The Duchess of Malfi | Page 4

if 't
chance Some curs'd example poison 't near the head, Death and
diseases through the whole land spread. And what is 't makes this
blessed government But a most provident council, who dare freely
Inform him the corruption of the times? Though some o' the court hold
it presumption To instruct princes what they ought to do, It is a noble
duty to inform them What they ought to foresee.<2>--Here comes
Bosola, The only court-gall; yet I observe his railing Is not for simple
love of piety: Indeed, he rails at those things which he wants; Would be
as lecherous, covetous, or proud, Bloody, or envious, as any man, If he
had means to be so.--Here's the cardinal.
[Enter CARDINAL and BOSOLA]
BOSOLA. I do haunt you still.
CARDINAL. So.
BOSOLA. I have done you better service than to be slighted thus.
Miserable age, where only the reward of doing well is the doing of it!
CARDINAL. You enforce your merit too much.
BOSOLA. I fell into the galleys in your service: where, for two years
together, I wore two towels instead of a shirt, with a knot on the
shoulder, after the fashion of a Roman mantle. Slighted thus! I will

thrive some way. Black-birds fatten best in hard weather; why not I in
these dog-days?
CARDINAL. Would you could become honest!
BOSOLA. With all your divinity do but direct me the way to it. I have
known many travel far for it, and yet return as arrant knaves as they
went forth, because they carried themselves always along with them.
[Exit CARDINAL.] Are you gone? Some fellows, they say, are
possessed with the devil, but this great fellow were able to possess the
greatest devil, and make him worse.
ANTONIO. He hath denied thee some suit?
BOSOLA. He and his brother are like plum-trees that grow crooked
over standing-pools; they are rich and o'erladen with fruit, but none but
crows, pies, and caterpillars feed on them. Could I be one of their
flattering panders, I would hang on their ears like a horseleech, till I
were full, and then drop off. I pray, leave me. Who would rely upon
these miserable dependencies, in expectation to be advanc'd to-morrow?
What creature ever fed worse than hoping Tantalus? Nor ever died any
man more fearfully than he that hoped for a pardon. There are rewards
for hawks and dogs when they have done us service; but for a soldier
that hazards his limbs in a battle, nothing but a kind of geometry is his
last supportation.
DELIO. Geometry?
BOSOLA. Ay, to hang in a fair pair of slings, take his latter swing in
the world upon an honourable pair of crutches, from hospital to hospital.
Fare ye well, sir: and yet do not you scorn us; for places in the court are
but like beds in the hospital, where this man's head lies at that man's
foot, and so lower and lower. [Exit.]
DELIO. I knew this fellow seven years in the galleys For a notorious
murder; and 'twas thought The cardinal suborn'd it: he was releas'd By
the French general, Gaston de Foix, When he recover'd Naples.
ANTONIO. 'Tis great pity He should be thus neglected: I have heard
He 's very valiant. This foul melancholy Will poison all his goodness;
for, I 'll tell you, If too immoderate sleep be truly said To be an inward
rust unto the soul, If then doth follow want of action Breeds all black
malcontents; and their close rearing, Like moths in cloth, do hurt for
want of wearing.
Scene II<3>

ANTONIO, DELIO, [Enter SILVIO, CASTRUCCIO, JULIA,
RODERIGO and GRISOLAN]
DELIO. The presence 'gins to fill: you promis'd me To make me the
partaker of the natures Of some of your great courtiers.
ANTONIO. The lord cardinal's And other strangers' that are now in
court? I shall.--Here comes the great Calabrian duke.
[Enter FERDINAND and Attendants]
FERDINAND. Who took the ring oftenest?<4>
SILVIO. Antonio Bologna, my lord.
FERDINAND. Our sister duchess' great-master of her household? Give
him the jewel.--When shall we leave this sportive action, and fall to
action indeed?
CASTRUCCIO. Methinks, my lord, you should not desire to go to war
in person.
FERDINAND. Now for some gravity.--Why, my lord?
CASTRUCCIO. It is fitting a soldier arise to be a prince, but not
necessary a prince descend to be a captain.
FERDINAND. No?
CASTRUCCIO. No, my lord; he were far better do it by a deputy.
FERDINAND. Why should he not as well sleep or eat by a deputy?
This might take idle, offensive, and base office from him, whereas the
other deprives him of honour.
CASTRUCCIO. Believe my experience, that realm is never long in
quiet where the ruler is a soldier.
FERDINAND. Thou toldest me thy wife could not endure