The court
Enter Tyrant wondrous [discontentedly], Nobles [including Memphonius] afar off.
[FIRST] NOBLE
My lord.
TYRANT
Begone, or never see life more!
I’ll send thee far enough from court! Memphonius!
Where’s he now?
MEMPHONIUS
Ever at your highness’ service.
TYRANT
How dar’st thou be so near when we have threatened
Death to thy fellow? Have we lost our power,
Or thou thy fear? Leave us, in time of grace;
‘Twill be too late anon.
MEMPHONIUS
[Aside] I think ’tis so
With thee already.
TYRANT
Dead! And I so healthful!
There’s no equality in this. Stay!
MEMPHONIUS
Sir?
TYRANT
Where is that fellow brought the first report to us?
MEMPHONIUS
He waits without.
TYRANT
I charge thee, give command
That he be executed speedily,
As thou’t stand firm thyself.
MEMPHONIUS
[Aside] Now, by my faith,
His tongue has helped his neck to a sweet bargain!
Exit Memphonius.
TYRANT
Her own fair hand so cruel! Did she choose
Destruction before me? Was I no better?
How much am I exalted to my face,
And, where I would be graced, how little worthy!
There’s few kings know how rich they are in goodness,
Or what estate they have in grace and virtue.
There is so much deceit in glozers’ tongues,
The truth is taken from us. We know nothing
But what is for their purpose: that’s our stint;
We are allowed no more. Oh, wretched greatness!
I’ll cause a sessions for my flatterers
And have ‘em all hanged up. ’Tis done too late.
Oh, she’s destroyed, married to death and silence,
Which nothing can divorce: riches, nor laws,
Nor all the violence that this frame can raise.
I’ve lost the comfort of her sight forever.
I cannot call this life that flames within me,
But everlasting torment lighted up
To show my soul her beggary! A new joy
Is come to visit me in spite of death.
It takes me of that sudden, I’m ashamed
Of my provision, but a friend will bear.
Within there!
Enter [Soldiers].
FIRST SOLDIER
Sir?
SECOND SOLDIER
My lord?
TYRANT
The men I wished for,
For secrecy and employment. Go, give order
That Govianus be released.
FOURTH SOLDIER
Released, sir?
TYRANT
Set free!
[Exit Fourth Soldier.]
And then I trust he will fly the kingdom
And never know my purpose. Run, sir, you;
Bring me the keys of the cathedral straight.
FIRST SOLDIER
[Aside] Are you so holy now? Do you curse all day
And go to pray at midnight?
Exit.
TYRANT
Provide you, sirs, close lanthorns and a pickaxe.
Away, be speedy!
SECOND SOLDIER
[Aside] Lanthorns and a pickaxe?
Life, does he mean to bury himself alive, trow?
[Exeunt Second and Third Soldiers.]
TYRANT
Death nor the marble prison my love sleeps in
Shall keep her body locked from mine arms;
I must not be so cozened. Though her life
Was like a widow’s state made o’er in policy
To defeat me and my too-confident heart,
’Twas a most cruel wisdom to herself,
As much to me that loved her.
Enter [First Soldier with keys].
What, returned?
FIRST SOLDIER
Here be the keys, my lord.
TYRANT
I thank thy speed.
[Enter Second and Third Soldiers with lanterns and a pickaxe.]
Here comes the rest full furnished. Follow me,
And wealth shall follow you.
Exit.
FIRST SOLDIER
Wealth! By this light,
We go to rob a church. I hold my life
The money will ne’er thrive; that’s a sure saw:
“What’s got from grace is ever spent in law.”
Exeunt. Enter [Memphonius].
[MEMPHONIUS]
What strange fits grow upon him! Here alate
His soul has got a very dreadful leader.
What should he make in the cathedral now,
The hour so deep in night? All his intents
Are contrary to man, in spirit or blood.
He waxes heavy in his noble minds;
His moods are such, they cannot bear the weight,
Nor will not long, if there be truth in whispers.
The honourable father of the state,
Noble Helvetius, all the lords agree
By some close policy shortly to set free.
[Exit.]