2d Judge. My Lord. De Castro,
The king has pleased to give us your relation,
In which (though the least tenderness cannot be
Impertinent to his sacred safety) there's nothing
That can raise the law to any argument, which may reach
The Duke, scarce as a peer, which looks upon him
As the second man in whom all our safeties and hopes are stor'd:
Not to be touch'd with every jealousy,
But at a high and reverend form of proof.
Duke. Let me appeal unto yourself, dread sir;
Which of my actions or services of state
Can be suspected? And do you not perceive
That where his father left, his treason would begin?
De C. Help me, dear truth, or else I shall suffer
For my loyalty. Great sir, be pleased——
Duke. That most judicious judge has well observ'd,
There is an envy in his soul would reach
From you to your succession, and leave the character
Of his father's treason on it in blood and ruin.
Wretched man, trust me, I grieve for thy slidefrom piety;
And when I look upon the love and pity
I have cast away on such a thing, I repent
My easy faith. Good heaven! what will men fall to?
King. Take the Count unto the citadel, and let none
Be admitted to him upon peril— [Exeunt with De Castro.
Brother, they were no easy insinuations
That did engage our fears to this: but such
As nam'd a higher proof and circumstance.
And, we confess, it struck our nature with some passionate strugglings:
Not that the wish of our ambition is fix'd here,
And would revive a term of years
To rob ye of one minute's glorious trouble:
Yet, my lord, if our laws take care
To preserve the meanest subject's life, our own
Ought not to be look'd on with less providence:
And fears are happy cautions many times.
But mine retire.
Let our desires meet, and reconcile me to your arms—— [Embrace.
His merit shall find the justice it has scandall'd,
If it stand guilty.
Duke. If, my lord? Can yet that scruple stay behind?
Returns with De Castro and Dessandro. A physician and chirurgeon, &c.
De C. See, royal sir, I have met a miracle, [They kneel.
That heaven has preserv'd and sent to guard your
Sacred highness and the truth.
De F. Dessandro risen from the dead?
King. Dessandro!