_Mal._ Slave, take thy life. Wert thou defencèd, th[o]rough blood and wounds, The sternest horror of a civil fight, Would I achieve thee; but prostrate at my feet, I scorn to hurt thee: 'tis the heart of slaves That deigns to triumph over peasants' graves; For such thou art, since birth doth ne'er enroll A man 'mong monarchs, but a glorious soul. O,[577] I have seen strange accidents of state! 180 The flatterer, like the ivy, clip the oak, And waste it to the heart; lust so confirm'd, That the black act of sin itself not sham'd To be term'd courtship. O, they that are as great as be their sins, Let them remember that th' inconstant people Love many princes[578] merely for their faces And outward shows; and they do covet more To have a sight of these than of their virtues. Yet thus much let the great ones still conceive,[579] 190 When they observe not heaven's impos'd conditions, They are no kings,[580] but forfeit their commissions. _Maq._ O good my lord, I have lived in the court this twenty year: they that have been old courtiers, and come to live in the city, they are spited at, and thrust to the walls like apricocks, good my lord. _Bil._ My lord, I did know your lordship in this disguise; you heard me ever say, if Altofront did return, I would stand for him: besides, 'twas your lordship's pleasure to call me wittol and cuckold: you must not think, but that I knew you, I would have put it up so patiently. 202 _Mal._ You o'er-joy'd spirits, wipe your long-wet eyes. [_To_ PIETRO _and_ AURELIA. Hence with this man [_Kicks out_ MENDOZA]: an eagle takes not flies. You to your vows [_To_ PIETRO _and_ AURELIA]: and thou into the suburbs.[581] [_To_ MAQUERELLE. You to my worst friend I would hardly give; Thou art a perfect old knave [_To_ BILIOSO]: all-pleas'd live You two unto my breast [_To_ CELSO and the Captain]: thou to my heart. [_To_ MARIA. The rest of idle actors idly part: And as for me, I here assume my right, 210 To which I hope all's pleas'd: to all, good-night. [_Cornets, a flourish. Exeunt._ [555] Some copies of ed. 1. "distuned." [556] Some copies of ed. 1. "head." [557] Sticks for setting the plaits of ruffs. They were first made of wood or bone, but afterwards of steel. [558] Some copies of ed. 1. "falling-band." [559] Some copies of ed. 1. "St. Andrew Jaques." [560] Ed. 2. "wrapt." [561] This is the reading of ed. 2.--Some copies of ed. 1. give "windle." Perhaps the true reading is "wimble" (= nimble), a word which Marston uses in _The First Part of Antonio and Mellida_ (see p. 58). [562] Outweigh.