Page:Tempest (1918) Yale.djvu/19

8 Awak'd an evil nature; and my trust,

Like a good parent, did beget of him

A falsehood in its contrary as great

As my trust was; which had, indeed, no limit,

A confidence sans bound. He being thus lorded,

Not only with what my revenue yielded,

But what my power might else exact,—like one,

Who having, into truth, by telling of it,

Made such a sinner of his memory,

To credit his own lie,—he did believe

He was indeed the duke; out o' the substitution,

And executing th' outward face of royalty,

With all prerogative:—Hence his ambition growing,—

Dost thou hear?

Mira. Your tale, sir, would cure deafness.

Pro. To have no screen between this part he play'd

And him he play'd it for, he needs will be

Absolute Milan. Me, poor man,—my library

Was dukedom large enough: of temporal royalties

He thinks me now incapable; confederates,—

So dry he was for sway,—wi' the king of Naples

To give him annual tribute, do him homage,

Subject his coronet to his crown, and bend

The dukedom, yet unbow'd,—alas, poor Milan!—

To most ignoble stooping.

Mira. O the heavens!

Pro. Mark his condition and the event; then tell me

If this might be a brother.

Mira. I should sin

To think but nobly of my grandmother:

Good wombs have borne bad sons.

 95 in its contrary: in opposition to it

97 sans: without

lorded: raised to the power of a lord

100–102 Cf. n.

103 substitution: power as deputy

109 Milan: Duke of Milan

111 confederates: conspires

112 dry: thirsty

117 event: outcome

