Five nevv playes, viz. The English moor, or the mock-marriage. The love-sick court, or the ambitious politique: Covent Garden weeded. The nevv academy, or the nevv exchange. The queen and concubine. / By Richard Brome.

Scoen. VII.

Enter Petruccio and Guard.

Petr.

Revenge has cast her self into my hands, Strangling the Life of Sforza in these Lines: His Head is in this grasp, but where is Honour? Must that forsake this Brest? must the pure heat Of heavenly Honour, yeeld unto the scorch Of Hell-bred base Revenge? it must not, cannot: For as the Sun puts out all baser Fires,

Where Honour shines, thought of Revenge expires. Besides, he is below my Anger now; And has no Life but forfeited to Law, Or the Kings Fury, I'll not question which; Nor was it justlie, he gave me th' Affront, In being made Lord General, when I stood for't. But the Kings selfe, in his Election, He wrong'd not me no more then I did him, When th' Honour was transfer'd from him to me. That's answer'd cleerly, I acquit thee, Sforza. But now my Loyaltie, how shall I discharge That special Duty I am here commanded, (Stand back I say) to see the Execution, And bring the Head of Sforza to the King? What an addition here is of Advanceme••t? To make me first a General, then a Hangman: I'll do him better Service: Loyal Horatio Would think himself now damn'd, to leave a tittle Of the Kings powerful pleasure unfulfil'd. Call the Keeper.

Keep.

Here my Lord.

[Enter Keeper]

Petr.

I am to see and speak with Sforza.

Keep.

Then I doubt not but your Honour has brought VVarrant.

Petr.

My Honour be your VVarrant: will not that serve?

Keep.

I will not lose the Kings Grace for all the Honours in the Kingdom.

Petr.

Do'st know me, or my place?

Keep.

Yes, I both know and honour you, as far as my own place gives me leave: but in this I must crave pardon; you may not see him my Lord, by a less VVar∣rant then the Kings own Signet, and that fetches him out, and it please you.

Petr.

But have you been so strict to all men else? Has no man chang'd a vvord vvith him?

Keep.

Not since

These Keys commanded him, I can assure you, Not even the Prince himself, who much desir'd it. I look'd as black on him, as upon you now. I am no white Prison-Keeper, I, to venture Mine own Neck for a Prisoner's, at a price, And give condemn'd men leave to run away: No, I am the black Jaylor, I, and 'tis thought, Lineally descended from Cerberus.

Petr.

I must commend thy Care; see, there's the Signet.

Keep.

I'll fetch the Prisoner. May it please you to come forth, my Lord?

Sfor.

Have I then liv'd to hear Mans voice again?

Keep.

Here's the Lord Marshal, and chief Gene∣ral Of the Kings Forces, come to speak with you.

Sfor.

Those Titles once were mine, but now I must Attend his pleasure that is Master of them.

Petr.

All leave the Room, but be at hand.

Guard.

VVe shall.

Exeunt Keeper and Guard.