espoused in the presence of this Gentlewoman here present, which is the witnesse of our Nuptials and accorde of mariage. This gentleman also Antonio Bologna, is he to whom I haue sworn and giuen my faith, and hee againe to mee hath ingaged his. He it is whom I accompt for my spouse and husband, (and with whome henceforth) I meane to rest and contynue. In consideration whereof, if there be any heere amongs you all, that shal mislike of my choyse, and is willing to wayt vppon my sonne the Duke, I meane not to let them of their intent, prayinge them faithfully to serue him, and to be careful of his person, and to be vnto him so honest and loyall, as they haue bene to me so longe as I was their mistresse. But if any of you desire stil to make your abode wyth me, to be partakers of my Wealth and woe, I will so entertayne them as they shall haue good cause to be contented, if not let them departe hence to Malfi, and the steward shal prouide for them according to their degre: for touching my self I do mind no more to be termed an infamous Duchesse: rather would I be honored wyth the Tytle of a symple Gentlewoman, or wyth that estate whych shee can haue that hath an honest husband, and wyth whom she holdeth faithfull and loyall company, than reuerenced with the glory of a Pryncesse, subiect to the despite of slaunderous tongues. Ye know” (said she to Bologna) “what hath passed betwene vs, and God is the witnesse of the integrity of my Conscyence, wherfore I pray you bryng forth our Chyldren, that eche Man may beholde the Fruyctes raysed of our allyance.” Hauynge spoken those Woordes, and the Chyldren broughte forthe into the Hall, all the companye stoode styll so astonned wyth that newe successe and tale, as though hornes sodainly had started forth their heads, and rested vnmoueable and amazed, like the great marble piller of Rome called Pasquile, for so mutch as they neuer thought, ne coniectured that Bologna was the successor of the duke of Malfi in his mariage bed. This was the preparatiue of the catastrophe and bloudy end of this tragedie. For of all the Duchesse seruaunts, there was not one that was willing to continue wyth theyr auncient mistresse, who with the faithfull maiden of hir chamber remained at Ancona, enioying the ioyful embracements of hir Husbande, in all sutch Pleasure and Delyghts as they doe, whych hauyng lyued in fear, be set at liberty, and out of al suspition, plunged in a sea of ioy, and fleting in the quiet calme of al passetime, where Bologna had none other care, but how to please his best beloued, and she studied nothing else but how to loue and obey him, as the wyfe ought to doe hir husband. But thys fayre Weather lasted not long, for as the ioyes of men do not long endure but wast in lyttle time, so bee the delights of louers lesse firme and stedefast and passe away almost in one moment of an houre. Now the seruaunts of the Duchesse which wer retired, and durst tary no longer with hir, fearing the fury of