I’ll come shortly. Late or soon I’ll come
And should this bloody war endure ten years
Or e’en a score of years I’ll come thereafter
And should I fall my vengeful ghost will come
To set our house in order. Breathe no word of this.
Meanwhile do you return and this I charge you:
Find out the father!
He exits clapping his visor shut. All during the end of this scene a monotonous trumpet call has been playing outside.
BOSOLA
Why should she not bear a son? Her brother steals enough land for five sons. Yet the Duke’s eyes did start from his head to hear it. ’Twas as if a Calabrian knight in Turkey should hear his betrothed lies with another and he denied a furlough. Yet all this is but policy for a gentleman like him was never in such a sweat over less than a dukedom.
Scene 2
A room in the Duchess’ palace.
Enter Antonio and Delio.
ANTONIO
Our noble cousin, my most beloved Delio,
Oh you have been a stranger long at court.
Came you along with the Lord Ferdinand?
DELIO
I did, sir. He hath been most eager
To revisit Malfi and twice made ready
To return and twice he could not. In the end
The victory was greater. But how fares
Your noble Duchess ?
ANTONIO
She is well.
DELIO
I think
You hold your tongue in check. Speak freely.
ANTONIO
I do fear some great misfortune threatens.
Since you saw her she hath had three children.
DELIO
How? Is she married?
ANTONIO
No, ’tis all in secret.
DELIO
But is’t known?
ANTONIO
The rumour spreads apace.
DELIO
What say the common people?
ANTONIO
The rabble
Do directly say she is a strumpet.
DELIO
And your graver heads; what is their opinion?
ANTONIO
They are politic and say nothing.
DELIO
But who, then, is the father?
ANTONIO
I cannot tell you. Tell me, Delio,
Hath not this news arrived yet to the ear
of the Lord Ferdinand?
DELIO
Meseemed his bearing
Altered the longer he tarried in the field.
He grew so quiet that he seemed to sleep
The tempest out as dormice do in winter.
I could now believe some rumour reached him
For houses that are haunted are most still.
ANTONIO
Hark, the procession comes.
The sound of cheering multitudes is heard outside. The two men go towards the window in order to look down at the street. They are obliged to speak loudly to be heard above the tumult.
DELIO
The Duke brings home the realm of Cyprus as booty and the
people rejoice as if the tailors and pastrycooks were to get
some of it.
ANTONIO
What are those wooden beams that stand so high?
DELIO
Prows of Turkish ships our Duke hath set upon carts for the
crowd to gape at. Well he knows how the rabble love a brave
show.
ANTONIO
’Tis a very forest of captured standards yonder!
DELIO
Ay, they serve well to hide the worn faces of our soldiers.
Methinks their joy would have been greater had the war been
shorter.
ANTONIO
Enough of this victory. I’d sooner hear the women laugh and
jest as they hang upon their husbands’ arms and lift their
children for a father’s kiss.
DELIO
Be still! Here comes the Duke.
Enter Ferdinand, Duchess and Bosola.
FERDINAND
I’ll instantly to bed,
For I am weary. I am to bespeak
A husband for you.
DUCHESS
For me, sir? Pray who is’t?
FERDINAND
The great Count Malatesta.
DUCHESS
Laughing.
Fie upon him!
A count? He’s so old and thin
You may look quite through him. When I choose
A husband, I will marry for your honour.
FERDINAND
You shall do well in’t. How is’t, worthy Antonio ?
DUCHESS
But, sir, I am to have a private conference with you
About a scandalous report is spread
Touching mine honour.
FERDINAND
Let me be ever deaf to it.
One of Pasquil’s paper bullets, court calumny,
A pestilent air which princes’ palaces
Are seldom purged of. Yet, say that it were true
I pour it in your bosom, my fixed love
Would strongly excuse, extenuate, nay deny
Faults were they apparent in you. Go, be safe
In your own innocency.
DUCHESS
Oh bless’d comfort!
This deadly air is purged!
Exeunt all except Ferdinand and Bosola.
FERDINAND
Her guilt treads
Hot burning plowshares. Now, Bosola,
How thrives our intelligence?
BOSOLA
Sir, uncertainly.
’Tis rumoured she hath had three bastards now.
But by whom we may go read i’ the’ stars.
FERDINAND
Why, some
Hold opinion all things are written there.
BOSOLA
Yes, if we could find spectacles to read them.
I do suspect there hath been some sorcery
Used on the Duchess.
FERDINAND
Sorcery? To what purpose?
BOSOLA
To make her dote on some desertless fellow
She shames to acknowledge.
FERDINAND
Can your faith give way
To think there’s power in potions or in charms
To make us love whether we will or no?
BOSOLA
Most certainly.
FERDINAND
Away! Do you think that herbs or charms
Can force the will? Some trials have been made
In this foolish practice but the ingredients
Were lenitive poisons such as are of force
To make the patient mad; and straight the witch
Swears by equivocation they are in love.
This witchcraft lies in her rank blood. This night
I will force a confession from her. You told me
You had got, within these two days, a false key
Into her bed chamber.
BOSOLA
I have.
FERDINAND
As I would wish.
BOSOLA
What do you intend to do?
FERDINAND
Can you guess?
BOSOLA
No.
FERDINAND
Do not ask then.
Scene 3
The bedchamber of the Duchess.
Enter Duchess, Antonio, Cariola.
DUCHESS
Bring me the casket hither and the glass.
You get no lodging here tonight, my Lord.
ANTONIO
Indeed I must persuade one.
DUCHESS
Very good.
I hope in time ’twill grow into a custom
That husbands shall come with cap and knee
To purchase a night’s lodging of their wives.
ANTONIO
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I must lie here.
DUCHESS
Must? You are lord of misrule.
ANTONIO
Indeed my rule is only in the night.
DUCHESS
To what use will you put me ?
ANTONIO
We’ll sleep together.
DUCHESS
Alas, what pleasure can two lovers find in sleep ?
CARIOLA
Good sir, I lie with her often and I know
She’ll much disquiet you.
ANTONIO
See, you are complained of.
CARIOLA
For she’s the sprawlingest bedfellow.
ANTONIO
I shall like her the better for that.
CARIOLA
Sir, shall I ask you a question?
ANTONIO
I pray thee, Cariola.
CARIOLA
Wherefore still when you lie with my lady
Do you rise so early?
ANTONIO
Labouring men
Count the clock oftenest, Cariola,
Are glad when their task’s ended.
DUCHESS
I’ll stop your mouth.
Kisses him.
ANTONIO
Nay that’s but one, Venus had two soft doves
To draw her chariot. I must have another.
Kisses her again.
When wilt thou marry, Cariola ?
CARIOLA
Never, my lord.
ANTONIO
Oh fie this single life? Forgo it.
We read how Daphne, for her peevish slight,
Became a fruitless bay tree; Syrinx turned
To the pale empty reed; Anaxarete
Was frozen into marble; whereas, those
Which married, or proved kind unto their friends
Were, by a gracious influence, transhaped
Into the olive, pomegranate, mulberry;
Became flowers, precious stones or eminent stars.
CARIOLA
Your husband is a scholar. But I pray you, tell me
If there were proposed me wisdom, riches and beauty
In three several young men which should I choose ?
ANTONIO
’Tis a hard question. This was Paris’ case
And he was blind in it and there was great cause
For how was it 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 severest councillor of Europe.
DUCHESS
If I were to choose between wisdom, riches and beauty,
I’d choose love. Even so, you shall not sleep here.
CARIOLA
’Tis well, for the silkworm is accustomed
To fast every third day and the next following
Spins the better for it.
They laugh.
DUCHESS
I pray thee tell me
When were we so merry? My hair tangles.
ANTONIO
Takes Cariola aside.
Pray thee, Cariola, let’s steal forth the room
And let her talk to herself. I have diverse times
Served her the like when she hath chafed extremely.
I love to see her angry. Softly, Cariola.
They tiptoe out.
DUCHESS
Doth not the colour of my hair ’gin to change?
When I wax grey, I shall have all the court
Powder their hair with orris to be like me.
You have cause to love me, I entered you into my heart
Enter Ferdinand unseen.
Before you would vouchsafe to call for the keys.
We shall one day have my brother take you napping.
Methinks his presence, being now in court,
Should make you keep your own bed. But you’ll say
Love mixed with fear is sweetest. I’ll assure you
You shall get no more children till my brothers
Consent to be godfathers. Have you lost your tongue?
Have I angered you? Forgive me, husband,
You shall sleep here. In truth I fear nothing
For I have tasted so much joy that now,
Whether I am doomed to live or die,
I can do both.
Ferdinand discloses himself and gives her a poignard.
FERDINAND
Die then, quickly.
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 are 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
Oh 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
Perhaps 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?
FERDINAND
No, only if I could change
Eyes with a basilisk.
DUCHESS
Sure, you came hither
By his confederacy?
FERDINAND
The howling of a wolf
Is music to thee, screech owl—prithee peace.
Whate’er thou art that hast enjoyed my sister,
For I am sure you hear me, for thine own sake
Let me not know thee. I came hither prepared
To work thy discovery yet am now persuaded
It would beget such violent effects
As would damn us both. I would not for ten millions
I had beheld thee. Therefore use all means
I never may have knowledge of thy name;
And for thee, vile woman,
If thou do wish thy lecher may grow old
In thy embracements, I would have thee build
Such a room for him as our hermits
To holier use inhabit. Let not the sun
Shine on him till he’s dead. Let dogs and monkeys
Only converse with him and such dumb things
To whom nature denies use to sound his name.
Do not keep a parroqueeto lest she learn it;
If thou do love him, cut out thine own tongue
Lest it betray him.
DUCHESS
Why might not I marry?
I have not gone about, in this, to create
Any new world or custom.
FERDINAND
Thou art undone.
Thou has ta’en that massy sheet of lead
That hid thy husband’s bones and folded it
About my heart.
DUCHESS
Mine bleeds for it.
FERDINAND
Thine? Heart?
What should I name it unless a hollow bullet
Filled with unquenchable wildfire.
DUCHESS
You are in this
Too strict and, were you not my princely brother,
I would say too jealous. My reputation
Is safe.
FERDINAND
Dost thou know what reputation is?
I’d tell thee—but to no avail since th’ instruction
Comes now too late. And so for you I say
You have shook hands with Reputation
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And made him invisible. So fare you well.
I will never see you more.
DUCHESS
Why should only I,
Of all the other princes of the world,
Be cased up like a holy relic? I have youth
And a little beauty.
FERDINAND
So have some virgins
That are witches. I will never see thee more.
Exits.
Enter Antonio with a pistol and Cariola.
DUCHESS
You saw this apparition?
ANTONIO
Yes. We are
Betrayed; how came he hither?
To Cariola.
I should turn
This to thee for that.
DUCHESS
That gallery gave him entrance.
ANTONIO
I would this terrible thing would come again
That it might see me standing in your chamber
Your loving arms about my neck.
DUCHESS
No, No! You must instantly part hence.
ANTONIO
Why so?
DUCHESS
Oh, Antonio, do you not see
This is no storm the winds shall scatter. ’Twas
No judge who stood here but an executioner
Performing sentence on himself
And by the fearful pain driv’n to greater excess.
We are powerless to defend our love.
ANTONIO
I have heard soldiers speak of a great captain
Who cried: I’m powerless to defend me, I’ll attack—
DUCHESS
I say ’tis death, Antonio! Give me my clothes,
Cariola.
ANTONIO
Persisting.
There is a weapon, little used but mighty
Even against the mightiest. Let us employ it.
Let us oppose your brother and against his frenzy
Hold up the gorgon head of reason.
DUCHESS
Oh, Antonio,
Your reason is unreason to my strangely
Distracted brother.
ANTONIO
He strives ’gainst nature
Who opposes love.
DUCHESS
Such love as ours defies
Nature, duty and established law.
I cherish this, our reckless love the more,
True passion beyond question for it is
Itself unquestioning. Alas if but the Duke
Had felt its like he would be merciful.
If he had loved he would be gentle now.
You must leave me, Antonio.
ANTONIO
This is wild counsel. Let’s call up the officers
Of your palace, bid them renew their oaths
Of loyalty and attend you closely to prevent
All dark designs upon your person. Having armed
Our arguments with these precautions,
We’ll speak with your too hasty brother and unfold
The history of our honourable marriage.
DUCHESS
You are deceived, dear love.
She shows him the dagger.
ANTONIO
Ha, what means this?
DUCHESS
He left this with me and it seems did wish
I’d use it on myself.