the Dutchesse of Malfy
Then droppe off: I pray leave me.
Who would relie upon these miserable dependances, in expectation to
Be advanc'd to morrow? what creature, ever fed worse, than hoping
Tantalus? nor ever did any man more fearefully, then he that hop'd
For a pleadon: There are rewards for hawkes, and dogges, and
When they have done us service; but for a Souldier, that hazards his
Limbes in a battaile, nothing but a kind of Geometry, is his last
Supportation.
Del.
Geometry?
Bos.
I, to hang in a faire pair of slings, take his latter-swinge in the
World, upon an honourable pair of Crowtches, from hospitall
To hospitall, fare ye well Sir. And yet do not you scorne us, for
Places in the Court, are but likes beds in the hospitall, where this
Mans head lies at that mans foote, and so lower, and lower.
Del.
I knew this fellow (seaven yeares) in the Gallies,
For a notorious murther; and 'twas thought
The Cardinal suborn'd it: he was releas'drodocico,
By the French Generall, (Gaston de Foux),
When he recover'd Naples.
Ant.
'Tis great pity,
He should be thus neglected, I have heard
He's very valiant: This foule mellancholly
Will poyson all his goodnesse, for (i'le tell you)
If too immoderate sleepe, be truly sayd
To be an inward rust unto the soule,
It then doth follow want of action
Breeds all blacke male-contents, and their close rearing
(Like mothes in cloath) doe hurt for want of wearing.
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.
