Act 2 — Scene II.[3690]
Reading edition
Scene II.[3690]
[Enter] Bosola and Old Lady.
Bos. So, so, there’s no question but her techiness[3691] and most vulturous eating of the apricocks are apparent signs of breeding.—Now?
Old Lady. I am in haste, sir.
Bos. There was a young waiting-woman had a monstrous desire to see the glass-house——6
Old Lady. Nay, pray, let me go.
Bos. And it was only to know what strange instrument it was should swell up a glass to the fashion of a woman’s belly.10
Old Lady. I will hear no more of the glass-house. You are still[3692] abusing women!
Bos. Who? I? No; only, by the way now and then, mention your frailties. The orange-tree bears ripe and green fruit and blossoms all15 together; and some of you give entertainment for pure love, but more for more precious reward. The lusty spring smells well; but drooping autumn tastes well. If we have the same golden showers that rained in the time of20 Jupiter the thunderer, you have the same Danäes still, to hold up their laps to receive them. Didst thou never study the mathematics?
Old Lady. What’s that, sir?25
Bos. Why, to know the trick how to make a many lines meet in one centre. Go, go, give your foster-daughters good counsel: tell them, that the devil takes delight to hang at a woman’s girdle, like a false rusty watch, that30 she cannot discern how the time passes.
[Exit Old Lady.]
[Enter Antonio, Roderigo, and Grisolan.]
Ant. Shut up the court-gates. Rod. Why, sir? What’s the danger? Ant. Shut up the posterns presently, and call All the officers o’ th’ court. Gris. I shall instantly. [Exit.] Ant. Who keeps the key o’ th’ park-gate? Rod. Forobosco.35 Ant. Let him bring ’t presently.
[Re-enter Grisolan with Servants.]
1 Serv. O, gentleman o’ th’ court, the foulest treason! Bos. [Aside.] If that these apricocks should be poison’d now, Without my knowledge? 1 Serv. There was taken even now a Switzer in the duchess’ bed-chamber——-40 2 Serv. A Switzer! 1 Serv. With a pistol in his great codpiece. Bos. Ha, ha, ha! 1 Serv. The codpiece was the case for ’t. 2 Serv. There was a cunning traitor. Who would have search’d his codpiece?46 1 Serv. True; if he had kept out of the ladies’ chambers. And all the moulds of his buttons were leaden bullets. 2 Serv. O wicked cannibal! A fire-lock in ’s codpiece!50 1 Serv. ’T was a French plot, upon my life. 2 Serv. To see what the devil can do! Ant. [Are] all the officers here? Servants. We are. Ant. Gentlemen,55 We have lost much plate you know; and but this evening Jewels, to the value of four thousand ducats, Are missing in the duchess’ cabinet. Are the gates shut? Serv. Yes. Ant. ’T is the duchess’ pleasure Each officer be lock’d into his chamber60 Till the sun-rising; and to send the keys Of all their chests and of their outward doors Into her bed-chamber. She is very sick. Rod. At her pleasure. Ant. She entreats you take ’t not ill: the innocent65 Shall be the more approv’d by it. Bos. Gentlemen o’ th’ wood-yard, where’s your Switzer now? 1 Serv. By this hand, ’t was credibly reported by one o’ th’ black guard.[3693]70 [Exeunt all except Antonio and Delio.] Delio. How fares it with the duchess? Ant. She’s expos’d Unto the worst of torture, pain and fear. Delio. Speak to her all happy comfort. Ant. How I do play the fool with mine own danger! You are this night, dear friend, to post to Rome:75 My life lies in your service. Delio. Do not doubt me. Ant. O, ’t is far from me: and yet fear presents me Somewhat that looks like danger. Delio. Believe it, ’T is but the shadow of your fear, no more. How superstitiously we mind our evils!80 The throwing down salt, or crossing of a hare, Bleeding at nose, the stumbling of a horse, Or singing of a cricket, are of power To daunt whole man in us. Sir, fare you well: I wish you all the joys of a bless’d father;85 And, for my faith, lay this unto your breast,— Old friends, like old swords, still are trusted best. [Exit.]
[Enter Cariola.]