Date post: | 01-Jun-2018 |
Category: |
Documents |
Upload: | andy-nicky |
View: | 224 times |
Download: | 0 times |
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 1/161
THE DUCHESS OF MALFI
by John Webster
INTRODUCTORY NOTE
Of John Webster's life almost nothing is known. The dates 1580-1625 gien for his
birth and death are !on"e!t#ral inferen!es$ abo#t whi!h the best that !an be said is
that no known fa!ts !ontradi!t them.
The %rst noti!e of Webster so far dis!oered shows that he was !ollaborating in the
&rod#!tion of &las for the theatri!al manager$ (enslowe$ in 1602$ and of s#!h
!ollaboration he seems to hae done a !onsiderable amo#nt. )o#r &las e*ist whi!h
he wrote alone$ +The White ,eil$+ +The ,#!hess of al%$+ +The ,eil's aw-/ase$+
and +&&i#s and irginia.+
+The ,#!hess of al%+ was &#blished in 162$ b#t the date of writing ma hae
been as earl as 1611. 3t is based on a stor in 4ainter's +4ala!e of 4leas#re$+
translated from the 3talian noelist$ andello and it is entirel &ossible that it has a
fo#ndation in fa!t. 3n an !ase$ it &ortras with a terrible iidness one side of the
!o#rt life of the 3talian 7enaissan!e and its &i!t#re of the %er!e #est of &leas#re$
the re!klessness of !rime$ and the worldliness of the great &rin!es of the /h#r!h
%nds onl too read !orroboration in the annals of the time.
Webster's tragedies !ome toward the !lose of the great series of tragedies of blood
and reenge$ in whi!h +The 9&anish Traged+ and +(amlet+ are landmarks$ b#t
before de!aden!e !an fairl be said to hae set in. (e$ indeed$ loads his s!ene with
horrors almost &ast the &oint whi!h modern taste !an bear b#t the intensit of his
dramati! sit#ations$ and his s#&erb &ower of :ashing in a single line a light into the
re!esses of the h#man heart at the !rises of s#&reme emotion$ redeems him frommere sensationalism$ and &la!es his best things in the %rst rank of dramati! writing.
THE DUCHESS OF MALFI
,ramatis 4ersonae;
)<7,3==, >,#ke of /alabria?.
/7,3= >his brother?.
=TO=3O >OO@=$ 9teward of the (o#sehold to the ,#!hess?.
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 2/161
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 3/161
O& 3atterin$ +yco!ant+, o& di++olute
And in&amou+ er+on+,4w!ic! !e +weetly term+
(i+ ma+ter/+ ma+ter5iece, t!e wor) o& !ea"en
Con+iderin$ duly t!at a rince/+ court
I+ li)e a common &ountain, w!ence +!ould 3ow
6ure +il"er dro+ in $eneral, #ut i& /t c!ance
Some cur+/d eamle oi+on /t near t!e !ead,
Deat! and di+ea+e+ t!rou$! t!e w!ole land +read.
And w!at i+ /t ma)e+ t!i+ #le++ed $o"ernment
ut a mo+t ro"ident council, w!o dare &reely
In&orm !im t!e corrution o& t!e time+*
T!ou$! +ome o/ t!e court !old it re+umtion
To in+truct rince+ w!at t!ey ou$!t to do,
It i+ a no#le duty to in&orm t!em
7!at t!ey ou$!t to &ore+ee.[8]4(ere come+ o+ola,
T!e only court5$all yet I o#+er"e !i+ railin$
I+ not &or +imle lo"e o& iety'
Indeed, !e rail+ at t!o+e t!in$+ w!ic! !e want+
7ould #e a+ lec!erou+, co"etou+, or roud,
loody, or en"iou+, a+ any man,
I& !e !ad mean+ to #e +o.4(ere/+ t!e cardinal.
[Enter CA9DINAL and OSOLA]
OSOLA. I do !aunt you +till.
CA9DINAL. So.
OSOLA. I !a"e done you #etter +er"ice t!an to #e +li$!ted t!u+.
:i+era#le a$e, w!ere only t!e reward o& doin$ well i+ t!e doin$
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 4/161
o& it;
CA9DINAL. You en&orce your merit too muc!.
OSOLA. I &ell into t!e $alley+ in your +er"ice' w!ere, &or two
year+ to$et!er, I wore two towel+ in+tead o& a +!irt, wit! a )not
on t!e +!oulder, a&ter t!e &a+!ion o& a 9oman mantle. Sli$!ted t!u+;
I will t!ri"e +ome way. lac)5#ird+ &atten #e+t in !ard weat!er
w!y not I in t!e+e do$5day+*
CA9DINAL. 7ould you could #ecome !one+t;
OSOLA. 7it! all your di"inity do #ut direct me t!e way to it.
I !a"e )nown many tra"el &ar &or it, and yet return a+ arrant )na"e+
a+ t!ey went &ort!, #ecau+e t!ey carried t!em+el"e+ alway+ alon$ wit!
t!em. [Eit CA9DINAL.] Are you $one* Some &ellow+, t!ey +ay,
are o++e++ed wit! t!e de"il, #ut t!i+ $reat &ellow were a#le
to o++e++ t!e $reate+t de"il, and ma)e !im wor+e.
ANTONIO. (e !at! denied t!ee +ome +uit*
OSOLA. (e and !i+ #rot!er are li)e lum5tree+ t!at $row croo)ed
o"er +tandin$5ool+ t!ey are ric! and o/erladen wit! &ruit, #ut none
#ut crow+, ie+, and caterillar+ &eed on t!em. Could I #e one
o& t!eir 3atterin$ ander+, I would !an$ on t!eir ear+ li)e a
!or+eleec!, till I were &ull, and t!en dro o<. I ray, lea"e me.
7!o would rely uon t!e+e mi+era#le deendencie+, in eectation
to #e ad"anc/d to5morrow* 7!at creature e"er &ed wor+e t!an !oin$
Tantalu+* Nor e"er died any man more &ear&ully t!an !e t!at !oed
&or a ardon. T!ere are reward+ &or !aw)+ and do$+ w!en t!ey !a"e
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 5/161
done u+ +er"ice #ut &or a +oldier t!at !a=ard+ !i+ lim#+ in a
#attle, not!in$ #ut a )ind o& $eometry i+ !i+ la+t +uortation.
DELIO. >eometry*
OSOLA. Ay, to !an$ in a &air air o& +lin$+, ta)e !i+ latter +win$
in t!e world uon an !onoura#le air o& crutc!e+, &rom !o+ital
to !o+ital. %are ye well, +ir' and yet do not you +corn u+
&or lace+ in t!e court are #ut li)e #ed+ in t!e !o+ital, w!ere
t!i+ man/+ !ead lie+ at t!at man/+ &oot, and +o lower and lower.
[Eit.]
DELIO. I )new t!i+ &ellow +e"en year+ in t!e $alley+
%or a notoriou+ murder and /twa+ t!ou$!t
T!e cardinal +u#orn/d it' !e wa+ relea+/d
y t!e %renc! $eneral, >a+ton de %oi,
7!en !e reco"er/d Nale+.
ANTONIO. /Ti+ $reat ity
(e +!ould #e t!u+ ne$lected' I !a"e !eard
(e /+ "ery "aliant. T!i+ &oul melanc!oly
7ill oi+on all !i+ $oodne++ &or, I /ll tell you,
I& too immoderate +lee #e truly +aid
To #e an inward ru+t unto t!e +oul,
I& t!en dot! &ollow want o& action
reed+ all #lac) malcontent+ and t!eir clo+e rearin$,
Li)e mot!+ in clot!, do !urt &or want o& wearin$.
SCENE II[?]
ANTONIO, DELIO, [Enter SIL@IO, CAST9CCIO, BLIA, 9ODE9I>O
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 6/161
and >9ISOLAN]
DELIO. T!e re+ence /$in+ to -ll' you romi+/d me
To ma)e me t!e arta)er o& t!e nature+
O& +ome o& your $reat courtier+.
ANTONIO. T!e lord cardinal/+
And ot!er +tran$er+/ t!at are now in court*
I +!all.4(ere come+ t!e $reat Cala#rian du)e.
[Enter %E9DINAND and Attendant+]
%E9DINAND. 7!o too) t!e rin$ o&tene+t*[]
SIL@IO. Antonio olo$na, my lord.
%E9DINAND. Our +i+ter duc!e++/ $reat5ma+ter o& !er !ou+e!old*
>i"e !im t!e 0ewel.47!en +!all we lea"e t!i+ +orti"e action,
and &all to action indeed*
CAST9CCIO. :et!in)+, my lord, you +!ould not de+ire to $o to war
in er+on.
%E9DINAND. Now &or +ome $ra"ity.47!y, my lord*
CAST9CCIO. It i+ -ttin$ a +oldier ari+e to #e a rince, #ut not
nece++ary a rince de+cend to #e a catain.
%E9DINAND. No*
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 7/161
CAST9CCIO. No, my lord !e were &ar #etter do it #y a deuty.
%E9DINAND. 7!y +!ould !e not a+ well +lee or eat #y a deuty*
T!i+ mi$!t ta)e idle, o<en+i"e, and #a+e oce &rom !im, w!erea+
t!e ot!er deri"e+ !im o& !onour.
CAST9CCIO. elie"e my eerience, t!at realm i+ ne"er lon$ in 2uiet
w!ere t!e ruler i+ a +oldier.
%E9DINAND. T!ou tolde+t me t!y wi&e could not endure -$!tin$.
CAST9CCIO. True, my lord.
%E9DINAND. And o& a 0e+t +!e #ro)e o& [] a catain +!e met &ull o&
wound+' I !a"e &or$ot it.
CAST9CCIO. S!e told !im, my lord, !e wa+ a iti&ul &ellow, to lie,
li)e t!e c!ildren o& I+mael, all in tent+.[F]
%E9DINAND. 7!y, t!ere/+ a wit were a#le to undo all t!e
c!irur$eon+[G] o/ t!e city &or alt!ou$! $allant+ +!ould 2uarrel,
and !ad drawn t!eir weaon+, and were ready to $o to it, yet !er
er+ua+ion+ would ma)e t!em ut u.
CAST9CCIO. T!at +!e would, my lord.4(ow do you li)e my Sani+!
$ennet*[H]
9ODE9I>O. (e i+ all -re.
%E9DINAND. I am o& 6liny/+ oinion, I t!in) !e wa+ #e$ot
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 8/161
#y t!e wind !e run+ a+ i& !e were #alla++/d[] wit! 2uic)+il"er.
SIL@IO. True, my lord, !e reel+ &rom t!e tilt o&ten.
9ODE9I>O, >9ISOLAN. (a, !a, !a;
%E9DINAND. 7!y do you lau$!* :et!in)+ you t!at are courtier+
+!ould #e my touc!5wood, ta)e -re w!en I $i"e -re t!at i+,
lau$! w!en I lau$!, were t!e +u#0ect ne"er +o witty.
CAST9CCIO. True, my lord' I my+el& !a"e !eard a "ery $ood 0e+t,
and !a"e +corn/d to +eem to !a"e +o +illy a wit a+ to under+tand it.
%E9DINAND. ut I can lau$! at your &ool, my lord.
CAST9CCIO. (e cannot +ea), you )now, #ut !e ma)e+ &ace+ my lady
cannot a#ide !im.
%E9DINAND. No*
CAST9CCIO. Nor endure to #e in merry comany &or +!e +ay+ too muc!
lau$!in$, and too muc! comany, -ll+ !er too &ull o& t!e wrin)le.
%E9DINAND. I would, t!en, !a"e a mat!ematical in+trument made
&or !er &ace, t!at +!e mi$!t not lau$! out o& coma++.4I +!all
+!ortly "i+it you at :ilan, Lord Sil"io.
SIL@IO. Your $race +!all arri"e mo+t welcome.
%E9DINAND. You are a $ood !or+eman, Antonio you !a"e ecellent
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 9/161
rider+ in %rance' w!at do you t!in) o& $ood !or+eman+!i*
ANTONIO. No#ly, my lord' a+ out o& t!e >recian !or+e i++ued many
&amou+ rince+, +o out o& #ra"e !or+eman+!i ari+e t!e -r+t +ar)+
o& $rowin$ re+olution, t!at rai+e t!e mind to no#le action.
%E9DINAND. You !a"e #e+o)e it wort!ily.
SIL@IO. Your #rot!er, t!e lord cardinal, and +i+ter duc!e++.
[Enter CA9DINAL, wit! DC(ESS, and CA9IOLA]
CA9DINAL. Are t!e $alley+ come a#out*
>9ISOLAN. T!ey are, my lord.
%E9DINAND. (ere /+ t!e Lord Sil"io i+ come to ta)e !i+ lea"e.
DELIO. Now, +ir, your romi+e' w!at /+ t!at cardinal*
I mean !i+ temer* T!ey +ay !e /+ a #ra"e &ellow,
7ill lay !i+ -"e t!ou+and crown+ at tenni+, dance,
Court ladie+, and one t!at !at! &ou$!t +in$le com#at+.
ANTONIO. Some +uc! 3a+!e+ +uer-cially !an$ on !im &or &orm
#ut o#+er"e !i+ inward c!aracter' !e i+ a melanc!oly c!urc!man.
T!e +rin$ in !i+ &ace i+ not!in$ #ut t!e en$end/rin$ o& toad+
w!ere !e i+ 0ealou+ o& any man, !e lay+ wor+e lot+ &or t!em t!an
e"er wa+ imo+/d on (ercule+, &or !e +trew+ in !i+ way 3atterer+,
ander+, intelli$encer+, at!ei+t+, and a t!ou+and +uc! olitical
mon+ter+. (e +!ould !a"e #een 6oe #ut in+tead o& comin$ to it
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 10/161
#y t!e rimiti"e decency o& t!e c!urc!, !e did #e+tow #ri#e+
+o lar$ely and +o imudently a+ i& !e would !a"e carried it away
wit!out !ea"en/+ )nowled$e. Some $ood !e !at! done44
DELIO. You !a"e $i"en too muc! o& !im. 7!at /+ !i+ #rot!er*
ANTONIO. T!e du)e t!ere* A mo+t er"er+e and tur#ulent nature.
7!at aear+ in !im mirt! i+ merely out+ide
I& !e lau$!t !eartily, it i+ to lau$!
All !one+ty out o& &a+!ion.
DELIO. Twin+*
ANTONIO. In 2uality.
(e +ea)+ wit! ot!er+/ ton$ue+, and !ear+ men/+ +uit+
7it! ot!er+/ ear+ will +eem to +lee o/ t!e #enc!
Only to entra o<ender+ in t!eir an+wer+
Doom+ men to deat! #y in&ormation
9eward+ #y !ear+ay.
DELIO. T!en t!e law to !im
I+ li)e a &oul, #lac) co#we# to a +ider,4
(e ma)e+ it !i+ dwellin$ and a ri+on
To entan$le t!o+e +!all &eed !im.
ANTONIO. :o+t true'
(e ne"er ay+ de#t+ unle++ t!ey #e +!rewd turn+,
And t!o+e !e will con&e++ t!at !e dot! owe.
La+t, &or t!i+ #rot!er t!ere, t!e cardinal,
T!ey t!at do 3atter !im mo+t +ay oracle+
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 11/161
(an$ at !i+ li+ and "erily I #elie"e t!em,
%or t!e de"il +ea)+ in t!em.
ut &or t!eir +i+ter, t!e ri$!t no#le duc!e++,
You ne"er -/d your eye on t!ree &air medal+
Ca+t in one -$ure, o& +o di<erent temer.
%or !er di+cour+e, it i+ +o &ull o& rature,
You only will #e$in t!en to #e +orry
7!en +!e dot! end !er +eec!, and wi+!, in wonder,
S!e !eld it le++ "ain5$lory to tal) muc!,
T!an your enance to !ear !er. 7!il+t +!e +ea)+,
S!e t!row+ uon a man +o +weet a loo)
T!at it were a#le to rai+e one to a $alliard.[1J]
T!at lay in a dead al+y, and to dote
On t!at +weet countenance #ut in t!at loo)
T!ere +ea)et! +o di"ine a continence
A+ cut+ o< all la+ci"iou+ and "ain !oe.
(er day+ are racti+/d in +uc! no#le "irtue,
T!at +ure !er ni$!t+, nay, more, !er "ery +lee+,
Are more in !ea"en t!an ot!er ladie+/ +!ri&t+.
Let all +weet ladie+ #rea) t!eir 3att/rin$ $la++e+,
And dre++ t!em+el"e+ in !er.
DELIO. %ie, Antonio,
You lay t!e wire5drawer wit! !er commendation+.
ANTONIO. I /ll ca+e t!e icture u' only t!u+ muc!
All !er articular wort! $row+ to t!i+ +um,4
S!e +tain+[11] t!e time a+t, li$!t+ t!e time to come.
CA9IOLA. You mu+t attend my lady in t!e $allery,
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 12/161
Some !al& and !our !ence.
ANTONIO. I +!all.
[Eeunt ANTONIO and DELIO.]
%E9DINAND. Si+ter, I !a"e a +uit to you.
DC(ESS. To me, +ir*
%E9DINAND. A $entleman !ere, Daniel de o+ola,
One t!at wa+ in t!e $alley+44
DC(ESS. Ye+, I )now !im.
%E9DINAND. A wort!y &ellow !e i+' ray, let me entreat &or
T!e ro"i+or+!i o& your !or+e.
DC(ESS. Your )nowled$e o& !im
Commend+ !im and re&er+ !im.
%E9DINAND. Call !im !it!er.
[Eit Attendant.]
7e [are] now uon[18] artin$. >ood Lord Sil"io,
Do u+ commend to all our no#le &riend+
At t!e lea$uer.
SIL@IO. Sir, I +!all.
[DC(ESS.] You are &or :ilan*
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 13/161
SIL@IO. I am.
DC(ESS. rin$ t!e caroc!e+.[1?]47e /ll #rin$ you down
To t!e !a"en.
[Eeunt DC(ESS, SIL@IO, CAST9CCIO, 9ODE9I>O, >9ISOLAN,
CA9IOLA, BLIA, and Attendant+.]
CA9DINAL. e +ure you entertain t!at o+ola
%or your intelli$ence.[1] I would not #e +een in /t
And t!ere&ore many time+ I !a"e +li$!ted !im
7!en !e did court our &urt!erance, a+ t!i+ mornin$.
%E9DINAND. Antonio, t!e $reat5ma+ter o& !er !ou+e!old,
(ad #een &ar -tter.
CA9DINAL. You are decei"/d in !im.
(i+ nature i+ too !one+t &or +uc! #u+ine++.4
(e come+' I /ll lea"e you.
[Eit.]
[9e5enter OSOLA]
OSOLA. I wa+ lur/d to you.
%E9DINAND. :y #rot!er, !ere, t!e cardinal, could ne"er
A#ide you.
OSOLA. Ne"er +ince !e wa+ in my de#t.
%E9DINAND. :ay #e +ome o#li2ue c!aracter in your &ace
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 14/161
:ade !im +u+ect you.
OSOLA. Dot! !e +tudy !y+io$nomy*
T!ere /+ no more credit to #e $i"en to t!e &ace
T!an to a +ic) man/+ urine, w!ic! +ome call
T!e !y+ician/+ w!ore, #ecau+e +!e co=en+[1] !im.
(e did +u+ect me wron$&ully.
%E9DINAND. %or t!at
You mu+t $i"e $reat men lea"e to ta)e t!eir time+.
Di+tru+t dot! cau+e u+ +eldom #e decei"/d.
You +ee t!e o&t +!a)in$ o& t!e cedar5tree
%a+ten+ it more at root.
OSOLA. Yet ta)e !eed
%or to +u+ect a &riend unwort!ily
In+truct+ !im t!e net way to +u+ect you,
And romt+ !im to decei"e you.
%E9DINAND. T!ere /+ $old.
OSOLA. So'
7!at &ollow+* [A+ide.] Ne"er rain/d +uc! +!ower+ a+ t!e+e
7it!out t!under#olt+ i/ t!e tail o& t!em.47!o+e t!roat mu+t I cut*
%E9DINAND. Your inclination to +!ed #lood ride+ o+t
e&ore my occa+ion to u+e you. I $i"e you t!at
To li"e i/ t!e court !ere, and o#+er"e t!e duc!e++
To note all t!e articular+ o& !er !a"iour,
7!at +uitor+ do +olicit !er &or marria$e,
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 15/161
And w!om +!e #e+t a<ect+. S!e /+ a youn$ widow'
I would not !a"e !er marry a$ain.
OSOLA. No, +ir*
%E9DINAND. Do not you a+) t!e rea+on #ut #e +ati+-ed.
I +ay I would not.
OSOLA. It +eem+ you would create me
One o& your &amiliar+.
%E9DINAND. %amiliar; 7!at /+ t!at*
OSOLA. 7!y, a "ery 2uaint in"i+i#le de"il in 3e+!,4
An intelli$encer.[1F]
%E9DINAND. Suc! a )ind o& t!ri"in$ t!in$
I would wi+! t!ee and ere lon$ t!ou may+t arri"e
At a !i$!er lace #y /t.
OSOLA. Ta)e your de"il+,
7!ic! !ell call+ an$el+; T!e+e cur+/d $i&t+ would ma)e
You a corruter, me an imudent traitor
And +!ould I ta)e t!e+e, t!ey/d ta)e me [to] !ell.
%E9DINAND. Sir, I /ll ta)e not!in$ &rom you t!at I !a"e $i"en.
T!ere i+ a lace t!at I rocur/d &or you
T!i+ mornin$, t!e ro"i+or+!i o/ t!e !or+e
(a"e you !eard on /t*
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 16/161
OSOLA. No.
%E9DINAND. /Ti+ your+' i+ /t not wort! t!an)+*
OSOLA. I would !a"e you cur+e your+el& now, t!at your #ounty
K7!ic! ma)e+ men truly no#le e/er +!ould ma)e me
A "illain. O, t!at to a"oid in$ratitude
%or t!e $ood deed you !a"e done me, I mu+t do
All t!e ill man can in"ent; T!u+ t!e de"il
Candie+ all +in+ o/er and w!at !ea"en term+ "ile,
T!at name+ !e comlimental.
%E9DINAND. e your+el&
Mee your old $ar# o& melanc!oly /twill ere++
You en"y t!o+e t!at +tand a#o"e your reac!,
Yet +tri"e not to come near /em. T!i+ will $ain
Acce++ to ri"ate lod$in$+, w!ere your+el&
:ay, li)e a olitic dormou+e44
OSOLA. A+ I !a"e +een +ome
%eed in a lord/+ di+!, !al& a+lee, not +eemin$
To li+ten to any tal) and yet t!e+e ro$ue+
(a"e cut !i+ t!roat in a dream. 7!at /+ my lace*
T!e ro"i+or+!i o/ t!e !or+e* Say, t!en, my corrution
>rew out o& !or+e5dun$' I am your creature.
%E9DINAND. Away;
[Eit.]
OSOLA. Let $ood men, &or $ood deed+, co"et $ood &ame,
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 17/161
Since lace and ric!e+ o&t are #ri#e+ o& +!ame.
Sometime+ t!e de"il dot! reac!.
[Eit.]
[Scene III][1G]
[Enter %E9DINAND, DC(ESS, CA9DINAL, and CA9IOLA]
CA9DINAL. 7e are to art &rom you and your own di+cretion
:u+t now #e your director.
%E9DINAND. You are a widow'
You )now already w!at man i+ and t!ere&ore
Let not yout!, !i$! romotion, elo2uence44
CA9DINAL. No,
Nor anyt!in$ wit!out t!e addition, !onour,
Sway your !i$! #lood.
%E9DINAND. :arry; t!ey are mo+t luuriou+[1H]
7ill wed twice.
CA9DINAL. O, -e;
%E9DINAND. T!eir li"er+ are more +otted
T!an La#an/+ +!ee.[1]
DC(ESS. Diamond+ are o& mo+t "alue,
T!ey +ay, t!at !a"e a++/d t!rou$! mo+t 0eweller+/ !and+.
%E9DINAND. 7!ore+ #y t!at rule are reciou+.
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 18/161
DC(ESS. 7ill you !ear me*
I /ll ne"er marry.
CA9DINAL. So mo+t widow+ +ay
ut commonly t!at motion la+t+ no lon$er
T!an t!e turnin$ o& an !our5$la++' t!e &uneral +ermon
And it end #ot! to$et!er.
%E9DINAND. Now !ear me'
You li"e in a ran) a+ture, !ere, i/ t!e court
T!ere i+ a )ind o& !oney5dew t!at /+ deadly
/T will oi+on your &ame loo) to /t. e not cunnin$
%or t!ey w!o+e &ace+ do #elie t!eir !eart+
Are witc!e+ ere t!ey arri"e at twenty year+,
Ay, and $i"e t!e de"il +uc).
DC(ESS. T!i+ i+ terri#le $ood coun+el.
%E9DINAND. (yocri+y i+ wo"en o& a -ne +mall t!read,
Su#tler t!an @ulcan/+ en$ine'[8J] yet, #elie"e /t,
Your dar)e+t action+, nay, your ri"at/+t t!ou$!t+,
7ill come to li$!t.
CA9DINAL. You may 3atter your+el&,
And ta)e your own c!oice ri"ately #e married
nder t!e ea"e+ o& ni$!t44
%E9DINAND. T!in) /t t!e #e+t "oya$e
T!at e/er you made li)e t!e irre$ular cra#,
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 19/161
7!ic!, t!ou$! /t $oe+ #ac)ward, t!in)+ t!at it $oe+ ri$!t
ecau+e it $oe+ it+ own way' #ut o#+er"e,
Suc! weddin$+ may more roerly #e +aid
To #e eecuted t!an cele#rated.
CA9DINAL. T!e marria$e ni$!t
I+ t!e entrance into +ome ri+on.
%E9DINAND. And t!o+e 0oy+,
T!o+e lu+t&ul lea+ure+, are li)e !ea"y +lee+
7!ic! do &ore5run man/+ mi+c!ie&.
CA9DINAL. %are you well.
7i+dom #e$in+ at t!e end' remem#er it.
[Eit.]
DC(ESS. I t!in) t!i+ +eec! #etween you #ot! wa+ +tudied,
It came +o roundly o<.
%E9DINAND. You are my +i+ter
T!i+ wa+ my &at!er/+ oniard, do you +ee*
I /d #e lot! to +ee /t loo) ru+ty, /cau+e /twa+ !i+.
I would !a"e you $i"e o/er t!e+e c!ar$ea#le re"el+'
A "i+or and a ma+) are w!i+erin$5room+
T!at were ne"er #uilt &or $oodne++,4&are ye well4
And women li)e "ariety o& court+!i.
7!at cannot a neat )na"e wit! a +moot! tale
:a)e a woman #elie"e* %arewell, lu+ty widow.
[Eit.]
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 20/161
DC(ESS. S!all t!i+ mo"e me* I& all my royal )indred
Lay in my way unto t!i+ marria$e,
I /d ma)e t!em my low &oot+te+. And e"en now,
E"en in t!i+ !ate, a+ men in +ome $reat #attle+,
y are!endin$ dan$er, !a"e ac!ie"/d
Almo+t imo++i#le action+ KI !a"e !eard +oldier+ +ay +o,
So I t!rou$! &ri$!t+ and t!reatenin$+ will a++ay
T!i+ dan$erou+ "enture. Let old wi"e+ reort
I win)/d and c!o+e a !u+#and.4Cariola,
To t!y )nown +ecrecy I !a"e $i"en u
:ore t!an my li&e,4my &ame.
CA9IOLA. ot! +!all #e +a&e
%or I /ll conceal t!i+ +ecret &rom t!e world
A+ warily a+ t!o+e t!at trade in oi+on
Mee oi+on &rom t!eir c!ildren.
DC(ESS. T!y rote+tation
I+ in$eniou+ and !earty I #elie"e it.
I+ Antonio come*
CA9IOLA. (e attend+ you.
DC(ESS. >ood dear +oul,
Lea"e me #ut lace t!y+el& #e!ind t!e arra+,
7!ere t!ou may+t o"er!ear u+. 7i+! me $ood +eed
%or I am $oin$ into a wilderne++,
7!ere I +!all -nd nor at! nor &riendly clue
To #e my $uide.
[Cariola $oe+ #e!ind t!e arra+.]
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 21/161
[Enter ANTONIO]
I +ent &or you' +it down
Ta)e en and in), and write' are you ready*
ANTONIO. Ye+.
DC(ESS. 7!at did I +ay*
ANTONIO. T!at I +!ould write +omew!at.
DC(ESS. O, I remem#er.
A&ter t!e+e trium!+ and t!i+ lar$e een+e
It /+ -t, li)e t!ri&ty !u+#and+,[81] we in2uire
7!at /+ laid u &or to5morrow.
ANTONIO. So lea+e your #eauteou+ ecellence.
DC(ESS. eauteou+;
Indeed, I t!an) you. I loo) youn$ &or your +a)e
You !a"e ta/en my care+ uon you.
ANTONIO. I /ll &etc! your $race
T!e articular+ o& your re"enue and een+e.
DC(ESS. O, you are
An uri$!t trea+urer' #ut you mi+too)
%or w!en I +aid I meant to ma)e in2uiry
7!at /+ laid u &or to5morrow, I did mean
7!at /+ laid u yonder &or me.
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 22/161
ANTONIO. 7!ere*
DC(ESS. In !ea"en.
I am ma)in$ my will Ka+ /ti+ -t rince+ +!ould,
In er&ect memory, and, I ray, +ir, tell me,
7ere not one #etter ma)e it +milin$, t!u+,
T!an in dee $roan+ and terri#le $!a+tly loo)+,
A+ i& t!e $i&t+ we arted wit! rocur/d[88]
T!at "iolent di+traction*
ANTONIO. O, muc! #etter.
DC(ESS. I& I !ad a !u+#and now, t!i+ care were 2uit'
ut I intend to ma)e you o"er+eer.
7!at $ood deed +!all we -r+t remem#er* Say.
ANTONIO. e$in wit! t!at -r+t $ood deed #e$an i/ t!e world
A&ter man/+ creation, t!e +acrament o& marria$e
I /d !a"e you -r+t ro"ide &or a $ood !u+#and
>i"e !im all.
DC(ESS. All;
ANTONIO. Ye+, your ecellent +el&.
DC(ESS. In a windin$5+!eet*
ANTONIO. In a coule.
DC(ESS. Saint 7ini&red, t!at were a +tran$e will;
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 23/161
ANTONIO. /Twere +tran$er [8?] i& t!ere were no will in you
To marry a$ain.
DC(ESS. 7!at do you t!in) o& marria$e*
ANTONIO. I ta)e /t, a+ t!o+e t!at deny ur$atory,
It locally contain+ or !ea"en or !ell
T!ere /+ no t!ird lace in /t.
DC(ESS. (ow do you a<ect it*
ANTONIO. :y #ani+!ment, &eedin$ my melanc!oly,
7ould o&ten rea+on t!u+.
DC(ESS. 6ray, let /+ !ear it.
ANTONIO. Say a man ne"er marry, nor !a"e c!ildren,
7!at ta)e+ t!at &rom !im* Only t!e #are name
O& #ein$ a &at!er, or t!e wea) deli$!t
To +ee t!e little wanton ride a5coc)5!or+e
on a ainted +tic), or !ear !im c!atter
Li)e a tau$!t +tarlin$.
DC(ESS. %ie, -e, w!at /+ all t!i+*
One o& your eye+ i+ #lood5+!ot u+e my rin$ to /t.
T!ey +ay /ti+ "ery +o"erei$n. /Twa+ my weddin$5rin$,
And I did "ow ne"er to art wit! it
ut to my +econd !u+#and.
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 24/161
ANTONIO. You !a"e arted wit! it now.
DC(ESS. Ye+, to !el your eye5+i$!t.
ANTONIO. You !a"e made me +tar) #lind.
DC(ESS. (ow*
ANTONIO. T!ere i+ a +aucy and am#itiou+ de"il
I+ dancin$ in t!i+ circle.
DC(ESS. 9emo"e !im.
ANTONIO. (ow*
DC(ESS. T!ere need+ +mall con0uration, w!en your -n$er
:ay do it' t!u+. I+ it -t*
[S!e ut+ t!e rin$ uon !i+ -n$er]' !e )neel+.
ANTONIO. 7!at +aid you*
DC(ESS. Sir,
T!i+ $oodly roo& o& your+ i+ too low #uilt
I cannot +tand uri$!t in /t nor di+cour+e,
7it!out I rai+e it !i$!er. 9ai+e your+el&
Or, i& you lea+e, my !and to !el you' +o.
[9ai+e+ !im.]
ANTONIO. Am#ition, madam, i+ a $reat man/+ madne++,
T!at i+ not )et in c!ain+ and clo+e5ent room+,
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 25/161
ut in &air li$!t+ome lod$in$+, and i+ $irt
7it! t!e wild noi+e o& rattlin$ "i+itant+,
7!ic! ma)e+ it lunatic #eyond all cure.
Concei"e not I am +o +tuid #ut I aim[8]
7!ereto your &a"our+ tend' #ut !e /+ a &ool
T!at, #ein$ a5cold, would t!ru+t !i+ !and+ i/ t!e -re
To warm t!em.
DC(ESS. So, now t!e $round /+ #ro)e,
You may di+co"er w!at a wealt!y mine
I ma)e your lord o&.
ANTONIO. O my unwort!ine++;
DC(ESS. You were ill to +ell your+el&'
T!i+ dar)/nin$ o& your wort! i+ not li)e t!at
7!ic! trade+men u+e i/ t!e city t!eir &al+e li$!t+
Are to rid #ad ware+ o<' and I mu+t tell you,
I& you will )now w!ere #reat!e+ a comlete man
KI +ea) it wit!out 3attery, turn your eye+,
And ro$re++ t!rou$! your+el&.
ANTONIO. 7ere t!ere nor !ea"en nor !ell,
I +!ould #e !one+t' I !a"e lon$ +er"/d "irtue,
And ne/er ta/en wa$e+ o& !er.
DC(ESS. Now +!e ay+ it.
T!e mi+ery o& u+ t!at are #orn $reat;
7e are &orc/d to woo, #ecau+e none dare woo u+
And a+ a tyrant dou#le+ wit! !i+ word+,
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 26/161
And &ear&ully e2ui"ocate+, +o we
Are &orc/d to ere++ our "iolent a++ion+
In riddle+ and in dream+, and lea"e t!e at!
O& +imle "irtue, w!ic! wa+ ne"er made
To +eem t!e t!in$ it i+ not. >o, $o #ra$
You !a"e le&t me !eartle++ mine i+ in your #o+om'
I !oe /twill multily lo"e t!ere. You do trem#le'
:a)e not your !eart +o dead a iece o& 3e+!,
To &ear more t!an to lo"e me. Sir, #e con-dent'
7!at i+ /t di+tract+ you* T!i+ i+ 3e+! and #lood, +ir
/Ti+ not t!e -$ure cut in ala#a+ter
Mneel+ at my !u+#and/+ tom#. Awa)e, awa)e, man;
I do !ere ut o< all "ain ceremony,
And only do aear to you a youn$ widow
T!at claim+ you &or !er !u+#and, and, li)e a widow,
I u+e #ut !al& a #lu+! in /t.
ANTONIO. Trut! +ea) &or me
I will remain t!e con+tant +anctuary
O& your $ood name.
DC(ESS. I t!an) you, $entle lo"e'
And /cau+e you +!all not come to me in de#t,
ein$ now my +teward, !ere uon your li+
I +i$n your uietu+ e+t.[8] T!i+ you +!ould !a"e #e$$/d now.
I !a"e +een c!ildren o&t eat +weetmeat+ t!u+,
A+ &ear&ul to de"our t!em too +oon.
ANTONIO. ut &or your #rot!er+*
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 27/161
DC(ESS. Do not t!in) o& t!em'
All di+cord wit!out t!i+ circum&erence
I+ only to #e itied, and not &ear/d'
Yet, +!ould t!ey )now it, time will ea+ily
Scatter t!e teme+t.
ANTONIO. T!e+e word+ +!ould #e mine,
And all t!e art+ you !a"e +o)e, i& +ome art o& it
7ould not !a"e +a"our/d 3attery.
DC(ESS. Mneel.
[Cariola come+ &rom #e!ind t!e arra+.]
ANTONIO. (a;
DC(ESS. e not ama=/d t!i+ woman /+ o& my coun+el'
I !a"e !eard lawyer+ +ay, a contract in a c!am#er
6er "er#a [de] re+enti[8F] i+ a#+olute marria$e.
[S!e and ANTONIO )neel.]
le++, !ea"en, t!i+ +acred $ordian[8G] w!ic! let "iolence
Ne"er untwine;
ANTONIO. And may our +weet a<ection+, li)e t!e +!ere+,
e +till in motion;
DC(ESS. uic)enin$, and ma)e
T!e li)e +o&t mu+ic;
ANTONIO. T!at we may imitate t!e lo"in$ alm+,
e+t em#lem o& a eace&ul marria$e,
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 28/161
T!at ne"er #ore &ruit, di"ided;
DC(ESS. 7!at can t!e c!urc! &orce more*
ANTONIO. T!at &ortune may not )now an accident,
Eit!er o& 0oy or +orrow, to di"ide
Our -ed wi+!e+;
DC(ESS. (ow can t!e c!urc! #uild &a+ter*[8H]
7e now are man and wi&e, and /ti+ t!e c!urc!
T!at mu+t #ut ec!o t!i+.4:aid, +tand aart'
I now am #lind.
ANTONIO. 7!at /+ your conceit in t!i+*
DC(ESS. I would !a"e you lead your &ortune #y t!e !and
nto your marria$e5#ed'
KYou +ea) in me t!i+, &or we now are one'
7e /ll only lie and tal) to$et!er, and lot
To aea+e my !umorou+[8] )indred and i& you lea+e,
Li)e t!e old tale in ALEANDE9 AND LODO7ICM,
Lay a na)ed +word #etween u+, )ee u+ c!a+te.
O, let me +!rowd my #lu+!e+ in your #o+om,
Since /ti+ t!e trea+ury o& all my +ecret+;
[Eeunt DC(ESS and ANTONIO.]
CA9IOLA. 7!et!er t!e +irit o& $reatne++ or o& woman
9ei$n mo+t in !er, I )now not #ut it +!ow+
A &ear&ul madne++. I owe !er muc! o& ity.
[Eit.]
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 29/161
Act II
Scene I[?J]
[Enter] OSOLA and CAST9CCIO
OSOLA. You +ay you would &ain #e ta)en &or an eminent courtier*
CAST9CCIO. /Ti+ t!e "ery main[?1] o& my am#ition.
OSOLA. Let me +ee' you !a"e a rea+ona#le $ood &ace &or /t already,
and your ni$!t5ca ere++e+ your ear+ +ucient lar$ely. I would
!a"e you learn to twirl t!e +trin$+ o& your #and wit! a $ood $race,
and in a +et +eec!, at t!/ end o& e"ery +entence, to !um t!ree
or &our time+, or #low your no+e till it +mart a$ain, to reco"er your
memory. 7!en you come to #e a re+ident in criminal cau+e+, i& you
+mile uon a ri+oner, !an$ !im #ut i& you &rown uon !im and
t!reaten !im, let !im #e +ure to +cae t!e $allow+.
CAST9CCIO. I would #e a "ery merry re+ident.
OSOLA. Do not +u o/ ni$!t+ /twill #e$et you an admira#le wit.
CAST9CCIO. 9at!er it would ma)e me !a"e a $ood +tomac! to 2uarrel
&or t!ey +ay, your roarin$ #oy+ eat meat +eldom, and t!at ma)e+ t!em
+o "aliant. ut !ow +!all I )now w!et!er t!e eole ta)e me &or
an eminent &ellow*
OSOLA. I will teac! a tric) to )now it' $i"e out you lie a5dyin$,
and i& you !ear t!e common eole cur+e you, #e +ure you are ta)en
&or one o& t!e rime ni$!t5ca+.[?8]
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 30/161
[Enter an Old Lady]
You come &rom aintin$ now.
OLD LADY. %rom w!at*
OSOLA. 7!y, &rom your +cur"y &ace5!y+ic. To #e!old t!ee not
ainted incline+ +omew!at near a miracle. T!e+e in t!y &ace !ere
were dee rut+ and &oul +lou$!+ t!e la+t ro$re++.[??] T!ere wa+
a lady in %rance t!at, !a"in$ !ad t!e +mall5o, 3ayed t!e +)in o<
!er &ace to ma)e it more le"el and w!erea+ #e&ore +!e loo)ed
li)e a nutme$5$rater, a&ter +!e re+em#led an a#orti"e !ed$e5!o$.
OLD LADY. Do you call t!i+ aintin$*
OSOLA. No, no, #ut you call [it] careenin$[?] o& an old
mor!ewed[?] lady, to ma)e !er di+em#o$ue[?F] a$ain'
t!ere /+ rou$!5ca+t !ra+e to your la+tic.[?G]
OLD LADY. It +eem+ you are well ac2uainted wit! my clo+et.
OSOLA. One would +u+ect it &or a +!o o& witc!cra&t, to -nd in it
t!e &at o& +erent+, +awn o& +na)e+, Bew+/ +ittle, and t!eir youn$
c!ildren/+ ordure and all t!e+e &or t!e &ace. I would +ooner eat
a dead i$eon ta)en &rom t!e +ole+ o& t!e &eet o& one +ic) o& t!e
la$ue, t!an )i++ one o& you &a+tin$. (ere are two o& you, w!o+e +in
o& your yout! i+ t!e "ery atrimony o& t!e !y+ician ma)e+ !im renew
!i+ &oot5clot! wit! t!e +rin$, and c!an$e !i+ !i$!5ric/d courte=an
wit! t!e &all o& t!e lea&. I do wonder you do not loat!e your+el"e+.
O#+er"e my meditation now.
7!at t!in$ i+ in t!i+ outward &orm o& man
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 31/161
To #e #elo"/d* 7e account it ominou+,
I& nature do roduce a colt, or lam#,
A &awn, or $oat, in any lim# re+em#lin$
A man, and 3y &rom /t a+ a rodi$y'
:an +tand+ ama=/d to +ee !i+ de&ormity
In any ot!er creature #ut !im+el&.
ut in our own 3e+! t!ou$! we #ear di+ea+e+
7!ic! !a"e t!eir true name+ only ta/en &rom #ea+t+,4
A+ t!e mo+t ulcerou+ wol& and +wini+! mea+le,4
T!ou$! we are eaten u o& lice and worm+,
And t!ou$! continually we #ear a#out u+
A rotten and dead #ody, we deli$!t
To !ide it in ric! ti++ue' all our &ear,
Nay, all our terror, i+, le+t our !y+ician
S!ould ut u+ in t!e $round to #e made +weet.4
Your wi&e /+ $one to 9ome' you two coule, and $et you to
t!e well+ at Lucca to reco"er your ac!e+. I !a"e ot!er wor) on &oot.
[Eeunt CAST9CCIO and Old Lady]
I o#+er"e our duc!e++
I+ +ic) a5day+, +!e u)e+, !er +tomac! +eet!e+,
T!e -n+ o& !er eye5lid+ loo) mo+t teemin$ #lue,[?H]
S!e wane+ i/ t!e c!ee), and wae+ &at i/ t!e 3an),
And, contrary to our Italian &a+!ion,
7ear+ a loo+e5#odied $own' t!ere /+ +omew!at in /t.
I !a"e a tric) may c!ance di+co"er it,
A retty one I !a"e #ou$!t +ome aricoc)+,
T!e -r+t our +rin$ yield+.
[Enter ANTONIO and DELIO, tal)in$ to$et!er aart]
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 32/161
DELIO. And +o lon$ +ince married*
You ama=e me.
ANTONIO. Let me +eal your li+ &or e"er'
%or, did I t!in) t!at anyt!in$ #ut t!/ air
Could carry t!e+e word+ &rom you, I +!ould wi+!
You !ad no #reat! at all.4Now, +ir, in your contemlation*
You are +tudyin$ to #ecome a $reat wi+e &ellow.
OSOLA. O, +ir, t!e oinion o& wi+dom i+ a &oul tetter [?]
t!at run+ all o"er a man/+ #ody' i& +imlicity direct u+ to !a"e
no e"il, it direct+ u+ to a !ay #ein$ &or t!e +u#tle+t &olly
roceed+ &rom t!e +u#tle+t wi+dom' let me #e +imly !one+t.
ANTONIO. I do under+tand your in+ide.
OSOLA. Do you +o*
ANTONIO. ecau+e you would not +eem to aear to t!/ world
6u</d u wit! your re&erment, you continue
T!i+ out5o&5&a+!ion melanc!oly' lea"e it, lea"e it.
OSOLA. >i"e me lea"e to #e !one+t in any !ra+e, in any comliment
w!at+oe"er. S!all I con&e++ my+el& to you* I loo) no !i$!er t!an
I can reac!' t!ey are t!e $od+ t!at mu+t ride on win$ed !or+e+.
A lawyer/+ mule o& a +low ace will #ot! +uit my di+o+ition and
#u+ine++ &or, mar) me, w!en a man/+ mind ride+ &a+ter t!an !i+ !or+e
can $allo, t!ey 2uic)ly #ot! tire.
ANTONIO. You would loo) u to !ea"en, #ut I t!in)
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 33/161
T!e de"il, t!at rule+ i/ t!/ air, +tand+ in your li$!t.
OSOLA. O, +ir, you are lord o& t!e a+cendant,[J] c!ie& man wit!
t!e duc!e++' a du)e wa+ your cou+in5$erman remo"/d. Say you were
lineally de+cended &rom Min$ 6ein, or !e !im+el&, w!at o& t!i+*
Searc! t!e !ead+ o& t!e $reate+t ri"er+ in t!e world, you +!all -nd
t!em #ut #u##le+ o& water. Some would t!in) t!e +oul+ o& rince+
were #rou$!t &ort! #y +ome more wei$!ty cau+e t!an t!o+e o& meaner
er+on+' t!ey are decei"/d, t!ere /+ t!e +ame !and to t!em t!e li)e
a++ion+ +way t!em t!e +ame rea+on t!at ma)e+ a "icar $o to law &or
a tit!e5i$, and undo !i+ nei$!#our+, ma)e+ t!em +oil a w!ole
ro"ince, and #atter down $oodly citie+ wit! t!e cannon.
[Enter DC(ESS and Ladie+]
DC(ESS. Your arm, Antonio' do I not $row &at*
I am eceedin$ +!ort5winded.4o+ola,
I would !a"e you, +ir, ro"ide &or me a litter
Suc! a one a+ t!e Duc!e++ o& %lorence rode in.
OSOLA. T!e duc!e++ u+/d one w!en +!e wa+ $reat wit! c!ild.
DC(ESS. I t!in) +!e did.4Come !it!er, mend my ru<'
(ere, w!en* t!ou art +uc! a tediou+ lady and
T!y #reat! +mell+ o& lemon5ill+' would t!ou !ad+t done;
S!all I +woon under t!y -n$er+* I am
So trou#led wit! t!e mot!er;[1]
OSOLA. [A+ide.] I &ear too muc!.
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 34/161
DC(ESS. I !a"e !eard you +ay t!at t!e %renc! courtier+
7ear t!eir !at+ on /&ore t!at )in$.
ANTONIO. I !a"e +een it.
DC(ESS. In t!e re+ence*
ANTONIO. Ye+.
DC(ESS. 7!y +!ould not we #rin$ u t!at &a+!ion*
/Ti+ ceremony more t!an duty t!at con+i+t+
In t!e remo"in$ o& a iece o& &elt.
e you t!e eamle to t!e re+t o/ t!/ court
6ut on your !at -r+t.
ANTONIO. You mu+t ardon me'
I !a"e +een, in colder countrie+ t!an in %rance,
No#le+ +tand #are to t!/ rince and t!e di+tinction
:et!ou$!t +!ow/d re"erently.
OSOLA. I !a"e a re+ent &or your $race.
DC(ESS. %or me, +ir*
OSOLA. Aricoc)+, madam.
DC(ESS. O, +ir, w!ere are t!ey*
I !a"e !eard o& none to5year [8]
OSOLA. [A+ide.] >ood !er colour ri+e+.
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 35/161
DC(ESS. Indeed, I t!an) you' t!ey are wondrou+ &air one+.
7!at an un+)il&ul &ellow i+ our $ardener;
7e +!all !a"e none t!i+ mont!.
OSOLA. 7ill not your $race are t!em*
DC(ESS. No' t!ey ta+te o& mu+), met!in)+ indeed t!ey do.
OSOLA. I )now not' yet I wi+! your $race !ad ar/d /em.
DC(ESS. 7!y*
OSOLA. I &or$ot to tell you, t!e )na"e $ardener,
Only to rai+e !i+ ro-t #y t!em t!e +ooner,
Did rien t!em in !or+e5dun$.
DC(ESS. O, you 0e+t.4
You +!all 0ud$e' ray, ta+te one.
ANTONIO. Indeed, madam,
I do not lo"e t!e &ruit.
DC(ESS. Sir, you are lot!
To ro# u+ o& our daintie+. /Ti+ a delicate &ruit
T!ey +ay t!ey are re+torati"e.
OSOLA. /Ti+ a retty art,
T!i+ $ra&tin$.
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 36/161
DC(ESS. /Ti+ +o a #etterin$ o& nature.
OSOLA. To ma)e a iin $row uon a cra#,
A dam+on on a #lac)5t!orn.4[A+ide.] (ow $reedily +!e eat+ t!em;
A w!irlwind +tri)e o< t!e+e #awd &art!in$ale+;
%or, #ut &or t!at and t!e loo+e5#odied $own,
I +!ould !a"e di+co"er/d aarently [?]
T!e youn$ +rin$al[] cuttin$ a caer in !er #elly.
DC(ESS. I t!an) you, o+ola' t!ey were ri$!t $ood one+,
I& t!ey do not ma)e me +ic).
ANTONIO. (ow now, madam;
DC(ESS. T!i+ $reen &ruit and my +tomac! are not &riend+'
(ow t!ey +well me;
OSOLA. [A+ide.] Nay, you are too muc! +well/d already.
DC(ESS. O, I am in an etreme cold +weat;
OSOLA. I am "ery +orry.
[Eit.]
DC(ESS. Li$!t+ to my c!am#er;4O $ood Antonio,
I &ear I am undone;
DELIO. Li$!t+ t!ere, li$!t+;
Eeunt DC(ESS [and Ladie+.]
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 37/161
ANTONIO. O my mo+t tru+ty Delio, we are lo+t;
I &ear +!e /+ &all/n in la#our and t!ere /+ le&t
No time &or !er remo"e.
DELIO. (a"e you rear/d
T!o+e ladie+ to attend !er and rocur/d
T!at olitic +a&e con"eyance &or t!e midwi&e
Your duc!e++ lotted*
ANTONIO. I !a"e.
DELIO. :a)e u+e, t!en, o& t!i+ &orc/d occa+ion.
>i"e out t!at o+ola !at! oi+on/d !er
7it! t!e+e aricoc)+ t!at will $i"e +ome colour
%or !er )eein$ clo+e.
ANTONIO. %ie, -e, t!e !y+ician+
7ill t!en 3oc) to !er.
DELIO. %or t!at you may retend
S!e/ll u+e +ome rear/d antidote o& !er own,
Le+t t!e !y+ician+ +!ould re5oi+on !er.
ANTONIO. I am lo+t in ama=ement' I )now not w!at to t!in) on /t.
Eeunt.
Scene II[]
[Enter] OSOLA and Old Lady
OSOLA. So, +o, t!ere /+ no 2ue+tion #ut !er tec!ine++[F]
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 38/161
and mo+t "ulturou+ eatin$ o& t!e aricoc)+ are aarent +i$n+
o& #reedin$, now*
OLD LADY. I am in !a+te, +ir.
OSOLA. T!ere wa+ a youn$ waitin$5woman !ad a mon+trou+ de+ire
to +ee t!e $la++5!ou+e44
OLD LADY. Nay, ray, let me $o. I will !ear no more
o& t!e $la++5!ou+e. You are +till[G] a#u+in$ women;
OSOLA. 7!o, I* No only, #y t!e way now and t!en, mention your
&railtie+. T!e oran$e5tree #ear+ rie and $reen &ruit and #lo++om+
all to$et!er and +ome o& you $i"e entertainment &or ure lo"e,
#ut more &or more reciou+ reward. T!e lu+ty +rin$ +mell+ well
#ut drooin$ autumn ta+te+ well. I& we !a"e t!e +ame $olden +!ower+
t!at rained in t!e time o& Buiter t!e t!underer, you !a"e t!e +ame
Danae+ +till, to !old u t!eir la+ to recei"e t!em. Did+t t!ou
ne"er +tudy t!e mat!ematic+*
OLD LADY. 7!at /+ t!at, +ir*
OSOLA. 7!y, to )now t!e tric) !ow to ma)e a many line+ meet in one
centre. >o, $o, $i"e your &o+ter5dau$!ter+ $ood coun+el' tell t!em,
t!at t!e de"il ta)e+ deli$!t to !an$ at a woman/+ $irdle, li)e
a &al+e ru+ty watc!, t!at +!e cannot di+cern !ow t!e time a++e+.
[Eit Old Lady.]
[Enter ANTONIO, 9ODE9I>O, and >9ISOLAN]
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 39/161
ANTONIO. S!ut u t!e court5$ate+.
9ODE9I>O. 7!y, +ir* 7!at /+ t!e dan$er*
ANTONIO. S!ut u t!e o+tern+ re+ently, and call
All t!e ocer+ o/ t!/ court.
>9ISOLAN. I +!all in+tantly.
[Eit.]
ANTONIO. 7!o )ee+ t!e )ey o/ t!/ ar)5$ate*
9ODE9I>O. %oro#o+co.
ANTONIO. Let !im #rin$ /t re+ently.
[9e5enter >9ISOLAN wit! Ser"ant+]
%I9ST SE9@ANT. O, $entleman o/ t!/ court, t!e &oule+t trea+on;
OSOLA. [A+ide.] I& t!at t!e+e aricoc)+ +!ould #e oi+on/d now,
7it!out my )nowled$e*
%I9ST SE9@ANT.
T!ere wa+ ta)en e"en now a Swit=er in t!e duc!e++/ #ed5c!am#er44
SECOND SE9@ANT. A Swit=er;
%I9ST SE9@ANT. 7it! a i+tol44
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 40/161
SECOND SE9@ANT. T!ere wa+ a cunnin$ traitor;
%I9ST SE9@ANT.
And all t!e mould+ o& !i+ #utton+ were leaden #ullet+.
SECOND SE9@ANT. O wic)ed canni#al;
%I9ST SE9@ANT. /Twa+ a %renc! lot, uon my li&e.
SECOND SE9@ANT. To +ee w!at t!e de"il can do;
ANTONIO. [Are] all t!e ocer+ !ere*
SE9@ANTS. 7e are.
ANTONIO. >entlemen,
7e !a"e lo+t muc! late, you )now and #ut t!i+ e"enin$
Bewel+, to t!e "alue o& &our t!ou+and ducat+,
Are mi++in$ in t!e duc!e++/ ca#inet.
Are t!e $ate+ +!ut*
SE9@ANT. Ye+.
ANTONIO. /Ti+ t!e duc!e++/ lea+ure
Eac! ocer #e loc)/d into !i+ c!am#er
Till t!e +un5ri+in$ and to +end t!e )ey+
O& all t!eir c!e+t+ and o& t!eir outward door+
Into !er #ed5c!am#er. S!e i+ "ery +ic).
9ODE9I>O. At !er lea+ure.
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 41/161
ANTONIO. S!e entreat+ you ta)e /t not ill' t!e innocent
S!all #e t!e more aro"/d #y it.
OSOLA. >entlemen o/ t!e wood5yard, w!ere /+ your Swit=er now*
%I9ST SE9@ANT. y t!i+ !and, /twa+ credi#ly reorted #y one
o/ t!e #lac) $uard.[H]
[Eeunt all ecet ANTONIO and DELIO.]
DELIO. (ow &are+ it wit! t!e duc!e++*
ANTONIO. S!e /+ eo+/d
nto t!e wor+t o& torture, ain, and &ear.
DELIO. Sea) to !er all !ay com&ort.
ANTONIO. (ow I do lay t!e &ool wit! mine own dan$er;
You are t!i+ ni$!t, dear &riend, to o+t to 9ome'
:y li&e lie+ in your +er"ice.
DELIO. Do not dou#t me.
ANTONIO. O, /ti+ &ar &rom me' and yet &ear re+ent+ me
Somew!at t!at loo)+ li)e dan$er.
DELIO. elie"e it,
/Ti+ #ut t!e +!adow o& your &ear, no more'
(ow +uer+titiou+ly we mind our e"il+;
T!e t!rowin$ down +alt, or cro++in$ o& a !are,
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 42/161
leedin$ at no+e, t!e +tum#lin$ o& a !or+e,
Or +in$in$ o& a cric)et, are o& ower
To daunt w!ole man in u+. Sir, &are you well'
I wi+! you all t!e 0oy+ o& a #le++/d &at!er
And, &or my &ait!, lay t!i+ unto your #rea+t,4
Old &riend+, li)e old +word+, +till are tru+ted #e+t.
[Eit.]
[Enter CA9IOLA]
CA9IOLA. Sir, you are t!e !ay &at!er o& a +on'
Your wi&e commend+ !im to you.
ANTONIO. le++ed com&ort;4
%or !ea"en/ +a)e, tend !er well' I /ll re+ently []
>o +et a -$ure &or /+ nati"ity.[J]
Eeunt.
Scene III[1]
[Enter OSOLA, wit! a dar) lantern]
OSOLA. Sure I did !ear a woman +!rie)' li+t, !a;
And t!e +ound came, i& I recei"/d it ri$!t,
]%rom t!e duc!e++/ lod$in$+. T!ere /+ +ome +trata$em
In t!e con-nin$ all our courtier+
To t!eir +e"eral ward+' I mu+t !a"e art o& it
:y intelli$ence will &ree=e el+e. Li+t, a$ain;
It may #e /twa+ t!e melanc!oly #ird,
e+t &riend o& +ilence and o& +olitarine++,
T!e owl, t!at +creamed +o.4(a; Antonio;
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 43/161
[Enter ANTONIO wit! a candle, !i+ +word drawn]
ANTONIO. I !eard +ome noi+e.47!o /+ t!ere* 7!at art t!ou* Sea).
OSOLA. Antonio, ut not your &ace nor #ody
To +uc! a &orc/d ere++ion o& &ear
I am o+ola, your &riend.
ANTONIO. o+ola;4
[A+ide.] T!i+ mole doe+ undermine me.4(eard you not
A noi+e e"en now*
OSOLA. %rom w!ence*
ANTONIO. %rom t!e duc!e++/ lod$in$.
OSOLA. Not I' did you*
ANTONIO. I did, or el+e I dream/d.
OSOLA. Let /+ wal) toward+ it.
ANTONIO. No' it may #e /twa+
ut t!e ri+in$ o& t!e wind.
OSOLA. @ery li)ely.
:et!in)+ /ti+ "ery cold, and yet you +weat'
You loo) wildly.
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 44/161
ANTONIO. I !a"e #een +ettin$ a -$ure[8]
%or t!e duc!e++/ 0ewel+.
OSOLA. A!, and !ow &all+ your 2ue+tion*
Do you -nd it radical*[?]
ANTONIO. 7!at /+ t!at to you*
/Ti+ rat!er to #e 2ue+tion/d w!at de+i$n,
7!en all men were commanded to t!eir lod$in$+,
:a)e+ you a ni$!t5wal)er.
OSOLA. In +oot!, I /ll tell you'
Now all t!e court /+ a+lee, I t!ou$!t t!e de"il
(ad lea+t to do !ere I came to +ay my rayer+
And i& it do o<end you I do +o,
You are a -ne courtier.
ANTONIO. [A+ide.] T!i+ &ellow will undo me.4
You $a"e t!e duc!e++ aricoc)+ to5day'
6ray !ea"en t!ey were not oi+on/d;
OSOLA. 6oi+on/d; a Sani+! -$
%or t!e imutation;
ANTONIO. Traitor+ are e"er con-dent
Till t!ey are di+co"er/d. T!ere were 0ewel+ +tol/n too'
In my conceit, none are to #e +u+ected
:ore t!an your+el&.
OSOLA. You are a &al+e +teward.
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 45/161
ANTONIO. Saucy +la"e, I /ll ull t!ee u #y t!e root+.
OSOLA. :ay #e t!e ruin will cru+! you to iece+.
ANTONIO. You are an imudent +na)e indeed, +ir'
Are you +carce warm, and do you +!ow your +tin$*
You li#el[] well, +ir*
OSOLA. No, +ir' coy it out,
And I will +et my !and to /t.
ANTONIO. [A+ide.] :y no+e #leed+.
One t!at were +uer+titiou+ would count
T!i+ ominou+, w!en it merely come+ #y c!ance.
Two letter+, t!at are wrou$!t !ere &or my name,[]
Are drown/d in #lood;
:ere accident.4%or you, +ir, I /ll ta)e order
I/ t!e morn you +!all #e +a&e.4[A+ide.] /Ti+ t!at mu+t colour
(er lyin$5in.4Sir, t!i+ door you a++ not'
I do not !old it -t t!at you come near
T!e duc!e++/ lod$in$+, till you !a"e 2uit your+el&.4
[A+ide.] T!e $reat are li)e t!e #a+e, nay, t!ey are t!e +ame,
7!en t!ey +ee) +!ame&ul way+ to a"oid +!ame.
Eit.
OSOLA. Antonio !erea#out did dro a aer'4
Some o& your !el, &al+e &riend.[F]4O, !ere it i+.
7!at /+ !ere* a c!ild/+ nati"ity calculated;
[9ead+.]
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 46/161
/T!e duc!e++ wa+ deli"er/d o& a +on, /tween t!e !our+
twel"e and one in t!e ni$!t, Anno Dom. 1J,/4t!at /+
t!i+ year4/decimo nono Decem#ri+,/4t!at /+ t!i+ ni$!t4
/ta)en accordin$ to t!e meridian o& :al-,/4t!at /+ our
duc!e++' !ay di+co"ery;4/T!e lord o& t!e -r+t !ou+e
#ein$ com#u+t in t!e a+cendant, +i$ni-e+ +!ort li&e
and :ar+ #ein$ in a !uman +i$n, 0oined to t!e tail o& t!e
Dra$on, in t!e ei$!t! !ou+e, dot! t!reaten a "iolent deat!.
Caetera non +crutantur./[G]
7!y, now /ti+ mo+t aarent t!i+ reci+e &ellow
I+ t!e duc!e++/ #awd'4I !a"e it to my wi+!;
T!i+ i+ a arcel o& intelli$ency [H]
Our courtier+ were ca+/d u &or' it need+ mu+t &ollow
T!at I mu+t #e committed on retence
O& oi+onin$ !er w!ic! I /ll endure, and lau$! at.
I& one could -nd t!e &at!er now; #ut t!at
Time will di+co"er. Old Ca+truccio
I/ t!/ mornin$ o+t+ to 9ome' #y !im I /ll +end
A letter t!at +!all ma)e !er #rot!er+/ $all+
O/er3ow t!eir li"er+. T!i+ wa+ a t!ri&ty [] way;
T!ou$! lu+t do ma+) in ne/er +o +tran$e di+$ui+e,
S!e /+ o&t &ound witty, #ut i+ ne"er wi+e.
[Eit.]
Scene I@ [FJ]
[Enter] CA9DINAL and BLIA
CA9DINAL. Sit' t!ou art my #e+t o& wi+!e+. 6rit!ee, tell me
7!at tric) did+t t!ou in"ent to come to 9ome
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 47/161
7it!out t!y !u+#and*
BLIA. 7!y, my lord, I told !im
I came to "i+it an old anc!orite[F1]
(ere &or de"otion.
CA9DINAL. T!ou art a witty &al+e one,4
I mean, to !im.
BLIA. You !a"e re"ail/d wit! me
eyond my +tron$e+t t!ou$!t+ I would not now
%ind you incon+tant.
CA9DINAL. Do not ut t!y+el&
To +uc! a "oluntary torture, w!ic! roceed+
Out o& your own $uilt.
BLIA. (ow, my lord;
CA9DINAL. You &ear
:y con+tancy, #ecau+e you !a"e aro"/d[F8]
T!o+e $iddy and wild turnin$+ in your+el&.
BLIA. Did you e/er -nd t!em*
CA9DINAL. Soot!, $enerally &or women,
A man mi$!t +tri"e to ma)e $la++ mallea#le,
Ere !e +!ould ma)e t!em -ed.
BLIA. So, my lord.
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 48/161
CA9DINAL. 7e !ad need $o #orrow t!at &anta+tic $la++
In"ented #y >alileo t!e %lorentine
To "iew anot!er +aciou+ world i/ t!/ moon,
And loo) to -nd a con+tant woman t!ere.
BLIA. T!i+ i+ "ery well, my lord.
CA9DINAL. 7!y do you wee*
Are tear+ your 0u+ti-cation* T!e +el&5+ame tear+
7ill &all into your !u+#and/+ #o+om, lady,
7it! a loud rote+tation t!at you lo"e !im
A#o"e t!e world. Come, I /ll lo"e you wi+ely,
T!at /+ 0ealou+ly +ince I am "ery certain
You cannot ma)e me cuc)old.
BLIA. I /ll $o !ome
To my !u+#and.
CA9DINAL. You may t!an) me, lady,
I !a"e ta)en you o< your melanc!oly erc!,
ore you uon my -+t, and +!ow/d you $ame,
And let you 3y at it.4I ray t!ee, )i++ me.4
7!en t!ou wa+t wit! t!y !u+#and, t!ou wa+t watc!/d
Li)e a tame ele!ant'4+till you are to t!an) me'4
T!ou !ad+t only )i++e+ &rom !im and !i$! &eedin$
ut w!at deli$!t wa+ t!at* /Twa+ 0u+t li)e one
T!at !at! a little -n$/rin$ on t!e lute,
Yet cannot tune it'4+till you are to t!an) me.
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 49/161
BLIA. You told me o& a iteou+ wound i/ t!/ !eart,
And a +ic) li"er, w!en you woo/d me -r+t,
And +a)e li)e one in !y+ic.[F?]
CA9DINAL. 7!o /+ t!at*44
[Enter Ser"ant]
9e+t -rm, &or my a<ection to t!ee,
Li$!tnin$ mo"e+ +low to /t.
SE9@ANT. :adam, a $entleman,
T!at /+ come o+t &rom :al-, de+ire+ to +ee you.
CA9DINAL. Let !im enter' I /ll wit!draw.
Eit.
SE9@ANT. (e +ay+
Your !u+#and, old Ca+truccio, i+ come to 9ome,
:o+t iti&ully tir/d wit! ridin$ o+t.
[Eit.]
[Enter DELIO]
BLIA. [A+ide.] Si$nior Delio; /ti+ one o& my old +uitor+.
DELIO. I wa+ #old to come and +ee you.
BLIA. Sir, you are welcome.
DELIO. Do you lie !ere*
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 50/161
BLIA. Sure, your own eerience
7ill +ati+&y you no' our 9oman relate+
Do not )ee lod$in$ &or ladie+.
DELIO. @ery well'
I !a"e #rou$!t you no commendation+ &rom your !u+#and,
%or I )now none #y !im.
BLIA. I !ear !e /+ come to 9ome.
DELIO. I ne"er )new man and #ea+t, o& a !or+e and a )ni$!t,
So weary o& eac! ot!er. I& !e !ad !ad a $ood #ac),
(e would !a"e undertoo) to !a"e #orne !i+ !or+e,
(i+ #reec! wa+ +o iti&ully +ore.
BLIA. Your lau$!ter
I+ my ity.
DELIO. Lady, I )now not w!et!er
You want money, #ut I !a"e #rou$!t you +ome.
BLIA. %rom my !u+#and*
DELIO. No, &rom mine own allowance.
BLIA. I mu+t !ear t!e condition, ere I #e #ound to ta)e it.
DELIO. Loo) on /t, /ti+ $old !at! it not a -ne colour*
BLIA. I !a"e a #ird more #eauti&ul.
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 51/161
DELIO. Try t!e +ound on /t.
BLIA. A lute5+trin$ &ar eceed+ it.
It !at! no +mell, li)e ca++ia or ci"et
Nor i+ it !y+ical,[F] t!ou$! +ome &ond doctor+
6er+uade u+ +eet!e /t in culli+e+.[F] I /ll tell you,
T!i+ i+ a creature #red #y44
[9e5enter Ser"ant]
SE9@ANT. Your !u+#and /+ come,
(at! deli"er/d a letter to t!e Du)e o& Cala#ria
T!at, to my t!in)in$, !at! ut !im out o& !i+ wit+.
[Eit.]
BLIA. Sir, you !ear'
6ray, let me )now your #u+ine++ and your +uit
A+ #rie3y a+ can #e.
DELIO. 7it! $ood +eed' I would wi+! you,
At +uc! time a+ you are non5re+ident
7it! your !u+#and, my mi+tre++.
BLIA. Sir, I /ll $o a+) my !u+#and i& I +!all,
And +trai$!t return your an+wer.
Eit.
DELIO. @ery -ne;
I+ t!i+ !er wit, or !one+ty, t!at +ea)+ t!u+*
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 52/161
I !eard one +ay t!e du)e wa+ !i$!ly mo"/d
7it! a letter +ent &rom :al-. I do &ear
Antonio i+ #etray/d. (ow &ear&ully
S!ow+ !i+ am#ition now; n&ortunate &ortune;
T!ey a++ t!rou$! w!irl5ool+, and dee woe+ do +!un,
7!o t!e e"ent wei$! ere t!e action /+ done.
Eit.
Scene @ [FF]
[Enter] CA9DINAL and %E9DINAND wit! a letter
%E9DINAND. I !a"e t!i+ ni$!t di$$/d u a mandra)e.[FG]
CA9DINAL. Say you*
%E9DINAND. And I am $rown mad wit! /t.
CA9DINAL. 7!at /+ t!e rodi$y[*]
%E9DINAND.
9ead t!ere,4a +i+ter damn/d' +!e /+ loo+e i/ t!e !ilt+[FH]
>rown a notoriou+ +trumet.
CA9DINAL. Sea) lower.
%E9DINAND. Lower;
9o$ue+ do not w!i+er /t now, #ut +ee) to u#li+! /t
KA+ +er"ant+ do t!e #ounty o& t!eir lord+
Aloud and wit! a co"etou+ +earc!in$ eye,
To mar) w!o note t!em. O, con&u+ion +ei=e !er;
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 53/161
S!e !at! !ad mo+t cunnin$ #awd+ to +er"e !er turn,
And more +ecure con"eyance+ &or lu+t
T!an town+ o& $arri+on &or +er"ice.
CA9DINAL. I+ /t o++i#le*
Can t!i+ #e certain*
%E9DINAND. 9!u#ar#, O, &or r!u#ar#
To ur$e t!i+ c!oler; (ere /+ t!e cur+ed day
To romt my memory and !ere /t +!all +tic)
Till o& !er #leedin$ !eart I ma)e a +on$e
To wie it out.
CA9DINAL. 7!y do you ma)e your+el&
So wild a teme+t*
%E9DINAND. 7ould I could #e one,
T!at I mi$!t to++ !er alace /#out !er ear+,
9oot u !er $oodly &ore+t+, #la+t !er mead+,
And lay !er $eneral territory a+ wa+te
A+ +!e !at! done !er !onour+.
CA9DINAL. S!all our #lood,
T!e royal #lood o& Arra$on and Ca+tile,
e t!u+ attainted*
%E9DINAND. Aly de+erate !y+ic'
7e mu+t not now u+e #al+amum, #ut -re,
T!e +martin$ cuin$5$la++, &or t!at /+ t!e mean
To ur$e in&ected #lood, +uc! #lood a+ !er+.
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 54/161
T!ere i+ a )ind o& ity in mine eye,4
I /ll $i"e it to my !and)erc!er and now /ti+ !ere,
I /ll #e2ueat! t!i+ to !er #a+tard.
CA9DINAL. 7!at to do*
%E9DINAND. 7!y, to ma)e +o&t lint &or !i+ mot!er/+ wound+,
7!en I !a"e !ew/d !er to iece+.
CA9DINAL. Cur+/d creature;
ne2ual nature, to lace women/+ !eart+
So &ar uon t!e le&t +ide;[F]
%E9DINAND. %ooli+! men,
T!at e/er will tru+t t!eir !onour in a #ar)
:ade o& +o +li$!t wea) #ulru+! a+ i+ woman,
At e"ery minute to +in) it;
CA9DINAL. T!u+ i$norance, w!en it !at! urc!a+/d !onour,
It cannot wield it.
%E9DINAND. :et!in)+ I +ee !er lau$!in$,4
Ecellent !yena; Tal) to me +omew!at 2uic)ly,
Or my ima$ination will carry me
To +ee !er in t!e +!ame&ul act o& +in.
CA9DINAL. 7it! w!om*
%E9DINAND. (aily wit! +ome +tron$5t!i$!/d #ar$eman,
Or one o/ t!/ wood5yard t!at can 2uoit t!e +led$e[GJ]
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 55/161
Or to++ t!e #ar, or el+e +ome lo"ely +2uire
T!at carrie+ coal+ u to !er ri"y lod$in$+.
CA9DINAL. You 3y #eyond your rea+on.
%E9DINAND. >o to, mi+tre++;
/Ti+ not your w!ore/+ mil) t!at +!all 2uenc! my wild5-re,
ut your w!ore/+ #lood.
CA9DINAL. (ow idly +!ow+ t!i+ ra$e, w!ic! carrie+ you,
A+ men con"ey/d #y witc!e+ t!rou$! t!e air,
On "iolent w!irlwind+; T!i+ intemerate noi+e
%itly re+em#le+ dea& men/+ +!rill di+cour+e,
7!o tal) aloud, t!in)in$ all ot!er men
To !a"e t!eir imer&ection.
%E9DINAND. (a"e not you
:y al+y*
CA9DINAL. Ye+, [#ut] I can #e an$ry
7it!out t!i+ ruture. T!ere i+ not in nature
A t!in$ t!at ma)e+ man +o de&orm/d, +o #ea+tly,
A+ dot! intemerate an$er. C!ide your+el&.
You !a"e di"er+ men w!o ne"er yet ere++/d
T!eir +tron$ de+ire o& re+t #ut #y unre+t,
y "ein$ o& t!em+el"e+. Come, ut your+el&
In tune.
%E9DINAND. So I will only +tudy to +eem
T!e t!in$ I am not. I could )ill !er now,
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 56/161
In you, or in my+el& &or I do t!in)
It i+ +ome +in in u+ !ea"en dot! re"en$e
y !er.
CA9DINAL. Are you +tar) mad*
%E9DINAND. I would !a"e t!eir #odie+
urnt in a coal5it wit! t!e "enta$e +to/d,
T!at t!eir cur+/d +mo)e mi$!t not a+cend to !ea"en
Or di t!e +!eet+ t!ey lie in in itc! or +ul!ur,
7ra t!em in /t, and t!en li$!t t!em li)e a matc!
Or el+e to5#oil[G1] t!eir #a+tard to a culli+,
And $i"e /t !i+ lec!erou+ &at!er to renew
T!e +in o& !i+ #ac).
CA9DINAL. I /ll lea"e you.
%E9DINAND. Nay, I !a"e done.
I am con-dent, !ad I #een damn/d in !ell,
And +!ould !a"e !eard o& t!i+, it would !a"e ut me
Into a cold +weat. In, in I /ll $o +lee.
Till I )now w!o [lo"e+] my +i+ter, I /ll not +tir'
T!at )nown, I /ll -nd +corion+ to +trin$ my w!i+,
And - !er in a $eneral ecli+e.
Eeunt.
Act III
Scene I[G8]
[Enter] ANTONIO and DELIO
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 57/161
ANTONIO. Our no#le &riend, my mo+t #elo"ed Delio;
O, you !a"e #een a +tran$er lon$ at court'
Came you alon$ wit! t!e Lord %erdinand*
DELIO. I did, +ir' and !ow &are+ your no#le duc!e++*
ANTONIO. 9i$!t &ortunately well' +!e /+ an ecellent
%eeder o& edi$ree+ +ince you la+t +aw !er,
S!e !at! !ad two c!ildren more, a +on and dau$!ter.
DELIO. :et!in)+ /twa+ ye+terday. Let me #ut win),
And not #e!old your &ace, w!ic! to mine eye
I+ +omew!at leaner, "erily I +!ould dream
It were wit!in t!i+ !al& !our.
ANTONIO. You !a"e not #een in law, &riend Delio,
Nor in ri+on, nor a +uitor at t!e court,
Nor #e$$/d t!e re"er+ion o& +ome $reat man/+ lace,
Nor trou#led wit! an old wi&e, w!ic! dot! ma)e
Your time +o in+en+i#ly !a+ten.
DELIO. 6ray, +ir, tell me,
(at! not t!i+ new+ arri"/d yet to t!e ear
O& t!e lord cardinal*
ANTONIO. I &ear it !at!'
T!e Lord %erdinand, t!at /+ newly come to court,
Dot! #ear !im+el& ri$!t dan$erou+ly.
DELIO. 6ray, w!y*
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 58/161
ANTONIO. (e i+ +o 2uiet t!at !e +eem+ to +lee
T!e teme+t out, a+ dormice do in winter.
T!o+e !ou+e+ t!at are !aunted are mo+t +till
Till t!e de"il #e u.
DELIO. 7!at +ay t!e common eole*
ANTONIO. T!e common ra##le do directly +ay
S!e i+ a +trumet.
DELIO. And your $ra"er !ead+
7!ic! would #e olitic, w!at cen+ure t!ey*
ANTONIO. T!ey do o#+er"e I $row to in-nite urc!a+e,[G?]
T!e le&t !and way and all +uo+e t!e duc!e++
7ould amend it, i& +!e could &or, +ay t!ey,
>reat rince+, t!ou$! t!ey $rud$e t!eir ocer+
S!ould !a"e +uc! lar$e and uncon-ned mean+
To $et wealt! under t!em, will not comlain,
Le+t t!ere#y t!ey +!ould ma)e t!em odiou+
nto t!e eole. %or ot!er o#li$ation
O& lo"e or marria$e #etween !er and me
T!ey ne"er dream o&.
DELIO. T!e Lord %erdinand
I+ $oin$ to #ed.
[Enter DC(ESS, %E9DINAND, and Attendant+]
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 59/161
%E9DINAND. I /ll in+tantly to #ed,
%or I am weary.4I am to #e+ea)
A !u+#and &or you.
DC(ESS. %or me, +ir; 6ray, w!o i+ /t*
%E9DINAND. T!e $reat Count :alate+ti.
DC(ESS. %ie uon !im;
A count; (e /+ a mere +tic) o& +u$ar5candy
You may loo) 2uite t!rou$! !im. 7!en I c!oo+e
A !u+#and, I will marry &or your !onour.
%E9DINAND. You +!all do well in /t.4(ow i+ /t, wort!y Antonio*
DC(ESS. ut, +ir, I am to !a"e ri"ate con&erence wit! you
A#out a +candalou+ reort i+ +read
Touc!in$ mine !onour.
%E9DINAND. Let me #e e"er dea& to /t'
One o& 6a+2uil/+ aer5#ullet+,[G] court5calumny,
A e+tilent air, w!ic! rince+/ alace+
Are +eldom ur$/d o&. Yet, +ay t!at it were true,
I our it in your #o+om, my -/d lo"e
7ould +tron$ly ecu+e, etenuate, nay, deny
%ault+, were t!ey aarent in you. >o, #e +a&e
In your own innocency.
DC(ESS. [A+ide.] O #le++/d com&ort;
T!i+ deadly air i+ ur$/d.
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 60/161
Eeunt [DC(ESS, ANTONIO, DELIO, and Attendant+.]
%E9DINAND. (er $uilt tread+ on
(ot5#urnin$ coulter+.[G]
Enter OSOLA
Now, o+ola,
(ow t!ri"e+ our intelli$ence*[GF]
OSOLA. Sir, uncertainly'
/Ti+ rumour/d +!e !at! !ad t!ree #a+tard+, #ut
y w!om we may $o read i/ t!e +tar+.
%E9DINAND. 7!y, +ome
(old oinion all t!in$+ are written t!ere.
OSOLA. Ye+, i& we could -nd +ectacle+ to read t!em.
I do +u+ect t!ere !at! #een +ome +orcery
+/d on t!e duc!e++.
%E9DINAND. Sorcery; to w!at uro+e*
OSOLA. To ma)e !er dote on +ome de+ertle++ &ellow
S!e +!ame+ to ac)nowled$e.
%E9DINAND. Can your &ait! $i"e way
To t!in) t!ere /+ ower in otion+ or in c!arm+,
To ma)e u+ lo"e w!et!er we will or no*
OSOLA. :o+t certainly.
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 61/161
%E9DINAND. Away; t!e+e are mere $ullerie+,[GG] !orrid t!in$+,
In"ented #y +ome c!eatin$ mounte#an)+
To a#u+e u+. Do you t!in) t!at !er#+ or c!arm+
Can &orce t!e will* Some trial+ !a"e #een made
In t!i+ &ooli+! ractice, #ut t!e in$redient+
7ere leniti"e[GH] oi+on+, +uc! a+ are o& &orce
To ma)e t!e atient mad and +trai$!t t!e witc!
Swear+ #y e2ui"ocation t!ey are in lo"e.
T!e witc!5cra&t lie+ in !er ran) #lood. T!i+ ni$!t
I will &orce con&e++ion &rom !er. You told me
You !ad $ot, wit!in t!e+e two day+, a &al+e )ey
Into !er #ed5c!am#er.
OSOLA. I !a"e.
%E9DINAND. A+ I would wi+!.
OSOLA. 7!at do you intend to do*
%E9DINAND. Can you $ue++*
OSOLA. No.
%E9DINAND. Do not a+), t!en'
(e t!at can coma++ me, and )now my dri&t+,
:ay +ay !e !at! ut a $irdle /#out t!e world,
And +ounded all !er 2uic)5+and+.
OSOLA. I do not
T!in) +o.
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 62/161
%E9DINAND. 7!at do you t!in), t!en, ray*
OSOLA. T!at you
Are your own c!ronicle too muc!, and $ro++ly
%latter your+el&.
%E9DINAND. >i"e me t!y !and I t!an) t!ee'
I ne"er $a"e en+ion #ut to 3atterer+,
Till I entertained t!ee. %arewell.
T!at &riend a $reat man/+ ruin +tron$ly c!ec)+,
7!o rail+ into !i+ #elie& all !i+ de&ect+.
Eeunt.
Scene II[G]
[Enter] DC(ESS, ANTONIO, and CA9IOLA
DC(ESS. rin$ me t!e ca+)et !it!er, and t!e $la++.4
You $et no lod$in$ !ere to5ni$!t, my lord.
ANTONIO. Indeed, I mu+t er+uade one.
DC(ESS. @ery $ood'
I !oe in time /twill $row into a cu+tom,
T!at no#lemen +!all come wit! ca and )nee
To urc!a+e a ni$!t/+ lod$in$ o& t!eir wi"e+.
ANTONIO. I mu+t lie !ere.
DC(ESS. :u+t; You are a lord o& mi+5rule.
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 63/161
ANTONIO. Indeed, my rule i+ only in t!e ni$!t.
DC(ESS. I /ll +to your mout!.
[Mi++e+ !im.]
ANTONIO. Nay, t!at /+ #ut one @enu+ !ad two +o&t do"e+
To draw !er c!ariot I mu+t !a"e anot!er.4
[S!e )i++e+ !im a$ain.]
7!en wilt t!ou marry, Cariola*
CA9IOLA. Ne"er, my lord.
ANTONIO. O, -e uon t!i+ +in$le li&e; &or$o it.
7e read !ow Da!ne, &or !er ee"i+! [3i$!t,][HJ]
ecame a &ruitle++ #ay5tree Syrin turn/d
To t!e ale emty reed Anaarete
7a+ &ro=en into mar#le' w!erea+ t!o+e
7!ic! married, or ro"/d )ind unto t!eir &riend+,
7ere #y a $raciou+ in3uence tran+!a/d
Into t!e oli"e, ome$ranate, mul#erry,
ecame 3ower+, reciou+ +tone+, or eminent +tar+.
CA9IOLA. T!i+ i+ a "ain oetry' #ut I ray you, tell me,
I& t!ere were roo+/d me, wi+dom, ric!e+, and #eauty,
In t!ree +e"eral youn$ men, w!ic! +!ould I c!oo+e*
ANTONIO. /Ti+ a !ard 2ue+tion. T!i+ wa+ 6ari+/ ca+e,
And !e wa+ #lind in /t, and t!ere wa+ a $reat cau+e
%or !ow wa+ /t o++i#le !e could 0ud$e ri$!t,
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 64/161
(a"in$ t!ree amorou+ $odde++e+ in "iew,
And t!ey +tar) na)ed* /Twa+ a motion
7ere a#le to #eni$!t t!e are!en+ion
O& t!e +e"ere+t coun+ellor o& Euroe.
Now I loo) on #ot! your &ace+ +o well &orm/d,
It ut+ me in mind o& a 2ue+tion I would a+).
CA9IOLA. 7!at i+ /t*
ANTONIO. I do wonder w!y !ard5&a"our/d ladie+,
%or t!e mo+t art, )ee wor+e5&a"our/d waitin$5women
To attend t!em, and cannot endure &air one+.
DC(ESS. O, t!at /+ +oon an+wer/d.
Did you e"er in your li&e )now an ill ainter
De+ire to !a"e !i+ dwellin$ net door to t!e +!o
O& an ecellent icture5ma)er* /Twould di+$race
(i+ &ace5ma)in$, and undo !im. I rit!ee,
7!en were we +o merry*4:y !air tan$le+.
ANTONIO. 6ray t!ee, Cariola, let /+ +teal &ort! t!e room,
And let !er tal) to !er+el&' I !a"e di"er+ time+
Ser"/d !er t!e li)e, w!en +!e !at! c!a&/d etremely.
I lo"e to +ee !er an$ry. So&tly, Cariola.
Eeunt [ANTONIO and CA9IOLA.]
DC(ESS. Dot! not t!e colour o& my !air /$in to c!an$e*
7!en I wa $ray, I +!all !a"e all t!e court
6owder t!eir !air wit! arra+,[H1] to #e li)e me.
You !a"e cau+e to lo"e me I ent/red you into my !eart
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 65/161
[Enter %E9DINAND un+een]
e&ore you would "ouc!+a&e to call &or t!e )ey+.
7e +!all one day !a"e my #rot!er+ ta)e you nain$.
:et!in)+ !i+ re+ence, #ein$ now in court,
S!ould ma)e you )ee your own #ed #ut you /ll +ay
Lo"e mi/d wit! &ear i+ +weete+t. I /ll a++ure you,
You +!all $et no more c!ildren till my #rot!er+
Con+ent to #e your $o++i+. (a"e you lo+t your ton$ue*
/Ti+ welcome'
%or )now, w!et!er I am doom/d to li"e or die,
I can do #ot! li)e a rince.
%E9DINAND. Die, t!en, 2uic)ly;
>i"in$ !er a oniard.
@irtue, w!ere art t!ou !id* 7!at !ideou+ t!in$
I+ it t!at dot! ecli+e t!ee*
DC(ESS. 6ray, +ir, !ear me.
%E9DINAND. Or i+ it true t!ou art #ut a #are name,
And no e++ential t!in$*
DC(ESS. Sir44
%E9DINAND. Do not +ea).
DC(ESS. No, +ir'
I will lant my +oul in mine ear+, to !ear you.
%E9DINAND. O mo+t imer&ect li$!t o& !uman rea+on,
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 66/161
T!at ma)/+t [u+] +o un!ay to &ore+ee
7!at we can lea+t re"ent; 6ur+ue t!y wi+!e+,
And $lory in t!em' t!ere /+ in +!ame no com&ort
ut to #e a+t all #ound+ and +en+e o& +!ame.
DC(ESS. I ray, +ir, !ear me' I am married.
%E9DINAND. So;
DC(ESS. (aily, not to your li)in$' #ut &or t!at,
Ala+, your +!ear+ do come untimely now
To cli t!e #ird/+ win$+ t!at /+ already 3own;
7ill you +ee my !u+#and*
%E9DINAND. Ye+, i& I could c!an$e
Eye+ wit! a #a+ili+).
DC(ESS. Sure, you came !it!er
y !i+ con&ederacy.
%E9DINAND. T!e !owlin$ o& a wol&
I+ mu+ic to t!ee, +creec!5owl' rit!ee, eace.4
7!ate/er t!ou art t!at !a+t en0oy/d my +i+ter,
%or I am +ure t!ou !ear/+t me, &or t!ine own +a)e
Let me not )now t!ee. I came !it!er rear/d
To wor) t!y di+co"ery yet am now er+uaded
It would #e$et +uc! "iolent e<ect+
A+ would damn u+ #ot!. I would not &or ten million+
I !ad #e!eld t!ee' t!ere&ore u+e all mean+
I ne"er may !a"e )nowled$e o& t!y name
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 67/161
En0oy t!y lu+t +till, and a wretc!ed li&e,
On t!at condition.4And &or t!ee, "ile woman,
I& t!ou do wi+! t!y lec!er may $row old
In t!y em#racement+, I would !a"e t!ee #uild
Suc! a room &or !im a+ our anc!orite+
To !olier u+e in!a#it. Let not t!e +un
S!ine on !im till !e /+ dead let do$+ and mon)ey+
Only con"er+e wit! !im, and +uc! dum# t!in$+
To w!om nature denie+ u+e to +ound !i+ name
Do not )ee a ara2uito, le+t +!e learn it
I& t!ou do lo"e !im, cut out t!ine own ton$ue,
Le+t it #ewray !im.
DC(ESS. 7!y mi$!t not I marry*
I !a"e not $one a#out in t!i+ to create
Any new world or cu+tom.
%E9DINAND. T!ou art undone
And t!ou !a+t ta/en t!at ma++y +!eet o& lead
T!at !id t!y !u+#and/+ #one+, and &olded it
A#out my !eart.
DC(ESS. :ine #leed+ &or /t.
%E9DINAND. T!ine; t!y !eart;
7!at +!ould I name /t unle++ a !ollow #ullet
%ill/d wit! un2uenc!a#le wild5-re*
DC(ESS. You are in t!i+
Too +trict and were you not my rincely #rot!er,
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 68/161
I would +ay, too wil&ul' my reutation
I+ +a&e.
%E9DINAND. Do+t t!ou )now w!at reutation i+*
I /ll tell t!ee,4to +mall uro+e, +ince t!e in+truction
Come+ now too late.
on a time 9eutation, Lo"e, and Deat!,
7ould tra"el o/er t!e world and it wa+ concluded
T!at t!ey +!ould art, and ta)e t!ree +e"eral way+.
Deat! told t!em, t!ey +!ould -nd !im in $reat #attle+,
Or citie+ la$u/d wit! la$ue+' Lo"e $i"e+ t!em coun+el
To in2uire &or !im /mon$+t unam#itiou+ +!e!erd+,
7!ere dowrie+ were not tal)/d o&, and +ometime+
/:on$+t 2uiet )indred t!at !ad not!in$ le&t
y t!eir dead arent+' /Stay,/ 2uot! 9eutation,
/Do not &or+a)e me &or it i+ my nature,
I& once I art &rom any man I meet,
I am ne"er &ound a$ain./ And +o &or you'
You !a"e +!oo) !and+ wit! 9eutation,
And made !im in"i+i#le. So, &are you well'
I will ne"er +ee you more.
DC(ESS. 7!y +!ould only I,
O& all t!e ot!er rince+ o& t!e world,
e ca+/d u, li)e a !oly relic* I !a"e yout!
And a little #eauty.
%E9DINAND. So you !a"e +ome "ir$in+
T!at are witc!e+. I will ne"er +ee t!ee more.
Eit.
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 69/161
9e5enter ANTONIO wit! a i+tol, [and CA9IOLA]
DC(ESS. You +aw t!i+ aarition*
ANTONIO. Ye+' we are
etray/d. (ow came !e !it!er* I +!ould turn
T!i+ to t!ee, &or t!at.
CA9IOLA. 6ray, +ir, do and w!en
T!at you !a"e cle&t my !eart, you +!all read t!ere
:ine innocence.
DC(ESS. T!at $allery $a"e !im entrance.
ANTONIO. I would t!i+ terri#le t!in$ would come a$ain,
T!at, +tandin$ on my $uard, I mi$!t relate
:y warranta#le lo"e.4
KS!e +!ow+ t!e oniard.
(a; w!at mean+ t!i+*
DC(ESS. (e le&t t!i+ wit! me.
ANTONIO. And it +eem+ did wi+!
You would u+e it on your+el&.
DC(ESS. (i+ action +eem/d
To intend +o muc!.
ANTONIO. T!i+ !at! a !andle to /t,
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 70/161
A+ well a+ a oint' turn it toward+ !im, and
So &a+ten t!e )een ed$e in !i+ ran) $all.
[Mnoc)in$ wit!in.]
(ow now; w!o )noc)+* :ore eart!2ua)e+*
DC(ESS. I +tand
A+ i& a mine #eneat! my &eet were ready
To #e #lown u.
CA9IOLA. /Ti+ o+ola.
DC(ESS. Away;
O mi+ery; met!in)+ un0u+t action+
S!ould wear t!e+e ma+)+ and curtain+, and not we.
You mu+t in+tantly art !ence' I !a"e &a+!ion/d it already.
Eit ANTONIO.
Enter OSOLA
OSOLA. T!e du)e your #rot!er i+ ta/en u in a w!irlwind
(at! too) !or+e, and /+ rid o+t to 9ome.
DC(ESS. So late*
OSOLA. (e told me, a+ !e mounted into t!e +addle,
You were undone.
DC(ESS. Indeed, I am "ery near it.
OSOLA. 7!at /+ t!e matter*
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 71/161
DC(ESS. Antonio, t!e ma+ter o& our !ou+e!old,
(at! dealt +o &al+ely wit! me in /+ account+.
:y #rot!er +tood en$a$/d wit! me &or money
Ta/en u o& certain Neaolitan Bew+,
And Antonio let+ t!e #ond+ #e &or&eit.
OSOLA. Stran$e;4[A+ide.] T!i+ i+ cunnin$.
DC(ESS. And !ereuon
:y #rot!er/+ #ill+ at Nale+ are rote+ted
A$ain+t.4Call u our ocer+.
OSOLA. I +!all.
Eit.
[9e5enter ANTONIO]
DC(ESS. T!e lace t!at you mu+t 3y to i+ Ancona'
(ire a !ou+e t!ere I /ll +end a&ter you
:y trea+ure and my 0ewel+. Our wea) +a&ety
9un+ uon en$inou+ w!eel+'[H8] +!ort +ylla#le+
:u+t +tand &or eriod+. I mu+t now accu+e you
O& +uc! a &ei$ned crime a+ Ta++o call+
:a$nanima men=o$na, a no#le lie,
/Cau+e it mu+t +!ield our !onour+.4(ar); t!ey are comin$.
[9e5enter OSOLA and Ocer+]
ANTONIO. 7ill your $race !ear me*
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 72/161
DC(ESS. I !a"e $ot well #y you you !a"e yielded me
A million o& lo++' I am li)e to in!erit
T!e eole/+ cur+e+ &or your +teward+!i.
You !ad t!e tric) in audit5time to #e +ic),
Till I !ad +i$n/d your 2uietu+[H?] and t!at cur/d you
7it!out !el o& a doctor.4>entlemen,
I would !a"e t!i+ man #e an eamle to you all
So +!all you !old my &a"our I ray, let !im
%or !/a+ done t!at, ala+, you would not t!in) o&,
And, #ecau+e I intend to #e rid o& !im,
I mean not to u#li+!.4+e your &ortune el+ew!ere.
ANTONIO. I am +tron$ly arm/d to #roo) my o"ert!row,
A+ commonly men #ear wit! a !ard year.
I will not #lame t!e cau+e on /t #ut do t!in)
T!e nece++ity o& my male"olent +tar
6rocure+ t!i+, not !er !umour. O, t!e incon+tant
And rotten $round o& +er"ice; You may +ee,
/Ti+ e"en li)e !im, t!at in a winter ni$!t,
Ta)e+ a lon$ +lum#er o/er a dyin$ -re,
A5lot! to art &rom /t yet art+ t!ence a+ cold
A+ w!en !e -r+t +at down.
DC(ESS. 7e do con-+cate,
Toward+ t!e +ati+&yin$ o& your account+,
All t!at you !a"e.
ANTONIO. I am all your+ and /ti+ "ery -t
All mine +!ould #e +o.
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 73/161
DC(ESS. So, +ir, you !a"e your a++.
ANTONIO. You may +ee, $entlemen, w!at /ti+ to +er"e
A rince wit! #ody and +oul.
Eit.
OSOLA. (ere /+ an eamle &or etortion' w!at moi+ture i+ drawn
out o& t!e +ea, w!en &oul weat!er come+, our+ down, and run+ into
t!e +ea a$ain.
DC(ESS. I would )now w!at are your oinion+
O& t!i+ Antonio.
SECOND O%%ICE9. (e could not a#ide to +ee a i$/+ !ead $ain$'
I t!ou$!t your $race would -nd !im a Bew.
T(I9D O%%ICE9. I would you !ad #een !i+ ocer, &or your own +a)e.
%O9T( O%%ICE9. You would !a"e !ad more money.
%I9ST O%%ICE9. (e +toed !i+ ear+ wit! #lac) wool, and to t!o+e came
to !im &or money +aid !e wa+ t!ic) o& !earin$.
SECOND O%%ICE9. Some +aid !e wa+ an !erma!rodite, &or !e could not
a#ide a woman.
%O9T( O%%ICE9. (ow +cur"y roud !e would loo) w!en t!e trea+ury
wa+ &ull; 7ell, let !im $o.
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 74/161
%I9ST O%%ICE9. Ye+, and t!e c!iin$+ o& t!e #uttery 3y a&ter !im,
to +cour !i+ $old c!ain.[H]
DC(ESS. Lea"e u+.
Eeunt [Ocer+.]
7!at do you t!in) o& t!e+e*
OSOLA. T!at t!e+e are ro$ue+ t!at in /+ ro+erity,
ut to !a"e waited on !i+ &ortune, could !a"e wi+!/d
(i+ dirty +tirru ri"eted t!rou$! t!eir no+e+,
And &ollow/d a&ter /+ mule, li)e a #ear in a rin$
7ould !a"e ro+tituted t!eir dau$!ter+ to !i+ lu+t
:ade t!eir -r+t5#orn intelli$encer+[H] t!ou$!t none !ay
ut +uc! a+ were #orn under !i+ #le+t lanet,
And wore !i+ li"ery' and do t!e+e lice dro o< now*
7ell, ne"er loo) to !a"e t!e li)e a$ain'
(e !at! le&t a +ort [HF] o& 3atterin$ ro$ue+ #e!ind !im
T!eir doom mu+t &ollow. 6rince+ ay 3atterer+
In t!eir own money' 3atterer+ di++em#le t!eir "ice+,
And t!ey di++em#le t!eir lie+ t!at /+ 0u+tice.
Ala+, oor $entleman;
DC(ESS. 6oor; !e !at! amly -ll/d !i+ co<er+.
OSOLA. Sure, !e wa+ too !one+t. 6luto,[HG] t!e $od o& ric!e+,
7!en !e /+ +ent #y Buiter to any man,
(e $oe+ limin$, to +i$ni&y t!at wealt!
T!at come+ on >od/+ name come+ +lowly #ut w!en !e/+ +ent
On t!e de"il/+ errand, !e ride+ o+t and come+ in #y +cuttle+.[HH]
Let me +!ow you w!at a mo+t un"alu/d 0ewel
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 75/161
You !a"e in a wanton !umour t!rown away,
To #le++ t!e man +!all -nd !im. (e wa+ an ecellent
Courtier and mo+t &ait!&ul a +oldier t!at t!ou$!t it
A+ #ea+tly to )now !i+ own "alue too little
A+ de"ili+! to ac)nowled$e it too muc!.
ot! !i+ "irtue and &orm de+er"/d a &ar #etter &ortune'
(i+ di+cour+e rat!er deli$!ted to 0ud$e it+el& t!an +!ow it+el&'
(i+ #rea+t wa+ -ll/d wit! all er&ection,
And yet it +eemed a ri"ate w!i+/rin$5room,
It made +o little noi+e o& /t.
DC(ESS. ut !e wa+ #a+ely de+cended.
OSOLA. 7ill you ma)e your+el& a mercenary !erald,
9at!er to eamine men/+ edi$ree+ t!an "irtue+*
You +!all want [H] !im'
%or )now an !one+t +tate+man to a rince
I+ li)e a cedar lanted #y a +rin$
T!e +rin$ #at!e+ t!e tree/+ root, t!e $rate&ul tree
9eward+ it wit! !i+ +!adow' you !a"e not done +o.
I would +ooner +wim to t!e ermoot!e+ on
Two olitician+/ rotten #ladder+, tied
To$et!er wit! an intelli$encer/+ !eart5+trin$,
T!an deend on +o c!an$ea#le a rince/+ &a"our.
%are t!ee well, Antonio; Since t!e malice o& t!e world
7ould need+ down wit! t!ee, it cannot #e +aid yet
T!at any ill !aen/d unto t!ee, con+iderin$ t!y &all
7a+ accomanied wit! "irtue.
DC(ESS. O, you render me ecellent mu+ic;
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 76/161
OSOLA. Say you*
DC(ESS. T!i+ $ood one t!at you +ea) o& i+ my !u+#and.
OSOLA. Do I not dream* Can t!i+ am#itiou+ a$e
(a"e +o muc! $oodne++ in /t a+ to re&er
A man merely &or wort!, wit!out t!e+e +!adow+
O& wealt! and ainted !onour+* 6o++i#le*
DC(ESS. I !a"e !ad t!ree c!ildren #y !im.
OSOLA. %ortunate lady;
%or you !a"e made your ri"ate nutial #ed
T!e !um#le and &air +eminary o& eace,
No 2ue+tion #ut' many an un#ene-c/d +c!olar
S!all ray &or you &or t!i+ deed, and re0oice
T!at +ome re&erment in t!e world can yet
Ari+e &rom merit. T!e "ir$in+ o& your land
T!at !a"e no dowrie+ +!all !oe your eamle
7ill rai+e t!em to ric! !u+#and+. S!ould you want
Soldier+, /twould ma)e t!e "ery Tur)+ and :oor+
Turn C!ri+tian+, and +er"e you &or t!i+ act.
La+t, t!e ne$lected oet+ o& your time,
In !onour o& t!i+ tro!y o& a man,
9ai+/d #y t!at curiou+ en$ine, your w!ite !and,
S!all t!an) you, in your $ra"e, &or /t and ma)e t!at
:ore re"erend t!an all t!e ca#inet+
O& li"in$ rince+. %or Antonio,
(i+ &ame +!all li)ewi+e 3ow &rom many a en,
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 77/161
7!en !erald+ +!all want coat+ to +ell to men.
DC(ESS. A+ I ta+te com&ort in t!i+ &riendly +eec!,
So would I -nd concealment.
OSOLA. O, t!e +ecret o& my rince,
7!ic! I will wear on t!/ in+ide o& my !eart;
DC(ESS. You +!all ta)e c!ar$e o& all my coin and 0ewel+,
And &ollow !im &or !e retire+ !im+el&
To Ancona.
OSOLA. So.
DC(ESS. 7!it!er, wit!in &ew day+,
I mean to &ollow t!ee.
OSOLA. Let me t!in)'
I would wi+! your $race to &ei$n a il$rima$e
To our Lady o& Loretto, +carce +e"en lea$ue+
]%rom &air Ancona +o may you deart
Your country wit! more !onour, and your 3i$!t
7ill +eem a rincely ro$re++, retainin$
Your u+ual train a#out you.
DC(ESS. Sir, your direction
S!all lead me #y t!e !and.
CA9IOLA. In my oinion,
S!e were #etter ro$re++ to t!e #at!+ at Lucca,
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 78/161
Or $o "i+it t!e Sa
In >ermany &or, i& you will #elie"e me,
I do not li)e t!i+ 0e+tin$ wit! reli$ion,
T!i+ &ei$ned il$rima$e.
DC(ESS. T!ou art a +uer+titiou+ &ool'
6reare u+ in+tantly &or our dearture.
6a+t +orrow+, let u+ moderately lament t!em,
%or t!o+e to come, +ee) wi+ely to re"ent t!em.
[Eeunt DC(ESS and CA9IOLA.]
OSOLA. A olitician i+ t!e de"il/+ 2uilted an"il
(e &a+!ion+ all +in+ on !im, and t!e #low+
Are ne"er !eard' !e may wor) in a lady/+ c!am#er,
A+ !ere &or roo&. 7!at re+t+[J] #ut I re"eal
All to my lord* O, t!i+ #a+e 2uality [1]
O& intelli$encer; 7!y, e"ery 2uality i/ t!e world
6re&er+ #ut $ain or commendation'
Now, &or t!i+ act I am certain to #e rai+/d,
And men t!at aint weed+ to t!e li&e are rai+/d.
[Eit.]
Scene III[8]
[Enter] CA9DINAL, %E9DINAND, :ALATESTI, 6ESCA9A, DELIO,
and SIL@IO
CA9DINAL. :u+t we turn +oldier, t!en*
:ALATESTI. T!e emeror,
(earin$ your wort! t!at way, ere you attain/d
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 79/161
T!i+ re"erend $arment, 0oin+ you in commi++ion
7it! t!e ri$!t &ortunate +oldier t!e :ar2ui+ o& 6e+cara,
And t!e &amou+ Lannoy.
CA9DINAL. (e t!at !ad t!e !onour
O& ta)in$ t!e %renc! )in$ ri+oner*
:ALATESTI. T!e +ame.
(ere /+ a lot drawn &or a new &orti-cation
At Nale+.
%E9DINAND. T!i+ $reat Count :alate+ti, I ercei"e,
(at! $ot emloyment*
DELIO. No emloyment, my lord
A mar$inal note in t!e mu+ter5#oo), t!at !e i+
A "oluntary lord.
%E9DINAND. (e /+ no +oldier.
DELIO. (e !a+ worn $un5owder in /+ !ollow toot! &or t!e toot!5ac!e.
SIL@IO. (e come+ to t!e lea$uer wit! a &ull intent
To eat &re+! #ee& and $arlic, mean+ to +tay
Till t!e +cent #e $one, and +trai$!t return to court.
DELIO. (e !at! read all t!e late +er"ice
A+ t!e City5C!ronicle relate+ it
And )ee+ two ewterer+ $oin$, only to ere++
attle+ in model.
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 80/161
SIL@IO. T!en !e /ll -$!t #y t!e #oo).
DELIO. y t!e almanac, I t!in),
To c!oo+e $ood day+ and +!un t!e critical
T!at /+ !i+ mi+tre++/ +car&.
SIL@IO. Ye+, !e rote+t+
(e would do muc! &or t!at ta<eta.
DELIO. I t!in) !e would run away &rom a #attle,
To +a"e it &rom ta)in$ ri+oner.
SIL@IO. (e i+ !orri#ly a&raid
>un5owder will +oil t!e er&ume on /t.
DELIO. I +aw a Dutc!man #rea) !i+ ate once
%or callin$ !im ot5$un !e made !i+ !ead
(a"e a #ore in /t li)e a mu+)et.
SIL@IO. I would !e !ad made a touc!5!ole to /t.
(e i+ indeed a $uarded +umter5clot!,[?]
Only &or t!e remo"e o& t!e court.
[Enter OSOLA]
6ESCA9A. o+ola arri"/d; 7!at +!ould #e t!e #u+ine++*
Some &allin$5out amon$+t t!e cardinal+.
T!e+e &action+ amon$+t $reat men, t!ey are li)e
%oe+, w!en t!eir !ead+ are di"ided,
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 81/161
T!ey carry -re in t!eir tail+, and all t!e country
A#out t!em $oe+ to wrac) &or /t.
SIL@IO. 7!at /+ t!at o+ola*
DELIO. I )new !im in 6adua,4a &anta+tical +c!olar, li)e +uc! w!o
+tudy to )now !ow many )not+ wa+ in (ercule+/ clu#, o& w!at colour
Ac!ille+/ #eard wa+, or w!et!er (ector were not trou#led wit! t!e
toot!5ac!e. (e !at! +tudied !im+el& !al& #lear5eyed to )now t!e true
+ymmetry o& Cae+ar/+ no+e #y a +!oein$5!orn and t!i+ !e did to $ain
t!e name o& a +eculati"e man.
6ESCA9A. :ar) 6rince %erdinand'
A "ery +alamander li"e+ in /+ eye,
To moc) t!e ea$er "iolence o& -re.
SIL@IO. T!at cardinal !at! made more #ad &ace+ wit! !i+ ore++ion
t!an e"er :ic!ael An$elo made $ood one+. (e li&t+ u /+ no+e, li)e
a &oul oroi+e #e&ore a +torm.
6ESCA9A. T!e Lord %erdinand lau$!+.
DELIO. Li)e a deadly cannon
T!at li$!ten+ ere it +mo)e+.
6ESCA9A. T!e+e are your true an$+ o& deat!,
T!e an$+ o& li&e, t!at +tru$$le wit! $reat +tate+men.
DELIO. In +uc! a de&ormed +ilence witc!e+ w!i+er t!eir c!arm+.
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 82/161
CA9DINAL. Dot! +!e ma)e reli$ion !er ridin$5!ood
To )ee !er &rom t!e +un and teme+t*
%E9DINAND. T!at, t!at damn+ !er. :et!in)+ !er &ault and #eauty,
lended to$et!er, +!ow li)e lero+y,
T!e w!iter, t!e &ouler. I ma)e it a 2ue+tion
7!et!er !er #e$$arly #rat+ were e"er c!ri+t/ned.
CA9DINAL. I will in+tantly +olicit t!e +tate o& Ancona
To !a"e t!em #ani+!/d.
%E9DINAND. You are &or Loretto'
I +!all not #e at your ceremony &are you well.4
7rite to t!e Du)e o& :al-, my youn$ ne!ew
S!e !ad #y !er -r+t !u+#and, and ac2uaint !im
7it! /+ mot!er/+ !one+ty.
OSOLA. I will.
%E9DINAND. Antonio;
A +la"e t!at only +mell/d o& in) and counter+,
And ne"er in /+ li&e loo)/d li)e a $entleman,
ut in t!e audit5time.4>o, $o re+ently,
Draw me out an !undred and -&ty o& our !or+e,
And meet me at t!e &oot5#rid$e.
Eeunt.
Scene I@
[Enter] Two 6il$rim+ to t!e S!rine o& our Lady o& Loretto
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 83/161
%I9ST 6IL>9I:. I !a"e not +een a $oodlier +!rine t!an t!i+
Yet I !a"e "i+ited many.
SECOND 6IL>9I:. T!e Cardinal o& Arra$on
I+ t!i+ day to re+i$n !i+ cardinal/+ !at'
(i+ +i+ter duc!e++ li)ewi+e i+ arri"/d
To ay !er "ow o& il$rima$e. I eect
A no#le ceremony.
%I9ST 6IL>9I:. No 2ue+tion.4T!ey come.
[(ere t!e ceremony o& t!e Cardinal/+ in+talment, in t!e !a#it
o& a +oldier, er&orm/d in deli"erin$ u !i+ cro++, !at, ro#e+,
and rin$, at t!e +!rine, and in"e+tin$ !im wit! +word, !elmet,
+!ield, and +ur+ t!en ANTONIO, t!e DC(ESS and t!eir c!ildren,
!a"in$ re+ented t!em+el"e+ at t!e +!rine, are, #y a &orm
o& #ani+!ment in dum#5+!ow ere++ed toward+ t!em #y t!e
CA9DINAL and t!e +tate o& Ancona, #ani+!ed' durin$ all w!ic!
ceremony, t!i+ ditty i+ +un$, to "ery +olemn mu+ic, #y di"er+
c!urc!men' and t!en eeunt [all ecet t!e] Two 6il$rim+.
Arm+ and !onour+ dec) t!y +tory,
To t!y &ame/+ eternal $lory;
Ad"er+e &ortune e"er 3y t!ee
No di+a+trou+ &ate come ni$! t!ee;
I alone will +in$ t!y rai+e+,
7!om to !onour "irtue rai+e+,
And t!y +tudy, t!at di"ine i+,
ent to martial di+ciline i+,
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 84/161
Lay a+ide all t!o+e ro#e+ lie #y t!ee
Crown t!y art+ wit! arm+, t!ey /ll #eauti&y t!ee.
O wort!y o& wort!ie+t name, adorn/d in t!i+ manner,
Lead #ra"ely t!y &orce+ on under war/+ warli)e #anner;
O, may+t t!ou ro"e &ortunate in all martial cour+e+;
>uide t!ou +till #y +)ill in art+ and &orce+;
@ictory attend t!ee ni$!, w!il+t &ame +in$+ loud t!y ower+
Trium!ant con2ue+t crown t!y !ead, and #le++in$+ our down
+!ower+;[]
%I9ST 6IL>9I:.
(ere /+ a +tran$e turn o& +tate; w!o would !a"e t!ou$!t
So $reat a lady would !a"e matc!/d !er+el&
nto +o mean a er+on* Yet t!e cardinal
ear+ !im+el& muc! too cruel.
SECOND 6IL>9I:. T!ey are #ani+!/d.
%I9ST 6IL>9I:. ut I would a+) w!at ower !at! t!i+ +tate
O& Ancona to determine o& a &ree rince*
SECOND 6IL>9I:. T!ey are a &ree +tate, +ir, and !er #rot!er +!ow/d
(ow t!at t!e 6oe, &ore5!earin$ o& !er loo+ene++,
(at! +ei=/d into t!/ rotection o& t!e c!urc!
T!e du)edom w!ic! +!e !eld a+ dowa$er.
%I9ST 6IL>9I:. ut #y w!at 0u+tice*
SECOND 6IL>9I:. Sure, I t!in) #y none,
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 85/161
Only !er #rot!er/+ in+ti$ation.
%I9ST 6IL>9I:. 7!at wa+ it wit! +uc! "iolence !e too)
O< &rom !er -n$er*
SECOND 6IL>9I:. /Twa+ !er weddin$5rin$
7!ic! !e "ow/d +!ortly !e would +acri-ce
To !i+ re"en$e.
%I9ST 6IL>9I:. Ala+, Antonio;
I& t!at a man #e t!ru+t into a well,
No matter w!o +et+ !and to /t, !i+ own wei$!t
7ill #rin$ !im +ooner to t!/ #ottom. Come, let /+ !ence.
%ortune ma)e+ t!i+ conclu+ion $eneral,
All t!in$+ do !el t!/ un!ay man to &all.
Eeunt.
Scene @ []
[Enter] DC(ESS, ANTONIO, C!ildren, CA9IOLA, and Ser"ant+
DC(ESS. ani+!/d Ancona;
ANTONIO. Ye+, you +ee w!at ower
Li$!ten+ in $reat men/+ #reat!.
DC(ESS. I+ all our train
S!run) to t!i+ oor remainder*
ANTONIO. T!e+e oor men
7!ic! !a"e $ot little in your +er"ice, "ow
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 86/161
To ta)e your &ortune' #ut your wi+er #untin$+,[F]
Now t!ey are 3ed$/d, are $one.
DC(ESS. T!ey !a"e done wi+ely.
T!i+ ut+ me in mind o& deat!' !y+ician+ t!u+,
7it! t!eir !and+ &ull o& money, u+e to $i"e o/er
T!eir atient+.
ANTONIO. 9i$!t t!e &a+!ion o& t!e world'
]%rom decay/d &ortune+ e"ery 3atterer +!rin)+
:en cea+e to #uild w!ere t!e &oundation +in)+.
DC(ESS. I !ad a "ery +tran$e dream to5ni$!t.
ANTONIO. 7!at wa+ /t*
DC(ESS. :et!ou$!t I wore my coronet o& +tate,
And on a +udden all t!e diamond+
7ere c!an$/d to earl+.
ANTONIO. :y interretation
I+, you /ll wee +!ortly &or to me t!e earl+
Do +i$ni&y your tear+.
DC(ESS. T!e #ird+ t!at li"e i/ t!/ -eld
On t!e wild #ene-t o& nature li"e
(aier t!an we &or t!ey may c!oo+e t!eir mate+,
And carol t!eir +weet lea+ure+ to t!e +rin$.
[Enter OSOLA wit! a letter]
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 87/161
OSOLA. You are !aily o/erta/en.
DC(ESS. %rom my #rot!er*
OSOLA. Ye+, &rom t!e Lord %erdinand your #rot!er
All lo"e and +a&ety.
DC(ESS. T!ou do+t #lanc! mi+c!ie&,
7ould/+t ma)e it w!ite. See, +ee, li)e to calm weat!er
At +ea #e&ore a teme+t, &al+e !eart+ +ea) &air
To t!o+e t!ey intend mo+t mi+c!ie&.
[9ead+.] /Send Antonio to me I want !i+ !ead in a #u+ine++./
A olitic e2ui"ocation;
(e dot! not want your coun+el, #ut your !ead
T!at i+, !e cannot +lee till you #e dead.
And !ere /+ anot!er it&all t!at /+ +trew/d o/er
7it! ro+e+ mar) it, /ti+ a cunnin$ one'
[9ead+.]
/I +tand en$a$ed &or your !u+#and &or +e"eral de#t+ at Nale+'
let not t!at trou#le !im I !ad rat!er !a"e !i+ !eart t!an !i+
money/'4
And I #elie"e +o too.
OSOLA. 7!at do you #elie"e*
DC(ESS. T!at !e +o muc! di+tru+t+ my !u+#and/+ lo"e,
(e will #y no mean+ #elie"e !i+ !eart i+ wit! !im
ntil !e +ee it' t!e de"il i+ not cunnin$ enou$!
To circum"ent u+ In riddle+.
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 88/161
OSOLA. 7ill you re0ect t!at no#le and &ree lea$ue
O& amity and lo"e w!ic! I re+ent you*
DC(ESS. T!eir lea$ue i+ li)e t!at o& +ome olitic )in$+,
Only to ma)e t!em+el"e+ o& +tren$t! and ower
To #e our a&ter5ruin tell t!em +o.
OSOLA. And w!at &rom you*
ANTONIO. T!u+ tell !im I will not come.
OSOLA. And w!at o& t!i+*
ANTONIO. :y #rot!er+ !a"e di+er+/d
lood!ound+ a#road w!ic! till I !ear are mu==l/d,
No truce, t!ou$! !atc!/d wit! ne/er +uc! olitic +)ill,
I+ +a&e, t!at !an$+ uon our enemie+/ will.
I /ll not come at t!em.
OSOLA. T!i+ roclaim+ your #reedin$.
E"ery +mall t!in$ draw+ a #a+e mind to &ear,
A+ t!e adamant draw+ iron. %are you well, +ir
You +!all +!ortly !ear &rom /+.
Eit.
DC(ESS. I +u+ect +ome am#u+!
T!ere&ore #y all my lo"e I do con0ure you
To ta)e your elde+t +on, and 3y toward+ :ilan.
Let u+ not "enture all t!i+ oor remainder
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 89/161
In one unluc)y #ottom.
ANTONIO. You coun+el +a&ely.
e+t o& my li&e, &arewell. Since we mu+t art,
(ea"en !at! a !and in /t #ut no ot!erwi+e
T!an a+ +ome curiou+ arti+t ta)e+ in +under
A cloc) or watc!, w!en it i+ out o& &rame,
To #rin$ /t in #etter order.
DC(ESS. I )now not w!ic! i+ #e+t,
To +ee you dead, or art wit! you.4%arewell, #oy'
T!ou art !ay t!at t!ou !a+t not under+tandin$
To )now t!y mi+ery &or all our wit
And readin$ #rin$+ u+ to a truer +en+e
O& +orrow.4In t!e eternal c!urc!, +ir,
I do !oe we +!all not art t!u+.
ANTONIO. O, #e o& com&ort;
:a)e atience a no#le &ortitude,
And t!in) not !ow un)indly we are u+/d'
:an, li)e to ca++ia, i+ ro"/d #e+t, #ein$ #rui+/d.
DC(ESS. :u+t I, li)e to +la"e5#orn 9u++ian,
Account it rai+e to +u<er tyranny*
And yet, O !ea"en, t!y !ea"y !and i+ in /t;
I !a"e +een my little #oy o&t +cour$e !i+ to,
And comar/d my+el& to /t' nau$!t made me e/er
>o ri$!t #ut !ea"en/+ +cour$e5+tic).
ANTONIO. Do not wee'
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 90/161
(ea"en &a+!ion/d u+ o& not!in$ and we +tri"e
To #rin$ our+el"e+ to not!in$.4%arewell, Cariola,
And t!y +weet arm&ul.4I& I do ne"er +ee t!ee more,
e a $ood mot!er to your little one+,
And +a"e t!em &rom t!e ti$er' &are you well.
DC(ESS. Let me loo) uon you once more, &or t!at +eec!
Came &rom a dyin$ &at!er. Your )i++ i+ colder
T!an t!at I !a"e +een an !oly anc!orite
>i"e to a dead man/+ +)ull.
ANTONIO. :y !eart i+ turn/d to a !ea"y lum o& lead,
7it! w!ic! I +ound my dan$er' &are you well.
Eeunt [ANTONIO and !i+ +on.]
DC(ESS. :y laurel i+ all wit!ered.
CA9IOLA. Loo), madam, w!at a troo o& armed men
:a)e toward u+;
9e5enter OSOLA ["i+arded,] wit! a >uard
DC(ESS. O, t!ey are "ery welcome'
7!en %ortune/+ w!eel i+ o"er5c!ar$/d wit! rince+,
T!e wei$!t ma)e+ it mo"e +wi&t' I would !a"e my ruin
e +udden.4I am your ad"enture, am I not*
OSOLA. You are' you mu+t +ee your !u+#and no more.
DC(ESS. 7!at de"il art t!ou t!at counter&eit/+t !ea"en/+ t!under*
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 91/161
OSOLA. I+ t!at terri#le* I would !a"e you tell me w!et!er
I+ t!at note wor+e t!at &ri$!t+ t!e +illy #ird+
Out o& t!e corn, or t!at w!ic! dot! allure t!em
To t!e net+* You !a"e !ear)/ned to t!e la+t too muc!.
DC(ESS. O mi+ery; li)e to a ru+ty o/erc!ar$/d cannon,
S!all I ne"er 3y in iece+*4Come, to w!at ri+on*
OSOLA. To none.
DC(ESS. 7!it!er, t!en*
OSOLA. To your alace.
DC(ESS. I !a"e !eard
T!at C!aron/+ #oat +er"e+ to con"ey all o/er
T!e di+mal la)e, #ut #rin$+ none #ac) a$ain.
OSOLA. Your #rot!er+ mean you +a&ety and ity.
DC(ESS. 6ity;
7it! +uc! a ity men re+er"e ali"e
6!ea+ant+ and 2uail+, w!en t!ey are not &at enou$!
To #e eaten.
OSOLA. T!e+e are your c!ildren*
DC(ESS. Ye+.
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 92/161
OSOLA. Can t!ey rattle*
DC(ESS. No'
ut I intend, +ince t!ey were #orn accur+/d,
Cur+e+ +!all #e t!eir -r+t lan$ua$e.
OSOLA. %ie, madam;
%or$et t!i+ #a+e, low &ellow44
DC(ESS. 7ere I a man,
I /d #eat t!at counter&eit &ace[G] into t!y ot!er.
OSOLA. One o& no #irt!.
DC(ESS. Say t!at !e wa+ #orn mean,
:an i+ mo+t !ay w!en /+ own action+
e ar$ument+ and eamle+ o& !i+ "irtue.
OSOLA. A #arren, #e$$arly "irtue.
DC(ESS. I rit!ee, w!o i+ $reate+t* Can you tell*
Sad tale+ #e-t my woe' I /ll tell you one.
A +almon, a+ +!e +wam unto t!e +ea.
:et wit! a do$5-+!, w!o encounter+ !er
7it! t!i+ rou$! lan$ua$e /7!y art t!ou +o #old
To mi t!y+el& wit! our !i$! +tate o& 3ood+,
ein$ no eminent courtier, #ut one
T!at &or t!e calme+t and &re+! time o/ t!/ year
Do+t li"e in +!allow ri"er+, ran)/+t t!y+el&
7it! +illy +melt+ and +!rim+* And dare+t t!ou
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 93/161
6a++ #y our do$5+!i wit!out re"erence*/
/O,/ 2uot! t!e +almon, /+i+ter, #e at eace'
T!an) Buiter we #ot! !a"e a++/d t!e net;
Our "alue ne"er can #e truly )nown,
Till in t!e -+!er/+ #a+)et we #e +!own'
I/ t!/ mar)et t!en my rice may #e t!e !i$!er,
E"en w!en I am neare+t to t!e coo) and -re./
So to $reat men t!e moral may #e +tretc!ed
:en o&t are "alu/d !i$!, w!en t!ey/re mo+t wretc!ed.4
ut come, w!it!er you lea+e. I am arm/d /$ain+t mi+ery
ent to all +way+ o& t!e ore++or/+ will'
T!ere /+ no dee "alley #ut near +ome $reat !ill.
Eeunt.
Act I@
Scene I[H]
[Enter] %E9DINAND and OSOLA
%E9DINAND. (ow dot! our +i+ter duc!e++ #ear !er+el&
In !er imri+onment*
OSOLA. No#ly' I /ll de+cri#e !er.
S!e /+ +ad a+ one lon$ u+/d to /t, and +!e +eem+
9at!er to welcome t!e end o& mi+ery
T!an +!un it a #e!a"iour +o no#le
A+ $i"e+ a ma0e+ty to ad"er+ity'
You may di+cern t!e +!ae o& lo"eline++
:ore er&ect in !er tear+ t!an in !er +mile+'
S!e will mu+e &or !our+ to$et!er and !er +ilence,
:et!in)+, ere++et! more t!an i& +!e +a)e.
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 94/161
%E9DINAND. (er melanc!oly +eem+ to #e &orti-ed
7it! a +tran$e di+dain.
OSOLA. /Ti+ +o and t!i+ re+traint,
Li)e En$li+! ma+ti"e+ t!at $row -erce wit! tyin$,
:a)e+ !er too a++ionately are!end
T!o+e lea+ure+ +!e i+ )et &rom.
%E9DINAND. Cur+e uon !er;
I will no lon$er +tudy in t!e #oo)
O& anot!er/+ !eart. In&orm !er w!at I told you.
Eit.
[Enter DC(ESS and Attendant+]
OSOLA. All com&ort to your $race;
DC(ESS. I will !a"e none.
6ray t!ee, w!y do+t t!ou wra t!y oi+on/d ill+
In $old and +u$ar*
OSOLA. Your elder #rot!er, t!e Lord %erdinand,
I+ come to "i+it you, and +end+ you word,
/Cau+e once !e ra+!ly made a +olemn "ow
Ne"er to +ee you more, !e come+ i/ t!/ ni$!t
And ray+ you $ently neit!er torc! nor taer
S!ine in your c!am#er. (e will )i++ your !and,
And reconcile !im+el& #ut &or !i+ "ow
(e dare+ not +ee you.
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 95/161
DC(ESS. At !i+ lea+ure.4
Ta)e !ence t!e li$!t+.4(e /+ come.
[Eeunt Attendant+ wit! li$!t+.]
[Enter %E9DINAND]
%E9DINAND. 7!ere are you*
DC(ESS. (ere, +ir.
%E9DINAND. T!i+ dar)ne++ +uit+ you well.
DC(ESS. I would a+) you ardon.
%E9DINAND. You !a"e it
%or I account it t!e !onora#l/+t re"en$e,
7!ere I may )ill, to ardon.47!ere are your cu#+*
DC(ESS. 7!om*
%E9DINAND. Call t!em your c!ildren
%or t!ou$! our national law di+tin$ui+! #a+tard+
]%rom true le$itimate i++ue, coma++ionate nature
:a)e+ t!em all e2ual.
DC(ESS. Do you "i+it me &or t!i+*
You "iolate a +acrament o/ t!/ c!urc!
S!all ma)e you !owl in !ell &or /t.
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 96/161
%E9DINAND. It !ad #een well,
Could you !a"e li"/d t!u+ alway+ &or, indeed,
You were too muc! i/ t!/ li$!t'4#ut no more
I come to +eal my eace wit! you. (ere /+ a !and
>i"e+ !er a dead man/+ !and.
To w!ic! you !a"e "ow/d muc! lo"e t!e rin$ uon /t
You $a"e.
DC(ESS. I a<ectionately )i++ it.
%E9DINAND. 6ray, do, and #ury t!e rint o& it in your !eart.
I will lea"e t!i+ rin$ wit! you &or a lo"e5to)en
And t!e !and a+ +ure a+ t!e rin$ and do not dou#t
ut you +!all !a"e t!e !eart too. 7!en you need a &riend,
Send it to !im t!at ow/d it you +!all +ee
7!et!er !e can aid you.
DC(ESS. You are "ery cold'
I &ear you are not well a&ter your tra"el.4
(a; li$!t+;44O, !orri#le;
%E9DINAND. Let !er !a"e li$!t+ enou$!.
Eit.
DC(ESS. 7!at witc!cra&t dot! !e racti+e, t!at !e !at! le&t
A dead man/+ !and !ere*
[(ere i+ di+co"ered, #e!ind a tra"er+e,[] t!e arti-cial
-$ure+ o& ANTONIO and !i+ c!ildren, aearin$ a+ i&
t!ey were dead.
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 97/161
OSOLA. Loo) you, !ere /+ t!e iece &rom w!ic! /twa+ ta/en.
(e dot! re+ent you t!i+ +ad +ectacle,
T!at, now you )now directly t!ey are dead,
(erea&ter you may wi+ely cea+e to $rie"e
%or t!at w!ic! cannot #e reco"ered.
DC(ESS. T!ere i+ not #etween !ea"en and eart! one wi+!
I +tay &or a&ter t!i+. It wa+te+ me more
T!an were /t my icture, &a+!ion/d out o& wa,
Stuc) wit! a ma$ical needle, and t!en #uried
In +ome &oul dun$!ill and yon /+ an ecellent roerty
%or a tyrant, w!ic! I would account mercy.
OSOLA. 7!at /+ t!at*
DC(ESS. I& t!ey would #ind me to t!at li&ele++ trun),
And let me &ree=e to deat!.
OSOLA. Come, you mu+t li"e.
DC(ESS. T!at /+ t!e $reate+t torture +oul+ &eel in !ell,
In !ell, t!at t!ey mu+t li"e, and cannot die.
6ortia,[1JJ] I /ll new )indle t!y coal+ a$ain,
And re"i"e t!e rare and almo+t dead eamle
O& a lo"in$ wi&e.
OSOLA. O, -e; de+air* 9emem#er
You are a C!ri+tian.
DC(ESS. T!e c!urc! en0oin+ &a+tin$'
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 98/161
I /ll +tar"e my+el& to deat!.
OSOLA. Lea"e t!i+ "ain +orrow.
T!in$+ #ein$ at t!e wor+t #e$in to mend' t!e #ee
7!en !e !at! +!ot !i+ +tin$ into your !and,
:ay t!en lay wit! your eye5lid.
DC(ESS. >ood com&orta#le &ellow,
6er+uade a wretc! t!at /+ #ro)e uon t!e w!eel
To !a"e all !i+ #one+ new +et entreat !im li"e
To #e eecuted a$ain. 7!o mu+t de+atc! me*
I account t!i+ world a tediou+ t!eatre,
%or I do lay a art in /t /$ain+t my will.
OSOLA. Come, #e o& com&ort I will +a"e your li&e.
DC(ESS. Indeed, I !a"e not lei+ure to tend +o +mall a #u+ine++.
OSOLA. Now, #y my li&e, I ity you.
DC(ESS. T!ou art a &ool, t!en,
To wa+te t!y ity on a t!in$ +o wretc!ed
A+ cannot ity it+el&. I am &ull o& da$$er+.
6u<, let me #low t!e+e "ier+ &rom me.
[Enter Ser"ant]
7!at are you*
SE9@ANT. One t!at wi+!e+ you lon$ li&e.
DC(ESS. I would t!ou wert !an$/d &or t!e !orri#le cur+e
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 99/161
T!ou !a+t $i"en me' I +!all +!ortly $row one
O& t!e miracle+ o& ity. I /ll $o ray4
[Eit Ser"ant.]
No, I /ll $o cur+e.
OSOLA. O, -e;
DC(ESS. I could cur+e t!e +tar+.
OSOLA. O, &ear&ul;
DC(ESS. And t!o+e t!ree +milin$ +ea+on+ o& t!e year
Into a 9u++ian winter nay, t!e world
To it+ -r+t c!ao+.
OSOLA. Loo) you, t!e +tar+ +!ine +till[.]
DC(ESS. O, #ut you mu+t
9emem#er, my cur+e !at! a $reat way to $o.4
6la$ue+, t!at ma)e lane+ t!rou$! lar$e+t &amilie+,
Con+ume t!em;4
OSOLA. %ie, lady;
DC(ESS. Let t!em, li)e tyrant+,
Ne"er #e remem#ered #ut &or t!e ill t!ey !a"e done
Let all t!e =ealou+ rayer+ o& morti-ed
C!urc!men &or$et t!em;4
OSOLA. O, unc!arita#le;
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 100/161
DC(ESS. Let !ea"en a little w!ile cea+e crownin$ martyr+,
To uni+! t!em;4
>o, !owl t!em t!i+, and +ay, I lon$ to #leed'
It i+ +ome mercy w!en men )ill wit! +eed.
Eit.
[9e5enter %E9DINAND]
%E9DINAND. Ecellent, a+ I would wi+! +!e /+ la$u/d in art.[1J1]
T!e+e re+entation+ are #ut &ram/d in wa
y t!e curiou+ ma+ter in t!at 2uality,[1J8]
@incentio Lauriola, and +!e ta)e+ t!em
%or true +u#+tantial #odie+.
OSOLA. 7!y do you do t!i+*
%E9DINAND. To #rin$ !er to de+air.
OSOLA. %ait!, end !ere,
And $o no &art!er in your cruelty'
Send !er a enitential $arment to ut on
Net to !er delicate +)in, and &urni+! !er
7it! #ead+ and rayer5#oo)+.
%E9DINAND. Damn !er; t!at #ody o& !er+.
7!ile t!at my #lood run ure in /t, wa+ more wort!
T!an t!at w!ic! t!ou would+t com&ort, call/d a +oul.
I will +end !er ma+2ue+ o& common courte=an+,
(a"e !er meat +er"/d u #y #awd+ and ruan+,
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 101/161
And, /cau+e +!e /ll need+ #e mad, I am re+ol"/d
To mo"e &ort! t!e common !o+ital
All t!e mad5&ol), and lace t!em near !er lod$in$
T!ere let t!em racti+e to$et!er, +in$ and dance,
And act t!eir $am#ol+ to t!e &ull o/ t!/ moon'
I& +!e can +lee t!e #etter &or it, let !er.
Your wor) i+ almo+t ended.
OSOLA. :u+t I +ee !er a$ain*
%E9DINAND. Ye+.
OSOLA. Ne"er.
%E9DINAND. You mu+t.
OSOLA. Ne"er in mine own +!ae
T!at /+ &or&eited #y my intelli$ence[1J?]
And t!i+ la+t cruel lie' w!en you +end me net,
T!e #u+ine++ +!all #e com&ort.
%E9DINAND. @ery li)ely
T!y ity i+ not!in$ o& )in to t!ee, Antonio
Lur)+ a#out :ilan' t!ou +!alt +!ortly t!it!er,
To &eed a -re a+ $reat a+ my re"en$e,
7!ic! ne"/r will +lac) till it !at! +ent !i+ &uel'
Intemerate a$ue+ ma)e !y+ician+ cruel.
Eeunt.
Scene II[1J]
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 102/161
[Enter] DC(ESS and CA9IOLA
DC(ESS. 7!at !ideou+ noi+e wa+ t!at*
CA9IOLA. /Ti+ t!e wild con+ort [1J]
O& madmen, lady, w!ic! your tyrant #rot!er
(at! lac/d a#out your lod$in$. T!i+ tyranny,
I t!in), wa+ ne"er racti+/d till t!i+ !our.
DC(ESS. Indeed, I t!an) !im. Not!in$ #ut noi+e and &olly
Can )ee me in my ri$!t wit+ w!erea+ rea+on
And +ilence ma)e me +tar) mad. Sit down
Di+cour+e to me +ome di+mal tra$edy.
CA9IOLA. O, /twill increa+e your melanc!oly;
DC(ESS. T!ou art decei"/d'
To !ear o& $reater $rie& would le++en mine.
T!i+ i+ a ri+on*
CA9IOLA. Ye+, #ut you +!all li"e
To +!a)e t!i+ durance o<.
DC(ESS. T!ou art a &ool'
T!e ro#in5red5#rea+t and t!e ni$!tin$ale
Ne"er li"e lon$ in ca$e+.
CA9IOLA. 6ray, dry your eye+.
7!at t!in) you o&, madam*
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 103/161
DC(ESS. O& not!in$
7!en I mu+e t!u+, I +lee.
CA9IOLA. Li)e a madman, wit! your eye+ oen*
DC(ESS. Do+t t!ou t!in) we +!all )now one anot!er
In t!/ ot!er world*
CA9IOLA. Ye+, out o& 2ue+tion.
DC(ESS. O, t!at it were o++i#le we mi$!t
ut !old +ome two day+/ con&erence wit! t!e dead;
]%rom t!em I +!ould learn +omew!at, I am +ure,
I ne"er +!all )now !ere. I /ll tell t!ee a miracle'
I am not mad yet, to my cau+e o& +orrow'
T!/ !ea"en o/er my !ead +eem+ made o& molten #ra++,
T!e eart! o& 3amin$ +ul!ur, yet I am not mad.
I am ac2uainted wit! +ad mi+ery
A+ t!e tann/d $alley5+la"e i+ wit! !i+ oar
Nece++ity ma)e+ me +u<er con+tantly,
And cu+tom ma)e+ it ea+y. 7!o do I loo) li)e now*
CA9IOLA. Li)e to your icture in t!e $allery,
A deal o& li&e in +!ow, #ut none in ractice
Or rat!er li)e +ome re"erend monument
7!o+e ruin+ are e"en itied.
DC(ESS. @ery roer
And %ortune +eem+ only to !a"e !er eye5+i$!t
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 104/161
To #e!old my tra$edy.4(ow now;
7!at noi+e i+ t!at*
[Enter Ser"ant]
SE9@ANT. I am come to tell you
Your #rot!er !at! intended you +ome +ort.
A $reat !y+ician, w!en t!e 6oe wa+ +ic)
O& a dee melanc!oly, re+ented !im
7it! +e"eral +ort+[1JF] o& madmen, w!ic! wild o#0ect
ein$ &ull o& c!an$e and +ort, &orc/d !im to lau$!,
And +o t!e imo+t!ume[1JG] #ro)e' t!e +el&5+ame cure
T!e du)e intend+ on you.
DC(ESS. Let t!em come in.
SE9@ANT. T!ere /+ a mad lawyer and a +ecular rie+t
A doctor t!at !at! &or&eited !i+ wit+
y 0ealou+y an a+trolo$ian
T!at in !i+ wor)+ +aid +uc! a day o/ t!e mont!
S!ould #e t!e day o& doom, and, &ailin$ o& /t,
9an mad an En$li+! tailor cra=/d i/ t!e #rain
7it! t!e +tudy o& new &a+!ion+ a $entleman5u+!er
uite #e+ide !im+el& wit! care to )ee in mind
T!e num#er o& !i+ lady/+ +alutation+
Or /(ow do you,/ +!e emloy/d !im in eac! mornin$
A &armer, too, an ecellent )na"e in $rain,[1JH]
:ad /cau+e !e wa+ !ind/red tran+ortation'[1J]
And let one #ro)er t!at /+ mad loo+e to t!e+e,
You/d t!in) t!e de"il were amon$ t!em.
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 105/161
DC(ESS. Sit, Cariola.4Let t!em loo+e w!en you lea+e,
%or I am c!ain/d to endure all your tyranny.
[Enter :adman]
(ere #y a :adman t!i+ +on$ i+ +un$ to a di+mal )ind o& mu+ic
O, let u+ !owl +ome !ea"y note,
Some deadly do$$ed !owl,
Soundin$ a+ &rom t!e t!reatenin$ t!roat
O& #ea+t+ and &atal &owl;
A+ ra"en+, +creec!5owl+, #ull+, and #ear+,
7e /ll #ell, and #awl our art+,
Till ir)+ome noi+e !a"e cloy/d your ear+
And corro+i"/d your !eart+.
At la+t, w!ena+ our c!oir want+ #reat!,
Our #odie+ #ein$ #le+t,
7e /ll +in$, li)e +wan+, to welcome deat!,
And die in lo"e and re+t.
%I9ST :AD:AN. Doom/+5day not come yet; I /ll draw it nearer #y
a er+ecti"e,[11J] or ma)e a $la++ t!at +!all +et all t!e world
on -re uon an in+tant. I cannot +lee my illow i+ +tu<ed
wit! a litter o& orcuine+.
SECOND :AD:AN. (ell i+ a mere $la++5!ou+e, w!ere t!e de"il+
are continually #lowin$ u women/+ +oul+ on !ollow iron+,
and t!e -re ne"er $oe+ out.
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 106/161
%I9ST :AD:AN. I !a"e +)ill in !eraldry.
SECOND :AD:AN. (a+t*
%I9ST :AD:AN. You do $i"e &or your cre+t a woodcoc)/+ !ead
wit! t!e #rain+ ic)ed out on /t you are a "ery ancient $entleman.
T(I9D :AD:AN. >ree) i+ turned Tur)' we are only to #e +a"ed #y
t!e (el"etian tran+lation.[111]
%I9ST :AD:AN. Come on, +ir, I will lay t!e law to you.
SECOND :AD:AN. O, rat!er lay a corro+i"e' t!e law will eat
to t!e #one.
T(I9D :AD:AN. (e t!at drin)+ #ut to +ati+&y nature i+ damn/d.
%O9T( :AD:AN. I& I !ad my $la++ !ere, I would +!ow a +i$!t +!ould
ma)e all t!e women !ere call me mad doctor.
%I9ST :AD:AN. 7!at /+ !e* a roe5ma)er*
SECOND :AD:AN. No, no, no, a +nuPin$ )na"e t!at, w!ile !e +!ow+
t!e tom#+, will !a"e !i+ !and in a wenc!/+ lac)et.[118]
T(I9D :AD:AN. 7oe to t!e caroc!e[11?] t!at #rou$!t !ome my wi&e
&rom t!e ma+2ue at t!ree o/cloc) in t!e mornin$; It !ad a lar$e
&eat!er5#ed in it.
%O9T( :AD:AN. I !a"e ared t!e de"il/+ nail+ &orty time+, roa+ted
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 107/161
t!em in ra"en/+ e$$+, and cured a$ue+ wit! t!em.
T(I9D :AD:AN. >et me t!ree !undred milc!5#at+, to ma)e o++et+[11]
to rocure +lee.
%O9T( :AD:AN. All t!e colle$e may t!row t!eir ca+ at me'
I !a"e made a +oa5#oiler co+ti"e it wa+ my ma+teriece.
(ere t!e dance, con+i+tin$ o& Ei$!t :admen, wit! mu+ic
an+wera#le t!ereunto a&ter w!ic!, OSOLA, li)e an old man,
enter+.
DC(ESS. I+ !e mad too*
SE9@ANT. 6ray, 2ue+tion !im. I /ll lea"e you.
[Eeunt Ser"ant and :admen.]
OSOLA. I am come to ma)e t!y tom#.
DC(ESS. (a; my tom#;
T!ou +ea)/+t a+ i& I lay uon my deat!5#ed,
>a+in$ &or #reat!. Do+t t!ou ercei"e me +ic)*
OSOLA.
Ye+, and t!e more dan$erou+ly, +ince t!y +ic)ne++ i+ in+en+i#le.
DC(ESS. T!ou art not mad, +ure' do+t )now me*
OSOLA. Ye+.
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 108/161
DC(ESS. 7!o am I*
OSOLA. T!ou art a #o o& worm5+eed, at #e+t #ut a +al"atory [11]
o& $reen mummy.[11F] 7!at /+ t!i+ 3e+!* a little crudded[11G] mil),
&anta+tical u<5a+te. Our #odie+ are wea)er t!an t!o+e aer5
ri+on+ #oy+ u+e to )ee 3ie+ in more contemti#le, +ince our+
i+ to re+er"e eart!5worm+. Did+t t!ou e"er +ee a lar) in a ca$e*
Suc! i+ t!e +oul in t!e #ody' t!i+ world i+ li)e !er little tur&
o& $ra++, and t!e !ea"en o/er our !ead+ li)e !er loo)in$5$la++, only
$i"e+ u+ a mi+era#le )nowled$e o& t!e +mall coma++ o& our ri+on.
DC(ESS. Am not I t!y duc!e++*
OSOLA. T!ou art +ome $reat woman, +ure, &or riot #e$in+ to +it
on t!y &ore!ead Kclad in $ray !air+ twenty year+ +ooner t!an on
a merry mil)5maid/+. T!ou +leee+t wor+e t!an i& a mou+e +!ould #e
&orced to ta)e u !er lod$in$ in a cat/+ ear' a little in&ant t!at
#reed+ it+ teet!, +!ould it lie wit! t!ee, would cry out, a+ i& t!ou
wert t!e more un2uiet #ed&ellow.
DC(ESS. I am Duc!e++ o& :al- +till.
OSOLA. T!at ma)e+ t!y +lee +o #ro)en'
>lorie+, li)e $low5worm+, a&ar o< +!ine #ri$!t,
ut, loo)/d to near, !a"e neit!er !eat nor li$!t.
DC(ESS. T!ou art "ery lain.
OSOLA. :y trade i+ to 3atter t!e dead, not t!e li"in$
I am a tom#5ma)er.
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 109/161
DC(ESS. And t!ou come+t to ma)e my tom#*
OSOLA. Ye+.
DC(ESS. Let me #e a little merry'4o& w!at +tu< wilt t!ou ma)e it*
OSOLA. Nay, re+ol"e me -r+t, o& w!at &a+!ion*
DC(ESS. 7!y, do we $row &anta+tical on our deat!#ed*
Do we a<ect &a+!ion in t!e $ra"e*
OSOLA. :o+t am#itiou+ly. 6rince+/ ima$e+ on t!eir tom#+ do not
lie, a+ t!ey were wont, +eemin$ to ray u to !ea"en #ut wit! t!eir
!and+ under t!eir c!ee)+, a+ i& t!ey died o& t!e toot!5ac!e. T!ey
are not car"ed wit! t!eir eye+ -/d uon t!e +tar+, #ut a+ t!eir
mind+ were w!olly #ent uon t!e world, t!e +el&+ame way t!ey +eem
to turn t!eir &ace+.
DC(ESS. Let me )now &ully t!ere&ore t!e e<ect
O& t!i+ t!y di+mal rearation,
T!i+ tal) -t &or a c!arnel.
OSOLA. Now I +!all'4
[Enter Eecutioner+, wit!] a con, cord+, and a #ell
(ere i+ a re+ent &rom your rincely #rot!er+
And may it arri"e welcome, &or it #rin$+
La+t #ene-t, la+t +orrow.
DC(ESS. Let me +ee it'
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 110/161
I !a"e +o muc! o#edience in my #lood,
I wi+! it in t!eir "ein+ to do t!em $ood.
OSOLA. T!i+ i+ your la+t re+ence5c!am#er.
CA9IOLA. O my +weet lady;
DC(ESS. 6eace it a<ri$!t+ not me.
OSOLA. I am t!e common #ellman
T!at u+ually i+ +ent to condemn/d er+on+
T!e ni$!t #e&ore t!ey +u<er.
DC(ESS. E"en now t!ou +aid/+t
T!ou wa+t a tom#5ma)er.
OSOLA. /Twa+ to #rin$ you
y de$ree+ to morti-cation. Li+ten.
(ar), now e"eryt!in$ i+ +till,
T!e +creec!5owl and t!e w!i+tler +!rill
Call uon our dame aloud,
And #id !er 2uic)ly don !er +!roud;
:uc! you !ad o& land and rent
Your len$t! in clay /+ now cometent'
A lon$ war di+tur#/d your mind
(ere your er&ect eace i+ +i$n/d.
O& w!at i+ /t &ool+ ma)e +uc! "ain )eein$*
Sin t!eir concetion, t!eir #irt! weein$,
T!eir li&e a $eneral mi+t o& error,
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 111/161
T!eir deat! a !ideou+ +torm o& terror.
Strew your !air wit! owder+ +weet,
Don clean linen, #at!e your &eet,
And Kt!e &oul -end more to c!ec)
A cruci- let #le++ your nec).
/Ti+ now &ull tide /tween ni$!t and day
End your $roan, and come away.
CA9IOLA. (ence, "illain+, tyrant+, murderer+; Ala+;
7!at will you do wit! my lady*4Call &or !el;
DC(ESS. To w!om* To our net nei$!#our+* T!ey are mad5&ol)+.
OSOLA. 9emo"e t!at noi+e.
DC(ESS. %arewell, Cariola.
In my la+t will I !a"e not muc! to $i"e'
A many !un$ry $ue+t+ !a"e &ed uon me
T!ine will #e a oor re"er+ion.
CA9IOLA. I will die wit! !er.
DC(ESS. I ray t!ee, loo) t!ou $i"/+t my little #oy
Some +yru &or !i+ cold, and let t!e $irl
Say !er rayer+ ere +!e +lee.
[Cariola i+ &orced out #y t!e Eecutioner+.]
Now w!at you lea+e'
7!at deat!*
OSOLA. Stran$lin$ !ere are your eecutioner+.
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 112/161
DC(ESS. I &or$i"e t!em'
T!e aoley, catarr!, or cou$! o/ t!/ lun$+,
7ould do a+ muc! a+ t!ey do.
OSOLA. Dot! not deat! &ri$!t you*
DC(ESS. 7!o would #e a&raid on /t,
Mnowin$ to meet +uc! ecellent comany
In t!/ ot!er world*
OSOLA. Yet, met!in)+,
T!e manner o& your deat! +!ould muc! aPict you'
T!i+ cord +!ould terri&y you.
DC(ESS. Not a w!it'
7!at would it lea+ure me to !a"e my t!roat cut
7it! diamond+* or to #e +mot!ered
7it! ca++ia* or to #e +!ot to deat! wit! earl+*
I )now deat! !at! ten t!ou+and +e"eral door+
%or men to ta)e t!eir eit+ and /ti+ &ound
T!ey $o on +uc! +tran$e $eometrical !in$e+,
You may oen t!em #ot! way+' any way, &or !ea"en5+a)e,
So I were out o& your w!i+erin$. Tell my #rot!er+
T!at I ercei"e deat!, now I am well awa)e,
e+t $i&t i+ t!ey can $i"e or I can ta)e.
I would &ain ut o< my la+t woman/+5&ault,
I /d not #e tediou+ to you.
%I9ST EECTIONE9. 7e are ready.
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 113/161
DC(ESS. Di+o+e my #reat! !ow lea+e you #ut my #ody
e+tow uon my women, will you*
%I9ST EECTIONE9. Ye+.
DC(ESS. 6ull, and ull +tron$ly, &or your a#le +tren$t!
:u+t ull down !ea"en uon me'4
Yet +tay !ea"en5$ate+ are not +o !i$!ly arc!/d
A+ rince+/ alace+ t!ey t!at enter t!ere
:u+t $o uon t!eir )nee+ [Mneel+].4Come, "iolent deat!,
Ser"e &or mandra$ora to ma)e me +lee;4
>o tell my #rot!er+, w!en I am laid out,
T!ey t!en may &eed in 2uiet.
T!ey +tran$le !er.
OSOLA. 7!ere /+ t!e waitin$5woman**
%etc! !er' +ome ot!er +tran$le t!e c!ildren.
[Enter CA9IOLA]
Loo) you, t!ere +lee+ your mi+tre++.
CA9IOLA. O, you are damn/d
6eretually &or t!i+; :y turn i+ net
I+ /t not +o ordered*
OSOLA. Ye+, and I am $lad
You are +o well rear/d &or /t.
CA9IOLA. You are decei"/d, +ir,
I am not rear/d &or /t, I will not die
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 114/161
I will -r+t come to my an+wer,[11H] and )now
(ow I !a"e o<ended.
OSOLA. Come, de+atc! !er.4
You )et !er coun+el now you +!all )ee our+.
CA9IOLA. I will not die, I mu+t not I am contracted
To a youn$ $entleman.
%I9ST EECTIONE9. (ere /+ your weddin$5rin$.
CA9IOLA. Let me #ut +ea) wit! t!e du)e. I /ll di+co"er
Trea+on to !i+ er+on.
OSOLA. Delay+'4t!rottle !er.
%I9ST EECTIONE9. S!e #ite+ and +cratc!e+.
CA9IOLA. I& you )ill me now,
I am damn/d I !a"e not #een at con&e++ion
T!i+ two year+.
OSOLA. [To Eecutioner+.] 7!en*[11]
CA9IOLA. I am 2uic) wit! c!ild.
OSOLA. 7!y, t!en,
Your credit /+ +a"ed.
[Eecutioner+ +tran$le Cariola.]
ear !er into t!e net room
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 115/161
Let t!e+e lie +till.
[Eeunt t!e Eecutioner+ wit! t!e #ody o& CA9IOLA.]
[Enter %E9DINAND]
%E9DINAND. I+ +!e dead*
OSOLA. S!e i+ w!at
You /d !a"e !er. ut !ere #e$in your ity'
S!ow+ t!e C!ildren +tran$led.
Ala+, !ow !a"e t!e+e o<ended*
%E9DINAND. T!e deat!
O& youn$ wol"e+ i+ ne"er to #e itied.
OSOLA. %i your eye !ere.
%E9DINAND. Con+tantly.
OSOLA. Do you not wee*
Ot!er +in+ only +ea) murder +!rie)+ out.
T!e element o& water moi+ten+ t!e eart!,
ut #lood 3ie+ uward+ and #edew+ t!e !ea"en+.
%E9DINAND. Co"er !er &ace mine eye+ da==le' +!e died youn$.
OSOLA. I t!in) not +o !er in&elicity
Seem/d to !a"e year+ too many.
%E9DINAND. S!e and I were twin+
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 116/161
And +!ould I die t!i+ in+tant, I !ad li"/d
(er time to a minute.
OSOLA. It +eem+ +!e wa+ #orn -r+t'
You !a"e #loodily aro"/d t!e ancient trut!,
T!at )indred commonly do wor+e a$ree
T!an remote +tran$er+.
%E9DINAND. Let me +ee !er &ace
A$ain. 7!y did+t t!ou not ity !er* 7!at
An ecellent !one+t man mi$!t+t t!ou !a"e #een,
I& t!ou !ad+t #orne !er to +ome +anctuary;
Or, #old in a $ood cau+e, oo+/d t!y+el&,
7it! t!y ad"anced +word a#o"e t!y !ead,
etween !er innocence and my re"en$e;
I #ade t!ee, w!en I wa+ di+tracted o& my wit+,
>o )ill my deare+t &riend, and t!ou !a+t done /t.
%or let me #ut eamine well t!e cau+e'
7!at wa+ t!e meanne++ o& !er matc! to me*
Only I mu+t con&e++ I !ad a !oe,
(ad +!e continu/d widow, to !a"e $ain/d
An in-nite ma++ o& trea+ure #y !er deat!'
And t!at wa+ t!e main cau+e,4!er marria$e,
T!at drew a +tream o& $all 2uite t!rou$! my !eart.
%or t!ee, a+ we o#+er"e in tra$edie+
T!at a $ood actor many time+ i+ cur+/d
%or layin$ a "illain/+ art, I !ate t!ee &or /t,
And, &or my +a)e, +ay, t!ou !a+t done muc! ill well.
OSOLA. Let me 2uic)en your memory, &or I ercei"e
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 117/161
You are &allin$ into in$ratitude' I c!allen$e
T!e reward due to my +er"ice.
%E9DINAND. I /ll tell t!ee
7!at I /ll $i"e t!ee.
OSOLA. Do.
%E9DINAND. I /ll $i"e t!ee a ardon
%or t!i+ murder.
OSOLA. (a;
%E9DINAND. Ye+, and /ti+
T!e lar$e+t #ounty I can +tudy to do t!ee.
y w!at aut!ority did+t t!ou eecute
T!i+ #loody +entence*
OSOLA. y your+.
%E9DINAND. :ine; wa+ I !er 0ud$e*
Did any ceremonial &orm o& law
Doom !er to not5#ein$* Did a comlete 0ury
Deli"er !er con"iction u i/ t!e court*
7!ere +!alt t!ou -nd t!i+ 0ud$ment re$i+ter/d,
nle++ in !ell* See, li)e a #loody &ool,
T!ou /+t &or&eited t!y li&e, and t!ou +!alt die &or /t.
OSOLA. T!e oce o& 0u+tice i+ er"erted 2uite
7!en one t!ie& !an$+ anot!er. 7!o +!all dare
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 118/161
To re"eal t!i+*
%E9DINAND. O, I /ll tell t!ee
T!e wol& +!all -nd !er $ra"e, and +crae it u,
Not to de"our t!e cor+e, #ut to di+co"er
T!e !orrid murder.
OSOLA. You, not I, +!all 2ua)e &or /t.
%E9DINAND. Lea"e me.
OSOLA. I will -r+t recei"e my en+ion.
%E9DINAND. You are a "illain.
OSOLA. 7!en your in$ratitude
I+ 0ud$e, I am +o.
%E9DINAND. O !orror,
T!at not t!e &ear o& !im w!ic! #ind+ t!e de"il+
Can re+cri#e man o#edience;4
Ne"er loo) uon me more.
OSOLA. 7!y, &are t!ee well.
Your #rot!er and your+el& are wort!y men;
You !a"e a air o& !eart+ are !ollow $ra"e+,
9otten, and rottin$ ot!er+ and your "en$eance,
Li)e two c!ain/d5#ullet+, +till $oe+ arm in arm'
You may #e #rot!er+ &or trea+on, li)e t!e la$ue,
Dot! ta)e muc! in a #lood. I +tand li)e one
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 119/161
T!at lon$ !at! ta/en a +weet and $olden dream'
I am an$ry wit! my+el&, now t!at I wa)e.
%E9DINAND. >et t!ee into +ome un)nown art o/ t!e world,
T!at I may ne"er +ee t!ee.
OSOLA. Let me )now
7!ere&ore I +!ould #e t!u+ ne$lected. Sir,
I +er"/d your tyranny, and rat!er +tro"e
To +ati+&y your+el& t!an all t!e world'
And t!ou$! I loat!/d t!e e"il, yet I lo"/d
You t!at did coun+el it and rat!er +ou$!t
To aear a true +er"ant t!an an !one+t man.
%E9DINAND. I /ll $o !unt t!e #ad$er #y owl5li$!t'
/Ti+ a deed o& dar)ne++.
Eit.
OSOLA. (e /+ muc! di+tracted. O<, my ainted !onour;
7!ile wit! "ain !oe+ our &acultie+ we tire,
7e +eem to +weat in ice and &ree=e in -re.
7!at would I do, were t!i+ to do a$ain*
I would not c!an$e my eace o& con+cience
%or all t!e wealt! o& Euroe.4S!e +tir+ !ere /+ li&e'4
9eturn, &air +oul, &rom dar)ne++, and lead mine
Out o& t!i+ +en+i#le !ell'4+!e /+ warm, +!e #reat!e+'4
on t!y ale li+ I will melt my !eart,
To +tore t!em wit! &re+! colour.47!o /+ t!ere*
Some cordial drin);4Ala+; I dare not call'
So ity would de+troy ity.4(er eye oe+,
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 120/161
And !ea"en in it +eem+ to oe, t!at late wa+ +!ut,
To ta)e me u to mercy.
DC(ESS. Antonio;
OSOLA. Ye+, madam, !e i+ li"in$
T!e dead #odie+ you +aw were #ut &ei$n/d +tatue+.
(e /+ reconcil/d to your #rot!er+ t!e 6oe !at! wrou$!t
T!e atonement.
DC(ESS. :ercy;
Die+.
OSOLA. O, +!e /+ $one a$ain; t!ere t!e cord+ o& li&e #ro)e.
O +acred innocence, t!at +weetly +lee+
On turtle+/ &eat!er+, w!il+t a $uilty con+cience
I+ a #lac) re$i+ter w!erein i+ writ
All our $ood deed+ and #ad, a er+ecti"e
T!at +!ow+ u+ !ell; T!at we cannot #e +u<er/d
To do $ood w!en we !a"e a mind to it;
T!i+ i+ manly +orrow
T!e+e tear+, I am "ery certain, ne"er $rew
In my mot!er/+ mil). :y e+tate i+ +un)
elow t!e de$ree o& &ear' w!ere were
T!e+e enitent &ountain+ w!ile +!e wa+ li"in$*
O, t!ey were &ro=en u; (ere i+ a +i$!t
A+ dire&ul to my +oul a+ i+ t!e +word
nto a wretc! !at! +lain !i+ &at!er.
Come, I /ll #ear t!ee !ence,
And eecute t!y la+t will t!at /+ deli"er
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 121/161
T!y #ody to t!e re"erend di+o+e
O& +ome $ood women' t!at t!e cruel tyrant
S!all not deny me. T!en I /ll o+t to :ilan,
7!ere +omew!at I will +eedily enact
7ort! my de0ection.
Eit [wit! t!e #ody].
Act @
Scene I[18J]
[Enter] ANTONIO and DELIO
ANTONIO. 7!at t!in) you o& my !oe o& reconcilement
To t!e Arra$onian #ret!ren*
DELIO. I mi+dou#t it
%or t!ou$! t!ey !a"e +ent t!eir letter+ o& +a&e5conduct
%or your reair to :ilan, t!ey aear
ut net+ to entra you. T!e :ar2ui+ o& 6e+cara,
nder w!om you !old certain land in c!eat,[181]
:uc! /$ain+t !i+ no#le nature !at! #een mo"/d
To +ei=e t!o+e land+ and +ome o& !i+ deendant+
Are at t!i+ in+tant ma)in$ it t!eir +uit
To #e in"e+ted in your re"enue+.
I cannot t!in) t!ey mean well to your li&e
T!at do deri"e you o& your mean+ o& li&e,
Your li"in$.
ANTONIO. You are +till an !eretic[188]
To any +a&ety I can +!ae my+el&.
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 122/161
DELIO. (ere come+ t!e mar2ui+' I will ma)e my+el&
6etitioner &or +ome art o& your land,
To )now w!it!er it i+ 3yin$.
ANTONIO. I ray, do.
[7it!draw+.]
[Enter 6ESCA9A]
DELIO. Sir, I !a"e a +uit to you.
6ESCA9A. To me*
DELIO. An ea+y one'
T!ere i+ t!e Citadel o& Saint ennet,
7it! +ome deme+ne+, o& late in t!e o++e++ion
O& Antonio olo$na,4lea+e you #e+tow t!em on me.
6ESCA9A. You are my &riend #ut t!i+ i+ +uc! a +uit,
Nor -t &or me to $i"e, nor you to ta)e.
DELIO. No, +ir*
6ESCA9A. I will $i"e you amle rea+on &or /t
Soon in ri"ate'4!ere /+ t!e cardinal/+ mi+tre++.
[Enter BLIA]
BLIA. :y lord, I am $rown your oor etitioner,
And +!ould #e an ill #e$$ar, !ad I not
A $reat man/+ letter !ere, t!e cardinal/+,
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 123/161
To court you in my &a"our.
[>i"e+ a letter.]
6ESCA9A. (e entreat+ &or you
T!e Citadel o& Saint ennet, t!at #elon$/d
To t!e #ani+!/d olo$na.
BLIA. Ye+.
6ESCA9A. I could not !a"e t!ou$!t o& a &riend I could rat!er
6lea+ure wit! it' /ti+ your+.
BLIA. Sir, I t!an) you
And !e +!all )now !ow dou#ly I am en$a$/d
ot! in your $i&t, and +eedine++ o& $i"in$
7!ic! ma)e+ your $rant t!e $reater.
Eit.
ANTONIO. (ow t!ey &orti&y
T!em+el"e+ wit! my ruin;
DELIO. Sir, I am
Little #ound to you.
6ESCA9A. 7!y*
DELIO. ecau+e you deni/d t!i+ +uit to me, and $a"e /t
To +uc! a creature.
6ESCA9A. Do you )now w!at it wa+*
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 124/161
It wa+ Antonio/+ land not &or&eited
y cour+e o& law, #ut ra"i+!/d &rom !i+ t!roat
y t!e cardinal/+ entreaty. It were not -t
I +!ould #e+tow +o main a iece o& wron$
on my &riend /ti+ a $rati-cation
Only due to a +trumet, &or it i+ in0u+tice.
S!all I +rin)le t!e ure #lood o& innocent+
To ma)e t!o+e &ollower+ I call my &riend+
Loo) ruddier uon me* I am $lad
T!i+ land, ta/en &rom t!e owner #y +uc! wron$,
9eturn+ a$ain unto +o &oul an u+e
A+ +alary &or !i+ lu+t. Learn, $ood Delio,
To a+) no#le t!in$+ o& me, and you +!all -nd
I /ll #e a no#le $i"er.
DELIO. You in+truct me well.
ANTONIO. 7!y, !ere /+ a man now would &ri$!t imudence
]%rom +aucie+t #e$$ar+.
6ESCA9A. 6rince %erdinand /+ come to :ilan,
Sic), a+ t!ey $i"e out, o& an aoley
ut +ome +ay /ti+ a &ren=y' I am $oin$
To "i+it !im.
Eit.
ANTONIO. /Ti+ a no#le old &ellow.
DELIO. 7!at cour+e do you mean to ta)e, Antonio*
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 125/161
ANTONIO. T!i+ ni$!t I mean to "enture all my &ortune,
7!ic! i+ no more t!an a oor lin$/rin$ li&e,
To t!e cardinal/+ wor+t o& malice. I !a"e $ot
6ri"ate acce++ to !i+ c!am#er and intend
To "i+it !im a#out t!e mid o& ni$!t,
A+ once !i+ #rot!er did our no#le duc!e++.
It may #e t!at t!e +udden are!en+ion
O& dan$er,4&or I /ll $o in mine own +!ae,4
7!en !e +!all +ee it &rai$!t [18?] wit! lo"e and duty,
:ay draw t!e oi+on out o& !im, and wor)
A &riendly reconcilement. I& it &ail,
Yet it +!all rid me o& t!i+ in&amou+ callin$
%or #etter &all once t!an #e e"er &allin$.
DELIO. I /ll +econd you in all dan$er and !owe/er,
:y li&e )ee+ ran) wit! your+.
ANTONIO. You are +till my lo"/d and #e+t &riend.
Eeunt.
Scene II[18]
[Enter] 6ESCA9A and DOCTO9
6ESCA9A. Now, doctor, may I "i+it your atient*
DOCTO9. I& /t lea+e your lord+!i #ut !e /+ in+tantly
To ta)e t!e air !ere in t!e $allery
y my direction.
6ESCA9A. 6ray t!ee, w!at /+ !i+ di+ea+e*
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 126/161
DOCTO9. A "ery e+tilent di+ea+e, my lord,
T!ey call lycant!roia.
6ESCA9A. 7!at /+ t!at*
I need a dictionary to /t.
DOCTO9. I /ll tell you.
In t!o+e t!at are o++e++/d wit! /t t!ere o/er3ow+
Suc! melanc!oly !umour t!ey ima$ine
T!em+el"e+ to #e tran+&ormed into wol"e+
Steal &ort! to c!urc!5yard+ in t!e dead o& ni$!t,
And di$ dead #odie+ u' a+ two ni$!t+ +ince
One met t!e du)e /#out midni$!t in a lane
e!ind Saint :ar)/+ c!urc!, wit! t!e le$ o& a man
on !i+ +!oulder and !e !owl/d &ear&ully
Said !e wa+ a wol&, only t!e di<erence
7a+, a wol&/+ +)in wa+ !airy on t!e out+ide,
(i+ on t!e in+ide #ade t!em ta)e t!eir +word+,
9i u !i+ 3e+!, and try. Strai$!t I wa+ +ent &or,
And, !a"in$ mini+ter/d to !im, &ound !i+ $race
@ery well reco"er/d.
6ESCA9A. I am $lad on /t.
DOCTO9. Yet not wit!out +ome &ear
O& a rela+e. I& !e $row to !i+ -t a$ain,
I /ll $o a nearer way to wor) wit! !im
T!an e"er 6aracel+u+ dream/d o& i&
T!ey /ll $i"e me lea"e, I /ll #u<et !i+ madne++ out o& !im.
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 127/161
Stand a+ide !e come+.
[Enter %E9DINAND, CA9DINAL, :ALATESTI, and OSOLA]
%E9DINAND. Lea"e me.
:ALATESTI. 7!y dot! your lord+!i lo"e t!i+ +olitarine++*
%E9DINAND. Ea$le+ commonly 3y alone' t!ey are crow+, daw+,
and +tarlin$+ t!at 3oc) to$et!er. Loo), w!at /+ t!at &ollow+ me*
:ALATESTI. Not!in$, my lord.
%E9DINAND. Ye+.
:ALATESTI. /Ti+ your +!adow.
%E9DINAND. Stay it let it not !aunt me.
:ALATESTI. Imo++i#le, i& you mo"e, and t!e +un +!ine.
%E9DINAND. I will t!rottle it.
[T!row+ !im+el& down on !i+ +!adow.]
:ALATESTI. O, my lord, you are an$ry wit! not!in$.
%E9DINAND. You are a &ool' !ow i+ /t o++i#le I +!ould catc!
my +!adow, unle++ I &all uon /t* 7!en I $o to !ell, I mean
to carry a #ri#e &or, loo) you, $ood $i&t+ e"ermore ma)e way
&or t!e wor+t er+on+.
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 128/161
6ESCA9A. 9i+e, $ood my lord.
%E9DINAND. I am +tudyin$ t!e art o& atience.
6ESCA9A. /Ti+ a no#le "irtue.
%E9DINAND. To dri"e +i +nail+ #e&ore me &rom t!i+ town to :o+cow
neit!er u+e $oad nor w!i to t!em, #ut let t!em ta)e t!eir own time
4t!e atient/+t man i/ t!/ world matc! me &or an eeriment'4
an I /ll crawl a&ter li)e a +!ee5#iter.[18]
CA9DINAL. %orce !im u.
[T!ey rai+e !im.]
%E9DINAND. +e me well, you were #e+t. 7!at I !a"e done, I !a"e
done' I /ll con&e++ not!in$.
DOCTO9. Now let me come to !im.4Are you mad, my lord* are you out
o& your rincely wit+*
%E9DINAND. 7!at /+ !e*
6ESCA9A. Your doctor.
%E9DINAND. Let me !a"e !i+ #eard +aw/d o<, and !i+ eye5#row+
-l/d more ci"il.
DOCTO9. I mu+t do mad tric)+ wit! !im, &or t!at /+ t!e only way
on /t.4I !a"e #rou$!t your $race a +alamander/+ +)in to )ee
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 129/161
you &rom +un5#urnin$.
%E9DINAND. I !a"e cruel +ore eye+.
DOCTO9. T!e w!ite o& a coc)atri/+[18F] e$$ i+ re+ent remedy.
%E9DINAND. Let it #e a new5laid one, you were #e+t.
(ide me &rom !im' !y+ician+ are li)e )in$+,4
T!ey #roo) no contradiction.
DOCTO9. Now !e #e$in+ to &ear me' now let me alone wit! !im.
CA9DINAL. (ow now; ut o< your $own;
DOCTO9. Let me !a"e +ome &orty urinal+ -lled wit! ro+ewater'
!e and I /ll $o elt one anot!er wit! t!em.4Now !e #e$in+ to &ear
me.4Can you &etc! a &ri+),[18G] +ir*4Let !im $o, let !im $o, uon
my eril' I -nd #y !i+ eye !e +tand+ in awe o& me I /ll ma)e !im
a+ tame a+ a dormou+e.
%E9DINAND. Can you &etc! your &ri+)+, +ir;4I will +tam !im into
a culli+,[18H] 3ay o< !i+ +)in to co"er one o& t!e anatomie+[18]
t!i+ ro$ue !at! +et i/ t!/ cold yonder in ar#er5C!irur$eon/+5!all.
4(ence, !ence; you are all o& you li)e #ea+t+ &or +acri-ce.
[T!row+ t!e DOCTO9 down and #eat+ !im.]
T!ere /+ not!in$ le&t o& you #ut ton$ue and #elly, 3attery and
lec!ery.
[Eit.]
6ESCA9A. Doctor, !e did not &ear you t!orou$!ly.
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 130/161
DOCTO9. True I wa+ +omew!at too &orward.
OSOLA. :ercy uon me, w!at a &atal 0ud$ment
(at! &all/n uon t!i+ %erdinand;
6ESCA9A. Mnow+ your $race
7!at accident !at! #rou$!t unto t!e rince
T!i+ +tran$e di+traction*
CA9DINAL. [A+ide.] I mu+t &ei$n +omew!at.4T!u+ t!ey +ay it $rew.
You !a"e !eard it rumour/d, &or t!e+e many year+
None o& our &amily die+ #ut t!ere i+ +een
T!e +!ae o& an old woman, w!ic! i+ $i"en
y tradition to u+ to !a"e #een murder/d
y !er ne!ew+ &or !er ric!e+. Suc! a -$ure
One ni$!t, a+ t!e rince +at u late at /+ #oo),
Aear/d to !im w!en cryin$ out &or !el,
T!e $entleman o& /+ c!am#er &ound !i+ $race
All on a cold +weat, alter/d muc! in &ace
And lan$ua$e' +ince w!ic! aarition,
(e !at! $rown wor+e and wor+e, and I muc! &ear
(e cannot li"e.
OSOLA. Sir, I would +ea) wit! you.
6ESCA9A. 7e /ll lea"e your $race,
7i+!in$ to t!e +ic) rince, our no#le lord,
All !ealt! o& mind and #ody.
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 131/161
CA9DINAL. You are mo+t welcome.
[Eeunt 6ESCA9A, :ALATESTI, and DOCTO9.]
Are you come* +o.4[A+ide.] T!i+ &ellow mu+t not )now
y any mean+ I !ad intelli$ence
In our duc!e++/ deat! &or, t!ou$! I coun+ell/d it,
T!e &ull o& all t!/ en$a$ement +eem/d to $row
]%rom %erdinand.4Now, +ir, !ow &are+ our +i+ter*
I do not t!in) #ut +orrow ma)e+ !er loo)
Li)e to an o&t5dy/d $arment' +!e +!all now
Ta)e com&ort &rom me. 7!y do you loo) +o wildly*
O, t!e &ortune o& your ma+ter !ere t!e rince
De0ect+ you #ut #e you o& !ay com&ort'
I& you /ll do one t!in$ &or me I /ll entreat,
T!ou$! !e !ad a cold tom#5+tone o/er !i+ #one+,
I /d ma)e you w!at you would #e.
OSOLA. Any t!in$
>i"e it me in a #reat!, and let me 3y to /t.
T!ey t!at t!in) lon$ +mall eedition win,
%or mu+in$ muc! o/ t!/ end cannot #e$in.
[Enter BLIA]
BLIA. Sir, will you come into +uer*
CA9DINAL. I am #u+y lea"e me[.]
BLIA [A+ide.] 7!at an ecellent +!ae !at! t!at &ellow;
Eit.
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 132/161
CA9DINAL. /Ti+ t!u+. Antonio lur)+ !ere in :ilan'
In2uire !im out, and )ill !im. 7!ile !e li"e+,
Our +i+ter cannot marry and I !a"e t!ou$!t
O& an ecellent matc! &or !er. Do t!i+, and +tyle me
T!y ad"ancement.
OSOLA. ut #y w!at mean+ +!all I -nd !im out*
CA9DINAL. T!ere i+ a $entleman call/d Delio
(ere in t!e cam, t!at !at! #een lon$ aro"/d
(i+ loyal &riend. Set eye uon t!at &ellow
%ollow !im to ma++ may #e Antonio,
Alt!ou$! !e do account reli$ion
ut a +c!ool5name, &or &a+!ion o& t!e world
:ay accomany !im or el+e $o in2uire out
Delio/+ con&e++or, and +ee i& you can #ri#e
(im to re"eal it. T!ere are a t!ou+and way+
A man mi$!t -nd to trace !im a+ to )now
7!at &ellow+ !aunt t!e Bew+ &or ta)in$ u
>reat +um+ o& money, &or +ure !e /+ in want
Or el+e to $o to t!e icture5ma)er+, and learn
7!o #ou$!t [1?J] !er icture lately' +ome o& t!e+e
(aily may ta)e.
OSOLA. 7ell, I /ll not &ree=e i/ t!/ #u+ine++'
I would +ee t!at wretc!ed t!in$, Antonio,
A#o"e all +i$!t+ i/ t!/ world.
CA9DINAL. Do, and #e !ay.
Eit.
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 133/161
OSOLA. T!i+ &ellow dot! #reed #a+ili+)+ in /+ eye+,
(e /+ not!in$ el+e #ut murder yet !e +eem+
Not to !a"e notice o& t!e duc!e++/ deat!.
/Ti+ !i+ cunnin$' I mu+t &ollow !i+ eamle
T!ere cannot #e a +urer way to trace
T!an t!at o& an old &o.
[9e5enter BLIA, wit! a i+tol]
BLIA. So, +ir, you are well met.
OSOLA. (ow Now;
BLIA. Nay, t!e door+ are &a+t enou$!'
Now, +ir, I will ma)e you con&e++ your treac!ery.
OSOLA. Treac!ery;
BLIA. Ye+, con&e++ to me
7!ic! o& my women /twa+ you !ir/d to ut
Lo"e5owder into my drin)*
OSOLA. Lo"e5owder;
BLIA. Ye+, w!en I wa+ at :al-.
7!y +!ould I &all in lo"e wit! +uc! a &ace el+e*
I !a"e already +u<er/d &or t!ee +o muc! ain,
T!e only remedy to do me $ood
I+ to )ill my lon$in$.
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 134/161
OSOLA. Sure, your i+tol !old+
Not!in$ #ut er&ume+ or )i++in$5com-t+.[1?1]
Ecellent lady;
You !a"e a retty way on /t to di+co"er
Your lon$in$. Come, come, I /ll di+arm you,
And arm you t!u+' yet t!i+ i+ wondrou+ +tran$e.
BLIA. Comare t!y &orm and my eye+ to$et!er,
You /ll -nd my lo"e no +uc! $reat miracle.
Now you /ll +ay
I am wanton' t!i+ nice mode+ty in ladie+
I+ #ut a trou#le+ome &amiliar
T!at !aunt+ t!em.
OSOLA. Mnow you me, I am a #lunt +oldier.
BLIA. T!e #etter'
Sure, t!ere want+ -re w!ere t!ere are no li"ely +ar)+
O& rou$!ne++.
OSOLA. And I want comliment.
BLIA. 7!y, i$norance
In court+!i cannot ma)e you do ami++,
I& you !a"e a !eart to do well.
OSOLA. You are "ery &air.
BLIA. Nay, i& you lay #eauty to my c!ar$e,
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 135/161
I mu+t lead un$uilty.
OSOLA. Your #ri$!t eye+
Carry a 2ui"er o& dart+ in t!em +!arer
T!an +un5#eam+.
BLIA. You will mar me wit! commendation,
6ut your+el& to t!e c!ar$e o& courtin$ me,
7!erea+ now I woo you.
OSOLA. [A+ide.] I !a"e it, I will wor) uon t!i+ creature.4
Let u+ $row mo+t amorou+ly &amiliar'
I& t!e $reat cardinal now +!ould +ee me t!u+,
7ould !e not count me a "illain*
BLIA. No !e mi$!t count me a wanton,
Not lay a +crule o& o<ence on you
%or i& I +ee and +teal a diamond,
T!e &ault i+ not i/ t!/ +tone, #ut in me t!e t!ie&
T!at urloin+ it. I am +udden wit! you.
7e t!at are $reat women o& lea+ure u+e to cut o<
T!e+e uncertain wi+!e+ and un2uiet lon$in$+,
And in an in+tant 0oin t!e +weet deli$!t
And t!e retty ecu+e to$et!er. (ad you #een i/ t!/ +treet,
nder my c!am#er5window, e"en t!ere
I +!ould !a"e courted you.
OSOLA. O, you are an ecellent lady;
BLIA. id me do +omew!at &or you re+ently
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 136/161
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 137/161
OSOLA. To5morrow I /ll eect t!/ intelli$ence.
BLIA. To5morrow; $et you into my ca#inet
You +!all !a"e it wit! you. Do not delay me,
No more t!an I do you' I am li)e one
T!at i+ condemn/d I !a"e my ardon romi+/d,
ut I would +ee it +eal/d. >o, $et you in'
You +!all +ee my wind my ton$ue a#out !i+ !eart
Li)e a +)ein o& +il).
[Eit OSOLA.]
[9e5enter CA9DINAL]
CA9DINAL. 7!ere are you*
[Enter Ser"ant+.]
SE9@ANTS. (ere.
CA9DINAL. Let none, uon your li"e+, !a"e con&erence
7it! t!e 6rince %erdinand, unle++ I )now it.4
[A+ide] In t!i+ di+traction !e may re"eal
T!e murder.
[Eeunt Ser"ant+.]
Yond /+ my lin$erin$ con+umtion'
I am weary o& !er, and #y any mean+
7ould #e 2uit o&.
BLIA. (ow now, my lord; w!at ail+ you*
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 138/161
CA9DINAL. Not!in$.
BLIA. O, you are muc! alter/d'
Come, I mu+t #e your +ecretary, and remo"e
T!i+ lead &rom o< your #o+om' w!at /+ t!e matter*
CA9DINAL. I may not tell you.
BLIA. Are you +o &ar in lo"e wit! +orrow
You cannot art wit! art o& it* Or t!in) you
I cannot lo"e your $race w!en you are +ad
A+ well a+ merry* Or do you +u+ect
I, t!at !a"e #een a +ecret to your !eart
T!e+e many winter+, cannot #e t!e +ame
nto your ton$ue*
CA9DINAL. Sati+&y t!y lon$in$,4
T!e only way to ma)e t!ee )ee my coun+el
I+, not to tell t!ee.
BLIA. Tell your ec!o t!i+,
Or 3atterer+, t!at li)e ec!oe+ +till reort
7!at t!ey !ear t!ou$! mo+t imer&ect, and not me
%or i& t!at you #e true unto your+el&,
I /ll )now.
CA9DINAL. 7ill you rac) me*
BLIA. No, 0ud$ment +!all
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 139/161
Draw it &rom you' it i+ an e2ual &ault,
To tell one/+ +ecret+ unto all or none.
CA9DINAL. T!e -r+t ar$ue+ &olly.
BLIA. ut t!e la+t tyranny.
CA9DINAL. @ery well' w!y, ima$ine I !a"e committed
Some +ecret deed w!ic! I de+ire t!e world
:ay ne"er !ear o&.
BLIA. T!ere&ore may not I )now it*
You !a"e conceal/d &or me a+ $reat a +in
A+ adultery. Sir, ne"er wa+ occa+ion
%or er&ect trial o& my con+tancy
Till now' +ir, I #e+eec! you44
CA9DINAL. You /ll reent it.
BLIA. Ne"er.
CA9DINAL. It !urrie+ t!ee to ruin' I /ll not tell t!ee.
e well ad"i+/d, and t!in) w!at dan$er /ti+
To recei"e a rince/+ +ecret+. T!ey t!at do,
(ad need !a"e t!eir #rea+t+ !oo/d wit! adamant
To contain t!em. I ray t!ee, yet #e +ati+-/d
Eamine t!ine own &railty /ti+ more ea+y
To tie )not+ t!an unloo+e t!em. /Ti+ a +ecret
T!at, li)e a lin$/rin$ oi+on, may c!ance lie
Sread in t!y "ein+, and )ill t!ee +e"en year !ence.
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 140/161
BLIA. Now you dally wit! me.
CA9DINAL. No more t!ou +!alt )now it.
y my aointment t!e $reat Duc!e++ o& :al-
And two o& !er youn$ c!ildren, &our ni$!t+ +ince,
7ere +tran$l/d.
BLIA. O !ea"en; +ir, w!at !a"e you done;
CA9DINAL. (ow now* (ow +ettle+ t!i+* T!in) you your #o+om
7ill #e a $ra"e dar) and o#+cure enou$!
%or +uc! a +ecret*
BLIA. You !a"e undone your+el&, +ir.
CA9DINAL. 7!y*
BLIA. It lie+ not in me to conceal it.
CA9DINAL. No*
Come, I will +wear you to /t uon t!i+ #oo).
BLIA. :o+t reli$iou+ly.
CA9DINAL. Mi++ it.
[S!e )i++e+ t!e #oo).]
Now you +!all ne"er utter it t!y curio+ity
(at! undone t!ee t!ou /rt oi+on/d wit! t!at #oo).
ecau+e I )new t!ou could+t not )ee my coun+el,
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 141/161
I !a"e #ound t!ee to /t #y deat!.
[9e5enter OSOLA]
OSOLA. %or ity5+a)e, !old;
CA9DINAL. (a, o+ola;
BLIA. I &or$i"e you
T!i+ e2ual iece o& 0u+tice you !a"e done
%or I #etray/d your coun+el to t!at &ellow.
(e o"er5!eard it t!at wa+ t!e cau+e I +aid
It lay not in me to conceal it.
OSOLA. O &ooli+! woman,
Could+t not t!ou !a"e oi+on/d !im*
BLIA. /Ti+ wea)ne++,
Too muc! to t!in) w!at +!ould !a"e #een done. I $o,
I )now not w!it!er.
[Die+.]
CA9DINAL. 7!ere&ore com/+t t!ou !it!er*
OSOLA. T!at I mi$!t -nd a $reat man li)e your+el&,
Not out o& !i+ wit+, a+ t!e Lord %erdinand,
To remem#er my +er"ice.
CA9DINAL. I /ll !a"e t!ee !ew/d in iece+.
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 142/161
OSOLA. :a)e not your+el& +uc! a romi+e o& t!at li&e
7!ic! i+ not your+ to di+o+e o&.
CA9DINAL. 7!o lac/d t!ee !ere*
OSOLA. (er lu+t, a+ +!e intended.
CA9DINAL. @ery well'
Now you )now me &or your &ellow5murderer.
OSOLA. And w!ere&ore +!ould you lay &air mar#le colour+
on your rotten uro+e+ to me*
nle++ you imitate +ome t!at do lot $reat trea+on+,
And w!en t!ey !a"e done, $o !ide t!em+el"e+ i/ t!/ $ra"e
O& t!o+e were actor+ in /t*
CA9DINAL. No more t!ere i+
A &ortune attend+ t!ee.
OSOLA. S!all I $o +ue to %ortune any lon$er*
/Ti+ t!e &ool/+ il$rima$e.
CA9DINAL. I !a"e !onour+ in +tore &or t!ee.
OSOLA. T!ere are a many way+ t!at conduct to +eemin$
(onour, and +ome o& t!em "ery dirty one+.
CA9DINAL. T!row to t!e de"il
T!y melanc!oly. T!e -re #urn+ well
7!at need we )ee a +tirrin$ o& /t, and ma)e
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 143/161
A $reater +mot!er*[1?8] T!ou wilt )ill Antonio*
OSOLA. Ye+.
CA9DINAL. Ta)e u t!at #ody.
OSOLA. I t!in) I +!all
S!ortly $row t!e common #ier &or c!urc!5yard+.
CA9DINAL. I will allow t!ee +ome do=en o& attendant+
To aid t!ee in t!e murder.
OSOLA. O, #y no mean+. 6!y+ician+ t!at aly !or+e5leec!e+
to any ran) +wellin$ u+e to cut o< t!eir tail+, t!at t!e #lood
may run t!rou$! t!em t!e &a+ter' let me !a"e no train w!en I $o
to +!ed #lood, le++ it ma)e me !a"e a $reater w!en I ride
to t!e $allow+.
CA9DINAL. Come to me a&ter midni$!t, to !el to remo"e
T!at #ody to !er own lod$in$. I /ll $i"e out
S!e died o/ t!/ la$ue /twill #reed t!e le++ in2uiry
A&ter !er deat!.
OSOLA. 7!ere /+ Ca+truccio !er !u+#and*
CA9DINAL. (e /+ rode to Nale+, to ta)e o++e++ion
O& Antonio/+ citadel.
OSOLA. elie"e me, you !a"e done a "ery !ay turn.
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 144/161
CA9DINAL. %ail not to come. T!ere i+ t!e ma+ter5)ey
O& our lod$in$+ and #y t!at you may concei"e
7!at tru+t I lant in you.
OSOLA. You +!all -nd me ready.
Eit CA9DINAL.
O oor Antonio, t!ou$! not!in$ #e +o need&ul
To t!y e+tate a+ ity, yet I -nd
Not!in$ +o dan$erou+; I mu+t loo) to my &ootin$'
In +uc! +liery ice5a"ement+ men !ad need
To #e &ro+t5nail/d well, t!ey may #rea) t!eir nec)+ el+e
T!e recedent /+ !ere a&ore me. (ow t!i+ man
ear+ u in #lood; +eem+ &earle++; 7!y, /ti+ well
Security +ome men call t!e +u#ur#+ o& !ell,
Only a dead wall #etween. 7ell, $ood Antonio,
I /ll +ee) t!ee out and all my care +!all #e
To ut t!ee into +a&ety &rom t!e reac!
O& t!e+e mo+t cruel #iter+ t!at !a"e $ot
Some o& t!y #lood already. It may #e,
I /ll 0oin wit! t!ee in a mo+t 0u+t re"en$e.
T!e wea)e+t arm i+ +tron$ enou$! t!at +tri)e+
7it! t!e +word o& 0u+tice. Still met!in)+ t!e duc!e++
(aunt+ me' t!ere, t!ere;4/Ti+ not!in$ #ut my melanc!oly.
O 6enitence, let me truly ta+te t!y cu,
T!at t!row+ men down only to rai+e t!em u;
Eit.
Scene III[1??]
[Enter] ANTONIO and DELIO. Ec!o K&rom t!e DC(ESS/S >ra"e
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 145/161
DELIO. Yond /+ t!e cardinal/+ window. T!i+ &orti-cation
>rew &rom t!e ruin+ o& an ancient a##ey
And to yond +ide o/ t!/ ri"er lie+ a wall,
6iece o& a cloi+ter, w!ic! in my oinion
>i"e+ t!e #e+t ec!o t!at you e"er !eard,
So !ollow and +o di+mal, and wit!al
So lain in t!e di+tinction o& our word+,
T!at many !a"e +uo+/d it i+ a +irit
T!at an+wer+.
ANTONIO. I do lo"e t!e+e ancient ruin+.
7e ne"er tread uon t!em #ut we +et
Our &oot uon +ome re"erend !i+tory
And, 2ue+tionle++, !ere in t!i+ oen court,
7!ic! now lie+ na)ed to t!e in0urie+
O& +tormy weat!er, +ome men lie interr/d
Lo"/d t!e c!urc! +o well, and $a"e +o lar$ely to /t,
T!ey t!ou$!t it +!ould !a"e canoied t!eir #one+
Till doom+5day. ut all t!in$+ !a"e t!eir end
C!urc!e+ and citie+, w!ic! !a"e di+ea+e+ li)e to men,
:u+t !a"e li)e deat! t!at we !a"e.
EC(O. Li)e deat! t!at we !a"e.
DELIO. Now t!e ec!o !at! cau$!t you.
ANTONIO. It $roan/d met!ou$!t, and $a"e
A "ery deadly accent.
EC(O. Deadly accent.
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 146/161
DELIO. I told you /twa+ a retty one. You may ma)e it
A !unt+man, or a &alconer, a mu+ician,
Or a t!in$ o& +orrow.
EC(O. A t!in$ o& +orrow.
ANTONIO. Ay, +ure, t!at +uit+ it #e+t.
EC(O. T!at +uit+ it #e+t.
ANTONIO. /Ti+ "ery li)e my wi&e/+ "oice.
EC(O. Ay, wi&e/+ "oice.
DELIO. Come, let u+ wal) &urt!er &rom t.
I would not !a"e you $o to t!e cardinal/+ to5ni$!t'
Do not.
EC(O. Do not.
DELIO. 7i+dom dot! not more moderate wa+tin$ +orrow
T!an time. Ta)e time &or /t #e mind&ul o& t!y +a&ety.
EC(O. e mind&ul o& t!y +a&ety.
ANTONIO. Nece++ity comel+ me.
:a)e +crutiny t!rou$! t!e a++a$e+
O& your own li&e, you /ll -nd it imo++i#le
To 3y your &ate.
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 147/161
EC(O. O, 3y your &ate;
DELIO. (ar); t!e dead +tone+ +eem to !a"e ity on you,
And $i"e you $ood coun+el.
ANTONIO. Ec!o, I will not tal) wit! t!ee,
%or t!ou art a dead t!in$.
EC(O. T!ou art a dead t!in$.
ANTONIO. :y duc!e++ i+ a+lee now,
And !er little one+, I !oe +weetly. O !ea"en,
S!all I ne"er +ee !er more*
EC(O. Ne"er +ee !er more.
ANTONIO. I mar)/d not one reetition o& t!e ec!o
ut t!at and on t!e +udden a clear li$!t
6re+ented me a &ace &olded in +orrow.
DELIO. Your &ancy merely.
ANTONIO. Come, I /ll #e out o& t!i+ a$ue,
%or to li"e t!u+ i+ not indeed to li"e
It i+ a moc)ery and a#u+e o& li&e.
I will not !ence&ort! +a"e my+el& #y !al"e+
Lo+e all, or not!in$.
DELIO. Your own "irtue +a"e you;
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 148/161
I /ll &etc! your elde+t +on, and +econd you.
It may #e t!at t!e +i$!t o& !i+ own #lood
Sread in +o +weet a -$ure may #e$et
T!e more coma++ion. (owe"er, &are you well.
T!ou$! in our mi+erie+ %ortune !a"e a art,
Yet in our no#le +u<erin$+ +!e !at! none.
Contemt o& ain, t!at we may call our own.
Eeunt.
Scene I@ [1?]
[Enter] CA9DINAL, 6ESCA9A, :ALATESTI, 9ODE9I>O, and >9ISOLAN
CA9DINAL. You +!all not watc! to5ni$!t #y t!e +ic) rince
(i+ $race i+ "ery well reco"er/d.
:ALATESTI. >ood my lord, +u<er u+.
CA9DINAL. O, #y no mean+
T!e noi+e, and c!an$e o& o#0ect in !i+ eye,
Dot! more di+tract !im. I ray, all to #ed
And t!ou$! you !ear !im in !i+ "iolent -t,
Do not ri+e, I entreat you.
6ESCA9A. So, +ir we +!all not.
CA9DINAL. Nay, I mu+t !a"e you romi+e
on your !onour+, &or I wa+ en0oin/d to /t
y !im+el& and !e +eem/d to ur$e it +en+i#ly.
6ESCA9A. Let our !onour+ #ind t!i+ tri3e.
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 149/161
CA9DINAL. Nor any o& your &ollower+.
:ALATESTI. Neit!er.
CA9DINAL. It may #e, to ma)e trial o& your romi+e,
7!en !e /+ a+lee, my+el& will ri+e and &ei$n
Some o& !i+ mad tric)+, and cry out &or !el,
And &ei$n my+el& in dan$er.
:ALATESTI. I& your t!roat were cuttin$,
I /d not come at you, now I !a"e rote+ted a$ain+t it.
CA9DINAL. 7!y, I t!an) you.
>9ISOLAN. /Twa+ a &oul +torm to5ni$!t.
9ODE9I>O. T!e Lord %erdinand/+ c!am#er +!oo) li)e an o+ier.
:ALATESTI. /Twa+ not!in$ ut ure )indne++ in t!e de"il
To roc) !i+ own c!ild.
Eeunt [all ecet t!e CA9DINAL].
CA9DINAL. T!e rea+on w!y I would not +u<er t!e+e
A#out my #rot!er, i+, #ecau+e at midni$!t
I may wit! #etter ri"acy con"ey
Bulia/+ #ody to !er own lod$in$. O, my con+cience;
I would ray now #ut t!e de"il ta)e+ away my !eart
%or !a"in$ any con-dence in rayer.
A#out t!i+ !our I aointed o+ola
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 150/161
To &etc! t!e #ody. 7!en !e !at! +er"/d my turn,
(e die+.
Eit.
[Enter OSOLA]
OSOLA. (a; /twa+ t!e cardinal/+ "oice I !eard !im name
o+ola and my deat!. Li+ten I !ear one/+ &ootin$.
[Enter %E9DINAND]
%E9DINAND. Stran$lin$ i+ a "ery 2uiet deat!.
OSOLA. [A+ide.] Nay, t!en, I +ee I mu+t +tand uon my $uard.
%E9DINAND. 7!at +ay to t!at* 7!i+er +o&tly' do you a$ree to /t*
So it mu+t #e done i/ t!/ dar) t!e cardinal would not &or
a t!ou+and ound+ t!e doctor +!ould +ee it.
Eit.
OSOLA. :y deat! i+ lotted !ere /+ t!e con+e2uence o& murder.
7e "alue not de+ert nor C!ri+tian #reat!,
7!en we )now #lac) deed+ mu+t #e cur/d wit! deat!.
[Enter ANTONIO and Ser"ant]
SE9@ANT. (ere +tay, +ir, and #e con-dent, I ray
I /ll &etc! you a dar) lantern.
Eit.
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 151/161
ANTONIO. Could I ta)e !im at !i+ rayer+,
T!ere were !oe o& ardon.
OSOLA. %all ri$!t, my +word;4
[Sta#+ !im.]
I /ll not $i"e t!ee +o muc! lei+ure a+ to ray.
ANTONIO. O, I am $one; T!ou !a+t ended a lon$ +uit
In a minute.
OSOLA. 7!at art t!ou*
ANTONIO. A mo+t wretc!ed t!in$,
T!at only !a"e t!y #ene-t in deat!,
To aear my+el&.
[9e5enter Ser"ant wit! a lantern]
SE9@ANT. 7!ere are you, +ir*
ANTONIO. @ery near my !ome.4o+ola;
SE9@ANT. O, mi+&ortune;
OSOLA. Smot!er t!y ity, t!ou art dead el+e.4Antonio;
T!e man I would !a"e +a"/d /#o"e mine own li&e;
7e are merely t!e +tar+/ tenni+5#all+, +truc) and #anded
7!ic! way lea+e t!em.4O $ood Antonio,
I /ll w!i+er one t!in$ in t!y dyin$ ear
S!all ma)e t!y !eart #rea) 2uic)ly; T!y &air duc!e++
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 152/161
And two +weet c!ildren44
ANTONIO. T!eir "ery name+
Mindle a little li&e in me.
OSOLA. Are murder/d.
ANTONIO. Some men !a"e wi+!/d to die
At t!e !earin$ o& +ad tidin$+ I am $lad
T!at I +!all do /t in +adne++.[1?] I would not now
7i+! my wound+ #alm/d nor !eal/d, &or I !a"e no u+e
To ut my li&e to. In all our 2ue+t o& $reatne++,
Li)e wanton #oy+ w!o+e a+time i+ t!eir care,
7e &ollow a&ter #u##le+ #lown in t!/ air.
6lea+ure o& li&e, w!at i+ /t* Only t!e $ood !our+
O& an a$ue merely a rearati"e to re+t,
To endure "eation. I do not a+)
T!e roce++ o& my deat! only commend me
To Delio.
OSOLA. rea), !eart;
ANTONIO. And let my +on 3y t!e court+ to rince+.
[Die+.]
OSOLA. T!ou +eem/+t to !a"e lo"/d Antonio.
SE9@ANT. I #rou$!t !im !it!er,
To !a"e reconcil/d !im to t!e cardinal.
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 153/161
OSOLA. I do not a+) t!ee t!at.
Ta)e !im u, i& t!ou tender t!ine own li&e,
And #ear !im w!ere t!e lady Bulia
7a+ wont to lod$e.4O, my &ate mo"e+ +wi&t;
I !a"e t!i+ cardinal in t!e &or$e already
Now I /ll #rin$ !im to t!/ !ammer. O dire&ul mi+ri+ion;[1?F]
I will not imitate t!in$+ $loriou+.
No more t!an #a+e I /ll #e mine own eamle.4
On, on, and loo) t!ou rere+ent, &or +ilence,
T!e t!in$ t!ou #ear/+t.[1?G]
Eeunt.
Scene @ [1?H]
[Enter] CA9DINAL, wit! a #oo)
CA9DINAL. I am u==l/d in a 2ue+tion a#out !ell
(e +ay+, in !ell t!ere /+ one material -re,
And yet it +!all not #urn all men ali)e.
Lay !im #y. (ow tediou+ i+ a $uilty con+cience;
7!en I loo) into t!e -+!5ond+ in my $arden,
:et!in)+ I +ee a t!in$ arm/d wit! a ra)e,
T!at +eem+ to +tri)e at me.
[Enter OSOLA, and Ser"ant #earin$ ANTONIO/S #ody]
Now, art t!ou come*
T!ou loo)/+t $!a+tly
T!ere +it+ in t!y &ace +ome $reat determination
:i/d wit! +ome &ear.
OSOLA. T!u+ it li$!ten+ into action'
I am come to )ill t!ee.
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 154/161
CA9DINAL. (a;4(el; our $uard;
OSOLA. T!ou art decei"/d t!ey are out o& t!y !owlin$.
CA9DINAL. (old and I will &ait!&ully di"ide
9e"enue+ wit! t!ee.
OSOLA. T!y rayer+ and ro<er+
Are #ot! un+ea+ona#le.
CA9DINAL. 9ai+e t!e watc!;
7e are #etray/d;
OSOLA. I !a"e con-n/d your 3i$!t'
I /ll +u<er your retreat to Bulia/+ c!am#er,
ut no &urt!er.
CA9DINAL. (el; we are #etray/d;
[Enter, a#o"e, 6ESCA9A, :ALATESTI, 9ODE9I>O, and >9ISOLAN]
:ALATESTI. Li+ten.
CA9DINAL. :y du)edom &or re+cue;
9ODE9I>O. %ie uon !i+ counter&eitin$;
:ALATESTI. 7!y, /ti+ not t!e cardinal.
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 155/161
9ODE9I>O. Ye+, ye+, /ti+ !e'
ut, I /ll +ee !im !an$/d ere I /ll $o down to !im.
CA9DINAL. (ere /+ a lot uon me I am a++aulted; I am lo+t,
nle++ +ome re+cue;
>9ISOLAN. (e dot! t!i+ retty well
ut it will not +er"e to lau$! me out o& mine !onour.
CA9DINAL. T!e +word/+ at my t!roat;
9ODE9I>O. You would not #awl +o loud t!en.
:ALATESTI.
Come, come, let /+ $o to #ed' !e told u+ t!i+ muc! a&ore!and.
6ESCA9A. (e wi+!/d you +!ould not come at !im #ut, #elie"e /t,
T!e accent o& t!e "oice +ound+ not in 0e+t'
I /ll down to !im, !ow+oe"er, and wit! en$ine+
%orce oe t!e door+.
[Eit a#o"e.]
9ODE9I>O. Let /+ &ollow !im aloo&,
And note !ow t!e cardinal will lau$! at !im.
[Eeunt, a#o"e, :ALATESTI, 9ODE9I>O, and >9ISOLAN.]
OSOLA. T!ere /+ &or you -r+t,
/Cau+e you +!all not un#arricade t!e door
To let in re+cue.
Mill+ t!e Ser"ant.
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 156/161
CA9DINAL. 7!at cau+e !a+t t!ou to ur+ue my li&e*
OSOLA. Loo) t!ere.
CA9DINAL. Antonio;
OSOLA. Slain #y my !and unwittin$ly.
6ray, and #e +udden. 7!en t!ou )ill/d/+t t!y +i+ter,
T!ou too)/+t &rom Bu+tice !er mo+t e2ual #alance,
And le&t !er nau$!t #ut !er +word.
CA9DINAL. O, mercy;
OSOLA. Now it +eem+ t!y $reatne++ wa+ only outward
%or t!ou &all/+t &a+ter o& t!y+el& t!an calamity
Can dri"e t!ee. I /ll not wa+te lon$er time t!ere;
[Sta#+ !im.]
CA9DINAL. T!ou !a+t !urt me.
OSOLA. A$ain;
CA9DINAL. S!all I die li)e a le"eret,
7it!out any re+i+tance*4(el, !el, !el;
I am +lain;
[Enter %E9DINAND]
%E9DINAND. T!/ alarum; >i"e me a &re+! !or+e
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 157/161
9ally t!e "aunt5$uard, or t!e day i+ lo+t,
Yield, yield; I $i"e you t!e !onour o& arm+
S!a)e my +word o"er you will you yield*
CA9DINAL. (el me I am your #rot!er;
%E9DINAND. T!e de"il;
:y #rot!er -$!t uon t!e ad"er+e arty;
(e wound+ t!e CA9DINAL, and, in t!e +cuPe, $i"e+ OSOLA
!i+ deat!5wound.
T!ere 3ie+ your ran+om.
CA9DINAL. O 0u+tice;
I +u<er now &or w!at !at! &ormer #in'
Sorrow i+ !eld t!e elde+t c!ild o& +in.
%E9DINAND. Now you /re #ra"e &ellow+. Cae+ar/+ &ortune wa+ !arder
t!an 6omey/+ Cae+ar died in t!e arm+ o& ro+erity, 6omey at t!e
&eet o& di+$race. You #ot! died in t!e -eld. T!e ain /+ not!in$
ain many time+ i+ ta)en away wit! t!e are!en+ion o& $reater,
a+ t!e toot!5ac!e wit! t!e +i$!t o& a #ar#er t!at come+ to ull
it out. T!ere /+ !ilo+o!y &or you.
OSOLA. Now my re"en$e i+ er&ect.4Sin), t!ou main cau+e
Mill+ %E9DINAND.
O& my undoin$;4T!e la+t art o& my li&e
(at! done me #e+t +er"ice.
%E9DINAND. >i"e me +ome wet !ay I am #ro)en5winded.
I do account t!i+ world #ut a do$5)ennel'
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 158/161
I will "ault credit and a<ect !i$! lea+ure+
eyond deat!.
OSOLA. (e +eem+ to come to !im+el&,
Now !e /+ +o near t!e #ottom.
%E9DINAND. :y +i+ter, O my +i+ter; t!ere /+ t!e cau+e on /t.
7!et!er we &all #y am#ition, #lood, or lu+t,
Li)e diamond+, we are cut wit! our own du+t.
[Die+.]
CA9DINAL. T!ou !a+t t!y ayment too.
OSOLA. Ye+, I !old my weary +oul in my teet!
/Ti+ ready to art &rom me. I do $lory
T!at t!ou, w!ic! +tood/+t li)e a !u$e yramid
e$un uon a lar$e and amle #a+e,
S!alt end in a little oint, a )ind o& not!in$.
[Enter, #elow, 6ESCA9A, :ALATESTI, 9ODE9I>O, and >9ISOLAN]
6ESCA9A. (ow now, my lord;
:ALATESTI. O +ad di+a+ter;
9ODE9I>O. (ow come+ t!i+*
OSOLA. 9e"en$e &or t!e Duc!e++ o& :al- murdered
y t!e Arra$onian #ret!ren &or Antonio
Slain #y t!i+ !and &or lu+t&ul Bulia
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 159/161
6oi+on/d #y t!i+ man and la+tly &or my+el&,
T!at wa+ an actor in t!e main o& all
:uc! /$ain+t mine own $ood nature, yet i/ t!e end
Ne$lected.
6ESCA9A. (ow now, my lord;
CA9DINAL. Loo) to my #rot!er'
(e $a"e u+ t!e+e lar$e wound+, a+ we were +tru$$lin$
(ere i/ t!/ ru+!e+. And now, I ray, let me
e laid #y and ne"er t!ou$!t o&.
[Die+.]
6ESCA9A. (ow &atally, it +eem+, !e did wit!+tand
(i+ own re+cue;
:ALATESTI. T!ou wretc!ed t!in$ o& #lood,
(ow came Antonio #y !i+ deat!*
OSOLA. In a mi+t I )now not !ow'
Suc! a mi+ta)e a+ I !a"e o&ten +een
In a lay. O, I am $one;
7e are only li)e dead wall+ or "aulted $ra"e+,
T!at, ruin/d, yield no ec!o. %are you well.
It may #e ain, #ut no !arm, to me to die
In +o $ood a 2uarrel. O, t!i+ $loomy world;
In w!at a +!adow, or dee it o& dar)ne++,
Dot! womani+! and &ear&ul man)ind li"e;
Let wort!y mind+ ne/er +ta$$er in di+tru+t
To +u<er deat! or +!ame &or w!at i+ 0u+t'
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 160/161
:ine i+ anot!er "oya$e.
[Die+.]
6ESCA9A. T!e no#le Delio, a+ I came to t!/ alace,
Told me o& Antonio/+ #ein$ !ere, and +!ow/d me
A retty $entleman, !i+ +on and !eir.
[Enter DELIO, and ANTONIO/S Son]
:ALATESTI. O +ir, you come too late;
DELIO. I !eard +o, and
7a+ arm/d &or /t, ere I came. Let u+ ma)e no#le u+e
O& t!i+ $reat ruin and 0oin all our &orce
To e+ta#li+! t!i+ youn$ !oe&ul $entleman
In /+ mot!er/+ ri$!t. T!e+e wretc!ed eminent t!in$+
Lea"e no more &ame #e!ind /em, t!an +!ould one
%all in a &ro+t, and lea"e !i+ rint in +now
A+ +oon a+ t!e +un +!ine+, it e"er melt+,
ot! &orm and matter. I !a"e e"er t!ou$!t
Nature dot! not!in$ +o $reat &or $reat men
A+ w!en +!e /+ lea+/d to ma)e t!em lord+ o& trut!'
Inte$rity o& li&e i+ &ame/+ #e+t &riend,
7!ic! no#ly, #eyond deat!, +!all crown t!e end.
Eeunt.
8/9/2019 Dutchess of Malfi
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dutchess-of-malfi 161/161