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Enter Third Soldier with Govianus [disguised].

SECOND SOLIDER

He's come, my lord.

TYRANT

Depart, then.

[Exeunt First and Second Soldiers and attendants. Manet Third Soldier.]

Is that he?

THIRD SOLDIER

The privat'st I could get, my lord.

GOVIANUS

[Aside] Oh, heav'n, marry patience to my spirit!

Give me a sober fury, I beseech thee,

A rage that may not overcharge my blood

And do myself most hurt! [To the Lady] 'Tis strange to me

To see thee here at court, and gone from hence.

Didst thou make haste to leave the world for this?

And kept in the worst corner!

Oh, who dares play with destiny but he

That wears security so thick upon him

The thought of death and hell cannot pierce through!

TYRANT

[To Third Soldier] 'Twas circumspectly carried. Leave us; go.

[Exit Third Soldier.]

Be nearer, sir. Thou'rt much commended to us.

GOVIANUS

It is the hand, my lord, commends the workman.

TYRANT

Thou speak'st both modesty and truth in that.

We need that art that thou art master of.

GOVIANUS

My king is master both of that and me.

TYRANT

Look on yon face and tell me what it wants.

GOVIANUS

Which, that, sir?

TYRANT

That! What wants it?

GOVIANUS

Troth, my lord,

Some thousand years' sleep and a marble pillow.

TYRANT

What's that? [Aside] Observe it still: all the best arts

Hath the most fools and drunkards to their masters.--

Thy apprehension has too gross a film

To be employed at court. What colour wants she?

GOVIANUS

By my troth, all, sir. I see none she has,

Nor none she cares for.

TYRANT

[Aside] I am overmatched here.

GOVIANUS

A lower chamber with less noise were kindlier

For her, poor woman, whatsoe'er she was.

TYRANT

But how if we be pleased to have it thus,

And thou well hired to do what we command?

Is not your work for money?

GOVIANUS

Yes, my lord.

I would not trust at court and I could choose.

TYRANT

Let but thy art hide death upon her face,

That now looks fearfully on us, and but strive

To give our eye delight in that pale part

Which draws so many pities from these springs,

And thy reward for't shall outlast thy end,

And reach to thy friend's fortunes, and his friend.

GOVIANUS

Say you so, my lord? I'll work out my heart, then,

But I'll show art enough.

TYRANT

About it, then.

I never wished so seriously for health

After long sickness.

GOVIANUS

[Aside] A religious trembling shakes me by the hand

And bids me put by such unhallowed business,

But revenge calls for't, and it must go forward.

'Tis time the spirit of my love took rest;

Poor soul, 'tis weary, much abused and toiled.

[He paints her face and secretly applies poison to her lips.]

TYRANT

Could I now send for one to renew heat

Within her bosom, that were a fine workman!

I should but too much love him. But alas,

'Tis as unpossible for living fire

To take hold there,

As for dead ashes to burn back again

Into those hard, tough bodies whence they fell.

Life is removed from her now, as the warmth

Of the bright sun from us when it makes winter

And kills with unkind coldness. So is't yonder;

An everlasting frost hangs now upon her.

And as in such a season men will force

A heat into their bloods with exercise,

In spite of extreme weather, so shall we

By art force beauty on yon lady's face

Though death sit frowning on't a storm of hail

To beat it off. Our pleasure shall prevail.

GOVIANUS

My lord.

TYRANT

Hast done so soon?

GOVIANUS

That's as your grace

Gives approbation.

TYRANT

Oh, she lives again!

She'll presently speak to me. Keep her up;

I'll have her swoon no more: there's treachery in't.

Does she not feel warm to thee?

GOVIANUS

Very little, sir.

TYRANT

The heat wants cherishing, then. Our arms and lips

Shall labour life into her. Wake, sweet mistress!

'Tis I that call thee at the door of life. [Kisses her.] Ha!

I talk so long to death, I'm sick myself.

Methinks an evil scent still follows me.

GOVIANUS

Maybe 'tis nothing but the colour, sir,

That I laid on.

TYRANT

Is that so strong?

GOVIANUS