Ann. So we shall.

Gio. Have you heard so?

Ann. For certain.

Gio. But do you think,

That I shall see you there? You look on me.7-
May we kiss one another, prate or laugh,
Or do as we do here?

Ann. I know not that;

But-brother, for the present, what d'ye means To free yourself from danger? some way think How to escape; I'm sure the guests are come. Gio. Look up, look here; what see you in

face?

my

Ann. Distraction and a troubled conscience." Gio. Death, and a swift repining wrath :-yet look;

What see you in mine eyes?

Ann. Methinks you weep.

Gio. I do indeed; these are the funeral tears Shed on your grave; these furrow'd up my cheeks When first I lov'd and knew not how to woo. Fair Annabella, should I here repeat

The story of my life, we might lose time.

7 You look on me.] i. e. You look with surprize or astonishment Such is the force of this expression.-See Jonson, vol. iv.

on me.

p. 180.

8

But-brother, for the present, what d'ye mean.] The 4to, which is imperfect in this place, reads, "But good for the present." The word adopted is certainly not the author's; but it is safe, at least; and I prefer it to inserting a monosyllable at random.

• Distraction and a troubled conscience.] The old copy reads, a troubled countenance; well corrected by Dodsley.

Be record all the spirits of the air,

And all things else that are, that day and night, Early and late, the tribute which my heart

Hath paid to Annabella's sacred love,

Hath been these tears, which are her mourners now!

Never till now did nature do her best,

To shew a matchless beauty to the world,
Which in an instant, ere it scarce was seen,
The jealous destinies required again.
Pray, Annabella, pray! since we must part,
Go thou, white in thy soul, to fill a throne
Of innocence and sanctity in heaven.
Pray, pray, my sister!

Ann. Then I see your drift

Ye blessed angels, guard me!

Gio. So

say

I;

Kiss me.
If ever after-times should hear
Of our fast-knit affections, though perhaps
The laws of conscience and of civil use

May justly blame us, yet when they but know
Our loves, that love will wipe away that rigour,
Which would in other incests be abhorr'd.

Give me your hand: how sweetly life doth run
In these well-colour'd veins! how constantly
These palms do promise health! but I could chide
With nature for this cunning flattery---

Kiss me again-forgive me.

Ann. With my heart.

Gio. Farewell!

Ann. Will you be gone?

Gio. Be dark, bright sun,

And make this mid-day night, that thy gilt rays
May not behold a deed, will turn their splendour
More sooty than the poets feign their Styx!
One other kiss, my sister.

Ann. What means this?

Gio. To save thy fame, and kill thee in a kiss.

[Stabs her. Thus die, and die by me, and by my hand! Revenge is mine; honour doth love command. Ann. Oh brother, by your hand!

Gio. When thou art dead

I'll give my reasons for't; for to dispute
With thy (even in thy death) most lovely beauty,
Would make me stagger to perform this act
Which I most glory in.

Ann. Forgive him, Heaven-and me my sins! farewell,

Brother unkind, unkind,-mercy, great Heaven!

oh-oh!

[Dies.

Gio. She's dead, alas, good soul! The hapless

fruit

That in her womb received its life from me,
Hath had from me a cradle and a grave.
I must not dally-this sad marriage-bed
In all her best, bore her alive and dead.
Soranzo, thou hast miss'd thy aim in this!
I have prevented now thy reaching plots,
And kill'd a love, for whose each drop of blood
I would have pawn'd my heart. Fair Annabella,
How over-glorious art thou in thy wounds,

Triumphing over infamy and hate!

Shrink not, courageous hand, stand up, my heart, And boldly act my last, and greater part!

[The scene closes.

SCENE VI.

A Banquetting Room in the same.'

A Banquet.—Enter the CARDINAL, FLORIO, DONADO, SORANZO, RICHARDETTO, VASQUES, and Attendants.

Vas. (apart to SOR.) Remember, sir, what you have to do; be wise and resolute.

Sor. Enough-my heart is fix'd.-Pleaseth your grace

To taste these coarse confections: though the use Of such set entertainments more consists

In custom, than in cause, yet, reverend sir,

I am still made your servant by your presence.
Car. And we your friend.

Sor. But where's my brother Giovanni?

Enter GIOVANNI, with a Heart upon his Dagger. Gio. Here, here, Soranzo! trimm'd in reeking blood,

That triumphs over death! proud in the spoil Of love and vengeance! fate, or all the powers

A banquetting room.] They had dined in another room, and, according to the usual practice, repaired to the apartment in which the confectionery was set out.

That guide the motions of immortal souls,

Could not prevent me.

Car. What means this?

Flo. Son Giovanni!

Sor. Shall I be forestall'd?

[Aside.

Gio. Be not amaz'd: if your misgiving hearts Shrink at an idle sight, what bloodless fear Of coward passion would have seiz'd your senses, Had you beheld the rape of life and beauty Which I have acted?-my sister, oh my sister! Flo. Ha! what of her?

Gio. The glory of my deed

Darken'd the mid-day sun, made noon as night.
You came to feast, my lords, with dainty fare,
I came to feast too; but I digg'd for food
In a much richer mine, than gold or stone
Of any value balanced; 'tis a heart,

A heart, my lords, in which is mine entomb'd:
Look well upon't; do you know it?

Vas. What strange riddle's this?

[Aside.

Gio. 'Tis Annabella's heart, 'tis; why do you

startle?

I vow 'tis her's;-this dagger's point plough'd up Her fruitful womb, and left to me the fame

Of a most glorious executioner.

Flo. Why, madman, art thyself?

Gio. Yes, father; and, that times to come may

know,

How, as my fate, I honour'd my revenge,
List, father; to your ears I will yield up
How much I have deserv'd to be your son.