[Act V, Scene ii]

Enter SORANZO and VASQUES

VASQUES
Am I to be believed now? First, marry a strumpet that cast herself
away upon you but to laugh at your horns? To feast on your dis-

grace, riot in your vexations, cuckold you in your bride-bed, waste
your estate upon panders and bawds?
SORANZO
No more, I say no more!	5
VASQUES
A cuckold is a goodly tame beast, my lord.
SORANZO
I am resolved; urge not another word.
My thoughts are great, and all as resolute
As thunder. In meantime I’ll cause our lady
To deck herself in all her bridal robes,	10
Kiss her, and fold her gently in my arms.
Begone. Yet hear you, are the banditti ready
To wait in ambush?
VASQUES
Good sir, trouble not yourself about other business than
your own resolution: remember that time lost cannot be	15
recalled.
SORANZO
With all the cunning words thou canst, invite
The states of Parma to my birthday’s feast.
Haste to my brother-rival and his father,
Entreat them gently, bid them not to fail.	20
Be speedy and return.
VASQUES
Let not your pity betray you till my coming back: think upon incest
and cuckoldry.
SORANZO
Revenge is all the ambition I aspire;
To that I’ll climb or fall. My blood’s on fire!                    Exeunt	25