The Duchess of Malfi John Webster (intellectual books to read TXT) š
- Author: John Webster
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Access to private lodgings, where yourself
May, like a politic dormouseā ā Bosola
As I have seen some
Feed in a lordās dish, half asleep, not seeming
To listen to any talk; and yet these rogues
Have cut his throat in a dream. Whatās my place?
The provisorship oā the horse? Say, then, my corruption
Grew out of horse-dung: I am your creature.
Away!
Exit. BosolaLet good men, for good deeds, covet good fame,
Since place and riches oft are bribes of shame.
Sometimes the devil doth preach.
Malfi. Gallery in the Duchessā palace.
Enter Ferdinand, Duchess, Cardinal, and Cariola. CardinalWe are to part from you; and your own discretion
Must now be your director.
You are a widow:
You know already what man is; and therefore
Let not youth, high promotion, eloquenceā ā
No,
Nor anything without the addition, honour,
Sway your high blood.
Marry! they are most luxurious16
Will wed twice.
O, fie!
FerdinandTheir livers are more spotted
Than Labanās sheep.17
Diamonds are of most value,
They say, that have passād through most jewellersā hands.
Whores by that rule are precious.
DuchessWill you hear me?
Iāll never marry.
So most widows say;
But commonly that motion lasts no longer
Than the turning of an hourglass: the funeral sermon
And it end both together.
Now hear me:
You live in a rank pasture, here, iā the court;
There is a kind of honeydew thatās deadly;
āT will poison your fame; look toāt. Be not cunning;
For they whose faces do belie their hearts
Are witches ere they arrive at twenty years,
Ay, and give the devil suck.
This is terrible good counsel.
FerdinandHypocrisy is woven of a fine small thread,
Subtler than Vulcanās engine:18 yet, believeāt,
Your darkest actions, nay, your privatāst thoughts,
Will come to light.
You may flatter yourself,
And take your own choice; privately be married
Under the eaves of nightā ā
Thinkāt the best voyage
That eāer you made; like the irregular crab,
Which, thoughāt goes backward, thinks that it goes right
Because it goes its own way: but observe,
Such weddings may more properly be said
To be executed than celebrated.
The marriage night
Is the entrance into some prison.
And those joys,
Those lustful pleasures, are like heavy sleeps
Which do fore-run manās mischief.
Fare you well.
Wisdom begins at the end: remember it.
I think this speech between you both was studied,
It came so roundly off.
You are my sister;
This was my fatherās poniard, do you see?
Iād be loth to seeāt look rusty, ācause ātwas his.
I would have you give oāer these chargeable revels:
A visor and a mask are whispering-rooms
That were never built for goodnessā āfare ye wellā ā
And women like variety of courtship.
What cannot a neat knave with a smooth tale
Make a woman believe? Farewell, lusty widow.
Shall this move me? If all my royal kindred
Lay in my way unto this marriage,
Iād make them my low footsteps. And even now,
Even in this hate, as men in some great battles,
By apprehending danger, have achievād
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 winkād and chose a husband.ā āCariola,
To thy known secrecy I have given up
More than my lifeā āmy fame.
Both shall be safe;
For Iāll conceal this secret from the world
As warily as those that trade in poison
Keep poison from their children.
Thy protestation
Is ingenious and hearty; I believe it.
Is Antonio come?
He attends you.
DuchessGood 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.
I sent for you: sit down;
Take pen and ink, and write: are you ready?
Yes.
DuchessWhat did I say?
AntonioThat I should write somewhat.
DuchessO, I remember.
After these triumphs and this large expense
Itās fit, like thrifty husbands,19 we inquire
Whatās laid up for tomorrow.
So please your beauteous excellence.
DuchessBeauteous!
Indeed, I thank you. I look young for your sake;
You have taāen my cares upon you.
Iāll fetch your grace
The particulars of your revenue and expense.
O, you are
An upright treasurer: but you mistook;
For when I said I meant to make inquiry
Whatās laid up for tomorrow, I did mean
Whatās laid up yonder for me.
Where?
DuchessIn heaven.
I am making my will (as ātis fit princes should,
In perfect memory), and, I pray, sir, tell me,
Were not one better make it smiling, thus,
Than in deep groans and terrible ghastly looks,
As if the gifts we parted with procurād20
That violent distraction?
O, much better.
DuchessIf I had a husband now, this care were quit:
But I intend to make you overseer.
What good deed shall we first remember? Say.
Begin with that first good deed began iā the world
After manās creation, the sacrament of marriage;
Iād have you first provide for a good husband;
Give him all.
All!
AntonioYes, your excellent self.
DuchessIn a winding-sheet?
AntonioIn a couple.
DuchessSaint Winifred, that were a strange will!
AntonioāTwere stranger21 if there were no will in you
To marry again.
What do you think of marriage?
AntonioI takeāt, as those that deny purgatory,
It locally contains or heaven or hell;
Thereās no third place ināt.
How do you affect it?
AntonioMy banishment, feeding my melancholy,
Would often reason thus.
Pray, letās hear it.
AntonioSay a man never marry, nor have children,
What takes that from him? Only the bare name
Of being a father, or the weak delight
To see the little wanton ride a-cock-horse
Upon a painted stick, or hear him chatter
Like a taught starling.
Fie, fie, whatās
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