SCENE VI.

AND. Curs'd be old age, and he that first Number'd fourscore! What devil has betray'd us to a doating fool? Did I but now promise myself, what hopes Ambitious thoughts could reach; and shall I sink Down to my first foundation without the pleasure of A tasted greatness? Death and disgrace! I dare provoke the utmost of your malice, After the sweetness of some sharp revenge.

_Enter_ LIBACER _in haste_.

LIB. Madam, my master.

AND. You may both hang together.

LIB. Why, this it is, if a man should kill his father For you, he should be thus rewarded; as soon as Your turn's served, I may be hang'd that did it.

AND. Since he is dead, how was it done?

LIB. Why, nothing; only as he was taking water At the Rialto, his foot slipp'd a little, And he came tumbling in the sea; Whence he was taken up, but not alive.

AND. Heav'n prospers not these courses, I see it plainly; let them be acted with as much closeness, Or to what end soever, they never thrive. Libacer, We are undone, undone; the king hath found His son here, and I have lost him to eternity.

LIB. You women are the shallowest creatures; You never look beyond the present. Rome was not built in one day, madam; Greatness is never sweet that comes too easily. Should Plangus be a fool now, and obey his father-- Pox o' this virtue, it spoils most men living. We have hopes yet: revenge is something; And if my old trade fail not. Princes are mortal as well as other men; Yet my soul inspires me with half a confidence That Leon hath not died in vain. I use to see As far into mischief as another: I'll go to him, And if I bring him not within this half hour, As hot and eager on the scent as e'er he was, Take me and hang me at my coming home-- Madam, here is a messenger from court.

[_As he is going out he meets_ ARTESIO.

AND. If from thence, I may be bold to ask How Plangus, the noblest prince alive, doth?

ART. Madam, as well as soldiers can That are sick for honour; I suppose by this time H' hath left the court, and is gone in quest for glory, Which h' intends to ravish from young Argo's brow, The valiant leader of the Argives' army.

AND. I'm confident then, sir, Your business is not to me; if anybody else Hath sent you, sir, be pleas'd to spare the message, And tell them, I neither have learned the tricks O' th' court, nor yet intend it; I want no new gowns, And have heard men forswear themselves In better language and to better purpose Than gaining of a lady's honour.

ART. Madam, my business is from the king, Who doth entreat you would be pleas'd to bless The court this afternoon with your fair presence, And bring an answer; I must not stay for one.

[_Exit_ ARTESIO.

AND. Now we do see an end of all our mischiefs; The prince hath gone from court, and the king Hath sent for us. Doth not the name Strike terror to thy curdling blood?

LIB. No, by my troth, not at all. As far as I see, you're better than you were. I'll lay my life the old man would turn gamester. Take my counsel, play deep, or not at all: Not an ace under a kingdom. Your grace, I hope, will remember your poor friends.

AND. If I do find any such thing, Let me alone to melt his ice. Go, get me mourning with all haste.

[_Exit_ LIBACER.

Let froward Fortune do her worst; I shall Create my greatness, or attempting fall: And when I fall, I will deserve my ruin.

[_Exit._