Mal. Great slaves fear better than love, born naturally for a coal-basket;[519] though the common usher of princes’ presence, Fortune, ha’[520] blindly given them better place. I am vowed to be thy affliction.
Pietro. Prithee, be;
I love much misery, and be thou son to me.
Mal. Because you are an usurping duke.——
Enter Bilioso.
Your lordship’s well returned from Florence.
Bil. Well returned, I praise my horse.
Mal. What news from the Florentines?
Bil. I will conceal the great duke’s pleasure; only this was his charge: his pleasure is, that his daughter die; Duke Pietro be banished for banishing his blood’s dishonour; and that Duke Altofront be re-accepted. This is all: but I hear Duke Pietro is dead. 114
Mal. Ay, and Mendoza is duke: what will you do?
Bil. Is Mendoza strongest?