Than hell could hold! I have conceiv'd of wrong,
And am grown great already.
O sweet revenge, I humbly thee entreat,
Be my grief's midwife! let the mother die,
So thou bring'st forth her long'd-for progeny.10
Methinks I feel the villain grow within me,
And spread through all my veins.
How I could murder now, poison or stab!
My head is full of mischief. Sulphur and flaming pitch
Shall be but mercy to those deaths I'll give.[Exit15
Scene III
Enter the King, with Fidelio
Fid. Though it be not safe for subjects
To pry into the secrets of their prince,
Much less to question about them, yet
The implicit faith of blind obedience,
Poison'd with pleasing oft—and 't like your majesty,5
Why do you court this lady thus?
King. Why dost thou ask?
Fid. I know 'tis insolence to make reply:
Yet hear me as the echo of the court, great sir;
They call your last-giv'n mercy and those favours10
But fairer ends to lust.
King. The zeal hath got thy pardon.[Stares upon him
No more!
He that does offer to give direction
To his prince, is full of pride, not of discretion.[Exit15
Fid. So,
To give kings good advice, may show, I see,
Men faithful, but not wise. I'm honest yet,
And I do fare the worst for't. O, the court!
There humours reign, and merits only serve20
To mock with idle hopes those best deserve.[Exit
Scene IV
Enter Francelia, Bellamino
Fran. Sir, leave your compliment!
Methinks the sweetest speech is that that's meant.
