'Tis a delicate fruit; They say they are restorative.
BOSOLA. 'Tis a pretty art, This grafting.
DUCHESS. 'Tis so; a bettering of nature.
BOSOLA. To make a pippin grow upon a crab, A damson on a black-thorn.--[Aside.] How greedily she eats them! A whirlwind strike off these bawd farthingales! For, but for that and the loose-bodied gown, I should have discover'd apparently<43> The young springal<44> cutting a caper in her belly.
DUCHESS. I thank you, Bosola: they were right good ones, If they do not make me sick.
ANTONIO. How now, madam!
DUCHESS. This green fruit and my stomach are not friends: How they swell me!
BOSOLA. [Aside.] Nay, you are too much swell'd already.
DUCHESS. O, I am in an extreme cold sweat!
BOSOLA. I am very sorry. [Exit.]
DUCHESS. Lights to my chamber!--O good Antonio, I fear I am undone!
DELIO. Lights there, lights! Exeunt DUCHESS [and Ladies.]
ANTONIO. O my most trusty Delio, we are lost! I fear she 's fall'n in labour; and there 's left No time for her remove.
DELIO. Have you prepar'd Those ladies to attend her; and procur'd That politic safe conveyance for the midwife Your duchess plotted?
ANTONIO. I have.
DELIO. Make use, then, of this forc'd occasion. Give out that Bosola hath poison'd her With these apricocks; that will give some colour For her keeping close.
ANTONIO. Fie, fie, the physicians Will then flock to her.
DELIO. For that you may pretend She'll use some prepar'd antidote of her own, Lest the physicians should re-poison her.
ANTONIO. I am lost in amazement: I know not what to think on 't. Exeunt.
Scene II<45>
[Enter] BOSOLA and Old Lady
BOSOLA. So, so, there 's no question but her techiness<46> and most vulturous eating of the apricocks are apparent signs of breeding, now?
OLD LADY. I am in haste, sir.
BOSOLA. There was a young waiting-woman had a monstrous desire to see the glass-house----
OLD LADY. Nay, pray, let me go. I will hear no more of the glass-house. You are still<47> abusing women!
BOSOLA. Who, I? No; only, by the way now and then, mention your frailties. The orange-tree bears ripe and green fruit and blossoms all together; and some of you give entertainment for pure love, but more for more precious reward. The lusty spring smells well; but drooping autumn tastes well. If we have the same golden showers that rained in the time of Jupiter the thunderer, you have the same Danaes still, to hold up their laps to receive them. Didst thou never study the mathematics?
OLD LADY. What 's that, sir?
BOSOLA. Why, to know the trick how to make a many lines meet in one centre. Go, go, give your foster-daughters good counsel: tell them, that the devil takes delight to hang at a woman's girdle, like a false rusty watch, that she cannot discern how the time passes. [Exit Old Lady.]
[Enter ANTONIO, RODERIGO, and GRISOLAN]
ANTONIO. Shut up the court-gates.
RODERIGO. Why, sir? What 's the danger?
ANTONIO. Shut up the posterns presently, and call All the officers o' th' court.
GRISOLAN. I shall instantly. [Exit.]
ANTONIO. Who keeps the key o' th' park-gate?
RODERIGO. Forobosco.
ANTONIO. Let him bring 't presently.
[Re-enter GRISOLAN with Servants]
FIRST SERVANT. O, gentleman o' th' court, the foulest treason!
BOSOLA. [Aside.] If that these apricocks should be poison'd now, Without my knowledge?
FIRST SERVANT. There was taken even now a Switzer in the duchess' bed-chamber----
SECOND SERVANT. A Switzer!
FIRST SERVANT. With a pistol----
SECOND SERVANT. There was a cunning traitor!
FIRST SERVANT. And all the moulds of his buttons were leaden bullets.
SECOND SERVANT. O wicked cannibal!
FIRST SERVANT. 'Twas a French plot, upon my life.