University of Virginia Library

Scœn. 4.

Lvcilla
, Phevdippe, Mantesio.
This frolicke euening, full of silent aire,
Speakes a successe to thy, atchieuements, faire:
Both time an opportunity's, benigne;
The Sunne at his departure, seemes to smile,
My banquet is prepar'd, which must beguile:
No apparitions, no refulgent starre,
No threatning Comet can our act oppose,
No new trans-figur'd meteor disclose
Our most herôicke humor, and annoy
The glad conception of all future ioy.

Phev.
Nay, if a plot so well-contriu'd, so square,
So formall, so iudicious, should proue
Ill-featur'd, and abortiue, I'de forsweare
All crafty dealing; never would I moue,
Compassion with repentance; to obtaine
Most absolute forgiuenesse, though the King
Do then release my criminall attempt,
I'de not en-deere his donatiue, except
With resolution to escape the law,
And wreake more ample vengeance on my selfe,
With my owne proper hands, through violence.
If a designe so mature, so conceal'd,
So rich in expectation, so oblig'd,
May now mis-carry, and repugnant proue;
Il'e sure prevent the heads-man, hang my selfe
VVith expedition, hire a mounte-banke,
Some noted empr'icke, to anatomize
My polititian corpes, dissect my scull.
Boyle tongue and heart together in my blood,
Effuse them into broth made of my braines,
In which, my vnctuous kidney-lease dissolu'd
VVith my more lushious marrow, may compose
A poultice, which will speedily contriue
The downe-fall of erected favorites,
Enflame desire-then disanull the ends
VVhich that affection gapes for: I resolue
Thus to bequeath my members, to the sect
Of those, who narrow inquisition make
After each mysticke vertue, physicall;
If our attempts proue not effectuall.

Lv.
Then præ-suppose your proiect well do thriue,
VVhat recompence may Lælio expect,
Chiefe captaine of the guard; whose instant blow
Giues an advantage so peculiar?

Phe.
That my officious Captaine of his guard
The cunning woolfe hath taught me to reward.

Lv.
Resolue the manner, be emphaticall.

Ph.
The famish'd woolfe (whom hunger oft endues
VVith belly-courage to be valiant)
If by aduenture his extremity
Meets with a beast of more validity,
Though lesse tyrannicke rapine then himselfe,
Hee (practis'd in such skill pernitious)
Eates clay, to make his body ponderous;
Striuing by art to æquall natures strength,
Till hee depresse, and over-come at length.
By which instinct, his booty once obtain'd,
An easie vomit naturall doth purge
His lumpish maw of that despised earth;
Which (after conquest) hee thinkes little worth:
Eeu'n thus the Captaine Il'e re-munerate,
And with contempt, Il'e re-capitulate
His humble seruice; so casheere the hope
Of due re-quitall, with a good excuse,
We entertaine those agents but forvse.
Heere comes my faithfull steward; speake what newes?

Man.
The Captaine with his military troope,
I haue appoynted to their ambush; they
Expect vpon my signall (gratious Duke)
The Kings vaunt-curriers doe each testifie
His glad approach; giue eare to Maiesty.