DUCHESS. Be not amaz'd; this woman 's of my counsel: I have heard lawyers say, a contract in a chamber Per verba [de] presenti[26] is absolute marriage. [She and ANTONIO kneel.] Bless, heaven, this sacred gordian[27] which let violence Never untwine! ANTONIO. And may our sweet affections, like the spheres, Be still in motion! DUCHESS. Quickening, and make The like soft music! ANTONIO. That we may imitate the loving palms, Best emblem of a peaceful marriage, That never bore fruit, divided! DUCHESS. What can the church force more? ANTONIO. That fortune may not know an accident, Either of joy or sorrow, to divide Our fixed wishes! DUCHESS. How can the church build faster?[28] We now are man and wife, and 'tis the church That must but echo this.--Maid, stand apart: I now am blind. ANTONIO. What 's your conceit in this? DUCHESS. I would have you lead your fortune by the hand Unto your marriage-bed: (You speak in me this, for we now are one:) We 'll only lie and talk together, and plot To appease my humorous[29] kindred; and if you please, Like the old tale in ALEXANDER AND LODOWICK, Lay a naked sword between us, keep us chaste. O, let me shrowd my blushes in your bosom, Since 'tis the treasury of all my secrets! [Exeunt DUCHESS and ANTONIO.] CARIOLA. Whether the spirit of greatness or of woman Reign most in her, I know not; but it shows A fearful madness. I owe her much of pity. [Exit.] Act II Scene I[30] [Enter] BOSOLA and CASTRUCCIO BOSOLA. You say you would fain be taken for an eminent courtier? CASTRUCCIO. 'Tis the very main[31] of my ambition. BOSOLA. Let me see: you have a reasonable good face for 't already, and your night-cap expresses your ears sufficient largely. I would have you learn to twirl the strings of your band with a good grace, and in a set speech, at th' end of every sentence, to hum three or four times, or blow your nose till it smart again, to recover your memory. When you come to be a president in criminal causes, if you smile upon a prisoner, hang him; but if you frown upon him and threaten him, let him be sure to scape the gallows. CASTRUCCIO. I would be a very merry president. BOSOLA. Do not sup o' nights; 'twill beget you an admirable wit. CASTRUCCIO. Rather it would make me have a good stomach to quarrel; for they say, your roaring boys eat meat seldom, and that makes them so valiant. But how shall I know whether the people take me for an eminent fellow? BOSOLA. I will teach a trick to know it: give out you lie a-dying, and if you hear the common people curse you, be sure you are taken for one of the prime night-caps.[32] [Enter an Old Lady] You come from painting now. OLD LADY. From what?