_D'Am._ I thought he was a murderer that did it. _1st Judge._ God forbid! _D'Am._ Forbid? You lie, judge. He commanded it. To tell thee that man's wisdom is a fool. I came to thee for judgment, and thou think'st Thyself a wise man, I outreached thy wit And made thy justice murder's instrument, In Castabella's death and in Charlemont's, To crown my murder of Montferrers with A safe possession of his wealthy state. _Charl._ I claim the just advantage of his words. _2nd Judge._ Descend the scaffold and attend the rest. _D'Am._ There was the strength of natural understanding. But Nature is a fool. There is a power Above her that hath overthrown the pride Of all my projects and posterity, For whose surviving blood I had erected a proud monument, And struck 'em dead before me, for whose deaths I called to thee for judgment. Thou didst want Discretion for the sentence. But yon power That struck me knew the judgment I deserved, And gave it.--O! the lust of death commits A rape upon me as I would ha' done On Castabella. [_Dies_. _1st Judge._ Strange is his death and judgment. With the hands Of joy and justice I thus set you free. The power of that eternal providence Which overthrew his projects in their pride Hath made your griefs the instruments to raise Your blessings to a higher height than ever. _Charl._ Only to Heaven I attribute the work, Whose gracious motives made me still forbear To be mine own revenger. Now I see That patience is the honest man's revenge. _1st Judge._ Instead of Charlemont that but e'en now Stood ready to be dispossessed of all, I now salute you with more titles both Of wealth and dignity, than you were born to. And you, sweet madam, Lady of Belforest, You have the title by your father's death. _Cast._ With all the titles due to me, increase The wealth and honour of my Charlemont, Lord of Montferrers, Lord D'Amville Belforest,-- And for a close to make up all the rest-- [_Embraces_ CHARLEMONT. The Lord of Castabella. Now at last Enjoy the full possession of my love, As clear and pure as my first chastity. _Charl._ The crown of all my blessings!--I will tempt My stars no longer, nor protract my time Of marriage. When those nuptial rites are done, I will perform my kinsmen's funeral. _1st Judge._ The drums and trumpets! Interchange the sounds Of death and triumph. For these honoured lives, Succeeding their deservèd tragedies. _Charl._ Thus, by the work of heaven, the men that thought To follow our dead bodies without tears Are dead themselves, and now we follow theirs. [_Exeunt._ _THE REVENGER'S TRAGEDY._