SCENE IV.

[_Enter_] Two Pilgrims _to the Shrine of our_ Lady of Loretto.

_1 Pil._ I have not seen a goodlier shrine than this; Yet I have visited many.

_2 Pil._ The Cardinal of Arragon Is this day to resign his cardinal’s hat; His sister duchess likewise is arriv’d To pay her vow of pilgrimage. I expect 5 A noble ceremony.

_1 Pil._ No question.—They come. [_Here the ceremony of the Cardinal’s instalment in the habit of a soldier performed in delivering up his cross, hat, robes and ring at the shrine, and investing him with sword, helmet, shield, and spurs. Then_ ANTONIO, _the_ DUCHESS _and their children, having presented themselves at the shrine, are, by a form of banishment in dumb-show expressed towards them by the_ CARDINAL _and the state of Ancona, banished: during all which ceremony, this ditty is sung, to very solemn music, by divers church-men; and then exeunt_ [_all except the_ Two Pilgrims].

Arms and honours deck thy story,[3739] To thy fame’s eternal glory! Adverse fortune ever fly thee; No disastrous fate come nigh thee! 10 I alone will sing thy praises, Whom to honour virtue raises, And thy study, that divine is, Bent to martial discipline is, Lay aside all those robes lie by thee; 15 Crown thy arts with arms, they ’ll beautify thee.

O worthy of worthiest name, adorn’d in this manner, Lead bravely thy forces on under war’s warlike banner! O, mayst thou prove fortunate in all martial courses! Guide thou still by skill in arts and forces! 20 Victory attend thee nigh, whilst fame sings loud thy powers; Triumphant conquest crown thy head, and blessings pour down showers!

_1 Pil._ Here’s a strange turn of state! who would have thought So great a lady would have match’d herself Unto so mean a person? Yet the cardinal 25 Bears himself much too cruel.

_2 Pil._ They are banish’d.

_1 Pil._ But I would ask what power hath this state Of Ancona to determine of a free prince?

_2 Pil._ They are a free state, sir, and her brother show’d How that the Pope, fore-bearing of her looseness, 30 Hath seiz’d into th’ protection of the church The dukedom which she held as dowager.

_1 Pil._ But by what justice?

_2 Pil._ Sure, I think by none, Only her brother’s instigation.

_1 Pil._ What was it with such violence he took 35 Off from her finger?

_2 Pil._ ’T was her wedding-ring; Which he vow’d shortly he would sacrifice To his revenge.

_1 Pil._ Alas, Antonio! If that a man be thrust into a well, 39 No matter who sets hand to ’t, his own weight Will bring him sooner to th’ bottom. Come, let ’s hence. Fortune makes this conclusion general, All things do help th’ unhappy man to fall. _Exeunt._