University of Virginia Library

SCENE I.

Enter Brachiano and a Magician.
Bra.
Now Sir I claim your Promise, 'tis dead Midnight,
The time prefix't to shew me by your Art
How the intended Murder of our Dutchess
Proceeds to Action.

Mag.
Noble Sir,
You've won me by your Bounty to a Deed,
I do not care to Practise.

Bra.
Do you boggle?
What is it you mistrust, your Skill or me?

Mag.
Neither; tho' some there are, I do confess,
Who by Sophistick Tricks aspire the Name
That I would gladly loose of Necromancer;
But this is such a woful Scene, and you
So principal an Actor, that I fear
'Twill strike you Sir with Horrour.

Bra.
Venture that—

Mag.
Then Sir sit down—Here in this Chair 'tis charm'd,
I'll shew you now by my commanding Art
The Circumstance that breaks your Dutchess's Heart.

Enter suspiciously Julio and Guiccardo; They draw a Curtain where Brachiano's Picture is; they put on Spectacles of Glass that cover their Eyes and Noses, then burn Perfumes before the Picture, and wash the Lips; then, quenching the Fire, and putting off their Spectacles, go out Laughing.

Enter Isabella as from her Devotion, a Light afore her, Count Loduvico, Antonio, Giovanni and others waiting on her, she draws the Curtain of the Picture, and having Giovanni by the Hand,

looks first on the one, then on the other; after paying Reverence, she kisses the Picture, immediately faints, and will not suffer them to come near it. Dies. Sorrow exprest in Giovanni, Lodovico, &c. They carry her out Solemnly.

Bra.
Excellent! then she's Dead.

Mag.
Yes; Poyson'd
By the sum'd Picture; 'twas her Custom Nightly
Before she went to Bed, to come and visit
Your Picture, and to feed her Eyes and Lips,
On the lov'd shadow: Doctor Julio
Observing this, infects it with an Oil,
And other poyson'd Stuff, which instantly
Did suffocate her Spirits.

Bra.
Methought I saw Count Lodwick there.

Mag.
He was, and though unknown to her,
A passionate Admirer of the Dutchess.

Bra.
Most skilful Sir, you've bound me ever to you;
And let this stand my pledge of farther Payment.

[Ex. Bra.
Mag.
Yes! Dearly hast thou paid,
And dearer yet shalt pay for injur'd Love,
Wretched Brachiano!—Oh cou'dst thou foresee
Thy own, as now, thy Dutchess Tragedy—
But 'tis the Fate of Vice on shelves to run,
And never see the Danger till undone.

[Exit.