The Spanish Tragedy Part 4

He takes the scutcheon and gives it to the KING.

Was English Robert, Earle of Gloucester, Who, when King Stephen bore sway in Albion, Arriv'd with five and twenty thousand men In Portingal, and, by success of war, Enforc'd the king, then but a Saracen, To bear the yoke of the English monarchy.

KING. My lord of Portingal, by this you see That which may comfort both your king and you, And make your late discomfort seem the less.

But say, Hieronimo: what was the next?

HIERO. The second knight that hung his scutcheon up

He doth as he did before.

Was Edmond, Earle of Kent in Albion.

When English Richard wore the diadem, He came likewise and razed Lisbon walls, And took the king of Portingal in fight,-- For which, and other such service done, He after was created Duke of York.

KING. This is another special argument That Portingal may deign to bear our yoke, When it by little England hath been yok'd.

But now, Hieronimo, what were the last?

HIERO. The third and last, not least in our account,

Doing as before.

Was, as the rest, a valiant Englishman, Brave John of Gaunt, the Duke of Lancaster, As by his scutcheon plainly may appear: He with a puissant army came to Spain And took our King of Castille prisoner.

AMBa.s.s. This is an argument for our viceroy That Spain may not insult for her success, Since English warriors likewise conquer'd Spain And made them bow their knees to Albion.

KING. Hieronimo, I drink to thee for this device, Which hath pleas'd both the amba.s.sador and me: Pledge me, Hieronimo, if thou love the king!

Takes the cup of HORATIO.

My lord, I fear we sit but over-long, Unless our dainties were more delicate,-- But welcome are you to the best we have.

Now let us in, that you may be dispatch'd; I think our council is already set.

Exeunt omnes.

[CHORUS.]

ANDREA. Come we for this from depth of under ground,-- To see him feast that gave me my death's wound?

These pleasant sights are sorrow to my soul: Nothing but league and love and banqueting!

REVENGE. Be still, Andrea; ere we go from hence, I'll turn their friends.h.i.+p into fell despite, Their love to mortal hate, their day to night, Their hope into despair, their peace to war, Their joys to pain, their bliss to misery.

ACTUS SECUNDUS.

[ACT II. SCENE 1.]

[The DUKE's castle.]

Enter LORENZO and BALTHAZAR.

LORENZO. My lord, though Bel-imperia seem thus coy, Let reason hold you in your wonted joy: In time the savage bull sustains the yoke, In time all haggard hawks will stoop to lure, In time small wedges cleave the hardest oak, In time the flint is pierc'd with softest shower; And she in time will fall from her disdain, And rue the sufferance of your friendly pain.

BAL. No; she is wilder, and more hard withal, Then beast or bird, or tree or stony wall!

But wherefore blot I Bel-imperia's name?

It is my fault, not she that merits blame.

My feature is not to content her sight; My words are rude and work her no delight; The lines I send her are but harsh and ill, Such as do drop from Pan and Marsya's quill; My presents are not of sufficient cost; And, being worthless, all my labours lost.

Yet might she love me for my valiancy.

Aye; but that's slander'd by captivity.

Yet might she love me to content her sire.

Aye; but her reason masters her desire.

Yet might she love me as her brother's friend.

Aye; but her hopes aim at some other end.

Yet might she love me to uprear her state.

Aye; but perhaps she loves some n.o.bler mate.

Yet might she love me as her beauty's thrall.

Aye; but I fear she cannot love at all.

LOR. My lord, for my sake leave these ecstasies, And doubt not but we'll find some remedy.

Some cause there is that lets you not be lov'd: First that must needs be known, and then remov'd.

What if my sister love some other knight?

BAL. My summer's day will turn to winter's night.

LOR. I have already found a stratagem To sound the bottom of this doubtful theme.

My lord, for once you shall be rul'd by me; Hinder me not what ere you hear or see: By force or fair means will I cast about To find the truth of all this question out.

Ho, Pedringano!

PED. Signior.

LOR. Vien qui presto!

Enter PEDRINGANO.

PED. Hath your lords.h.i.+p any service to command me?

LOR. Aye, Pedringano, service of import.

And, not to spend the time in trifling words, Thus stands the case: it is not long, thou know'st, Since I did s.h.i.+eld thee from my father's wrath For thy convenience in Andrea's love, For which thou wert adjudg'd to punishment; I stood betwixt thee and thy punishment, And since thou knowest how I have favour'd thee.

Now to these favours will I add reward, Not with fair words, but store of golden coin And lands and living join'd with dignities, If thou but satisfy my just demand; Tell truth and have me for thy lasting friend.

PED. Whate'er it be your lords.h.i.+p shall demand, My bounden duty bids me tell the truth, If case it lie in me to tell the truth.

LOR. Then, Pedringano, this is my demand; Whom loves my sister Bel-imperia?

For she reposeth all her trust in thee.

Speak, man, and gain both friends.h.i.+p and reward: I mean, whom loves she in Andrea's place?