AMB. Excellent! Then am I heir! duke in a minute!
SUP. [_Aside._] Nay, And he were once puff'd out, here is a pin Should quickly prick your bladder.
AMB. Bless'd occasion! He being pack'd, we'll have some trick and wile To wind our younger brother out of prison, That lies in for the rape. The lady's dead, And people's thoughts will soon be buried.
SUP. We may with safety do't, and live and feed: The duchess' sons are too proud to bleed.
AMB. We are, i' faith, to say true--come let's not linger: I'll to the officers; go you before, And set an edge upon the executioner.
AMB. Farewell! I am next now; I rise just in that place, Where thou'rt out off; upon thy neck, kind brother; The falling of one head lifts up another. [_Exit._
_Enter, with the_ NOBLES, LUSURIOSO _from prison_.
LUS. My lords, I am so much indebted to your loves For this, O, this delivery--
1ST NOBLE. But our duties, my lord, unto the hopes that grow in you.
LUS. If e'er I live to be myself, I'll thank you. O liberty, thou sweet and heavenly dame! But hell for prison is too mild a name. [_Exeunt._
_Enter_ AMBITIOSO _and_ SUPERVACUO, _with_ OFFICERS.
AMB. Officers, here's the duke's signet, your firm warrant, Brings the command of present death along with it Unto our brother, the duke's son; we are sorry That we are so unnaturally employ'd In such an unkind office, fitter far For enemies than brothers.
SUP. But, you know, The duke's command must be obey'd.
1ST OFFICER. It must and shall, my lord. This morning, then-- So suddenly?
AMB. Ay, alas! poor, good soul! He must breakfast betimes; the executioner Stands ready to put forth his cowardly valour.
SUP. Already, i' faith. O sir, destruction hies, And that is least imprudent,[68] soonest dies.
1ST OFFICER. Troth, you say true. My lord, we take our leaves: Our office shall be sound; we'll not delay The third part of a minute.
AMB. Therein you show Yourselves good men and upright officers. Pray, let him die as private as he may; Do him that favour; for the gaping people Will but trouble him at his prayers, And make him curse and swear, and so die black. Will you be so far kind?
AMB. Why, we do thank you; if we live to be-- You shall have a better office.
SUP. Commend us to the scaffold in our tears.