University of Virginia Library

4 Scene.

Enter Polemici, and Vittorio.
Card.
Ile to my Closet
And pray, then love.

Exit.
Cor.
Polemici, where left you
My valiant Sonne?

Pole.
Notho! hee's in the presence.

Corv.
When you returne, desire him meet me in
The Grove behind the Garden.

Pole.
I scarce thinke
Hee'l owne you when hee's Duke: Vittorio,
What think'st thou of this riddle?

Vitt.
'Tis a hard one, he to be Duke and lawfull!

Pole.
He beginnes
To forme himselfe fit for't: he takes survey
Of all that he supposeth showly must
Bow to his humour: tell's me hee'l new mould
The State, and we shall be advanc'd.

Vitt.
To th'Gallowes.

Pole.
I doe not like such raysing; let's be honest;
And though we cannot make a full discovery
Of this so close and intricate proceeding,
Wee'l intimate some feares that may betray him
To jealousie and care; that watchfull eyes
Observing him, if ought should be attempted,
It may be stifled by prevention in the first birth.

Vitt.
His favours yet deserve
We should preserve him.

Pole.
Yes, I would preserve him.
But chiefly from the dangers incident
To such a vaine ambition, into which
Hee's flatter'd by his father: but upon
What ground, I doe not thinke the divell ownes
A perfect knowledge: Sure he cannot thinke
There's power in his successe to make him popular,
And leade the multitude in their disorder
To wish an innovation first, then practise it.

Vitt.
He saith it is his right.

Pole.
But where's the testimony?
Hell on these darke devises. Well, let's be
Like valiant Souldiers in the Reare, that dare
Goe on, whilst the front stands to be their bulwarke:
But breaches made therein to shew them danger,
In flight they put their safety. Let's observe,
And adde more to our knowledge; then resolve:
He that persues an act that is attended
With doubtfull issues, for the meanes had need
Of policy and force to make it speed.

Exeunt.