SCENE II.--_The same.

FRANCISCO DE MEDICIS, MONTICELSO, CAMILLO, _and_ MARCELLO.

_Mont._ Here is an emblem, nephew, pray peruse it: 'Twas thrown in at your window.

_Cam._ At my window! Here is a stag, my lord, hath shed his horns, And, for the loss of them, the poor beast weeps: The word,[40] _Inopem me copia fecit_.[41]

_Mont._ That is, Plenty of horns hath made him poor of horns.

_Cam._ What should this mean?

_Mont._ I'll tell you: 'tis given out You are a cuckold.

_Cam._ Is it given out so? I had rather such report as that, my lord, Should keep within doors.

_Fran. de Med._ Have you any children?

_Cam._ None, my lord.

_Fran. de Med._ You are the happier: I'll tell you a tale.

_Cam._ Pray, my lord.

_Fran. de Med._ An old tale. Upon a time Phœbus, the god of light, Or him we call the Sun, would needs be married: The gods gave their consent, and Mercury Was sent to voice it to the general world. But what a piteous cry there straight arose Amongst smiths and felt-makers, brewers and cooks, Reapers and butterwomen, amongst fishmongers, And thousand other trades, which are annoyed By his excessive heat! 'twas lamentable. They came to Jupiter all in a sweat, And do forbid the bans. A great fat cook Was made their speaker, who entreats of Jove That Phœbus might be gelded; for, if now, When there was but one sun, so many men Were like to perish by his violent heat, What should they do if he were married, And should beget more, and those children Make fire-works like their father? So say I; Only I will apply it to your wife: Her issue, should not providence prevent it, Would make both nature, time, and man repent it.

_Mont._ Look you, cousin, Go, change the air, for shame; see if your absence Will blast your cornucopia. Marcello Is chosen with you joint commissioner For the relieving our Italian coast From pirates.

_Mar._ I am much honoured in't.

_Cam._ But, sir, Ere I return, the stag's horns may be sprouted Greater than those are shed.

_Mont._ Do not fear it: I'll be your ranger.

_Cam._ You must watch i' the nights; Then's the most danger.

_Fran. de Med._ Farewell, good Marcello: All the best fortunes of a soldier's wish Bring you a-ship-board!

_Cam._ Were I not best, now I am turned soldier, Ere that I leave my wife, sell all she hath, And then take leave of her?

_Mont._ I expect good from you, Your parting is so merry.

_Cam._ Merry, my lord! o' the captain's humour right; I am resolvèd to be drunk this night. [_Exeunt_ CAMILLO _and_ MARCELLO.

_Fran. de Med._ So, 'twas well fitted: now shall we discern How his wished absence will give violent way To Duke Brachiano's lust.

_Mont._ Why, that was it; To what scorned purpose else should we make choice Of him for a sea-captain? and, besides, Count Lodowick, which was rumoured for a pirate, Is now in Padua.

_Fran. de Med._ Is't true?

_Mont._ Most certain. I have letters from him, which are suppliant To work his quick repeal from banishment: He means to address himself for pension Unto our sister duchess.

_Fran. de Med._ O, 'twas well: We shall not want his absence past six days. I fain would have the Duke Brachiano run Into notorious scandal; for there's naught In such cursed dotage to repair his name, Only the deep sense of some deathless shame.

_Mont._ It may be objected, I am dishonourable To play thus with my kinsman; but I answer, For my revenge I'd stake a brother's life, That, being wronged, durst not avenge himself.

_Fran. de Med._ Come, to observe this strumpet.

_Mont._ Curse of greatness! Sure he'll not leave her?

_Fran. de Med._ There's small pity in't: Like misletoe on sear elms spent by weather, Let him cleave to her, and both rot together. [_Exeunt._