EJfay on Majftnger. 133 



With them and life together, I'm the fame : 

 My veins did not then fwell with pride, nor now 

 They fhrink with fear, 



Duke of Milan, Ad III, Sc. 2. 



In the fcene where Sforza enjoins Francifco to 

 difpatch Marcelia, in cafe of the Emperor's pro- 

 ceeding to extremities againft him, the poet has 

 given him a ftrong expreflion of horror at his 

 own purpofe. After difpofing Francifco to obey 

 his commands without referve, by recapitulating 

 the favours conferred on him, Sforza proceeds to 

 imprefs him with the blackeft view of the in- 

 tended deed ; 



- Thou muft fwear it. 



And put into thy oath all joys and torments. 

 That fright the wicked, or confirm the good. 

 Not to conceal it only, (that is nothing) 

 But whenfoe'er my will ftiall fpeak, ftrike now. 

 To fall upon't like thunder. 



... Thou muft do 



What no malevolent ftar will dare to look on. 

 It ih fo wicked : for which men will curfe thee. 

 For being the inftrument, and the bleft angels 

 Foriake me at my need, for being the author : 

 For 'tis a deed of night, of night, Francifco, 

 In which the memory of all good adlions 

 We can pretend to, fhall be buried quick; 

 Or, if we be remember'd, it ftiall be 

 To fright pofterity by our example. 

 That have outgone all precedents of villains 

 That were before us. lb. Aft. I. Sc. ult. 



If we compare this fcene, and efpecially the 



paffage quoted, with the celebrated fcene be- 



K 3 tween 



