ANTONIO

I admire it, In seeking to reduce both State, and People To a fixed Order, there judicious King Begins at home: Quits first his Royal Palace Of flattering Sycophants of dissolute, And infamous persons which he sweetly terms His Master's Masterpiece (the work of Heaven) Considering duly, that a Princes Court Is Like a common Fountain, whence should flow, Pure silver-drops ingenerall: But if it chance Some cursed example poyson'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 oth'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: 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. He hath denied thee some suit? It's great pity He should be thus neglected, I have herd 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 and inward rust unto the soul; It then does follow want of Actium Breeds all black malcontents, and their close rearing (Like moths in cloth) do hurt for want of wearing. The Lord Cardinals And other strangers, that are now in Court, I Shall: here comes the great Calabrian Duke. Nobly (my Lord) as out of the Grecian-horse, issued Many famous Princes: So, out of brave Horsemanship, Arise the first Sparks of growing resolution, that raise The mind, to noble Actium. Some such flashes superficially hang on him, for form: But observe his inward Character: he is a melancholy Churchman: The Spring in his face, is nothing but the Engendering of Toads: where he is jealous of any man. He lays worse plots for them, then ever was imposed on Hercules : for he strews in his way Flatters, Panders, Intelligencers, A thiests,: and a thousand such political Monsters: he should have been Pope: but in stead of Coming to it, by the primitive decensie of the church, He did bestow bribes, so largely, and so impudently, as if he would Have carried it away without heavens knowledge. Some good he Hath done. The Duke there? a most perverse, and turbulent Nature, What appears in him mirth, is merely outside, If he laugh heartily, it is to laugh All honesty out of fashion. In quality: He speaks with others Tongues, and hears men's suits, With others Ears: will seem to sleep o'th bench Only to entrap offenders, in their answers; Doombes men to death, by information, Rewards, by hearsay. Most true: He never pays debts, unless they be showed turns, And those he will confess, that he does owe, Last: for his brother, there, (the Cardinal) They that do flatter him most, say Oracles Hang at his lips: and verily I believe them: For the Devil speaks in them. But for their sister, (the right noble Duchess) You never fixed you eye, on three fair Medals, Cast in one figure, of so different temper: For her discourse, it is so full of Rapture, You only will begin, then to be sorry When she does end her speech: and wish (in wonder) She held it less vainglory, to talk much Then your penance, to hear her: while she speaks, She throws upon a man, so sweet a look, That it were able raise one to a Galliard That lay in a dead palsy; and to dote On that sweet countenance: but in that look, There speaks so divine a continence, As cuts off all lascivious, and vain hope. Her days are practised in such noble virtue, That, sure her nights (nay more her very Sleeps) Are more in Heaven, then other Ladies Shrifts. Let all sweet Ladies, break their flattering Glasses, And dress themselves in her. I'll case the picture up: only thus much, All her particular worth, grows to this some: She stains the time passed: lights the time to come, I shall. Yes: That I should write somewhat. So please your beauteous Excellence. I'll fetch your Grace the Particulars of your reuinew, and expense. Where? O, much better. Begin with that first good deed, began i'th'world, After men creation, the Sacrament of marriage, I'd have you first provide for a good husband, Give him all. Yes, your excellent self. In a couple. 'Twere strange if there were no will in you To marry again. I take't, as those that deny Purgatory, It locally contains, or heaven, or hell, There's no third place in't. My banishment, feeding my melancholy, Would often reason thus. Say a man never marry, nor have children, What takes that from him? only the bore name Of being a father, or the weak delight To see the little wanton, ride a cockhorse Upon a painted stick, or hear him chatter Like a taught Starling. You have parted with it now. You have made me stark blind. There is a saucy, and ambitious devil Is dancing in this circle. How? What said you? he kneels Ambition (Madam) is a great men madness, That is not kept in chains, and close-pent-roomes, But in fair lightsome lodgings, and is girded With the wild noise of prattling visitans, Which makes it lunatic, beyond all cure, Conceive not, I am so stupid, but I aim Whereto your favours tend: But he's a fool That (being a cold) would thrust his hands i'th'fire To warm them. O my unworthiness. Were there nor heaven, nor hell, I should be honest: I have long served virtue, And never taken wages of her. Truth speak for me, I will remain the constant Sanctuary Of your good name. But for your Brother's? These words should be mine, And a'l the parts you have spoke, if some partly of it Would not have savoured flattery. Hah? And may our sweet affections, (Like the Spheres) Be still in motion. That we may imitate the loving Palms (Best Emblem of a peaceful marriage) That never boar fruit divided. That Fortune may not know and accident Either of joy, or sorrow, to divide Our fixed wishes. What's your conceit in this? Let me seal your lips for ever, For did I think, that any thing but the, Could carry these words from you, I should wish You had no breath at all: Now Sir, in your contemplation? You are studying to become a great wise fellow? I do understand your inside. Because you would not seem to appear to World Puffed up with your preferment: You continue This out off shashion melancholy, leave it, leave it. You would look up to Heaven, but I think The Devil, that rules i'th'aire, stands in your light. I have seen it. Yes: Why should not we bring up that fashion? It's ceremony more then duty, that consists In the removing of a piece of felt: Be you the example to the rest o'th' Court, Put on your hat first. You must pardon me: I have seen, in colder countries, then in France, Nobles stand bore to prince; and the distinction My thought showed reverently. Indeed Madam, I do not love the fruit. How now Madame? Oh my most trusty Delio, we are lost: I fear she's fallen in labour: and ther's left No time for her remove. I have: Fie, fie, the Physicians Will then flock to her. I am lost in amazement: I know not what to think on't. Ex. Shht up the Court gates: Shut up the Posterns presently: and call All the Officers o'th' Court. Who keeps the key o'th' Park-gate? Let him bring't presently. All the Offices here? Gentlemen, We have lost much Plate you know; and but this evening Jewels, to the valve of four thousand Ducats Are missing in the Ducthesse Cabinet, Are the Gates shut? It's the Duchess pleasure Each Officer be locked into his chamber Till the Sunrising: and to send the keys Of all their chests, and of their outward doors Into her bedchamber: She is very sick. She intreats you take't not ill: The Innocent Shall be the more approved by it. She's exposed Unto the worst of torture, pain, and fear; How I do play the fool with mine own danger? You are this night (deer friend) to post to Room, My life lies in your service. O, It's far from me: and yet fear presents me Somewhat that look Like danger. I herd some noise: whose there? what art thou? speak. Bosola? (This Moale do's undermine me) herd you no A noise even now? From the Duchess lodging. I did: or else I dreamed. No: It may be, 'twas But the rising of the wind: I have been S king a figure For the Duchess Jewels; What's that to you? It's rather to be questioned what design (When all men were commanded to their lodgings) Makes you a nightwalker. This fellow will undo me; You gave the Duchess Apricots to day, Pray heaven they were not poisoned? Traitors are ever confident, Till they are discovered: There were Jewels stolen too, In my conceit, none are to be suspected More then your self. Sawey slave: I'll pull thee up by the roots; You are and impudent snake indeed (sir) Are you scarce warm, and do you show your sting? You Libel well (sir.) My nose bleeds: One that were superstitious, would con This ominous: when it merely comes by chance. Two letters, that are wrought here, for my name Are drowned in blood: mere accedent: for you (sir) I'll take order: I'th morn you shall be safe: it's that must colour Her lying-in: sir, this door you pass not: I do not hold it fit, that you come near The Duchess lodgings, till you have quite your self; The Great are Like the Base; nay, they are the same. When they seek shameful ways, to avoid shame. Ex. Our noble friend (my most beloved Delio ) O, you have been a stranger long at Court, Came you along with the Lord Ferdinand? Right fortunately well: She's and excellent Feeder of pedigrees: since you last saw her, She hath had two children more, a son, and daughter. You have not been in Law, (friend Delio ) Nor in prison, nor a Suitor at the Court Nor begged the reversion of some great men place, Nor troubled with and old wife, which does make Your time so inseucibly hasten. I fear it hath, The Lord Ferdinand, (that's newly come to Court,) Does bear himself right dangerously. He is so quiet, that he seems to sleep The tempest out (as Dormise do in Winter,) Those houses, that are haunted, are most still, Till the devil be up. The common-rabble, do directly say She is a Strumpet. They do observe, I grow to infinite purchase The leaft-hand way, and all suppose the Duchess Would amend it, if she could: For, say they Great Princes, though they grudge their Officers Should have such large, and unconfined means To get wealth under them, will not complain Least thereby they should make them odious Unto the people, for other obligation Of love, or marriage, between her and me, They never dream off. Indeed, I must persuade one: I must lie here. Indeed, my Rule is only in the night. Wee'll sleep together: See, you are complained of. I shall Like her the better for that. I pray thee Cariola. Labouring men, Count the Clock oftenest Cariola, Are glad when their task's ended. Nay, that's but one, Venus had two soft Doves To draw her Chariot: I must have another: When wilt thou marry, Cariola ? Oh sic upon this single life: forgo it: We read how Daphne, for her peevish slight Became a fruitless Bay-tree: Siriux turned To the pale empty Reed: Anaxarate Was frozen into Marble: whereas those Which married, or proved kind unto their friends Were, by a gracious influence, transhape Into the Oliffe, Pomegranate, Mulberry: Became Flowers, precious Stones, or eminent Stars. It's a hard question: This was Paris case And he was blind in't, and there was great cause: For how was't possible he could judge right, Having three amorous Goddesses in view, And they stark naked: 'twas a Motion Were able to benight the apprehension Of the seueerest Counsellor of Europe. Now I look on both your faces, so well formed It puts me in mind of a question, I would ask. I do wonder why hard-favoured Ladies For the most partly, keep worse-favoured waieting women, To attend them, and cannot endure fair-ones. Pray-thee (Cariola) let's steal forth the room, And let her talk to her self: I have diverse times Served her the Like, when she hath chafde extremely: I love to see her angry: softly Cariola. Exeunt. Yes: we are Betrayed; how came he hither? I should turn This, to thee, for that. I would this terrible thing would come again, That (standing on my Guard) I might relate My warrantable love: would, what means this? And it seems, did wish You would use it on your self? This hath a handle to't, As well as a point, turn it towards him, And so fasten the keen edge, in his rank gall: How now? who knocks? more Earthquakes? Will your Grace hear me? I am strongly armed to brook my overthrow, As commonly men bear with a hard year: I will not blame the cause on't; but do think The necessity of my malevolent star Procures this, not her humour: Oh the inconstant, And rotten ground of service, you may see: It's even Like him, that in a winter night Takes a long slumber, over a dying si e; A-loth to partly from't: yet parts thence as cold, As when he first sat down. I am all yours: and it's very fit All mine should be so. You may see (Gentlemen) what it's to serve A Prince with body, and soul. Exit. Yes, you see what pour Lightens in great men's breath. These poor men, (Which have God little in your service) vow To take your fortune: But your wiser buntings Now they are sledged are gone. Right the fashion of the world, From decaide Fortune's, every flatterer shrinks, Men cease to built, where the foundation Sinks. What was't? My Interpretation Is, you'll weep shortly, for to me, the pearls Do signify your tears: Thus tell him: I will not come. My brother's have dispersed Bloodhounds abroad; which till I hear are muzell'd No truce, though hatched with never such politic skill Is safe, that hangs upon our enemies will. I'll not come at them. You council safely: Best of my life, farewell: Since we must partly Heaven hath a hand in't: but no otherwise, Then as some curious Artist, takes in sunder A Clock, or Watch, when it is out of frame To bring't in better order. O, be of comfort, Make Patience a noble fortitude: And think not how unkindly we are used: "Man (Like to Cassia ) is proved best, being bruised. Do not weep: Heaven fashioned us of nothing: and we strive, To bring our selves to nothing: farewell Cariola, And thy sweet armefull: if I do never see thee more, Be a good Mother to your little ones, And save them from the Tiger: fare you well. My heart is turned to a heavy lump of led, With which I found my danger: fare you well. Exit. What think you of my hope of reconcilement To the Aragonian brothers? You are still and heretic. To any safety, I can shape my self. I pray do. How they fortify Themselves with my ruin? It's a noble old fellow: This night, I mean to venture all my fortune (Which is no more, then a poor lingering life) To the Cardinals worst of malice: I have God 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 fraught 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 fallen once, then be ever falling. You are still my loved, and best friend. Exeunt. 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 Interred Loved the Church so well, and gave so largely to't, They thought it should have canopide their Bones Till Doombes-day: But all things have their end: Churches, and Cities (which have diseases Like to men) Must have Like death that we have. It groaned (me thought) and gave A very deadly Accent? I sur that suits it best. It's very Like my wives voice. Necessity compels me: Make scruteny throughout the passes Of your own life; you'll find it impossible To fly your fate. Oh fly your fate. Echo, I will not talk with thee; For thou art a dead Thing. My Duchess is asleep now, And her little-ones, I hope sweetly: o Heaven Shall I never see her more? I marked not one repetition of the Echo But that: and on the sudden, a clear light Presented me a face folded in sorrow. Come: I'll be out of this Ague; For to live thus, is not indeed to live: It is a mockery, and a ase of life, I will not henceforth save my self by halves, Lose all, or nothing. Could I take him at his prayers, There were hope of pardon. O, I am gone: Thou hast ended a long suit, In a mynut. A most wretched thing, That only have thy benefit in death, To appear my self. Very near my home: Bosola ? Their very names Kindle a little life in me. Some men have wished 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'de, nor healed: 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 the. Pleasure of life, what is't? only the good hours Of and Ague: merely a preparative to rest, To endure vexation: I do not ask The process of my death: only commend me To Delio. And let my Son, fly the Courts of Princes, Blessed comfort: For heaven-sake tend her well: I'll presently Go set a figure for's Nativity. Exeunt. Why, here's a man, now, would fright impudence From sawciest Beggars.