The Tragedy of the Dutchesse of Malfy/Act I, scene ii
SCENA II.
Antonio, Delio, Ferdinand, Cardmall, Dutchesse, Castruchio, Silvio,
Rodocico, Grisolan, Bosola, Julia, 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.
Ant.
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.
Antonio Bologna (my Lord)
Ferd.
Our Sister Duchesse great Master of her household?
Give him the Jewell: when shall we leave this sportive-action,
And fall to action indeed?
Cast.
Me thinks (my Lord)
You should not desire to go to war, in person.
Fer.
Now, for some gravity: 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, offensive, and base office from him,
Whereas the other deprives him of honour.
Cast.
Beleeve my experience: that Realme is never long in quiet,
Where the Ruler, is a Souldier.
Ferd.
Thou toldst me
Thy wife could not endure fighting.
Cast.
True (my Lord.)
Ferd.
And of a jest she broke of a Captaine,
she met, full of wounds: I have forgot it.
Cast.
She told him (my Lord) he was a pittiful fellow, to lie
Like the Children of Ismael, all in Tents.
Ferd.
Why, there's a wit were able to undoe
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 up.
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.
He runs as if he were ballass'd with Quick-silver.
Sil.
True (my Lord) he reels 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 give fire;
That is, laugh when I laugh, were the subject never so wity.
Cast.
True (my Lord) I my selfe have heard a very good jest,
And have scorn'd to seeme to have so silly a wit, as to understand 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 have a Mathematicall Instrument made for
Her face, that she might not laugh out of compasse: I shall shortly
Visit you at Millaine (Lord Silvio.)
Sil.
Your Grace shall arrive most wel-come.
Ferd.
You are a good Horse-man (Antonio) you have 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 brave Horse-man-ship,
Arise the first Sparkes of growing resolution, that raise
The minde, to noble action.
Ferd.
You have 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 Silvio, is come to take his leave.
Del.
Now (Sir) your promise: what's that Cardinall?
I meane his Temper? they say he's a brave fellow,
Will play his five 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 observe his inward Character: he is a mellancholly
Church-man: The Spring in his face, is nothing but the
Ingendring of Toads; where he is jealous of any man,
He laies worse plots for them, than ever was impos'd on
Hercules, for he strewes in his way Flatters, Panders,
Intelligencers, Atheists, and a thousand such politicall
Monsters: he should have beene Pope: but in stead of
Comming to it, by the primitive decencie of the church,
He did bestow bribes, so largely, and so impudently, as if he would
Have carried it away without heavens knowledge. Some good he
Hath done.
Del.
You have given too much of him: what's his brother?
Ant.
The duke there? a most perverse 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 black cob-web, to a Spider,
He makes it his dwelling, and a prison
To entangle those shall feede him.
Ant.
Most true:
He nev'r paies debts, unlesse 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 beleeve them:
For the Divell speakes in them.
But for their sister, (the right noble Duchesse)
You never 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
When she doth end her speech: and wish (in wonder)
She held it lesse vaine-glory, to talke much
Then your pennance, to heare her: whilst she speakes,
She throwes upon 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 divine a continence,
As cuts off all lascivious, and vaine hope.
Her dayes are practis'd in such noble vertue,
That, sure her nights (nay more her very Sleepes)
Are more in Heaven, 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 up: 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 have 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 provisorship of your horse.
Duch.
Your knowledge of him,
Commends him, and prefers him.
Ferd.
Call him heither,
Wee now upon parting: Good Lord Silvio
Do us commend to all our noble friends
At the Leagues.
Sil.
Sir, I shall.
Ferd.
You are for Millaine?
Sil.
I am:
Duch.
Bring the Carroches: we'll bring you down to the Haven.
Car.
Be sure you entertaine that Bosola
For your Intelligence: I would not be seeene in't.
And therefore many times I have 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 deceiv'd in him,
His Nature is too honest for such businesse,
He comes: I'll leave you:
Bos.
I was lur'd to you.
Ferd.
My brother here (the Cardinall) could never abide you.
Bos.
Never 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 given to th'face,
Then to a sicke mans uryn, which some call
The Physitians whore, because she cozens him:
He did suspect me wrongfully:
Ferd.
For that
You must give great men leave to take their times:
Distrust, doth cause us seldome be deceiv'd;
You see, the oft shaking of the Cedar-Tree
Fastens it more at roote.
Bos.
Yet take heed:
For to suspect a friend unworthely,
Instructs him the next way to suspect you,
And prompts him to deceive you.
Berd.
There's gold.
Bos.
So:
What followes? (Never 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 use you: I give you that
To live i'th Court, here: and observe the Duchesse,
To note all the particulars of her haviour:
What suitors doe sollicite her for marriage
And whom she best affects: she's a yong widowe,
I would not have 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? what's that?
Bos.
Why, a very quaint invisible Divell, in flesh:
An Intelligencer.
Ferd.
Such a kind of thriving thing
I would wish thee: and ere long, thou maist arrive
At a higher place by't.
Bos.
Take your Divels
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 have given:
There is a place, that I procur'd for you
This morning: (the Provisor-ship o'th' horse)
Have you heard out?
Bos.
Noe.
Fer.
'Tis yours, is't not worth thankes?
Bos.
I would have you curse your selfe now, that your bounty
(Which makes men truly noble) ere should make
Me a villaine: oh, that to avoid ingratitude
For the good deed you have done me, I must doe
All the ill man can invent: Thus the Divell
Candies all sinnes are: and what Heaven termes vild,
That names he complementall.
Fer.
Be your selfe:
Keepe your old garbe of melencholly: 'twill expresse
You envy those that stand above your reach,
Yet strive not to come neere'em: This will gaine
Accesse, to private lodgings, where your selfe
May (like a pollitique dormouse,
Bos.
As I have seene some,
Feed in a Lords dish, halfe a sleepe, not seeming
To listen to any talke: and yet these Rogues
Have cut his throat in a dreame: whats my place?
The Provisors-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, covet good fame,
Since place, and riches oft are bribes of shame
Sometimes the Divell 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 livers are more spotted
Then Labans sheepe.
Duch.
Diamonds are of most value
They say; that have past through most Jewellers hands.
Ferd.
Whores, by that rule, are precious:
Duch.
Will you heare me?
I'll never 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 live 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:
For they whose faces doe bolye their hearts,
Are Witches, ere they arrive at twenty yeeres,
I: and give the divell sucke.
Duch.
This is terrible good councell:
Ferd.
Hypocrisie is woven of a fine small thred,
(Subtler, then Vulcans Engine: yet (beleev't)
Your darkest actions: nay, your privat'st thoughts,
Will come to light.
Card.
You may slatter your selfe,
And take your owne choice: privately be married
Under the Eves 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 observe;
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 joyes,
Those lustfull pleasures, are like heavy 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 have you to give ore these chargeable Revels;
A Vizor, and a Masque are whispering roomes
That were nev'r built for goodnesse: fare ye well:
And woemen, like that part, which (like the Lamprey)
Hath nev'r a bone in't.
Duch.
Fye Sir:
Ferd.
Nay,
I meane the Tongue: varietie of Courtship;
What cannot a neate knave with a smooth tale,
Make a woman beleeve? farewell, lusty Widowe.
Duch.
Shall this move me? if all my royall kindred
Lay in my way, unto this marriage:
I'll'd make them my low foote-steps: And even now,
Even in this hate (as men in some great battailes
By apprehending danger, have atchiev'd
Almost impossible actions: I have heard Souldiers say so,
So I, through frights, and threatnings, will assay
This dangerous venture: Let old wives report
I wincked, and chose a husband: Cariola,
To thy knowne secricy, I have given up
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 beleeve it.
Is Antonio come?
Cariola.
He attends you:
Duch.
Good deare soule,
Leave me: but place thy selfe behind the Arras,
Where thou maist over-heare us: 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 up for to morrow:
Ant.
So please your beauteous Excellence.
Duch.
Beauteous? Indeed I thank you: I look yong for your sake.
You have tane my cares upon you.
Ant.
I'le fetch your Grace the
Particulars of your revinew, and expence.
Duch.
Oh, you are an upright treasurer: but you mistooke,
For when I said I meant to make enquiry,
What's layd up for to morrow: I did meane
What's layd up yonder for me.
Ant.
Where?
Duch.
In Heaven,
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 Over-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 have you first provide for a good husband,
Give 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 heaven, or hell,
There's no third place in't.
Duch.
How doe you affect it?
Ant.
My banishment, feeding my mellancholly,
Would often reason thus.
Duch.
Pray let's heare it.
Ant.
Say a man never marry, nor have 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
Upon a painted sticke, or heare him chatter
Like a taught Starling.
Duch.
Fye, fie, what's all this?
One of your eyes is blood-shot, use my Ring to't,
They say 'tis very soveraigne, 'twas my wedding Ring,
And I did vow never to part with it,
But to my second husband.
Ant.
You have parted with it now.
Duch.
Yes, to helpe your eye-sight.
Ant.
You have made me starke blind.
Duch.
How?
Ant.
There is a sawcy, and ambitious divell
Is dauncing in this circle.
Duch.
Remoove him.
Ant.
How?
Duch.
There needs small conjuration, when your finger
May doe it: thus, is it fit?
Ant.
What sayd you? he kneeles
Duch.
Sir,
This goodly roose of yours, it too low built,
I cannot stand upright 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,
Conceive not, I am so stupid, but I ayme
Whereto your favours tend: But he's a foole
That (being a cold) would thrust his hands i'th'fire
To warme them.
Duch.
So, now the ground's broake,
You may discover what a wealthy Mine,
I make you Lord off.
Ant.
Oh my unworthinesse.
Duch.
You were ill to sell your selfe,
This darkning of your worth, is not like that
Which trades-men use 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 heaven, nor hell,
I should be honest: I have long serv'd vertue,
And nev'r tane wages of her.
Duch.
Now she paies it,
The misery of us, that are borne great,
We are forc'd to woe, because none dare woe us:
And as a Tyrant doubles with his words,
And fearefully equivocates: so we
Are forc'd to expresse our violent passions
In ridles, and in dreames, and leave the path
Of simple vertue, which was never made
To seeme the thing it is not: Goe, go brag
You have left me heartlesse, mine is in your bosome,
I hope 'twill multiply love there: You doe tremble:
Make not your heart so dead a peece of flesh
To feare, more then to love 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 use but halfe a blush in't.
Ant.
Truth speake for me,
I will remaine the constant Sanctuary
Of your good name.
Duch.
I thanke you (gentle love)
And 'cause you shall not come to me, in debt,
(Being now my Steward) here upon your lippes
I signe your Quietus est: This you should have beg'd now,
I have seene children oft eate sweete-meates thus,
As fearefull to devoure 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 have spoke, if some part of it
Would not have savour'd flattery.
Duch.
Kneele.
Ant.
Hah?
Duch.
Be not amaz'd, this woman's of my Councell,
I have heard Lawyers say, a contract in a Chamber,
(Per verba presenti) is absolute marriage:
Blesse (Heaven) this sacred Gordian, which, let violence
Never untwine.
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 loving Palmes
(Best Embleme of a peacefull marriage)
That nev'r bore fruite devided.
Duch.
What can the Church force more?
Ant.
That Fortune may not know an accident
Either of joy, or sorrow, to devide
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.
Ant.
What's your conceit in this?
Duch.
I would have you leade your Fortune by the hand.
Unto 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 Lodewicke)
Lay a naked sword betweene us, keepe us 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.