Act 2

Scene II

A hall in the same palace.

	Enter Bosala* and Old Lady.*
Bosola	So, so, there’s no question but her techiness42 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 glasshouse⁠—
Old Lady	Nay, pray, let me go. I will hear no more of the glasshouse. You are still43 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.
	Reenter 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’ bedchamber⁠—
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.
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 bedchamber. 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.44
	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 presently45 Go set a figure for’s nativity.46
	Exeunt.