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As thou't stand firm thyself.

MEMPHONIUS

[Aside] Now, by my faith,

His tongue has helped his neck to a sweet bargain!

Exit Memphonius.

TYRANT

Her own fair hand so cruel! Did she choose

Destruction before me? Was I no better?

How much am I exalted to my face,

And, where I would be graced, how little worthy!

There's few kings know how rich they are in goodness,

Or what estate they have in grace and virtue.

There is so much deceit in glozers' tongues,

The truth is taken from us. We know nothing

But what is for their purpose: that's our stint;

We are allowed no more. Oh, wretched greatness!

I'll cause a sessions for my flatterers

And have 'em all hanged up. 'Tis done too late.

Oh, she's destroyed, married to death and silence,

Which nothing can divorce: riches, nor laws,

Nor all the violence that this frame can raise.

I've lost the comfort of her sight forever.

I cannot call this life that flames within me,

But everlasting torment lighted up

To show my soul her beggary! A new joy

Is come to visit me in spite of death.

It takes me of that sudden, I'm ashamed

Of my provision, but a friend will bear.

Within there!

Enter [Soldiers].

FIRST SOLDIER

Sir?

SECOND SOLDIER

My lord?

TYRANT

The men I wished for,

For secrecy and employment. Go, give order

That Govianus be released.

FOURTH SOLDIER

Released, sir?

TYRANT

Set free!

[Exit Fourth Soldier.]

And then I trust he will fly the kingdom

And never know my purpose. Run, sir, you;

Bring me the keys of the cathedral straight.

FIRST SOLDIER

[Aside] Are you so holy now? Do you curse all day

And go to pray at midnight?

Exit.

TYRANT

Provide you, sirs, close lanthorns and a pickaxe.

Away, be speedy!

SECOND SOLDIER

[Aside] Lanthorns and a pickaxe?

Life, does he mean to bury himself alive, trow?

[Exeunt Second and Third Soldiers.]

TYRANT

Death nor the marble prison my love sleeps in

Shall keep her body locked from mine arms;

I must not be so cozened. Though her life

Was like a widow's state made o'er in policy

To defeat me and my too-confident heart,

'Twas a most cruel wisdom to herself,

As much to me that loved her.

Enter [First Soldier with keys].

What, returned?

FIRST SOLDIER

Here be the keys, my lord.

TYRANT

I thank thy speed.

[Enter Second and Third Soldiers with lanterns and a pickaxe.]

Here comes the rest full furnished. Follow me,

And wealth shall follow you.

Exit.

FIRST SOLDIER

Wealth! By this light,

We go to rob a church. I hold my life

The money will ne'er thrive; that's a sure saw:

"What's got from grace is ever spent in law."

Exeunt. Enter [Memphonius].

[MEMPHONIUS]

What strange fits grow upon him! Here alate

His soul has got a very dreadful leader.

What should he make in the cathedral now,

The hour so deep in night? All his intents

Are contrary to man, in spirit or blood.

He waxes heavy in his noble minds;

His moods are such, they cannot bear the weight,

Nor will not long, if there be truth in whispers.

The honourable father of the state,

Noble Helvetius, all the lords agree

By some close policy shortly to set free.

[Exit.]

ACT IV.iii. A cathedral, before the Lady's tomb

Enter the Tyrant [with Soldiers] again at a farther door, which opened brings [them] to the tomb where the Lady lies buried. The tomb here discovered, richly set forth.

TYRANT

Softly, softly.

Let's give this place the peace that it requires.

The vaults e'en chide our steps with murmuring sounds,

For making bold so late. It must be done.

FIRST SOLDIER

I fear nothing but the whorish ghost of a quean I kept once. She swore she would so haunt me I should never pray in quiet for her, and I have kept myself from church this fifteen year to prevent her.

TYRANT

The monument woos me; I must run and kiss it.

Now trust me if the tears do not e'en stand

Upon the marble. What slow springs have I!

'Twas weeping to itself before I came.

How pity strikes e'en through insensible things

And makes them shame our dullness!

Thou house of silence, and the calms