 | The Tragedy of The Dutchesse of Malfy |  |
SCENA. II.
Dutchesse, Antonio, Cariola, Ferdinand, Bosola, Officers.Dutch.
Bring me the Casket hither, and the Glasse;
You get no lodging here, to night (my Lord.)
Ant.
Indeed, I must perswade one:
Duch.
Very good:
I hope in time 'twill grow into a custome,
That Noble men shall come with cap, and knee,
To purchase a nights lodging, of their wiues.
Ant.
I must lye here.
Dutch.
Must? you are a Lord of Misse-rule.
Ant.
Indeed, my Rule is onely in the night.
Dutch.
To what vse will you put me,
Ant.
Wee'll sleepe together:
Dutch.
Alas, what pleasure can two Louers find in sleepe?
Car.
My Lord, I lye with her often: and I know
Ant.
See, you are complain'd of.
Car.
For she's the sprawlingst bedfellow.
Ant.
I shall like her the better for that.
Car.
Sir, shall I aske you a question?
Ant.
I pray thee Cariola.
Car.
Wherefore still when you lie with my Lady
Doe you rise so early?
Ant.
Labouring men,
Count the Clocke oftnest Cariola,
Are glad when their task's ended.
Duch.
I'll stop your mouth.
Ant.
Nay, that's but one, Venus had two soft Doues
To draw her Chariot: I must haue another:
When wilt thou marry, Cariola?
Car.
Neuer (my Lord.)
Ant.
O fie vpon this single life: forgoe it:
We read how Daphne, for her peeuish slight
Became a fruitlesse Bay-tree: Siriux turn'd
To the pale empty Reede: Anaxarate
Was frozen into Marble: whereas those
Which married, or prou'd kind vnto their friends
Were, by a gracious influence, transhap'd
Into the Oliffe, Pomgranet, Mulbery:
Became Flowres, precious Stones, or eminent Starres.
Car.
This is a vaine Poetry: but I pray you tell me,
If there were propos'd me, Wisdome, Riches, and Beauty,
In three seuerall young men, which should I choose?
Ant.
'Tis a hard question: This was Paris case
And he was blind in't, and there was great cause:
For how was't possible he could iudge right,
Hauing three amorous Goddesses in view,
And they starcke naked: 'twas a Motion
Were able to be-night the apprehention
Of the seueerest Counsellor of Europe.
Now I looke on both your faces, so well form'd
It puts me in mind of a question, I would aske.
What is't?
Ant.
I doe wonder why hard-fauour'd Ladies
For the most part, keepe worse-fauour'd waieting women,
To attend them, and cannot endure faire-ones.
Duch.
Oh, that's soone answer'd.
Did you euer in your life know an ill Painter
Desire to haue his dwelling next doore to the shop
Of an excellent Picture-maker? 'twould disgrace
His face-making, and vndoe him: I pre-thee
When were we so merry? my haire tangles.
Ant.
'Pray-thee (Cariola) let's steale forth the roome,
And let her talke to her selfe: I haue diuers times
Seru'd her the like, when she hath chafde extreamely:
I loue to see her angry: softly Cariola.
Exeunt.
Duch.
Doth not the colour of my haire 'gin to change?
When I waxe gray, I shall haue all the Court
Powder their haire, with Arras, to be like me:
You haue cause to loue me, I entred you into my heart
Before you would vouchsafe to call for the keyes.
We shall one day haue my brothers take you napping:
Me thinkes his Presence (being now in Court)
Should make you keepe your owne Bed: but you'll say
Loue mixt with feare, is sweetest: I'll assure you
You shall get no more children till my brothers
Consent to be your Ghossips: haue you lost your tongue? 'tis welcome:
For know whether I am doomb'd to liue, or die,
I can doe both like a Prince.
Ferdinand giues her a ponyard.
Ferd.
Die then, quickle:
Vertue, where art thou hid? what hideous thing
Is it, that doth ecclipze thee?
Duch.
'Pray sir heare me:
Ferd.
Or is it true, thou art but a bare name,
And no essentiall thing?
Duch.
Sir:
Ferd.
Doe not speake.
Duch.
No sir:
I will plant my soule in mine eares, to heare you.
Oh most imperfect light of humaine reason,
That mak'st so vnhappy, to fore see
What we can least preuent: Pursue thy wishes:
And glory in them: there's in shame no comfort,
But to be past all bounds, and sence of shame.
Duch.
I pray sir, heare me: I am married,
Ferd.
So:
Duch.
Happily, not to your liking: but for that
Alas: your sheeres doe come vntimely now
To clip the birds wings, that's already flowne:
Will you see my Husband?
Ferd.
Yes, if I
Could change eyes with a Basilisque:
Duch.
Sure, you came hither
By his consideracy.
Ferd.
The howling of a Wolfe
Is musicke to the (schrech-Owle) pre'thee peace:
What ere thou art, that hast enioy'd my sister,
(For I am sure thou hearst me) for thine owne sake
Let me not know thee: I came hither, prepar'd
To worke thy discouery: yet am now perswaded
It would beget such violent effects
As would dampe vs both: I would not for ten Millions
I had beheld thee: therefore vse all meanes
I neuer may haue knowledge of thy name;
Enioy thy lust still, and a wretched life,
On that condition: And for thee (vilde woman,)
If thou doe wish thy Leacher may grow old
In thy Embracements, I would haue thee build
Such a roome for him, as our Anchorites
To holier vse enhabite: Let not the Sunne
Shine on him, till he's dead: Let Dogs, and Monkeys
Onely conuerse with him, and such dombe things
To whom Nature denies vse, to sound his name.
Doe not keepe a Paraqueto, least she learne it;
If thou doe loue him, cut out thine owne tongue
Least it bewray him.
Why might not I marry?
I haue not gone about, in this, to create
Any new world, or custome.
Ferd.
Thou art vndone:
And thou hast ta'ne that massiy sheete of lead
That hid thy husbands bones, and foulded it
About my heart.
Dutch.
Mine bleedes for't.
Ford.
Thine? thy heart?
What should I nam't, vnlesse a hollow bullet
Fill'd with vnquenchable wild-fire?
Dutch.
You are, in this
Too strict: and were you not my Princely brother
I would say to wilfull: My reputation
Is safe.
Ferd.
Dost thou know what reputation is
I'll tell thee, to small purpose, since th'instruction
Comes now too late:
Vpon a time Reputation, Loue, and Death,
Would trauell ore the world: and itwas concluded
That they should part, and take three seuerall wayes:
Death told them, they should find him in great Battailes:
Or Cities plagu'd with plagues: Loue giues them councell
To enquire for him 'mongst vnambitious shepheards,
Where dowries were not talk'd of: and sometimes
'Mongst quiet kindred, that had nothing left
By their dead Parents: stay (quoth Reputation)
Doe not forsake me: for it is my nature
If once I part from any man I meete
I am neuer found againe: And so, for you:
You haue shooked hands with Reputation,
And made him inuisible: So fare you well.
I will neuer see you more.
Dutch.
Why should onely I,
Of all the other Princes of the World
Be cas'de-vp, like a holy Relique? I haue youth,
And a litle beautie.
So you haue some Virgins,
That are Witches: I will neuer see thee more.
Exit.
Dutch.
You saw this apparition,
Enter Antonio with a Pistoll.
Ant.
Yes: we are
Betraid; how came he hither? I should turne
This, to thee, for that.
Car.
Pray sir doe: and when
That you haue cleft my heart, you shall read there,
Mine innocence:
Dutch.
That Gallery gaue him entrance.
Ant.
I would this terrible thing would come againe,
That (standing on my Guard) I might relate
My warrantable loue: ha, what meanes this?
Dutch.
He left this with me:
she shewes the poniard.
Ant.
And it seemes, did wish
You would vse it on your selfe?
Dutch.
His Action
Seem'd to intend so much.
Ant.
This hath a handle to't,
As well as a point, turne it towards him,
And so fasten the keene edge, in his rancke gall:
How now? who knocks? more Earthquakes?
Dutch.
I stand
As if a Myne, beneath my feete, were ready
To be blowne vp.
Car.
'Tis Bosola:
Dutch.
Away,
Oh misery, me thinkes vniust actions
Should weare these masques, and curtaines; and not we:
You must instantly part hence: I haue fashion'd it already.
Ex. Ant.
Bos.
The Duke your brother is ta'ne vp in a whirlewind
Hath tooke horse, and's rid poast to Rome.
Dutch.
So late?
Bos.
He told me, (as he mounted into th'sadle,)
You were vndone.
Dutch.
Indeed, I am very neere it.
Bos.
What's the matter?
Antonio, the master of our house-hold
Hath dealt so falsely with me, in's accounts:
My brother stood engag'd with me for money
Ta'ne vp of certaine Neopolitane Iewes,
And Antonio let's the Bonds be forfeyt.
Bos.
Srange: this is cunning:
Dutch.
And hereupon
My brothers Bills at Naples are protested
Against: call vp our Officers.
Bos.
I shall.
Exit.
Dutch.
The place that you must flye to, is Ancona,
Hire a house there. I'll send after you
My Treasure, and my Iewlls: our weake safetie
Runnes vpon engenous wheeles: short sillables,
Must stand for periods: I must now accuse you
Of such a fained crime, as Tasso calls
Magnanima Mensogna: a Noble Lie,
'Cause it must shield our honors: harke they are comming.
Ant.
Will your Grace heare me?
Dutch.
I haue got well by you: you haue yeelded me
A million of losse; I am like to inherit
The peoples curses for your Stewardship:
You had the tricke, in Audit time to be sicke,
Till I had sign'd your Quietus; and that cur'de you
Without helpe of a Doctor. Gentlemen,
I would haue this man be an example to you all:
So shall you hold my fauour: I pray let him;
For h'as done that (alas) you would not thinke of,
And (because I intend to be rid of him)
I meane not to publish: vse your fortune else-where.
Ant.
I am strongely arm'd to brooke my ouer-throw,
As commonly men beare with a hard yeere:
I will not blame the cause on't; but doe thinke
The necessitie of my maleuolent starre
Procures this, not her humour: O the inconstant,
And rotten ground of seruice, you may see:
'Tis eu'n like him, that in a winter night
A-loth to part from't: yet parts thence as cold,
As when he first sat downe.
Dutch.
We doe confiscate
(Towards the satisfying of your accounts)
All that you haue.
Ant.
I am all yours: and 'tis very fit
All mine should be so.
Dutch.
So, sir; you haue your Passe.
Ant.
You may see (Gentlemen) what 'tis to serue
A Prince with body, and soule.
Exit.
Bos.
Heere's an example, for extortion; what moysture, is
drawne out of the Sea, when fowle weather comes, powres downe,
and runnes into the Sea againe.
Dutch.
I would know what are your opinions
Of this Antonio.
2. Offi.
He could not abide to see a Pigges head gaping,
I thought your Grace would finde him a Iew:
3. Offi.
I would you had bin his Officer, for your owne sake.
4. Offi.
You would haue had more money.
1. Offi.
He stop'd his eares with blacke wooll: and to (those came
To him for money) said he was thicke of hearing.
2.Offi.
Some said he was an hermophrodite, for he could not abide a woman.
4. Offi.
How scuruy prowd he would looke, when the Treasury was full:
Well, let him goe:
1. Offi.
Yes, and the chippings of the Buttrey fly after him,
To scowre his gold Chaine.
Exeunt.
Dutch.
Leaue vs: what doe you thinke of these?
Bos.
That these are Rogues; that in's prosperitie,
But to haue waited on his fortune, could haue vvish'd
His durty Stirrop riuited through their noses:
And follow'd after's Mule, like a Beare in a Ring.
Would haue prostituted their daughters, to his Lust:
Made their first-borne and Intelligencers: thought none happy
But such as vvere borne vnder his bless'd Plannet:
And vvore his Liuory: and doe these Lyce drop off now?
Well, neuer looke to haue the like againe;
Their doombe must follow: Princes pay flatterers,
In their owne money: Flatterers dissemble their vices,
And they dissemble their lies, that's Iustice:
Alas, poore gentleman,
Duch.
Poore? he hath amply fill'd his cofers.
Bos.
Sure he was too honest: Pluto the god of riches,
When he's sent (by Iupiter) to any man
He goes limping, to signifie that wealth
That comes on god's name, comes slowly, but when he's sent
One the diuells arrand, he rides poast, and comes in by scuttles:
Let me shew you, what a most vnualu'd iewell,
You haue (in a wanton humour) throwne away,
To blesse the man shall find him: He was an excellent
Courtier, and most faithfull, a souldier, that thought it
As beastly to know his owne value too little,
As deuillish to acknowledge it too much,
Both his vertue, and forme, deseru'd a farre better fortune:
His discourse rather delighted to iudge it selfe, then shew it selfe.
His breast was fill'd with all perfection,
And yet it seem'd a priuate whispring roome.
It made so little noyse of't.
Duch.
But he was basely descended.
Bos.
Will you make your selfe a mercinary herald,
Rather to examine mens pedegrees, then vertues?
You shall want him,
For know an honest states-man to a Prince,
Is like a Cedar, planted by a Spring,
The Spring bathes the trees roote, the gratefull tree,
Rewards it with his shadow: you haue not done so,
I would sooner swim to the Bermoothes on two Politisians
Rotten bladders, tide together with an Intelligencers hart-string
Then depend on so changeable a Princes fauour.
Fare-thee-well (Antonio) since the mallice of the world
Would needes downe with thee, it cannot be sayd yet
That any ill happened vnto thee, considering thy fall,
Was accompanied with vertue.
Oh, you render me excellent Musicke.
Bos.
Say you?
Duch.
This good one that you speake of, is my husband.
Bos.
Do I not dreame? can this ambitious age
Haue so much goodnes in't, as to prefer
A man, meerely for worth: without these shadowes
Of wealth, and painted honors? possible?
Duch.
I haue had three children by him.
Bos.
Fortunate Lady,
For you haue made your priuate nuptiall bed
The humble, and faire Seminary of peace,
No question but: many an vnbenific'd Scholler
Shall pray for you, for this deed, and reioyce
That some preferment in the world can yet
Arise from merit. The virgins of your land
(That haue no dowries) shall hope, your example
Will raise them to rich husbands: Should you want
Souldiers 'twould make the very Turkes and Moores
Turne Christians, and serue you for this act.
Last, the neglected Poets of your time,
(In honour of this trophee of a man,
Rais'd by that curious engine, (your white hand)
Shall thanke you, in your graue for't; and make that
More reuerend then all the Cabinets
Of liuing Princes: For Antonio
His fame, shall likewise flow, from many a pen,
When Heralds shall want coates, to sell to men.
Duch.
As I taste comfort, in this friendly speech,
So would I finde concealement,
Bos.
O the secret of my Prince,
Which I will weare on th'in-side of my heart.
Duch.
You shall take charge of all my coyne, and iewels,
And follow him, for he retires himselfe
To Ancona.
Bos.
So.
Duch.
Whether, within few dayes,
Bos.
Let me thinke:
I would wish your Grace, to faigne a Pilgrimage
To our Lady of Loretto, (scarce seauen leagues
From faire Ancona) so may you depart
Your Country, with more honour, and your flight
Will seeme a Princely progresse, retaining
Your vsuall traine about you.
Duch.
Sir, your direction
Shall lead me, by the hand.
Car.
In my opinion,
She were better progresse to the bathes
At Leuca, or go visit the Spaw
In Germany, for (if you will beleeue me)
I do not like this iesting with religion,
This faigned Pilgrimage.
Duch.
Thou art a superstitious foole,
Prepare vs instantly for our departure:
Past sorrowes, let vs moderately lament them,
For those to come, seeke wisely, to preuent them.
Exit.
Bos.
A Polititian is the diuells quilted anvell,
He fashions all sinnes on him, and the blowes
Are neuer heard, he may worke in a Ladies Chamber,
(As here for proofe) what rests, but I reueale
All to my Lord? oh, this base quality
Of Intelligencer? why, euery Quality i'th'world
Preferres but gaine, or commendation:
Now for this act, I am certaine to be rais'd,
“And men that paint weedes, (to the life) are prais'd.
Exit.
| The Tragedy of The Dutchesse of Malfy | |