Thus have I with an envious forged tale Deceiv'd the king, betray'd mine enemy, And hope for guerdon of my villainy. [_Exit._ _Enter_ HORATIO _and_ BELL'-IMPERIA. BELL'-IMPERIA. Signior Horatio, this is the place and hour, Wherein I must entreat thee to relate The circumstance of Don Andrea's death, Who (living) was my garland's sweetest[66] flower, And in his death hath buried my delights. HORATIO. For love of him and service to yourself, I nill refuse this heavy doleful[67] charge; Yet tears and sighs, I fear, will hinder me. When both our armies were enjoin'd in[68] fight, Your worthy chevalier amidst the thickest, For glorious cause still aiming at the fairest, Was at the last by young Don Balthazar Encounter'd hand to hand: their fight was long; Their hearts were great; their clamours menacing; Their strength alike; their strokes both dangerous: But wrathful Nemesis, that wicked power; Envying at Andrea's praise and worth, Cut short his life, to end his praise and worth: She, she herself, disguis'd in armour's mask (As Pallas was before proud Pergamus), Brought in a[69] fresh supply of halberdiers, Which paunch'd his horse, and ding'd[70] him to the ground: Then young Don Balthazar with ruthless rage, Taking advantage of his foe's distress, Did finish what his halberdiers begun, And left not, till Andrea's life was done. Then, though too late, incens'd with just remorse, I with my band set forth against the prince, And brought him prisoner from his halberdiers. BELL'-IMPERIA. 'Would thou hadst slain him, that so[71] slew my love! But then was Don Andrea's carcase lost? HORATIO. No, that was it for which I chiefly strove, Nor stepp'd I back, till I recover'd him: I took him up, and wound him in mine arms; And welding[72] him unto my private tent, There laid him down, and dew'd him with my tears, And sigh'd and sorrow'd as became a friend: But neither friendly sorrow,[73] sighs, nor tears, Could win pale death from his usurped right. Yet this I did, and less I could not do; I saw him honour'd with due funeral: This scarf I pluck'd from off[74] his lifeless arm, And wear it in remembrance of my friend. BELL'-IMPERIA.