The shape of an old woman, which is given
By tradition to us to have been murther'd
By her nephews, for her riches. Such a figure
One night, as the prince sate up late at's book,
Appear'd to him, when crying out for help,
The gentleman of 's chamber, found his grace
All on a cold sweat, alter'd much in face
And language: since which apparition,

He hath grown worse and worse, and I much fear
He cannot live.

Bos. Sir, I would speak with you.

PES. We'll leave your grace,

Wishing to the sick prince, our noble lord,

All health of mind and body.

CARD. You are most welcome.

[Exeunt Pescara, Malateste, and Doctor.

Are you come? so.-This fellow must not know
By any means I had intelligence

In our dutchess' death; for, though I counsell'd it,
The full of all th' engagement* seem'd to grow
From Ferdinand.-Now, sir, how fares our sister?
I do not think but sorrow makes her look

Like to an oft-dy'd garment: she shall now
Taste comfort from me. Why do you look so wildly?
O, the fortune of your master here, the prince,
Dejects you; but be you of happy comfort:
If you'll do one thing for me, I'll entreat,
Though he had a cold tomb-stone o'er his bones,

66

* engagement] The 4to. of 1640, agreement."

I'd make you what you would be.
Bos. Any thing,

Give it met in a breath, and let me fly to't:
They that think long, small expedition win,
For musing much o'th' end, cannot begin.
Enter JULIA.

JULIA. Sir, will you come in to supper?
CARD. I am busy; leave me.

JULIA. What an excellent shape hath that fellow!

[Exit. CARD. 'Tis thus. Antonio lurks here in Milan: Enquire him out, and kill him. While he lives, Our sister cannot marry, and I have thought Of an excellent match for her. Do this, and stile me Thy advancement.

Bos. But by what means shall I find him out?
CARD. There is a gentleman call'd Delio

Here in the camp, that hath been long approv'd
His loyal friend. Set eye upon that fellow;
Follow him to mass; may be Antonio,
Although he do account religion

But a school-name, for fashion of the world
May accompany him; or else go enquire out
Delio's confessor, and see if you can bribe
Him to reveal it. There are a thousand ways
A man might find to trace him; as to know

What fellows haunt the Jews, for taking up
Great sums of money, for sure he's in want;
Or else to go to th' picture-makers, and learn
Who bought her picture lately: some of these
Happily may take.

Bos. Well, I'll not freeze i'th' business:
I would see that wretched thing, Antonio,
Above all sights i'th' world.

CARD. Do, and be happy.

[Exit.

Bos. This fellow doth breed basilisks in's eyes, He's nothing else but murder; yet he seems Not to have notice of the dutchess' death. "Tis his cunning: I must follow his example; There cannot be a surer way to trace Than that of an old fox.

Enter JULIA.

JULIA. So, sir, you are well met.

Bos. How now?

JULIA. Nay, the doors are fast enough:

Now, sir, I will make you confess your treachery.

Bos. Treachery!

JULIA. Yes, confess to me

Which of my women 'twas you hir'd to put

Love-powder into my drink?

Bos. Love-powder!

JULIA. Yes, when I was at Malfi.

Why should I fall in love with such a face else?
I have already suffer'd for thee so much pain,

bought] The 4tos. " brought."

The only remedy to do me good,

Is to kill my longing.

Bos. Sure your pistol holds

Nothing but perfumes, or kissing-comfits.*
Excellent lady!

You have a pretty way on't to discover

Your longing. Come, come, I'll disarm you,
And arm you thus: yet this is wondrous strange.
JULIA. Compare thy form and my eyes together,
You'll find my love no such great miracle.

Now you'll say

I am wanton this nice modesty in ladies,
Is but a troublesome familiar

That haunts them.

Bos. Know you me, I am a blunt soldier.
JULIA. The better;

Sure, there wants fire, where there are no lively sparks

Of roughness.

Bos. And I want compliment.

JULIA. Why, ignorance

In courtship cannot make you do amiss,

If

you have a heart to do well.

Bos. You are very fair.

JULIA. Nay, if you lay beauty to my charge,

I must plead unguilty.

Bos. Your bright eyes

Carry a quiver of darts in them, sharper

* kissing-comfits] i. e. perfumed sugar-plums, to sweeten the breath.

Than sun-beams.

JULIA. You will mar me with commendation, Put yourself to the charge of courting me, Whereas now I woo you.

Bos. I have it, I will work upon this creature.— Let us grow most amorously familiar:

If the great cardinal now should see me thus,
Would he not count me a villain?

JULIA. No, he might count me a wanton,
Not lay a scruple of offence on you;

For if I see, and steal a diamond,

The fault is not i'th' stone, but in me the thief
That purloins it. I am sudden with you :

We that are great women of pleasure, use to cut off
These uncertain wishes and unquiet longings,

And in an instant join the sweet delight

And the pretty excuse together. Had you been i'th' street,

Under

my chamber window, even there*

I should have courted you.

Bos. O, you are an excellent lady!

JULIA. Bid me do somewhat for you presently,

The cardinal is grown wondrous melancholy:
Demand the cause, let him not put you off

* Under my chamber window, even there] This line is found only in the 4to. of 1623.