[_They bind him to the stake._ That shall prefigure those unquenched fires Of Phlegethon, prepared for his soul. ALEXANDRO. My guiltless death will be aveng'd on thee, On thee, Villuppo, that hath malic'd thus; Or for[143] thy meed hast falsely me accus'd. VILLUPPO. Nay, Alexandro, if thou menace me, I'll lend a hand to send thee to the lake, Where those thy words shall perish with thy works: Injurious traitor! monstrous homicide! _Enter_ AMBASSADOR. AMBASSADOR. Stay, hold a while; and here (with pardon of His majesty) lay hands upon Villuppo. VICEROY. Ambassador, what news hath urg'd this sudden entrance? AMBASSADOR. Know, sovereign lord,[144] that Balthazar doth live. VICEROY. What say'st thou? liveth Balthazar our son? AMBASSADOR. Your highness' son lord Balthazar doth live, And well entreated in the court of Spain, Humbly commends him to your majesty: These eyes beheld, and these my followers', With these the letters of the king's commends,[145] [_Gives him letters._ Are happy witness of his highness' health. [_The_ KING _looks on the letters, and proceeds_. VICEROY. _Thy son doth live, your tribute is receiv'd:_ _Thy peace is made, and we are satisfied:_ _The rest resolve upon as things propos'd_ _For both our honours and thy benefit._ AMBASSADOR. These are his highness' farther articles. [_Gives him more letters._ VICEROY. Accursed wretch, to intimate these ills Against the life and reputation Of noble Alexandro! Come, my lord, unbind him: Let him unbind thee, that is bound to death, To make a quital for thy discontent. [_They unbind him._ ALEXANDRO. Dread lord, in kindness you could do no less, Upon report of such a damned fact; But thus we see our innocence hath sav'd The hopeless life, which thou, Villuppo, sought By thy suggestions to have massacred. VICEROY. Say, false Villuppo, wherefore didst thou thus Falsely betray lord Alexandro's life? Him, whom thou know'st that no unkindness else, But ev'n the slaughter of our dearest son, Could once have mov'd[146] us to have misconceiv'd. ALEXANDRO. Say, treacherous Villuppo, tell the king: Wherein[147] hath Alexandro used thee ill?