ACT FOUR*
4.1*
Enter two COUNTRYMEN with EULALIA.*

758EulaliaY’are welcome, friends, your prayers and good wishes
        Are comforts to me yet, without danger of the proclamation.

759[First Countryman]*Madam, the court in all the bravery
        It boasts and borrows* cannot so rejoice
        In the bright shining beauty of their Queen,
        As we in your enjoying in this plainness.
        Their bells, and bonfires, tilts and tournaments,
        Their feasts and banquets, musics and costly shows
        (Howe’er unpaid for) shall not outpass our loves.

760EulaliaBe you as confident I will not wrong
        A man among you. Therefore pray reserve
        What is your own, and warrant your own safety.

761[First Countryman]*But how you’ll live we know not. We are now
        In our old former health: the country’s cured,
        Your practice† at an end; unless you had
        The common gift of most physicians,
        To make as many sick as you make sound,†* 
        You will not find a patient in seven years.

762EulaliaBut I have other arts: sufficient skill
        In works of several kinds,* the needle, loom,
        The wheel,* the frame,† the net-pin,† and choice of
        Fingers’ works are most familiar with me.

763[Second Countryman]*And can you handle the bobbins† well, good woman?
        Make statute-lace?† You shall have my daughter.

764[First Countryman]*And mine, to make tape-purls.† Can you do it?

765EulaliaYes, and teach all your children works to live on.* 
        The which, together with my own labour,
        May bring sufficient† for my maintenance† 
        Without the idle help of begging, borrowing,
        Or any way infringing the King’s command.

766[Second Countryman]*You’ll have a help beyond himself; bate† borrowing.* 

767EulaliaSomething I have in book† to help their knowledge
        And by practice give them literature.
        Then, when these serious works and studies toil† us,
        For recreation, yet with equal skill,
        We’ll practise† divers† instruments, songs and measures,† 
        That shall invite the powers above to smile
        On the content of which we them beguile.†* 

768[First Countryman]*Well, mistress, ours is the voice of the whole country,
        All which, or what you please of it, is yours.
        Take this house, make your choice of servants;
        Take our children, make your own rates* for their education.
        Our purses and our lives are free to you.
        Get what you can that’s your own: will this please you?

769EulaliaYes, gentle† friends, and with as much content
        As e’er I found in height of government.† 

770[First Countryman]*Take your possession then, and let
        Posterity† record that without grieving
        A royal queen once traded for her living.
Enter CURATE [followed by ANDREA].*

771CurateEho! Oh! Io!* Where is my learned sister?

772EulaliaWhy seem you so distracted?

773CurateProh sancto Jupiter!

774EulaliaAlas, what is the matter?

775CurateHei mihi qualis erat?
        Talis erat qualem nunquam vidi.*

776Andrea Sure, sure, his scholars have over-mastered him, and whipped him out of his wits.*

777CurateCorpus inane animæ,* hold thy peace.*

778EulaliaPray speak, what chance† has happened?

779Curate Non est narrandi locus:* go forth and see. Th’enraged rurals are in an uproar loud, each one an Hercules Furens,* a formidabilis, formidandus hostis,* and quite against the law
        Of nostrum est injuriam non inferre,*
        Are on the point of making themselves merry
        In hanging those ill-destined men by th’ neck
        That sought so late to give your neck the check.†* 

780EulaliaOh, let us fly† to rescue them!

781AndreaYet I hope
        Your haste will bring you short† to cut the rope.[They all exit.]*

4.2*
Enter LOLLIO, POGGIO and GUARD [of Palermo], with FABIO and STROZZO.

782LollioBring ’em away to present† execution:
        They have lain too long upon the country’s charge;† 
        We have given ’em bread and water a whole fortnight.** 

783FabioYou dare not do’t. What law are we condemned by?

784PoggioDare we not do’t? That word’s an hanging matter here in our civil† government.† Dare not do’t, sir? We’ll do’t, and when ’tis done we’ll argue† law with you.*

785Strozzo When you have ta’en† our lives you’ll lay† the law to us? You cannot be so barbarous.*

786LollioImpudent traitors! How dare you say we cannot? Yet because we graciously are pleased to put the law out of our hands and make you hang yourselves, I’ll give you reason. Silence on your lives.*
        First know, lewd† men, y’ are traitors to the King
        In offering† to be wiser than his judgement,
        Which was but banishment to the good Eulalia:
        Seeking most traitorously to take the life
        Of (I do not say the Queen, but) the King’s wife
        Of most happy memory.* 

787FabioThe good Eulalia?

788StrozzoThe King’s wife?

789PoggioThat was. You shall not catch us tripping,† sir, we are more than your match.*

790LollioGood I do say she is, and good again
        I dare pronounce her, that by daily pain† 
        Works for her daily bread: and for bare† hire,† 
        Teacheth our children so, that we admire
        The infants who have understanding more
        Than we their parents have, or than
        Our forefathers before us had.

791PoggioBut brother Lollio, make not your speech so long: what is’t to them? They’ll carry none on’t† to th’ other world. Let’s do what we came to do: e’en† hang ’em. Then, as I said, we’ll argle† it afterwards.

792LollioBut brother Poggio, better ’tis they live a minute two or three than such a speech as I am now upon† be lost.*
Enter LODOVICO, PEDRO, CURATE, ANDREA, [and] EULALIA.

793PoggioSee what y’ have won by your delay! If she prevent not now the good we meant her, I dare hang for ’em.*

794CurateIn tempore venimus with a reprieve, quod omnium rerum est primum.*

795EulaliaAlas, what mean you, neighbours? Would you now
        For all my labours and my prayers for you
        Blast† me with curses of expiring men?
        What trespass have I done you, that for me
        You put these men to death against my will?

796Fabio and StrozzoWe do applaud your mercy, gracious Queen.

797PoggioThere now, there – they deserve hanging for that! They call you Queen, against the proclamation. Dare you maintain† ’em in’t, and now speak for ’em?*

798EulaliaNo, I condemn their faults, and blame their lives,
        But have nor power nor* will† to judge the men.
        You have the will, but to assume the power
        You take the King’s right from him, you transgress
        As much his laws in spilling of their blood
        As they had done in mine had they prevailed.† 

799Andrea They do not intend to spill their blood, countrywoman; they would but strangle them – never pierce the skin, nor make ’em an hair* worse men, if you consider rightly what they are.

800Lollio But to the point. This is the all and some:† we meant you a good turn, and for your sake t’ have hanged ’em right or wrong. Now since you will needs stand in your own highway of women’s wisdom, which is wilfulness—*

801CurateA most elegant figure!†

802[Lollio]*Let ’em, and please you,* come to the gallows another day for killing you outright.† Who can help it?

803CurateOraculously† spoken! Which of the sages† could have said* more?

804Lollio ’Tis not unknown to you that I can speak like a sage, and am one of the sages of our precinct† here for the laity,* though your learning lie another way among us. I am a sage, and will be a sage.

805Poggio And so am I, and will be, and but that wise woman, which is as much to say as a fool for her labour—*

806CurateAnother elegant figure!†

807Poggio But that, I say, she has gainsaid† it, we would yet to show ourselves sages hang ’em up for scarecrows, to fright all their fellows for coming from court to kill women in the country.

808Andrea Oh, how I love a sage! How many sages do you allow in your precinct?

809Lollio Some three or four main heads:† we have now only Pedro, Poggio and myself, but we have many powers under us. These now are powers that execute our commands; there is as much difference between a sage and a power as between a judge and a hangman.*

810AndreaBut is not the learned curate a sage amongst ye?

811Lollio No, as I said before, their learning lies another way. We allow not our clergy any temporal† offices, for reasons known unto ourselves.

812Andrea Pray let me have a sage’s place amongst ye then; I long to be a sage.

813Lollio Brother Andrea, you shall have my voice in your election.

814Andrea Sage brother Lollio, I thank you.

815Curate   [To FABIO and STROZZO]   But will ye now, if misericordially† 
        This gracious feminine† preserve your lives
        Ex ore lupi,* from the gallow tree,
        Become new men indeed?

816EulaliaI know they will
        When they consider the most dangerous† sin
        That threw them on their desperate† attempt,
        And their escape from merited† punishment;
        They cannot be so graceless,† not to turn
        To a reformed life. First know, young men,
        Your former act ’gainst† me, an innocent,
        Was perjury, by which I fell, yet flourish.
        Consider there how black† and foul your sin
        Is rendered by my crystal† innocence.
        Your next attempt against me was blacker, murder:
        The very word sounds horror—

817StrozzoGentle madam,
        Name it not then, but by your sacred mercy
        Acquit us of the doom† which we so justly
        Have drawn upon ourselves, and we will spend
        Our lives in rend’ring satisfaction† 
        To your abusèd goodness.

818EulaliaThis is serious.

819FabioOr may the earth on which we kneel for favour,
        Forced by the weight of our detested sins,
        Open—

820[Fabio and Strozzo]*Quick devour us.*

821EulaliaSo, enough:
        I’ll take your words.

822LodovicoBut now you must reveal
        By whom you have been wrought to these foul practices.

823FabioAll, we’ll discover† all, 
        Though justly then we pay our lives to law.*

824LodovicoGood neighbours, Lollio, Poggio, and Andrea, 
        Conduct them to my house.* 

825CurateMyself also will to be their securer convoy, go
        For fear the rustics may presume† again
        To stretch these penitent necks with halter strain.*

826LodovicoYou shall do well; I thank your charity.

827LollioWell, since in these we are prevented thus,
        Come more,* we’ll hang ’em or they shall hang us.

828AndreaMake me but once a sage, and then fear nothing.

829PoggioThou shalt be one next sessions,† without all peradventure.
[LOLLIO, POGGIO, and CURATE exit with FABIO and STROZZO.]*

830Lodovico   [Aside to Pedro]   When we have ta’en these men’s confessions,
        I’ll write at large† each passage† to the King,
        Against† the good Eulalia’s will or knowledge.

831PedroI’ll be your faithful messenger, my lord.

832LodovicoThanks, my good Pedro, but remember silence.
           [To EULALIA]   So deep in thought, good madam?

833EulaliaNever enough in contemplation of my happiness.

834PedroIt is your heavenly mind that sweetens all things.*
Enter three COUNTRYMEN more.

835AndreaHere come more of our weather-headed† wise neighbours.

836[Third Countryman]*Heaven bless our holy woman.

837First Countryman*Heaven bless your holiness.

838Second Countryman*Nay, then, heaven bless our sacred sovereign

839EulaliaThis homage† fits not me.

840First Countryman*We had not lived but by your sacred means,
        And will no longer live than be your subjects.

841EulaliaYou go about to cast away your lives;
        In serving or in succouring† me you fall
        Into rebellion against the King.

842Second Countryman*We have no king nor queen but you.
        Heaven bless your majesty.

843All Countrymen*Heaven bless your majesty.

844AndreaThat was pronounced† bravely.† O my brave† new neighbours!

845EulaliaY’ are traitors all.

846First Countryman*In honouring our sovereign?

847AndreaAye,* well said, hold her to it.

848EulaliaHow dare you call me so?

849Second Countryman*We dare, and can prove it good and lawful.† 
        This province is engaged unto you, madam;
        The King made it your jointure,† and we find
        No reason but you instantly† possess it.

850EulaliaWhat, and the King alive?

851First Countryman*He’s dead to you.

852[Third Countryman]*Yes, yes, he’s dead to you.

853AndreaWell said again: that’s a sound† point,† besworn† 
        These be true blades.†

854EulaliaI tremble but to hear you,
        And will not live an hour amongst you more
        But with this freedom, to use my fair† obedience to the King.

855Second Countryman*You shall obey the King, then, and we’ll obey your majesty.

856EulaliaOh, let that title die with my late† fortune. Remember it no more, but let me be
        As one of you; nay, rather, an inferior,
        Or I from this abiding† must remove,
        Of which I first made choice, in truth, for love.

857Third Countryman*O madam!† 

858EulaliaTake heed,† good neighbours,
        Beware how you give dignity† or title,† 
        Therein you may transgress.†* 

859Second Countryman*No whit,† good madam.
        Observe the dialect† of France and you
        Shall find ’madam’ given there in courtesy
        To women of low fortunes, unto whom
        ’Tis held a poor addition,† though great queens
        Do grace† and make it royal.

860Eulalia’Tis then the
        Greatness of the person dignifies the 
        Titles, not it the person.* 

861First Countryman*And in that, madam, you are in your content† 
        Above† all titles proper† to great princes.
        But setting this aside, how thrive† your scholars?* 

862EulaliaWe go fairly on.
Enter FIRST GIRL.*
        Look you, sir,
        Here’s one that knew no letter in the book
        Within these ten days, can read hitherto,† 
        And waits for a new lesson.   [To FIRST GIRL]   Proceed hither,† 
        And at your hour I’ll hear you.

863First Girl*Yes, forsooth,† mistress.
Enter SECOND GIRL.*

864EulaliaGood girl, well said. Nay, nay, hold up your head.
        So, so, ’tis very well.   [To SECOND GIRL]   Let’s see your sampler;†
        What an heartsease† is here!*

865LodovicoRight† in its perfect colours.

866EulaliaNay, she’ll do well.   [To SECOND GIRL]   Now take me out* this flower. 
        Keep your work clean† and you shall be a good maid.*
[Enter THIRD GIRL.]*
           [To THIRD GIRL]   Now, where’s your writing-book?†* 

867Third Girl*’Tis here, forsooth.
        Pray, shall I have a join-hand† copy† next?*

868EulaliaNo, child, you must not join-hand yet; you must*
        Make* your letters and your minims† better first. 
        Take heed, you may join-hand too soon and so 
        Mar† all. Still youth desires to be too forward.† 
[Enter FOURTH GIRL.]*
        Go take your lute,* 
        And let me hear you sing the last* I taught you.*

869[Girls]   [Singing]*   What if a day,* or a month,* or a year
        Crown† thy delights*
        With a thousand wished*† contentings?† 
        May not the* chance† of a night or an hour
        Cross† thy delights* 
        With as many* sad tormentings?† 
        Fortune, honour, beauty, birth,** 
        Are but blossoms dying.
        Wanton† pleasures, doting† mirth,* 
        Are but shadows† flying.
        All our joys
        Are but toys,† 
        Idle thoughts deceiving:
        None hath power
        Of an hour
        In our* lives’ bereaving*
Enter DOCTOR and MIDWIFE.

870Lodovico Whither† do you press?† Who would you speak withal?†

871Doctor O sir, for charity sake* give us access unto the holy woman.

872Lodovico Who are you? Or from whence?

873Doctor We are poor pilgrims, man and wife, that are upon our way struck with sad pain and sorrow.

874Andrea Alas, poor pilgrims! Here’s she must do you good.

875Eulalia   [Aside]   How divine justice throws my enemies 
        Into my hands!   [To DOCTOR and MIDWIFE]   What are your griefs?* 

876DoctorMy wife is struck with dumbness.

877AndreaHold a little.
        That’s the greatest grief a woman can endure.* 
        But trouble not thyself to seek for cure;
        Too many a man i’th’ world will change† with thee
        A wife that of her language is too free,
        And give good boot.† 

878EulaliaPray, sir, be you silent.
           [To DOCTOR]   And where’s your pain?

879DoctorHere in this hand, which I
        Desire to show in some more privacy.

880EulaliaBecause your blow cannot be safely given here, you think.
        O sinful wretch! Thou hadst no pain till now,
        Nor was she dumb till divine Providence
        Now at this instant struck her. It is now
        Just as thou say’st, and justly are you punished
        For treacherous counterfeits.† Lodowick, search† his hand.
[LODOVICO grasps the DOCTOR’S hand and a knife falls out of it.]*

881LodovicoHis hand is withered, and lets fall a knife.

882AndreaAs sharp to do a mischief as e’er was felt on.

883EulaliaNow take off his false beard; see if you know him,
        And let the woman be unmuffled.† 
[The DOCTOR and MIDWIFE’S disguises are removed.]*

884LodovicoO devils!

885AndreaO the last couple that came out of hell!*

886LodovicoThese are the other two that damned themselves
        In perjury against you at your trial.

887AndreaHow do you, Master Doctor and Mistress Midwife?
        Is this the pen* your doctorship prescribes with?
        This might soon write that might cure all diseases.* 
        And are these the labours† you go to, Mistress Midnight?* 
        Would you bring women to bed* this way?

888All*O damnable conspirators!

889EulaliaPray take ’em hence, their time’s not come for cure yet.

890AndreaCome away, pilgrims, we’ll cure ’em for you
        If your own salves† can cure you. O my sweet pilgrims!

891First Countryman*Fough,† they stink of treason damnably!

892Second Countryman*What, shall we hang ’m?* Drown ’em? Or burn ’em?

893First Countryman*They shall taste forty deaths, then take their own.

894Second Countryman*Aye,* come, away with ’em; they shall die forty times without peradventure.*

895EulaliaYou shall lose me if you do any violence to any of ’em. But let ’m be lodged with those we took today. I’ll feed ’em all.

896AndreaThey’ll be a jolly company.

897Eulalia Pray do as I entreat.

898Third Countryman* You shall in all command us.

899First Countryman* I’ll make my barn a spittle† for your conspirators till it be top full,† and then set fire on’t, and please you.

900EulaliaDo you no harm and fear none. Send your children.*

901[All Countrymen]* Long live our Queen.

902Andrea Your Queen? Have you a mind to be hanged?

903[All Countrymen]* Our schoolmistress, we would say.

904EulaliaWe live secure† in spite of foes, and see
        Where heaven protects in vain is treachery.
        Who says our* state† is low, or that I fell
        When I was put from court? I did not rise
        Till then, nor was advanced† till now. I see
        Heaven plants me ’bove† the reach of treachery.

905LodovicoO happy, happy saint![COUNTRY PEOPLE exit] with DOCT[OR] and MIDWIFE.
Enter FLAVELLO, alias ALPHONSO,* with a letter to EULALIA, POGGIO and LOLLIO following.

906LollioI would she had a council. She shall have a council, and we will be the heads† thereof, though I be put to the pains† to be president† myself.*

907PoggioIt is most requisite† for her safety: her danger may be great, a good guard, then, in my opinion were more requirable.*

908Lollio ’Tis well considered† – she shall have a guard too, and we will be the limbs† thereof, though I be put to the trouble of captain on’t my self.

909Poggio You will put on all offices, yet count† ’em pain† and trouble.

910Lollio Yes, and perform ’em too here in our court of conscience,* for here’s no other profit† to hinder the duty. Let them above do what they list,† we will have as much care of our schoolmistress as they of their Semiramis.* I speak no treason, nor no trifles† neither, if you mark† it. But she must never know this care† of ours, she’ll urge the Statute of Relief* against it.

911Poggio This is some courtier, sure, that’s with her, he smells ill-favouredly.†*

912Lollio That made me dog† him hither.

913Poggio He shall not have her out of sight,* that’s certain.

914Lollio Nor out of reach neither: a mischief’s quickly done.

915EulaliaNo superscription,† nor any names unto it.   [She reads]   ‘Most royal and most wronged sovereign mistress’* (that must needs be me). ‘Be happily assured your restoration is at hand, and by no* less means than by her death that usurps your dignity’ (a plain† conspiracy against Alinda in my behalf). ‘All shall be determined at Nicosia by your loyal servants. Nameless.’   [To FLAVELLO]   You know not the contents, then, and are bound by oath, you say, not to reveal the senders of this letter?

916[Flavello]*It is most true. Only thus much I tell you,
        They are your noble and best chosen friends.

917Eulalia Heaven! Can it be that men in my respect† can plunge into such danger?

918[Flavello]*So, madam, this being all I had in charge† 
        I must crave† leave.†   [Aside]*   Indeed, I do not like this
        Opportunity,† nor well the countenances† of these hobnols.†

919EulaliaYou are no messenger of such ill tidings
        To part so slightly.†* Indeed you shall not.

920[Flavello]*   [Aside]   She’s honeyed† with the news.   [To EULALIA]   I have already,
        Madam, my reward, and will no longer stay.

921EulaliaThen I must say, ‘you shall stay’, or I’ll send
        A cry as loud as treason after you.

922[Flavello]*You’ll wrong yourself and friends, then.

923All* You wrong yourself, sir, and we charge you stay.*

924[Flavello]*By the command of peasants?

925LollioHow! You choplogical† rascal,† peasants?

926PoggioDown with him into utter darkness.

927EulaliaNo violence, good friends, but if you will 
        Detain him till I give order for his 
        Liberty you do the state good service.*

928LollioMay it do you service?

929PoggioThe state is finely† served already.

930EulaliaMe most of all.

931LollioHell cannot hold him faster then.

932[Flavello]*Madam, hear me—

933LollioMad ass, hold your prating† till she calls you. Meantime you are fast.†   [To POGGIO]   ’Twas time we were a council or a guard.* [They exit with FLAVELLO.]*

934EulaliaI thank thee Providence,* I dreamed not of such ready† help.
        I am struck through with wonder at this letter;
        I could not at the first but think’t† a bait
        To catch my willingness to such an act,* 
        Or gullery† to mock my hopes or wishes,
        In case I had such. Therefore I desired
        The messenger’s restraint from being my relater,† 
        But now a strong belief possesses me
        A noble fury has stirred up some friends
        To this high† enterprise, whereby I gather† 
        My cause is weighed† above,† whence I shall see
        How well my patience overrules my wrong,* 
        And my foes ruined with mine honour’s safety.** 
        But let my better judgement weigh† those thoughts:
        I do not seek revenge, why shall I suffer† it?
        My causeless injuries have brought me honour
        And ’tis her shame† to hear of my mishap.* 
        And if by treachery she fall, the world
        Will judge me accessory, as I were indeed
        In this foreknowledge† of the foul intent,
        Should I conceal it.
        Then here’s the trembling doubt,† which way to take?
        Whether to rise by her destruction
        Or sink my friends, discovering their pretence.† 
        Friends have no privilege† to be treacherous:* 
        She is my sovereign’s wife, his chief† content,
        Of which to rob him were an act of horror* 
        Committed on himself. The question’s then
        Whether it be more foul ingratitude
        To unknown friends, and for an act of sin,
        Than to be treacherous to the prince† I love?
        It is resolved: I’ll once more see the court.
LOLLIO, POGGIO and COUNTRYMEN return.
        O my good patrons,† I must now entreat
        Means† for my journey to attend the King
        On a discovery† for the* present† safety
        Of his fair queen: she will be murdered else.

935Poggio And let her go. We have shut up your newsbringer† safe enough; we’ll* keep you, by your favour, short* enough from hindering such a work.

936Eulalia Dear friends, a small matter† will prevent this world of dangers.

937LollioWould you have us to become traitors, to
        Supply your wants against the proclamation?
        If you be well,† remain so, your industry* 
        Can keep† you here. But for a journey that
        Requires horses and attendants money must be* had,
        Which we have not for such an idle† purpose.

938EulaliaO hear me—

939Poggio Will you neglect your house and trade to meddle any more with state-matters?†

940[Lollio]*And bring our necks in danger to assist you?
        Let your own counsel advise you to stay.Exeunt.*

4.3*
Enter KING [and] PETRUCCIO

941KingHow died the boy?* 

942PetruccioGonzago, sir, your son?* 

943KingMy son? My son? You urge the name of son
        To work† remorse within me, when I ask
        How died that bastard boy,* no son of mine.

944PetruccioHis last words that he spake to me were these:
        ’Go, tell the King my father that his frown
        Hath pierced my heart. Tell him, if all his land
        Be peopled with obedient hearts like mine
        He needs no laws to second† his displeasure,
        To make a general depopulation.† 
        But that he may not lose so much, I pray
        That in my death his misplaced anger die,
        And that his wrath† have double force ’gainst those
        That to his person and his laws are foes.’

945KingDid he say so?

946PetruccioAnd then, as if the spirit of prayer
        Had only been habitual† in his soul,
        He did implore heaven’s goodness to come down,
        Lifting him hence† to shine upon your crown.

947KingThis boy yet might be mine, 
        Though Sforza might have wronged me by the by.†* 

948PetruccioThis done, he prayed me leave the room. I wept, 
        In sooth I could not choose.* 

949KingWell, well. You wept, 
        Returned, and found him dead in’s† bed, you say.* 

950PetruccioYes, in so sweet a posture,† as no statuary†* 
        With best of skill, on most immaculate marble,
        Could fashion† him an image purer, slighter.† 

951KingNo more.

952PetruccioI found his stretched-out fingers which so lately
        Had closed his eyes, still moistened with his tears,
        And on his either cheek* a tear undried,
        Which shone like stars.

953KingIt seems he wept and died.
        Prithee† no more. I cannot, though, forget.
        My threat’nings† were too sharp.† I must forget it.
        I charge you that you levy† up our army
        Against those rebels that we hear give succour† 
        Unto the wretched cause of all my mischiefs,† 
        That hated, ill-lived† woman.
Enter HORATIO.

954HoratioO my dread† liege!†* 

955KingThe matter? Speak,* how does the Queen?

956HoratioO the sweet Queen! I fear, I fear, I fear—

957KingWhat fear’st thou? Speak the worst, I charge thee.

958HoratioI fear she has a moonflaw† in her brains;
        She chides† and fights that* none can look upon her.
        Her father’s ghost is in* her, I think: here she comes.
[Enter ALINDA.]*

959AlindaWhere’s this King? This King of clouts?†* 

960PetruccioFearful effect† of pride!

961AlindaThis shadow† of a King,* that stands set up
        As in a press† among the rags and visors†* 
        That represent his deceased ancestors.

962KingWhat means my love?

963AlindaYour love? Where is your love?
        Where is the preparation that you promised
        Of strength† to tear in pieces that vile witch
        That lives* my soul’s vexation?† Your love?
        You are a load† of torment; your delays 
        To my desires* are hellish cruelties.
        Are these your promises?
HORATIO holds up his hands.

964KingI have given order with all speed† I could.

965AlindaYou could cut off† an old man in a prison,
        That could make no resistance, and you could
        Vex† a poor boy to death, that could but cry
        In his defence. That you could do, but this,
        That has so much show† of fear, or hardness,
        As a few peasants to maintain* a strumpet† 
        Against your dignity, is too much to do
        For a poor coward† King.

966PetruccioWhat a tyrannous ambition* 
        Has the devil puffed up this bladder†* with!

967KingI fear her wits are crazed indeed. Alinda,
        Hear me, gentle love.* 

968AlindaO my torment!

969Horatio As I am true to the crown, I know not what to say to this. She’s falling† mad, sure.†

970AlindaNo, no, you dare not do’t: your army may
        Perhaps i’th’ dangerous action† break a shin
        Or get a bloody nose. It now appears
        My father (as ’twas voiced)† was all your valour.
        Y’ have never a Mars or cuckold-making general* 
        Now left, and for yourself, you’re past† it.

971HoratioHis t’other wife would not have used† him thus. Quiet cuckoldry† is better than scolding chastity all the world over.**

972KingI see distraction† in her face.

973AlindaDid all your brave commanders die in Sforza?*

974PetruccioBy the King’s favour,† madam (not to stir
        The dust of your dead father), he has soldiers
        That know to lead* and execute† no less
        Than did victorious Sforza.

975AlindaSirrah!† You have stirred more than his dust; you 
        Have moved his blood in me unto a justice 
        That claims thy* traitorous head.* 

976PetruccioMy head? And traitorous? 
        I do appeal unto the King.* 

977AlindaA King? 
        A cobweb.* 

978HoratioAnd she the spider in’t I fear.
        My loyalty knows not how to look upon her.

979AlindaIf thou be’st King, thou yet art but that King
        That owes me love and life, and so my subject.

980KingIndeed, Alinda—

981AlindaYes indeed, Gonzago,* 
        Life by inheritance:* for my valiant father,
        Whose life thou took’st, gave thine, and so ’tis mine.* 
        And for your love, you dare not wrest it from me.
        Therefore deny not now my just demand
        In* that proud traitor’s head.

982HoratioShe’s mad beyond all cure.

983KingExamine his offence, my dear Alinda.

984AlindaIs’t not enough Alinda doth command it?* 
        Are these the articles† you gave me grant of?
        Is this the nothing that you would deny me?

985KingSweet, weigh† but his offence.

986AlindaHis head is my offence,* and give me that
        Now, without pause, or by* the strength of Hercules
        I’ll take thee by the horns,* and writhe thine own* off.

987King   [To PETRUCCIO]   Go from her sight, Petruccio. Levy up our forces,
        And let the boy Gonzago be embowelled† 
        And sent as a forerunner† of our fury
        Unto that witch, contriver of these woes.

988Petruccio’Tis done, my liege.[Exit PETRUCCIO.]

989AlindaWas ever woman barred her will* as I am?

990HoratioHere’s a fine woman spoiled now, by humouring her at first and cherishing† her pride.

991AlindaSure you have but mocked me all this while.
        I am no wife, no Queen, but silly† subject.

992King   [Aside]   ’Tis a disease in her that must be soothed:
        Sweet, thou shalt have his head.

993AlindaOh, shall I so?

994KingGo in, it shall be brought thee.

995AlindaMark what I say to bind† you to your word:
        Do it, or I’ll not love you. I can change
        Love into hate, hate into love most sweetly.† 
        Let that man live tomorrow, I’ll love him,
        And do fine feats† with him, such as your t’other† wife
        And Sforza did, but make much better sport† on’t;
        They were an old dry† couple.

996HoratioTake this, take all.*

997AlindaI leave all to your kingly consideration.
        You know your charge: look to’t, and so I leave you.[ALINDA] exit[s].*

998KingWhat wild† affections† do in women reign,
        But this a passion† past all precedent!* 
        Oh, ’tis mere† madness, mixed with devilish cunning,
        To hurl me upon more and endless mischiefs.† 
        It has awaked me to the sight of those
        My fury (sprung from dotage†*) hath already
        Laid in my path — grim spectacles of horror:
        The blood of Sforza and that tender† boy.* 
        Oh, let me think no further, yet stay there;
        To plunge at first into too deep a sense
        Of soul-afflicting terrors drowns the reason
        And stupefies† the conscience, which delivers
        Us over to an insensibility
        Of our misdeeds and of ourselves. Just heaven!
        Afford me light to see I am misled,
        But let it not as lightning blast mine eyes,
        Confound my senses, make me further stray,
        Forever coming back to know my way.

999HoratioHow fares your majesty?

1000KingO Horatio! She’s lost, she’s lost, Horatio.

1001HoratioI would my wife* were with her then: and so would any good subject say, I think.**

1002KingWhat dost thou think?

1003HoratioMarry, I think (and so would any good subject think, I think) as your majesty thinks.

1004KingWhat dost thou think of loyalty now?

1005HoratioTruly, I think there’s now not any warrantable† loyalty left but in Petruccio and myself. The Queen is now out of my catalogue,† and my creed,† too.

1006[Soldiers]   [A Shout Within Crying]   Kill him, kill him! For Sforza, Sforza! Kill him for the blood of Sforza, Sforza! Etc.**

1007KingWhat terrible, what hideous† noise is this?

1008[Soldiers]*   [Within]   Kill him for Sforza, Sforza! Kill him, kill him!

1009HoratioMy loyalty defend me! I know not what to make on’t.†
Enter a Captain distractedly,* SFORZA disguised.

1010KingWhat art thou? Speak. Hadst thou the voice of hell,
        Denouncing all the Furies* in’t, I dare yet hear thee. Speak.

1011[Sforza]*O mighty sir, Petruccio—

1012KingWhat of Petruccio?

1013[Sforza]*O Petruccio! I tremble but to speak* him.

1014KingShall I then with the prophetic spirit of a king
        Speak* of Petruccio? He is turned traitor
        And animates† the soldiers against me,
        Upon the discontent† Alinda gave him
        Now in her fury. Is’t not so?

1015Horatio’Tis so, ’tis so. Ne’er ask him for the matter.† 
        I thought so, just, just as your majesty thought it,
        And find, withal,† that now you have not left
        A loyal heart but in Horatio’s bosom
        Now that Petruccio fails. I fear’d ’twould come
        To that: nay, knew’t.† Oh, hang him, hang him,
        False hearted villain! He was never right,
        And so I always told your majesty.Shout [within].**

1016KingThe cry comes nearer still.* What, does he mean
        To bring my army on to massacre
        Me in my house?

1017[Sforza]*Dread† sir, vouchsafe attention.* 
        Petruccio is loyal: ’tis his loyalty
        And most sincere† obedience to your will
        That brings him to the ruin† of his life
        Unless your awful† presence make prevention.* 

1018KingIs then his loyalty become his danger?

1019[Sforza]*As thus, great sir, in the late† execution
        Of death-doomed† Sforza, which the soldier* 
        (Not looking on your justice,* but the feud
        That was betwixt Petruccio and him)
        Resents as if it were Petruccio’s act
        Not yours that cut him off.* And still, as madly
        Bewitched with Sforza’s love as ignorant
        Of the desert of brave Petruccio,
        They all turn head upon* him, and as if
        ’Twere in his power to new create him to them,
        They cry to him for ‘Sforza, Sforza’. Or if not,
        Petruccio’s life must answer Sforza’s blood.† 

1020KingLeft you him in that distress?

1021[Sforza]*He did prevail
        With much entreaty, by some private reasons,
        Upon their fury for an hour’s respite,
        In which dear† time ’tis only you may save
        Guiltless Petruccio from a timeless† grave.

1022KingThou art a soldier, art not?

1023[Sforza]*And have commanded in your highness’ wars.

1024KingMethinks I should remember, but I’ll trust thee.

1025HoratioI hope you’ll be advised,† though, how† you run
        Into this wildfire† of rebellion.

1026KingMy fortune is more desperate than his:
        I am beset† and circled in† with mischiefs,
        Waylaid† with heaps† of dangers everywhere.
        Yet I will on: kings were not made to fear.
        I’ll fetch him off,† and the more readily† 
        For my misprision† of his loyalty.
        Could I think that man false?† 

1027HoratioNo, sir, nor I.
        By all means fetch him off.† That loyal general
        Is tenfold worth* the whole rebellious army;
        Save him and hang them all.[Exeunt.]

4.4*
Enter PETRUCCIO with a rabble† of SOLDIERS and two CAPTAINS.

1028[Captains and Soldiers]Come, come, away with him, away with him!*

1029PetruccioHave you no faith,† nor due† obedience
        Unto the King? This outrage† is ’gainst him,
        In me he suffers.

1030First CaptainWe obey the King,
        And ’tis his justice that we cut your throat
        For doing such outrage in the death of our brave general,
        That had you lives more† than false drops of blood
        They were not all sufficient† satisfaction† for his loss.

1031Second CaptainYour limited† hour† draws on apace:† prepare.
Enter a SERVANT.

1032PetruccioHe’s come within that hour that shall relieve me.
        Where is he? Is he come?

1033ServantYou are betrayed.
        He’s fled and gone: no such man to be found.

1034PetruccioThen faith is fled from man. Is Sforza fled?
        Why should I wish to live now honour’s dead?
        Now take your bloody course, and in my fall
        Martyr the man that saved your general.

1035First CaptainSaved him? How saved?

1036PetruccioSforza lives.

1037SoldiersHow’s that? How’s that? That, that again.

1038PetruccioAs I now live, I set him free from prison,
        Trusting unto his honour to secure me,
        In which I did abuse† the King’s authority
        To th’ forfeit† of my life.

1039SoldiersThis sounds,† this sounds.

1040First CaptainBut does this sound well† from a soldier’s mouth?

1041Second CaptainHe is not now worthy of death before
        He be well whipped for lying.

1042[Soldiers]   [Within]*   The King, the King, the King!

1043First CaptainHe could never come in a better time, to see
        How bravely† we will do justice for him.
[Enter KING and SFORZA.]

1044KingHow comes this fury raised amongst ye soldiers?
        Have you forgot my laws and person† too?

1045First CaptainWe honour both thus low.   [Bows]   Now give* us leave† 
        To look like men and give your highness welcome
        To see a general of your election† 
        Die with a lie in’s† mouth. Your soldier here,
        None of the good Queen’s old ones.

1046KingDare you both judge and execute this man?

1047Second CaptainWe dare to kill the hangman of our general,
        And think it fits our office best, though you
        Have law enough to waive† our care† and pain† 
        And hang him up yourself, for he affirms† 
        That he let Sforza live ’gainst your command,
        And that’s the lie we treat of.

1048KingI’ll give you all your pardons and him honour† 
        To make that true.

1049SforzaYour kingly word is taken.Discovers himself.
        Noble Petruccio, thou art disengaged,† 
        And if the temper† of the King’s high† anger
        Blow† still above his justice, let it crush
        This cloud that holds a shower of innocent blood,
        Willing to fall and calm his violent fury.

1050[Captains and Soldiers]*Our general lives! A Sforza,* Sforza!

1051KingSforza!

1052PetruccioYou have outdone me in nobility.

1053KingI am all wonder.† Now this man appears
        The mansion† and habitual† seat† of honour,
        Of which he seems so full, there cannot be
        An angle† in his breast to lodge† so base
        An inmate† as disloyalty. If so,
        How was Eulalia false?† Or how Gonzago,
        That tender boy, the fruit of lawless lust?
        There I am lost again. Great power, that knowest
        The subtlety of hearts, show me some light
        Through these Cimmerian mists of doubts and fears,
        In which I am perplexed even to distraction.† 
        Show me, show me yet the face of glorious truth,† 
        Where I may read, if I have erred,† which way 
        I was misled.* 
HORATIO enters.

1054[Horatio]O my dread† Lord!

1055KingThy news?

1056HoratioO my sweet sovereign!

1057KingArt thou distracted† too?

1058HoratioNo sir. The Queen, the Queen, the Queen’s distracted,
        And I am like† to be, and you, and any man
        That loves the King, unless some conjurer† 
        Be found to lay the devil, I mean Sforza.
        Sforza, sir (would you think?), that monstrous traitor
        Sforza walks in the court without a head,
        Appeared unto the Queen. I found her talking with him,
        Kneeling and praying him to give her pardon,
        Told him indeed ’twas she that sought his head,
        And that she thought that being now a queen
        She might by her prerogative† take heads,
        Whose and as many as she listed.† But
        She promised she would send it him again,
        Or else Petruccio’s first, or if he would 
        Forgive her this time, she’d do so no more.* 
        He seemed he would not hear her; then she beat
        Herself against the walls and floor, and flies
        To free her self by th’ windows, calls for poison,
        Knife, rope, or anything whereby to follow
        Her most abusèd† father. What to make on’t,
        As I am true to th’ crown, I must refer† 
        Only unto your majesty.

1059KingOh, ’tis fearful!

1060PetruccioMy lord, you saw not th’ apparition,† did you?

1061HoratioNot I, I saw him not, nor has the devil
        Power in a traitor’s shadow to appear
        Unto a loyal subject.   [Sees SFORZA]   Hah! My loyalty
        And truth unto the crown defend me!
        See, the very foresaid† devil at my elbow,
        Head and all now. Avoid,† attempt me not, Satan,
        I do conjure† thee by all the virtues of a loyal courtier.

1062SforzaThey are all too weak to charm a devil, sir,
        But me they may, your friend.

1063HoratioI defy thee, 
        Beelzebub.* 

1064PetruccioWhat do you see, my lord?

1065HoratioLook there, the apparition, there it is,
        As like the traitor Sforza when he lived
        As devil can be like a devil — Oh!

1066PetruccioFear not. He lives, and loyal* to the King.

1067HoratioDoes the King say so?

1068SforzaGive me your hand, my lord,
        The King will say so, if this be flesh and blood.

1069Horatio Aye,* if thou be’st flesh and blood. But how to believe that I know not, when my touch† makes me sweat out a whole shower of pure loyalty.

1070KingNo more, Horatio. I find that my credulity† 
        Has been wrought on unto my much abuse,
        And Sforza now appears an honest man.

1071HoratioWho ever thought otherwise? Or how
        Could he in nature† appear less than loyal?
        O my right noble lord, I weep thy welcome.

1072KingBack, soldiers, to your duty. Learn of me
        Hereafter how to judge with equity.† 

1073SoldiersLong live the King!CAPT[AINS] and SOLDIERS [exit].*

1074KingNow in the midst of my soul-frighting† objects† 
        I cannot but applaud your mutual friendship.

1075HoratioYes, and how equally I affect† them both.

1076KingOh, that mischance† propitiously† might be
        A light† to reconcile my thoughts and me.

1077SforzaMay you be pleased, sir, then to let the cause
        In which your injured Queen, your son and I,
        And truth itself have suffered be reviewed?
        The mischievous† creature that was drunk† now’s mad
        With brain-confounding† strong† ambition;
        She whom your ill-placed love graced as a wife,
        Whom now I am not fond of to call daughter,
        It seems is past examination.† 

1078HoratioMad, mad, most irrecoverably mad.

1079SforzaBut let those hell-bred witnesses be called
        And re-examined.

1080HoratioThey are not to be found.

1081KingNo? Where is Flavello?

1082PetruccioNot seen in court 
        These ten days.* 

1083HoratioLet me out-squeeze that court-sponge.
        If I do not fetch out† the poisonous corruption
        Of all this practice,† let me yet be guilty.
Post-Horn.*
Enter PEDRO [with] letters.

1084KingFrom whence art thou?

1085PedroYour province of Palermo
        Thus low submits in duty to your highness,[Bows]
        The service and the lives of whose inhabitants
        So truly are subjected† to your power
        That needless is the preparation
        Which with much grief we hear you make against us,
        By hostile force to root up a rebellion
        Bred merely out of rumour.

1086KingPeace, no more:
        I find the province loyal.

1087HoratioWho made doubt on’t?† 
        I’ll undertake to find more toads in Ireland
        Than rebels in Palermo, were the Queen –
        Queen did I call her? – that disloyal woman
        And that sly traitor Lodovico out on’t.

1088KingSee Sforza, see Petruccio, what Lodovico,
        That trusty and true-hearted† lord, has wrote me:
        He has ended all my doubts, good man.

1089HoratioAh, ah! Does not your grace come to me now?
        I thought I would put your highness to’t for once
        To try what you would say. When Lodovico
        Does not prove trusty, then let me be trussed.† 

1090Petruccio’Tis a most happy information.

1091KingAye,* do you note the passages?†

1092Sforza’Tis indeed worthy a king’s regard:† you see
        Your way.† 

1093KingYes, yes, I know now what to do,
        And mean to put it presently† in act.

1094HoratioThis I foresaw would prove an hour of comfort;† 
        The stars themselves ne’er† saw events more plainly.

1095KingHow full of April-changes is our life?
        Now a fit† shower of sad, distilling† rain,
        And by and by the sun breaks forth again.[They all exit.]*

Edited by Lucy Munro