SCENE I.--_A Room in the Palace.

_Enter_ AMBITIOSO _and_ SUPERVACUO.

_Sup._ Brother, let my opinion sway you once; I speak it for the best, to have him die Surest and soonest; if the signet come Unto the judge's hand, why then his doom Will be deferred till sittings and court-days, Juries, and further. Faiths are bought and sold; Oaths in these days are but the skin of gold.

_Amb._ In troth, 'tis true too.

_Sup._ Then let's set by the judges, And fall to the officers; 'tis but mistaking The duke our father's meaning; and where he named "Ere many days"--'tis but forgetting that, And have him die i' the morning.

_Amb._ Excellent! Then am I heir! duke in a minute!

_Sup._ [_Aside_.] Nay, An he were once puffed out, here is a pin Should quickly prick your bladder.

_Amb._ Blessed occasion! He being packed, we'll have some trick and wile To wind our younger brother out of prison, That lies in for the rape. The lady's dead, And people's thoughts will soon be burièd.

_Sup._ We may with safety do't, and live and feed; The duchess' sons are too proud to bleed.

_Amb._ We are, i' faith, to say true--come, let's not linger: I'll to the officers; go you before, And set an edge upon the executioner.

_Sup._ Let me alone to grind. [_Exit._

_Amb._ Meet farewell! I am next now; I rise just in that place, Where thou'rt cut off; upon thy neck, kind brother; The falling of one head lifts up another. [_Exit._