Enter Virolet, like Ronvere.
Vir. The State in Combustion,
Part of the Cittadel forc'd, the treasure seiz'd on;
The guards corrupted, arm themselves against
Their late protected Master; Ferrant fled too,
And with small strength, into the Castle's Tower,
The only Aventine, that now is left him!
And yet the undertakers, nay, performers,
Of such a brave and glorious enterprize,
Are yet unknown: they did proceed like men,
I like a child; and had I never trusted
So deep a practice unto shallow fools,
Besides my souls peace, in my Juliana,
The honor of this action had been mine,
In which, accurs'd, I now can claim no share.
Jul. Ronvere! 'tis he, a thing, next to the devil
I most detest and like him terrible;
Martia's right hand, the instrument I fear too,
That is put to her bloody will, into act.
Have I not will enough, and cause too mighty?
Weak womens fear, fly from me.
Vir. Sure this habit,
This likeness to Ronvere, which I have studied,
Either admits me safe to my design,
Which I too cowardly have halted after,
And suffer'd to be ravisht from my glory;
Or sinks me and my miseries together;
Either concludes me happy.
Jul. He stands musing,
Some mischief is now hatching:
In the full meditation, of his wickedness,
I'll sink his cursed soul: guide my hand heaven,
And to my tender arm give strength, and fortune,
That I may do a pious deed, all ages
Shall bless my name for; all remembrance crown me.
Vir. It shall be so.
Jul. It shall not, take that token,
And bear it to the lustful arms of Martia,
Tell her, for Virolets dear sake, I sent it.
Vir. O I am happy, let me see thee,
That I may bless the hand that gave me liberty,
O courteous hand, nay thou hast done most nobly,
And heaven has guided thee, 'twas their great justice;
O blessed wound that I could come to kiss thee!
How beautiful, and sweet thou shew'st!
Jul. Oh!
Vir. Sigh not,
Nor weep not dear, shed not those sovereign Balsames
Into my blood; which must recover me;
Then I shall live again, to do a mischief,
Against the mightiness of love and virtue,
Some base unhallowed hand shall rob thy right of.
Help me, I faint: so.