Dramatis
VINDICI, the revenger, sometimes
disguised as Piato
HIPPOLITO, his brother
GRATIANA, his mother
CASTIZA, his sister
GLORIANA, his love, murdered by the
Duke
DUKE
DUCHESS
LUSSURIOSO, the Duke's son by a
previous marriage
AMBITIOSO, the eldest of the Duchess's
three children by a previous marriage
SPURIO, the Duke's bastard son
JUNIOR, the Duchess's younger son
SUPERVACUA, the Duchess's daughter
ANTONIO, a noble lord
LADY ANTONIO, his virtuous wife
DONDELA, Castiza's servant
FIRST OFFICER
SECOND OFFICER
Acts and Scenes
Prologue
I.i. Outside Vindici's house
I.ii. A court of law
I.iii. The palace
I.iv. The palace
II.i. Vindici's house
II.ii. The palace
II.iii. The Duke's bedchamber
III.i. The palace
III.ii. Outside the prison
III.iii. The prison
III.iv. Junior brother's cell in the prison
III.v. A lodge
III.vi. The prison
IV.i. The palace
IV.ii. The palace
IV.iii. The palace
IV.iv. Vindici's house
V.i. A room in the palace
V.ii. The palace banqueting hall
Prologue
Enter Duke, Duchess, Spurio, Lussurioso,
Lord and Lady Antonio, Ambitioso,
Supervacua, First Officer, Gloriana. They
dance. The Duke approaches Gloriana and
dances with her. He whispers something to
her, and she pulls away. The Duke returns
with a goblet and offers it to her. She drinks
and falls dead. Lady Antonio rushes to her.
Scene 1: Outside Vindici's house
Enter Vindici with a skull; the Duke,
Duchess, Lussurioso [his] son, Spurio the
bastard, pass over the stage.
VINDICI Yes, go, Duke, thou royal lecher.
And his son, as impious as he; And his
bastard, true-begot in evil; And his duchess
that would dance with the devil: Four
excellent characters. OH my poisoned
love, my Gloriana. The duke poisoned thee,
because thy purer part would not consent
unto his lust. Be merry, Gloriana. I, Vindici,
swear this: Thou shalt be avenged.
Enter his brother Hippolito.
HIPPOLITO Still sighing o'er death's
visage?
VINDICI Hippolito, my brother, welcome;
How go things at court?
HIPPOLITO In silk and silver, brother.
VINDICI Thou playest upon my meaning.
Speak, are we happy yet? Thy wrongs and
mine are for one scabbard fit.
HIPPOLITO Give me your hearing then.
You know my place at court.
VINDICI Ay, the duke's chamber.
HIPPOLITO Last evening, The duke's son
enquired for me, whose pleasure I attended::
he conjured me in private to seek for him
some common pander to procure for him a
lady.
VINDICI Hippolito, this serves my scheme.
It will get me inside the court. I'll be that
pander that he seeks.
VINDICI [Aside to him] I'll quickly turn
into another.
Exeunt
HIPPOLITO Brother, I’ll introduce you to
him. But you must play the part disguised.
VINDICI Soon, my love.
[Enter Gratiana and Castiza.]
Here comes our mother.
HIPPOLITO And sister.
CASTIZA Dear brothers.
VINCICI Castiza, sister.
GRATIANA What news from court, son?
HIPPOLITO The usual corruption. 'Tis
whispered there the duchess' youngest son
has played a rape on Lord Antonio's wife.
GRATIANA On that religious lady!
CASTIZA Royal blood! Monster, he
deserves to die.
VINDICI Sister, you have sentenced most
direct and true. Mother, I must take leave of
you.
Scene 2: A court of law
Enter the Duke, Lussurioso his son, the
Duchess, Spurio the Bastard, the Duchess'
two children Ambitioso and Supervacua,
Junior, her youngest brought out with First
Officer.
DUKE My sweet Duchess, the charge is
against your youngest son, Junior; we're
sorry. His violent act has stained our honour.
I leave him to his fate.
DUCHESS Husband, my gracious lord, I
pray thee, be merciful. Although his
trespasses far exceed his years, think him to
be your own as I am yours. LUSSURIOSO
Good my lord, was his offense so great?
Others at this court have done as much.
SUPERVACUA I beseech your grace, be
soft and mild.
SPURIO [Aside] I hope he dies, and if a
bastard's wish might stand, I would all this
court were turned into a corpse.
DUCHESS No pity yet?
VINDICI I intend speedy travel.
ANTONIO Let the offender stand forth.
Your Grace, let your pleasure be his doom.
His crime was committed on my wife, this
gentle honest lady.
HIPPOLITO That he does, madam.
LADY ANTONIO Confess it, my lord!
VINDICI Come mother, sister; you'll bring
me to court, brother?
ANTONIO What moved you to do it?
HIPPOLITO I will.
JUNIOR Why, flesh and blood, my lord.
What else moves men when women are
concerned? And it would please me well to
GRATIANA Leave for what?
2
do again: for she’s a goddess.
ANTONIO Let him be on a scaffold—
LUSSURIOSO Do not jest at thy doom.
Though marriage alone has made thee my
brother, I do love thee; play not with thy
death.
DUKE We will defer our judgment till next
sitting. In the meantime let him be kept
prisoner: Guard, bear him hence.
JUNIOR I thank you, stepbrother; good
admonitions.
ANTONIO My lady's shame is known over
all Italy.
SPURIO [Aside] A pox on it, What makes
my father hesitate now?
[Ambitioso and Supervacua take JUNIOR
BROTHER aside.]
AMBITIOSO Brother, this makes for thee.
JUNIOR Well then, 'tis done. Her beauty
was ordained to be my scaffold.
SUPERVACUA Fear not, we'll find a trick
to set thee free.
DUKE Enough. This is my sentence.
DUCHESS Oh, keep it upon your tongue.
SUPERVACUA Be not so cruel.
LADY ANTONIO You must condemn him.
' Tis but the justice of the law.
JUNIOR I will expect it from you both, And
in that hope I rest.
DUKE Come, my lords. Exeunt [omnes]
Duchess remains.
ANTIONIO He must die, my Lord.
DUCHESS One single word from him
would have freed my youngest, dearest son
from death, but that word was not said. And
therefore wedlock, faith, shall be forgot. I'll
kill him in his forehead; hate there feed:
That wound is deepest though it never bleed.
DUCHESS No!
[Enter Spurio.]
DUKE Tomorrow early--
[Aside] And here comes he whom my heart
points to, my Duke’s bastard son, but my
true love.
SPURIO [Aside] And now he dies; one out
of the way.
DUCHESS Pray come to bed, my lord.
LADY ANTONIO Your grace must right
this wrong.
AMBITIOSO Your right does us too much
wrong.
DUKE Let the offender-DUCHESS Live, and be in health.
SPURIO Madam? Your grace so private?
My duty on your hand.
[He kisses her hand.]
DUCHESS Upon my hand, sir! Troth,
Spurio, I think you'd fear to kiss my hand
too if my lips stood there.
SPURIO Witness I would not, madam.
3
DUCHESS Tis a wonder. What have you
thought of me?
[She kisses him.]
SPURIO Madam, I ever think of you in duty
and regard, and--
DUCHESS [Aside] And, now, my duke, my
vengeance shall reach high; I'll fit thy brow
with horns.
DUCHESS Think upon my love, I mean!
Exit.
SPURIO I would it were love, but tis a
fouler name than lust; you are my father's
wife: your grace may guess what some
would call it.
SPURIO Duke, thou didst do me wrong, and
by thy act adultery is my nature.
Stepmother, I consent to thy desires; I love
thy mischief well, but I hate thee and those
three cubs, thy children. As for my brother
Lussorioso, the duke's only legitimate son,
I'll loose my days upon him: I hate them all.
DUCHESS Why, thou art his son but
falsely; 'Tis a hard question whether he truly
begot thee.
Exit.
SPURIO In faith, tis true; I'm an uncertain
man, born of uncertain woman. Maybe the
groom at his stable begot me; I know not.
He could ride a horse well.
DUCHESS As could you, if you chose.
SPURIO Madam, I am your beggar.
DUCHESS If the duke was thy father, thy
injury is the more, for had he done right by
thee, thou would be next to wear the
dukedom's ring. What wrong can equal
this? Canst thou be tame and think upon it?
SPURIO No, mad and think upon it!
DUCHESS Who would not be revenged on
such a father? Would not this disinheritance
make a man mad?
SPURIO Ay, there's the vengeance that my
birth was wrapped in; I'll be revenged for
all. Now hate begin; I'll call foul incest but a
little sin.
DUCHESS Then sweet, farewell. Come to
me soon.
Scene 3: The palace
Enter Vindici and Hippolito, Vindici in
disguise [as Piato] to attend Lord
Lussurioso, the duke's son.
VINDICI Well, brother? Am I far enough
from myself?
HIPPOLITO As if another man had been
sent into the world, and none the wiser how
he came.
[Enter Lussurioso.]
The duke's son! Settle your looks.
HIPPOLITO My lord-LUSSURIOSO Hippolito?
HIPPOLITO My lord Lussorioso, after long
search, I made choice of this fellow, whom
I think rare for thy employment. His name
is Piato.
LUSSURIOSO 'We thank thee. Exit
[Hippolito].
4
LUSSURIOSO Welcome, be not far off.
We must be better acquainted. Come, be
bold with us, thy hand!
ardent spirit, and jewels that should have
tempted her. All of which this foolish chaste
maiden hath sent back.
VINDICI With all my heart. How dost thou,
sweet musk-cat? How may I serve my lord
Lussurioso?
VINDICI 'Tis a rare phoenix, whoever she
be. In truth, my lord, I'd be revenged and
marry her.
LUSSURIOSO [Aside] Wondrous knave!
Friend, I can forget myself in private, but
elsewhere, I pray you do remember my rank.
LUSSURIOSO The dowry of her blood and
of her fortunes are both too mean, but good
enough to be bad. LUSSURIOSO . Go thou,
and with a smooth, enchanting tongue
bewitch her ears. Enter upon that portion of
her soul, which she calls her chastity, and
bring it to me.
VINDICI Sir, I am yours to command.
Ask anything of me.
LUSSURIOSO What hast thou been? Of
what profession?
VINDICI I am a bone-setter.
LUSSURIOSO A bone-setter!
VINDICI A bawd, my lord, one that sets
bones together.
LUSSURIOSO Thou hast seen much
knavery then?
VINDICI Sir, I have been witness to the
surrenders of a thousand virgins. I have seen
matrimonies washed to pieces!
LUSSURIOSO [Aside] Fine villain! I like
him wondrously. He's perfect for my
purpose.
I would embrace thee for employment, and
thou shalt swell in money.
VINDICI I am all ears, my lord.
LUSSURIOSO Attend me: I am past my
depth in lust and I must swim or drown; all
of my desires are leveled at a virtuous lady
not far from court, to whom I have conveyed
by messenger many letters, full of my
VINDICI You have given me the itch, my
lord. Make known the lady to me, and my
brain shall swell with strange invention: I
will make her yours.
LUSSURIOSO We thank thee, and will
raise thee at court: Her name is Castiza, the
only daughter to Madam Gratiana.
VINDICI [Aside] Oh, my sister!
LUSSURIOSO Why dost thou walk aside?
VINDICI My lord, I was thinking how I
might begin. I have a hundred devices.
LUSSURIOSO Dost thou know the
daughter then?
VINDICI Oh, excellent well.
LUSSURIOSO That was her brother that
did present thee to us.
VINDICI Ah, I knew I had seen him
somewhere.
LUSSURIOSO We may laugh at his
innocence, eh?
5
VINDICI Ha, ha, ha!
LUSSURIOSO Himself being made the
instrument to entice his sister.
poison! What, swear me to foul my sister?
Sword, I make a promise of him to thee, it
shall be thine honour to end him!
Exit.
VINDICI The joke is on him.
Scene 4: The palace
LUSSURIOSO Now, if she still prove
chaste and immoveable, venture upon the
mother, and with gifts as I will furnish thee,
begin with her to win the maiden.
VINDICI Oh, fie, fie, that's the wrong end,
my lord! 'Tis impossible that a mother by
any gifts should become a pander to her own
daughter!
Enter the discontented Lord Antonio, whose
wife the Duchess' youngest son ravished, he
discovering the body of her dead to First
Officer and Hippolito.
ANTONIO Draw nearer, gentlemen, and be
sad witnesses of a fair lady newly fallen.
Behold, my friends, a sight that strikes the
man out of me.
LUSSURIOSO Nay, then I see thou art but a
novice in the subtle mystery of a woman.
HIPPOLITO That virtuous lady?
VINDICI Let me be taught by thee, my
Lord.
ANTONIO My wife, my wife! Dead! For
her honour, she drank poison.
LUSSURIOSO Well said; come, I will teach
thee, but first swear to be true to me in all
things.
FIRST OFFICER Oh, grief of many!
VINDICI I will.
LUSSURIOSO Nay, swear!
VINDICI I hope your honour little doubts
my loyalty.
LUSSURIOSO Yet swear for my humour's
sake. I love swearing.
VINDICI Then I do humbly swear. I will
do your will.
LUSSURIOSO That will do, then. Come,
let the games begin.
SECOND OFFICER: The blush of many
womenHIPPOLITO My lord,Tell us what
happened.
ANTONIO At the last revels, when torchlight made an artificial noon about the court,
and some courtiers were full of fraud and
flattery, amongst them the duchess' youngest
son. He singled out this dear form from all
the ladies. And in the height of all the revels,
, he ravished her, and fed the ravenous
vulture of his lust! Her honour forced, she
deemed it a nobler dowry for or her name to
die with poison than to live with shame.
Exit.
HIPPOLITO A wondrous lady, my lord
Antonio.
VINDICI Oh, let me burst: I've eaten noble
FIRST OFFICER My lord, what judgment
6
for the offender?
VINDICI Receive this gift from the duke's
son, Lussurioso!
ANTONIO Faith, none, my lord: it was
deferred.
CASTIZA And you receive this!
HIPPOLOTO Delay the doom for rape?
A box of the ear to her brother.
ANTONIO Oh, you must note who it is
should die: Junior, The Duchess' younger
son; she'll look to save him.
HIPPOLITO Drawing his sword] Nay,
then gentlemen step forth. I bind us all in
steel: Vengeance!
I swore I'd put anger in my hand to him
that next appeared to be his sinful
messenger; bear to him that figure of my
hate upon thy cheek while it is yet hot.
Tell him my honour shall never share his
shame. Farewell; commend me to him in
my hate!
OFFICERS Vengeance!
Exit.
ANTONIO Kind gentlemen, I thank you.
VINDICI I'll love this blow forever,
though my cheek burns. And now for
the fulfillment of my oath, I will lay hard
siege unto my mother, though I know a
siren's tongue could not bewitch her so.
HIPPOLITO My Lord Antonio, wipe the
tears from your eyes; Our grief and yours
may one day wane when we are more
familiar with revenge.
[Enter Gratiana.]
ANTONIO That is my comfort, gentlemen,
and I joy In this one happiness above the
rest, that I had a wife so fair and chaste.
[Aside] Here she comes; quick, my disguise.
Madam, good afternoon.
Exeunt.
GRATIANA You are welcome, sir.
Scene 5: Vindici's house
VINDICI Madam, the son of our great
duke sends greetings and commends himself
to thee.
Enter Castiza the sister.
Enter Dondela.
DONDELA Madonna Castiza, this is Piato.
[Exit]
VINDICI [ Giving her a letter and a
jewel] Lady, the best of wishes to you and
your fair face.
CASTIZA I thank you, sir. Whence this?
GRATIANA I am much honoured that he
pleases to rank me in his thoughts.
VINDICI So should you be, lady: for he
is soon to be our next duke. How blessed
are they now that could pleasure him with
almost anything.
GRATIANA Ay, save their honour.
VINDICI Oh, one would let a little of that
go too for price. I'd wink and let it go.
7
GRATIANA But I would not.
Enter Castiza.
VINDICI Marry, but I know you would
too. Or not your honour, but your
daughter’s; for the Duke’s son Lussurioso,
has long desired your daughter, Chatiza.
GRATIANA Daughter Castiza.
GRATIANA Desired?
VINDICI Nay, but hear me: I speak as
more a friend to you than him. Madam, I
know you are poor, and there are too many
poor ladies already. Live wealthy, And
chide away that foolish country girl chastity
that keeps company with your daughter.
GRATIANA The riches of the world
cannot entice a mother to this most
unnatural task!
VINDICI No, but golden angels can.
Men have no power; angels must work
you to it. Were I poor, dejected,
scorned of greatness, only to see other
daughters rise in the court, while mine
own was so much desired and loved by the
duke's son? No, I would let him raise her
state and I would count my yearly income
upon her cheeks. CASTIZA Madam, why is that evil man
in thy presence? He lately brought
immodest writing from the duke's son to
tempt me to dishonourable act.
GRATIANA Dishonourable act? And
pray, by whose judgment? Mean people,
ignorant people; The better sort I'm sure
do not think it dishonourable. And by what
rule should we live our lives but by our
betters’ actions? But there's a cold curse
laid upon some maids: They deny
advancement, treasure, and the duke's son!
CASTIZA I cry you mercy. Lady, I
mistook you. Did you see my mother
here? Pray God I have not lost her.
VINDICI [Aside] Prettily put.
GRATIANA I owe your cheek my hand
for that presumption now, but I'll forget it.
Come, you shall leave those childish
behaviors and understand your place;
fortune will flow to us. GRATIANA Oh, heavens! This
overcomes me.
CASTIZA Mother, I pray thee...
VINDICI [Aside] I fear to proceed; yet I'll
fulfill my oath.
VINDICI Lady, listen to your mother
How blessed are you; you are desired by
one sufficient in himself to make you dazzle
the world with jewels.
What think you now, lady? 'Tis no shame
to be bad, madam, because 'tis common."
GRATIANA If I were young, I would
do it.
GRATIANA Ay, that is my comfort.
CASTIZA And lose your honour?
VINDICI [Aside] Oh, suffering heaven,
my mother, my mother.
GRATIANA Castiza! If she refuse, I'll
never call her mine.
VINDICI How can you lose your honour
? My lord is son to a duke. His title will
give you honour. Your mother will tell you
how.
8
GRATIANA That I will.
VINDICI Oh, think upon the pleasure of
the palace: Secured comfort and ease,
banquets by torch-light, music, sports,
bare-headed vassals. Nine coaches
waitingCASTIZA Ay, to bear me to the devil. I
defy you both! Mother, come back to me
from that poisonous woman there. And you,
pestilence, get thee hence.
Exit.
VINDICI [Aside] Oh angels, clap your
wings upon the skies, And give this virgin
praise.
GRATIANA Peevish, coy, foolish! But
return this answer to your lord: he shall be
most welcome when his pleasure conducts
him this way. I will sway mine own;
Women with women can work best alone.
VINDICI Indeed, I'll tell him so.
Exit.
Scene 6: The palace
Enter Lussurioso with Piato
LUSSURIOSO What fruit from the
mother?
VINDICI The maid had no mind to travel
into unknown lands. So I set my spurs to
the mother; golden spurs, which put her to
a gallop in a trice.
LUSSURIOSO Is it possible that in this
the mother should be damned before the
daughter?
VINDICI The maid was like an unlighted
taper, cold and chaste. But the good
madam threw me these promising words,
"My lord shall be most welcome"-LUSSURIOSO Faith, I thank her.
VINDICI "When his pleasure conducts
him this way"-LUSSURIOSO That shall be soon.
VINDICI "I will sway mine own"-LUSSURIOSO I commend her for it.
VINDICI "Women with women can work
best alone."
LUSSORIOSO Say, hast thou beguiled her
of salvation, and rubbed hell o'er with
honey? Is she a woman?
LUSSURIOSO And so they can. Men are
not comparable to 'em. Now my desires
are happy. Thou art a precious fellow; faith,
I love thee. Well, this night I'll visit her,
and revel in my desires. Farewell.
VINDICI In all but in desire.
VINDICI My lord.
LUSSURIOSO Then you’ve done
nothing.
Exit.
VINDICI Thy words I brought. With
easier labor. I could win a Puritan's wife.
This maid is too good. But oh, the mother,
the mother!
Shall I kill him now? No. Sword, thou
wast never a back-biter. I'll pierce him to
his face; he shall die looking upon me
Enter Hippolito.
9
HIPPOLITO Brother, I have news to tell
you.
VINDICI What news?
HIPPOLITO Our vicious old duke, he
who abused thy Gloriana, is himself abused:
His bastard son has made him a cuckold.
VINDICI What, Spurio?
HIPPOLITO Pray, believe it: he and the
duchess meet by night in their linen; they
have been seen!
[Enter Spurio and Suervacua)
See, here he comes, with the Duchess’s
daughter.
mischief. My good lord.
LUSSURIOSO Piato! Why, the man I
wished for. Come, I do embrace this night
as the fittest time to taste of that young
lady.
HIPPOLITO [Aside] Dammed villain!
VINDICI My lord. I'd almost forgot: the
bastard!
LUSSURIOSO Spurio? What of him?
VINDICI This night, this hour, this
minute, now!
LUSSURIOSO What! What!
VINDICI He is with the Duchess.
HIPPOLITO Monstrous knave!
VINDICI Come, let's observe his passage.
LUSSURIOSO Spurio is with my
stepmother?
[They retire.]
VINDICI He gives thy father royal horns.
SPURIO No, but are you sure?
LUSSURIOSO I am mad.
SUPERVACUA Most sure. I heard it
straight that Lussurioso intends within this
hour to steal unto Hippolito's sister, whose
chaste life her mother will corrupt for his
use.
VINDICI You must take them now.
SPURIO Sweet world, sweet occasion!
LUSSURIOSO The duchess' chamberdoor shall not control me.
[Exeunt Lussurioso and Vindici.]
Exeunt Spurio and Supervacua.
HIPPOLITO There's gunpowder in the
court, wildfire at midnight.
VINDICI They mock our sister.
Exit.
Enter Lussurioso.
Scene 7: The Duke's bedchamber
VINDICI [Aside to Hippolito] Who's this
comes? The duke's son up so late! Brother,
fall back, And you shall see some
[The Duke and Duchess are discovered in
bed. Lussurioso and Vindici] enter again
with Hippolito following.
10
LUSSURIOSO Where is that villain
Spurio?
LUSSURIOSO I was deceived. I know
there's no excuse can do me good.
VINDICI Oh, 'twill be glorious To kill
them!
VINDICI [Aside to Hippolito] It would
now be good policy for us to disappear; he
shall not harm our sister this night.
[He draws his sword and approaches the
bed.]
HIPPOLITO [Aside to Vindici] You little
dreamt his father slept here.
Villain, strumpet!
DUKE Help, help, defend us!
DUCHESS Treason, treason!
DUKE Oh, take me not in sleep; I have
great sins: I must have days, nay, months,
to do my penance.
LUSSURIOSO My father? I am amazed.
DUKE My son? Thou villain traitor. I’ll
have your head.
VINDICI [Aside to Hippolito] I thought
that Spurio was here. But this played out
rather well.
DUKE Be comforted, our duchess: he
shall die.
[The Duchess exits as the guards seize
Lussurioso}
LUSSURIOSO Where is Piato? Out of my
sight, knave!
Enter Spurio.
Enter Antonio, Ambitioso and Supervacua,
with First Officer.
SPURIO Did I miss something?
AMBITIOSO How comes the quiet of
your grace disturbed?
LUSSORIOSO The bastard here? Nay,
then the truth of my intent shall out. My
lord and father, hear me.
DUKE This boy that would be duke after
me rushed in, intending to depose me in
my bed.
SPUPERVACUA For shame!
FIRST OFFICER Hold, knave!
DUCHESS He called his father villain and
me strumpet.
AMBITIOSO This was not well done,
Lussorioso.
SUPERVACUA I am ashamed to call thee
brother.
DUKE Take him from my sight. To
prison with the villain; Death shall not
long lag after him.
SPURIO [Aside] In faith, I did miss
something.
LUSSURIOSO [To Ambitioso and
Supervacua aside] My brother and sister,
my best hope for release lies with you; I
pray you, plead for me.
AMBITIOSO Be sure of our love,
brother. We will do our best for you.
11
SUPERVACUA We'll sweat in pleading.
were weak because he is your son.
LUSSURIOSO And I may live to thank
you.
DUKE What’s this?
Exeunt [Lussurioso and Officers].
AMBITIOSO His death shall thank me
better.
SPURIO [Aside] I must go after him
and offer him my pity. Fortune smiles on
me tonight.
Exit
AMBITIOSO [Aside to Supervacua] Now,
sister, let our hate and love be woven so
subtly together, that in speaking one word
for his life, we may speak three for his
death: The craftiest pleader gets most gold
for breath.
SUPERVACUO [Aside to Ambitioso] Set
on; I'll not be far behind you, brother.
DUKE Is it possible a son should be
disobedient as far as the sword? It is the
highest sin; he can go no farther.
SUPERVACUA My gracious lord, take
pity--
AMBITIOSO Forgive him, good my lord:
he's your own son, though this act was not
worthy of a son.
SUPERVACUO He's the next heir, his
greed for you title made him foolish. Be
merciful-DUKE [Aside] These two are up to
something false: I'll try them both upon
their love and hate.
You have prevailed: Go, let Lussorioso be
released.
SUPERVACUA What? [Aside to
Ambitioso] How now, brother?
AMBITIOSO Your grace doth please to
put aside your anger. I should be happy, and
yet...
DUKE You have convinced me. Go,
release him.
SUPERVACUA Oh, my good lord, this
fault is too weighty, too inhuman. He tried
to kill his father. Most men would say that
he must die.
DUKE Pity, my children?
AMBITIOSO Nay, we'd be loath to ask
your grace so much; We know his trespass
is unpardonable, wicked, and unnatural.
DUKE 'Tis true, tis true. Here then,
receive this signet; take it to the judges; tell
them that by this sign they shall know my
will: that Lussurioso should die ere many
days have passed. Make haste.
SUPERVACUO Some fathers would
have shown their manly hate, and have had
him executed on the spot. But you proved
gentler.
AMBITIOSO We’ll make all speed. Tis
justice, my lord.
AMBITIOSO My lord, pardon him, and
do not listen to the voices that will say you
SUPERVCUA Your Grace, dear stepfather,
we are sorry for your burden.
12
Exeunt [Ambitioso and Supervacua].
DUKE Antonio! Here's hatred with a
poor, thin cover over it, easily spied through.
Their mother feeds their ambitions, but
I will prevent their plans. s
lady's dead, and people's thoughts will
soon be buried.
Exeunt.
Scene 9: Outside the prison
Enter Antonio.
Enter Antonio, Lussurioso from prison.
ANTONIO Your Grace?
LUSSURIOSO My lord, I am so much
indebted to you for this sweet delivery!
DUKE Antonio, make haste. Go to the
jail and tell them my will. Lussurioso is to
be released now, at once.
Exit Antonio.
DUKE This night has aged me.
Exit
Scene 8: The palace
Enter Ambitioso and Supervacua.
SUPERVACUA Ambitioso, let my
opinion sway you, Tis best for us to have
him die surest and soonest. Judges and
juries can bought and sold. Let not this
judgment be deferred.
AMBITIOSO In truth, you are right!
SUPERVACUA Let us go there now. Our
stepfather said “ere many days”. We can
say we mistook his meaning.
AMBITIOSO Excellent. Then I am
heir, duke in a minute. The falling of one
head lifts up another.
ANTONIO My duty, my lord, is to serve
thy father’s will. He hath much love for
you.
Exeunt.
Scene 10: The prison
Enter Ambitioso and Supervacua with
Officers.
AMBITIOSO Officer, your have here as
your prisoner, the duke’s son?
FIRST OFFICER We do.
ANTONIO Here's the duke's signet. It
brings the command of immediate death
unto our brother, the duke's son; we are
sorry that we are so unnaturally employed
in such an office, fitter for enemies than
brothers.
SUPERVACUA But you know, the
duke's command must be obeyed.
FIRST OFFICER It must and shall be, my
lady; this morning then. SUPERVACUA Then might we find some
trick to free our younger brother.
SECOND OFFICER So suddenly?
ANTONIO Aye, now’s the time. The
AMBITIOSO Ay, alas, poor good soul;
the executioner stands ready. There is no
13
time for breakfast.
brief with you: prepare to die.
SUPERVACUA I weep for our poor
brother.
SECOND OFFICER It is too true, my
lord.
FIRST OFFICER Then we'll not delay. I
take my leave, my lord. My lady.
JUNIOR I tell you 'tis not, for the duke my
father deferred my judgment till the next
court and I look every minute for a release,
some trick wrought by my brother and sister.
AMBITIOSO And therein you show
yourself a good man and upright officer.
AMBITIOSO Fine fools!
FIRST OFFICER A trick, my lord.Your
brother and sister were the unhappy
messengers that brought this powerful
token for your death.
SUPERVACUA Things fall out so fit.
JUNIOR No, no! That cannot be.
AMBITIOSO So happily! Come, sister,
ere next clock Lussurioso’s head will be
on a chopping block.
2ND OFFICER 'Tis most true, my lord.
The duke sent word by them that his son
must die.
Exeunt.
JUNIOR Desire them hither, call them up!
They shall deny it to your faces.
Exit Officers
Scene 11: Junior’s cell in the prison
Enter in prison Junior brother.
ANTONIO The time for that is past.
Now you must pay for what you did to my
lady wife.
JUNIOR No news lately from my brother
and sister. Are they unmindful of me?
FIRST OFFICER Be comforted, my lord.
Grief swam in their eyes.
Enter Officers and Antonio.
JUNIOR A pox dry their tears! What
should I do with tears? Look, you
officious whoresons, I am the stepson of the
duke.
How now, what news?
FIRST OFFICER You must pardon us, my
lord; our duty must be done: here is our
warrant, this signet from the duke; he bids
you suffer straight.
JUNIOR Suffer? I'll suffer you to be gone,
I'll suffer you To come no more! What
would you have me suffer?
ANTONIO My lord, those words were
better changed to prayers; The time's but
2nd OFFICER You delay too long, my
lord. Come and meet thy fate like a man.
JUNIOR Stay, good gentlemen. Oh, let
me venom thy souls with curses!
FIRST OFFICER Come, sir.
JUNIOR But my fault was sweet sport,
which the world approves; I die for that
14
Exeunt.
VINDICI And look you, brother, My
Gloriana shall play a part in her own
revenge.
Scene 12: A lodge
[Applies poison to the skull's mouth.]
Enter Vindici with Hippolito his brother.
This very skull, whose form in flesh the
duke poisoned, with this poison shall be
revenged. She will kiss his lips to death.
.
which every woman loves.
VINDICI Oh, sweet, delectable, rare, ..
HIPPOLITO Why, what's the matter,
brother?
VINDICI The duke has hired me, for a
price, to provide him with a lady in some
place veiled from the eyes of the court. To
which I consented, and did bid his grace to
meet her here in this lodge. But here is the
rarest joke. The bastard Spurio and the
duchess have also planned a tryst here
tonight..
HIPPOLITO Tis perfect. But where's the
lady now?
VINDICI Oh, a special lady. I took care.
.Madam, his grace will not be absent long.
And now, I'll unmask you.
HIPPOLITO Brother, I do applaud the
ingenuity of thy malice.
. Hark, the duke's come!
VINDICI Peace, let's observe what
company he brings. Fall you back a little
with the bony lady.
HIPPOLITO That I will.
[Enter the Duke talking to First Officer]
DUKE If we be missed by the duchess
or any of the nobles, tell them we have
ridden out with some honorable gentlemen.
[Draws back the veils.]
FIRST OFFICER Your will and pleasure
shall be done, my lord.
HIPPOLITO Brother, what’s this!
[Exit the Officer.]
VINDICI Art thou beguiled now? Have I
not given the Duke a quaint piece of beauty?
VINDICI Your good grace?
DUKE Piato, well done. Hast thou brought
her? What lady is it?
HIPPOLITO Brother, is that thy Gloriana?
VINDICI The very same; And now
tonight her death shall be revenged.
Surely we're all mad people, and they
whom we think are, are not.
HIPPOLITO Faith, brother Vindici, you
are mad.
VINDICI Faith, my lord, a country lady, a
little bashful at first, as most of them are, but
after the first kiss, my lord, she may not
seem so cool. She has somewhat a grave
look with her, but-DUKE I love that best: conduct her here.
15
VINDICI [Aside to Hippolito] a torch,
Hippolito,
DUKE Is there a hell besides this, villains?
[Noise within.]
DUKE How sweet a perfume can a Duke
breathe? Lady, I must be bold with you[Kisses the skull.]
VINDICI Hark, they're coming.
DUKE Oh, kill me not with that sight!
DUKE What have I kissed?
VINDICI What? Is not thy tongue eaten
out yet? Then we'll silence it. Brother,
stifle the torch.
VINDICI . Duke, dost know this face?
'Tis the skull of Gloriana, whom thou
poisoned.
DUKE Treason, murder!
DUKE Oh, it has poisoned me!
VINDICI Why, yes.
DUKE Who are you?
HIPPOLITO Silence, brother: they come.
Enter Spurio the bastard meeting the
Duchess. They kiss.
SPURIO Ah, that was sweet. It had a taste
of sin.
VINDICI I am Vindici, the Revenger.
DUKE Oh, help me, Hippolito? Treason!
DUCHESS Why, there's no sweet pleasure
that is not sinful.
HIPPOLITO stamping on him Yes, my
good lord: treason, treason, treason!
SPURIO And yet, such a bitter sweetness
fate hath given me.
DUKE I am betrayed! Oh, my tongue!
DUCHESS Aye, the duke, thy doubtful
father. I long for his death.
VINDICI 'Twill teach you to kiss with
your mouth closed. Look, monster, what
thou hast done to my once betrothed!
HIPPOLITO And let this news make thy
spirit grievous sore: Mark me, duke, thou
art a renowned, high, and mighty cuckold.
DUKE Lies!
VINDICI Thy bastard, Spurio, rides ahunting on thy horse. Here in this lodge
they meet for love. Your eyes shall witness
their betrayal.
SPURIO Madam, you urge a thought close
to my heart. So deadly do I loathe him, I
would gladly add murder to adultery.
DUCHESS Why, now thou art sociable!
Come, let us go in and feast, then meet back
here to feast again.
Exeunt.
DUKE My wife and my son. I cannot
watch.
[Vindici stabs the Duke, who dies.]
16
VINDICI Then die. Gloriana, this is for
thee.
my thankless office to present you with
your brother’s yet bleeding head.
Exeunt.
AMBITIOSO Our sorrows are so fluent,
our eyes o'erflow our tongues.
Scene 13: The prison
SUPERVACUA How died he, pray?
Enter Ambitioso and Supervacua.
AMBITIOSO Was not this execution
rarely plotted? I am the duke's heir now.
SUPERVACUA Ay, you may thank me
for that.
AMBITIOSO For what?
SUPERVACUA Why, was the plan not
my invention, brother?
AMBITIOSO Sister, 'twas a thing I
thought on too.
SUPERVACUA Oh, you thought on it
too! Slander not your thoughts with
glorious untruth!
AMBITIOSO I say 'twas in my head.
SUPERVACUA Ay, like your brains.
Never to come out as long as you live.
AMBITIOSO Methinks you are much too
bold; you should remember, sister, I am the
next duke.
[Enter First Officer, holding a severed
head.]
SUPERVACUA How now, what's this?
AMBITIOSO One of the officers. How
now, my friend?
FIRST OFFICER My lord and lady, it is
FIRST OFFICER Oh, full of rage and
spleen!
SUPERVACUA He died most valiantly
then; we're glad to hear it.
SECOND OFFICER But in the stead of
prayer, he drew forth oaths. And even at his
last, he cursed you both.
AMBITIOSO It was not in our powers, but
the duke's pleasure. [Aside to Supervacua]
Finely dissembled on both sides.
Enter Lussurioso.
LUSSURIOSO My brother, my sister.
SUPERVACUA Oh!
LUSSURIOSO Why do you shun me? It is
thanks to you I'm free.
AMBITIOSO You are alive!
SUPERVACUA In health!
AMBITIOSO We are both amazed with
joy to see it.
SUPERVACUA Faith, we begged thy lord
the duke to spare thee.
AMBITIOSO Oh, how we pleaded!
LUSSURIOSO For which I heartily thank
thee both.
17
Exit Lussurioso.
HIPPOLITO Yes, my good lord, I have a
brother.
SUPERVACUA Hell and torments!
AMBITIOSO How dare you delude us?
FIRST OFFICER Delude you, my lords?
SUPERVACUA Ay, villain, where's this
head?
SECOND OFFICER Why, here, my lord.
Just after my lord Lussurioso was freed,
you both came with a warrant from the duke
to behead your brother.
AMBITIOSO Ay, our stepbrother,
Lussorioso.
LUSSURIOSO How is it I have not seen
him at court?
HIPPOLITO He keeps at home full of want
and discontent, cursing the fates, who he
thinks ordained him to be poor.
LUSSURIOSO Bring him to court. With
Piato gone, I need a new man. Perhaps I can
help him.
HIPPOLITO With willingness and speed.
Exit.
SECOND OFFICER Lussorioso, my lord,
was released before you came.
LUSSURIOSO This fellow will be of use;
he shall kill Piato that did abuse me and
cause me to commit treason.
SUPERVACUA Then whose head's is that?
Exeunt.
FIRST OFFICER His whom you
commanded, your brother's.
Scene 15: The palace
AMBITIOSO Our brother's? Oh, furies!
Enter Vindici and Hippolito, Vindici out of
his disguise.
SUPERVACUA Devil! Villain, I'll kill
thee with it!
HIPPOLITO So, all is as it should be; you
are yourself.
SECOND OFFICER My lady!
VINDICI Brother, what’s afoot, what
use will he put me to now?
[Exit Officer, running.]
SUPERVACUA The devil overtake thee!
AMBITIOSO Oh, vengeance!
Exeunt.
LUSSURIOSO 'twas told me lately,
Hippolito, that you've a brother.
HIPPOLITO I know not: He has some
employment for you, but what it is, he and
his friend, the devil, know best. He comes.
Enter Lussurioso.
LUSSURIOSO Hippolito.
HIPPOLITO Your lordship.
18
LUSSURIOSO Who is this?
HIPPOLITO 'Tis Vindici, my discontented
brother, whom according to your will I've
brought to court.
LUSSURIOSO Is that thy brother? He
has a good presence; I wonder he has been
away from court so long. [To Vindici] Come
nearer.
HIPPOLITO Brother, this is Lord
Lussurioso, the duke’s son.
LUSSURIOSO Ay, Hippolito. I kept it
close till now that both your angers might
meet him at once.
HIPPOLITO I'm covetous to know the
villain.
LUSSURIOSO You know him: that
pander, Piato, him that you recommended
to me.
VINDICI Did you, brother?
HIPPOLITO I did indeed.
Vindici snatches off his hat and makes legs
to him.
VINDICI God give you good evening.
LUSSURIOSO We thank thee. How
strangely such a homely salute sounds in the
palace, where we greet in nimble and
desperate tongues; Tis rare to hear the name
of God. Tell me, what has made thee so
melancholy?
VINDICI The evil in the world, my lord.
Lust, debauchery, corruption in the court,
deceit. Tis all around us.
LUSSURIOSO Ah, friend. I share thy
sorrow. The evils at the court are a stench in
the noses of God-fearing men like us.
[Aside] I can use his melancholy; he has wit
enough to murder any man, and I'll give
him the reason .
LUSSURIOSO My friends, now you shall
truly know my intent; I must tell you of
villain worthy of your vengeful swords,
who hath disgraced you much and injured
us.
HIPPOLITO Disgraced us, my lord?
LUSSURIOSO Well, that ungrateful villain
ignored my kindness, and took from me
jewels, so that he might corrupt your sister,
Castiza.
HIPPOLITO Oh, villain!
VINDICI He shall surely die that did it.
LUSSURIOSO I hate any man would do a
virgin harm, and my eye could not endure
him. I threw him out.
VINDICI Out, villain!
LUSSURIOSO In rage I pushed him from
me, I trampled his throat. Indeed I was too
cruel, to say the truth.
HIPPOLITO Most nobly managed.
LUSSURIOSO And in revenge for that, he
presented himself with jewels and lies to
your sister, whose chastity I respect. She is
a paragon among women. Failing there, he
next waylaid your mother, and tried with
bribes to corrupt her.
VINDICI Now I am mad: he shall not live
to see the moon change.
19
LUSSURIOSO Piato is somewhere about
the palace; Hippolito, bring him here, that
thy brother may mark him.
yet found.
HIPPOLITO My lord, I will see if I can
find him.
VINDICI Brother, what say you then to
this device, if we dressed up the body of
the duke?
HIPPOLITO Most true.
Exit Hippolito.
HIPPOLITO In that disguise of yours.
LUSSURIOSO Thy name, I have forgot it.
VINDICI You are quick..
VINDICI Vindici, my lord.
HIPPOLITO I like it wondrously.
LUSSURIOSO 'Tis a good name, that.
VINDICI Ay, a revenger’s name.
VINDICI I, too. Now come, let's conjure
that devil out of our mother.
LUSSURIOSO It does betoken courage:
thou shouldst be valiant and kill thine
enemies.
Exeunt.
Enter Hippolito.
Enter Vindici and Hippolito bringing out
their mother Gratiana, with daggers in their
hands.
LUSSURIOSO Now, Hippolito, where is
that pander Piato?
HIPPOLITO He's not now to be found, my
lord.
LUSSURIOSO Then our vengeance must
wait for another day. We’ll see him dead,
my friends, fear not.
Scene 17: Vindici's house
VINDICI Oh, thou for whom no name is
bad enough!
GRATIANA What means my sons? What,
will you murder me?
VINDICI Wicked, unnatural parent!
VINDICI Or else let us not live.
HIPPOLITO Fiend among women!
HIPPOLOITO We shall not fail.
GRATIANA Oh! Are my sons turned
devils? Am I not thy mother?
Exit Lussurioso.
VINDICI This joke is rare: I'm hired to kill
myself.
HIPPOLITO True.
VINDICI And the old duke is dead, but not
HIPPOLITO Did you not try to sell our
sister?
GRATIANA Never!
VINDICI Did not the duke's son direct a
fellow hither, that did corrupt all that was
20
good in thee, and make thee offer our
sister to his lust?
GRATIANA Who, I? I will not be
soiled with this slander. VINDICI I was that man. Do you deny
it now?
And here she comes.
DONDELA Madam, she is strange. I fear
she is unwell.
CASTIZA Mother, I have thought upon
your words: I am content.
GRATIANA Content to what?
GRATIANA Oh, hell unto my soul!
No
tongue but yours could have bewitched me
so.
VINDICI Oh, thou art nimble in
damnation!
GRATIANA Oh, sons, Forgive me;
to myself I'll prove more true: You that
should honour me, I kneel to you.
VINDICI Brother, it rains, 'twill spoil
your dagger; put it away.
HIPPOLITO 'Tis done.
GRATIANA Oh, you heavens! Take this
infectious spot out of my soul; Make my
tears salt enough to taste of grace. VINDICI Nay, I'll kiss you now.
CASTIZA To do as you have wished me,
to prostitute myself to the duke's son.
GRATIANA Dondela, go.
Exit Dondela.
Daughter, I hope you will not so!
CASTIZA Are ye not pleased yet with me?
You shall not wish me to be more lascivious
than I intend to be.
GRATIANA Good child, I am recovered of
that foul disease that haunted me before.
Forgive me; My words were wickedness.
CASTIZA So you would have me deny
advancement, riches, the duke's son?
HIPPOLITO Let it be. Now come, Vindici,
you forget our business.
GRATIANA I spoke those words, and now
they poison me! Daughter, thou wouldst
wish thyself unborn if thou were unchaste.
GRATIANA Farewell, my sons. Pray for
me.
CASTIZA Oh, my true mother, let me kiss
thee. I did but this to try thee.
VINDICI Why, that was motherly said.
GRATIANA Oh, happy child! Faith and
thy brothers saved me.
Exeunt Vindici and Hippolito.
Exeunt.
GRATIANA I wonder now what fury did
transport me?. Oh, I must beg my daughter’s
forgiveness.
[Enter Castiza led by Dondela.]
Scene 18: A room in the palace
Enter Vindici and Hippolito with the Duke's
21
corpse in Piato's clothes, which they prop up
in chair.
VINDICI So, he leans well; take heed you
wake him not, brother.
HIPPOLITO Hurry, brother. Lussurioso
comes.
LUSSURIOSO Faith, thou sayst true;
Antonio! I'll tell the court how here we
found him dead.
Enter Antonio.
LUSSURIOSO Antonio, be witnesses of a
strange spectacle: We found the duke my
father congealed in blood.
Enter Lussurioso.
HIPPOLITO My lord?
LUSSURIOSO Vindici, Hippolito; you both
are present?
VINDICI We are, my lord, and so is Piato,
whom you seek.
LUSSURIOSO Ay, that's the villain. Is he
drunk?
ANTONIO My lord, the duke! I must
startle the court with this news.
Exit
LUSSURIOSO See, his lips are gnawn
with poison! Oh, villain!
[Enter Antonio with Ambitioso, Supervacua,
Spurio, Duchess]
AMBITIOSO Where?
VINDICI Aye, my lord. Shall we kill
him now? Then he will never live to be
sober.
LUSSURIOSO No matter, let him reel to
hell. Come, be ready with your swords;
LUSSURIOSO Quickly, now.
LUSSURIOSO Behold, behold, my lords:
The duke my father, murdered
SPURIO [Aside] Well, well. Old Dad dead.
What now for Spurio?
VINDICI They stab the corpse. There he
lies.
ANTONIO My lord, we know our duty
here. You father has departed; The titles
that were due to him now are yours.
LUSSURIOSO Nimbly done. Ha? Oh,
villains, murderers, 'Tis the duke, my
father!
LUSSURIOSO I cannot speak of these
things now. My grief is too great. [Aside]
At last! Sweet titles.
VINDICI It cannot be.
ANTONIO Let us bethink the funeral
honours due the duke's cold body.
LUSSURIOSO What stiff and cold
already? 'Tis not your deed: that villain
Piato, has murdered him and left him
thus disguised.
LUSSOURIOSO My lords and ladies,
prepare for revels.
ANTONIO Revels!
HIPPOLITO An evil plan!
LUSSURIOSO Joys lift up griefs, feasts put
22
down funerals. Come then, my lords, my
favours to you all.
ANTONIO My gracious lord, please you
prepare for pleasure: The masque is not far
off.
Exeunt Duke [Lussurioso], [Gentlemen,
Attendants,] and Duchess.
LUSSURIOSO Then let it begin.
HIPPOLITO [Aside to Vindici] Revels!
Exit Antonio
VINDICI [Aside to Hippolito] Ay, that's the
word; one strike more and we are done.
Enter the Masque of Revengers: the two
brothers Vindici and Hippolito.
Exeunt brothers [Vindici and Hippolito].
The Revengers dance. At the end, steal out
their swords and stab Lussurioso
SPURIO [Aside] And when the revels end,
we’ll see who is Duke.
HIPPOLITO Come, let's away.
[Exit Spurio.]
Exeunt Hippolito and Vindici.
SUPERVACUA Seest thou the new moon?
It shall out-live the new duke. A masque is
treason's opportunity. You’ll be duke yet.
Enter Ambitioso, Supervacua, bastard
Spurio, [Lussurioso] recovers a little in
voice and groans, calls treason," at which
they all start out of their measure, and
turning towards the Lussurioso, they find
him to be murdered.
Exit [Supervacua and Ambitioso].
Scene 19: The palace banquet hall
LUSSURIOSO Treason, a guard!
Enter Lussurioso, Antonio, Duchess,
Supervacua, Ambitioso, Spurio, and First
Officer.
AMBITIOSO How now?
ANTONIO My you rule wisely, and may
harmonious hours fill up the royal numbers
of your years.
SPURIO Here's a labour saved
LUSSURIOSO My lords, we're pleased to
thank you. And now, my stepmother, it is
our pleasure that you be banished.
SUPERVACUA Murdered!
AMBITIOSO Lussurioso dead! Then I
proclaim myself: now I am duke.
SPURIO Thou, the duke! Brother, thou liest.
DUCHESS Lussurioso! My lord!
[They fight. Spurio kills AMBITIOSO ]
LUSSURIOSO Farewell.
SUPERVACUA Base villain, thou hast
slain my brother!
(Exeunt Duchess with First Officer, Spurio,
Ambitioso, Supervacua]
[She makes to kill Spurio, but he stabs her]
23
Enter Vindici and Hippolito.
[Lussurioso dies.] Sir, the duke's departed.
VINDICI Treason, murder! Help, guard my
lord the duke!
HIPPOLITO Now the hope of Italy lies with
you, my Lord Antonio.
[Enter Antonio, First Officer]
ANTONIO The burden's weighty and will
press age down; May I so rule that heaven
keeps the crown.
HIPPOLITO Lay hold upon this traitor!
[First Officer seizes Spurio.]
VINDICI The duke is murdered!
VINDICI The rape of your good lady has
been paid with death.
HIPPOLITO Fetch a surgeon! Does he yet
breathe?
ANTONIO Heaven’s law is just. But of all
things it puts me most to wonder how the
old duke was murdered.
FIRST OFFICER How came the duke to be
slain?
HIPPOLITO Was it not all for the best, my
lord.
SPURIO We found him so.
VINDICI we may be bold to speak it now.
'Twas we who murdered him.
ANTONIO Away with that foul monster,
dipped in a prince's blood!
ANTONIO You two?
SPURIO It was not me!
VINDICI None else, in faith, my lord.
ANTONIO Let his execution be slow.
ANTONIO Lay hands upon those
treasonous villains!
[Exit Spurio, guarded.]
VINDICI How fares my lord the duke?
LUSSURIOSO I am slain.
VINDICI Air, gentlemen, give him air!
[Whispering] Now thou shalt know this -twas Vindici murdered thee-LUSSURIOSO Oh!
VINDICI Murdered thy father-LUSSURIOSO Oh!
VINDICI And I am he. Shh. Tell nobody.
[FIRST GUARD seizes Vindici and
Hippolito.]
VINDICI How now? On us?
ANTONIO Bear them to speedy execution.
VINDICI But was it not for your good, my
lord?
ANTONIO My good! Away with them!
HIPPOLITO We avenged thy lady wife, and
his betrothed!
VINDICI Did we not right thy wrong? Is
24
there one enemy left alive amongst those?
We are not thy foe.
ANTONIO Those who murder must die.
HIPPOLITO Peace, brother. Tis done.
VINDICI Aye. Let me not go a coward to
my death. We're well: our mother is
restored, our sister true. We die after a nest
of dukes. Adieu.
Exeunt [Vindici and Hippolito, guarded].
ANTONIO You that would murder him
would murder me
25