BOSOLA. Look you, the stars shine still

DUCHESS. O, but you must Remember, my curse hath a great way to go.— Plagues, that make lanes through largest families, Consume them!—

BOSOLA. Fie, lady!

DUCHESS. Let them, like tyrants, Never be remembered but for the ill they have done; Let all the zealous prayers of mortified Churchmen forget them!—

BOSOLA. O, uncharitable!

DUCHESS. Let heaven a little while cease crowning martyrs, To punish them!— Go, howl them this, and say, I long to bleed: It is some mercy when men kill with speed. Exit.

[Re-enter FERDINAND]

FERDINAND. Excellent, as I would wish; she 's plagu'd in art. These presentations are but fram'd in wax By the curious master in that quality, Vincentio Lauriola, and she takes them For true substantial bodies.

BOSOLA. Why do you do this?

FERDINAND. To bring her to despair.

BOSOLA. Faith, end here, And go no farther in your cruelty: Send her a penitential garment to put on Next to her delicate skin, and furnish her With beads and prayer-books.

FERDINAND. Damn her! that body of hers. While that my blood run pure in 't, was more worth Than that which thou wouldst comfort, call'd a soul. I will send her masques of common courtezans, Have her meat serv'd up by bawds and ruffians, And, 'cause she 'll needs be mad, I am resolv'd To move forth the common hospital All the mad-folk, and place them near her lodging; There let them practise together, sing and dance, And act their gambols to the full o' th' moon: If she can sleep the better for it, let her. Your work is almost ended.

BOSOLA. Must I see her again?

FERDINAND. Yes.

BOSOLA. Never.

FERDINAND. You must.

BOSOLA. Never in mine own shape; That 's forfeited by my intelligence And this last cruel lie: when you send me next, The business shall be comfort.

FERDINAND. Very likely; Thy pity is nothing of kin to thee, Antonio Lurks about Milan: thou shalt shortly thither, To feed a fire as great as my revenge, Which nev'r will slack till it hath spent his fuel: Intemperate agues make physicians cruel. Exeunt.

Scene II

[Enter] DUCHESS and CARIOLA

DUCHESS. What hideous noise was that?

CARIOLA. 'Tis the wild consort Of madmen, lady, which your tyrant brother Hath plac'd about your lodging. This tyranny, I think, was never practis'd till this hour.

DUCHESS. Indeed, I thank him. Nothing but noise and folly Can keep me in my right wits; whereas reason And silence make me stark mad. Sit down; Discourse to me some dismal tragedy.

CARIOLA. O, 'twill increase your melancholy!

DUCHESS. Thou art deceiv'd: To hear of greater grief would lessen mine. This is a prison?

CARIOLA. Yes, but you shall live To shake this durance off.

DUCHESS. Thou art a fool: The robin-red-breast and the nightingale Never live long in cages.

CARIOLA. Pray, dry your eyes. What think you of, madam?

DUCHESS. Of nothing; When I muse thus, I sleep.

CARIOLA. Like a madman, with your eyes open?

DUCHESS. Dost thou think we shall know one another In th' other world?

CARIOLA. Yes, out of question.

DUCHESS. O, that it were possible we might But hold some two days' conference with the dead! >From them I should learn somewhat, I am sure, I never shall know here. I 'll tell thee a miracle: I am not mad yet, to my cause of sorrow: Th' heaven o'er my head seems made of molten brass, The earth of flaming sulphur, yet I am not mad. I am acquainted with sad misery As the tann'd galley-slave is with his oar; Necessity makes me suffer constantly, And custom makes it easy. Who do I look like now?

CARIOLA. Like to your picture in the gallery, A deal of life in show, but none in practice; Or rather like some reverend monument Whose ruins are even pitied.

DUCHESS. Very proper; And Fortune seems only to have her eye-sight To behold my tragedy.—How now! What noise is that?

[Enter Servant]

SERVANT. I am come to tell you Your brother hath intended you some sport. A great physician, when the Pope was sick Of a deep melancholy, presented him With several sorts of madmen, which wild object Being full of change and sport, forc'd him to laugh, And so the imposthume broke: the self-same cure The duke intends on you.

DUCHESS. Let them come in.

SERVANT. There 's a mad lawyer; and a secular priest; A doctor that hath forfeited his wits By jealousy; an astrologian That in his works said such a day o' the month Should be the day of doom, and, failing of 't, Ran mad; an English tailor craz'd i' the brain With the study of new fashions; a gentleman-usher Quite beside himself with care to keep in mind The number of his lady's salutations Or 'How do you,' she employ'd him in each morning; A farmer, too, an excellent knave in grain, Mad 'cause he was hind'red transportation: And let one broker that 's mad loose to these, You'd think the devil were among them.

DUCHESS. Sit, Cariola.—Let them loose when you please, For I am chain'd to endure all your tyranny.

[Enter Madman]

Here by a Madman this song is sung to a dismal kind of music

O, let us howl some heavy note, Some deadly dogged howl, Sounding as from the threatening throat Of beasts and fatal fowl! As ravens, screech-owls, bulls, and bears, We 'll bell, and bawl our parts, Till irksome noise have cloy'd your ears And corrosiv'd your hearts. At last, whenas our choir wants breath, Our bodies being blest, We 'll sing, like swans, to welcome death, And die in love and rest.

FIRST MADMAN. Doom's-day not come yet! I 'll draw it nearer by a perspective, or make a glass that shall set all the world on fire upon an instant. I cannot sleep; my pillow is stuffed with a litter of porcupines.

SECOND MADMAN. Hell is a mere glass-house, where the devils are continually blowing up women's souls on hollow irons, and the fire never goes out.

FIRST MADMAN. I have skill in heraldry.

SECOND MADMAN. Hast?

FIRST MADMAN. You do give for your crest a woodcock's head with the brains picked out on 't; you are a very ancient gentleman.

THIRD MADMAN. Greek is turned Turk: we are only to be saved by the Helvetian translation.

FIRST MADMAN. Come on, sir, I will lay the law to you.

SECOND MADMAN. O, rather lay a corrosive: the law will eat to the bone.

THIRD MADMAN. He that drinks but to satisfy nature is damn'd.

FOURTH MADMAN. If I had my glass here, I would show a sight should make all the women here call me mad doctor.

FIRST MADMAN. What 's he? a rope-maker?

SECOND MADMAN. No, no, no, a snuffling knave that, while he shows the tombs, will have his hand in a wench's placket.

THIRD MADMAN. Woe to the caroche that brought home my wife from the masque at three o'clock in the morning! It had a large feather-bed in it.

FOURTH MADMAN. I have pared the devil's nails forty times, roasted them in raven's eggs, and cured agues with them.

THIRD MADMAN. Get me three hundred milch-bats, to make possets to procure sleep.

FOURTH MADMAN. All the college may throw their caps at me: I have made a soap-boiler costive; it was my masterpiece.

Here the dance, consisting of Eight Madmen, with music answerable thereunto; after which, BOSOLA, like an old man, enters.

DUCHESS. Is he mad too?

SERVANT. Pray, question him. I 'll leave you. [Exeunt Servant and Madmen.]

BOSOLA. I am come to make thy tomb.

DUCHESS. Ha! my tomb! Thou speak'st as if I lay upon my death-bed, Gasping for breath. Dost thou perceive me sick?

BOSOLA. Yes, and the more dangerously, since thy sickness is insensible.

DUCHESS. Thou art not mad, sure: dost know me?

BOSOLA. Yes.

DUCHESS. Who am I?

BOSOLA. Thou art a box of worm-seed, at best but a salvatory of green mummy. What 's this flesh? a little crudded milk, fantastical puff-paste. Our bodies are weaker than those paper- prisons boys use to keep flies in; more contemptible, since ours is to preserve earth-worms. Didst thou ever see a lark in a cage? Such is the soul in the body: this world is like her little turf of grass, and the heaven o'er our heads like her looking-glass, only gives us a miserable knowledge of the small compass of our prison.

DUCHESS. Am not I thy duchess?

BOSOLA. Thou art some great woman, sure, for riot begins to sit on thy forehead (clad in gray hairs) twenty years sooner than on a merry milk-maid's. Thou sleepest worse than if a mouse should be forced to take up her lodging in a cat's ear: a little infant that breeds its teeth, should it lie with thee, would cry out, as if thou wert the more unquiet bedfellow.

DUCHESS. I am Duchess of Malfi still.

BOSOLA. That makes thy sleep so broken: Glories, like glow-worms, afar off shine bright, But, look'd to near, have neither heat nor light.

DUCHESS. Thou art very plain.

BOSOLA. My trade is to flatter the dead, not the living; I am a tomb-maker.

DUCHESS. And thou comest to make my tomb?

BOSOLA. Yes.

DUCHESS. Let me be a little merry:—of what stuff wilt thou make it?

BOSOLA. Nay, resolve me first, of what fashion?

DUCHESS. Why, do we grow fantastical on our deathbed? Do we affect fashion in the grave?

BOSOLA. Most ambitiously. Princes' images on their tombs do not lie, as they were wont, seeming to pray up to heaven; but with their hands under their cheeks, as if they died of the tooth-ache. They are not carved with their eyes fix'd upon the stars, but as their minds were wholly bent upon the world, the selfsame way they seem to turn their faces.

DUCHESS. Let me know fully therefore the effect Of this thy dismal preparation, This talk fit for a charnel.

BOSOLA. Now I shall:— [Enter Executioners, with] a coffin, cords, and a bell Here is a present from your princely brothers; And may it arrive welcome, for it brings Last benefit, last sorrow.

DUCHESS. Let me see it: I have so much obedience in my blood, I wish it in their veins to do them good.

BOSOLA. This is your last presence-chamber.

CARIOLA. O my sweet lady!

DUCHESS. Peace; it affrights not me.

BOSOLA. I am the common bellman That usually is sent to condemn'd persons The night before they suffer.

DUCHESS. Even now thou said'st Thou wast a tomb-maker.

BOSOLA. 'Twas to bring you By degrees to mortification. Listen.

Hark, now everything is still, The screech-owl and the whistler shrill Call upon our dame aloud, And bid her quickly don her shroud! Much you had of land and rent; Your length in clay 's now competent: A long war disturb'd your mind; Here your perfect peace is sign'd. Of what is 't fools make such vain keeping? Sin their conception, their birth weeping, Their life a general mist of error, Their death a hideous storm of terror. Strew your hair with powders sweet, Don clean linen, bathe your feet, And (the foul fiend more to check) A crucifix let bless your neck. 'Tis now full tide 'tween night and day; End your groan, and come away.

CARIOLA. Hence, villains, tyrants, murderers! Alas! What will you do with my lady?—Call for help!

DUCHESS. To whom? To our next neighbours? They are mad-folks.

BOSOLA. Remove that noise.

DUCHESS. Farewell, Cariola. In my last will I have not much to give: A many hungry guests have fed upon me; Thine will be a poor reversion.

CARIOLA. I will die with her.

DUCHESS. I pray thee, look thou giv'st my little boy Some syrup for his cold, and let the girl Say her prayers ere she sleep. [Cariola is forced out by the Executioners.] Now what you please: What death?

BOSOLA. Strangling; here are your executioners.

DUCHESS. I forgive them: The apoplexy, catarrh, or cough o' th' lungs, Would do as much as they do.

BOSOLA. Doth not death fright you?

DUCHESS. Who would be afraid on 't, Knowing to meet such excellent company In th' other world?

BOSOLA. Yet, methinks, The manner of your death should much afflict you: This cord should terrify you.

DUCHESS. Not a whit: What would it pleasure me to have my throat cut With diamonds? or to be smothered With cassia? or to be shot to death with pearls? I know death hath ten thousand several doors For men to take their exits; and 'tis found They go on such strange geometrical hinges, You may open them both ways: any way, for heaven-sake, So I were out of your whispering. Tell my brothers That I perceive death, now I am well awake, Best gift is they can give or I can take. I would fain put off my last woman's-fault, I 'd not be tedious to you.

FIRST EXECUTIONER. We are ready.

DUCHESS. Dispose my breath how please you; but my body Bestow upon my women, will you?

FIRST EXECUTIONER. Yes.

DUCHESS. Pull, and pull strongly, for your able strength Must pull down heaven upon me:— Yet stay; heaven-gates are not so highly arch'd As princes' palaces; they that enter there Must go upon their knees [Kneels].—Come, violent death, Serve for mandragora to make me sleep!— Go tell my brothers, when I am laid out, They then may feed in quiet. They strangle her.

BOSOLA. Where 's the waiting-woman?? Fetch her: some other strangle the children. [Enter CARIOLA] Look you, there sleeps your mistress.

CARIOLA. O, you are damn'd Perpetually for this! My turn is next; Is 't not so ordered?

BOSOLA. Yes, and I am glad You are so well prepar'd for 't.

CARIOLA. You are deceiv'd, sir, I am not prepar'd for 't, I will not die; I will first come to my answer, and know How I have offended.

BOSOLA. Come, despatch her.— You kept her counsel; now you shall keep ours.

CARIOLA. I will not die, I must not; I am contracted To a young gentleman.

FIRST EXECUTIONER. Here 's your wedding-ring.

CARIOLA. Let me but speak with the duke. I 'll discover Treason to his person.

BOSOLA. Delays:—throttle her.

FIRST EXECUTIONER. She bites and scratches.

CARIOLA. If you kill me now, I am damn'd; I have not been at confession This two years.

BOSOLA. [To Executioners.] When?

CARIOLA. I am quick with child.

BOSOLA. Why, then, Your credit 's saved. [Executioners strangle Cariola.] Bear her into the next room; Let these lie still. [Exeunt the Executioners with the body of CARIOLA.]

[Enter FERDINAND]

FERDINAND. Is she dead?

BOSOLA. She is what You 'd have her. But here begin your pity: Shows the Children strangled. Alas, how have these offended?

FERDINAND. The death Of young wolves is never to be pitied.

BOSOLA. Fix your eye here.

FERDINAND. Constantly.

BOSOLA. Do you not weep? Other sins only speak; murder shrieks out. The element of water moistens the earth, But blood flies upwards and bedews the heavens.

FERDINAND. Cover her face; mine eyes dazzle: she died young.

BOSOLA. I think not so; her infelicity Seem'd to have years too many.

FERDINAND. She and I were twins; And should I die this instant, I had liv'd Her time to a minute.

BOSOLA. It seems she was born first: You have bloodily approv'd the ancient truth, That kindred commonly do worse agree Than remote strangers.

FERDINAND. Let me see her face Again. Why didst thou not pity her? What An excellent honest man mightst thou have been, If thou hadst borne her to some sanctuary! Or, bold in a good cause, oppos'd thyself, With thy advanced sword above thy head, Between her innocence and my revenge! I bade thee, when I was distracted of my wits, Go kill my dearest friend, and thou hast done 't. For let me but examine well the cause: What was the meanness of her match to me? Only I must confess I had a hope, Had she continu'd widow, to have gain'd An infinite mass of treasure by her death: And that was the main cause,—her marriage, That drew a stream of gall quite through my heart. For thee, as we observe in tragedies That a good actor many times is curs'd For playing a villain's part, I hate thee for 't, And, for my sake, say, thou hast done much ill well.

BOSOLA. Let me quicken your memory, for I perceive You are falling into ingratitude: I challenge The reward due to my service.

FERDINAND. I 'll tell thee What I 'll give thee.

BOSOLA. Do.

FERDINAND. I 'll give thee a pardon For this murder.

BOSOLA. Ha!

FERDINAND. Yes, and 'tis The largest bounty I can study to do thee. By what authority didst thou execute This bloody sentence?

BOSOLA. By yours.

FERDINAND. Mine! was I her judge? Did any ceremonial form of law Doom her to not-being? Did a complete jury Deliver her conviction up i' the court? Where shalt thou find this judgment register'd, Unless in hell? See, like a bloody fool, Thou 'st forfeited thy life, and thou shalt die for 't.

BOSOLA. The office of justice is perverted quite When one thief hangs another. Who shall dare To reveal this?

FERDINAND. O, I 'll tell thee; The wolf shall find her grave, and scrape it up, Not to devour the corpse, but to discover The horrid murder.

BOSOLA. You, not I, shall quake for 't.

FERDINAND. Leave me.

BOSOLA. I will first receive my pension.

FERDINAND. You are a villain.

BOSOLA. When your ingratitude Is judge, I am so.

FERDINAND. O horror, That not the fear of him which binds the devils Can prescribe man obedience!— Never look upon me more.

BOSOLA. Why, fare thee well. Your brother and yourself are worthy men! You have a pair of hearts are hollow graves, Rotten, and rotting others; and your vengeance, Like two chain'd-bullets, still goes arm in arm: You may be brothers; for treason, like the plague, Doth take much in a blood. I stand like one That long hath ta'en a sweet and golden dream: I am angry with myself, now that I wake.

FERDINAND. Get thee into some unknown part o' the world, That I may never see thee.

BOSOLA. Let me know Wherefore I should be thus neglected. Sir, I serv'd your tyranny, and rather strove To satisfy yourself than all the world: And though I loath'd the evil, yet I lov'd You that did counsel it; and rather sought To appear a true servant than an honest man.

FERDINAND. I 'll go hunt the badger by owl-light: 'Tis a deed of darkness. Exit.

BOSOLA. He 's much distracted. Off, my painted honour! While with vain hopes our faculties we tire, We seem to sweat in ice and freeze in fire. What would I do, were this to do again? I would not change my peace of conscience For all the wealth of Europe.—She stirs; here 's life:— Return, fair soul, from darkness, and lead mine Out of this sensible hell:—she 's warm, she breathes:— Upon thy pale lips I will melt my heart, To store them with fresh colour.—Who 's there? Some cordial drink!—Alas! I dare not call: So pity would destroy pity.—Her eye opes, And heaven in it seems to ope, that late was shut, To take me up to mercy.

DUCHESS. Antonio!

BOSOLA. Yes, madam, he is living; The dead bodies you saw were but feign'd statues. He 's reconcil'd to your brothers; the Pope hath wrought The atonement.

DUCHESS. Mercy! Dies.

BOSOLA. O, she 's gone again! there the cords of life broke. O sacred innocence, that sweetly sleeps On turtles' feathers, whilst a guilty conscience Is a black register wherein is writ All our good deeds and bad, a perspective That shows us hell! That we cannot be suffer'd To do good when we have a mind to it! This is manly sorrow; These tears, I am very certain, never grew In my mother's milk. My estate is sunk Below the degree of fear: where were These penitent fountains while she was living? O, they were frozen up! Here is a sight As direful to my soul as is the sword Unto a wretch hath slain his father. Come, I 'll bear thee hence, And execute thy last will; that 's deliver Thy body to the reverend dispose Of some good women: that the cruel tyrant Shall not deny me. Then I 'll post to Milan, Where somewhat I will speedily enact Worth my dejection. Exit [with the body].



Act V

Scene I

[Enter] ANTONIO and DELIO

ANTONIO. What think you of my hope of reconcilement To the Arragonian brethren?

DELIO. I misdoubt it; For though they have sent their letters of safe-conduct For your repair to Milan, they appear But nets to entrap you. The Marquis of Pescara, Under whom you hold certain land in cheat, Much 'gainst his noble nature hath been mov'd To seize those lands; and some of his dependants Are at this instant making it their suit To be invested in your revenues. I cannot think they mean well to your life That do deprive you of your means of life, Your living.

ANTONIO. You are still an heretic To any safety I can shape myself.

DELIO. Here comes the marquis: I will make myself Petitioner for some part of your land, To know whither it is flying.

ANTONIO. I pray, do. [Withdraws.]

[Enter PESCARA] DELIO. Sir, I have a suit to you.

PESCARA. To me?

DELIO. An easy one: There is the Citadel of Saint Bennet, With some demesnes, of late in the possession Of Antonio Bologna,—please you bestow them on me.

PESCARA. You are my friend; but this is such a suit, Nor fit for me to give, nor you to take.

DELIO. No, sir?

PESCARA. I will give you ample reason for 't Soon in private:—here 's the cardinal's mistress.

[Enter JULIA]

JULIA. My lord, I am grown your poor petitioner, And should be an ill beggar, had I not A great man's letter here, the cardinal's, To court you in my favour. [Gives a letter.]

PESCARA. He entreats for you The Citadel of Saint Bennet, that belong'd To the banish'd Bologna.

JULIA. Yes.

PESCARA. I could not have thought of a friend I could rather Pleasure with it: 'tis yours.

JULIA. Sir, I thank you; And he shall know how doubly I am engag'd Both in your gift, and speediness of giving Which makes your grant the greater. Exit.

ANTONIO. How they fortify Themselves with my ruin!

DELIO. Sir, I am Little bound to you.

PESCARA. Why?

DELIO. Because you deni'd this suit to me, and gave 't To such a creature.

PESCARA. Do you know what it was? It was Antonio's land; not forfeited By course of law, but ravish'd from his throat By the cardinal's entreaty. It were not fit I should bestow so main a piece of wrong Upon my friend; 'tis a gratification Only due to a strumpet, for it is injustice. Shall I sprinkle the pure blood of innocents To make those followers I call my friends Look ruddier upon me? I am glad This land, ta'en from the owner by such wrong, Returns again unto so foul an use As salary for his lust. Learn, good Delio, To ask noble things of me, and you shall find I 'll be a noble giver.

DELIO. You instruct me well.

ANTONIO. Why, here 's a man now would fright impudence >From sauciest beggars.

PESCARA. Prince Ferdinand 's come to Milan, Sick, as they give out, of an apoplexy; But some say 'tis a frenzy: I am going To visit him. Exit.

ANTONIO. 'Tis a noble old fellow.

DELIO. What course do you mean to take, Antonio?

ANTONIO. This night I mean to venture all my fortune, Which is no more than a poor ling'ring life, To the cardinal's worst of malice. I have got Private access to his chamber; and intend To visit him about the mid of night, As once his brother did our noble duchess. It may be that the sudden apprehension Of danger,—for I 'll go in mine own shape,— When he shall see it fraight with love and duty, May draw the poison out of him, and work A friendly reconcilement. If it fail, Yet it shall rid me of this infamous calling; For better fall once than be ever falling.

DELIO. I 'll second you in all danger; and howe'er, My life keeps rank with yours.

ANTONIO. You are still my lov'd and best friend. Exeunt.

Scene II

[Enter] PESCARA and DOCTOR

PESCARA. Now, doctor, may I visit your patient?

DOCTOR. If 't please your lordship; but he 's instantly To take the air here in the gallery By my direction.

PESCARA. Pray thee, what 's his disease?

DOCTOR. A very pestilent disease, my lord, They call lycanthropia.

PESCARA. What 's that? I need a dictionary to 't.

DOCTOR. I 'll tell you. In those that are possess'd with 't there o'erflows Such melancholy humour they imagine Themselves to be transformed into wolves; Steal forth to church-yards in the dead of night, And dig dead bodies up: as two nights since One met the duke 'bout midnight in a lane Behind Saint Mark's church, with the leg of a man Upon his shoulder; and he howl'd fearfully; Said he was a wolf, only the difference Was, a wolf's skin was hairy on the outside, His on the inside; bade them take their swords, Rip up his flesh, and try. Straight I was sent for, And, having minister'd to him, found his grace Very well recover'd.

PESCARA. I am glad on 't.

DOCTOR. Yet not without some fear Of a relapse. If he grow to his fit again, I 'll go a nearer way to work with him Than ever Paracelsus dream'd of; if They 'll give me leave, I 'll buffet his madness out of him. Stand aside; he comes.

[Enter FERDINAND, CARDINAL, MALATESTI, and BOSOLA]

FERDINAND. Leave me.

MALATESTI. Why doth your lordship love this solitariness?

FERDINAND. Eagles commonly fly alone: they are crows, daws, and starlings that flock together. Look, what 's that follows me?

MALATESTI. Nothing, my lord.

FERDINAND. Yes.

MALATESTI. 'Tis your shadow.

FERDINAND. Stay it; let it not haunt me.

MALATESTI. Impossible, if you move, and the sun shine.

FERDINAND. I will throttle it. [Throws himself down on his shadow.]

MALATESTI. O, my lord, you are angry with nothing.

FERDINAND. You are a fool: how is 't possible I should catch my shadow, unless I fall upon 't? When I go to hell, I mean to carry a bribe; for, look you, good gifts evermore make way for the worst persons.

PESCARA. Rise, good my lord.

FERDINAND. I am studying the art of patience.

PESCARA. 'Tis a noble virtue.

FERDINAND. To drive six snails before me from this town to Moscow; neither use goad nor whip to them, but let them take their own time; —the patient'st man i' th' world match me for an experiment:— an I 'll crawl after like a sheep-biter.

CARDINAL. Force him up. [They raise him.]

FERDINAND. Use me well, you were best. What I have done, I have done: I 'll confess nothing.

DOCTOR. Now let me come to him.—Are you mad, my lord? are you out of your princely wits?

FERDINAND. What 's he?

PESCARA. Your doctor.

FERDINAND. Let me have his beard saw'd off, and his eye-brows fil'd more civil.

DOCTOR. I must do mad tricks with him, for that 's the only way on 't.—I have brought your grace a salamander's skin to keep you from sun-burning.

FERDINAND. I have cruel sore eyes.

DOCTOR. The white of a cockatrix's egg is present remedy.

FERDINAND. Let it be a new-laid one, you were best. Hide me from him: physicians are like kings,— They brook no contradiction.

DOCTOR. Now he begins to fear me: now let me alone with him.

CARDINAL. How now! put off your gown!

DOCTOR. Let me have some forty urinals filled with rosewater: he and I 'll go pelt one another with them.—Now he begins to fear me.—Can you fetch a frisk, sir?—Let him go, let him go, upon my peril: I find by his eye he stands in awe of me; I 'll make him as tame as a dormouse.

FERDINAND. Can you fetch your frisks, sir!—I will stamp him into a cullis, flay off his skin to cover one of the anatomies this rogue hath set i' th' cold yonder in Barber-Chirurgeon's-hall. —Hence, hence! you are all of you like beasts for sacrifice. [Throws the DOCTOR down and beats him.] There 's nothing left of you but tongue and belly, flattery and lechery. [Exit.]

PESCARA. Doctor, he did not fear you thoroughly.

DOCTOR. True; I was somewhat too forward.

BOSOLA. Mercy upon me, what a fatal judgment Hath fall'n upon this Ferdinand!

PESCARA. Knows your grace What accident hath brought unto the prince This strange distraction?

CARDINAL. [Aside.] I must feign somewhat.—Thus they say it grew. You have heard it rumour'd, for these many years None of our family dies but there is seen The shape of an old woman, which is given By tradition to us to have been murder'd By her nephews for her riches. Such a figure One night, as the prince sat up late at 's book, Appear'd to him; when crying out for help, The gentleman of 's chamber found his grace All on a cold sweat, alter'd much in face And language: since which apparition, He hath grown worse and worse, and I much fear He cannot live.

BOSOLA. Sir, I would speak with you.

PESCARA. We 'll leave your grace, Wishing to the sick prince, our noble lord, All health of mind and body.

CARDINAL. You are most welcome. [Exeunt PESCARA, MALATESTI, and DOCTOR.] Are you come? so.—[Aside.] This fellow must not know By any means I had intelligence In our duchess' death; for, though I counsell'd it, The full of all th' engagement seem'd to grow >From Ferdinand.—Now, sir, how fares our sister? I do not think but sorrow makes her look Like to an oft-dy'd garment: she shall now Take comfort from me. Why do you look so wildly? O, the fortune of your master here the prince Dejects you; but be you of happy comfort: If you 'll do one thing for me I 'll entreat, Though he had a cold tomb-stone o'er his bones, I 'd make you what you would be.

BOSOLA. Any thing; Give it me in a breath, and let me fly to 't. They that think long small expedition win, For musing much o' th' end cannot begin.

[Enter JULIA]

JULIA. Sir, will you come into supper?

CARDINAL. I am busy; leave me

JULIA [Aside.] What an excellent shape hath that fellow! Exit.

CARDINAL. 'Tis thus. Antonio lurks here in Milan: Inquire him out, and kill him. While he lives, Our sister cannot marry; and I have thought Of an excellent match for her. Do this, and style me Thy advancement.

BOSOLA. But by what means shall I find him out?

CARDINAL. There is a gentleman call'd Delio Here in the camp, that hath been long approv'd His loyal friend. Set eye upon that fellow; Follow him to mass; may be Antonio, Although he do account religion But a school-name, for fashion of the world May accompany him; or else go inquire out Delio's confessor, and see if you can bribe Him to reveal it. There are a thousand ways A man might find to trace him; as to know What fellows haunt the Jews for taking up Great sums of money, for sure he 's in want; Or else to go to the picture-makers, and learn Who bought her picture lately: some of these Happily may take.

BOSOLA. Well, I 'll not freeze i' th' business: I would see that wretched thing, Antonio, Above all sights i' th' world.

CARDINAL. Do, and be happy. Exit.

BOSOLA. This fellow doth breed basilisks in 's eyes, He 's nothing else but murder; yet he seems Not to have notice of the duchess' death. 'Tis his cunning: I must follow his example; There cannot be a surer way to trace Than that of an old fox.

[Re-enter JULIA, with a pistol]

JULIA. So, sir, you are well met.

BOSOLA. How Now!

JULIA. Nay, the doors are fast enough: Now, sir, I will make you confess your treachery.

BOSOLA. Treachery!

JULIA. Yes, confess to me Which of my women 'twas you hir'd to put Love-powder into my drink?

BOSOLA. Love-powder!

JULIA. Yes, when I was at Malfi. Why should I fall in love with such a face else? I have already suffer'd for thee so much pain, The only remedy to do me good Is to kill my longing.

BOSOLA. Sure, your pistol holds Nothing but perfumes or kissing-comfits. Excellent lady! You have a pretty way on 't to discover Your longing. Come, come, I 'll disarm you, And arm you thus: yet this is wondrous strange.

JULIA. Compare thy form and my eyes together, You 'll find my love no such great miracle. Now you 'll say I am wanton: this nice modesty in ladies Is but a troublesome familiar That haunts them.

BOSOLA. Know you me, I am a blunt soldier.

JULIA. The better: Sure, there wants fire where there are no lively sparks Of roughness.

BOSOLA. And I want compliment.

JULIA. Why, ignorance In courtship cannot make you do amiss, If you have a heart to do well.

BOSOLA. You are very fair.

JULIA. Nay, if you lay beauty to my charge, I must plead unguilty.

BOSOLA. Your bright eyes Carry a quiver of darts in them sharper Than sun-beams.

JULIA. You will mar me with commendation, Put yourself to the charge of courting me, Whereas now I woo you.

BOSOLA. [Aside.] I have it, I will work upon this creature.— Let us grow most amorously familiar: If the great cardinal now should see me thus, Would he not count me a villain?

JULIA. No; he might count me a wanton, Not lay a scruple of offence on you; For if I see and steal a diamond, The fault is not i' th' stone, but in me the thief That purloins it. I am sudden with you. We that are great women of pleasure use to cut off These uncertain wishes and unquiet longings, And in an instant join the sweet delight And the pretty excuse together. Had you been i' th' street, Under my chamber-window, even there I should have courted you.

BOSOLA. O, you are an excellent lady!

JULIA. Bid me do somewhat for you presently To express I love you.

BOSOLA. I will; and if you love me, Fail not to effect it. The cardinal is grown wondrous melancholy; Demand the cause, let him not put you off With feign'd excuse; discover the main ground on 't.

JULIA. Why would you know this?

BOSOLA. I have depended on him, And I hear that he is fall'n in some disgrace With the emperor: if he be, like the mice That forsake falling houses, I would shift To other dependance.

JULIA. You shall not need Follow the wars: I 'll be your maintenance.

BOSOLA. And I your loyal servant: but I cannot Leave my calling.

JULIA. Not leave an ungrateful General for the love of a sweet lady! You are like some cannot sleep in feather-beds, But must have blocks for their pillows.

BOSOLA. Will you do this?

JULIA. Cunningly.

BOSOLA. To-morrow I 'll expect th' intelligence.

JULIA. To-morrow! get you into my cabinet; You shall have it with you. Do not delay me, No more than I do you: I am like one That is condemn'd; I have my pardon promis'd, But I would see it seal'd. Go, get you in: You shall see my wind my tongue about his heart Like a skein of silk. [Exit BOSOLA.]

[Re-enter CARDINAL]

CARDINAL. Where are you?

[Enter Servants.]

SERVANTS. Here.

CARDINAL. Let none, upon your lives, have conference With the Prince Ferdinand, unless I know it.— [Aside] In this distraction he may reveal The murder. [Exeunt Servants.] Yond 's my lingering consumption: I am weary of her, and by any means Would be quit of.

JULIA. How now, my lord! what ails you?

CARDINAL. Nothing.

JULIA. O, you are much alter'd: Come, I must be your secretary, and remove This lead from off your bosom: what 's the matter?

CARDINAL. I may not tell you.

JULIA. Are you so far in love with sorrow You cannot part with part of it? Or think you I cannot love your grace when you are sad As well as merry? Or do you suspect I, that have been a secret to your heart These many winters, cannot be the same Unto your tongue?

CARDINAL. Satisfy thy longing,— The only way to make thee keep my counsel Is, not to tell thee.

JULIA. Tell your echo this, Or flatterers, that like echoes still report What they hear though most imperfect, and not me; For if that you be true unto yourself, I 'll know.

CARDINAL. Will you rack me?

JULIA. No, judgment shall Draw it from you: it is an equal fault, To tell one's secrets unto all or none.

CARDINAL. The first argues folly.

JULIA. But the last tyranny.

CARDINAL. Very well: why, imagine I have committed Some secret deed which I desire the world May never hear of.

JULIA. Therefore may not I know it? You have conceal'd for me as great a sin As adultery. Sir, never was occasion For perfect trial of my constancy Till now: sir, I beseech you——

CARDINAL. You 'll repent it.

JULIA. Never.

CARDINAL. It hurries thee to ruin: I 'll not tell thee. Be well advis'd, and think what danger 'tis To receive a prince's secrets. They that do, Had need have their breasts hoop'd with adamant To contain them. I pray thee, yet be satisfi'd; Examine thine own frailty; 'tis more easy To tie knots than unloose them. 'Tis a secret That, like a ling'ring poison, may chance lie Spread in thy veins, and kill thee seven year hence.

JULIA. Now you dally with me.

CARDINAL. No more; thou shalt know it. By my appointment the great Duchess of Malfi And two of her young children, four nights since, Were strangl'd.

JULIA. O heaven! sir, what have you done!

CARDINAL. How now? How settles this? Think you your bosom Will be a grave dark and obscure enough For such a secret?

JULIA. You have undone yourself, sir.

CARDINAL. Why?

JULIA. It lies not in me to conceal it.

CARDINAL. No? Come, I will swear you to 't upon this book.

JULIA. Most religiously.

CARDINAL. Kiss it. [She kisses the book.] Now you shall never utter it; thy curiosity Hath undone thee; thou 'rt poison'd with that book. Because I knew thou couldst not keep my counsel, I have bound thee to 't by death.

[Re-enter BOSOLA]

BOSOLA. For pity-sake, hold!

CARDINAL. Ha, Bosola!

JULIA. I forgive you This equal piece of justice you have done; For I betray'd your counsel to that fellow. He over-heard it; that was the cause I said It lay not in me to conceal it.

BOSOLA. O foolish woman, Couldst not thou have poison'd him?

JULIA. 'Tis weakness, Too much to think what should have been done. I go, I know not whither. [Dies.]

CARDINAL. Wherefore com'st thou hither?

BOSOLA. That I might find a great man like yourself, Not out of his wits, as the Lord Ferdinand, To remember my service.

CARDINAL. I 'll have thee hew'd in pieces.

BOSOLA. Make not yourself such a promise of that life Which is not yours to dispose of.

CARDINAL. Who plac'd thee here?

BOSOLA. Her lust, as she intended.

CARDINAL. Very well: Now you know me for your fellow-murderer.

BOSOLA. And wherefore should you lay fair marble colours Upon your rotten purposes to me? Unless you imitate some that do plot great treasons, And when they have done, go hide themselves i' th' grave Of those were actors in 't?

CARDINAL. No more; there is A fortune attends thee.

BOSOLA. Shall I go sue to Fortune any longer? 'Tis the fool's pilgrimage.

CARDINAL. I have honours in store for thee.

BOSOLA. There are a many ways that conduct to seeming Honour, and some of them very dirty ones.

CARDINAL. Throw to the devil Thy melancholy. The fire burns well; What need we keep a stirring of 't, and make A greater smother? Thou wilt kill Antonio?

BOSOLA. Yes.

CARDINAL. Take up that body.

BOSOLA. I think I shall Shortly grow the common bier for church-yards.

CARDINAL. I will allow thee some dozen of attendants To aid thee in the murder.

BOSOLA. O, by no means. Physicians that apply horse-leeches to any rank swelling use to cut off their tails, that the blood may run through them the faster: let me have no train when I go to shed blood, less it make me have a greater when I ride to the gallows.

CARDINAL. Come to me after midnight, to help to remove That body to her own lodging. I 'll give out She died o' th' plague; 'twill breed the less inquiry After her death.

BOSOLA. Where 's Castruccio her husband?

CARDINAL. He 's rode to Naples, to take possession Of Antonio's citadel.

BOSOLA. Believe me, you have done a very happy turn.

CARDINAL. Fail not to come. There is the master-key Of our lodgings; and by that you may conceive What trust I plant in you.

BOSOLA. You shall find me ready. Exit CARDINAL. O poor Antonio, though nothing be so needful To thy estate as pity, yet I find Nothing so dangerous! I must look to my footing: In such slippery ice-pavements men had need To be frost-nail'd well, they may break their necks else; The precedent 's here afore me. How this man Bears up in blood! seems fearless! Why, 'tis well; Security some men call the suburbs of hell, Only a dead wall between. Well, good Antonio, I 'll seek thee out; and all my care shall be To put thee into safety from the reach Of these most cruel biters that have got Some of thy blood already. It may be, I 'll join with thee in a most just revenge. The weakest arm is strong enough that strikes With the sword of justice. Still methinks the duchess Haunts me: there, there!—'Tis nothing but my melancholy. O Penitence, let me truly taste thy cup, That throws men down only to raise them up! Exit.

Scene III

[Enter] ANTONIO and DELIO. Echo (from the DUCHESS'S Grave)

DELIO. Yond 's the cardinal's window. This fortification Grew from the ruins of an ancient abbey; And to yond side o' th' river lies a wall, Piece of a cloister, which in my opinion Gives the best echo that you ever heard, So hollow and so dismal, and withal So plain in the distinction of our words, That many have suppos'd it is a spirit That answers.

ANTONIO. I do love these ancient ruins. We never tread upon them but we set Our foot upon some reverend history; And, questionless, here in this open court, Which now lies naked to the injuries Of stormy weather, some men lie interr'd Lov'd the church so well, and gave so largely to 't, They thought it should have canopied their bones Till dooms-day. But all things have their end; Churches and cities, which have diseases like to men, Must have like death that we have.

ECHO. Like death that we have.

DELIO. Now the echo hath caught you.

ANTONIO. It groan'd methought, and gave A very deadly accent.

ECHO. Deadly accent.

DELIO. I told you 'twas a pretty one. You may make it A huntsman, or a falconer, a musician, Or a thing of sorrow.

ECHO. A thing of sorrow.

ANTONIO. Ay, sure, that suits it best.

ECHO. That suits it best.

ANTONIO. 'Tis very like my wife's voice.

ECHO. Ay, wife's voice.

DELIO. Come, let us walk further from t. I would not have you go to the cardinal's to-night: Do not.

ECHO. Do not.

DELIO. Wisdom doth not more moderate wasting sorrow Than time. Take time for 't; be mindful of thy safety.

ECHO. Be mindful of thy safety.

ANTONIO. Necessity compels me. Make scrutiny through the passages Of your own life, you 'll find it impossible To fly your fate.

ECHO. O, fly your fate!

DELIO. Hark! the dead stones seem to have pity on you, And give you good counsel.

ANTONIO. Echo, I will not talk with thee, For thou art a dead thing.

ECHO. Thou art a dead thing.

ANTONIO. My duchess is asleep now, And her little ones, I hope sweetly. O heaven, Shall I never see her more?

ECHO. Never see her more.

ANTONIO. I mark'd not one repetition of the echo But that; and on the sudden a clear light Presented me a face folded in sorrow.

DELIO. Your fancy merely.

ANTONIO. Come, I 'll be out of this ague, For to live thus is not indeed to live; It is a mockery and abuse of life. I will not henceforth save myself by halves; Lose all, or nothing.

DELIO. Your own virtue save you! I 'll fetch your eldest son, and second you. It may be that the sight of his own blood Spread in so sweet a figure may beget The more compassion. However, fare you well. Though in our miseries Fortune have a part, Yet in our noble sufferings she hath none. Contempt of pain, that we may call our own. Exeunt.

Scene IV

[Enter] CARDINAL, PESCARA, MALATESTI, RODERIGO, and GRISOLAN

CARDINAL. You shall not watch to-night by the sick prince; His grace is very well recover'd.

MALATESTI. Good my lord, suffer us.

CARDINAL. O, by no means; The noise, and change of object in his eye, Doth more distract him. I pray, all to bed; And though you hear him in his violent fit, Do not rise, I entreat you.

PESCARA. So, sir; we shall not.

CARDINAL. Nay, I must have you promise Upon your honours, for I was enjoin'd to 't By himself; and he seem'd to urge it sensibly.

PESCARA. Let our honours bind this trifle.

CARDINAL. Nor any of your followers.

MALATESTI. Neither.

CARDINAL. It may be, to make trial of your promise, When he 's asleep, myself will rise and feign Some of his mad tricks, and cry out for help, And feign myself in danger.

MALATESTI. If your throat were cutting, I 'd not come at you, now I have protested against it.

CARDINAL. Why, I thank you.

GRISOLAN. 'Twas a foul storm to-night.

RODERIGO. The Lord Ferdinand's chamber shook like an osier.

MALATESTI. 'Twas nothing put pure kindness in the devil To rock his own child. Exeunt [all except the CARDINAL].

CARDINAL. The reason why I would not suffer these About my brother, is, because at midnight I may with better privacy convey Julia's body to her own lodging. O, my conscience! I would pray now; but the devil takes away my heart For having any confidence in prayer. About this hour I appointed Bosola To fetch the body. When he hath serv'd my turn, He dies. Exit.

[Enter BOSOLA]

BOSOLA. Ha! 'twas the cardinal's voice; I heard him name Bosola and my death. Listen; I hear one's footing.

[Enter FERDINAND]

FERDINAND. Strangling is a very quiet death.

BOSOLA. [Aside.] Nay, then, I see I must stand upon my guard.

FERDINAND. What say to that? Whisper softly: do you agree to 't? So; it must be done i' th' dark; the cardinal would not for a thousand pounds the doctor should see it. Exit.

BOSOLA. My death is plotted; here 's the consequence of murder. We value not desert nor Christian breath, When we know black deeds must be cur'd with death.

[Enter ANTONIO and Servant]

SERVANT. Here stay, sir, and be confident, I pray; I 'll fetch you a dark lantern. Exit.

ANTONIO. Could I take him at his prayers, There were hope of pardon.

BOSOLA. Fall right, my sword!— [Stabs him.] I 'll not give thee so much leisure as to pray.

ANTONIO. O, I am gone! Thou hast ended a long suit In a minute.

BOSOLA. What art thou?

ANTONIO. A most wretched thing, That only have thy benefit in death, To appear myself.

[Re-enter Servant with a lantern]

SERVANT. Where are you, sir?

ANTONIO. Very near my home.—Bosola!

SERVANT. O, misfortune!

BOSOLA. Smother thy pity, thou art dead else.—Antonio! The man I would have sav'd 'bove mine own life! We are merely the stars' tennis-balls, struck and banded Which way please them.—O good Antonio, I 'll whisper one thing in thy dying ear Shall make thy heart break quickly! Thy fair duchess And two sweet children——

ANTONIO. Their very names Kindle a little life in me.

BOSOLA. Are murder'd.

ANTONIO. Some men have wish'd to die At the hearing of sad tidings; I am glad That I shall do 't in sadness. I would not now Wish my wounds balm'd nor heal'd, for I have no use To put my life to. In all our quest of greatness, Like wanton boys whose pastime is their care, We follow after bubbles blown in th' air. Pleasure of life, what is 't? Only the good hours Of an ague; merely a preparative to rest, To endure vexation. I do not ask The process of my death; only commend me To Delio.

BOSOLA. Break, heart!

ANTONIO. And let my son fly the courts to princes. [Dies.]

BOSOLA. Thou seem'st to have lov'd Antonio.

SERVANT. I brought him hither, To have reconcil'd him to the cardinal.

BOSOLA. I do not ask thee that. Take him up, if thou tender thine own life, And bear him where the lady Julia Was wont to lodge.—O, my fate moves swift! I have this cardinal in the forge already; Now I 'll bring him to th' hammer. O direful misprision! I will not imitate things glorious. No more than base; I 'll be mine own example.— On, on, and look thou represent, for silence, The thing thou bear'st. Exeunt.

Scene V

[Enter] CARDINAL, with a book

CARDINAL. I am puzzl'd in a question about hell; He says, in hell there 's one material fire, And yet it shall not burn all men alike. Lay him by. How tedious is a guilty conscience! When I look into the fish-ponds in my garden, Methinks I see a thing arm'd with a rake, That seems to strike at me. [Enter BOSOLA, and Servant bearing ANTONIO'S body] Now, art thou come? Thou look'st ghastly; There sits in thy face some great determination Mix'd with some fear.

BOSOLA. Thus it lightens into action: I am come to kill thee.

CARDINAL. Ha!—Help! our guard!

BOSOLA. Thou art deceiv'd; they are out of thy howling.

CARDINAL. Hold; and I will faithfully divide Revenues with thee.

BOSOLA. Thy prayers and proffers Are both unseasonable.

CARDINAL. Raise the watch! We are betray'd!

BOSOLA. I have confin'd your flight: I 'll suffer your retreat to Julia's chamber, But no further.

CARDINAL. Help! we are betray'd!

[Enter, above, PESCARA, MALATESTI, RODERIGO, and GRISOLAN]

MALATESTI. Listen.

CARDINAL. My dukedom for rescue!

RODERIGO. Fie upon his counterfeiting!

MALATESTI. Why, 'tis not the cardinal.

RODERIGO. Yes, yes, 'tis he: But, I 'll see him hang'd ere I 'll go down to him.

CARDINAL. Here 's a plot upon me; I am assaulted! I am lost, Unless some rescue!

GRISOLAN. He doth this pretty well; But it will not serve to laugh me out of mine honour.

CARDINAL. The sword's at my throat!

RODERIGO. You would not bawl so loud then.

MALATESTI. Come, come, let 's go to bed: he told us this much aforehand.

PESCARA. He wish'd you should not come at him; but, believe 't, The accent of the voice sounds not in jest: I 'll down to him, howsoever, and with engines Force ope the doors. [Exit above.]

RODERIGO. Let 's follow him aloof, And note how the cardinal will laugh at him. [Exeunt, above, MALATESTI, RODERIGO, and GRISOLAN.]

BOSOLA. There 's for you first, 'Cause you shall not unbarricade the door To let in rescue. Kills the Servant.

CARDINAL. What cause hast thou to pursue my life?

BOSOLA. Look there.

CARDINAL. Antonio!

BOSOLA. Slain by my hand unwittingly. Pray, and be sudden. When thou kill'd'st thy sister, Thou took'st from Justice her most equal balance, And left her naught but her sword.

CARDINAL. O, mercy!

BOSOLA. Now it seems thy greatness was only outward; For thou fall'st faster of thyself than calamity Can drive thee. I 'll not waste longer time; there! [Stabs him.]

CARDINAL. Thou hast hurt me.

BOSOLA. Again!

CARDINAL. Shall I die like a leveret, Without any resistance?—Help, help, help! I am slain!

[Enter FERDINAND]

FERDINAND. Th' alarum! Give me a fresh horse; Rally the vaunt-guard, or the day is lost, Yield, yield! I give you the honour of arms Shake my sword over you; will you yield?

CARDINAL. Help me; I am your brother!

FERDINAND. The devil! My brother fight upon the adverse party! He wounds the CARDINAL, and, in the scuffle, gives BOSOLA his death-wound. There flies your ransom.

CARDINAL. O justice! I suffer now for what hath former bin: Sorrow is held the eldest child of sin.

FERDINAND. Now you 're brave fellows. Caesar's fortune was harder than Pompey's; Caesar died in the arms of prosperity, Pompey at the feet of disgrace. You both died in the field. The pain 's nothing; pain many times is taken away with the apprehension of greater, as the tooth-ache with the sight of a barber that comes to pull it out. There 's philosophy for you.

BOSOLA. Now my revenge is perfect.—Sink, thou main cause Kills FERDINAND. Of my undoing!—The last part of my life Hath done me best service.

FERDINAND. Give me some wet hay; I am broken-winded. I do account this world but a dog-kennel: I will vault credit and affect high pleasures Beyond death.

BOSOLA. He seems to come to himself, Now he 's so near the bottom.

FERDINAND. My sister, O my sister! there 's the cause on 't. Whether we fall by ambition, blood, or lust, Like diamonds, we are cut with our own dust. [Dies.]

CARDINAL. Thou hast thy payment too.

BOSOLA. Yes, I hold my weary soul in my teeth; 'Tis ready to part from me. I do glory That thou, which stood'st like a huge pyramid Begun upon a large and ample base, Shalt end in a little point, a kind of nothing.

[Enter, below, PESCARA, MALATESTI, RODERIGO, and GRISOLAN]

PESCARA. How now, my lord!

MALATESTI. O sad disaster!

RODERIGO. How comes this?

BOSOLA. Revenge for the Duchess of Malfi murdered By the Arragonian brethren; for Antonio Slain by this hand; for lustful Julia Poison'd by this man; and lastly for myself, That was an actor in the main of all Much 'gainst mine own good nature, yet i' the end Neglected.

PESCARA. How now, my lord!

CARDINAL. Look to my brother: He gave us these large wounds, as we were struggling Here i' th' rushes. And now, I pray, let me Be laid by and never thought of. [Dies.]

PESCARA. How fatally, it seems, he did withstand His own rescue!

MALATESTI. Thou wretched thing of blood, How came Antonio by his death?

BOSOLA. In a mist; I know not how: Such a mistake as I have often seen In a play. O, I am gone! We are only like dead walls or vaulted graves, That, ruin'd, yield no echo. Fare you well. It may be pain, but no harm, to me to die In so good a quarrel. O, this gloomy world! In what a shadow, or deep pit of darkness, Doth womanish and fearful mankind live! Let worthy minds ne'er stagger in distrust To suffer death or shame for what is just: Mine is another voyage. [Dies.]

PESCARA. The noble Delio, as I came to th' palace, Told me of Antonio's being here, and show'd me A pretty gentleman, his son and heir.

[Enter DELIO, and ANTONIO'S Son]

MALATESTI. O sir, you come too late!

DELIO. I heard so, and Was arm'd for 't, ere I came. Let us make noble use Of this great ruin; and join all our force To establish this young hopeful gentleman In 's mother's right. These wretched eminent things Leave no more fame behind 'em, than should one Fall in a frost, and leave his print in snow; As soon as the sun shines, it ever melts, Both form and matter. I have ever thought Nature doth nothing so great for great men As when she 's pleas'd to make them lords of truth: Integrity of life is fame's best friend, Which nobly, beyond death, shall crown the end. Exeunt.

Malfi. The presence-chamber in the palace of the Duchess.

Prevent.

The same.

The reference is to the knightly sport of riding at the ring.

At the expense of.

Rolls of lint used to dress wounds.

Surgeons.

A small horse.

Ballasted.

A lively dance.

Throws into the shade.

At the point of.

Coaches.

Spy.

Cheats.

Spy.

Malfi. Gallery in the Duchess' palace.

Lustful.

Genesis xxxi., 31-42.

The net in which he caught Venus and Mars.

Housekeepers.

Produced.

Qq. read STRANGE.

Guess.

The phrase used to indicate that accounts had been examined and found correct.

Using words of present time; i.e., "I take," not "I will take."

Knot.

More firmly.

Of difficult disposition.

Malfi. An apartment in the palace of the Duchess.

Chief part.

Bullies (Hazlitt); lawyers (Vaughan).

Royal journey.

Turning a boat on its side for repairs.

Scabbed.

Empty.

Face-modeling (Sampson). "There's a plain statement of your practises."

Blue like those of a woman with child.

Scurf.

Person of highest influence.

Hysteria.

This year.

Clearly.

Youngster.

A hall in the same palace.

Crossness.

Always.

The meaner servants.

At once.

Cast his horoscope.

The court of the same palace.

Making an astrological calculation.

Going to the root of the matter.

Write.

i.e., on his handkerchief.

Addressing the lantern.

"The rest not considered."

A piece of news.

Cleverly contrived.

Rome. An apartment in the palace of the Cardinal.

Religious recluse.

Experienced.

Sick.

Medicinal.

Strong broth.

Another apartment in the same palace.

The mandrake was supposed to give forth shrieks when uprooted, which drove the hearer mad.

Unchaste.

Supposed to be a sign of folly.

Throw the hammer.

Boil to shreds. (Dyce.) Qq, TO BOIL.

Malfi. An apartment in the palace of the Duchess.

Wealth.

Lampoons.

Plowshares.

Spying.

Deceptions.

Soothing.

The bed-chamber of the Duchess in the same.

Qq. read SLIGHT.

Powder of orris-root.

Wheels of craft.

Certificate that the books were found correct.

The badge of a steward.

Spies.

Lot.

For Plutus.

Quick steps.

Miss.

Remains.

Profession.

An apartment in the Cardinal's palace at Rome.

A decorated horse-cloth, used only when the court is traveling.

The first quarto has in the margin: "The Author disclaims this Ditty to be his."

Near Loretto.

Small birds.

His vizard.

Malfi. An apartment in the palace of the Duchess.

Curtain.

The wife of Brutus, who died by swallowing fire.

By artificial means.

Profession.

Spying.

Another room in the lodging of the Duchess.

Band.

Bands.

Boil.

Punning on the two senses of "dye" and "corn."

From exporting his grain.

Optical glass.

The Geneva Bible.

Petticoat.

Coach.

A warm drink containing milk, wine, etc.

Receptacle.

A drug supposed to ooze from embalmed bodies.

Curdled.

Trial.

An exclamation of impatience.

Milan. A public place.

In escheat; here, in fee.

Disbeliever.

Fraught.

A gallery in the residence of the Cardinal and Ferdinand.

A dog which worries sheep.

A fabulous serpent that killed by its glance.

Cut a caper.

Broth.

Skeletons.

So Dyce. Qq. BROUGHT.

Perfumed sweetmeats for the breath.

Smoke.

A fortification.

Milan. An apartment in the residence of the Cardinal and Ferdinand.

Reality.

Mistake.

i.e., the dead body.

Another apartment in the same.

<end of play><end of play>

Comments on the preparation of this e-text:

All of the footnotes have been re-numbered, in the form .

A few punctuation marks have been added. These are always set off by angle brackets. Eg.

The names of the characters have been spelled out in full. Eg. CARDINAL was CARD.

Leading blanks are reproduced from the printed text. Eg.:

FERDINAND. Sister, I have a suit to you. DUCHESS. To me, sir?