the Dutchesse of Malfy.
ACTUS IIII. SCENA. I.
Ferdinand, Bosola, Dutchesse, Cariola, Servants.
Ferd.
How doth our sister Dutchesse beare her selfe
In her imprisonment?
Bos.
Nobly: I'll describe her:
She's sad, as one long us'd to't: and she seemes
Rather to welcome the end of misery
Then shun it: a behaviour so noble,
As gives a majestie to adversitie:
You may discerne the shape of lovelinesse
More perfect, in her teares, then in her smiles;
She will muse foure houres together: and her silence,
(Me thinkes) expresseth more, then if she spake.
Ferd.
Her mellancholly seemes to be fortifide
With a strange disdaine.
Bos.
'Tis so: and this restraint
(Like English Mastiffes, that grow feirce with tying)
Makes her too passionately apprehend
Those pleasures she's kept from.
Ferd.
Curse upon her:
I will no longer study in the booke
Of anothers heart: informe her what I told you. Exit.
Bos.
All comfort to your Grace;
Dutch.
I will have none:
'Pray-thee, why do'st thou wrap thy poysond Pilles
In Gold, and Sugar?
Bos.
Your elder brother the Lord Ferdinand
Is come to visite you: and sends you word
'Cause once he rashly made a solemne vowe
Never to see you more; he comes i'th' night:
And prayes you (gently) neither Torch, nor Taper
Shine in your Chamber: he will kisse your hand:
And reconcile himselfe: but, for his vowe,
He
