English drama -- 17th century; Retribution -- Drama; Siblings -- Drama; Tragedies (Drama)
JULIA. Sir, I thank you;
And he shall know how doubly I am engag'd
Both in your gift, and speediness of giving
Which makes your grant the greater.
Exit.
ANTONIO. How they fortify
Themselves with my ruin!
DELIO. Sir, I am
Little bound to you.
PESCARA. Why?
DELIO. Because you deni'd this suit to me, and gave 't
To such a creature.
PESCARA. Do you know what it was?
It was Antonio's land; not forfeited
By course of law, but ravish'd from his throat
By the cardinal's entreaty. It were not fit
I should bestow so main a piece of wrong
Upon my friend; 'tis a gratification
Only due to a strumpet, for it is injustice.
Shall I sprinkle the pure blood of innocents
To make those followers I call my friends
Look ruddier upon me? I am glad
This land, ta'en from the owner by such wrong,
Returns again unto so foul an use
As salary for his lust. Learn, good Delio,
To ask noble things of me, and you shall find
I 'll be a noble giver.
DELIO. You instruct me well.
ANTONIO. Why, here 's a man now would fright impudence
]From sauciest beggars.
PESCARA. Prince Ferdinand 's come to Milan,
Sick, as they give out, of an apoplexy;
But some say 'tis a frenzy: I am going
To visit him.
Exit.
ANTONIO. 'Tis a noble old fellow.
DELIO. What course do you mean to take, Antonio?
ANTONIO. This night I mean to venture all my fortune,
Which is no more than a poor ling'ring life,
To the cardinal's worst of malice. I have got
Private access to his chamber; and intend
To visit him about the mid of night,
As once his brother did our noble duchess.
It may be that the sudden apprehension
Of danger,--for I 'll go in mine own shape,--
When he shall see it fraight[123] with love and duty,
May draw the poison out of him, and work
A friendly reconcilement. If it fail,
Yet it shall rid me of this infamous calling;
For better fall once than be ever falling.
DELIO. I 'll second you in all danger; and howe'er,
My life keeps rank with yours.
ANTONIO. You are still my lov'd and best friend.
Exeunt.
Scene II[124]
[Enter] PESCARA and DOCTOR
PESCARA. Now, doctor, may I visit your patient?
DOCTOR. If 't please your lordship; but he 's instantly
To take the air here in the gallery
By my direction.
PESCARA. Pray thee, what 's his disease?
DOCTOR. A very pestilent disease, my lord,
They call lycanthropia.
PESCARA. What 's that?
I need a dictionary to 't.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account