VEN. And I am he: tell nobody--so, so, the duke's departed. ANT. It was a deadly hand that wounded him. The rest, ambitious who should rule and sway After his death, were so made all away. VEN. My lord was unlikely---- HIP. Now the hope Of Italy lies in your reverend years. VEN. Your hair will make the silver age again, When there were fewer, but more honest men. ANT. The burthen's weighty, and will press age down; May I so rule, that heaven may keep the crown! VEN. The rape of your good lady has been quitted With death on death. ANT. Just is the law above. But of all things it put me most to wonder How the old duke came murder'd! VEN. O my lord! ANT. It was the strangeliest carried: I not heard of the like. HIP. 'Twas all done for the best, my lord. VEN. All for your grace's good. We may be bold to speak it now, 'Twas somewhat witty carried, though we say it-- 'Twas we two murder'd him. ANT. You two? VEN. None else, i' faith, my lord. Nay, 'twas well-manag'd. ANT. Lay hands upon those villains! VEN. How! on us? ANT. Bear 'em to speedy execution. VEN. Heart! was't not for your good, my lord? ANT. My good! Away with 'em: such an old man as he! You, that would murder him, would murder me. VEN. Is't come about? HIP. 'Sfoot, brother, you begun. VEN. May not we set as well as the duke's son?[120] Thou hast no conscience, are we not reveng'd? Is there one enemy left alive amongst those? 'Tis time to die, when we ourselves our foes:[121] When murderers shut deeds close, this curse does seal 'em: If none disclose 'em, they themselves reveal 'em! This murder might have slept in tongueless brass But for ourselves, and the world died an ass. Now I remember too, here was Piato Brought forth a knavish sentence once; No doubt (said he), but time Will make the murderer bring forth himself. 'Tis well he died; he was a witch. And now, my lord, since we are in for ever, This work was ours, which else might have been slipp'd! And if we list, we could have nobles clipp'd, And go for less than beggars; but we hate To bleed so cowardly: we have enough, I' faith, we're well, our mother turn'd, our sister true, We die after a nest of dukes. Adieu. [_Exeunt._ ANT. How subtlely was that murder clos'd![122] Bear up Those tragic bodies: 'tis a heavy season; Pray heaven their blood may wash away all treason! [_Exit._ FINIS. FOOTNOTES: [92] In the 4o this play consists but of four acts. But as that division probably arose from the carelessness of the printer, I have made an alteration here, which appears to be a necessary one.