Des. I'll hollow them through all the world, and say't
Again. Worth and honour now are crimes, and giants
'Gainst the state. My lords, shall's be merry,
And talk something the hangman may thank
Us for?
Pir. Treason? I vow, Dessandro, I speak the worst
Ex tempore of any man living.
Samp. I could mutter it well enough; but I'm to marry
A city widow, and buy a place at court.
Pir. When I have sold my land, we'll venture on
A merry catch, and ever subscribe your servant,
Noble Dessandro.
Des. I shall find a time and place to pay your lordship
The accompt of my engagements.
De C. Brother, my attendance calls me to the king;
I'll wait upon your lordship, if y'are for the court.
Pir. Your lordship's servant thither. [Exeunt.
Des. So streams divide, and ruffle by their banks.
My brother's of a safe contracted bosom:
Can strangle his labouring rages in their thought;
When they do tug like poisons at my breast,
Until I give them air. But I'll observe,
And creep into men's souls: hug my dear anger
To myself, until it gnaw my entrails through,
That men may court my patience and discourse,
As now they shun it.
And when black night has stretch'd her gloomy limbs,
And laid her head upon some mountain-top,
Bound up in foggy mists, then keep my haunts
By some dull-groaning stream, with screeching owls
And bats; there pay my broken thoughts
Unto thy ghost, Velasco!——
Echo shall wake, and midnight, to help me curse their souls
That thrust thee to thy grave; whilst I will hang
About night's neck, until the moon do wake
To rescue her.
Enter the Duke.
Duke. Dessandro,
You must not be angry my power came short
Of my desires to serve you: we'll try some other way.
You see by what engines the times move;
The king refers all to his council; and though
They do not tie his hands, they hold 'em by a strange
Courtesy. I'm but a single looker-on: perhaps
They may take notice of me for his brother;
That is, when they please, too; but this
Came nearest to me; upon the engagement of my honour
To deny my friend, and one, whose single faith
Had been enough for all the kingdom's safety—
The holding of such a trifle as the citadel.