HIERONIMO. Why, this is well: I tell you, lordings, It was determined to have been acted By gentlemen and scholars too; Such as could tell what to speak. BALTHAZAR. And now it shall be play'd[284] by princes and courtiers, Such as can tell how to speak; If, as it is our country manner, You will but let us know the argument. HIERONIMO. That shall I roundly. The chronicles of Spain Record this written of a knight of[285] Rhodes: He was betroth'd, and wedded at the length, To one Perseda, an Italian dame, Whose beauty ravish'd all that her beheld; Especially the soul of Solyman, Who at the marriage was the chiefest guest. By sundry means sought Solyman to win Perseda's love, and could not gain the same: Then 'gan he break his passions to a friend-- One of his bashaws, whom he held full dear; Her had this bashaw long solicited, And saw she was not otherwise to be won, But by her husband's death, this knight of Rhodes; Whom presently by treachery he slew: She, stirr'd with an exceeding hate therefore, As cause of this slew Solyman: And, to escape the bashaw's tyranny, Did stab herself: and this[286] the tragedy. LORENZO. Ay, sir! BELL'-IMPERIA. But say, Hieronimo, what then became of him, That was the bashaw? HIERONIMO. Marry, thus; moved with remorse of his misdeeds, Ran to a mountain-top, and hung[287] himself. BALTHAZAR. But which of us is to perform that part? HIERONIMO. O, that will I, my lords; make no doubt of it: I'll play the murderer, I warrant you; For I already have conceited that. BALTHAZAR. And what shall I? HIERONIMO. Great Solyman, the[288] Turkish emperor. LORENZO. And I? HIERONIMO. Erastus, the knight of Rhodes. BELL'-IMPERIA. And I? HIERONIMO. Perseda, chaste and resolute.-- And here, my lords, are several abstracts drawn, For each of you to note your parts, And act it, as occasion's offered you, You must provide a Turkish cap, A black mustachio and a falchion. [_Gives a paper to_ BALTHAZAR. You with a cross, like to[289] a knight of Rhodes. [_Gives another to_ LORENZO. And, madam, you must attire yourself. [_Gives_ BELL'-IMPERIA _another_.