Imperiale a tragedie.

Scena Prima.

Fidele, Evagrio.

Fid.

VVEe see there is small hope that gentle sleepe Can find admittance to his troubled thoughts, While rage distracts them; he's no sooner laid To rest upon his couch, but up he starts.

Eva.

The wise Iustinian meanes this night to bring Some curious musicke, that may rocke his senses Into a slumber by sweet harmony, Working on his affections, we are all Eternally oblig'd to that good man; Who though he be with hearty sorrow mov'd To see his friend in such necessity, Ev'n of his helpe, yet is resolv'd t' employ His constant care, nor will he ever thinke His debt of friendship paid by my labour.

Fid.

What will become of us if he miscarry? We are his kinsmen, and have no subsistence But by his onely bounty; I receiv'd A deadly wound in the deplored death Of his deare son, who oft was pleas'd to bid me Throw all my care on him, and now I finde My hopefull venture sunke in that brave ship.

Eva.

To lose out friends and fortunes I confesse, Is that which needs must shake the firmest mindes, But when there is no hope for us t' encrease Our owne affliction, and to lose our spirits, Is an infirmity beneath a man: Why should we doubt his safe recovery? Since passion as we see, doth but disturbe His reason, not destroy't; when he's at worst, He'l hearken to the counfell of his friend. How earnestly he begs, that he may speake With Imperiale, and it seemes Iustinian Already condiscends to his request; Me thinks that should not be, since he suspects

Him to be privy to Franciscoes death;

Eva.

No doubt, Iustinian understands what's fit; Perchance if once he shall his mind unburden His passions may remit, or he may seeme To promise, cause he would not have him crost, These things we wholly must commit to him, Whose Iudgement's not inferior to his love: He wish'd us but withdraw awhile, we must Not be farre off, least he should chance to call, For what soe'r occasion they should have Ther's none but we t'assist: Sango the slave Hath taken liberty to go abroad, At his owne pleasure, who would thinke the Villain Durst venture to be absent at this time?

Fid.

I have observ'd a wondrous league of late Betweene him and his Cozen slave; how ere Their Lords are far asunder, they are neere.

Eva.

T'is ever best when such as they are kept To dayly labor, the least ease corrupts them.

Fid.

There might perchance be some discovery made If they were both examined apart, And made beleeve each other had confest.

Eva.

Som plot, t'is like to steale a silver spoone To purchase Opium, or the drug Tobacco; That is the height of their ambitious theft: But heark they knock I prethy go thou in, And i'le take order to have Sango sent for.