University of Virginia Library

SCÆ. 1.

Enter Astor, Manfredi with Phillippo.
Ast.
Brother Phillippo what auaileth it,
When our state lost the Fauintines compounded,
That I should hold both life and liberty,
With all reuenues of my proper state,
When as my life within the Court of Rome,
Is much more loathsome to my soule then death,
And liberty more griefe then seruitude.

Phil.
I rather choose within the riuer Tiber
To drowne my selfe, or from Tarpeyan hill,
My vexed body to precipitate,
Then to subiect my body to the shame
Of such vild brutish and vnkindely lust.

Ast.
He that with fire and Brimstone did consume
Sodome and other Citties round about.
Deliuer vs from this soule-slaying sinne.
To which our bodies are made prostitute,

Enter Barnardo.
Bar.
Deare salutations from my Lord the Pope,
I recommend vnto your excellence,
With semblable remembrance of his loue,
To you my Lord Phillippo,

Ast.
Good Barnardo.
My dutie bound vnto his Holynesse,
Returne in paiment from his Captiue seruant.

Ber.
Ingenious Prince, I bring a friendly message
Of tender kindnesse, which I must impart:
They draw them-selues aside.
This Ruby from our Holy-fathers finger,
(In priuate token of his faithfull loue)
He bid mee secretly deliuer you:
And there-withall, desireth of your loue,
To haue with him some priuate conference.

Ast.
I was now going to our Ladies masse,
In Saint Iohn Laterans; where my ghostly father
Attendeth me for my confession.
But thanke his Holynesse on my behalfe,
In all due reuerence and humilitie.
Tell him I meane—so soone as I returne,
pawse.
To come according to my bounden duty.
Exit Bar.
My case is desperate, what shall I doe?
Phillippo, was there euer any man
Hunted with such vnsatisfied rage?

Phil.
What hath he sent againe to visit you?

Astor.
To visit me, nay to dishonor me,
Behold this Ruby sent from his owne finger,
Which as a Bawde inuiteth me to shame.