The Law of Lombardy A Tragedy |
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| 2. | SCENE II. |
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 | The Law of Lombardy |  |
SCENE II.
BIRENO,ASCANIO.
Welcome, Ascanio! Thanks for this kind speed
To meet my summons. I have business for thee,
Worthy thy subtle genius; thou shalt aid me
To spread a banquet forth, where two sharp guests,
Ambition and Revenge, shall both be feasted,
Even to satiety.
ASCANIO.
I will not pall
Performance by protesting. Is there aught
In which a pliant tongue, and ready hand,
(No despicable engines) may do service?
To their best cunning use them; your poor bondman
Will think himself much honour'd in obedience.
BIRENO.
I have profess'd myself thy friend, Ascanio!
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(Whose rich maturity I now wou'd hasten)
Is ripe for bearing, thou shall taste the fruit
That bends my swelling branches.
ASCANIO.
I have liv'd
The creature of your bounty; and my life
I would cast from me, like a useless load,
When to your gracious ends unprofitable.
BIRENO.
My means have hitherto been poor and scanty,
My power confin'd; but I shall be, Ascanio,
Like a great river, whose large urns dispense
Abundance to the subject rills around him,
Till they o'erpeer their banks.
ASCANIO.
Oh, my good lord!
BIRENO.
I'll trust thee as I know thee—for a villain.—
[Aside.
Place thyself near me when the council meets,
(I shall make matter for them they foresee not)
Whate'er I urge, or whomsoe'er I charge,
Be ready thou with the grave mockery
Of uplift eyes, thy hand thus on thy breast,
And heaven-attesting oaths to second me.
ASCANIO.
Prime in the catalogue of mortal sins,
I hold unthankfulness, and a friend's need,
Makes fiction virtue when its end is kindness.
BIRENO.
To give more ready credence to the imposture,
Put on reluctant seeming; earnestly
Entreat, they urge you not; sadden thy brow,
And cry, “Alas! compell me not to speak—
“I know not what I saw.” Mumble some cant,
“Of frailty, and compassion, sins of youth,
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“'Gainst all transgressions;” thus shall thy declining
Be eked out to a stubborn certainty
In each suspended hearer.
ASCANIO.
Nay, my Lord;
Disparage not the good gifts were born with me,
To think I can want schooling for this office.
BIRENO.
I pray you pardon me.—Oh, Nature! Nature!
[Aside.
There is a pride even in stark villainy,
Which flattery's heat must soften, ere the metal
Bend to our purposes.—Come this way with me,
The hall will soon be throng'd; what more remains
I will impart within.—No ceremony.
[Exeunt.
| The Law of Lombardy | |