 | The Tragedy of The Dutchesse of Malfy |  |
SCENA. III.
Bosola, Antonio.Bos.
Sure I did heare a woman shreike: list, hah?
And the sound came (if I receiu'd it right)
From the Dutchesse lodgings: ther's some stratagem,
In the confyning all our Courtiers
To their seuerall wards: I must haue part of it,
My Intelligence will freize else: List againe,
It may be 'twas the mellencholly bird,
(Best friend of silence, and of solitarines)
The Oowle, that schream'd so: hah? Antonio?
I heard some noyse: whose there? what art thou? speake.
Bos.
Antonio? Put not your face; nor body
To such a forc'd expression of feare,
I am Bosola; your friend.
Ant.
Bosola?
(This Moale do's vndermine me) heard you not
A noyce euen now?
Bos.
From whence?
Ant.
From the Duchesse lodging.
Bos.
Not I: did you?
Ant.
I did: or else I dream'd.
Bos.
Let's walke towards it.
Ant.
No: It may be, 'twas
But the rising of the winde:
Bos.
Very likely:
Me thinkes 'tis very cold, and yet you sweat.
You looke wildly.
Ant.
I haue bin setting a figure
For the Dutchesse Iewells;
Bos.
Ah: and how falls your question?
Doe you find it radicall?
Ant.
What's that to you?
'Tis rather to be question'd what designe
(When all men were commanded to their lodgings)
Makes you a night-walker.
Bos.
In sooth I'll tell you:
Now all the Court's asleepe, I thought the Diuell
Had least to doe here; I came to say my prayers,
And if it doe offend you, I doe so,
You are a fine Courtier.
Ant.
This fellow will vndoe me;
You gaue the Dutchesse Apricocks to day,
Pray heauen they were not poysond?
Bos.
Poysond? a spanish figge
For the imputation.
Ant.
Traitors are euer confident,
Till they are discouer'd: There were Iewels stolne too,
More then your selfe.
Bos.
You are a false steward.
Ant.
Sawcy slaue: I'll pull thee vp by the rootes;
Bos.
May be the ruyne will crush you to peeces.
Ant.
You are an impudent snake indeed (sir)
Are you scarce warme, and doe you shew your sting?
Ant.
You Libell well (sir.)
Bos.
No (sir,)
Copy it out: and I will set my hand to't.
Ant.
My nose bleedes: One that were superstitious, would count
This ominous: when it meerely comes by chance.
Two letters, that are wrought here, for my name
Are drown'd in blood: meere accedent: for you (sir) I'll take order:
I'th morne you shall be safe: 'tis that must colour
Her lying-in: sir, this doore you passe not:
I doe not hold it fit, that you come neere
The Dutchesse lodgings, till you haue quite your selfe;
The Great are like the Base; nay, they are the same.
When they seeke shamefull waies, to auoid shame.
Ex.
Bos.
Antonio here about, did drop a Paper,
Some of your helpe (falce-friend) oh, here it is:
What's here? a childes Natiuitie calculated?
The Dutchesse was deliuer'd of a Sonne, 'tweene the houres
twelue, and one, in the night: Anno Dom: 1504. (that's this yeere)
decimo nono Decembris, (that's this night) taken according to the
Meridian of Malfy (that's our Dutchesse: happy discouery). The
Lord of the first house, being combust in the ascendant, signifies short
life: and Mars being in a human signe, ioyn'd to the taile of the Dragon,
in the eight house, doth threaten a violent death; Cæteta non
scrutantur.
Is the Dutchesse Bawde: I haue it to my wish:
This is a parcell of Intelligency
Our Courtiers were caside-vp for? It needes must follow,
That I must be committed, on pretence
Of poysoning her: which I'll endure, and laugh at:
Time will discouer; Old Castruchio
I'th morning poasts to Rome; by him I'll send
A Letter, that shall make her brothers Galls
Ore-flowe their Liuours, this was a thrifty way.
Though Lust doe masque in nea'r so strange disguise,
She's oft found witty, but is neuer wise.
| The Tragedy of The Dutchesse of Malfy | |