ALEX. That were a breach to common law of arms.
VICE. They reck no laws that meditate revenge.
ALEX. His ransom's worth will stay from foul revenge.
VICE. No; if he liv'd, the news would soon be here.
VILLUP. My sovereign, pardon the author of ill news,
And I'll bewray the fortune of thy son.
VICE. Speak on; I'll guerdon thee, whate'er it be.
Mine ear is ready to receive ill news,
My heart grown hard 'gainst mischief's battery;
Stand up, I say, and tell thy tale at large.
VILLUP. Then hear that truth which these mine eyes have seen:
When both the armies were in battle join'd.
Don Balthazar amidst the thickest troops,
To win renown, did wondrous feats of arms;
Amongst the rest I saw him hand-to-hand
In single fight with their lord general.
Till Alexandro, that here counterfeits
Under the colour of a duteous friend,
Discharg'd a pistol at the princes back,
As though he would have slain their general,
But therewithal Don Balthazar fell down;
And when he fell, then we began to fly;
But, had he liv'd, the day had sure been ours.
ALEX. O wicked forgery! O trait'rous miscreant!
VICE. Hold thou thy peace! But now, Villuppo, say:
Where then became the carcass of my son?
VILLUP. I saw them drag it to the Spanish tents.