The Duchess of Malfi | Page 7

BOSOLA. Let good men, for good deeds, covet good fame, Since place
and riches oft are bribes of shame. Sometimes the devil doth preach.
[Exit.]
[Scene III]<17>
[Enter FERDINAND, DUCHESS, CARDINAL, and CARIOLA]
CARDINAL. We are to part from you; and your own discretion Must
now be your director.
FERDINAND. You are a widow: You know already what man is; and
therefore Let not youth, high promotion, eloquence----
CARDINAL. No, Nor anything without the addition, honour, Sway
your high blood.
FERDINAND. Marry! they are most luxurious<18> Will wed twice.
CARDINAL. O, fie!
FERDINAND. Their livers are more spotted Than Laban's sheep.<19>
DUCHESS. Diamonds are of most value, They say, that have pass'd
through most jewellers' hands.
FERDINAND. Whores by that rule are precious.
DUCHESS. Will you hear me? I 'll never marry.
CARDINAL. So most widows say; But commonly that motion lasts no
longer Than the turning of an hour-glass: the funeral sermon And it end
both together.
FERDINAND. Now hear me: You live in a rank pasture, here, i' the
court; There is a kind of honey-dew that 's deadly; 'T will poison your
fame; look to 't. Be not cunning; For they whose faces do belie their
hearts Are witches ere they arrive at twenty years, Ay, and give the
devil suck.
DUCHESS. This is terrible good counsel.

FERDINAND. Hypocrisy is woven of a fine small thread, Subtler than
Vulcan's engine:<20> yet, believe 't, Your darkest actions, nay, your
privat'st thoughts, Will come to light.
CARDINAL. You may flatter yourself, And take your own choice;
privately be married Under the eaves of night----
FERDINAND. Think 't the best voyage That e'er you made; like the
irregular crab, Which, though 't goes backward, thinks that it goes right
Because it goes its own way: but observe, Such weddings may more
properly be said To be executed than celebrated.
CARDINAL. The marriage night Is the entrance into some prison.
FERDINAND. And those joys, Those lustful pleasures, are like heavy
sleeps Which do fore-run man's mischief.
CARDINAL. Fare you well. Wisdom begins at the end: remember it.
[Exit.]
DUCHESS. I think this speech between you both was studied, It came
so roundly off.
FERDINAND. You are my sister; This was my father's poniard, do you
see? I 'd be loth to see 't look rusty, 'cause 'twas his. I would have you
give o'er these chargeable revels: A visor and a mask are
whispering-rooms That were never built for goodness,--fare ye well--
And women like variety of courtship. What cannot a neat knave with a
smooth tale Make a woman believe? Farewell, lusty widow. [Exit.]
DUCHESS. Shall this move me? If all my royal kindred Lay in my way
unto this marriage, I 'd make them my low footsteps. And even now,
Even in this hate, as men in some great battles, By apprehending
danger, have achiev'd Almost impossible actions (I have heard soldiers
say so), So I through frights and threatenings will assay This dangerous
venture. Let old wives report I wink'd and chose a husband.--Cariola,
To thy known secrecy I have given up More than my life,--my fame.
CARIOLA. Both shall be safe; For I 'll conceal this secret from the
world As warily as those that trade in poison Keep poison from their
children.
DUCHESS. Thy protestation Is ingenious and hearty; I believe it. Is
Antonio come?
CARIOLA. He attends you.
DUCHESS. Good dear soul, Leave me; but place thyself behind the
arras, Where thou mayst overhear us. Wish me good speed; For I am

going into a wilderness, Where I shall find nor path nor friendly clue
To be my guide. [Cariola goes behind the arras.] [Enter ANTONIO] I
sent for you: sit down; Take pen and ink, and write: are you ready?
ANTONIO. Yes.
DUCHESS. What did I say?
ANTONIO. That I should write somewhat.
DUCHESS. O, I remember. After these triumphs and this large expense
It 's fit, like thrifty husbands,<21> we inquire What 's laid up for
to-morrow.
ANTONIO. So please your beauteous excellence.
DUCHESS. Beauteous! Indeed, I thank you. I look young for your sake;
You have ta'en my cares upon you.
ANTONIO. I 'll fetch your grace The particulars of your revenue and
expense.
DUCHESS. O, you are An upright treasurer: but you mistook; For
when I said I meant to make inquiry What 's laid up for to-morrow, I
did mean What 's laid up yonder for me.
ANTONIO. Where?
DUCHESS. 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, Than in deep groans and terrible ghastly looks, As if
the gifts we parted with procur'd<22> That violent distraction?
ANTONIO. O, much better.
DUCHESS. If I had a husband now, this care were