The Tragedy of the Dutchesse of Malfy/Act II, scene iv
SCENA. IIII.
Cardinall, and Julia, Servant, and Delio.
Card.
Sit: thou art my best of wishes, pre-thee tell me
What tricke didst thou invent to come to Rome,
Without thy husband?
Jul.
Why, (my Lord) I told him
I came to visit an old Anchorite
Heare, for devotion.
Card.
Thou art a witty false one:
I meane to him.
Jul.
You have prevailed with me
Beyond my strongest thoughts: I would not now
Find you inconstant.
Card.
Doe not put thy selfe
To such a voluntary torture: which proceedes
Out of your owne guilt.
Jul,
How (my Lord?)
Card.
Sooth generally for woemen;
A man might strive to make glasse male-able,
Ere he should make them fixed.
Jul.
So, (my Lord)
Card.
We had need goe borrow that fantastique glasse,
Invented by Galileo the Florentine,
To view another spacious world i'th' Moone,
And looke to finde a constant woman there.
Jul.
This is very well (my Lord.)
Card.
Why do you weepe?
Are teares your justification? the selfe-same teares
Will fall into your husbands bosome, (Lady)
With a loud protestation, that you love him
Above the world: Come, i'll love you wisely,
That's jealously, since I am very certaine
You cannot me make cuckould.
Jul.
I'll go home
To my husband.
Card.
You may thanke me, (Lady)
I have taken you off your mellancholly pearch,
Boare you upon my fist, and shew'd you 'game,
And let you flie at it: I pray the kisse me,
When thou was't with thy husband, thou was't watch'd
Like a tame Ellephant: (still you are to thanke me)
Thou hadst onely kisses from him, and high feeding,
But what delight was that? 'twas just like one
That hath a little lingring on the Lute,
Yet cannot tune it: (still you are to thanke me.)
Jul.
You told me of a piteous wound i'th'heart,
And a sicke livour, when you woed me first,
And spake like one in physicke.
Card.
Who's that?
Rest firme, for my affection to thee,
Lightning mooves flow to't.
Ser.
(Madam) a Gentleman
That's come post from Malfy, desires to see you.
Car.
Let him enter, i'll with-draw. Exit.
Ser.
He sayes,
Your husband, (old Castruchio) is come to Rome,
Most pittifully tyr'd with riding post.
Jul.
Signior Delio? 'tis one of my old Suitors.
Del.
I was bold to come and see you.
Jul.
Sir, your are wel-come.
Del.
Do you lie here?
Jul.
Sure, your owne experience
Will satisfie you no, our Romane Prelates
Do not keepe lodging, for Ladies.
Del.
Very well:
I have brought you no commendations from your husband,
For I know none by him.
Jul.
I heare he's come to Rome?
Del.
I never knew man, and beast, of a horse, and a knight,
So weary of each other, if he had had a good backe,
He would have undertooke to have borne his horse,
His breech was so pittifully sore.
Jul.
Your laughter,
Is my pitty.
Del.
Lady, I know not whether
You want mony, but I have bought you some.
Jul.
From my husband?
Del.
No, from mine owne allowance.
Jul.
I must heare the condition, ere I be bound to take it.
Del.
Looke on't, 'tis gold, hath it not a fine colour?
Jul.
I have a Bird more beautifull.
Del.
Try the sound on't.
Jul.
A Lute-spring far exceedes it,
It hath no smell, like Cassia, or Cyvit,
Nor is it phisicall, though some fond Doctors
Perswade us, seeth's in Cullisses. i'le tell you,
This is a creature bred by
Ser.
Your husband's come,
Hath deliver'd a letter to the Duke of Calabria, that,
To my thinking hath put him out of his wits.
Jul.
Sir, you heare,
'Pray let me know your busines, and your suite,
As briefely as can be.
Del.
With good speed, I would wish you
(At such time, as you are non-resident
With your husband) my mistris.
Jul.
Sir, i'le go aske my husband if I shall,
And straight returne your answere.Exit.
Del. Very fine,
Is this her wit, or honesty that speakes thus?
I heard one say the Duke was highly mov'd
With a letter sent from Malfy: I doe feare
Antonio is betray'd: how fearefully
Shewes his ambition now, (unfortunate Fortune)
"They passe through whirle-pooles, and deepe woes doe shun,
Who the event weigh, ere the action's done. Exit.