University of Virginia Library

SCENA. II.

Bosola, old Lady, Antonio, Rodorigo, Grisolan: seruants, Delio, Cariola.
Bos.
So, so: ther's no question but her teatchiues
And most vulterous eating of the Apricocks, are apparant
Signes of breeding, now?

Old Lady.
I am in hast (Sir.)

Bos.
There was a young wayting-woman, had a monstrous desire
To see the Glasse-house.

Old La.
Nay, pray let me goe:

Bos.
And it was onely to know what strange instrument it was,
Should swell vp a glasse to the fashion of a womans belly.

Old La.
I will heare no more of the Glasse-house,
You are still abusing woemen?

Bos.
Who I? no, onely (by the way now and then) mention
Your fraileties. The Orrenge tree beare ripe and greene
Fruit, and blossoms altogether: And some of you giue entertainment
For pure loue: but more, for more precious reward. The lusty
Spring smels well: but drooping Autumne tasts well: If we
Haue the same golden showres, that rained in the time of Iupiter
The Thunderer: you haue the same Danes still, to hold vp their
Laps to receiue them: didst thou neuer study the Mathematiques?

Old La.
What's that (Sir.)

Bos.
Why, to know the trick how to make a many lines meete
In one center: Goe, goe; giue your foster-daughters good councels:
Tell them, that the Diuell takes delight to hang at a womans girdle,
Like a false rusty watch that she cannot discerne how
The time passes.

Ant.
Shht vp the Court gates:

Rod.
Why sir? what's the danger?

Ant.
Shut vp the Posternes presently: and call
All the Officers o'th' Court.

Gris.
I shall instantly:

Ant.
Who keepes the key o'th' Parke-gate?

Rod.
Forobosco.

Ant.
Let him bring't presently.

Seruant.
Oh, Gentlemen, o'th' Court, the fowlest treason.

Bos.
If that these Apricocks should be poysond, now;
Without my knowledge.

Seru.
There was taken euen now a Switzer
In the Duchesse Bed-chamber.

2. Seru.
A Switzer?

Seru.
With a Pistoll in his great cod-piece.

Bos.
Hh, ha, ha.

Seru.
The cod-piece was the case for't.

2. Ser.
There was a cunning traitor.
Who would haue search'd his cod-piece?

Seru.
True, if he had kept out of the Ladies chambers:
And all the mowldes of his buttons, were leaden bullets.

2. Seru.
Oh wicked Caniball: a fire-lock in's cod-piece?

Seru.
'Twas a French plot vpon my life.

2. Ser.
To see what the Diuell can doe.

Ant.
All the Offices here?

Seru.
We are:

Ant.
Gentlemen,
We haue lost much Plate you know; and but this euening
Iewels, to the value of foure thousand Duckets
Are missing in the Ducthesse Cabinet,
Are the Gates shut?

Ser.
Yes.

Ant.
'Tis the Duchesse pleasure
Each Officer be lock'd into his chamber
Till the Sun-rysing: and to send the keyes
Of all their chests, and of their outward doores
Into her bed-chamber: She is very sicke.

Rod.
At her pleasure.

Ant.
She intreates you take't not ill: The Innocent
Shall be the more approu'd by it.

Bos.
Gentleman o'th' Wood-yard, where's your Switzer now?

Seru.
By this hand 'twas creadably reported by one o'th' Blackguard.

Del.
How fares it with the Dutchesse?

Ant.
She's expos'd
Vnto the worst of torture, paine, and feare;

Del.
Speake to her all happy comfort.

Ant.
How I do play the foole with mine own danger?
You are this night (deere friend) to poast to Rome,
My life lies in your seruice.

Del.
Doe not doubt me,

Ant.
Oh, 'Tis farre from me: and yet feare presents me
Somewhat that looke like danger.

Del.
Beleeue it,
'Tis but the shadow of your feare, no more:
How superstitiously we mind our euils?
The throwing downe salt, or crossing of a Hare;
Bleeding at nose, the stumbling of a horse:
Or singing of a Criket, are of powre
To daunt whole man in vs: Sir, fare you well:
I wish you all the ioyes of a bless'd Father;
And (for my faith) lay this vnto your brest,
Old friends (like old swords) still are trusted best.

Cariola.
Sir, you are the happy father of a sonne,
Your wife commends him to you.

Aut.
Blessed comfort:
For heauen-sake tend her well: I'll presently
Goe set a figure for's Natiuitie.

Exeunt.