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. Traitors are ever confident Till they are discover'd. There were jewels stol'n too: In my conceit, none are to be suspected More than yourself. BOSOLA. You are a false steward. ANTONIO. Saucy slave, I 'll pull thee up by the roots. BOSOLA. May be the ruin will crush you to pieces. ANTONIO. You are an impudent snake indeed, sir: Are you scarce warm, and do you show your sting? You libel[54] well, sir? BOSOLA. No, sir: copy it out, And I will set my hand to 't. ANTONIO. [Aside.] My nose bleeds. One that were superstitious would count This ominous, when it merely comes by chance. Two letters, that are wrought here for my name,[55] Are drown'd in blood! Mere accident.--For you, sir, I 'll take order I' the morn you shall be safe.--[Aside.] 'Tis that must colour Her lying-in.--Sir, this door you pass not: I do not hold it fit that you come near The duchess' lodgings, till you have quit yourself.-- [Aside.] The great are like the base, nay, they are the same, When they seek shameful ways to avoid shame. Exit. BOSOLA. Antonio hereabout did drop a paper:-- Some of your help, false friend.[56]--O, here it is. What 's here? a child's nativity calculated! [Reads.] 'The duchess was deliver'd of a son, 'tween the hours twelve and one in the night, Anno Dom. 1504,'--that 's this year--'decimo nono Decembris,'--that 's this night-- 'taken according to the meridian of Malfi,'--that 's our duchess: happy discovery!--'The lord of the first house being combust in the ascendant, signifies short life; and Mars being in a human sign, joined to the tail of the Dragon, in the eighth house, doth threaten a violent death. Caetera non scrutantur.'[57] Why, now 'tis most apparent; this precise fellow Is the duchess' bawd:--I have it to my wish! This is a parcel of intelligency[58] Our courtiers were cas'd up for: it needs must follow That I must be committed on pretence Of poisoning her; which I 'll endure, and laugh at. If one could find the father now! but that Time will discover. Old Castruccio I' th' morning posts to Rome: by him I 'll send A letter that shall make her brothers' galls O'erflow their livers. This was a thrifty[59] way! Though lust do mask in ne'er so strange disguise, She 's oft found witty, but is never wise. [Exit.] Scene IV[60] [Enter] CARDINAL and JULIA