Act 3 — [Scene XIV.][860]

King. Go, brother, it is the Duke of Castile’s cause; Salute the Viceroy in our name. Cast. I go. Vic. Go forth, Don Pedro, for thy nephew’s sake, And greet the Duke of Castile. Ped. It shall be so. King. And now to meet these Portuguese:5 For as we now are, so sometimes were these, Kings and commanders of the western Indies. Welcome, brave Viceroy, to the court of Spain, And welcome all his honourable train! ’T is not unknown to us for why you come,10 Or have so kingly cross’d the seas: Sufficeth it, in this we note the troth And more than common love you lend to us. So is it that mine honourable niece (For it beseems us now that it be known)15 Already is betroth’d to Balthazar: And by appointment and our condescent[861] To-morrow are they to be married. To this intent we entertain thyself, Thy followers, their pleasure, and our peace.20 Speak, men of Portingal, shall it be so? If ay, say so; if not, say flatly no. Vic. Renowmed King, I come not, as thou think’st, With doubtful followers, unresolved men, But such as have upon thine articles25 Confirm’d thy motion, and contented me. Know, sovereign, I come to solemnize The marriage of thy beloved niece, Fair Bel-imperia, with my Balthazar,— With thee, my son; whom sith I live to see,30 Here take my crown, I give it her and thee; And let me live a solitary life, In ceaseless prayers, To think how strangely heaven hath thee preserv’d. King. See, brother, see, how nature strives in him!35 Come, worthy Viceroy, and accompany Thy friend with thine extremities;[862] A place more private fits this princely mood. Vic. Or here, or where your highness thinks it good. Exeunt all but Castile and Lorenzo. Cast. Nay, stay, Lorenzo, let me talk with you.40 See’st thou this entertainment of these kings? Lor. I do, my lord, and joy to see the same. Cast. And know’st thou why this meeting is? Lor. For her, my lord, whom Balthazar doth love, And to confirm their promised marriage.45 Cast. She is thy sister? Lor. Who, Bel-imperia? Ay, My gracious lord, and this is the day, That I have long’d so happily to see. Cast. Thou wouldst be loth that any fault of thine Should intercept her in her happiness?50 Lor. Heavens will not let Lorenzo err so much. Cast. Why then, Lorenzo, listen to my words: It is suspected, and reported too, That thou, Lorenzo, wrong’st Hieronimo, And in his suite towards his majesty55 Still keep’st him back, and seek’st to cross his suit. Lor. That I, my lord——? Cast. I tell thee, son, myself have heard it said, When (to my sorrow) I have been ashamed To answer for thee, though thou art my son.60 Lorenzo, know’st thou not the common love And kindness that Hieronimo hath won By his deserts within the court of Spain? Or see’st thou not the king my brother’s care In his behalf, and to procure his health?65 Lorenzo, shouldst thou thwart his passions, And he exclaim against thee to the king, What honour were ’t in this assembly, Or what a scandal were ’t among the kings To hear Hieronimo exclaim on thee?70 Tell me—and look thou tell me truly too— Whence grows the ground of this report in court? Lor. My lord, it lies not in Lorenzo’s power To stop the vulgar, liberal of their tongues. A small advantage makes a water-breach,75 And no man lives that long contenteth all. Cast. Myself have seen thee busy to keep back Him and his supplications from the king. Lor. Yourself, my lord, hath seen his passions, That ill beseem’d the presence of a king:80 And, for I pitied him in his distress, I held him thence with kind and courteous words As free from malice to Hieronimo As to my soul, my lord. Cast. Hieronimo, my son, mistakes thee then. Lor. My gracious father, believe me, so he doth.86 But what’s a silly man, distract in mind To think upon the murder of his son? Alas! how easy is it for him to err! But for his satisfaction and the world’s,90 ’T were good, my lord, that Hieronimo and I Were reconcil’d, if he misconster me. Cast. Lorenzo, thou hast said; it shall be so. Go one of you, and call Hieronimo.

Bal. Come, Bel-imperia, Balthazar’s content, My sorrow’s ease and sovereign of my bliss,96 Sith heaven hath ordain’d thee to be mine: Disperse those clouds and melancholy looks, And clear them up with those thy sun-bright eyes, Wherein my hope and heaven’s fair beauty lies. Bel. My looks, my lord, are fitting for my love,101 Which, new-begun, can show no brighter yet. Bal. New-kindled flames should burn as morning sun. Bel. But not too fast, lest heat and all be done. I see my lord my father. Bal. Truce, my love;105 I will go salute him. Cast. Welcome, Balthazar, Welcome, brave prince, the pledge of Castile’s peace! And welcome, Bel-imperia!—How now, girl? Why com’st thou sadly to salute us thus? Content thyself, for I am satisfied:110 It is not now as when Andrea liv’d; We have forgotten and forgiven that, And thou art graced with a happier love. But, Balthazar, here comes Hieronimo; I’ll have a word with him.115

Hier. And where’s the duke? Serv. Yonder. Hier. Even so.— What new device have they devised, trow?[863] Pocas palabras![864] mild as the lamb! Is ’t I will be reveng’d? No, I am not the man. Cast. Welcome, Hieronimo.130 Lor. Welcome, Hieronimo. Bal. Welcome, Hieronimo. Hier. My lords, I thank you for Horatio. Cast. Hieronimo, the reason that I sent To speak with you, is this. Hier. What, so short?125 Then I’ll be gone, I thank you for ’t. Cast. Nay, stay, Hieronimo!—go call him, son. Lor. Hieronimo, my father craves a word with you. Hier. With me, sir? Why, my lord, I thought you had done. Lor. No; [Aside] would he had! Cast. Hieronimo, I hear You find yourself aggrieved at my son,131 Because you have not access unto the king; And say ’t is he that intercepts your suits. Hier. Why, is not this a miserable thing, my lord? Cast. Hieronimo, I hope you have no cause, And would be loth that one of your deserts136 Should once have reason to suspect my son, Considering how I think of you myself. Hier. Your son Lorenzo! Whom, my noble lord? The hope of Spain, mine honourable friend?140 Grant me the combat of them, if they dare: Draws out his sword. I’ll meet him face to face, to tell me so! These be the scandalous reports of such As love not me, and hate my lord too much. Should I suspect Lorenzo would prevent145 Or cross my suit, that lov’d my son so well? My lord, I am asham’d it should be said. Lor. Hieronimo, I never gave you cause. Hier. My good lord, I know you did not. Cast. There then pause; And for the satisfaction of the world,150 Hieronimo, frequent my homely house, The Duke of Castile, Cyprian’s ancient seat; And when thou wilt, use me, my son, and it: But here, before Prince Balthazar and me, Embrace each other, and be perfect friends.155 Hier. Ay, marry, my lord, and shall. Friends, quoth he? See, I’ll be friends with you all: Especially with you, my lovely lord; For divers causes it is fit for us That we be friends: the world’s suspicious,160 And men may think what we imagine not. Bal. Why, this is friendly done, Hieronimo. Lor. And that I hope old grudges are forgot. Hier. What else? It were a shame it should not be so. Cast. Come on, Hieronimo, at my request;165 Let us entreat your company to-day. Exeunt. Hier. Your lordship’s to command.—Pah! keep your way: Chi mi fa più carezze che non suole, Tradito mi ha, o tradir mi vuole. [Exit.

Ghost. Awake, Erichtho! Cerberus, awake! Solicit Pluto, gentle Proserpine!171 To combat, Acheron and Erebus! For ne’er, by Styx and Phlegethon in hell,[865] Nor ferried Charon to the fiery lakes Such fearful sights, as poor Andrea sees.[866]175 Revenge, awake! Revenge. Awake? For why? Ghost. Awake, Revenge; for thou art ill-advis’d To sleep away what thou art warn’d to watch! Revenge. Content thyself, and do not trouble me. Ghost. Awake, Revenge, if love—as love hath had—180 Have yet the power or prevalence in hell! Hieronimo with Lorenzo is join’d in league, And intercepts our passage to revenge. Awake, Revenge, or we are woe-begone! Revenge. Thus worldlings ground what they have dream’d upon.[867]185 Content thyself, Andrea: though I sleep, Yet is my mood soliciting their souls. Sufficeth thee that poor Hieronimo Cannot forget his son Horatio. Nor dies Revenge, although he sleep awhile; For in unquiet, quietness is feign’d,191 And slumb’ring is a common worldly wile. Behold, Andrea, for an instance, how Revenge hath slept, and then imagine thou, What ’t is to be subject to destiny.195

Ghost. Awake, Revenge; reveal this mystery. Revenge. Lo! the two first the nuptial torches bore As brightly burning as the mid-day’s sun; But after them doth Hymen hie as fast, Clothed in sable and a saffron robe,200 And blows them out, and quencheth them with blood, As discontent that things continue so. Ghost. Sufficeth me; thy meaning’s understood, And thanks to thee and those infernal powers That will not tolerate a lover’s woe.205 Rest thee, for I will sit to see the rest. Revenge. Then argue not, for thou hast thy request. Exeunt.