The Duchess of Malfi

Malfi. The presence chamber in the palace of the Duchess.

Enter Antonio and Delio.

Delio

You are welcome to your country, dear Antonio; You have been long in France, and you return A very formal Frenchman in your habit: How do you like the French court?

Antonio

I admire it: In seeking to reduce both state and people To a fix’d order, their 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 prince’s court Is like a common fountain, whence should flow Pure silver drops in general, but if’t chance Some curs’d example poison’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 o’ the 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.2⁠—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.

Enter Cardinal and Bosala.

Bosola

I do haunt you still.

Cardinal

So.

Bosola

I have done you better service than to be slighted thus. Miserable age, where only the reward of doing well is the doing of it!

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.

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.

Enter Duchess and Ladies.

Duchess

Your arm, Antonio: do I not grow fat? I am exceeding short-winded.⁠—Bosola, I would have you, sir, provide for me a litter; Such a one as the Duchess of Florence rode in.

Bosola

The duchess us’d one when she was great with child.

Duchess

I think she did.⁠—Come hither, mend my ruff: Here, when? thou art such a tedious lady; and Thy breath smells of lemon-pills: would thou hadst done! Shall I swoon under thy fingers? I am So troubled with the mother!

Bosola

Aside. I fear too much.

Duchess

I have heard you say that the French courtiers Wear their hats on ’fore that king.

Antonio

I have seen it.

Duchess

In the presence?

Antonio

Yes.

Duchess

Why should not we bring up that fashion? ’Tis ceremony more than 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.

Antonio

You must pardon me: I have seen, in colder countries than in France, Nobles stand bare to th’ prince; and the distinction Methought show’d reverently.

Bosola

I have a present for your grace.

Duchess

For me, sir?

Bosola

Apricocks, madam.

Duchess

O, sir, where are they? I have heard of none to-year

Bosola

Aside. Good; her colour rises.

Duchess

Indeed, I thank you: they are wondrous fair ones. What an unskilful fellow is our gardener! We shall have none this month.

Bosola

Will not your grace pare them?

Duchess

Exeunt Antonio and Cariola.

Duchess

Doth not the colour of my hair ’gin to change? When I wax gray, I shall have all the court Powder their hair with arras, to be like me. You have cause to love me; I ent’red you into my heart

Enter Ferdinand unseen.

Before you would vouchsafe to call for the keys. We shall one day have my brothers take you napping. Methinks his presence, being now in court, Should make you keep your own bed; but you’ll say Love mix’d with fear is sweetest. I’ll assure you, You shall get no more children till my brothers Consent to be your gossips. Have you lost your tongue? ’Tis welcome: For know, whether I am doom’d to live or die, I can do both like a prince.

Ferdinand

Die, then, quickly! Giving her a poniard.

Virtue, where art thou hid? What hideous thing Is it that doth eclipse thee?

Duchess

Pray, sir, hear me.

Ferdinand

Or is it true thou art but a bare name, And no essential thing?

Duchess

Sir⁠—

Ferdinand

Do not speak.

Duchess

No, sir: I will plant my soul in mine ears, to hear you.

Ferdinand

O most imperfect light of human reason, That mak’st [us] so unhappy to foresee What we can least prevent! Pursue thy wishes, And glory in them: there’s in shame no comfort But to be past all bounds and sense of shame.

Duchess

I pray, sir, hear me: I am married.

Ferdinand

So!

Duchess

Happily, not to your liking: but for that, Alas, your shears do come untimely now To clip the bird’s wings that’s already flown! Will you see my husband?