388 The Early English Drama : \_ APRIL, 



This scene has nothing remarkable in it, except that it closes with the 

 well-known incantation, beginning 



" Black spirits and white, red spirits and grey," &c. ; 



which, probably, ninety-nine out of every hundred of our readers have 

 hitherto believed to be the composition of Shakspeare. This brings us 

 to the last scene in the play ; and yet no step seems made towards the 

 winding-up of the plots. It will readily be supposed, therefore, that 

 this is not effected at last in the most natural or satisfactory manner. It 

 is, however, managed better than the previous conduct of the piece leads 

 us to expect ; and the somewhat violent changes that are worked in the 

 principal characters was permitted at least, if not absolutely looked for 

 and approved, by the audiences of that day. As this concluding scene 

 is not without poetical merits, we shall let it perform its own office of 

 explanation, by extracting the principal parts of it. 



A Room in the Governors House. 



Enter Lord Governor, ISABELLA, SEBASTIAN, FLORIDA, FRANCISCA, 

 ALBERZANES, $c. 



Isa. My lord, I've given you nothing but the truth 

 Of a most plain and innocent intent. 

 My wrongs being so apparent in this woman 

 (A creature that robs wedlock of all comfort 

 Where'er she fastens), I could do no less 

 But seek means privately to shame his folly. 

 No farther reach'd my malice ; and it glads me 

 That none but my base injurer is found 

 To be my false accuser. 



Gov. This is strange 



That he should give the wrong, yet seek revenge. 

 But, sirrah, you (to CELIO) you are accused here doubly : 

 First by your lady, for a false intelligence 

 That caus'd her absence, which much hurts her name, 

 Though her intents were blameless : next by this woman, 

 For an adulterous design and plot 

 Practis'd between you, to entrap her honour, 

 Whilst she, for her hire, should enjoy her husband. 

 Your answer. 



Seb. Part of this is truth, my lord, 

 To which I'm guilty in a rash intent, 

 But clear in act ; and she most clear in both 

 Not sanctity more spotless. 



Enter HERMIO (Servant to ANTONIO}. 



Her. Oh, my lord ! 



Gov. What news breaks there ? 



Her. Of strange distraction : 

 Here stands the lady that within this hour 

 Was made a widow. (To ISABELLA.) 



Gov. How ! 



Her. Your niece, my lord. 

 A fearful, unexpected accident 

 Brought death to meet his fury : for, my lord, 

 Entering Fernando's house, like a rais'd tempest, 

 Which nothing heeds but its own violent rage, 

 Blinded with wrath and jealousy, which scorn guides,- 



