SECOND SERVANT. To see what the devil can do!
ANTONIO. [Are] all the officers here?
SERVANTS. We are.
ANTONIO. Gentlemen, We have lost much plate, you know; and but this evening Jewels, to the value of four thousand ducats, Are missing in the duchess' cabinet. Are the gates shut?
SERVANT. Yes.
ANTONIO. 'Tis the duchess' pleasure Each officer be lock'd into his chamber Till the sun-rising; and to send the keys Of all their chests and of their outward doors Into her bed-chamber. She is very sick.
RODERIGO. At her pleasure.
ANTONIO. She entreats you take 't not ill: the innocent Shall be the more approv'd by it.
BOSOLA. Gentlemen o' the wood-yard, where 's your Switzer now?
FIRST SERVANT. By this hand, 'twas credibly reported by one o' the black guard.<48> [Exeunt all except ANTONIO and DELIO.]
DELIO. How fares it with the duchess?
ANTONIO. She 's expos'd Unto the worst of torture, pain, and fear.
DELIO. Speak to her all happy comfort.
ANTONIO. How I do play the fool with mine own danger! You are this night, dear friend, to post to Rome: My life lies in your service.
DELIO. Do not doubt me.
ANTONIO. O, 'tis far from me: and yet fear presents me Somewhat that looks like danger.
DELIO. Believe it, 'Tis but the shadow of your fear, no more: How superstitiously we mind our evils! The throwing down salt, or crossing of a hare, Bleeding at nose, the stumbling of a horse, Or singing of a cricket, are of power To daunt whole man in us. Sir, fare you well: I wish you all the joys of a bless'd father; And, for my faith, lay this unto your breast,-- Old friends, like old swords, still are trusted best. [Exit.]
[Enter CARIOLA]
CARIOLA. Sir, you are the happy father of a son: Your wife commends him to you.
ANTONIO. Blessed comfort!-- For heaven' sake, tend her well: I 'll presently<49> Go set a figure for 's nativity.<50> Exeunt.
Scene III<51>
[Enter BOSOLA, with a dark lantern]
BOSOLA. Sure I did hear a woman shriek: list, ha! And the sound came, if I receiv'd it right, >From the duchess' lodgings. There 's some stratagem In the confining all our courtiers To their several wards: I must have part of it; My intelligence will freeze else. List, again! It may be 'twas the melancholy bird, Best friend of silence and of solitariness, The owl, that screamed so.--Ha! Antonio!
[Enter ANTONIO with a candle, his sword drawn]
ANTONIO. I heard some noise.--Who 's there? What art thou? Speak.
BOSOLA. Antonio, put not your face nor body To such a forc'd expression of fear; I am Bosola, your friend.
ANTONIO. Bosola!-- [Aside.] This mole does undermine me.--Heard you not A noise even now?
BOSOLA. From whence?
ANTONIO. From the duchess' lodging.
BOSOLA. Not I: did you?
ANTONIO. I did, or else I dream'd.
BOSOLA. Let 's walk towards it.
ANTONIO. No: it may be 'twas But the rising of the wind.
BOSOLA. Very likely. Methinks 'tis very cold, and yet you sweat: You look wildly.
ANTONIO. I have been setting a figure<52> For the duchess' jewels.
BOSOLA. Ah, and how falls your question? Do you find it radical?<53>
ANTONIO. What 's that to you? 'Tis rather to be question'd what design, When all men were commanded to their lodgings, Makes you a night-walker.
BOSOLA. In sooth, I 'll tell you: Now all the court 's asleep, I thought the devil Had least to do here; I came to say my prayers; And if it do offend you I do so, You are a fine courtier.
ANTONIO. [Aside.] This fellow will undo me.-- You gave the duchess apricocks to-day: Pray heaven they were not poison'd!
BOSOLA. Poison'd! a Spanish fig For the imputation!
ANTONIO.