_Aurel._ Prefer your suits Unto Bertoldo; we will give him hearing, And you'll find him your best advocate. [_Exit._ _Ast._ This is rare! _Gonz._ What are we come to? _Rod._ Grown up in a moment A favourite! _Ferd._ He does take state already. _Bert._ No, no; it cannot be:--yet, but Camiola, There is no step between me and a crown. Then my ingratitude! a sin in which All sins are comprehended! Aid me, Virtue, Or I am lost! _Gonz._ May it please your excellence---- Second me, sir. _Bert._ Then my so horrid oaths, And hell-deep imprecations made against it! _Ast._ The king, your brother, will thank you for the advancement Of his affairs. _Bert._ And yet who can hold out Against such batteries as her power and greatness Raise up against my weak defences? _Gonz._ Sir, _Re-enter_ AURELIA. Do you dream waking? 'Slight, she's here again! Walks she on woollen feet[163]! _Aurel._ You dwell too long In your deliberation, and come With a cripple's pace to that which you should fly to. _Bert._ It is confess'd: yet why should I, to win From you, that hazard all to my poor nothing, By false play send you off a loser from me? I am already too, too much engaged To the king my brother's anger; and who knows But that his doubts and politic fears, should you Make me his equal, may draw war upon Your territories? Were that breach made up, I should with joy embrace what now I fear To touch but with due reverence. _Aurel._ That hinderance Is easily removed. I owe the king For a royal visit, which I straight will pay him; And having first reconciled you to his favour, A dispensation shall meet with us. _Bert._ I am wholly yours. _Aurel._ On this book seal it. _Gonz._ What, hand and lip too! then the bargain's sure.---- You have no employment for me? _Aurel._ Yes, Gonzaga; Provide a royal ship. _Gonz._ A ship! St. John, Whither are we bound now? _Aurel._ You shall know hereafter. My lord, your pardon for my too much trenching Upon your patience. _Ador._ Camiola! [_Aside to_ BERTOLDO. _Aurel._ How do you? _Bert._ Indisposed; but I attend you. [_Exeunt all but_ ADORNI. _Ador._ The heavy curse that waits on perjury And foul ingratitude pursue thee ever! Yet why from me this? in his breach of faith My loyalty finds reward: what poisons him, Proves mithridate[164] to me. I have perform'd All she commanded, punctually; and now, In the clear mirror of my truth, she may Behold his falsehood. O that I had wings To hear me to Palermo! This, once known, Must change her love into a just disdain, And work her to compassion of my pain. [_Exit._ FOOTNOTES: