Arms and honours deck thy story, To thy fame's eternal glory! Adverse fortune ever fly thee; No disastrous fate come nigh thee! I alone will sing thy praises, Whom to honour virtue raises; And thy study, that divine is, Bent to martial discipline is. Lay aside all those robes lie by thee; Crown thy arts with arms, they'll beautify thee. O worthy of worthiest name, adorned in this manner, Lead bravely thy forces on under war's warlike banner! O, mayst thou prove fortunate in all martial courses! Guide thou still by skill in arts and forces! Victory attend thee nigh, whilst fame sings loud thy powers; Triumphant conquest crown thy head, and blessings pour down showers! [_Exeunt all except the_ Two Pilgrims. _1st Pil._ Here's a strange turn of state! who would have thought So great a lady would have matched herself Unto so mean a person? yet the cardinal Bears himself much too cruel. _2nd Pil._ They are banished. _1st Pil._ But I would ask what power hath this state Of Ancona to determine of a free prince? _2nd Pit._ They are a free state, sir, and her brother showed How that the Pope, fore-hearing of her looseness, Hath seized into the protection of the church The dukedom which she held as dowager. _1st Pil._ But by what justice? _2nd Pil._ Sure, I think by none, Only her brother's instigation. _1st Pil._ What was it with such violence he took Off from her finger? _2nd Pil._ 'Twas her wedding-ring; Which he vowed shortly he would sacrifice To his revenge. _1st Pil._ Alas, Antonio! If that a man be thrust into a well, No matter who sets hand to't, his own weight Will bring him sooner to the bottom. Come, let's hence. Fortune makes this conclusion general, All things do help the unhappy man to fall. [_Exeunt._ SCENE V.--_Near Loretto._ _Enter_ DUCHESS, ANTONIO, Children, CARIOLA, _and_ Servants. _Duch._ Banished Ancona! _Ant._ Yes, you see what power Lightens in great men's breath. _Duch._ Is all our train Shrunk to this poor remainder? _Ant._ These poor men, Which have got little in your service, vow To take your fortune: but your wiser buntings, Now they are fledged, are gone. _Duch._ They have done wisely. This puts me in mind of death: physicians thus, With their hands full of money, use to give o'er Their patients. _Ant._ Right the fashion of the world: From decayed fortunes every flatterer shrinks; Men cease to build where the foundation sinks. _Duch._ I had a very strange dream to-night. _Ant._ What was't? _Duch._ Methought I wore my coronet of state, And on a sudden all the diamonds Were changed to pearls. _Ant._ My interpretation Is, you'll weep shortly; for to me the pearls Do signify your tears. _Duch._ The birds that live i' the field On the wild benefit of nature live Happier than we; for they may choose their mates, And carol their sweet pleasures to the spring.