letters, and thine own belief,
Assures thee to be causeless slaughtered?
Hieronimo, for shame! Hieronimo,
Be not a history to after-times
Of such ungratitude unto thy son;
Unhappy mothers of such children then,
But monstrous fathers to forget so soon
The death of those, whom they with care and cost
Have tendered so, thus careless should be lost.
Myself, a stranger in respect of thee,

So loved his life, as still I wish their deaths.
Nor shall his death be unrevenged by me,
Although I bear it out for fashion's 260 sake;
For here I swear, in sight of heaven and earth,
Should'st thou neglect the love thou should'st re-
tain,

And give it over, and devise no more,
Myself should send their hateful souls to hell,
That wrought his downfal, with extremest death.

[Exeunt."

Hier. But may it be, that Belimperia
Vows such revenge as she hath deigned to say?
Why then I see that heaven applies our drift,
And all the saints do sit soliciting

For vengeance on those cursed murderers.
Madam, 'tis true, and now I find it so:
I found a letter, written in your name,
And in that letter, how Horatio died.
Pardon, O pardon, Belimperia,
My fear and care in not believing it;
Nor think I thoughtless think upon a mean,
To let his death be unrevenged at full:
And here I vow, so you but give consent,
And will conceal my resolution,

I will ere long determine of their deaths,
That causeless thus have murdered my son.

Bel. Hieronimo, I will consent, conceal,
And aught 261 that may effect for thine avail
Join with thee to revenge Horatio's death.

Hier. On, 262 then; whatsoever I devise, Let me intreat you, grace my practices: For why, the plot's already in my head.Here they are.

Enter BALTHEZAR and LORENZO. Bal. How now, Hieronimo? what, courting Belimperia?

Hier. Aye, my lord, such courting as I promise

you,

She hath my heart: but you, my lord, have hers. Lor. But now, Hieronimo, or never, we are to intreat your help.

252 Woe begone-Lost in woe.

253 In, 1618. 23. 33.
255 Bright, 1618. 23. 33.
257 Unto, 1618. 23. 33.

259 Life and loss, 1618. 23. 33. 261 What, 1633.

254 Found, 1618. 23. 33. 256 Unto, 1618. 23, 33. 258 Thus, 1618. 260 Fashion.

262 O then, 1618. 23. 33.