THE DUCHESS OF MALFI

John Webster
Dramatis Personae:
FERDINAND [Duke of Calabria].
CARDINAL [his brother].
ANTNI [!L"NA# $te%ar& of the 'ousehol& to the Du(hess].
DELI [his frien&].
DANIEL DE !$LA ["entleman of the 'orse to the Du(hess].
[CA$TR)CCI# an ol& Lor&].
*AR+)I$ F PE$CARA.
[C)NT] *ALATE$TI.
RDERI"# ]
$IL,I# ] [Lor&s].
"RI$LAN# ]
DCTR.
The $e-eral *a&men.
D)C'E$$ [F *ALFI].
CARILA [her %oman].
[.)LIA# Castru((io/s %ife# an&] the Car&inal/s mistress.
[l& La&0].
La&ies# Three 1oun2 Chil&ren# T%o Pil2rims# E3e(utioners#
Court ffi(ers# an& Atten&ants.

ACT I
[4]
[Enter FERDINAND# D)C'E$$# CARDINAL# an& CARILA]
CARDINAL. 5e are to 6art from 0ou7 an& 0our o%n &is(retion
*ust no% be 0our &ire(tor.
FERDINAND. 1ou are a %i&o%:
1ou kno% alrea&0 %hat man is7 an& therefore
Let not 0outh# hi2h 6romotion# elo8uen(e99
CARDINAL. No#
Nor an0thin2 %ithout the a&&ition# honour#
$%a0 0our hi2h bloo&.
FERDINAND. *arr0: the0 are most lu3urious
5ill %e& t%i(e.
CARDINAL. # fie:
FERDINAND. Their li-ers are more s6otte&
Than Laban/s shee6.
D)C'E$$. Diamonds are of most value,
They say, that have pass'd through most jewellers' hands.
FERDINAND. Whores by that rule are precious.
D)C'E$$. 5ill 0ou hear me;
I /ll ne-er marr0.
CARDINAL. $o most %i&o%s sa07
!ut (ommonl0 that motion lasts no lon2er
Than the turnin2 of an hour<2lass: the funeral sermon
An& it en& both to2ether.
FERDINAND. No% hear me:
1ou li-e in a rank 6asture# here# i/ the (ourt7
There is a kin& of hone0<&e% that /s &ea&l07
/T %ill 6oison 0our fame7 look to /t. !e not (unnin27
For the0 %hose fa(es &o belie their hearts
Are %it(hes ere the0 arri-e at t%ent0 0ears#
A0# an& 2i-e the &e-il su(k.
D)C'E$$. This is terrible 2oo& (ounsel.
FERDINAND. '06o(ris0 is %o-en of a fine small threa&#
$ubtler than ,ul(an/s en2ine: 0et# belie-e /t#
1our &arkest a(tions# na0# 0our 6ri-at/st thou2hts#
5ill (ome to li2ht.
CARDINAL. 1ou ma0 flatter 0ourself#
An& take 0our o%n (hoi(e7 6ri-atel0 be marrie&
)n&er the ea-es of ni2ht99
FERDINAND. Think /t the best -o0a2e
That e/er 0ou ma&e7 like the irre2ular (rab#
5hi(h# thou2h /t 2oes ba(k%ar&# thinks that it 2oes ri2ht
!e(ause it 2oes its o%n %a0: but obser-e#
$u(h %e&&in2s ma0 more 6ro6erl0 be sai&
To be e3e(ute& than (elebrate&.
CARDINAL. The marria2e ni2ht
Is the entran(e into some 6rison.
FERDINAND. An& those =o0s#
Those lustful 6leasures# are like hea-0 slee6s
5hi(h &o fore<run man/s mis(hief.
CARDINAL. Fare 0ou %ell.
5is&om be2ins at the en&: remember it.
[E3it.]
D)C'E$$. I think this s6ee(h bet%een 0ou both %as stu&ie&#
It (ame so roun&l0 off.
FERDINAND. 1ou are m0 sister7
This %as m0 father/s 6oniar&# &o 0ou see;
I /& be loth to see /t look rust0# /(ause /t%as his.
I %oul& ha-e 0ou 2i-e o/er these (har2eable re-els:
A -isor an& a mask are %his6erin2<rooms
That %ere ne-er built for 2oo&ness#9fare 0e %ell9
An& %omen like -ariet0 of (ourtshi6.
5hat (annot a neat kna-e %ith a smooth tale
*ake a %oman belie-e; Fare%ell# lust0 %i&o%.
[E3it.]
D)C'E$$. $hall this mo-e me; If all m0 ro0al kin&re&
La0 in m0 %a0 unto this marria2e#
I /& make them m0 lo% footste6s. An& e-en no%#
E-en in this hate# as men in some 2reat battles#
!0 a66rehen&in2 &an2er# ha-e a(hie-/&
Almost im6ossible a(tions >I ha-e hear& sol&iers sa0 so?#
$o I throu2h fri2hts an& threatenin2s %ill assa0
This &an2erous -enture. Let ol& %i-es re6ort
I %ink/& an& (hose a husban&.9Cariola#
To th0 kno%n se(re(0 I ha-e 2i-en u6
*ore than m0 life#9m0 fame.
CARILA. !oth shall be safe7
For I /ll (on(eal this se(ret from the %orl&
As %aril0 as those that tra&e in 6oison
@ee6 6oison from their (hil&ren.
D)C'E$$. Th0 6rotestation
Is in2enious an& heart07 I belie-e it.
Is Antonio (ome;
CARILA. 'e atten&s 0ou.
D)C'E$$. "oo& &ear soul#
Lea-e me7 but 6la(e th0self behin& the arras#
5here thou ma0st o-erhear us. 5ish me 2oo& s6ee&7
For I am 2oin2 into a %il&erness#
5here I shall fin& nor 6ath nor frien&l0 (lue
To be m0 2ui&e.
[Cariola 2oes behin& the arras.]
[Enter ANTNI]
I sent for 0ou: sit &o%n7
Take 6en an& ink# an& %rite: are 0ou rea&0;
ANTNI. 1es.
D)C'E$$. 5hat &i& I sa0;
ANTNI. That I shoul& %rite some%hat.
D)C'E$$. # I remember.
After these trium6hs an& this lar2e e36ense
It /s fit# like thrift0 husban&s# %e in8uire
5hat /s lai& u6 for to<morro%.
ANTNI. $o 6lease 0our beauteous e3(ellen(e.
D)C'E$$. !eauteous:
In&ee&# I thank 0ou. I look 0oun2 for 0our sake7
1ou ha-e ta/en m0 (ares u6on 0ou.
ANTNI. I /ll fet(h 0our 2ra(e
The 6arti(ulars of 0our re-enue an& e36ense.
D)C'E$$. # 0ou are
An u6ri2ht treasurer: but 0ou mistook7
For %hen I sai& I meant to make in8uir0
5hat /s lai& u6 for to<morro%# I &i& mean
5hat /s lai& u6 0on&er for me.
ANTNI. 5here;
D)C'E$$. In hea-en.
I am makin2 m0 %ill >as /tis fit 6rin(es shoul&#
In 6erfe(t memor0?# an&# I 6ra0# sir# tell me#
5ere not one better make it smilin2# thus#
Than in &ee6 2roans an& terrible 2hastl0 looks#
As if the 2ifts %e 6arte& %ith 6ro(ur/&
That -iolent &istra(tion;
ANTNI. # mu(h better.
D)C'E$$. If I ha& a husban& no%# this (are %ere 8uit:
!ut I inten& to make 0ou o-erseer.
5hat 2oo& &ee& shall %e first remember; $a0.
ANTNI. !e2in %ith that first 2oo& &ee& be2an i/ the %orl&
After man/s (reation# the sa(rament of marria2e7
I/& ha-e 0ou first 6ro-i&e for a 2oo& husban&7
"i-e him all.
D)C'E$$. All:
ANTNI. 1es# 0our e3(ellent self.
D)C'E$$. In a %in&in2<sheet;
ANTNI. In a (ou6le.
D)C'E$$. $aint 5inifre&# that %ere a stran2e %ill:
ANTNI. /T%ere stran2er if there %ere no %ill in 0ou
To marr0 a2ain.
D)C'E$$. 5hat &o 0ou think of marria2e;
ANTNI. I tae 't, as those that deny purgatory,
It locally contains or heaven or hell!
There's no third place in 't.
D)C'E$$. 'o% &o 0ou affe(t it;
ANTNI. *0 banishment# fee&in2 m0 melan(hol0#
5oul& often reason thus.
D)C'E$$. Pra0# let /s hear it.
ANTNI. $a0 a man ne-er marr0# nor ha-e (hil&ren#
5hat takes that from him; nl0 the bare name
f bein2 a father# or the %eak &eli2ht
To see the little %anton ri&e a<(o(k<horse
)6on a 6ainte& sti(k# or hear him (hatter
Like a tau2ht starlin2.
D)C'E$$. Fie# fie# %hat /s all this;
ne of 0our e0es is bloo&<shot7 use m0 rin2 to /t.
The0 sa0 /tis -er0 so-erei2n. /T%as m0 %e&&in2<rin2#
An& I &i& -o% ne-er to 6art %ith it
!ut to m0 se(on& husban&.
ANTNI. 1ou ha-e 6arte& %ith it no%.
D)C'E$$. 1es# to hel6 0our e0e<si2ht.
ANTNI. 1ou ha-e ma&e me stark blin&.
D)C'E$$. 'o%;
ANTNI. There is a sau(0 an& ambitious &e-il
Is &an(in2 in this (ir(le.
D)C'E$$. Remo-e him.
ANTNI. 'o%;
D)C'E$$. There nee&s small (on=uration# %hen 0our fin2er
*a0 &o it: thus. Is it fit;
[$he 6uts the rin2 u6on his fin2er]: he kneels.
ANTNI. 5hat sai& 0ou;
D)C'E$$. $ir#
This 2oo&l0 roof of 0ours is too lo% built7
I (annot stan& u6ri2ht in /t nor &is(ourse#
5ithout I raise it hi2her. Raise 0ourself7
r# if 0ou 6lease# m0 han& to hel6 0ou: so.
[Raises him.]
ANTNI. "mbition, madam, is a great man's madness,
That is not ke6t in (hains an& (lose<6ent rooms#
!ut in fair li2htsome lo&2in2s# an& is 2irt
5ith the %il& noise of 6rattlin2 -isitants#
5hi(h makes it lunati( be0on& all (ure.
Con(ei-e not I am so stu6i& but I aim
5hereto 0our fa-ours ten&: but he /s a fool
That# bein2 a<(ol&# %oul& thrust his han&s i/ the fire
To %arm them.
D)C'E$$. $o# no% the 2roun& /s broke#
1ou ma0 &is(o-er %hat a %ealth0 mine
I make 0our lor& of.
ANTNI. m0 un%orthiness:
D)C'E$$. 1ou %ere ill to sell 0ourself:
This &ark/nin2 of 0our %orth is not like that
5hi(h tra&esmen use i/ the (it07 their false li2hts
Are to ri& ba& %ares off: an& I must tell 0ou#
If 0ou %ill kno% %here breathes a (om6lete man
>I s6eak it %ithout flatter0?# turn 0our e0es#
An& 6ro2ress throu2h 0ourself.
ANTNI. 5ere there nor hea-en nor hell#
I shoul& be honest: I ha-e lon2 ser-/& -irtue#
An& ne/er ta/en %a2es of her.
D)C'E$$. No% she 6a0s it.
The miser0 of us that are born 2reat:
5e are for(/& to %oo# be(ause none &are %oo us7
An& as a t0rant &oubles %ith his %or&s#
An& fearfull0 e8ui-o(ates# so %e
Are for(/& to e36ress our -iolent 6assions
In ri&&les an& in &reams# an& lea-e the 6ath
f sim6le -irtue# %hi(h %as ne-er ma&e
To seem the thin2 it is not. "o# 2o bra2
1ou ha-e left me heartless7 mine is in 0our bosom:
I ho6e /t%ill multi6l0 lo-e there. 1ou &o tremble:
*ake not 0our heart so &ea& a 6ie(e of flesh#
To fear more than to lo-e me. $ir# be (onfi&ent:
5hat is /t &istra(ts 0ou; This is flesh an& bloo&# sir7
/Tis not the fi2ure (ut in alabaster
@neels at m0 husban&/s tomb. A%ake# a%ake# man:
I &o here 6ut off all -ain (eremon0#
An& onl0 &o a66ear to 0ou a 0oun2 %i&o%
That (laims 0ou for her husban&# an&# like a %i&o%#
I use but half a blush in /t.
ANTNI. Truth s6eak for me7
I %ill remain the (onstant san(tuar0
f 0our 2oo& name.
D)C'E$$. I thank 0ou# 2entle lo-e:
An& /(ause 0ou shall not (ome to me in &ebt#
!ein2 no% m0 ste%ar&# here u6on 0our li6s
I si2n 0our +uietus est. This 0ou shoul& ha-e be22/& no%.
I ha-e seen (hil&ren oft eat s%eetmeats thus#
As fearful to &e-our them too soon.
ANTNI. !ut for 0our brothers;
D)C'E$$. Do not think of them:
All &is(or& %ithout this (ir(umferen(e
Is onl0 to be 6itie&# an& not fear/&:
1et# shoul& the0 kno% it# time %ill easil0
$(atter the tem6est.
ANTNI. These %or&s shoul& be mine#
An& all the 6arts 0ou ha-e s6oke# if some 6art of it
5oul& not ha-e sa-our/& flatter0.
D)C'E$$. @neel.
[Cariola (omes from behin& the arras.]
ANTNI. 'a:
D)C'E$$. !e not amaA/&7 this %oman /s of m0 (ounsel:
I ha-e hear& la%0ers sa0# a (ontra(t in a (hamber
Per -erba [&e] 6resenti is absolute marria2e.
[$he an& ANTNI kneel.]
!less# hea-en# this sa(re& 2or&ian %hi(h let -iolen(e
Ne-er unt%ine:
ANTNI. An& ma0 our s%eet affe(tions# like the s6heres#
!e still in motion:
D)C'E$$. +ui(kenin2# an& make
The like soft musi(:
ANTNI. That %e ma0 imitate the lo-in2 6alms#
!est emblem of a 6ea(eful marria2e#
That ne-er bore fruit# &i-i&e&:
D)C'E$$. 5hat (an the (hur(h for(e more;
ANTNI. That fortune ma0 not kno% an a((i&ent#
Either of =o0 or sorro%# to &i-i&e
ur fi3e& %ishes:
D)C'E$$. 'o% (an the (hur(h buil& faster;
5e no% are man an& %ife# an& /tis the (hur(h
That must but e(ho this.9*ai&# stan& a6art:
I no% am blin&.
ANTNI. 5hat /s 0our (on(eit in this;
D)C'E$$. I %oul& ha-e 0ou lea& 0our fortune b0 the han&
)nto 0our marria2e<be&:
>1ou s6eak in me this# for %e no% are one:?
5e/ll onl0 lie an& talk to2ether# an& 6lot
To a66ease m0 humorous kin&re&7 an& if 0ou 6lease#
Like the ol& tale in ALEBANDER AND LD5IC@#
La0 a nake& s%or& bet%een us# kee6 us (haste.
# let me shro%& m0 blushes in 0our bosom#
$in(e /tis the treasur0 of all m0 se(rets:
[E3eunt D)C'E$$ an& ANTNI.]
CARILA. 5hether the s6irit of 2reatness or of %oman
Rei2n most in her# I kno% not7 but it sho%s
A fearful ma&ness. I o%e her mu(h of 6it0.
[E3it.] [4]

A(t II
I obser-e our &u(hess
Is si(k a<&a0s# she 6ukes# her stoma(h seethes#
The fins of her e0e<li&s look most teemin2 blue#
$he %anes i/ the (heek# an& %a3es fat i/ the flank#
An&# (ontrar0 to our Italian fashion#
5ears a loose<bo&ie& 2o%n: there /s some%hat in /t.
I ha-e a tri(k ma0 (han(e &is(o-er it#
A 6rett0 one7 I ha-e bou2ht some a6ri(o(ks#
The first our s6rin2 0iel&s. [4]
!$LA. Antonio hereabout &i& &ro6 a 6a6er:9
$ome of 0our hel6# false frien&.9# here it is.
5hat /s here; a (hil&/s nati-it0 (al(ulate&:
[Rea&s.]
/The &u(hess %as &eli-er/& of a son# /t%een the hours
t%el-e an& one in the ni2ht# Anno Dom. CDEF#/9that /s
this 0ear9/&e(imo nono De(embris#/9that /s this ni2ht9
/taken a((or&in2 to the meri&ian of *alfi#/9that /s our
&u(hess: ha660 &is(o-er0:9/The lor& of the first house
bein2 (ombust in the as(en&ant# si2nifies short life7
an& *ars bein2 in a human si2n# =oine& to the tail of the
Dra2on# in the ei2hth house# &oth threaten a -iolent &eath.
Caetera non s(rutantur./
5h0# no% /tis most a66arent7 this 6re(ise fello%
Is the &u(hess/ ba%&:9I ha-e it to m0 %ish:
This is a 6ar(el of intelli2en(0
ur (ourtiers %ere (as/& u6 for: it nee&s must follo%
That I must be (ommitte& on 6reten(e
f 6oisonin2 her7 %hi(h I /ll en&ure# an& lau2h at.
If one (oul& fin& the father no%: but that
Time %ill &is(o-er. l& Castru((io
I/ th/ mornin2 6osts to Rome: b0 him I /ll sen&
A letter that shall make her brothers/ 2alls
/erflo% their li-ers. This %as a thrift0 %a0:
Thou2h lust &o mask in ne/er so stran2e &is2uise#
$he /s oft foun& %itt0# but is ne-er %ise.
[E3it.] [4]
CARDINAL. 5e ha& nee& 2o borro% that fantasti( 2lass
In-ente& b0 "alileo the Florentine
To -ie% another s6a(ious %orl& i/ th/ moon#
An& look to fin& a (onstant %oman there. [4]


[Enter] CARDINAL an& FERDINAND %ith a letter
FERDINAND. I ha-e this ni2ht &i22/& u6 a man&rake.
CARDINAL. $a0 0ou;
FERDINAND. An& I am 2ro%n ma& %ith /t.
CARDINAL. 5hat /s the 6ro&i20[;]
FERDINAND.
Rea& there#9a sister &amn/&: she /s loose i/ the hilts7
"ro%n a notorious strum6et.
CARDINAL. $6eak lo%er.
FERDINAND. Lo%er:
Ro2ues &o not %his6er /t no%# but seek to 6ublish /t
>As ser-ants &o the bount0 of their lor&s?
Alou&7 an& %ith a (o-etous sear(hin2 e0e#
To mark %ho note them. # (onfusion seiAe her:
$he hath ha& most (unnin2 ba%&s to ser-e her turn#
An& more se(ure (on-e0an(es for lust
Than to%ns of 2arrison for ser-i(e.
CARDINAL. Is /t 6ossible;
Can this be (ertain;
FERDINAND. Rhubarb# # for rhubarb
To 6ur2e this (holer: 'ere /s the (urse& &a0
To 6rom6t m0 memor07 an& here /t shall sti(k
Till of her blee&in2 heart I make a s6on2e
To %i6e it out.
CARDINAL. 5h0 &o 0ou make 0ourself
$o %il& a tem6est;
FERDINAND. 5oul& I (oul& be one#
That I mi2ht toss her 6ala(e /bout her ears#
Root u6 her 2oo&l0 forests# blast her mea&s#
An& la0 her 2eneral territor0 as %aste
As she hath &one her honours.
CARDINAL. $hall our bloo&#
The ro0al bloo& of Arra2on an& Castile#
!e thus attainte&;
FERDINAND. A66l0 &es6erate 6h0si(:
5e must not no% use balsamum# but fire#
The smartin2 (u66in2<2lass# for that /s the mean
To 6ur2e infe(te& bloo&# su(h bloo& as hers.
There is a kin& of 6it0 in mine e0e#9
I /ll 2i-e it to m0 han&ker(her7 an& no% /tis here#
I /ll be8ueath this to her bastar&.
CARDINAL. 5hat to &o;
FERDINAND. 5h0# to make soft lint for his mother/s %oun&s#
5hen I ha-e he%/& her to 6ie(es.
CARDINAL. Curs/& (reature:
)ne8ual nature# to 6la(e %omen/s hearts
$o far u6on the left si&e:
FERDINAND. Foolish men#
That e/er %ill trust their honour in a bark
*a&e of so sli2ht %eak bulrush as is %oman#
A6t e-er0 minute to sink it:
CARDINAL. Thus i2noran(e# %hen it hath 6ur(has/& honour#
It (annot %iel& it.
FERDINAND. *ethinks I see her lau2hin2#9
E3(ellent h0ena: Talk to me some%hat 8ui(kl0#
r m0 ima2ination %ill (arr0 me
To see her in the shameful a(t of sin.
CARDINAL. 5ith %hom;
FERDINAND. 'a66il0 %ith some stron2<thi2h/& bar2eman#
r one o/ th/ %oo&<0ar& that (an 8uoit the sle&2e
r toss the bar# or else some lo-el0 s8uire
That (arries (oals u6 to her 6ri-0 lo&2in2s.
CARDINAL. 1ou fl0 be0on& 0our reason.
FERDINAND. "o to# mistress:
/Tis not 0our %hore/s milk that shall 8uen(h m0 %il&<fire#
!ut 0our %hore/s bloo&.
CARDINAL. 'o% i&l0 sho%s this ra2e# %hi(h (arries 0ou#
As men (on-e0/& b0 %it(hes throu2h the air#
n -iolent %hirl%in&s: This intem6erate noise
Fitl0 resembles &eaf men/s shrill &is(ourse#
5ho talk alou&# thinkin2 all other men
To ha-e their im6erfe(tion.
FERDINAND. 'a-e not 0ou
*0 6als0;
CARDINAL. 1es# [but] I (an be an2r0
5ithout this ru6ture. There is not in nature
A thin2 that makes man so &eform/&# so beastl0#
As &oth intem6erate an2er. Chi&e 0ourself.
1ou ha-e &i-ers men %ho ne-er 0et e36ress/&
Their stron2 &esire of rest but b0 unrest#
!0 -e3in2 of themsel-es. Come# 6ut 0ourself
In tune.
FERDINAND. $o I %ill onl0 stu&0 to seem
The thin2 I am not. I (oul& kill her no%#
In 0ou# or in m0self7 for I &o think
It is some sin in us hea-en &oth re-en2e
!0 her.
CARDINAL. Are 0ou stark ma&;
FERDINAND. I %oul& ha-e their bo&ies
!urnt in a (oal<6it %ith the -enta2e sto66/&#
That their (urs/& smoke mi2ht not as(en& to hea-en7
r &i6 the sheets the0 lie in in 6it(h or sul6hur#
5ra6 them in /t# an& then li2ht them like a mat(h7
r else to<boil their bastar& to a (ullis#
An& 2i-e /t his le(herous father to rene%
The sin of his ba(k.
CARDINAL. I /ll lea-e 0ou.
FERDINAND. Na0# I ha-e &one.
I am (onfi&ent# ha& I been &amn/& in hell#
An& shoul& ha-e hear& of this# it %oul& ha-e 6ut me
Into a (ol& s%eat. In# in7 I /ll 2o slee6.
Till I kno% %ho [lo-es] m0 sister# I /ll not stir:
That kno%n# I /ll fin& s(or6ions to strin2 m0 %hi6s#
An& fi3 her in a 2eneral e(li6se.
E3eunt.

A(t III
$(ene I
[Enter] ANTNI an& DELI
ANTNI. ur noble frien&# m0 most belo-e& Delio:
# 0ou ha-e been a stran2er lon2 at (ourt:
Came 0ou alon2 %ith the Lor& Fer&inan&;
DELI. I &i&# sir: an& ho% fares 0our noble &u(hess;
ANTNI. Ri2ht fortunatel0 %ell: she /s an e3(ellent
Fee&er of 6e&i2rees7 sin(e 0ou last sa% her#
$he hath ha& t%o (hil&ren more# a son an& &au2hter. [4]
[Enter D)C'E$$# FERDINAND# an& Atten&ants]
FERDINAND. I /ll instantl0 to be&#
For I am %ear0.9I am to bes6eak
A husban& for 0ou.
D)C'E$$. For me# sir: Pra0# %ho is /t;
FERDINAND. The 2reat Count *alatesti.
D)C'E$$. Fie u6on him:
A (ount: 'e /s a mere sti(k of su2ar<(an&07
1ou ma0 look 8uite throu2h him. 5hen I (hoose
A husban&# I %ill marr0 for 0our honour.
FERDINAND. 1ou shall &o %ell in /t.9'o% is /t# %orth0 Antonio;
D)C'E$$. !ut# sir# I am to ha-e 6ri-ate (onferen(e %ith 0ou
About a s(an&alous re6ort is s6rea&
Tou(hin2 mine honour.
FERDINAND. Let me be e-er &eaf to /t:
ne of Pas8uil/s 6a6er<bullets# (ourt<(alumn0#
A 6estilent air# %hi(h 6rin(es/ 6ala(es
Are sel&om 6ur2/& of. 1et# sa0 that it %ere true#
I 6our it in 0our bosom# m0 fi3/& lo-e
5oul& stron2l0 e3(use# e3tenuate# na0# &en0
Faults# %ere the0 a66arent in 0ou. "o# be safe
In 0our o%n inno(en(0.
D)C'E$$. [Asi&e.] bless/& (omfort:
This &ea&l0 air is 6ur2/&.
E3eunt [D)C'E$$# ANTNI# DELI# an& Atten&ants.]
FERDINAND. 'er 2uilt trea&s on
'ot<burnin2 (oulters.
Enter !$LA
No%# !osola#
'o% thri-es our intelli2en(e;
!$LA. $ir# un(ertainl0:
/Tis rumour/& she hath ha& three bastar&s# but
!0 %hom we may go read i' the stars.
FERDINAND. 5h0# some
#old opinion all things are written there.
!$LA. 1es# if we could find spectacles to read them.
I do suspect there hath been some sorcery
$s'd on the duchess.
FERDINAND. $or(er0: to %hat 6ur6ose;
!$LA. To make her &ote on some &esertless fello%
$he shames to a(kno%le&2e.
FERDINAND. %an your faith give way
To thin there 's power in potions or in charms,
To mae us love whether we will or no&
!$LA. *ost (ertainl0.
FERDINAND. A%a0: these are mere 2ulleries# horri& thin2s#
In-ente& b0 some (heatin2 mountebanks
To abuse us. Do you thin that herbs or charms
%an force the will& $ome trials ha-e been ma&e
In this foolish 6ra(ti(e# but the in2re&ients
5ere leniti-e 6oisons# su(h as are of for(e
To make the 6atient ma&7 an& strai2ht the %it(h
$%ears b0 e8ui-o(ation the0 are in lo-e.
The %it(h<(raft lies in her rank bloo&. This ni2ht
I %ill for(e (onfession from her. 1ou tol& me
1ou ha& 2ot# %ithin these t%o &a0s# a false ke0
Into her be&<(hamber.
!$LA. I ha-e.
FERDINAND. As I %oul& %ish.
!$LA. 5hat &o 0ou inten& to &o;
FERDINAND. Can 0ou 2uess;
!$LA. No.
FERDINAND. Do not ask# then:
'e that (an (om6ass me# an& kno% m0 &rifts#
*a0 sa0 he hath 6ut a 2ir&le /bout the %orl&#
An& soun&e& all her 8ui(k<san&s.
!$LA. I &o not
Think so.
FERDINAND. 5hat &o 0ou think# then# 6ra0;
!$LA. That 0ou
Are 0our o%n (hroni(le too mu(h# an& 2rossl0
Flatter 0ourself.
FERDINAND. "i-e me th0 han&7 I thank thee:
I ne-er 2a-e 6ension but to flatterers#
Till I entertaine& thee. Fare%ell.
That frien& a 2reat man/s ruin stron2l0 (he(ks#
5ho rails into his belief all his &efe(ts.
E3eunt. [4]

5hen %ilt thou marr0# Cariola;
CARILA. Ne-er# m0 lor&.
ANTNI. # fie u6on this sin2le life: for2o it.
5e rea& ho% Da6hne# for her 6ee-ish [fli2ht#]
!e(ame a fruitless ba0<tree7 $0rin3 turn/&
To the 6ale em6t0 ree&7 Ana3arete
5as froAen into marble: %hereas those
5hi(h marrie&# or 6ro-/& kin& unto their frien&s#
5ere b0 a 2ra(ious influen(e transha6/&
Into the oli-e# 6ome2ranate# mulberr0#
!e(ame flo%ers# 6re(ious stones# or eminent stars.
CARILA. This is a -ain 6oetr0: but I 6ra0 0ou# tell me#
If there %ere 6ro6os/& me# wisdom, riches, and beauty,
In three se-eral 0oun2 men# %hi(h shoul& I (hoose;
ANTNI. /Tis a har& 8uestion. This %as Paris/ (ase#
An& he %as blin& in /t# an& there %as a 2reat (ause7
For ho% %as /t 6ossible he (oul& =u&2e ri2ht#
'a-in2 three amorous 2o&&esses in -ie%#
An& the0 stark nake&; /T%as a motion
5ere able to beni2ht the a66rehension
f the se-erest (ounsellor of Euro6e.
No% I look on both 0our fa(es so %ell form/&#
It 6uts me in min& of a 8uestion I %oul& ask.
CARILA. 5hat is /t;
ANTNI. I &o %on&er %h0 har&<fa-our/& la&ies#
For the most 6art# kee6 %orse<fa-our/& %aitin2<%omen
To atten& them# an& (annot en&ure fair ones.
D)C'E$$. # that /s soon ans%er/&.
Di& 0ou e-er in 0our life kno% an ill 6ainter
Desire to ha-e his &%ellin2 ne3t &oor to the sho6
f an e3(ellent 6i(ture<maker; /T%oul& &is2ra(e
'is fa(e<makin2# an& un&o him. I 6rithee#
5hen %ere %e so merr0;9*0 hair tan2les.
ANTNI. Pra0 thee# Cariola# let /s steal forth the room#
An& let her talk to herself: I ha-e &i-ers times
$er-/& her the like# %hen she hath (haf/& e3tremel0.
I lo-e to see her an2r0. $oftl0# Cariola.
E3eunt [ANTNI an& CARILA.]
D)C'E$$. Doth not the (olour of m0 hair /2in to (han2e;
5hen I %a3 2ra0# I shall ha-e all the (ourt
Po%&er their hair %ith arras# to be like me.
1ou ha-e (ause to lo-e me7 I ent/re& 0ou into m0 heart
[Enter FERDINAND unseen]
!efore 0ou %oul& -ou(hsafe to (all for the ke0s.
5e shall one &a0 ha-e m0 brothers take 0ou na66in2.
*ethinks his 6resen(e# bein2 no% in (ourt#
$houl& make 0ou kee6 0our o%n be&7 but 0ou /ll sa0
Lo-e mi3/& %ith fear is s%eetest. I /ll assure 0ou#
1ou shall 2et no more (hil&ren till m0 brothers
Consent to be 0our 2ossi6s. 'a-e 0ou lost 0our ton2ue;
/Tis %el(ome:
For kno%# %hether I am &oom/& to li-e or &ie#
I (an &o both like a 6rin(e.
FERDINAND. Die# then# 8ui(kl0:
"i-in2 her a 6oniar&.
,irtue# %here art thou hi&; 5hat hi&eous thin2
Is it that &oth e(li6se thee;
D)C'E$$. Pra0# sir# hear me.
FERDINAND. r is it true thou art but a bare name#
An& no essential thin2;
D)C'E$$. $ir99
FERDINAND. Do not s6eak.
D)C'E$$. No# sir:
I %ill 6lant m0 soul in mine ears# to hear 0ou.
FERDINAND. most im6erfe(t li2ht of human reason#
That mak/st [us] so unha660 to foresee
5hat %e (an least 6re-ent: Pursue th0 %ishes#
An& 2lor0 in them: there /s in shame no (omfort
!ut to be 6ast all boun&s an& sense of shame.
D)C'E$$. I 6ra0# sir# hear me: I am marrie&.
FERDINAND. $o:
D)C'E$$. 'a66il0# not to 0our likin2: but for that#
Alas# 0our shears &o (ome untimel0 no%
To (li6 the bir&/s %in2s that /s alrea&0 flo%n:
Will you see my husband&
FERDINAND. 'es, if I could change
(yes with a basilis.
D)C'E$$. $ure# 0ou (ame hither
!0 his (onfe&era(0.
FERDINAND. The ho%lin2 of a %olf
Is musi( to thee# s(ree(h<o%l: 6rithee# 6ea(e.9
5hate/er thou art that hast en=o0/& m0 sister#
For I am sure thou hear/st me# for thine o%n sake
Let me not kno% thee. I (ame hither 6re6ar/&
To %ork th0 &is(o-er07 0et am no% 6ersua&e&
It %oul& be2et su(h -iolent effe(ts
As %oul& &amn us both. I %oul& not for ten millions
I ha& behel& thee: therefore use all means
I ne-er ma0 ha-e kno%le&2e of th0 name7
En=o0 th0 lust still# an& a %ret(he& life#
n that (on&ition.9An& for thee# -ile %oman#
If thou &o %ish th0 le(her ma0 2ro% ol&
In th0 embra(ements# I %oul& ha-e thee buil&
$u(h a room for him as our an(horites
To holier use inhabit. )et not the sun
*hine on him till he 's dead! let &o2s an& monke0s
nl0 (on-erse %ith him# an& su(h &umb thin2s
To %hom nature &enies use to soun& his name7
Do not kee6 a 6ara8uito# lest she learn it7
If thou &o lo-e him# (ut out thine o%n ton2ue#
Lest it be%ra0 him.
D)C'E$$. Why might not I marry&
I have not gone about in this to create
"ny new world or custom.
FERDINAND. Thou art un&one7
An& thou hast ta/en that mass0 sheet of lea&
That hi& th0 husban&/s bones# an& fol&e& it
About m0 heart.
D)C'E$$. *ine blee&s for /t.
FERDINAND. Thine: th0 heart:
5hat shoul& I name /t unless a hollo% bullet
Fill/& %ith un8uen(hable %il&<fire;
D)C'E$$. 1ou are in this
Too stri(t7 an& %ere 0ou not m0 6rin(el0 brother#
I %oul& sa0# too %ilful: m0 re6utation
Is safe.
FERDINAND. Dost thou kno% %hat re6utation is;
I /ll tell thee#9to small 6ur6ose# sin(e the instru(tion
Comes no% too late.
)6on a time +eputation, )ove, and Death,
5oul& tra-el o/er the %orl&7 an& it %as (on(lu&e&
That the0 shoul& 6art# an& take three se-eral %a0s.
Death told them, they should find him in great battles,
,r cities plagu'd with plagues- )ove gives them counsel
To in.uire for him 'mongst unambitious shepherds,
Where dowries were not tal'd of, and sometimes
'/ongst .uiet indred that had nothing left
0y their dead parents- '*tay,' .uoth +eputation,
'Do not forsae me! for it is my nature,
If once I part from any man I meet,
I am never found again.' An& so for 0ou:
1ou ha-e shook han&s %ith Re6utation#
An& ma&e him in-isible. $o# fare 0ou %ell:
I %ill ne-er see 0ou more.
D)C'E$$. 5h0 shoul& onl0 I#
f all the other 6rin(es of the %orl&#
!e (as/& u6# like a hol0 reli(; I ha-e 0outh
An& a little beaut0.
FERDINAND. $o 0ou ha-e some -ir2ins
That are %it(hes. I %ill ne-er see thee more.
E3it. [4]
D)C'E$$. I ha-e ha& three (hil&ren b0 him.
!$LA. Fortunate la&0:
For 0ou ha-e ma&e 0our 6ri-ate nu6tial be&
The humble an& fair seminar0 of 6ea(e#
No 8uestion but: man0 an unbenefi(/& s(holar
$hall 6ra0 for 0ou for this &ee&# an& re=oi(e
That some preferment in the world can yet
"rise from merit. The -ir2ins of 0our lan&
That ha-e no &o%ries shall ho6e 0our e3am6le
5ill raise them to ri(h husban&s. $houl& 0ou %ant
$ol&iers# /t%oul& make the -er0 Turks an& *oors
Turn Christians# an& ser-e 0ou for this a(t.
Last# the ne2le(te& 6oets of 0our time#
In honour of this tro6h0 of a man#
Rais/& b0 that (urious en2ine# 0our %hite han&#
$hall thank 0ou# in 0our 2ra-e# for /t7 an& make that
*ore re-eren& than all the (abinets
f li-in2 6rin(es. For Antonio#
'is fame shall like%ise flo% from man0 a 6en#
5hen heral&s shall %ant (oats to sell to men. [4]
!$LA. " politician is the devil's .uilted anvil!
#e fashions all sins on him, and the blows
"re never heard- he ma0 %ork in a la&0/s (hamber#
As here for 6roof. 5hat rests but I re-eal
All to m0 lor&; ,, this base .uality
,f intelligencer1 5h0# e-er0 8ualit0 i/ the %orl&
Prefers but 2ain or (ommen&ation:
No%# for this a(t I am (ertain to be rais/&#
An& men that 6aint %ee&s to the life are 6rais/&.
[E3it.] [4]

[Enter D)C'E$$ an& Atten&ants]
!$LA. All (omfort to 0our 2ra(e:
D)C'E$$. I %ill ha-e none.
Pra0 thee# %h0 &ost thou %ra6 th0 6oison/& 6ills
In 2ol& an& su2ar;
!$LA. 1our el&er brother# the Lor& Fer&inan&#
Is (ome to -isit 0ou# an& sen&s 0ou %or&#
/Cause on(e he rashl0 ma&e a solemn -o%
Ne-er to see 0ou more# he (omes i/ th/ ni2ht7
An& 6ra0s 0ou 2entl0 neither tor(h nor ta6er
$hine in 0our (hamber. 'e %ill kiss 0our han&#
An& re(on(ile himself7 but for his -o%
'e &ares not see 0ou.
D)C'E$$. At his 6leasure.9
Take hen(e the li2hts.9'e /s (ome.
[E3eunt Atten&ants %ith li2hts.]
[Enter FERDINAND]
FERDINAND. 5here are 0ou;
D)C'E$$. 'ere# sir.
FERDINAND. This &arkness suits 0ou %ell.
D)C'E$$. I %oul& ask 0ou 6ar&on.
FERDINAND. 1ou ha-e it7
For I a((ount it the honorabl/st re-en2e#
5here I ma0 kill# to 6ar&on.95here are 0our (ubs;
D)C'E$$. 5hom;
FERDINAND. Call them 0our (hil&ren7
For though our national law distinguish bastards
2rom true legitimate issue, compassionate nature
/aes them all e.ual.
D)C'E$$. Do 0ou -isit me for this;
1ou -iolate a sa(rament o/ th/ (hur(h
$hall make 0ou ho%l in hell for /t.
FERDINAND. It ha& been %ell#
Coul& 0ou ha-e li-/& thus al%a0s7 for# in&ee&#
1ou %ere too mu(h i/ th/ li2ht:9but no more7
I (ome to seal m0 6ea(e %ith 0ou. 'ere /s a han&
"i-es her a &ea& man/s han&.
To %hi(h 0ou ha-e -o%/& mu(h lo-e7 the rin2 u6on /t
1ou 2a-e.
D)C'E$$. I affe(tionatel0 kiss it.
FERDINAND. Pra0# &o# an& bur0 the 6rint of it in 0our heart.
I %ill lea-e this rin2 %ith 0ou for a lo-e<token7
An& the han& as sure as the rin27 an& &o not &oubt
!ut 0ou shall ha-e the heart too. 5hen 0ou nee& a frien&#
$en& it to him that o%/& it7 0ou shall see
5hether he (an ai& 0ou.
D)C'E$$. 1ou are -er0 (ol&:
I fear 0ou are not %ell after 0our tra-el.9
'a: li2hts:99# horrible:
FERDINAND. Let her ha-e li2hts enou2h.
E3it.
D)C'E$$. 5hat %it(h(raft &oth he 6ra(tise# that he hath left
A &ea& man/s han& here;
['ere is &is(o-ere&# behin& a tra-erse# the artifi(ial
fi2ures of ANTNI an& his (hil&ren# a66earin2 as if
the0 %ere &ea&.
!$LA. Look 0ou# here /s the 6ie(e from %hi(h /t%as ta/en.
'e &oth 6resent 0ou this sa& s6e(ta(le#
That# no% 0ou kno% &ire(tl0 the0 are &ea&#
'ereafter 0ou ma0 %isel0 (ease to 2rie-e
For that %hi(h (annot be re(o-ere&.
D)C'E$$. There is not bet%een hea-en an& earth one %ish
I sta0 for after this. It %astes me more
Than %ere /t m0 6i(ture# fashion/& out of %a3#
$tu(k %ith a ma2i(al nee&le# an& then burie&
In some foul &un2hill7 an& 0on /s an e3(ellent 6ro6ert0
For a t0rant# %hi(h I %oul& a((ount mer(0.
!$LA. 5hat /s that;
D)C'E$$. If the0 %oul& bin& me to that lifeless trunk#
An& let me freeAe to &eath.
!$LA. Come# 0ou must li-e.
D)C'E$$. That's the greatest torture souls feel in hell,
In hell, that they must live, and cannot die.
Portia# I /ll ne% kin&le th0 (oals a2ain#
An& re-i-e the rare and almost dead e3ample
,f a loving wife.
!$LA. # fie: &es6air; Remember
1ou are a Christian.
D)C'E$$. The (hur(h en=oins fastin2:
I /ll star-e m0self to &eath.
!$LA. Lea-e this -ain sorro%.
Thin2s bein2 at the %orst be2in to men&: the bee
5hen he hath shot his stin2 into 0our han&#
*a0 then 6la0 %ith 0our e0e<li&.
D)C'E$$. "oo& (omfortable fello%#
Persua&e a %ret(h that /s broke u6on the %heel
To ha-e all his bones ne% set7 entreat him li-e
To be e3e(ute& a2ain. 5ho must &es6at(h me;
I a((ount this %orl& a te&ious theatre#
For I &o 6la0 a 6art in /t /2ainst m0 %ill.
!$LA. Come# be of (omfort7 I %ill sa-e 0our life.
D)C'E$$. In&ee&# I ha-e not leisure to ten& so small a business.
!$LA. No%# b0 m0 life# I 6it0 0ou.
D)C'E$$. Thou art a fool# then#
To %aste th0 6it0 on a thin2 so %ret(he&
As (annot 6it0 itself. I am full of &a22ers.
Puff# let me blo% these -i6ers from me.
[Enter $er-ant]
5hat are 0ou;
$ER,ANT. ne that %ishes 0ou lon2 life.
D)C'E$$. I %oul& thou %ert han2/& for the horrible (urse
Thou hast 2i-en me: I shall shortl0 2ro% one
f the mira(les of 6it0. I /ll 2o 6ra079
[E3it $er-ant.]
No# I /ll 2o (urse.
!$LA. # fie:
D)C'E$$. I could curse the stars.
!$LA. # fearful:
D)C'E$$. An& those three smilin2 seasons of the 0ear
Into a Russian %inter7 na0# the %orl&
To its first (haos.
!$LA. )oo you, the stars shine still
D)C'E$$. ,, but you must
+emember, my curse hath a great way to go.4
Pla2ues# that make lanes throu2h lar2est families#
Consume them:9
!$LA. Fie# la&0:
D)C'E$$. Let them# like t0rants#
Ne-er be remembere& but for the ill the0 ha-e &one7
Let all the Aealous 6ra0ers of mortifie&
Chur(hmen for2et them:9
!$LA. # un(haritable:
D)C'E$$. Let hea-en a little %hile (ease (ro%nin2 mart0rs#
To 6unish them:9
"o# ho%l them this# an& sa0# I lon2 to blee&:
It is some mer(0 %hen men kill %ith s6ee&.
E3it.
[Re<enter FERDINAND]
FERDINAND. E3(ellent# as I %oul& %ish7 she /s 6la2u/& in art.
These 6resentations are but fram/& in %a3
!0 the (urious master in that 8ualit0#
,in(entio Lauriola# an& she takes them
For true substantial bo&ies.
!$LA. 5h0 &o 0ou &o this;
FERDINAND. To brin2 her to &es6air.
!$LA. Faith# en& here#
An& 2o no farther in 0our (ruelt0:
$en& her a 6enitential 2arment to 6ut on
Ne3t to her &eli(ate skin# an& furnish her
5ith bea&s an& 6ra0er<books.
FERDINAND. Damn her: that body of hers.
While that my blood run pure in 't, was more worth
Than that which thou wouldst comfort, call'd a soul.
I %ill sen& her mas8ues of (ommon (ourteAans#
'a-e her meat ser-/& u6 b0 ba%&s an& ruffians#
An&# /(ause she /ll nee&s be ma&# I am resol-/&
To mo-e forth the (ommon hos6ital
All the ma&<folk# an& 6la(e them near her lo&2in27
There let them 6ra(tise to2ether# sin2 an& &an(e#
An& a(t their 2ambols to the full o/ th/ moon:
If she (an slee6 the better for it# let her.
1our %ork is almost en&e&.
!$LA. *ust I see her a2ain;
FERDINAND. 1es.
!$LA. Ne-er.
FERDINAND. 1ou must.
!$LA. Ne-er in mine o%n sha6e7
That /s forfeite& b0 m0 intelli2en(e
An& this last (ruel lie: %hen 0ou sen& me ne3t#
The business shall be (omfort.
FERDINAND. ,er0 likel07
Th0 6it0 is nothin2 of kin to thee# Antonio
Lurks about *ilan: thou shalt shortl0 thither#
To fee& a fire as great as my revenge,
Which nev'r will slac till it hath spent his fuel-
Intem6erate a2ues make 6h0si(ians (ruel.
E3eunt.
$(ene II
[Enter] D)C'E$$ an& CARILA
D)C'E$$. 5hat hi&eous noise %as that;
CARILA. /Tis the %il& (onsort
f ma&men# la&0# %hi(h 0our t0rant brother
'ath 6la(/& about 0our lo&2in2. This t0rann0#
I think# %as ne-er 6ra(tis/& till this hour.
D)C'E$$. In&ee&# I thank him. 5othing but noise and folly
%an eep me in my right wits! whereas reason
"nd silence mae me star mad. $it &o%n7
Dis(ourse to me some &ismal tra2e&0.
CARILA. # /t%ill in(rease 0our melan(hol0:
D)C'E$$. Thou art &e(ei-/&:
To hear of greater grief would lessen mine.
This is a 6rison;
CARILA. 1es# but 0ou shall li-e
To shake this &uran(e off.
D)C'E$$. Thou art a fool:
The robin<re&<breast an& the ni2htin2ale
Ne-er li-e lon2 in (a2es.
CARILA. Pra0# &r0 0our e0es.
5hat think 0ou of# ma&am;
D)C'E$$. f nothin27
5hen I muse thus# I slee6.
CARILA. Like a ma&man# %ith 0our e0es o6en;
D)C'E$$. Dost thou thin we shall now one another
In th' other world&
CARILA. 1es# out of 8uestion.
D)C'E$$. # that it %ere 6ossible %e mi2ht
!ut hol& some t%o &a0s/ (onferen(e %ith the &ea&:
From them I shoul& learn some%hat# I am sure#
I ne-er shall kno% here. I /ll tell thee a mira(le:
I am not ma& 0et# to m0 (ause of sorro%:
Th/ hea-en o/er m0 hea& seems ma&e of molten brass#
The earth of flamin2 sul6hur# 0et I am not ma&.
I am a(8uainte& %ith sa& miser0
As the tann/& 2alle0<sla-e is %ith his oar7
Ne(essit0 makes me suffer (onstantl0#
An& (ustom makes it eas0. 5ho &o I look like no%;
CARILA. Like to 0our 6i(ture in the 2aller0#
A &eal of life in sho%# but none in 6ra(ti(e7
r rather like some re-eren& monument
5hose ruins are e-en 6itie&.
D)C'E$$. ,er0 6ro6er7
An& Fortune seems onl0 to ha-e her e0e<si2ht
To behol& m0 tra2e&0.9'o% no%:
5hat noise is that;
[Enter $er-ant]
$ER,ANT. I am (ome to tell 0ou
1our brother hath inten&e& 0ou some s6ort.
A 2reat 6h0si(ian# %hen the Po6e %as si(k
f a &ee6 melan(hol0# 6resente& him
5ith se-eral sorts of ma&men# %hi(h %il& ob=e(t
!ein2 full of (han2e an& s6ort# for(/& him to lau2h#
An& so the im6osthume broke: the self<same (ure
The &uke inten&s on 0ou.
D)C'E$$. Let them (ome in.
$ER,ANT. There /s a ma& la%0er7 an& a se(ular 6riest7
A &o(tor that hath forfeite& his %its
!0 =ealous07 an astrolo2ian
That in his %orks sai& su(h a &a0 o/ the month
$houl& be the &a0 of &oom# an&# failin2 of /t#
Ran ma&7 an En2lish tailor (raA/& i/ the brain
5ith the stu&0 of ne% fashions7 a 2entleman<usher
+uite besi&e himself %ith (are to kee6 in min&
The number of his la&0/s salutations
r /'o% &o 0ou#/ she em6lo0/& him in ea(h mornin27
A farmer# too# an e3(ellent kna-e in 2rain#
*a& /(ause he %as hin&/re& trans6ortation:
An& let one broker that /s ma& loose to these#
1ou/& think the &e-il %ere amon2 them.
D)C'E$$. $it# Cariola.9Let them loose %hen 0ou 6lease#
For I am (hain/& to en&ure all 0our t0rann0.
[Enter *a&man]
'ere b0 a *a&man this son2 is sun2 to a &ismal kin& of musi(
# let us ho%l some hea-0 note#
$ome &ea&l0 &o22e& ho%l#
$oun&in2 as from the threatenin2 throat
f beasts an& fatal fo%l:
As ra-ens# s(ree(h<o%ls# bulls# an& bears#
5e /ll bell# an& ba%l our 6arts#
Till irksome noise ha-e (lo0/& 0our ears
An& (orrosi-/& 0our hearts.
At last# %henas our (hoir %ants breath#
ur bo&ies bein2 blest#
5e /ll sin2# like s%ans# to %el(ome &eath#
An& &ie in lo-e an& rest.
FIR$T *AD*AN. Doom/s<&a0 not (ome 0et: I /ll &ra% it nearer b0
a 6ers6e(ti-e# or make a 2lass that shall set all the %orl&
on fire u6on an instant. I (annot slee67 m0 6illo% is stuffe&
%ith a litter of 6or(u6ines.
$ECND *AD*AN. 'ell is a mere 2lass<house# %here the &e-ils
are (ontinuall0 blo%in2 u6 %omen/s souls on hollo% irons#
an& the fire ne-er 2oes out.
FIR$T *AD*AN. I ha-e skill in heral&r0.
$ECND *AD*AN. 'ast;
FIR$T *AD*AN. 1ou &o 2i-e for 0our (rest a %oo&(o(k/s hea&
%ith the brains 6i(ke& out on /t7 0ou are a -er0 an(ient 2entleman.
T'IRD *AD*AN. "reek is turne& Turk: %e are onl0 to be sa-e& b0
the 'el-etian translation.
FIR$T *AD*AN. Come on# sir# I %ill la0 the la% to 0ou.
$ECND *AD*AN. # rather la0 a (orrosi-e: the la% %ill eat
to the bone.
T'IRD *AD*AN. 'e that &rinks but to satisf0 nature is &amn/&.
F)RT' *AD*AN. If I ha& m0 2lass here# I %oul& sho% a si2ht shoul&
make all the %omen here (all me ma& &o(tor.
FIR$T *AD*AN. 5hat /s he; a ro6e<maker;
$ECND *AD*AN. No# no# no# a snufflin2 kna-e that# %hile he sho%s
the tombs# %ill ha-e his han& in a %en(h/s 6la(ket.
T'IRD *AD*AN. 5oe to the (aro(he that brou2ht home m0 %ife
from the mas8ue at three o/(lo(k in the mornin2: It ha& a lar2e
feather<be& in it.
F)RT' *AD*AN. I ha-e 6are& the &e-il/s nails fort0 times# roaste&
them in ra-en/s e22s# an& (ure& a2ues %ith them.
T'IRD *AD*AN. "et me three hun&re& mil(h<bats# to make 6ossets
to 6ro(ure slee6.
F)RT' *AD*AN. All the (olle2e ma0 thro% their (a6s at me:
I ha-e ma&e a soa6<boiler (osti-e7 it %as m0 master6ie(e.
'ere the &an(e# (onsistin2 of Ei2ht *a&men# %ith musi(
ans%erable thereunto7 after %hi(h# !$LA# like an ol& man#
enters.
D)C'E$$. Is he ma& too;
$ER,ANT. Pra0# 8uestion him. I /ll lea-e 0ou.
[E3eunt $er-ant an& *a&men.]
!$LA. I am (ome to make th0 tomb.
D)C'E$$. 'a: m0 tomb:
Thou s6eak/st as if I la0 u6on m0 &eath<be&#
"as6in2 for breath. Dost thou 6er(ei-e me si(k;
!$LA.
1es# an& the more &an2erousl0# sin(e th0 si(kness is insensible.
D)C'E$$. Thou art not ma&# sure: &ost kno% me;
!$LA. 1es.
D)C'E$$. 5ho am I;
!$LA. Thou art a bo3 of %orm<see&# at best but a sal-ator0
of 2reen mumm0. 5hat /s this flesh; a little (ru&&e& milk#
fantasti(al 6uff<6aste. ur bo&ies are %eaker than those 6a6er<
6risons bo0s use to kee6 flies in7 more (ontem6tible# sin(e ours
is to 6reser-e earth<%orms. Didst thou ever see a lar in a cage&
*uch is the soul in the body- this %orl& is like her little turf
of 2rass# an& the hea-en o/er our hea&s like her lookin2<2lass# onl0
2i-es us a miserable kno%le&2e of the small (om6ass of our 6rison.
D)C'E$$. Am not I th0 &u(hess;
!$LA. Thou art some 2reat %oman# sure# for riot be2ins to sit
on th0 forehea& >(la& in 2ra0 hairs? t%ent0 0ears sooner than on
a merr0 milk<mai&/s. Thou slee6est %orse than if a mouse shoul& be
for(e& to take u6 her lo&2in2 in a (at/s ear: a little infant that
bree&s its teeth# shoul& it lie %ith thee# %oul& (r0 out# as if thou
%ert the more un8uiet be&fello%.
D)C'E$$. I am Du(hess of *alfi still.
!$LA. That makes th0 slee6 so broken:
"lories# like 2lo%<%orms# afar off shine bri2ht#
!ut# look/& to near# ha-e neither heat nor li2ht.
D)C'E$$. Thou art -er0 6lain.
!$LA. *0 tra&e is to flatter the &ea&# not the li-in27
I am a tomb<maker.
D)C'E$$. An& thou (omest to make m0 tomb;
!$LA. 1es.
D)C'E$$. Let me be a little merr0:9of %hat stuff %ilt thou make it;
!$LA. Na0# resol-e me first# of %hat fashion;
D)C'E$$. 5h0# &o %e 2ro% fantasti(al on our &eathbe&;
Do %e affe(t fashion in the 2ra-e;
!$LA. *ost ambitiousl0. Prin(es/ ima2es on their tombs &o not
lie# as the0 %ere %ont# seemin2 to 6ra0 u6 to hea-en7 but %ith their
han&s un&er their (heeks# as if the0 &ie& of the tooth<a(he. The0
are not (ar-e& %ith their e0es fi3/& u6on the stars# but as their
min&s %ere %holl0 bent u6on the %orl&# the selfsame %a0 the0 seem
to turn their fa(es.
D)C'E$$. Let me kno% full0 therefore the effe(t
f this th0 &ismal 6re6aration#
This talk fit for a (harnel.
!$LA. No% I shall:9
[Enter E3e(utioners# %ith] a (offin# (or&s# an& a bell
'ere is a 6resent from 0our 6rin(el0 brothers7
An& ma0 it arri-e %el(ome# for it brin2s
Last benefit# last sorro%.
D)C'E$$. Let me see it:
I ha-e so mu(h obe&ien(e in m0 bloo&#
I %ish it in their -eins to &o them 2oo&.
!$LA. This is 0our last 6resen(e<(hamber.
CARILA. m0 s%eet la&0:
D)C'E$$. Pea(e7 it affri2hts not me.
!$LA. I am the (ommon bellman
That usuall0 is sent to (on&emn/& 6ersons
The ni2ht before the0 suffer.
D)C'E$$. E-en no% thou sai&/st
Thou %ast a tomb<maker.
!$LA. /T%as to brin2 0ou
!0 &e2rees to mortifi(ation. Listen.
'ark# no% e-er0thin2 is still#
The s(ree(h<o%l an& the %histler shrill
Call u6on our &ame alou&#
An& bi& her 8ui(kl0 &on her shrou&:
*u(h 0ou ha& of lan& an& rent7
1our len2th in (la0 /s no% (om6etent:
A lon2 %ar &isturb/& 0our min&7
'ere 0our 6erfe(t 6ea(e is si2n/&.
f %hat is /t fools make su(h -ain kee6in2;
$in their (on(e6tion# their birth %ee6in2#
Their life a 2eneral mist of error#
Their &eath a hi&eous storm of terror.
$tre% 0our hair %ith 6o%&ers s%eet#
Don (lean linen# bathe 0our feet#
An& >the foul fien& more to (he(k?
A (ru(ifi3 let bless 0our ne(k.
/Tis no% full ti&e /t%een ni2ht an& &a07
En& 0our 2roan# an& (ome a%a0.
CARILA. 'en(e# -illains# t0rants# mur&erers: Alas:
5hat %ill 0ou &o %ith m0 la&0;9Call for hel6:
D)C'E$$. To %hom; To our ne3t nei2hbours; The0 are ma&<folks.
!$LA. Remo-e that noise.
D)C'E$$. Fare%ell# Cariola.
In m0 last %ill I ha-e not mu(h to 2i-e:
A man0 hun2r0 2uests ha-e fe& u6on me7
Thine %ill be a 6oor re-ersion.
CARILA. I %ill &ie %ith her.
D)C'E$$. I 6ra0 thee# look thou 2i-/st m0 little bo0
$ome s0ru6 for his (ol&# an& let the 2irl
$a0 her 6ra0ers ere she slee6.
[Cariola is for(e& out b0 the E3e(utioners.]
No% %hat 0ou 6lease:
5hat &eath;
!$LA. $tran2lin27 here are 0our e3e(utioners.
D)C'E$$. I for2i-e them:
The a6o6le30# (atarrh# or (ou2h o/ th/ lun2s#
5oul& &o as mu(h as the0 &o.
!$LA. Doth not &eath fri2ht 0ou;
D)C'E$$. 5ho %oul& be afrai& on /t#
@no%in2 to meet su(h e3(ellent (om6an0
In th/ other %orl&;
!$LA. 1et# methinks#
The manner of 0our &eath shoul& mu(h affli(t 0ou:
This (or& shoul& terrif0 0ou.
D)C'E$$. Not a %hit:
5hat %oul& it 6leasure me to ha-e m0 throat (ut
5ith &iamon&s; or to be smothere&
5ith (assia; or to be shot to &eath %ith 6earls;
I now death hath ten thousand several doors
2or men to tae their e3its! an& /tis foun&
The0 2o on su(h stran2e 2eometri(al hin2es#
1ou ma0 o6en them both %a0s: an0 %a0# for hea-en<sake#
$o I %ere out of 0our %his6erin2. Tell m0 brothers
That I perceive death, now I am well awae,
0est gift is they can give or I can tae.
I %oul& fain 6ut off m0 last %oman/s<fault#
I /& not be te&ious to 0ou.
FIR$T EBEC)TINER. 5e are rea&0.
D)C'E$$. Dis6ose m0 breath ho% 6lease 0ou7 but m0 bo&0
!esto% u6on m0 %omen# %ill 0ou;
FIR$T EBEC)TINER. 1es.
D)C'E$$. Pull# an& 6ull stron2l0# for 0our able stren2th
*ust 6ull &o%n hea-en u6on me:9
1et sta07 hea-en<2ates are not so hi2hl0 ar(h/&
As 6rin(es/ 6ala(es7 the0 that enter there
*ust 2o u6on their knees [@neels].9Come# -iolent &eath#
$er-e for man&ra2ora to make me slee6:9
"o tell m0 brothers# %hen I am lai& out#
The0 then ma0 fee& in 8uiet.
The0 stran2le her. [4]