BOSOLA. Well, I 'll not freeze i' th' business: I would see that wretched thing, Antonio, Above all sights i' th' world.
CARDINAL. Do, and be happy. Exit.
BOSOLA. This fellow doth breed basilisks in 's eyes, He 's nothing else but murder; yet he seems Not to have notice of the duchess' death. 'Tis his cunning: I must follow his example; There cannot be a surer way to trace Than that of an old fox.
[Re-enter JULIA, with a pistol]
JULIA. So, sir, you are well met.
BOSOLA. How Now!
JULIA. Nay, the doors are fast enough: Now, sir, I will make you confess your treachery.
BOSOLA. Treachery!
JULIA. Yes, confess to me Which of my women 'twas you hir'd to put Love-powder into my drink?
BOSOLA. Love-powder!
JULIA. Yes, when I was at Malfi. Why should I fall in love with such a face else? I have already suffer'd for thee so much pain, The only remedy to do me good Is to kill my longing.
BOSOLA. Sure, your pistol holds Nothing but perfumes or kissing-comfits.<131> Excellent lady! You have a pretty way on 't to discover Your longing. Come, come, I 'll disarm you, And arm you thus: yet this is wondrous strange.
JULIA. Compare thy form and my eyes together, You 'll find my love no such great miracle. Now you 'll say I am wanton: this nice modesty in ladies Is but a troublesome familiar That haunts them.
BOSOLA. Know you me, I am a blunt soldier.
JULIA. The better: Sure, there wants fire where there are no lively sparks Of roughness.
BOSOLA. And I want compliment.
JULIA. Why, ignorance In courtship cannot make you do amiss, If you have a heart to do well.
BOSOLA. You are very fair.
JULIA. Nay, if you lay beauty to my charge, I must plead unguilty.
BOSOLA. Your bright eyes Carry a quiver of darts in them sharper Than sun-beams.
JULIA. You will mar me with commendation, Put yourself to the charge of courting me, Whereas now I woo you.
BOSOLA. [Aside.] I have it, I will work upon this creature.-- Let us grow most amorously familiar: If the great cardinal now should see me thus, Would he not count me a villain?
JULIA. No; he might count me a wanton, Not lay a scruple of offence on you; For if I see and steal a diamond, The fault is not i' th' stone, but in me the thief That purloins it. I am sudden with you. We that are great women of pleasure use to cut off These uncertain wishes and unquiet longings, And in an instant join the sweet delight And the pretty excuse together. Had you been i' th' street, Under my chamber-window, even there I should have courted you.
BOSOLA. O, you are an excellent lady!
JULIA. Bid me do somewhat for you presently To express I love you.
BOSOLA. I will; and if you love me, Fail not to effect it. The cardinal is grown wondrous melancholy; Demand the cause, let him not put you off With feign'd excuse; discover the main ground on 't.
JULIA. Why would you know this?
BOSOLA. I have depended on him, And I hear that he is fall'n in some disgrace With the emperor: if he be, like the mice That forsake falling houses, I would shift To other dependance.
JULIA. You shall not need Follow the wars: I 'll be your maintenance.
BOSOLA. And I your loyal servant: but I cannot Leave my calling.
JULIA. Not leave an ungrateful General for the love of a sweet lady! You are like some cannot sleep in feather-beds, But must have blocks for their pillows.
BOSOLA. Will you do this?
JULIA. Cunningly.
BOSOLA. To-morrow I 'll expect th' intelligence.
JULIA. To-morrow! get you into my cabinet; You shall have it with you. Do not delay me, No more than I do you: I am like one That is condemn'd; I have my pardon promis'd, B