SCENE II.--_The Courtyard of a Prison.

_Enter_ LUSSURIOSO _with_ Nobles.

_Lus._ My lords, I am so much indebted to your loves For this, O, this delivery--

_1st Noble._ Put our duties, my lord, unto the hopes that grow in you.

_Lus._ If e'er I live to be myself, I'll thank you. O liberty, thou sweet and heavenly dame! But hell for prison is too mild a name. [_Exeunt._

_Enter_ AMBITIOSO _and_ SUPERVACUO, _with_ Officers.

_Amb._ Officers, here's the duke's signet, your firm warrant, Brings the command of present death along with it Unto our brother, the duke's son; we are sorry That we are so unnaturally employed In such an unkind office, fitter far For enemies than brothers.

_Sup._ But, you know, The duke's command must be obeyed.

_1st Off._ It must and shall, my lord. This morning, then-- So suddenly?

_Amb._ Ay, alas! poor, good soul! He must breakfast betimes; the executioner Stands ready to put forth his cowardly valour.

_2nd Off._ Already?

_Sup._ Already, i' faith. O sir, destruction hies, And that is least imprudent,[215] soonest dies.

_1st Off._ Troth, you say true. My lord, we take our leaves: Our office shall be sound; we'll not delay The third part of a minute.

_Amb._ Therein you show Yourselves good men and upright. Officers, Pray, let him die as private as he may; Do him that favour; for the gaping people Will but trouble him at his prayers, And make him curse and swear, and so die black. Will you be so far kind?

_1st Off._ It shall be done, my lord.

_Amb._ Why, we do thank you; if we live to be-- You shall have a better office.

_2nd Off._ Your good lordship--

_Sup._ Commend us to the scaffold in our tears,

_1st Off._ We'll weep, and do your commendations.

_Amb._ Fine fools in office! [_Exeunt_ Officers.

_Sup._ Things fall out so fit!

_Amb._ So happily! come, brother! ere next clock, His head will be made serve a bigger block.[216] [_Exeunt._