Mira. Sir, most heedfully.
Pros.—Being once perfected how to grant suits,
How to deny them; who[374-19] t’ advance, and who
To trash[374-20] for over-topping[374-21]—new-created
The creatures that were mine, I say, or changed ’em,
Or else new-form’d ’em; having both the key[374-22]
Of officer and office, set all hearts i’ the State
To what tune pleased his ear; that[374-23] now he was
The ivy which had hid my princely trunk,
And suck’d the verdure out on’t. Thou attend’st not.
Mira. O good sir, I do.
Pros. I pray thee, mark me.
I thus neglecting worldly ends, all dedicated
To closeness,[374-24] and the bettering of my mind
With that which, but[374-25] by being so retired,
O’er-prized all popular rate,[374-26] in my false brother
Awaked an evil nature; and my trust,
Like a good parent, did beget of him
A falsehood, in its contrary as great
As my trust was; which had indeed no limit,
A confidence sans[375-27] bound. He being thus lorded,
Not only with what my revenue yielded,
But what my power might else exact,—like one
Who having unto truth, by falsing of it,[375-28]
Made such a sinner of his memory
To[375-29] credit his own lie,—he did believe
He was indeed the Duke; out o’ the substitution,[375-30]
And executing the outward face of royalty,
With all prerogative: hence his ambition growing,—
Dost thou hear?[375-31]
Mira. Your tale, sir, would cure deafness.
Pros. To have no screen between this part he play’d
And them he play’d it for, he needs will be
Absolute Milan.[375-32] Me,[375-33] poor man, my library
Was dukedom large enough: of temporal royalties
He thinks me now incapable; confederates—
So dry he was for sway[376-34]—wi’ th’ King of Naples
To give him annual tribute, do him homage,
Subject his coronet to his crown, and bend
The dukedom, yet unbow’d,—alas, poor Milan![376-35]—
To most ignoble stooping.[376-36]
Mira. O the Heavens!
Pros. This King of Naples, being an enemy
To me inveterate, hearkens my brother’s suit;
Which was, that he, in lieu[376-37] o’ the premises,—
Of homage, and I know not how much tribute,—
Should presently[376-38] extirpate me and mine
Out of the dukedom, and confer fair Milan,
With all the honours, on my brother: whereon,
A treacherous army levied, one midnight
Fated to th’ practice[376-39] did Antonio open
The gates of Milan; and, i’ the dead of darkness,
The ministers for th’ purpose hurried thence
Me and thy crying self.[376-40]
Mira. Alack, for pity!
I, not remembering how I cried on’t then,
Will cry it o’er again: it is a hint[377-41]
That wrings mine eyes to’t.
Pros. Hear a little further,
And then I’ll bring thee to the present business
Which now’s upon’s;[377-42] without the which this story
Were most impertinent.[377-43]