VICE. Aye, aye, my nightly dreams have told me this! Thou false, unkind, unthankful, traitorous beast! Wherein had Balthazar offended thee, That thou should betray him to our foes? Was't Spanish gold that bleared so thine eyes That thou couldst see no part of our deserts? Perchance, because thou art Terserae's lord, Thou hadst some hope to wear this diadem If first my son and then myself were slain; But thy ambitious thought shall break thy neck. Aye, this was it that made thee spill his blood! Takes the crown and puts it on again. But I'll now wear it till thy blood be spilt. ALEX. Vouchsafe, dread sovereign, to hear me speak! VICE. Away with him! his sight is second hell! Keep him till we determine his death. If Balthazar be dead, he shall not live. [They take him out.] Villuppo, follow us for thy reward. Exit VICE[ROY]. VILLUP. Thus have I with an envious forged tale Deceiv'd the king, betray'd mine enemy, And hope for guerdon of my villainy. [ACT I. SCENE 3.] [Spain: the palace] Enter HORATIO and BEL-IMPERIA. BEL. Signior Horatio, this is the place and hour Wherein I must entreat thee to relate The circumstance of Don Andrea's death, Who living was my garland's sweetest flower, And in his death hath buried my delights. HOR. For love of him and service to yourself, I'll not refuse this heavy doleful charge; Yet tears and sighs, I fear, will hinder me. When both our armies were enjoin'd in fight, Your worthy cavalier amidst the thickest, For glorious cause still aiming at the fairest, Was at the last by young Don Balthazar Encounter'd hand-to-hand. Their fight was long, Their hearts were great, their clamours menacing, Their strength alike, their strokes both dangerous; But wrathful Nemesis, that wicked power, Envying at Andrea's praise and worth, Cut short his life to end his praise and worth. She, she herself, disguis'd in armour's mask, As Pallas was before proud Pergamus, Brought in a fresh supply of halberdiers, Which punch'd his horse and ding'd him to the ground. Then young Don Balthazar, with ruthless rage, Taking advantage of his foe's distress, Did finish what his halberdiers begun; And left not till Andrea's life was done. Then, though too late, incens'd with just remorse, I with my band set forth against the prince, And brought him prisoner from his halberdiers. BEL. Would thou hadst slain him that so slew my love! But then was Don Andrea's carcass lost?