University of Virginia Library

Scena Tertia.

Spinola.
Spi.
I must needs make a strong pretence to worth,
That dare pretend, Iustinian, to thy love;
But when I find how much I violate
The sacred lawes of freindship, that refuse
T'anatomize my very Soule to thee;
I am compeld ta'cknowledge myne owne shame
Or to suspect thy knowne fidelitie:
The plot, wherewith I labour, can admit
No Councell, but a necessarie faith
In the bold Actor, whose subsistence binds him
To resolution, and to secrecie;
All freindly trust is folly, every man
H'as one, to whome hee will commit as much
As is to him committed: our designes
When once they creepe from our owne private breasts
Doe in a moment through the Citie flie,
Who tells his secret sells his libertie:
But shall I suffer this black treachery
To boile within my doubtfull brest? mischeife
Though it be safe, can never be secure,
Or shall I ease my thoughts, and giue it vent?
Yes; prick a full swolne bladder to relax it,
Or bore a hole 'ith bottome of the ship
To coole a Calenture? dull foole thy life
Is with thy fame concern'd: besides the base
Rejection of thy Sonne (lodg'd deepely here)
He wrought the Senate to confer the charge
Of our late ayde lent Savoy against France,
On rash Marino, so to blast thy merit,
Be confident, he that durst often venter
T'affront thee, meant to prosecute thy ruine;
And t'is no greater hazard to attempt
Death, than disgrace, that makes his life contemptible:
On then, be bold and secret, Spinola,
So shalt thou reape the double benefit
Of safety and revenge: all wickednesse
Is counted vertue, when 'tis prosperous;
Be not by any reconcilement led
To trust thy foe, th'art safe when he is dead.