_Sup._ Brother, let my opinion sway you once; I speak it for the best, to have him die Surest and soonest; if the signet come Unto the judge's hand, why then his doom Will be deferred till sittings and court-days, Juries, and further. Faiths are bought and sold; Oaths in these days are but the skin of gold. _Amb._ In troth, 'tis true too. _Sup._ Then let's set by the judges, And fall to the officers; 'tis but mistaking The duke our father's meaning; and where he named "Ere many days"--'tis but forgetting that, And have him die i' the morning. _Amb._ Excellent! Then am I heir! duke in a minute! _Sup._ [_Aside_.] Nay, An he were once puffed out, here is a pin Should quickly prick your bladder. _Amb._ Blessed occasion! He being packed, we'll have some trick and wile To wind our younger brother out of prison, That lies in for the rape. The lady's dead, And people's thoughts will soon be burièd. _Sup._ We may with safety do't, and live and feed; The duchess' sons are too proud to bleed. _Amb._ We are, i' faith, to say true--come, let's not linger: I'll to the officers; go you before, And set an edge upon the executioner. _Sup._ Let me alone to grind. [_Exit._ _Amb._ Meet farewell! I am next now; I rise just in that place, Where thou'rt cut off; upon thy neck, kind brother; The falling of one head lifts up another. [_Exit._ SCENE II.--_The Courtyard of a Prison._ _Enter_ LUSSURIOSO _with_ Nobles. _Lus._ My lords, I am so much indebted to your loves For this, O, this delivery-- _1st Noble._ Put our duties, my lord, unto the hopes that grow in you. _Lus._ If e'er I live to be myself, I'll thank you. O liberty, thou sweet and heavenly dame! But hell for prison is too mild a name. [_Exeunt._ _Enter_ AMBITIOSO _and_ SUPERVACUO, _with_ Officers. _Amb._ Officers, here's the duke's signet, your firm warrant, Brings the command of present death along with it Unto our brother, the duke's son; we are sorry That we are so unnaturally employed In such an unkind office, fitter far For enemies than brothers. _Sup._ But, you know, The duke's command must be obeyed. _1st Off._ It must and shall, my lord. This morning, then-- So suddenly? _Amb._ Ay, alas! poor, good soul! He must breakfast betimes; the executioner Stands ready to put forth his cowardly valour. _2nd Off._ Already? _Sup._ Already, i' faith. O sir, destruction hies, And that is least imprudent,[215] soonest dies. _1st Off._ Troth, you say true. My lord, we take our leaves: Our office shall be sound; we'll not delay The third part of a minute. _Amb._ Therein you show Yourselves good men and upright. Officers, Pray, let him die as private as he may; Do him that favour; for the gaping people Will but trouble him at his prayers, And make him curse and swear, and so die black. Will you be so far kind? _1st Off._ It shall be done, my lord.