1 Vindicta mihi

Hieronimo quotes the Biblical injunction from Romans 12:19: “Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.” Often invoked by Elizabethan writers, secular and religious, to support the contention that executing vengeance must be left to God, the sentiment is expanded upon in the next four lines.

3 Attend their will

await God’s pleasure, the time he elects for vengeance.

6 Per scelus . . . iter

 

“The safe way for crimes is through [further] crimes,” an adaption of a line from Seneca’s Agamemnon. Hieronimo reads the line from the book he is holding. The Senecan tag makes him reflect that his enemy will probably add the crime of Hieronimo’s murder to his original crime to ensure his own safety. Realizing that his own life is at risk prompts Hieronimo to abandon his resolution to leave vengeance to God.

 

9 death’s . . . resolution

The worst result from acting boldly is death.

10 contend

strive, resist

12-13

Hieronimo again quotes Seneca, paraphrasing the Latin himself in the next four lines.

21 vulgar

common.

22-3

Obscure. Hieronimo may mean that “vulgar wits” (stupid men) may seek revenge by obvious (open), but effective, means, while he prefers subtlety.

22 inevitable

always successful

23 mean

plan of action

26 Closely

Subtlely

27-8

But here means only. Hieronimo means that only extremes (crises) preclude waiting for the right time advantage; revenge should be considered and deliberate, which demands that one wait for one’sopportunity

29-33

Acting with stealth does not contradict Hieronimo’s belief that Heaven endorses his revenge.

32 simplicity

seemingly purposeless behavior

35 Remedium . . . est.

is a useless remedy for evils. Hieronimo again quotes Seneca.