But to be past all bounds and sense of shame.
DUCHESS. I pray, sir, hear me: I am married.
FERDINAND. So!
DUCHESS. Happily, not to your liking: but for that, Alas, your shears do come untimely now To clip the bird's wings that 's already flown! Will you see my husband?
FERDINAND. Yes, if I could change Eyes with a basilisk.
DUCHESS. Sure, you came hither By his confederacy.
FERDINAND. The howling of a wolf Is music to thee, screech-owl: prithee, peace.-- Whate'er thou art that hast enjoy'd my sister, For I am sure thou hear'st me, for thine own sake Let me not know thee. I came hither prepar'd To work thy discovery; yet am now persuaded It would beget such violent effects As would damn us both. I would not for ten millions I had beheld thee: therefore use all means I never may have knowledge of thy name; Enjoy thy lust still, and a wretched life, On that condition.--And for thee, vile woman, If thou do wish thy lecher may grow old In thy embracements, I would have thee build Such a room for him as our anchorites To holier use inhabit. Let not the sun Shine on him till he 's dead; let dogs and monkeys Only converse with him, and such dumb things To whom nature denies use to sound his name; Do not keep a paraquito, lest she learn it; If thou do love him, cut out thine own tongue, Lest it bewray him.
DUCHESS. Why might not I marry? I have not gone about in this to create Any new world or custom.
FERDINAND. Thou art undone; And thou hast ta'en that massy sheet of lead That hid thy husband's bones, and folded it About my heart.
DUCHESS. Mine bleeds for 't.
FERDINAND. Thine! thy heart! What should I name 't unless a hollow bullet Fill'd with unquenchable wild-fire?
DUCHESS. You are in this Too strict; and were you not my princely brother, I would say, too wilful: my reputation Is safe.
FERDINAND. Dost thou know what reputation is? I 'll tell thee,--to small purpose, since the instruction Comes now too late. Upon a time Reputation, Love, and Death, Would travel o'er the world; and it was concluded That they should part, and take three several ways. Death told them, they should find him in great battles, Or cities plagu'd with plagues: Love gives them counsel To inquire for him 'mongst unambitious shepherds, Where dowries were not talk'd of, and sometimes 'Mongst quiet kindred that had nothing left By their dead parents: 'Stay,' quoth Reputation, 'Do not forsake me; for it is my nature, If once I part from any man I meet, I am never found again.' And so for you: You have shook hands with Reputation, And made him invisible. So, fare you well: I will never see you more.
DUCHESS. Why should only I, Of all the other princes of the world, Be cas'd up, like a holy relic? I have youth And a little beauty.
FERDINAND. So you have some virgins That are witches. I will never see thee more. Exit.
Re-enter ANTONIO with a pistol, [and CARIOLA]
DUCHESS. You saw this apparition?
ANTONIO. Yes: we are Betray'd. How came he hither? I should turn This to thee, for that.
CARIOLA. Pray, sir, do; and when That you have cleft my heart, you shall read there Mine innocence.
DUCHESS. That gallery gave him entrance.
ANTONIO. I would this terrible thing would come again, That, standing on my guard, I might relate My warrantable love.-- (She shows the poniard.) Ha! what means this?
DUCHESS. He left this with me.
ANTONIO. And it seems did wish You would use it on yourself.
DUCHESS. His action seem'd To intend so much.
ANTONIO. This hath a handle to 't, As well as a point: turn it towards him, and So fasten the keen edge in his rank gall. [Knocking within.] How now! who knocks? More earthquakes?
DUCHESS.