he has brought the body of Antonio. Andrugio mourns for the death of his son and Piero affects to share his grief, protesting that he would give his own life or his daughter's hand to purchase breath for the dead man. Thereupon Antonio, who had died only in conceit, rises from the bier and claims the hand of Mellida. Piero assents, and the _First Part of Antonio and Mellida_ closes joyfully. _To the only rewarder and most just poiser of virtuous merits, the most honourably renowned_ NOBODY,[32] _bounteous Mecænas of poetry and Lord Protector of oppressed innocence_, do dedicoque. Since it hath flowed with the current of my humorous blood to affect (a little too much) to be seriously fantastical, here take (most respected Patron) the worthless present of my slighter idleness. If you vouchsafe not his protection, then, O thou sweetest perfection (Female Beauty), shield me from the stopping of vinegar bottles. Which most wished favour if it fail me, then _Si nequeo flectere superos, Acheronta movebo_. But yet, honour's redeemer, virtue's advancer, religion's shelter, and piety's fosterer, yet, yet, I faint not in despair of thy gracious affection and protection; to which I only shall ever rest most servingman-like, obsequiously making legs and standing (after our free-born English garb) bareheaded. Thy only affied slave and admirer, J. M. [32] So Day dedicates his _Humour out of Breath_ to "Signior Nobody." _DRAMATIS PERSONÆ._[33] PIERO SFORZA, _Duke of Venice_. ANDRUGIO, _Duke of Genoa_. ANTONIO, _son to_ ANDRUGIO, _in love with_ MELLIDA. FELICHE, _a high-minded courtier_. ALBERTO, _a Venetian gentleman, in love with_ ROSSALINE. BALURDO, _a rich gull_. MATZAGENTE, _a modern braggadoch, son to the Duke of Milan_. GALEATZO, _son to the Duke of Florence, a suitor to_ MELLIDA. FOROBOSCO, _a Parasite_. CASTILIO BALTHAZAR, _a spruce courtier_. LUCIO,[34] _an old nobleman, friend to_ ANDRUGIO. CATZO, _page to_ CASTILIO. DILDO, _page to_ BALURDO. _Painter_, ANDRUGIO'S _page, &c._ MELLIDA, _daughter to_ PIERO, _in love with_ ANTONIO. ROSSALINE, _niece to_ PIERO. FLAVIA, _a waiting-woman_. SCENE--VENICE AND THE NEIGHBOURHOOD. [33] There is no list of characters in old eds. [34] Dilke (_Old English Plays_, 1814, vol. ii.) wrongly describes Lucio as Andrugio's page. INDUCTION.[35] _Enter_ GALEATZO, PIERO, ALBERTO, ANTONIO, FOROBOSCO, BALURDO, MATZAGENTE, _and_ FELICHE, _with parts in their hands; having cloaks cast over their apparel_. _Gal._ Come, sirs, come! the music will sound straight for entrance. Are ye ready, are ye perfect? _Pier._ Faith! we can say our parts; but we are ignorant in what mould we must cast our actors. _Alb._ Whom do you personate? _Pier._ Piero, Duke of Venice.