The Duchess of Malfi | Page 8

a saucy and ambitious devil Is dancing in this circle.
DUCHESS. Remove him.
ANTONIO. How?
DUCHESS. There needs small conjuration, when your finger May do it: thus. Is it fit? [She puts the ring upon his finger]: he kneels.
ANTONIO. What said you?
DUCHESS. Sir, This goodly roof of yours is too low built; I cannot stand upright in 't nor discourse, Without I raise it higher. Raise yourself; Or, if you please, my hand to help you: so. [Raises him.]
ANTONIO. Ambition, madam, is a great man's madness, That is not kept in chains and close-pent rooms, But in fair lightsome lodgings, and is girt With the wild noise of prattling visitants, Which makes it lunatic beyond all cure. Conceive not I am so stupid but I aim<24> Whereto your favours tend: but he 's a fool That, being a-cold, would thrust his hands i' the fire To warm them.
DUCHESS. So, now the ground 's broke, You may discover what a wealthy mine I make your lord of.
ANTONIO. O my unworthiness!
DUCHESS. You were ill to sell yourself: This dark'ning of your worth is not like that Which tradesmen use i' the city; their false lights Are to rid bad wares off: and I must tell you, If you will know where breathes a complete man (I speak it without flattery), turn your eyes, And progress through yourself.
ANTONIO. Were there nor heaven nor hell, I should be honest: I have long serv'd virtue, And ne'er ta'en wages of her.
DUCHESS. Now she pays it. The misery of us that are born great! We are forc'd to woo, because none dare woo us; And as a tyrant doubles with his words, And fearfully equivocates, so we Are forc'd to express our violent passions In riddles and in dreams, and leave the path Of simple virtue, which was never made To seem the thing it is not. Go, go brag You have left me heartless; mine is in your bosom: I hope 'twill multiply love there. You do tremble: Make not your heart so dead a piece of flesh, To fear more than to love me. Sir, be confident: What is 't distracts you? This is flesh and blood, sir; 'Tis not the figure cut in alabaster Kneels at my husband's tomb. Awake, awake, man! I do here put off all vain ceremony, And only do appear to you a young widow That claims you for her husband, and, like a widow, I use but half a blush in 't.
ANTONIO. Truth speak for me; I will remain the constant sanctuary Of your good name.
DUCHESS. I thank you, gentle love: And 'cause you shall not come to me in debt, Being now my steward, here upon your lips I sign your Quietus est.<25> This you should have begg'd now. I have seen children oft eat sweetmeats thus, As fearful to devour them too soon.
ANTONIO. But for your brothers?
DUCHESS. Do not think of them: All discord without this circumference Is only to be pitied, and not fear'd: Yet, should they know it, time will easily Scatter the tempest.
ANTONIO. These words should be mine, And all the parts you have spoke, if some part of it Would not have savour'd flattery.
DUCHESS. Kneel. [Cariola comes from behind the arras.]
ANTONIO. Ha!
DUCHESS. Be not amaz'd; this woman 's of my counsel: I have heard lawyers say, a contract in a chamber Per verba [de] presenti<26> is absolute marriage. [She and ANTONIO kneel.] Bless, heaven, this sacred gordian<27> which let violence Never untwine!
ANTONIO. And may our sweet affections, like the spheres, Be still in motion!
DUCHESS. Quickening, and make The like soft music!
ANTONIO. That we may imitate the loving palms, Best emblem of a peaceful marriage, That never bore fruit, divided!
DUCHESS. What can the church force more?
ANTONIO. That fortune may not know an accident, Either of joy or sorrow, to divide Our fixed wishes!
DUCHESS. How can the church build faster?<28> We now are man and wife, and 'tis the church That must but echo this.--Maid, stand apart: I now am blind.
ANTONIO. What 's your conceit in this?
DUCHESS. I would have you lead your fortune by the hand Unto your marriage-bed: (You speak in me this, for we now are one:) We 'll only lie and talk together, and plot To appease my humorous<29> kindred; and if you please, Like the old tale in ALEXANDER AND LODOWICK, Lay a naked sword between us, keep us chaste. O, let me shrowd my blushes in your bosom, Since 'tis the treasury of all my secrets! [Exeunt DUCHESS and ANTONIO.]
CARIOLA. Whether the spirit of greatness or of woman Reign most in her, I know not; but it shows A fearful madness. I owe her much of pity. [Exit.]

Act II
Scene I<30>
[Enter] BOSOLA and CASTRUCCIO
BOSOLA. You say you would fain be taken for an eminent courtier?
CASTRUCCIO. 'Tis the very main<31> of my ambition.
BOSOLA.