King.My lords,What heavy sounds are these?—nearer and nearer! ha!Andrea the forerunner of these news?Nay, then I fear Spain’s inevitable ill.Ha! Andrea, speak! what news from Portugal?What, is [the] tribute paid? Or peace or wars?And.Wars, my dread liege.King.Why thenThat bleeding object doth presage what shallHereafter follow. What’s he that lies there slain,Or hurt, or both? Speak.And.My liege, Alcario, duke Medina’s son;And by that slave this purple act was done.Med.Who names Alcario slain? ah me, ’tis he:Art thou that villain?Laz.How didst thou know my name?I see an excellent villain hath his fame,As well as a great courtier.Med.Speak, villain: wherefore didst thou this accursed deed?Laz.Because I was an ass, a villainous ass;For had I hit it right, Andrea had lain there;He walk’d upright: this ominous mistake,This damned error,Breedeth in my soul an everlasting terror.King.Say, slave, how came this accurs’d evil?Laz.Faith, by myself, my short sword, and the devil.To tell you all without a tedious tongue,I’ll cut them down, my words shall not hang[305]long.That hapless bleeding lord Alcario,Which this hand slew, pox on’t, was a huge doaterOn Bell’-Imperia’s beauty, who repliedIn scorn, and his hot suit denied;For her affections were all firmly plantedIn Don Andrea’s bosom; yet, unwise,He still pursued it with blind lover’s eyes.Then hired he me with gold—O fate, thou elf!To kill Andrea, which here killed himself;For, not content to stay the time of murder,He took Andrea’s shape unknown to me,And in all parts disguised, as there you see,Intending, as it seemed by that sly shift,To steal away her troth; short tale to tell,I took him for Andrea—down he fell.King.O impious deed,To make the heir of honour melt and bleed!Bear him away to execution.Laz.Nay, lord Lorenzo, where’s the pardon? ’sfoot,I’ll peach else.[Aside.Lor.Peace, Lazarotto, I’ll get it of the king.[Aside.Laz.Do it quickly then, or I’ll spread villainy.[Aside.Lor.My lord, he is the most notorious rogue,That ever breath’d,[In his ear.King.Away with him.Lor.Your highness may do well to bar his speech,’Tis able to infect a virtuous ear.King.Away with him, I will not hear him speak.Laz.My lord Lorenzo is a——[They stop his mouth, and bear him in.Jer.Is not this a monstrous courtier?Hor.He is the court-toad, father.King.Tribute denied us? ha!And.It is, my liege, and that with no mean words:He will redeem his honour lost with swords.King.So daring! ha! so peremptory!Can you remember the words he spake?And.Word for word, my gracious sovereign,And these they were—thus much—return to Spain:Say, that our settled judgment hath advised usWhat tribute is, how poor that monarch showsWho for his throne a yearly pension owes;And what our predecessors lost to Spain,We have fresh spirits that can renew it again.King.Ha! so peremptory, daring, stout!And.Then, my liege,According to your gracious dread command,I bad defiance with a vengeful hand.Spain.He entertained it?And.Aye, and returned it with menacing brows;Prince Balthezar his sonGrew violent, and wish’d the fight begun.EnterLorenzo.Lor.So, so, I have sent my slave to hell;Though he blab there, the devils will not tell.A Tucket within.[306]Spain.How now! what means this trumpet’s sound?Enter a Messenger.Mes.My liege, the PortugalsAre up in arms, glittering in steel.Spain.Where’s our lord general, Lorenzo, stout Andrea,With whom I rank sprightly Horatio?What! for shame, shall the PortugalsTrample the fields before you?Gen.No, my liege, there’s time enoughTo let out blood enough: tribute shall flowOut of their bowels, and be tendered so.Spain.Farewell, brave lords; my wishes are bequeath’d,A nobler rank of spirits never breath’d.[Exeunt King and Nobles.Jer.O my sweet boy, heaven shield thee still from care!O, be as fortunate as thou art fair!Hor.And heaven bless you, my father, in this fight,That I may see your grey head crown’d in white![Exeunt.EnterAndreaandBell’-Imperia.Bel.You came but now, [and] must you part again?You told me that your spiritShould put on peace; but, see, war follows war.And.Nay, sweet love, cease;To be denied our honour: why, ’twere baseTo breathe and live; and war[307]in such a caseIs even as necessary as our blood.Swords are in season then when right’s withstood:Deny us tribute, that so many yearsWe have in peace told out? why, it would raiseSpleen in the host of angels! ’twere enoughTo make our tranquil saints of angry stuff.Bel.You have o’erwrought the chiding of my breast;And by that argument you firmly proveHonour to soar above the pitch of love.Lend me thy loving and thy warlike arm,On which I knit this soft and silken charm,Tied with an amorous knot: O, may it proveEnchanted armour, being charm’d by love;That when it mounts up to thy warlike crest,It may put by the sword, and so be blest.And.O, what divinity proceeds from love!What happier fortune than myself can move!—Hark! the drum beckons me; sweet dear, fare well!This scarf shall be my charm ’gainst foes and hell.Bel.O, let me kiss thee first.And.The drum again!Bel.Hath that more power than I?And.Do’t quickly then: farewell![ExitAndrea.Bel.Farewell! O cruel part!Andrea’s bosom bears away my heart.[ExitBell’-Imperia.EnterBalthezar,Alexandro,Vollupo,DonPedro,with Soldiers, Drum, and Colours.Bal.Come, valiant spirits, you peers of Portugal,That owe your lives, your faiths, and services,To set you free from base captivity.O, let our fathers’ scandal ne’er be seenAs a base blush upon our free-born cheeks;Let all the tribute that proud Spain receivedOf those all captive Portugals deceased,Turn into chafe, and choke their insolence.Methinks, no moiety, not one little thoughtOf them whose servile acts live in their graves,But should raise spleens big as a cannon-bulletWithin your bosoms: O, for honour,Your country’s reputation, your lives’ freedom,Indeed your all, that may be termed revenge,Now let your bloods be liberal as the sea;And all those wounds that you receiv[’d] of Spain,Let theirs be equal to quit yours again.Speak, Portugals! are you resolved as I,To live like captives, or as free-born die?Vol.Prince Balthezar, as you say, so say we;To die with honour, scorn captivity.Alex.Why, spoke like true Portugals indeed;I am assured of your forwardness.Now, Spain, sit firm, I’ll make thy towers shake,And all that gold thou hadst from Portugal,Which makes thy court melt in luxuriousness,I vow to have it treble at thy hands.Hark, Portugals! I hear their Spanish drum:March on, and meet them; this must be the day,That all they have received they back must pay.[The Portugals march about.EnterJeronimo,Andrea,Horatio,Lorenzo,Lord General,Rogero,and Attendants, with Drum and Colours.Jer.What, are you braving us before we come!We’ll be as shrill as you: strike ’larum, drum.[They sound a flourish on both sides.Bal.Thou inch of Spain!Thou man, from thy hose downward scarce so much!Thou very little longer than thy beard!Speak not such big words; they’ll throw thee down,Little Jeronimo! words greater than thyself!It must not [be].Jer.And thou long thing of Portugal, why not?Thou, that art full as tallAs an English gallows, upper beam and all,Devourer of apparel, thou huge swallower,My hose will scarce make thee a standing collar.What! have I almost quited you?And.Have done, impatient marshal.Bal.Spanish combatants,What! do you set a little pigmy marshalTo question with a prince?And.No, prince Balthezar;I have desired him peace, that we might war:What! is the tribute-money tendered yet?Bal.Tribute? ha, ha!What else: Wherefore meet our drums,But to tender and receive the sumsOf many a bleeding heart which, ere sun fall,Shall pay dear tribute, even their lives and all.And.Prince Balthezar, I know your valiant spirit;I know your courage to be tried and good,And yet, O prince, be not confirmed in blood:Not that I taste of fear or cowardice,But of religion, piety, and loveTo many bosoms, that yet firmly moveWithout disturbed spleens. O, in thy heartWeigh the dear drops of many a purple part,That must be acted on the field’s green stage,Before the evening dews quench the sun’s rage.Let tribute be appeased and so stayed,And let not wonted fealty be denayedTo our desertful kingdom. Portugals,Keep your forefathers’ oaths; that virtue craves;Let them not lie foresworn now in their graves,To make their ashes perjured and unjust,For heaven can be revenged on their dust.They swore to Spain, both for themselves and you;And will posterity prove their sires untrue?This should not be ’mong men of virtuous sp’rit:Pay tribute thou, and receive peace and writ.Bal.O virtuous coward!Hor.O ignoble spirit!To term him coward for his virtuous merit!And.Coward! nay, then, relentless rib of steel,What virtue cannot, thou shalt make him feel.Lor.Proud Alexandro, thou art mine.Alex.Agreed.Rog.And thou, Vollupo, mine.Vol.I’ll make thee bleed.Hor.And thou, Don Pedro, mine.DonPed.I care not whose; or thine, or thine, or all at once.Bal.I bind thee, Don Andrea, by thy honour,Thy valiancy, and all that thou hold’st great,To meet me single in the battle’s heat;Where I’ll set down, in characters on thy flesh,Four precious lines, spoke by our father’s mouth,When first thou cam’st embassador; these they are:’Tis said we shall not answer, at next birth,Our fathers’ faults in heaven, why then on earth?Which proves and shows,That what they lost by base captivity,We may redeem with wonted valiancy:And to this crimson end our colours spread;Our courages are new-born, our valours bredTherefore, Andrea, as thou tenderest fame,Wars, reputation, and a soldier’s name,Meet me.And.I will.Bal.Single me out.And.I shall.Alex.Do you the like.Lor.And you all, and we.And.Can we be foes, and all so well agreed?Bal.Why, man, in war there’s bleeding amity;And he this day gives me the deepest wound,I’ll call him brother.And.Then, prince, call me so;To gain that name, I’ll give the deepest blow.Jer.Nay. then, if brotherhood by strokes come due,I hope, boy, thou wilt gain a brother too.Hor.Father, doubt it not.And.Lord general,Breathe, like your name, a general defiance’Gainst Portugal.Gen.Defiance to the Portugals!Bal.The likeBreathe our lord general against the Spaniards.Gen.Defiance to the Spaniards!And.Now cease, words:I long to hear the music of clashed swords.Bal.Why, thou shalt hear it presently.[They offer to fight.And.Quickly then.Bal.Why now.Gen.O stay, my lords,This will but breed a mutiny in the camp.Bal.I am all fire, Andrea.And.Art thou? good:Why, then, I’ll quench thee, prince, with thine own blood.Bal.Adieu!And.Adieu!Bal.Let’s meet.And.’Tis meet we did.[Exeunt Portugals.Lor.Alexandro.Alex.Lorenzo.Rog.Vollupo.Vol.Rogero.Hor.Don Pedro.DonPed.Horatio.Jer.Aye, aye, Don Pedro, my boy shall meet thee.Come, valiant spirits of Spain;Valiant Andrea, fortunate Lorenzo,Worthy Rogero, sprightly Horatio;O, let me dwell a little on that name!Be all as fortunate as heaven’s bless’d host,But, blame me not, I’d have Horatio most;Ride all conquerors, when the fight is done,Especially ride thee home so, my son.So now kiss and embrace. Come, come,I am war’s tutor: strike alarum, drum.[Exeunt.[After a long alarum, the Portugals and Spaniards meet. The Portugals are put to the worst.EnterJeronimosolus.Jer.O valiant boy! struck with a giant’s arm;His sword so falls upon the Portugals,As he[308]would slice them out like oranges,And squeeze their bloods out; O abundant joy!Never had father a more happier boy.[ExitJeronimo.EnterBalthezarand a Soldier.Bal.Can you not find Don Andrea forth?O, for a voice shriller than all the trumpets,To pierce Andrea’s ears through the hot army!Go, search again; bring him, or ne’er return.[Exit Soldier.Valiant Andrea, by thy worthy blood,Thy honoured faith, which thou pawn’st to mine,By all that thou hold’st dear upon this earth,Sweat now to find me in the height of blood!Now death doth heap his goods up all at once,And crams his storehouse to the top with blood;Might I now and Andrea in one fightMake up thy wardrobe richer by a knight!EnterRogero.Rog.Ha, Vollupo!Bal.No; but a better.Rog.Pox on ’t.Bal.Pies on ’t!What luck is this? But, sir, you part not so;Whate’er you be, I’ll have a bout with you.Rog.Content; this is joy mixed with spite,To miss a lord, and meet a prince in fight.Bal.Come, meet me, sir.Rog.Just half-way; I’ll meet it with my sword.[They fight.Balthezarbeats inRogero.EnterAndreawith aCaptain.And.Where might I find this valorous Balthezar,This fierce, courageous prince; a noble worthy,Made of the ribs of Mars and fortitude?He promised to meet fair, and single meOut o’ the misty battle. Did you searchThe left wing for him? speak.Capt.We did, my lord.And.And could he not be found?Capt.Not in that wing, my lord.And.Why, this would vex the resolutionOf a suffering spleen! Prince Balthezar!Portugal’s valiant heir!The glory of our foe, the heart of courage,The very soul of true nobility,I call thee by thy right name, answer me!Go, captain, pass the left wing squadron; hie!Mingle yourself again amidst the army;Pray, sweat to find him out.—[ExitCaptain.This place I’ll keep;Now wounds are wide, and blood is very deep.’Tis now about the heavy tread[309]of battle,Soldiers drop down as thick, as if death mowed them;As scythe-men trim the long-haired ruffian fields,So fast they fall, so fast to fate life yields.EnterBalthezar.Bal.I have sweat much, and cannot find him—Andrea!And.Prince Balthezar! O lucky minute!Bal.O long-wished-for hour!Are you remembered, Don,Of a daring message and a proud attempt?You braved me, Don, within my father’s court!And.I think I did.Bal.This sword shall lash you for it.And.Alas!War knows I am too proud a scholar grownNow to be lashed with steel; had I not knownMy strength and courage, it had been easy thenTo have me borne upon the backs of men.But now I’m sorry, prince, you come too late;That were proud steel, i’ faith, that should do that.Bal.I can hold no longer!Come, let’s see which of our strengths is stronger.And.Mine, for a wager.Bal.Thine! what wager, say?And.I hold three wounds to one.Bal.Content, I lay; but you shall keep stakes then.And.Nay, I’ll trust you.For you’re a prince; I know you’ll pay your due.Bal.I’ll pay you soundly.And.Prince, you might have paidTribute as well, then battles had been stay’d.Bal.Here’s tribute for you.And.I’ll receive it of you,And give you acquittance with a wound or two.[They fight.BalthezarhathAndreadown.EnterJeronimoandHoratio. Horatiobeats awayBalthezar.And.Thou art a wondrous friend, a happy spirit;I owe thee now my life. Couldst thou inheritWithin my bosom, all I have is thine,For by this act I hold thy arm divine.Hor.Are you not wounded? let me search and see.And.No, my dear self! for I was blest by thee.Else his unpitying sword had cleft my heart,Had not Horatio played some angel’s part.Come, happy mortal, let me rank by thee,Then am I sure no star will threaten me.Hor.Let’s to the battle once more; we may meetThis haughty prince, and wound him at our feet.[Exeunt.EnterRogeroandAlexandroin their Shirts, with Poleaxes.[310]Rog.Art thou true valiant? hast thou no coat of proofGirt to thy loins? art thou true loyal?Alex.Why, look;Witness the naked truth upon my breast.Come, let’s meet, let’s meet,And break our haughty skulls down to our feet.[They fight.Alexandrobeats inRogero.EnterLorenzoandDon Pedroat one Door, andAlexandroandRogeroat another Door.LorenzokillsDon Pedro,andAlexandrokillsRogero.Enter at one DoorAndrea,at another DoorBalthezar.And.O me ill-sted! valiant Rogero slain!Bal.O my sad fates! Don Pedro weltering in his gore!O, could I meet Andrea, now my blood’sA-tiptoe, this hand and sword should melt him:Valiant Don Pedro!And.Worthy Rogero, sure ’twas multitudes,That made thee stoop to death; one PortugalCould ne’er o’erwhelm thee in such crimson streams,And no mean blood shall quit it, Balthezar,Prince Balthezar!Bal.Andrea, we meet in blood now.And.Aye, in valiant blood of Don Rogero’s shedding,And each drop is worth a thousand Portugals.Bal.I’ll top thy head for that ambitious word.And.You cannot, prince: see a revengeful swordWaves o’er my head.Bal.Another over mine;Let them both meet, in crimson tinctures shine.[They fight; andAndreahathBalthezardown.Enter Portugals, and relieveBalthezar,and killAndrea.And.O, I am slain! help me, Horatio!My foes are base, and slay me cowardly.Farewell, dear, dearest Bell’-Imperia!Yet herein joy is mingled with sad breath:I keep her favour longer than my breath.[He dies. Sound alarum.Andreaslain, and PrinceBalthezarvaunting on him.EnterJeronimo,Horatio,andLord General.Hor.My other soul, my bosom, my heart’s friend,O my Andrea, slain! I[’ll] have the price of himIn princely blood.Prince Balthezar, my sword shall strike true strains,And fetch Andrea’s ransom forth thy veins.—Lord General, drive them hence, while I make war.Bal.Hath war made thee so impudent and young?My sword shall give correction to thy tongue.Jer.Correct thy rascals, prince; thou correct him!Lug with him, boy: honours in blood best swim.[They fight, and breathe afresh.Bal.So young and valorous! This arm ne’er metSo strong a courage in so green a set.Hor.If thou be’st valiant, cease these idle words,And let revenge hang on our glittering swords,With this proud prince, the haughty Balthezar.[Horatiohas PrinceBalthezardown; then enterLorenzoand seizes his weapon.Hor.Hand off, Lorenzo; touch not my prisoner.Lor.He’s my prisoner;I seized his weapons first.Hor.O base renown!’Tis easy to seize those whom force laid down.[311]Lor.My lance first threw him from his warlike steed.Jer.Thy lance, Lorenzo! now, by my beard, you lie.Hor.Well, my lord,To you a while I tender my whole prisoner.Lor.Horatio,You tender me part of mine own, you know.Hor.Well, peace; with my blood dispense,Until my liege shall end the difference.Jer.Lorenzo, thou dost boast of base renown;Why, I could whip all these, were their hose down.Hor.Speak, prince, to whether dost thou yield?Bal.The vanquished yields to both, to you [the] first.Hor.O abject prince! what, dost thou yield to two?Jer.Content thee, boy; thou shalt sustain no wrong.I’ll to the king before, and let him knowThe sum of victory and his overthrow.[ExitJeronimo.
King.My lords,What heavy sounds are these?—nearer and nearer! ha!Andrea the forerunner of these news?Nay, then I fear Spain’s inevitable ill.Ha! Andrea, speak! what news from Portugal?What, is [the] tribute paid? Or peace or wars?And.Wars, my dread liege.King.Why thenThat bleeding object doth presage what shallHereafter follow. What’s he that lies there slain,Or hurt, or both? Speak.And.My liege, Alcario, duke Medina’s son;And by that slave this purple act was done.Med.Who names Alcario slain? ah me, ’tis he:Art thou that villain?Laz.How didst thou know my name?I see an excellent villain hath his fame,As well as a great courtier.Med.Speak, villain: wherefore didst thou this accursed deed?Laz.Because I was an ass, a villainous ass;For had I hit it right, Andrea had lain there;He walk’d upright: this ominous mistake,This damned error,Breedeth in my soul an everlasting terror.King.Say, slave, how came this accurs’d evil?Laz.Faith, by myself, my short sword, and the devil.To tell you all without a tedious tongue,I’ll cut them down, my words shall not hang[305]long.That hapless bleeding lord Alcario,Which this hand slew, pox on’t, was a huge doaterOn Bell’-Imperia’s beauty, who repliedIn scorn, and his hot suit denied;For her affections were all firmly plantedIn Don Andrea’s bosom; yet, unwise,He still pursued it with blind lover’s eyes.Then hired he me with gold—O fate, thou elf!To kill Andrea, which here killed himself;For, not content to stay the time of murder,He took Andrea’s shape unknown to me,And in all parts disguised, as there you see,Intending, as it seemed by that sly shift,To steal away her troth; short tale to tell,I took him for Andrea—down he fell.King.O impious deed,To make the heir of honour melt and bleed!Bear him away to execution.Laz.Nay, lord Lorenzo, where’s the pardon? ’sfoot,I’ll peach else.[Aside.Lor.Peace, Lazarotto, I’ll get it of the king.[Aside.Laz.Do it quickly then, or I’ll spread villainy.[Aside.Lor.My lord, he is the most notorious rogue,That ever breath’d,[In his ear.King.Away with him.Lor.Your highness may do well to bar his speech,’Tis able to infect a virtuous ear.King.Away with him, I will not hear him speak.Laz.My lord Lorenzo is a——[They stop his mouth, and bear him in.Jer.Is not this a monstrous courtier?Hor.He is the court-toad, father.King.Tribute denied us? ha!And.It is, my liege, and that with no mean words:He will redeem his honour lost with swords.King.So daring! ha! so peremptory!Can you remember the words he spake?And.Word for word, my gracious sovereign,And these they were—thus much—return to Spain:Say, that our settled judgment hath advised usWhat tribute is, how poor that monarch showsWho for his throne a yearly pension owes;And what our predecessors lost to Spain,We have fresh spirits that can renew it again.King.Ha! so peremptory, daring, stout!And.Then, my liege,According to your gracious dread command,I bad defiance with a vengeful hand.Spain.He entertained it?And.Aye, and returned it with menacing brows;Prince Balthezar his sonGrew violent, and wish’d the fight begun.
King.My lords,What heavy sounds are these?—nearer and nearer! ha!Andrea the forerunner of these news?Nay, then I fear Spain’s inevitable ill.Ha! Andrea, speak! what news from Portugal?What, is [the] tribute paid? Or peace or wars?
King.My lords,
What heavy sounds are these?—nearer and nearer! ha!
Andrea the forerunner of these news?
Nay, then I fear Spain’s inevitable ill.
Ha! Andrea, speak! what news from Portugal?
What, is [the] tribute paid? Or peace or wars?
And.Wars, my dread liege.
And.Wars, my dread liege.
King.Why thenThat bleeding object doth presage what shallHereafter follow. What’s he that lies there slain,Or hurt, or both? Speak.
King.Why then
That bleeding object doth presage what shall
Hereafter follow. What’s he that lies there slain,
Or hurt, or both? Speak.
And.My liege, Alcario, duke Medina’s son;And by that slave this purple act was done.
And.My liege, Alcario, duke Medina’s son;
And by that slave this purple act was done.
Med.Who names Alcario slain? ah me, ’tis he:Art thou that villain?
Med.Who names Alcario slain? ah me, ’tis he:
Art thou that villain?
Laz.How didst thou know my name?I see an excellent villain hath his fame,As well as a great courtier.
Laz.How didst thou know my name?
I see an excellent villain hath his fame,
As well as a great courtier.
Med.Speak, villain: wherefore didst thou this accursed deed?
Med.Speak, villain: wherefore didst thou this accursed deed?
Laz.Because I was an ass, a villainous ass;For had I hit it right, Andrea had lain there;He walk’d upright: this ominous mistake,This damned error,Breedeth in my soul an everlasting terror.
Laz.Because I was an ass, a villainous ass;
For had I hit it right, Andrea had lain there;
He walk’d upright: this ominous mistake,
This damned error,
Breedeth in my soul an everlasting terror.
King.Say, slave, how came this accurs’d evil?
King.Say, slave, how came this accurs’d evil?
Laz.Faith, by myself, my short sword, and the devil.To tell you all without a tedious tongue,I’ll cut them down, my words shall not hang[305]long.That hapless bleeding lord Alcario,Which this hand slew, pox on’t, was a huge doaterOn Bell’-Imperia’s beauty, who repliedIn scorn, and his hot suit denied;For her affections were all firmly plantedIn Don Andrea’s bosom; yet, unwise,He still pursued it with blind lover’s eyes.Then hired he me with gold—O fate, thou elf!To kill Andrea, which here killed himself;For, not content to stay the time of murder,He took Andrea’s shape unknown to me,And in all parts disguised, as there you see,Intending, as it seemed by that sly shift,To steal away her troth; short tale to tell,I took him for Andrea—down he fell.
Laz.Faith, by myself, my short sword, and the devil.
To tell you all without a tedious tongue,
I’ll cut them down, my words shall not hang[305]long.
That hapless bleeding lord Alcario,
Which this hand slew, pox on’t, was a huge doater
On Bell’-Imperia’s beauty, who replied
In scorn, and his hot suit denied;
For her affections were all firmly planted
In Don Andrea’s bosom; yet, unwise,
He still pursued it with blind lover’s eyes.
Then hired he me with gold—O fate, thou elf!
To kill Andrea, which here killed himself;
For, not content to stay the time of murder,
He took Andrea’s shape unknown to me,
And in all parts disguised, as there you see,
Intending, as it seemed by that sly shift,
To steal away her troth; short tale to tell,
I took him for Andrea—down he fell.
King.O impious deed,To make the heir of honour melt and bleed!Bear him away to execution.
King.O impious deed,
To make the heir of honour melt and bleed!
Bear him away to execution.
Laz.Nay, lord Lorenzo, where’s the pardon? ’sfoot,I’ll peach else.[Aside.
Laz.Nay, lord Lorenzo, where’s the pardon? ’sfoot,
I’ll peach else.
[Aside.
Lor.Peace, Lazarotto, I’ll get it of the king.[Aside.
Lor.Peace, Lazarotto, I’ll get it of the king.
[Aside.
Laz.Do it quickly then, or I’ll spread villainy.[Aside.
Laz.Do it quickly then, or I’ll spread villainy.
[Aside.
Lor.My lord, he is the most notorious rogue,That ever breath’d,[In his ear.
Lor.My lord, he is the most notorious rogue,
That ever breath’d,
[In his ear.
King.Away with him.
King.Away with him.
Lor.Your highness may do well to bar his speech,’Tis able to infect a virtuous ear.
Lor.Your highness may do well to bar his speech,
’Tis able to infect a virtuous ear.
King.Away with him, I will not hear him speak.
King.Away with him, I will not hear him speak.
Laz.My lord Lorenzo is a——[They stop his mouth, and bear him in.
Laz.My lord Lorenzo is a——
[They stop his mouth, and bear him in.
Jer.Is not this a monstrous courtier?
Jer.Is not this a monstrous courtier?
Hor.He is the court-toad, father.
Hor.He is the court-toad, father.
King.Tribute denied us? ha!
King.Tribute denied us? ha!
And.It is, my liege, and that with no mean words:He will redeem his honour lost with swords.
And.It is, my liege, and that with no mean words:
He will redeem his honour lost with swords.
King.So daring! ha! so peremptory!Can you remember the words he spake?
King.So daring! ha! so peremptory!
Can you remember the words he spake?
And.Word for word, my gracious sovereign,And these they were—thus much—return to Spain:Say, that our settled judgment hath advised usWhat tribute is, how poor that monarch showsWho for his throne a yearly pension owes;And what our predecessors lost to Spain,We have fresh spirits that can renew it again.
And.Word for word, my gracious sovereign,
And these they were—thus much—return to Spain:
Say, that our settled judgment hath advised us
What tribute is, how poor that monarch shows
Who for his throne a yearly pension owes;
And what our predecessors lost to Spain,
We have fresh spirits that can renew it again.
King.Ha! so peremptory, daring, stout!
King.Ha! so peremptory, daring, stout!
And.Then, my liege,According to your gracious dread command,I bad defiance with a vengeful hand.
And.Then, my liege,
According to your gracious dread command,
I bad defiance with a vengeful hand.
Spain.He entertained it?
Spain.He entertained it?
And.Aye, and returned it with menacing brows;Prince Balthezar his sonGrew violent, and wish’d the fight begun.
And.Aye, and returned it with menacing brows;
Prince Balthezar his son
Grew violent, and wish’d the fight begun.
EnterLorenzo.
Lor.So, so, I have sent my slave to hell;Though he blab there, the devils will not tell.
Lor.So, so, I have sent my slave to hell;
Though he blab there, the devils will not tell.
A Tucket within.[306]
Spain.How now! what means this trumpet’s sound?
Spain.How now! what means this trumpet’s sound?
Enter a Messenger.
Mes.My liege, the PortugalsAre up in arms, glittering in steel.Spain.Where’s our lord general, Lorenzo, stout Andrea,With whom I rank sprightly Horatio?What! for shame, shall the PortugalsTrample the fields before you?Gen.No, my liege, there’s time enoughTo let out blood enough: tribute shall flowOut of their bowels, and be tendered so.Spain.Farewell, brave lords; my wishes are bequeath’d,A nobler rank of spirits never breath’d.[Exeunt King and Nobles.
Mes.My liege, the PortugalsAre up in arms, glittering in steel.
Mes.My liege, the Portugals
Are up in arms, glittering in steel.
Spain.Where’s our lord general, Lorenzo, stout Andrea,With whom I rank sprightly Horatio?What! for shame, shall the PortugalsTrample the fields before you?
Spain.Where’s our lord general, Lorenzo, stout Andrea,
With whom I rank sprightly Horatio?
What! for shame, shall the Portugals
Trample the fields before you?
Gen.No, my liege, there’s time enoughTo let out blood enough: tribute shall flowOut of their bowels, and be tendered so.
Gen.No, my liege, there’s time enough
To let out blood enough: tribute shall flow
Out of their bowels, and be tendered so.
Spain.Farewell, brave lords; my wishes are bequeath’d,A nobler rank of spirits never breath’d.[Exeunt King and Nobles.
Spain.Farewell, brave lords; my wishes are bequeath’d,
A nobler rank of spirits never breath’d.
[Exeunt King and Nobles.
Jer.O my sweet boy, heaven shield thee still from care!O, be as fortunate as thou art fair!Hor.And heaven bless you, my father, in this fight,That I may see your grey head crown’d in white![Exeunt.
Jer.O my sweet boy, heaven shield thee still from care!O, be as fortunate as thou art fair!
Jer.O my sweet boy, heaven shield thee still from care!
O, be as fortunate as thou art fair!
Hor.And heaven bless you, my father, in this fight,That I may see your grey head crown’d in white![Exeunt.
Hor.And heaven bless you, my father, in this fight,
That I may see your grey head crown’d in white!
[Exeunt.
EnterAndreaandBell’-Imperia.
Bel.You came but now, [and] must you part again?You told me that your spiritShould put on peace; but, see, war follows war.And.Nay, sweet love, cease;To be denied our honour: why, ’twere baseTo breathe and live; and war[307]in such a caseIs even as necessary as our blood.Swords are in season then when right’s withstood:Deny us tribute, that so many yearsWe have in peace told out? why, it would raiseSpleen in the host of angels! ’twere enoughTo make our tranquil saints of angry stuff.Bel.You have o’erwrought the chiding of my breast;And by that argument you firmly proveHonour to soar above the pitch of love.Lend me thy loving and thy warlike arm,On which I knit this soft and silken charm,Tied with an amorous knot: O, may it proveEnchanted armour, being charm’d by love;That when it mounts up to thy warlike crest,It may put by the sword, and so be blest.And.O, what divinity proceeds from love!What happier fortune than myself can move!—Hark! the drum beckons me; sweet dear, fare well!This scarf shall be my charm ’gainst foes and hell.Bel.O, let me kiss thee first.And.The drum again!Bel.Hath that more power than I?And.Do’t quickly then: farewell![ExitAndrea.Bel.Farewell! O cruel part!Andrea’s bosom bears away my heart.[ExitBell’-Imperia.
Bel.You came but now, [and] must you part again?You told me that your spiritShould put on peace; but, see, war follows war.
Bel.You came but now, [and] must you part again?
You told me that your spirit
Should put on peace; but, see, war follows war.
And.Nay, sweet love, cease;To be denied our honour: why, ’twere baseTo breathe and live; and war[307]in such a caseIs even as necessary as our blood.Swords are in season then when right’s withstood:Deny us tribute, that so many yearsWe have in peace told out? why, it would raiseSpleen in the host of angels! ’twere enoughTo make our tranquil saints of angry stuff.
And.Nay, sweet love, cease;
To be denied our honour: why, ’twere base
To breathe and live; and war[307]in such a case
Is even as necessary as our blood.
Swords are in season then when right’s withstood:
Deny us tribute, that so many years
We have in peace told out? why, it would raise
Spleen in the host of angels! ’twere enough
To make our tranquil saints of angry stuff.
Bel.You have o’erwrought the chiding of my breast;And by that argument you firmly proveHonour to soar above the pitch of love.Lend me thy loving and thy warlike arm,On which I knit this soft and silken charm,Tied with an amorous knot: O, may it proveEnchanted armour, being charm’d by love;That when it mounts up to thy warlike crest,It may put by the sword, and so be blest.
Bel.You have o’erwrought the chiding of my breast;
And by that argument you firmly prove
Honour to soar above the pitch of love.
Lend me thy loving and thy warlike arm,
On which I knit this soft and silken charm,
Tied with an amorous knot: O, may it prove
Enchanted armour, being charm’d by love;
That when it mounts up to thy warlike crest,
It may put by the sword, and so be blest.
And.O, what divinity proceeds from love!What happier fortune than myself can move!—Hark! the drum beckons me; sweet dear, fare well!This scarf shall be my charm ’gainst foes and hell.
And.O, what divinity proceeds from love!
What happier fortune than myself can move!—
Hark! the drum beckons me; sweet dear, fare well!
This scarf shall be my charm ’gainst foes and hell.
Bel.O, let me kiss thee first.
Bel.O, let me kiss thee first.
And.The drum again!
And.The drum again!
Bel.Hath that more power than I?
Bel.Hath that more power than I?
And.Do’t quickly then: farewell![ExitAndrea.
And.Do’t quickly then: farewell!
[ExitAndrea.
Bel.Farewell! O cruel part!Andrea’s bosom bears away my heart.[ExitBell’-Imperia.
Bel.Farewell! O cruel part!
Andrea’s bosom bears away my heart.
[ExitBell’-Imperia.
EnterBalthezar,Alexandro,Vollupo,DonPedro,with Soldiers, Drum, and Colours.
Bal.Come, valiant spirits, you peers of Portugal,That owe your lives, your faiths, and services,To set you free from base captivity.O, let our fathers’ scandal ne’er be seenAs a base blush upon our free-born cheeks;Let all the tribute that proud Spain receivedOf those all captive Portugals deceased,Turn into chafe, and choke their insolence.Methinks, no moiety, not one little thoughtOf them whose servile acts live in their graves,But should raise spleens big as a cannon-bulletWithin your bosoms: O, for honour,Your country’s reputation, your lives’ freedom,Indeed your all, that may be termed revenge,Now let your bloods be liberal as the sea;And all those wounds that you receiv[’d] of Spain,Let theirs be equal to quit yours again.Speak, Portugals! are you resolved as I,To live like captives, or as free-born die?Vol.Prince Balthezar, as you say, so say we;To die with honour, scorn captivity.Alex.Why, spoke like true Portugals indeed;I am assured of your forwardness.Now, Spain, sit firm, I’ll make thy towers shake,And all that gold thou hadst from Portugal,Which makes thy court melt in luxuriousness,I vow to have it treble at thy hands.Hark, Portugals! I hear their Spanish drum:March on, and meet them; this must be the day,That all they have received they back must pay.[The Portugals march about.
Bal.Come, valiant spirits, you peers of Portugal,That owe your lives, your faiths, and services,To set you free from base captivity.O, let our fathers’ scandal ne’er be seenAs a base blush upon our free-born cheeks;Let all the tribute that proud Spain receivedOf those all captive Portugals deceased,Turn into chafe, and choke their insolence.Methinks, no moiety, not one little thoughtOf them whose servile acts live in their graves,But should raise spleens big as a cannon-bulletWithin your bosoms: O, for honour,Your country’s reputation, your lives’ freedom,Indeed your all, that may be termed revenge,Now let your bloods be liberal as the sea;And all those wounds that you receiv[’d] of Spain,Let theirs be equal to quit yours again.Speak, Portugals! are you resolved as I,To live like captives, or as free-born die?
Bal.Come, valiant spirits, you peers of Portugal,
That owe your lives, your faiths, and services,
To set you free from base captivity.
O, let our fathers’ scandal ne’er be seen
As a base blush upon our free-born cheeks;
Let all the tribute that proud Spain received
Of those all captive Portugals deceased,
Turn into chafe, and choke their insolence.
Methinks, no moiety, not one little thought
Of them whose servile acts live in their graves,
But should raise spleens big as a cannon-bullet
Within your bosoms: O, for honour,
Your country’s reputation, your lives’ freedom,
Indeed your all, that may be termed revenge,
Now let your bloods be liberal as the sea;
And all those wounds that you receiv[’d] of Spain,
Let theirs be equal to quit yours again.
Speak, Portugals! are you resolved as I,
To live like captives, or as free-born die?
Vol.Prince Balthezar, as you say, so say we;To die with honour, scorn captivity.
Vol.Prince Balthezar, as you say, so say we;
To die with honour, scorn captivity.
Alex.Why, spoke like true Portugals indeed;I am assured of your forwardness.Now, Spain, sit firm, I’ll make thy towers shake,And all that gold thou hadst from Portugal,Which makes thy court melt in luxuriousness,I vow to have it treble at thy hands.Hark, Portugals! I hear their Spanish drum:March on, and meet them; this must be the day,That all they have received they back must pay.[The Portugals march about.
Alex.Why, spoke like true Portugals indeed;
I am assured of your forwardness.
Now, Spain, sit firm, I’ll make thy towers shake,
And all that gold thou hadst from Portugal,
Which makes thy court melt in luxuriousness,
I vow to have it treble at thy hands.
Hark, Portugals! I hear their Spanish drum:
March on, and meet them; this must be the day,
That all they have received they back must pay.
[The Portugals march about.
EnterJeronimo,Andrea,Horatio,Lorenzo,Lord General,Rogero,and Attendants, with Drum and Colours.
Jer.What, are you braving us before we come!We’ll be as shrill as you: strike ’larum, drum.[They sound a flourish on both sides.Bal.Thou inch of Spain!Thou man, from thy hose downward scarce so much!Thou very little longer than thy beard!Speak not such big words; they’ll throw thee down,Little Jeronimo! words greater than thyself!It must not [be].Jer.And thou long thing of Portugal, why not?Thou, that art full as tallAs an English gallows, upper beam and all,Devourer of apparel, thou huge swallower,My hose will scarce make thee a standing collar.What! have I almost quited you?And.Have done, impatient marshal.Bal.Spanish combatants,What! do you set a little pigmy marshalTo question with a prince?And.No, prince Balthezar;I have desired him peace, that we might war:What! is the tribute-money tendered yet?Bal.Tribute? ha, ha!What else: Wherefore meet our drums,But to tender and receive the sumsOf many a bleeding heart which, ere sun fall,Shall pay dear tribute, even their lives and all.And.Prince Balthezar, I know your valiant spirit;I know your courage to be tried and good,And yet, O prince, be not confirmed in blood:Not that I taste of fear or cowardice,But of religion, piety, and loveTo many bosoms, that yet firmly moveWithout disturbed spleens. O, in thy heartWeigh the dear drops of many a purple part,That must be acted on the field’s green stage,Before the evening dews quench the sun’s rage.Let tribute be appeased and so stayed,And let not wonted fealty be denayedTo our desertful kingdom. Portugals,Keep your forefathers’ oaths; that virtue craves;Let them not lie foresworn now in their graves,To make their ashes perjured and unjust,For heaven can be revenged on their dust.They swore to Spain, both for themselves and you;And will posterity prove their sires untrue?This should not be ’mong men of virtuous sp’rit:Pay tribute thou, and receive peace and writ.Bal.O virtuous coward!Hor.O ignoble spirit!To term him coward for his virtuous merit!And.Coward! nay, then, relentless rib of steel,What virtue cannot, thou shalt make him feel.Lor.Proud Alexandro, thou art mine.Alex.Agreed.Rog.And thou, Vollupo, mine.Vol.I’ll make thee bleed.Hor.And thou, Don Pedro, mine.DonPed.I care not whose; or thine, or thine, or all at once.Bal.I bind thee, Don Andrea, by thy honour,Thy valiancy, and all that thou hold’st great,To meet me single in the battle’s heat;Where I’ll set down, in characters on thy flesh,Four precious lines, spoke by our father’s mouth,When first thou cam’st embassador; these they are:’Tis said we shall not answer, at next birth,Our fathers’ faults in heaven, why then on earth?Which proves and shows,That what they lost by base captivity,We may redeem with wonted valiancy:And to this crimson end our colours spread;Our courages are new-born, our valours bredTherefore, Andrea, as thou tenderest fame,Wars, reputation, and a soldier’s name,Meet me.And.I will.Bal.Single me out.And.I shall.Alex.Do you the like.Lor.And you all, and we.And.Can we be foes, and all so well agreed?Bal.Why, man, in war there’s bleeding amity;And he this day gives me the deepest wound,I’ll call him brother.And.Then, prince, call me so;To gain that name, I’ll give the deepest blow.Jer.Nay. then, if brotherhood by strokes come due,I hope, boy, thou wilt gain a brother too.Hor.Father, doubt it not.And.Lord general,Breathe, like your name, a general defiance’Gainst Portugal.Gen.Defiance to the Portugals!Bal.The likeBreathe our lord general against the Spaniards.Gen.Defiance to the Spaniards!And.Now cease, words:I long to hear the music of clashed swords.Bal.Why, thou shalt hear it presently.[They offer to fight.And.Quickly then.Bal.Why now.Gen.O stay, my lords,This will but breed a mutiny in the camp.Bal.I am all fire, Andrea.And.Art thou? good:Why, then, I’ll quench thee, prince, with thine own blood.Bal.Adieu!And.Adieu!Bal.Let’s meet.And.’Tis meet we did.[Exeunt Portugals.Lor.Alexandro.Alex.Lorenzo.Rog.Vollupo.Vol.Rogero.Hor.Don Pedro.DonPed.Horatio.Jer.Aye, aye, Don Pedro, my boy shall meet thee.Come, valiant spirits of Spain;Valiant Andrea, fortunate Lorenzo,Worthy Rogero, sprightly Horatio;O, let me dwell a little on that name!Be all as fortunate as heaven’s bless’d host,But, blame me not, I’d have Horatio most;Ride all conquerors, when the fight is done,Especially ride thee home so, my son.So now kiss and embrace. Come, come,I am war’s tutor: strike alarum, drum.[Exeunt.[After a long alarum, the Portugals and Spaniards meet. The Portugals are put to the worst.
Jer.What, are you braving us before we come!We’ll be as shrill as you: strike ’larum, drum.[They sound a flourish on both sides.
Jer.What, are you braving us before we come!
We’ll be as shrill as you: strike ’larum, drum.
[They sound a flourish on both sides.
Bal.Thou inch of Spain!Thou man, from thy hose downward scarce so much!Thou very little longer than thy beard!Speak not such big words; they’ll throw thee down,Little Jeronimo! words greater than thyself!It must not [be].
Bal.Thou inch of Spain!
Thou man, from thy hose downward scarce so much!
Thou very little longer than thy beard!
Speak not such big words; they’ll throw thee down,
Little Jeronimo! words greater than thyself!
It must not [be].
Jer.And thou long thing of Portugal, why not?Thou, that art full as tallAs an English gallows, upper beam and all,Devourer of apparel, thou huge swallower,My hose will scarce make thee a standing collar.What! have I almost quited you?
Jer.And thou long thing of Portugal, why not?
Thou, that art full as tall
As an English gallows, upper beam and all,
Devourer of apparel, thou huge swallower,
My hose will scarce make thee a standing collar.
What! have I almost quited you?
And.Have done, impatient marshal.
And.Have done, impatient marshal.
Bal.Spanish combatants,What! do you set a little pigmy marshalTo question with a prince?
Bal.Spanish combatants,
What! do you set a little pigmy marshal
To question with a prince?
And.No, prince Balthezar;I have desired him peace, that we might war:What! is the tribute-money tendered yet?
And.No, prince Balthezar;
I have desired him peace, that we might war:
What! is the tribute-money tendered yet?
Bal.Tribute? ha, ha!What else: Wherefore meet our drums,But to tender and receive the sumsOf many a bleeding heart which, ere sun fall,Shall pay dear tribute, even their lives and all.
Bal.Tribute? ha, ha!
What else: Wherefore meet our drums,
But to tender and receive the sums
Of many a bleeding heart which, ere sun fall,
Shall pay dear tribute, even their lives and all.
And.Prince Balthezar, I know your valiant spirit;I know your courage to be tried and good,And yet, O prince, be not confirmed in blood:Not that I taste of fear or cowardice,But of religion, piety, and loveTo many bosoms, that yet firmly moveWithout disturbed spleens. O, in thy heartWeigh the dear drops of many a purple part,That must be acted on the field’s green stage,Before the evening dews quench the sun’s rage.Let tribute be appeased and so stayed,And let not wonted fealty be denayedTo our desertful kingdom. Portugals,Keep your forefathers’ oaths; that virtue craves;Let them not lie foresworn now in their graves,To make their ashes perjured and unjust,For heaven can be revenged on their dust.They swore to Spain, both for themselves and you;And will posterity prove their sires untrue?This should not be ’mong men of virtuous sp’rit:Pay tribute thou, and receive peace and writ.
And.Prince Balthezar, I know your valiant spirit;
I know your courage to be tried and good,
And yet, O prince, be not confirmed in blood:
Not that I taste of fear or cowardice,
But of religion, piety, and love
To many bosoms, that yet firmly move
Without disturbed spleens. O, in thy heart
Weigh the dear drops of many a purple part,
That must be acted on the field’s green stage,
Before the evening dews quench the sun’s rage.
Let tribute be appeased and so stayed,
And let not wonted fealty be denayed
To our desertful kingdom. Portugals,
Keep your forefathers’ oaths; that virtue craves;
Let them not lie foresworn now in their graves,
To make their ashes perjured and unjust,
For heaven can be revenged on their dust.
They swore to Spain, both for themselves and you;
And will posterity prove their sires untrue?
This should not be ’mong men of virtuous sp’rit:
Pay tribute thou, and receive peace and writ.
Bal.O virtuous coward!
Bal.O virtuous coward!
Hor.O ignoble spirit!To term him coward for his virtuous merit!
Hor.O ignoble spirit!
To term him coward for his virtuous merit!
And.Coward! nay, then, relentless rib of steel,What virtue cannot, thou shalt make him feel.
And.Coward! nay, then, relentless rib of steel,
What virtue cannot, thou shalt make him feel.
Lor.Proud Alexandro, thou art mine.
Lor.Proud Alexandro, thou art mine.
Alex.Agreed.
Alex.Agreed.
Rog.And thou, Vollupo, mine.
Rog.And thou, Vollupo, mine.
Vol.I’ll make thee bleed.
Vol.I’ll make thee bleed.
Hor.And thou, Don Pedro, mine.
Hor.And thou, Don Pedro, mine.
DonPed.I care not whose; or thine, or thine, or all at once.
DonPed.I care not whose; or thine, or thine, or all at once.
Bal.I bind thee, Don Andrea, by thy honour,Thy valiancy, and all that thou hold’st great,To meet me single in the battle’s heat;Where I’ll set down, in characters on thy flesh,Four precious lines, spoke by our father’s mouth,When first thou cam’st embassador; these they are:’Tis said we shall not answer, at next birth,Our fathers’ faults in heaven, why then on earth?Which proves and shows,That what they lost by base captivity,We may redeem with wonted valiancy:And to this crimson end our colours spread;Our courages are new-born, our valours bredTherefore, Andrea, as thou tenderest fame,Wars, reputation, and a soldier’s name,Meet me.
Bal.I bind thee, Don Andrea, by thy honour,
Thy valiancy, and all that thou hold’st great,
To meet me single in the battle’s heat;
Where I’ll set down, in characters on thy flesh,
Four precious lines, spoke by our father’s mouth,
When first thou cam’st embassador; these they are:
’Tis said we shall not answer, at next birth,
Our fathers’ faults in heaven, why then on earth?
Which proves and shows,
That what they lost by base captivity,
We may redeem with wonted valiancy:
And to this crimson end our colours spread;
Our courages are new-born, our valours bred
Therefore, Andrea, as thou tenderest fame,
Wars, reputation, and a soldier’s name,
Meet me.
And.I will.
And.I will.
Bal.Single me out.
Bal.Single me out.
And.I shall.
And.I shall.
Alex.Do you the like.
Alex.Do you the like.
Lor.And you all, and we.
Lor.And you all, and we.
And.Can we be foes, and all so well agreed?
And.Can we be foes, and all so well agreed?
Bal.Why, man, in war there’s bleeding amity;And he this day gives me the deepest wound,I’ll call him brother.
Bal.Why, man, in war there’s bleeding amity;
And he this day gives me the deepest wound,
I’ll call him brother.
And.Then, prince, call me so;To gain that name, I’ll give the deepest blow.
And.Then, prince, call me so;
To gain that name, I’ll give the deepest blow.
Jer.Nay. then, if brotherhood by strokes come due,I hope, boy, thou wilt gain a brother too.
Jer.Nay. then, if brotherhood by strokes come due,
I hope, boy, thou wilt gain a brother too.
Hor.Father, doubt it not.
Hor.Father, doubt it not.
And.Lord general,Breathe, like your name, a general defiance’Gainst Portugal.
And.Lord general,
Breathe, like your name, a general defiance
’Gainst Portugal.
Gen.Defiance to the Portugals!
Gen.Defiance to the Portugals!
Bal.The likeBreathe our lord general against the Spaniards.
Bal.The like
Breathe our lord general against the Spaniards.
Gen.Defiance to the Spaniards!
Gen.Defiance to the Spaniards!
And.Now cease, words:I long to hear the music of clashed swords.
And.Now cease, words:
I long to hear the music of clashed swords.
Bal.Why, thou shalt hear it presently.[They offer to fight.
Bal.Why, thou shalt hear it presently.
[They offer to fight.
And.Quickly then.
And.Quickly then.
Bal.Why now.
Bal.Why now.
Gen.O stay, my lords,This will but breed a mutiny in the camp.
Gen.O stay, my lords,
This will but breed a mutiny in the camp.
Bal.I am all fire, Andrea.
Bal.I am all fire, Andrea.
And.Art thou? good:Why, then, I’ll quench thee, prince, with thine own blood.
And.Art thou? good:
Why, then, I’ll quench thee, prince, with thine own blood.
Bal.Adieu!
Bal.Adieu!
And.Adieu!
And.Adieu!
Bal.Let’s meet.
Bal.Let’s meet.
And.’Tis meet we did.[Exeunt Portugals.
And.’Tis meet we did.
[Exeunt Portugals.
Lor.Alexandro.
Lor.Alexandro.
Alex.Lorenzo.
Alex.Lorenzo.
Rog.Vollupo.
Rog.Vollupo.
Vol.Rogero.
Vol.Rogero.
Hor.Don Pedro.
Hor.Don Pedro.
DonPed.Horatio.
DonPed.Horatio.
Jer.Aye, aye, Don Pedro, my boy shall meet thee.Come, valiant spirits of Spain;Valiant Andrea, fortunate Lorenzo,Worthy Rogero, sprightly Horatio;O, let me dwell a little on that name!Be all as fortunate as heaven’s bless’d host,But, blame me not, I’d have Horatio most;Ride all conquerors, when the fight is done,Especially ride thee home so, my son.So now kiss and embrace. Come, come,I am war’s tutor: strike alarum, drum.[Exeunt.[After a long alarum, the Portugals and Spaniards meet. The Portugals are put to the worst.
Jer.Aye, aye, Don Pedro, my boy shall meet thee.
Come, valiant spirits of Spain;
Valiant Andrea, fortunate Lorenzo,
Worthy Rogero, sprightly Horatio;
O, let me dwell a little on that name!
Be all as fortunate as heaven’s bless’d host,
But, blame me not, I’d have Horatio most;
Ride all conquerors, when the fight is done,
Especially ride thee home so, my son.
So now kiss and embrace. Come, come,
I am war’s tutor: strike alarum, drum.
[Exeunt.
[After a long alarum, the Portugals and Spaniards meet. The Portugals are put to the worst.
EnterJeronimosolus.
Jer.O valiant boy! struck with a giant’s arm;His sword so falls upon the Portugals,As he[308]would slice them out like oranges,And squeeze their bloods out; O abundant joy!Never had father a more happier boy.[ExitJeronimo.
Jer.O valiant boy! struck with a giant’s arm;
His sword so falls upon the Portugals,
As he[308]would slice them out like oranges,
And squeeze their bloods out; O abundant joy!
Never had father a more happier boy.
[ExitJeronimo.
EnterBalthezarand a Soldier.
Bal.Can you not find Don Andrea forth?O, for a voice shriller than all the trumpets,To pierce Andrea’s ears through the hot army!Go, search again; bring him, or ne’er return.[Exit Soldier.Valiant Andrea, by thy worthy blood,Thy honoured faith, which thou pawn’st to mine,By all that thou hold’st dear upon this earth,Sweat now to find me in the height of blood!Now death doth heap his goods up all at once,And crams his storehouse to the top with blood;Might I now and Andrea in one fightMake up thy wardrobe richer by a knight!
Bal.Can you not find Don Andrea forth?
O, for a voice shriller than all the trumpets,
To pierce Andrea’s ears through the hot army!
Go, search again; bring him, or ne’er return.
[Exit Soldier.
Valiant Andrea, by thy worthy blood,
Thy honoured faith, which thou pawn’st to mine,
By all that thou hold’st dear upon this earth,
Sweat now to find me in the height of blood!
Now death doth heap his goods up all at once,
And crams his storehouse to the top with blood;
Might I now and Andrea in one fight
Make up thy wardrobe richer by a knight!
EnterRogero.
Rog.Ha, Vollupo!Bal.No; but a better.Rog.Pox on ’t.Bal.Pies on ’t!What luck is this? But, sir, you part not so;Whate’er you be, I’ll have a bout with you.Rog.Content; this is joy mixed with spite,To miss a lord, and meet a prince in fight.Bal.Come, meet me, sir.Rog.Just half-way; I’ll meet it with my sword.[They fight.Balthezarbeats inRogero.
Rog.Ha, Vollupo!
Rog.Ha, Vollupo!
Bal.No; but a better.
Bal.No; but a better.
Rog.Pox on ’t.
Rog.Pox on ’t.
Bal.Pies on ’t!What luck is this? But, sir, you part not so;Whate’er you be, I’ll have a bout with you.
Bal.Pies on ’t!
What luck is this? But, sir, you part not so;
Whate’er you be, I’ll have a bout with you.
Rog.Content; this is joy mixed with spite,To miss a lord, and meet a prince in fight.
Rog.Content; this is joy mixed with spite,
To miss a lord, and meet a prince in fight.
Bal.Come, meet me, sir.
Bal.Come, meet me, sir.
Rog.Just half-way; I’ll meet it with my sword.[They fight.Balthezarbeats inRogero.
Rog.Just half-way; I’ll meet it with my sword.
[They fight.Balthezarbeats inRogero.
EnterAndreawith aCaptain.
And.Where might I find this valorous Balthezar,This fierce, courageous prince; a noble worthy,Made of the ribs of Mars and fortitude?He promised to meet fair, and single meOut o’ the misty battle. Did you searchThe left wing for him? speak.Capt.We did, my lord.And.And could he not be found?Capt.Not in that wing, my lord.And.Why, this would vex the resolutionOf a suffering spleen! Prince Balthezar!Portugal’s valiant heir!The glory of our foe, the heart of courage,The very soul of true nobility,I call thee by thy right name, answer me!Go, captain, pass the left wing squadron; hie!Mingle yourself again amidst the army;Pray, sweat to find him out.—[ExitCaptain.This place I’ll keep;Now wounds are wide, and blood is very deep.’Tis now about the heavy tread[309]of battle,Soldiers drop down as thick, as if death mowed them;As scythe-men trim the long-haired ruffian fields,So fast they fall, so fast to fate life yields.
And.Where might I find this valorous Balthezar,This fierce, courageous prince; a noble worthy,Made of the ribs of Mars and fortitude?He promised to meet fair, and single meOut o’ the misty battle. Did you searchThe left wing for him? speak.
And.Where might I find this valorous Balthezar,
This fierce, courageous prince; a noble worthy,
Made of the ribs of Mars and fortitude?
He promised to meet fair, and single me
Out o’ the misty battle. Did you search
The left wing for him? speak.
Capt.We did, my lord.
Capt.We did, my lord.
And.And could he not be found?
And.And could he not be found?
Capt.Not in that wing, my lord.
Capt.Not in that wing, my lord.
And.Why, this would vex the resolutionOf a suffering spleen! Prince Balthezar!Portugal’s valiant heir!The glory of our foe, the heart of courage,The very soul of true nobility,I call thee by thy right name, answer me!Go, captain, pass the left wing squadron; hie!Mingle yourself again amidst the army;Pray, sweat to find him out.—[ExitCaptain.This place I’ll keep;Now wounds are wide, and blood is very deep.’Tis now about the heavy tread[309]of battle,Soldiers drop down as thick, as if death mowed them;As scythe-men trim the long-haired ruffian fields,So fast they fall, so fast to fate life yields.
And.Why, this would vex the resolution
Of a suffering spleen! Prince Balthezar!
Portugal’s valiant heir!
The glory of our foe, the heart of courage,
The very soul of true nobility,
I call thee by thy right name, answer me!
Go, captain, pass the left wing squadron; hie!
Mingle yourself again amidst the army;
Pray, sweat to find him out.—
[ExitCaptain.
This place I’ll keep;
Now wounds are wide, and blood is very deep.
’Tis now about the heavy tread[309]of battle,
Soldiers drop down as thick, as if death mowed them;
As scythe-men trim the long-haired ruffian fields,
So fast they fall, so fast to fate life yields.
EnterBalthezar.
Bal.I have sweat much, and cannot find him—Andrea!And.Prince Balthezar! O lucky minute!Bal.O long-wished-for hour!Are you remembered, Don,Of a daring message and a proud attempt?You braved me, Don, within my father’s court!And.I think I did.Bal.This sword shall lash you for it.And.Alas!War knows I am too proud a scholar grownNow to be lashed with steel; had I not knownMy strength and courage, it had been easy thenTo have me borne upon the backs of men.But now I’m sorry, prince, you come too late;That were proud steel, i’ faith, that should do that.Bal.I can hold no longer!Come, let’s see which of our strengths is stronger.And.Mine, for a wager.Bal.Thine! what wager, say?And.I hold three wounds to one.Bal.Content, I lay; but you shall keep stakes then.And.Nay, I’ll trust you.For you’re a prince; I know you’ll pay your due.Bal.I’ll pay you soundly.And.Prince, you might have paidTribute as well, then battles had been stay’d.Bal.Here’s tribute for you.And.I’ll receive it of you,And give you acquittance with a wound or two.[They fight.BalthezarhathAndreadown.
Bal.I have sweat much, and cannot find him—Andrea!
Bal.I have sweat much, and cannot find him—Andrea!
And.Prince Balthezar! O lucky minute!
And.Prince Balthezar! O lucky minute!
Bal.O long-wished-for hour!Are you remembered, Don,Of a daring message and a proud attempt?You braved me, Don, within my father’s court!
Bal.O long-wished-for hour!
Are you remembered, Don,
Of a daring message and a proud attempt?
You braved me, Don, within my father’s court!
And.I think I did.
And.I think I did.
Bal.This sword shall lash you for it.
Bal.This sword shall lash you for it.
And.Alas!War knows I am too proud a scholar grownNow to be lashed with steel; had I not knownMy strength and courage, it had been easy thenTo have me borne upon the backs of men.But now I’m sorry, prince, you come too late;That were proud steel, i’ faith, that should do that.
And.Alas!
War knows I am too proud a scholar grown
Now to be lashed with steel; had I not known
My strength and courage, it had been easy then
To have me borne upon the backs of men.
But now I’m sorry, prince, you come too late;
That were proud steel, i’ faith, that should do that.
Bal.I can hold no longer!Come, let’s see which of our strengths is stronger.
Bal.I can hold no longer!
Come, let’s see which of our strengths is stronger.
And.Mine, for a wager.
And.Mine, for a wager.
Bal.Thine! what wager, say?
Bal.Thine! what wager, say?
And.I hold three wounds to one.
And.I hold three wounds to one.
Bal.Content, I lay; but you shall keep stakes then.
Bal.Content, I lay; but you shall keep stakes then.
And.Nay, I’ll trust you.For you’re a prince; I know you’ll pay your due.
And.Nay, I’ll trust you.
For you’re a prince; I know you’ll pay your due.
Bal.I’ll pay you soundly.
Bal.I’ll pay you soundly.
And.Prince, you might have paidTribute as well, then battles had been stay’d.
And.Prince, you might have paid
Tribute as well, then battles had been stay’d.
Bal.Here’s tribute for you.
Bal.Here’s tribute for you.
And.I’ll receive it of you,And give you acquittance with a wound or two.[They fight.BalthezarhathAndreadown.
And.I’ll receive it of you,
And give you acquittance with a wound or two.
[They fight.BalthezarhathAndreadown.
EnterJeronimoandHoratio. Horatiobeats awayBalthezar.
And.Thou art a wondrous friend, a happy spirit;I owe thee now my life. Couldst thou inheritWithin my bosom, all I have is thine,For by this act I hold thy arm divine.Hor.Are you not wounded? let me search and see.And.No, my dear self! for I was blest by thee.Else his unpitying sword had cleft my heart,Had not Horatio played some angel’s part.Come, happy mortal, let me rank by thee,Then am I sure no star will threaten me.Hor.Let’s to the battle once more; we may meetThis haughty prince, and wound him at our feet.[Exeunt.
And.Thou art a wondrous friend, a happy spirit;I owe thee now my life. Couldst thou inheritWithin my bosom, all I have is thine,For by this act I hold thy arm divine.
And.Thou art a wondrous friend, a happy spirit;
I owe thee now my life. Couldst thou inherit
Within my bosom, all I have is thine,
For by this act I hold thy arm divine.
Hor.Are you not wounded? let me search and see.
Hor.Are you not wounded? let me search and see.
And.No, my dear self! for I was blest by thee.Else his unpitying sword had cleft my heart,Had not Horatio played some angel’s part.Come, happy mortal, let me rank by thee,Then am I sure no star will threaten me.
And.No, my dear self! for I was blest by thee.
Else his unpitying sword had cleft my heart,
Had not Horatio played some angel’s part.
Come, happy mortal, let me rank by thee,
Then am I sure no star will threaten me.
Hor.Let’s to the battle once more; we may meetThis haughty prince, and wound him at our feet.[Exeunt.
Hor.Let’s to the battle once more; we may meet
This haughty prince, and wound him at our feet.
[Exeunt.
EnterRogeroandAlexandroin their Shirts, with Poleaxes.[310]
Rog.Art thou true valiant? hast thou no coat of proofGirt to thy loins? art thou true loyal?Alex.Why, look;Witness the naked truth upon my breast.Come, let’s meet, let’s meet,And break our haughty skulls down to our feet.[They fight.Alexandrobeats inRogero.
Rog.Art thou true valiant? hast thou no coat of proofGirt to thy loins? art thou true loyal?
Rog.Art thou true valiant? hast thou no coat of proof
Girt to thy loins? art thou true loyal?
Alex.Why, look;Witness the naked truth upon my breast.Come, let’s meet, let’s meet,And break our haughty skulls down to our feet.[They fight.Alexandrobeats inRogero.
Alex.Why, look;
Witness the naked truth upon my breast.
Come, let’s meet, let’s meet,
And break our haughty skulls down to our feet.
[They fight.Alexandrobeats inRogero.
EnterLorenzoandDon Pedroat one Door, andAlexandroandRogeroat another Door.LorenzokillsDon Pedro,andAlexandrokillsRogero.Enter at one DoorAndrea,at another DoorBalthezar.
And.O me ill-sted! valiant Rogero slain!Bal.O my sad fates! Don Pedro weltering in his gore!O, could I meet Andrea, now my blood’sA-tiptoe, this hand and sword should melt him:Valiant Don Pedro!And.Worthy Rogero, sure ’twas multitudes,That made thee stoop to death; one PortugalCould ne’er o’erwhelm thee in such crimson streams,And no mean blood shall quit it, Balthezar,Prince Balthezar!Bal.Andrea, we meet in blood now.And.Aye, in valiant blood of Don Rogero’s shedding,And each drop is worth a thousand Portugals.Bal.I’ll top thy head for that ambitious word.And.You cannot, prince: see a revengeful swordWaves o’er my head.Bal.Another over mine;Let them both meet, in crimson tinctures shine.[They fight; andAndreahathBalthezardown.
And.O me ill-sted! valiant Rogero slain!
And.O me ill-sted! valiant Rogero slain!
Bal.O my sad fates! Don Pedro weltering in his gore!O, could I meet Andrea, now my blood’sA-tiptoe, this hand and sword should melt him:Valiant Don Pedro!
Bal.O my sad fates! Don Pedro weltering in his gore!
O, could I meet Andrea, now my blood’s
A-tiptoe, this hand and sword should melt him:
Valiant Don Pedro!
And.Worthy Rogero, sure ’twas multitudes,That made thee stoop to death; one PortugalCould ne’er o’erwhelm thee in such crimson streams,And no mean blood shall quit it, Balthezar,Prince Balthezar!
And.Worthy Rogero, sure ’twas multitudes,
That made thee stoop to death; one Portugal
Could ne’er o’erwhelm thee in such crimson streams,
And no mean blood shall quit it, Balthezar,
Prince Balthezar!
Bal.Andrea, we meet in blood now.
Bal.Andrea, we meet in blood now.
And.Aye, in valiant blood of Don Rogero’s shedding,And each drop is worth a thousand Portugals.
And.Aye, in valiant blood of Don Rogero’s shedding,
And each drop is worth a thousand Portugals.
Bal.I’ll top thy head for that ambitious word.
Bal.I’ll top thy head for that ambitious word.
And.You cannot, prince: see a revengeful swordWaves o’er my head.
And.You cannot, prince: see a revengeful sword
Waves o’er my head.
Bal.Another over mine;Let them both meet, in crimson tinctures shine.[They fight; andAndreahathBalthezardown.
Bal.Another over mine;
Let them both meet, in crimson tinctures shine.
[They fight; andAndreahathBalthezardown.
Enter Portugals, and relieveBalthezar,and killAndrea.
And.O, I am slain! help me, Horatio!My foes are base, and slay me cowardly.Farewell, dear, dearest Bell’-Imperia!Yet herein joy is mingled with sad breath:I keep her favour longer than my breath.[He dies. Sound alarum.Andreaslain, and PrinceBalthezarvaunting on him.
And.O, I am slain! help me, Horatio!My foes are base, and slay me cowardly.Farewell, dear, dearest Bell’-Imperia!Yet herein joy is mingled with sad breath:I keep her favour longer than my breath.[He dies. Sound alarum.Andreaslain, and PrinceBalthezarvaunting on him.
And.O, I am slain! help me, Horatio!
My foes are base, and slay me cowardly.
Farewell, dear, dearest Bell’-Imperia!
Yet herein joy is mingled with sad breath:
I keep her favour longer than my breath.
[He dies. Sound alarum.Andreaslain, and PrinceBalthezarvaunting on him.
EnterJeronimo,Horatio,andLord General.
Hor.My other soul, my bosom, my heart’s friend,O my Andrea, slain! I[’ll] have the price of himIn princely blood.Prince Balthezar, my sword shall strike true strains,And fetch Andrea’s ransom forth thy veins.—Lord General, drive them hence, while I make war.Bal.Hath war made thee so impudent and young?My sword shall give correction to thy tongue.Jer.Correct thy rascals, prince; thou correct him!Lug with him, boy: honours in blood best swim.[They fight, and breathe afresh.Bal.So young and valorous! This arm ne’er metSo strong a courage in so green a set.Hor.If thou be’st valiant, cease these idle words,And let revenge hang on our glittering swords,With this proud prince, the haughty Balthezar.[Horatiohas PrinceBalthezardown; then enterLorenzoand seizes his weapon.
Hor.My other soul, my bosom, my heart’s friend,O my Andrea, slain! I[’ll] have the price of himIn princely blood.Prince Balthezar, my sword shall strike true strains,And fetch Andrea’s ransom forth thy veins.—Lord General, drive them hence, while I make war.
Hor.My other soul, my bosom, my heart’s friend,
O my Andrea, slain! I[’ll] have the price of him
In princely blood.
Prince Balthezar, my sword shall strike true strains,
And fetch Andrea’s ransom forth thy veins.—
Lord General, drive them hence, while I make war.
Bal.Hath war made thee so impudent and young?My sword shall give correction to thy tongue.
Bal.Hath war made thee so impudent and young?
My sword shall give correction to thy tongue.
Jer.Correct thy rascals, prince; thou correct him!Lug with him, boy: honours in blood best swim.[They fight, and breathe afresh.
Jer.Correct thy rascals, prince; thou correct him!
Lug with him, boy: honours in blood best swim.
[They fight, and breathe afresh.
Bal.So young and valorous! This arm ne’er metSo strong a courage in so green a set.
Bal.So young and valorous! This arm ne’er met
So strong a courage in so green a set.
Hor.If thou be’st valiant, cease these idle words,And let revenge hang on our glittering swords,With this proud prince, the haughty Balthezar.[Horatiohas PrinceBalthezardown; then enterLorenzoand seizes his weapon.
Hor.If thou be’st valiant, cease these idle words,
And let revenge hang on our glittering swords,
With this proud prince, the haughty Balthezar.
[Horatiohas PrinceBalthezardown; then enterLorenzoand seizes his weapon.
Hor.Hand off, Lorenzo; touch not my prisoner.Lor.He’s my prisoner;I seized his weapons first.Hor.O base renown!’Tis easy to seize those whom force laid down.[311]Lor.My lance first threw him from his warlike steed.Jer.Thy lance, Lorenzo! now, by my beard, you lie.Hor.Well, my lord,To you a while I tender my whole prisoner.Lor.Horatio,You tender me part of mine own, you know.Hor.Well, peace; with my blood dispense,Until my liege shall end the difference.Jer.Lorenzo, thou dost boast of base renown;Why, I could whip all these, were their hose down.Hor.Speak, prince, to whether dost thou yield?Bal.The vanquished yields to both, to you [the] first.Hor.O abject prince! what, dost thou yield to two?Jer.Content thee, boy; thou shalt sustain no wrong.I’ll to the king before, and let him knowThe sum of victory and his overthrow.[ExitJeronimo.
Hor.Hand off, Lorenzo; touch not my prisoner.
Hor.Hand off, Lorenzo; touch not my prisoner.
Lor.He’s my prisoner;I seized his weapons first.
Lor.He’s my prisoner;
I seized his weapons first.
Hor.O base renown!’Tis easy to seize those whom force laid down.[311]
Hor.O base renown!
’Tis easy to seize those whom force laid down.[311]
Lor.My lance first threw him from his warlike steed.
Lor.My lance first threw him from his warlike steed.
Jer.Thy lance, Lorenzo! now, by my beard, you lie.
Jer.Thy lance, Lorenzo! now, by my beard, you lie.
Hor.Well, my lord,To you a while I tender my whole prisoner.
Hor.Well, my lord,
To you a while I tender my whole prisoner.
Lor.Horatio,You tender me part of mine own, you know.
Lor.Horatio,
You tender me part of mine own, you know.
Hor.Well, peace; with my blood dispense,Until my liege shall end the difference.
Hor.Well, peace; with my blood dispense,
Until my liege shall end the difference.
Jer.Lorenzo, thou dost boast of base renown;Why, I could whip all these, were their hose down.
Jer.Lorenzo, thou dost boast of base renown;
Why, I could whip all these, were their hose down.
Hor.Speak, prince, to whether dost thou yield?
Hor.Speak, prince, to whether dost thou yield?
Bal.The vanquished yields to both, to you [the] first.
Bal.The vanquished yields to both, to you [the] first.
Hor.O abject prince! what, dost thou yield to two?
Hor.O abject prince! what, dost thou yield to two?
Jer.Content thee, boy; thou shalt sustain no wrong.I’ll to the king before, and let him knowThe sum of victory and his overthrow.[ExitJeronimo.
Jer.Content thee, boy; thou shalt sustain no wrong.
I’ll to the king before, and let him know
The sum of victory and his overthrow.
[ExitJeronimo.