VEN. Puh! I warrant you, my lord, we'll stifle-in our breaths.
LUS. That will do well: Base rogue, thou sleepest thy last; 'tis policy To have him kill'd in's sleep; for, if he wak'd, He would betray all to them.
VEN. Why, then he will ne'er live to be sober.
VEN. But being so full of liquor, I fear he will put out all the fire.
VEN. And leave none to warm your lordship's golls[111] withal; for he that dies drunk falls into hell-fire like a bucket of water--qush, qush!
LUS. Come, be ready: nake your swords:[112] think of your wrongs; this slave has injured you.
VEN. Troth, so he has, and he has paid well for't.
LUS. Puh! am I a lord for nothing, think you? quickly now!
LUS. Nimbly done.--Ha! O villains! murderers! 'Tis the old duke my father.
LUS. What, stiff and cold already! O, pardon me to call you from your names: 'Tis none of your deed: that villain Piato, Whom you thought now to kill, has murdered And left him thus disguis'd.
VEN. O rascal! was he not asham'd To put the duke into a greasy doublet?
LUS. He has been cold and stiff--who knows how long?
LUS. No words, I pray, of anything intended.
HIP. I would fain have your lordship think that we have small reason to prate.
LUS. Faith, thou say'st true; I'll forthwith send to court For all the nobles, bastard, duchess; tell, How here by miracle we found him dead, And in his raiment that foul villain fled.
VEN. That will be the best way, my lord, To clear us all; let's cast about to be clear.
LUS. Be witnesses of a strange spectacle. Choosing for private conference that sad room, We found the duke my father geal'd in blood.
1ST NOBLE. My lord the duke! run, hie thee, Nencio, Startle the court by signifying so much.
VEN. This much by wit a deep revenger can: When murder's known, to be the clearest man. We're farthest off, and with as bold an eye Survey his body as the standers-by. [_Aside._
LUS. My royal father, too basely let blood By a malevolent slave!
HIP. Hark! he calls thee slave again. [_Aside._
LUS. O sight! look hither, see, his lips are gnawn With poison.
VEN. How! his lips? by the mass, they be. O villain! O rogue! O slave! O rascal!
HIP. O good deceit! he quits him with like terms.
AMB. Over what roof hangs this prodigious comet In deadly fire?