Act 3 — [Scene XII.][831]

Hier. Now, sir, perhaps I come and see the king; The king sees me, and fain would hear my suit: Why, is not this a strange and seld-seen[832] thing, That standers-by with toys should strike me mute? Go to, I see their shifts, and say no more.5 Hieronimo, ’t is time for thee to trudge. Down by the dale that flows with purple gore Standeth a fiery tower; there sits a judge Upon a seat of steel and molten brass, And ’twixt his teeth he holds a fire-brand,10 That leads unto the lake where hell doth stand. Away, Hieronimo! to him be gone; He’ll do thee justice for Horatio’s death. Turn down this path: thou shalt be with him straight; Or this, and then thou need’st not take thy breath:15 This way or that way?——Soft and fair, not so: For if I hang or kill myself, let’s know Who will revenge Horatio’s murder then? No, no! fie, no! pardon me, I’ll none of that. He flings away the dagger and halter. This way I’ll take, and this way comes the king:20 He takes them up again. And here I’ll have a fling at him, that’s flat; And, Balthazar, I’ll be with thee to bring,[833] And thee, Lorenzo! Here’s the king—nay, stay; And here, ay here—there goes the hare away.[834]

King. Now show, ambassador, what our viceroy saith:25 Hath he receiv’d the articles we sent? Hier. Justice, O justice to Hieronimo. Lor. Back! see’st thou not the king is busy? Hier. O, is he so? King. Who is he that interrupts our business? Hier. Not I. [Aside.] Hieronimo, beware! go by, go by!30 Amb. Renowned King, he hath receiv’d and read Thy kingly proffers, and thy promis’d league; And, as a man extremely over-joy’d To hear his son so princely entertain’d, Whose death he had so solemnly bewail’d,35 This for thy further satisfaction And kingly love he kindly lets thee know: First, for the marriage of his princely son With Bel-imperia, thy beloved niece, The news are more delightful to his soul,40 Than myrrh or incense to the offended heavens. In person, therefore, will he come himself, To see the marriage rites solemnized, And, in the presence of the court of Spain, To knit a sure inexplicable[835] band45 Of kingly love and everlasting league Betwixt the crowns of Spain and Portingal. There will he give his crown to Balthazar, And make a queen of Bel-imperia. King. Brother, how like you this our viceroy’s love?50 Cast. No doubt, my lord, it is an argument Of honourable care to keep his friend, And wondrous zeal to Balthazar his son; Nor am I least indebted to his grace, That bends his liking to my daughter thus.55 Amb. Now last, dread lord, here hath his highness sent (Although he send not that his son return) His ransom due to Don Horatio. Hier. Horatio! who calls Horatio? King. And well rememb’red: thank his majesty.60 Here, see it given to Horatio. Hier. Justice, O, justice, justice, gentle king! King. Who is that? Hieronimo? Hier. Justice, O, justice! O my son, my son! My son, whom naught can ransom or redeem! Lor. Hieronimo, you are not well-advis’d.65 Hier. Away, Lorenzo, hinder me no more; For thou hast made me bankrupt of my bliss. Give me my son! you shall not ransom him! Away! I’ll rip the bowels of the earth,70 He diggeth with his dagger. And ferry over to th’ Elysian plains, And bring my son to show his deadly wounds. Stand from about me! I’ll make a pickaxe of my poniard, And here surrender up my marshalship;75 For I’ll go marshal up the fiends in hell, To be avenged on you all for this. King. What means this outrage? Will none of you restrain his fury? Hier. Nay, soft and fair! you shall not need to strive.80 Needs must he go that the devils drive. Exit. King. What accident hath happ’d Hieronimo? I have not seen him to demean him so. Lor. My gracious lord, he is with extreme pride, Conceiv’d of young Horatio his son85 And covetous of having to himself The ransom of the young prince Balthazar, Distract, and in a manner lunatic. King. Believe me, nephew, we are sorry for ’t: This is the love that fathers bear their sons.90 But, gentle brother, go give to him this gold, The prince’s ransom; let him have his due. For what he hath, Horatio shall not want; Haply Hieronimo hath need thereof. Lor. But if he be thus helplessly distract,95 ’T is requisite his office be resign’d, And giv’n to one of more discretion. King. We shall increase his melancholy so. ’T is best that we see further in it first, Till when, ourself will execute[836] the place.100 And, brother, now bring in the ambassador, That he may be a witness of the match ’Twixt Balthazar and Bel-imperia, And that we may prefix a certain time, Wherein the marriage shall be solemniz’d,105 That we may have thy lord, the viceroy, here. Amb. Therein your highness highly shall content His majesty, that longs to hear from hence. King. On, then, and hear you, lord ambassador—— Exeunt.