 | The Tragedy of The Dutchesse of Malfy |  |
Actus Primus.
Scena Prima.
Antonio, and Delio, Bosola, Cardinall.Delio.
Yov are wel-come to your Country (deere Antonio)
You haue bin long in France, and you returne
A very formall French-man, in your habit.
How doe you like the French Court?
Ant.
I admire it,
In seeking to reduce both State, and People
To a fix'd Order, there iuditious King
Begins at home: Quits first his Royall Pallace
Of flattring Sicophants of dissolute,
And infamous persons which he sweetely termes
His Masters Master-peece (the worke of Heauen)
Considring duely, that a Princes Court
Is like a common Fountaine, whence should flow,
Pure siluer-droppes ingenerall: But if 't chance
Some curs'd example poyson't neere the head,
“Death, and diseases through the whole land spread.
And what is't makes this blessed gouernment,
But a most prouident Councell, who dare freely
Informe him, the corruption of the times?
To instruct Princes what they ought to doe,
It is a noble duety to informe them
What they ought to fore-see: Here comes Bosola
The onely Court-Gall: yet I obserue his rayling
Is not for simple loue of Piety:
Indeede he rayles at those things which he wants,
Would be as leacherous, couetous, or proud,
Bloody, or enuious, as any man,
If he had meanes to be so: Here's the Cardinall.
Bos.
I doe haunt you still.
Car.
So.
Bos.
I haue done you
Better seruice then to be slighted thus:
Miserable age, where onely the reward
Of doing well, is the doing of it.
Car.
You inforce your merrit to-much.
Bos.
I fell into the Gallies in your seruice,
Where, for two yeares together, I wore two Towells in stead of
A shirt, with a knot on the shoulder, after the fashion of a
Romaine Mantle: Slighted thus? I will thriue some way:
Black-birds fatten best in hard weather: why not I,
In these dogge dayes?
Car.
Would you could become honest,
Bos.
With all your diuinity, do but direct me the way to it, I
Haue knowne many trauell farre for it, and yet returne as
Arrant knaues, as they went forth; because they carried
Themselues alwayes a long with them; Are you gon?
Some fellowes (they say) are possessed with the diuell,
But this great fellow, were able to possesse the greatest
Diuell, and make him worse.
Ant.
He hath denied thee some suit?
Bos.
He, and his brother, are like Plum-trees (that grow crooked
Ouer standing-pooles) they are rich, and ore-laden with
Fruite, but none but Crowes, Pyes, and Catter-pillers feede
On them: Could I be one of their flattring Panders, I
Would hang on their eares like a horse-leach, till I were full, an
Who wold relie vpon these miserable dependances, in expectation to
Be aduanc'd to morrow? what creature, euer fed worse, then hoping
Tantalus? nor euer did any man more fearefully, then he that hop'd
For a pleadon: There are rewards for hawkes, and dogges, and
When they haue done vs seruice; but for a Souldier, that hazards his
Limbes in a battaile, nothing but a kind of Geometry, is his last
Supportation.
Del.
Geometry?
Bos.
I, to hang in a faire paire of slings, take his latter-swinge in the
World, vpon an honorable pare of Crowtches, from hospitall
To hospitall, fare ye well Sir. And yet do not you scorne vs, for
Places in the Court, are but likes beds in the hospitall, where this
Mans head lies at that mans foote, and so lower, and lower.
Del.
I knew this fellow (seauen yeares) in the Gallies,
For a notorious murther, and 'twas thought
The Cardinall suborn'd it: he was releas'd
By the French Generall (Gaston de Foux)
When he recouer'd Naples.
Ant.
'Tis great pitty
He should be thus neglected, I haue heard
He's very valiant: This foule mellancholly
Will poyson all his goodnesse, for (i'le tell you)
If too immoderate sleepe, be truly sayd
To be an inward rust vnto the soule;
It then doth follow want of action
Breeds all blacke male-contents, and their close rearing
(Like mothes in cloath) doe hurt for want of wearing.
SCENA II.
Antonio, Delio, Ferdinand, Cardinall, Dutchesse, Castruchio, Siluio, Rodocico, Grisolan, Bosola, Iulia, Cariola.Del.
The Presence 'gins to fill, you promis'd me
To make me the partaker of the natures
Of some of your great Courtiers.
The Lord Cardinalls
And other strangers, that are now in Court,
I shall: here comes the great Calabrian Duke.
Ferd.
Who tooke the Ring oftnest?
Sil.
Antonia Bologna (my Lord)
Ferd.
Our Sister Duchesse great Master of her houshold?
Giue him the Iewell: when shall we leaue this sportiue-action,
And fall to action indeed?
Cast.
Me thinkes (my Lord)
You should not desire to go to war, in person.
Fer.
Now, for some grauity: why (my Lord?)
Cast.
It is fitting a Souldier arise to be a Prince, but not necessary
A Prince descend to be a Captaine?
Ferd.
Noe?
Cast.
No, (my Lord)
He were far better do it by a Deputy.
Ferd.
Why should he not aswell sleepe, or eate, by a Deputy?
This might take idle, offensiue, and base office from him,
Whereas the other depriues him of honour.
Cast.
Beleeue my experience: that Realme is neuer long in quiet,
Where the Ruler, is a Souldier.
Ferd.
Thou toldst me
Thy wife could not endure fighting.
Cast.
True (my Lord.)
Fred.
And of a iest, she broke of a Captaine,
She met, full of wounds: I haue forgot it.
Cast.
She told him (my Lord) he was a pittifull fellow, to lie,
Like the Children of Ismael all in Tents.
Ferd.
Why, there's a wit were able to vndoe
All the Chyrurgeons o'the City, for although
Gallants should quarrell, and had drawne their weapons,
And were ready to goe to it; yet her perswasions would
Make them put vp.
Cast.
That she would (my Lord)
How doe you like my Spanish Gennit?
Rod.
He is all fire.
Ferd.
I am of Pliney's opinion, I thinke he was begot by the wind,
Sil.
True (my Lord) he reeles from the Tilt-often.
Rod. Gris.
Ha, ha, ha.
Ferd.
Why do you laugh? Me thinks you that are Courtiers
Should be my touch-wood, take fire, when I giue fire;
That is, laugh when I laugh, were the subiect neuer so wity,
Cast.
True (my Lord) I my selfe haue heard a very good iest,
And haue scorn'd to seeme to haue so silly a wit, as to vnderstand it.
Ferd.
But I can laugh at your Foole (my Lord.)
Cast.
He cannot speake (you know) but he makes faces,
My Lady cannot abide him.
Ferd.
Noe?
Cast.
Nor endure to be in merry Company: for she saies
Too much laughing, and too much Company, fils her
Too full of the wrinckle.
Ferd.
I would then haue a Mathematicall Instrument made for
Her face, that she might not laugh out of compasse: I shall shortly
Visit you at Millaine (Lord Siluio.)
Sil.
Your Grace shall arriue most wel-come.
Ferd.
You are a good Horse-man (Antonio) you haue excellent
Riders in France, what doe you thinke of good Horse-man-ship?
Ant.
Noblely (my Lord) as out of the Grecian-horse, issued
Many famous Princes: So, out of braue Horse-man-ship,
Arise the first Sparkes of growing resolution, that raise
The minde, to noble action.
Ferd.
You haue be-spoake it worthely.
Sil.
Your brother, the Lord Cardinall, and sister Dutchesse.
Card.
Are the Gallies come about?
Gris.
They are (my Lord.)
Ferd.
Here's the Lord Siluio, is come to take his leaue.
Del.
Now (Sir) your promise: what's that Cardinall?
I meane his Temper? they say he's a braue fellow,
Will play his fiue thousand crownes, at Tennis, Daunce,
Court Ladies, and one that hath fought single Combats.
Ant.
Some such flashes superficially hang on him, for forme:
But obserue his inward Character: he is a mellancholly
Church-man: The Spring in his face, is nothing but the
He laies worse plots for them, then euer was impos'd on
Hercules: for he strewes in his way Flatters, Panders,
Intelligencers, Athiests,: and a thousand such politicall
Monsters: he should haue beene Pope: but in stead of
Comming to it, by the primatiue decensie of the church,
He did bestow bribes, so largely, and so impudently, as if he would
Haue carried it away without heauens knowledge. Some good he
Hath done.
Del.
You haue giuen too much of him: what's his brother?
Ant.
The Duke there? a most peruerse, and turbulent Nature,
What appeares in him mirth, is meerely outside,
If he laugh hartely, it is to laugh
All honesty out of fashion.
Del.
Twins?
Ant.
In qualitie:
He speakes with others Tongues, and heares mens suites,
With others Eares: will seeme to sleepe o'th bench
Onely to intrap offenders, in their answeres;
Doombes men to death, by information,
Rewards, by heare-say.
Del.
Then the Law to him
Is like a fowle blacke cob-web, to a Spider,
He makes it his dwelling, and a prison
To entangle those shall feede him.
Ant.
Most true:
He neu'r paies debts, vnlesse they be shewed turnes,
And those he will confesse, that he doth owe,
Last: for his brother, there, (the Cardinall)
They that doe flatter him most, say Oracles
Hang at his lippes: and verely I beleeue them:
For the Diuell speakes in them.
But for their sister, (the right noble Duchesse)
You neuer fix'd you eye, on three faire Meddalls,
Cast in one figure, of so different temper:
For her discourse, it is so full of Rapture,
You onely will begin, then to be sorry
She held it lesse vaine-glory, to talke much
Then your pennance, to heare her: whilst she speakes,
She throwes vpon a man, so sweet a looke,
That it were able raise one to a Galliard
That lay in a dead palsey; and to doate
On that sweete countenance: but in that looke,
There speaketh so diuine a continence,
As cuts off all lasciuious, and vaine hope.
Her dayes are practis'd in such noble vertue,
That, sure her nights (nay more her very Sleepes)
Are more in Heauen, then other Ladies Shrifts.
Let all sweet Ladies, breake their flattring Glasses,
And dresse themselues in her.
Del.
Fye Antonia,
You play the wire-drawer with her commendations.
Ant.
I'll case the picture vp: onely thus much,
All her particular worth, growes to this somme:
She staines the time past: lights the time to come,
Cariola.
You must attend my Lady, in the gallery,
Some halfe an houre hence.
Ant.
I shall.
Ferd.
Sister, I haue a suit to you:
Duch.
To me, Sir?
Ferd.
A Gentleman here: Daniel de Bosola:
One, that was in the Gallies.
Duch.
Yes, I know him:
Ferd.
A worthy fellow h'is: pray let me entreat for
The prouisorship of your horse.
Duch.
Your knowledge of him,
Commends him, and prefers him.
Ferd.
Call him heither,
Wee now vpon parting: Good Lord Siluio
Do vs commend to all our noble friends
At the Leagues.
Sil.
Sir, I shall.
Ferd.
You are for Millaine?
I am:
Duch.
Bring the Carroches: we'll bring you down to the Hauen.
Car.
Be sure you entertaine that Bosola
For your Intelligence: I would not be seeene in't.
And therefore many times I haue slighted him,
When he did court our furtherance: as this Morning.
Ferd.
Antonio, the great Master of her houshold
Had beene farre fitter:
Card.
You are deceiu'd in him,
His Nature is too honest for such businesse,
He comes: I'll leaue you:
Bos.
I was lur'd to you.
Ferd.
My brother here (the Cardinall) could neuer
abide you.
Bos.
Neuer since he was in my debt.
Ferd.
May be some oblique character in your face,
made him suspect you?
Bos.
Doth he study Phisiognomie?
There's no more credit, to be giuen to th'face,
Then to a sicke mans vryn, which some call
The Physitians whore, because she cozens him:
He did suspect me wrongfully:
Ferd.
For that
You must giue great men leaue to take their times:
Distrust, doth cause vs seldome be deceiu'd;
You see, the oft shaking of the Cedar-Tree
Fastens it more at roote.
Bos.
Yet take heed:
For to suspect a friend vnworthely,
Instructs him the next way to suspect you,
And prompts him to deceiue you.
Berd.
There's gold.
Bos.
So:
What followes? (Neuer raind such showres as these
Without thunderbolts i'th taile of them;) whose throat must I cut?
Ferd.
Your inclination to shed blood, rides post
Before my occasion to vse you: I giue you that
To note all the particulars of her hauiour:
What suitors doe sollicite her for marriage
And whom she best affects: she's a yong widowe,
I would not haue her marry againe.
Bos.
No, Sir?
Ferd.
Doe not you aske the reason: but be satisfied,
I say I would not.
Bos.
It seemes you would create me
One of your familiars.
Ferd.
Familiar? vvhat's that?
Bos.
Why, a very quaint inuisible Diuell, in flesh:
An Intelligencer.
Ferd.
Such a kind of thriuing thing
I would wish thee: and ere long, thou maist arriue
At a higher place by't.
Bos.
Take your Diuels
Which Hell calls Angels: these curs'd gifts would make
You a corrupter, me an impudent traitor,
And should I take these they'll'd take me Hell.
Fer.
Sir, I'll take nothing from you, that I haue giuen:
There is a place, that I procur'd for you
This morning: (the Prouisor-ship o'th' horse)
Haue you heard out?
Bos.
Noe.
Fer.
'Tis yours, is't not worth thankes?
Bos.
I would haue you curse your selfe now, that your bounty
(Which makes men truly noble) ere should make
Me a villaine: oh, that to auoid ingratitude
For the good deed you haue done me, I must doe
All the ill man can inuent: Thus the Diuell
Candies all sinnes are: and what Heauen termes vild,
That names he complementall.
Fer.
Be your selfe:
Keepe your old garbe of melencholly: 'twill expresse
You enuy those that stand aboue your reach,
Yet striue not to come neere'em: This will gaine
May (like a pollitique dormouse,
Bos.
As I haue seene some,
Feed in a Lords dish, halfe a sleepe, not seeming
To listen to any talke: and yet these Rogues
Haue cut his throat in a dreame: whats my place?
The Prouisors-ship o'th horse? say then my corruption
Grew out of horse-doong: I am your creature.
Ferd.
Away.
Bos.
Let good men, for good deeds, couet good fame,
Since place, and riches oft are bribes of shame
Sometimes the Diuell doth preach.
Exit Bosola.
Card.
We are to part from you: and your owne discretion
Must now be your director.
Ferd.
You are a Widowe:
You know already what man is: and therefore
Let not youth: high promotion, eloquence,
Card.
No, nor any thing without the addition, Honor,
Sway your high blood.
Ferd.
Marry? they are most luxurious,
Will wed twice.
Card.
O fie:
Ferd.
Their liuers are more spotted
Then Labans sheepe.
Duch.
Diamonds are of most value
They say; that haue past through most Iewellers hands.
Ferd.
Whores, by that rule, are precious:
Duch.
Will you heare me?
I'll neuer marry:
Card.
So most Widowes say:
But commonly that motion lasts no longer
Then the turning of an houreglasse, the funeral Sermon,
And it, end both together.
Ferd.
Now heare me:
You liue in a ranke pasture here, i'th Court,
There is a kind of honney-dew, that's deadly:
'Twill poyson your fame; looke too't: be not cunning:
Are Witches, ere they arriue at twenty yeeres,
I: and giue the diuell sucke.
Duch.
This is terrible good councell:
Ferd.
Hypocrisie is wouen of a fine small thred,
(Subtler, then Vulcans Engine: yet(beleeu't)
Your darkest actions: nay, your priuat'st thoughts,
Will come to light.
Card.
You may flatter your selfe,
And take your owne choice: priuately be married
Vnder the Eues of night.
Ferd.
Think't the best voyage
That ere you made; like the irregular Crab,
Which though't goes backward, thinkes that it goes, right,
Because it goes its owne way: but obserue;
Such weddings, may more properly be said
To be executed, then celibrated.
Card.
The marriage night
Is the entrance into some prison.
Ferd.
And those ioyes,
Those lustfull pleasures, are like heauy sleepes
Which doe fore-run mans mischiefe
Card.
Fare you well.
Wisdome begins at the end: remember it.
Duch.
I thinke this speech betweene you both was studied,
It came so roundly off.
Ferd.
You are my sister,
This was my Fathers poyniard: doe you see,
I'll'd be loth to see't looke rusty, 'cause 'twas his:
I would haue you to giue ore these chargeable Reuels;
A Vizor, and a Masque are whispering roomes
That were neu'r built for goodnesse: fare ye well:
And woemen, like that part, which (like the Lamprey)
Hath neu'r a bone in't.
Duch.
Fye Sir:
Ferd.
Nay,
I meane the Tongue: varietie of Courtship;
Make a woman beleeue? farewell, lusty Widowe.
Duch.
Shall this moue me? if all my royall kindred
Lay in my way, vnto this marriage:
I'll'd make them my low foote-steps: And euen now,
Euen in this hate (as men in some great battailes
By apprehending danger, haue atchieu'd
Almost impossible actions: I haue heard Souldiers say so,
So I, through frights, and threatnings, will assay
This dangerous venture: Let old wiues report
I wincked, and chose a husband: Cariola,
To thy knowne secricy, I haue giuen vp
More then my life, my fame:
Carolia.
Both shall be safe:
For I'll conceale this secret from the world
As warily as those that trade in poyson,
Keepe poyson from their children.
Duch.
Thy protestation
Is ingenious, and hearty: I beleeue it.
Is Antonio come?
Cariola.
He attends you:
Duch.
Good deare soule,
Leaue me: but place thy selfe behind the Arras,
Where thou maist ouer-heare vs: wish me good speed
For I am going into a wildernesse,
Where I shall find nor path, nor friendly clewe
To be my guide, I sent for you, Sit downe:
Take Pen and Incke, and write: are you ready?
Ant.
Yes:
Duch.
What did I say?
Ant.
That I should write some-what.
Duch.
Oh, I remember:
After this triumphs, and this large expence
It's fit (like thrifty husbands) we enquire
What's laid vp for to morrow:
Ant.
So please your beauteous Excellence.
Duch.
Beauteous? Indeed I thank you: I look yong for your sake.
Ant.
I'le fetch your Grace the
Particulars of your reuinew, and expence.
Duch.
Oh, you are an vpright treasurer: but you mistooke,
For when I said I meant to make enquiry,
VVhat's layd vp for to morrow: I did meane
VVhat's layd vp yonder for me.
Ant.
VVhere?
Duch.
In Heauen,
I am making my will, (as 'tis fit Princes should
In perfect memory) and I pray Sir, tell me
Were not one better make it smiling, thus?
Then in deepe groanes, and terrible ghastly lookes,
As if the guifts we parted with, procur'd
That violent distruction?
Ant.
Oh, much better.
Duch.
If I had a husband now, this care were quit:
But I intend to make yon Ouer-seer;
What good deede, shall we first remember? say.
Ant.
Begin with that first good deed, began i'th'world,
After mans creation, the Sacrament of marriage,
I'ld haue you first prouide for a good husband,
Giue him all.
Duch.
All?
Ant.
Yes, your excellent selfe.
Duch.
In a winding sheete?
Ant.
In a cople.
Duch.
St. Winfrid, that were a strange will.
Ant.
'Twere strange if there were no will in you
To marry againe.
Duch.
What doe you thinke of marriage?
Ant.
I take't, as those that deny Purgatory,
It locally containes, or heauen, or hell,
There's no third place in't.
Duch.
How doe you affect it?
Ant.
My banishment, feeding my mellancholly,
VVould often reason thus.
Pray let's heare it.
Ant.
Say a man neuer marry, nor haue children,
What takes that from him? onely the bare name
Of being a father, or the weake delight
To see the little wanton, ride a cocke-horse
Vpon a painted sticke, or heate him chatter
Like a taught Starling.
Duch.
Fye, fie, what's all this?
One of your eyes is blood-shot, vse my Ring to't,
They say 'tis very soueraigne, 'twas my wedding Ring,
And I did vow neuer to part with it,
But to my second husband.
Ant.
You haue parted with it now.
Duch.
Yes, to helpe your eye-sight.
Ant.
You haue made me starke blind.
Duch.
How?
Ant.
There is a sawcy, and ambitious diuell
Is dauncing in this circle.
Duch.
Remooue him.
Ant.
How?
Duch.
There needs small coniuration, when your finger
May doe it: thus, is it fit?
Ant.
What sayd you?
he kneeles.
Duch.
Sir,
This goodly roofe of yours, is too low built,
I cannot stand vpright in't, nor discourse,
Without I raise it higher: raise your selfe,
Or if you please, my hand to helpe you: so.
Ant.
Ambition (Madam) is a great mans madnes,
That is not kept in chaines, and close-pent-roomes,
But in faire lightsome lodgings, and is girt
With the wild noyce of pratling visitans,
Which makes it lunatique, beyond all cure,
Conceiue not, I am so stupid, but I ayme
Whereto your fauours tend: But he's a foole
That (being a cold) would thrust his hands i'th'fire
To warme them.
So, now the ground's broake,
You may discouer what a wealthy Mine,
I make you Lord off.
Ant.
Oh my vnworthinesse.
Duch.
You were ill to sell your selfe,
This darkning of your worth, is not like that
Which trades-men vse i'th'City, their false lightes
Are to rid bad wares off: and I must tell you
If you will know where breathes a compleat man,
(I speake it without flattery) turne your eyes,
And progresse through your selfe.
Ant.
Were there nor heauen, nor hell,
I should be honest: I haue long seru'd vertue,
And neu'r tane wages of her.
Duch.
Now she paies it,
The misery of vs, that are borne great,
We are forc'd to woe, because none dare woe vs:
And as a Tyrant doubles with his words,
And fearefully equiuocates: so we
Are forc'd to expresse our violent passions
In ridles, and in dreames, and leaue the path
Of simple vertue, which was neuer made
To seeme the thing it is not: Goe, go brag
You haue left me heartlesse, mine is in your bosome,
I hope 'twill multiply loue there: You doe tremble:
Make not your heart so dead a peece of flesh
To feare, more then to loue me: Sir, be confident,
What is't distracts you? This is flesh, and blood, (Sir,)
'Tis not the figure cut in Allablaster
Kneeles at my husbands tombe: Awake, awake (man)
I do here put of all vaine ceremony,
And onely doe appeare to you, a yong widow
That claimes you for her husband, and like a widow,
I vse but halfe a blush in't.
Ant.
Truth speake for me,
I will remaine the constant Sanctuary
Of your good name.
I thanke you (gentle loue)
And 'cause you shall not come to me, in debt,
(Being now my Steward) here vpon your lippes
I signe your Quietus est: This you should haue beg'd now,
I haue seene children oft eate sweete-meates thus,
As fearefull to deuoure them too soone.
Ant.
But for your Brothers?
Duch.
Do not thinke of them,
All discord, without this circumference,
Is onely to be pittied, and not fear'd:
Yet, should they know it, time will easily
Scatter the tempest.
Ant.
These words should be mine,
And all the parts you haue spoke, if some part of it
Would not haue sauour'd flattery.
Duch.
Kneele.
Ant.
Hah?
Duch.
Be not amaz'd, this woman's of my Councell,
I haue heard Lawyers say, a contract in a Chamber,
(Per verba presenti) is absolute marriage:
Blesse (Heauen) this sacred Gordian, which, let violence
Neuer vntwine.
Ant.
And may our sweet affections, (like the Sphears)
Be still in motion.
Duch.
Quickning, and make
The like soft Musique.
Ant.
That we may imitate the louing Palmes
(Best Embleme of a peacefull marriage)
That neu'r bore fruite deuided.
Duch.
VVhat can the Church force more?
Ant.
That Fortune may not know an accident
Either of ioy, or sorrow, to deuide
Our fixed wishes.
Duch.
How can the Church build faster?
We now are man, and wife, and 'tis the Church
That must but eccho this: Maid, stand a part,
I now am blinde.
What's your conceit in this?
Duch.
I would haue you leade your Fortune by the hand,
Vnto your marriage bed:
(You speake in me this, for we now are one)
We'll onely lie, and talke together, and plot
T'appease my humorous kindred; and if you please
(Like the old tale, in Alexander and Lodowicke)
Lay a naked sword betweene vs, keepe vs chast:
Oh, let me shrowd my blushes in your bosome,
Since 'tis the treasury of all my secrets.
Car.
Whether the spirit of greatnes, or of woman
Raigne most in her, I know not, but it shewes
A fearefull madnes, I owe her much of pitty.
Exeunt.
| The Tragedy of The Dutchesse of Malfy | |