SCENE IX.

The Street before the CARDINAL's Gates. Enter FLORIO, DONADO, RICHARDETTO, POGGIO, and Officers.

Flo. 'Tis bootless now to shew yourself a child, Signior Donado, what is done, is done; Spend not the time in tears, but seek for justice. Rich. I must confess, somewhat I was in fault, That had not first acquainted you what love Past 'twixt him and my niece; but, as I live, His fortune grieves me as it were mine own. Don. Alas, poor creature, he meant no man harm,

That I am sure of.

Flo. I believe that too..

But stay, my masters; are you sure you saw
The murderer pass here?

Officer. An it please you, sir, we are sure we saw a ruffian, with a naked weapon in his hand all bloody, get into my lord Cardinal's Grace's gate; that we are sure of; but for fear of his grace (bless us!) we durst go no farther.

Don. Know you what manner of man he was? Officer. Yes sure, I know the man; they say he is a soldier: he that lov'd your daughter, sir, an't please ye; 'twas he for certain.

Flo. Grimaldi, on my life.
Officer. Ay, ay, the same.

Rich. The Cardinal is noble; he no doubt

Will give true justice.

Don. Knock some one at the gate.
Pog. I'll knock, sir.

Serv. (within) What would ye?

[Knocks.

Flo. We require speech with the lord Cardinal About some present business; pray inform His grace, that we are here.

Enter CARDINAL, followed by GRIMALDI. Car. Why how now, friends! what saucy mates are you,

That know nor duty nor civility?

Are we a person fit to be your host;

Or is our house become your common inn,
To beat our doors at pleasure? What such haste
Is yours, as that it cannot wait fit times?
Are you the masters of this commonwealth,
And know no more discretion? Oh, your news
Is here before you; you have lost a nephew,
Donado, last night by Grimaldi slain:

Is that your business? well, sir, we have knowledge on't,

Let that suffice.

Grim. In presence of your grace,

In thought, I never meant Bergetto harm:
But, Florio, you can tell, with how much scorn
Soranzo, back'd with his confederates,
Hath often wrong'd me; I to be reveng'd,
(For that I could not win him else to fight)

Had thought, by way of ambush, to have kill'd

him,

But was, unluckily, therein mistook;

Else he had felt what late Bergetto did:

And though my fault to him were merely chance, Yet humbly I submit me to your grace, [Kneeling. To do with me as you please.

Car. Rise up, Grimaldi.

You citizens of Parma, if

you seek

[He rises.

For justice, know, as Nuncio from the pope,
For this offence I here receive Grimaldi
Into his Holiness' protection:

He is no common man, but nobly born,
Of princes' blood, though you, sir Florio,
Thought him too mean a husband for your daugh-

ter.

If more you seek for, you must go to Rome,
For he shall thither; learn more wit for shame.-
Bury your dead:-away, Grimaldi-leave 'em!

[Exeunt CARDINAL and GRIMALDI. Don. Is this a churchman's voice? dwells justice

here?

Flo. Justice is fled to heaven, and comes no

nearer.

Soranzo ?—was't for him? O impudence!
Had he the face to speak it, and not blush?
Come, come, Donado, there's no help in this,
When cardinals think murder's not amiss:
Great men may do their wills, we must obey,
But Heaven will judge them for't, another day.
[Exeunt.

ACT IV. SCENE I.'

A Room in FLÓRIO's House.-A Banquet set out.Hautboys.

Enter the FRIAR, GIOVANNI, ANNABELLA, PHILOtis, SORANZO, DONADO, FLORIO, RICHARDETTO, PuTANA, and VASQUES.

Friar. These holy rites perform'd, now take your times

To spend the remnant of the day in feast;
Such fit repasts are pleasing to the saints,
Who are your guests, though not with mortal eyes
To be beheld.--Long prosper in this day,
You happy couple, to each other's joy!

Sor. Father, your prayer is heard; the hand of goodness

Hath been a shield for me against my death;
And, more to bless me, hath enrich'd my life
With this most precious jewel; such a prize
As earth hath not another like to this.

Cheer up, my love; and, gentlemen, my friends,
Rejoice with me in mirth: this day we'll crown
With lusty cups to Annabella's health.

Gio. Oh torture! were the marriage yet undone,

'I have reluctantly followed the 4to, (which has no division of scenes,) and begun the fourth Act here. The reader will see, as he proceeds, the impropriety of this arrangement. After all, there is but a choice of evils; for as some time must necessarily have elapsed (two days according to Vasques) since the death of Poggio, sufficient would hardly be gained on the score of probability to justify disturbing the author's distribution of the story; though it might be wished that this scene had concluded the third Act.

Ere I'd endure this sight, to see my love
Clipt by another, I would dare confusion,
And stand the horror of ten thousand deaths.

Vas. Are you not well, sir?

Gio. Prithee, fellow, wait;

I need not thy officious diligence.

[Aside.

Flo. Signior Donado, come, you must forget Your late mishaps, and drown your cares in wine.

Sor. Vasques!

Vas. My lord.

Sor. Reach me that weighty bowl.

Here, brother Giovanni, here's to you,

Your turn comes next, though now a bachelor;

Here's to your sister's happiness, and mine!

[Drinks, and offers him the bowl.

Gio. I cannot drink.

Sor. What!

Gio. "Twill indeed offend me.

Ann. Pray dó not urge him, if he be not will

ing.

Flo. How now! what noise is this?

[Hautboys.

Vas. O sir, I had forgot to tell you; certain young maidens of Parma, in honour to madam Annabella's marriage, have sent their loves to her in a Masque, for which they humbly crave your patience and silence.

Sor. We are much bound to them; so much the

more,

As it comes unexpected: guide them in.