130 The Early English Drama: | [ Aveusr, 
He then sees a vision, which (though stage directions are given for 
its appearance, &c.) should no doubt be regarded as a creation of his own 
diseased imagination. On its disappearance—that is to say, on his mind 
recovering its wonted state—he goes on— 
“ He’s gone! and see, the skull and earth are vanished! 
This is beyond melancholy: I do dare my fate 
To do its worst. Now to my sister’s lodging, 
And sum up all these horrors: the disgrace 
The prince threw on me ; next the piteous sight 
Of my dead brother ; and my mother’s dotage ; 
And last, this terrible vision: all these 
Shall with Vittoria’s hounty turn to good, 
Or I will drown this weapon in their blood.” 
He then proceeds at once to the chamber of Vittoria, who receives him 
in the presence of her maid Zanche, a Moor. The two scenes which now 
ensue, are inferior to none which have preceded them, for force of passion, 
truth of character, and vigour and vividness of style. They are, in fact, 
written throughout with a wonderful degree of force and spirit ; and 
there is a vein of horrid lightness and jesting runs through them, which 
greatly adds to the effect as it proceeds, and adds a frightful horror to 
the catastrophe which ends the whole. 
VITTORIA and ZANCHE enter the chamber, followed by FLAMINEO. VITTORIA 
has a book in her hand. 
Flam. What! are you at your prayers? Give o’er. 
Vit. How, ruffian ? 
Flam. I come to you’bout worldly business: 
Sit down—sit down. Nay—stay, blouze! you may hear it; _ 
(To Zanche.) 
The doors are fast enough. 
Vit. Ha! are you drunk? 
Flam. Yes, yes—with wormwood water: you shall taste 
Some of it presently. 
Vit. What intends the fury? 
Flam. You are my lord’s executrix, and I claim 
Reward for my long service. 
Vit. For your service? 
Flam. Come, therefore ; here is pen and ink ; set down 
What you will give me. 
Vit. There! (She writes.) 
Flam. Ha! have you done already ? 
°Tis a most short conveyance. ' 
Vit. I will read it: "es 
“I give that portion to thee, and no other, 
* Which Cain groaned under, having slain his brother.” 
On this a most extraordinary scene follows. Flamineo presents two 
cases of pistols, and pretends that his talk of worldly reward was a mere 
fetch, and that his real business with her is one of still more vital interest 
to both of them. He declares that Brachiano had obtained a vow from 
him, that Vittoria should not survive him; and that he (Flamineo) had 
sworn not only to sacrifice her, but himself also, to the manes of th 
dead lord—and the rather, as it was little to be supposed that they 
be allowed to live after their protector’s death—he himself not bentigmalble 
to escape the malice of his enemies, even in the bosom of his own court. 
