University of Virginia Library

SCENE 4.

Enter Andronicus, and Panergus.
An.
You give a good account of all your business,
Maria Cæsarissa and her husband
Shall ne're allarum me with frightful dreams,
Out of my sleep more, How didst thou dispatch them,

Pan.
By poyson Sir, an unsuspected way.

An.
It picks mens souls from them by slight of hand.
And steals their lives, yet never bids them stand.

Pan.
I brib'd her Gallen (all phisitians hold,
There's no such cordials for themselves as gold)
And quickly he did purge out both their lives,

An.
How did Asotus bear himself at's death?

Pan.
First he did swagger, swear, look big and bluster,
And musterd up whole legions of curses.
As if hee'd make the Ax turn edge therewith,
But when he saw there was no remedy,
His soul not stooping by degrees fell flat.
From Lyon he did instantly turn Calf,
First dead with fear, and then di'd by the Ax.

An.
What is become of Paleologus,

Pan.
For th'time he shifted, but shall not escape.

An.
Which way shall I thy diligence requite,
Panergus dear Panergus.
[He imbraceth him in his arms.
Favour me to bestow on thee this favour,
What honour office, pension, place preferment,
By sea, or land, in the robe long or short
Thy honesty I'm certaine will discharge
All Offices alike, come ask at full,
Crave it and have it whatsoe're is mine.
Thy merrit not my bounty makes it thine.

Pan.
I nothing can deserve, nor do desire.

An.
Ask some reward of me I command thee.

Pan.
My pains are rewarded if but accepted,
Onely I am ambitious of one smile
Cast on me from your sacred countenance.

An.
By empty smiles I know that none can live,
Ask me some wealth, fie fie, thou dost not know,
That modestie's a courtiers greatest foe.

Pan.
I ever lov'd to advance my friends good,
Scarce bettered my self except by chance.

An.
No chance but one can ever make thee better,
Aside.
Because you for your self will make no choise,
What I choose for you, you Ile swear shall take.

Pan.
Welcome what e're comes from your Highness hands,

An.
Alas it doth not lye within my power,
To lift thy heavy soul up to the sky.
Yet Ile bestow my highest boone upon thee,
And mount thy body nearest to the Moon,
No common gibbet shall your greatness have.
Such as would serve some petty pilfering thief,
Loosing his life to relieve his wants.
Of sweetest Fir they shall be built, and new,
The cross beam painted (pitty 'tis not gilt)
No sturdy hemp shall gall thy tender neck,
Onely a silken twist, soft, fine and small.

Pan.
I hope Sir, my disservice ne're was such.

(He falls on his knees.
An.
No but your service Sir, hath been too much,
Your great deserts do daily upbraid me.

Pan.
Such syllables this mouth did never utter.

An.
That treason which your heart doth freely think,
Your nose and eyes declare.—
Your forehead frowns a flat rebellion,
Your hands your Feet speak this, Andronicus
Doth ow his Crown, his life, himself to me.

Pan.
No 'tis I ow my life unto your Highness,

An.
Then you shall pay it now, Ile take my due.

Pan.
I never have resisted your command,

And.
Nor shall you now withstand my pleasure,
That hand of thine did spill two Princes bloud.

Pan.
I did it but to please your Highness will,

And.
When Princes do injoyn what is not fit,
Ill you must suffer, but not ill commit,
Besides I bid you slay, you poyson'd them,

Pan.
The things the same.

And.
But each particular
Of this our pleasure, we will have observ'd,
I charge you to revive them both again.

Pan.
That's past my power, but if I could I would.

And.
Would you revive our deadly enemies?

Pan.
'Tis vain to answer where power doth oppose.

And.
I sent you, And will take you off betimes,
Least what you have done for us, you do on us.
Come necessary evil in a State.
Enter Spiculator
Make this mans Pass to Pluto with all speed,
Hell will afford him room enough I hope,
Earth yeields too small a scope for his active brain,
And truly I do pity Pluto now,
He will out Devil him, and usurp his place.

Andronicus whispers to Spiculator, & exit.
Spic.
Trust each Artificer in his owne Art,
Hang me if I perform not my own part.