SCENE I.

_The cornets sound for the Act._

_The dumb show._

_Enter at one door_ CASTILIO _and_ FOROBOSCO, _with halberts; four Pages with torches_; LUCIO, _bare_; PIERO, MARIA, _and_ ALBERTO, _talking_; ALBERTO _draws out his dagger_, MARIA _her knife, aiming to menace the Duke. Then_ GALEATZO, _betwixt two Senators, reading a paper to them, at which they all make semblance of loathing_ PIERO, _and knit their fists at him; two Ladies and_ NUTRICHE. _All these go softly over the stage, whilst at the other door enters the ghost of_ ANDRUGIO, _who passeth by them, tossing his torch about his head in triumph. All forsake the stage, saving_ ANDRUGIO, _who, speaking, begins the Act_.

_Ghost of And. Venit dies, tempusque, quo reddat suis Animam squalentem sceleribus._

The[314] fist of strenuous vengeance is clutch'd, And stern Vindicta tow'reth up aloft, That she may fall with a more weighty paise, And crush life's sap from out Piero's veins. Now 'gins the leprous cores of ulcered sins Wheel to a head; now is his fate grown mellow, Instant to fall into the rotten jaws Of chap-fall'n death. Now down looks Providence, 10 T'attend the last act of my son's revenge. Be gracious, observation, to our scene, For now the plot unites his scatter'd limbs Close in contracted bands. The Florence Prince (Drawn by firm notice of the Duke's black deeds) Is made a partner in conspiracy. The states of Venice are so swoll'n in hate Against the Duke for his accursèd deeds (Of which they are confirm'd by some odd letters Found in dead Strotzo's study, which had past 20 Betwixt Piero and the murd'ring slave) That they can scarce retain from bursting forth In plain revolt. O, now triumphs my ghost, Exclaiming, Heaven's just, for I shall see The scourge of murder and impiety!

[_Exit._

[314] This line is ridiculed in _The Poetaster_, v. 1:-- "Break his back, O poets all and some! for now we list _Of strenuous vengeance to clutch the fist_."