(Which makes men truly noble) e'er should make me

A villain. O, that to avoid ingratitude

For the good deed you have done me, I must do
All the ill man can invent! Thus the devil

Candies all sins o'er; and what Heaven terms vile,
That names he complimental.1

Ferd. Be yourself;

Keep your old garb of melancholy; 'twill express
You envy those that stand above your reach,
Yet strive not to come near 'em: this will gain
Access to private lodgings, where yourself
May, like a politic dormouse

Bos. As I have seen some

Feed in a lord's dish, half asleep, not seeming

To listen to any talk; and yet these rogues

Have cut his throat in a dream. What's my place?
The provisorship o' the horse? I am your creature.
Ferd. Away!

Bos. Let good men, for good deeds, covet good fame, Since place and riches oft are bribes of shame :

Sometimes the devil doth preach.

Re-enter DUCHESS, Cardinal, and CARIOLA.

270

[Exit.

Card. We are to part from you; and your own discretion

Must now be your director.

Ferd. You are a widow:

You know already what man is; and therefore

Let not youth, high promotion, eloquence

Card. No,

Nor any thing without the addition, honour,
Sway your high blood.

281

1 Ornamental.

Ferd. Marry! they are most luxurious1 Will wed twice.

Card. O, fie!

Ferd. Their livers are more spotted

Than Laban's sheep.

Duch. Diamonds are of most value,

They say, that have passed through most jewellers' hands. Will you hear me?

I'll never marry.

Card. So most widows say;

But commonly that motion lasts no longer

Than the turning of an hour-glass: the funeral sermon
And it end both together.

Ferd. Now hear me :

You live in a rank pasture, here, i' the court;

There is a kind of honey-dew that's deadly;

'Twill poison your fame; look to't: 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.

Duch. This is terrible good counsel.

Ferd. Hypocrisy is woven of a fine small thread,
Subtler than Vulcan's engine 2: yet, believe't,
Your darkest actions, nay, your privat'st thoughts,
Will come to light.

Card. You may flatter yourself,

And take your own choice; privately be married
Under the eaves of night-

Ferd. Think't the best voyage

That e'er you made; like the irregular crab,.

1 Incontinent; query uxorious?

2 The net in which he caught Mars and Venus.

290

300

Which, though't 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.

Card. The marriage night

Is the entrance into some prison.

Ferd. And those joys,

Those lustful pleasures, are like heavy sleeps
Which do fore-run man's mischief.

Card. Fare you well.

Wisdom begins at the end: remember it.

310

[Exit.

Duch. I think this speech between you both was studied,

It came so roundly off.

Ferd. You are my sister;

This was my father's poniard, do you see?

I'd be loth to see't look rusty, 'cause 'twas his.

I would have you give o'er those chargeable revels :
A visor and a mask are whispering-rooms
That were never built for goodness; fare

And women like variety of courtship:

What cannot a neat knave with a smooth tale

320

ye

well;

Make a woman believe? Farewell, lusty widow.

[Exit.

Duch. 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,

330

By apprehending danger, have achieved

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 winked and chose a husband. - Cariola,

To thy known secrecy I have given up

my fame.

More than my life

Cari. 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.
Duch. Thy protestation

1

Is ingenious and hearty: I believe it.
Is Antonio come?

Cari. He attends you.

Duch. 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.

340

[CARIOLA goes behind the arras.

Enter ANTONIO.2

I sent for you: sit down;

Take pen and ink, and write: are you ready?

Ant. Yes.

Duch. What did I say?

Ant. That I should write somewhat.

Duch. O, I remember.

After these triumphs and this large expense,
It's fit, like thrifty husbands, we inquire

What's laid up for to-morrow.

Ant. So please your beauteous excellence.
Duch. Beauteous !

Indeed, I thank you: I look young for your sake;

1 Ingenuous.

350

2 "As previously Antonio has been told that he must attend the Duchess in the gallery, it would seem that here the audience were to imagine that a change of scene had taken place." - Dyce.

You have ta'en my cares upon you.

Ant. I'll fetch your grace

The particulars of your revenue and expense.
Duch. O, you are

An upright treasurer: but you mistook;
For when I said I meant to make inquiry
What's laid up for to-morrow, I did mean
What's laid up yonder for me.

Ant. Where?

Duch. In Heaven.

I am making my will (as 'tis 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 procured

That violent distraction1?

Ant. O, much better.

360

Duch. If I had a husband now, this care were quit: 370 But I intend to make you overseer.

What good deed shall we first remember? say.

Ant. Begin with that first good deed began i' the world

After man's creation, the sacrament of marriage :

I'd have you first provide for a good husband;

Give him all.

Duch. All!

Ant. Yes, your excellent self.

Duch. In a winding-sheet?

Ant. In a couple.

Duch. Saint Winifred,2 that were a strange will !

1 The Quarto of 1640 has destruction.

2 A noble British maiden of the seventh century. Prince Cradocus fell in love with her; but as she would not accept his suit, he cut off her head,