English drama -- 17th century; English drama -- Early modern and Elizabethan, 1500-1600
_Card._ 'Tis thus. Antonio lurks here in Milan:
Inquire him out, and kill him. While he lives,
Our sister cannot marry; and I have thought
Of an excellent match for her. Do this, and style me
Thy advancement.
_Bos._ But by what means shall I find him out?
_Card._ There is a gentleman called Delio
Here in the camp, that hath been long approved
His loyal friend. Set eye upon that fellow;
Follow him to mass; may be Antonio,
Although he do account religion
But a school-name, for fashion of the world
May accompany him; or else go inquire out
Delio's confessor, and see if you can bribe
Him to reveal it. There are a thousand ways
A man might find to trace him; as to know
What fellows haunt the Jews for taking up
Great sums of money, for sure he's in want;
Or else to go to the picture-makers, and learn
Who bought her picture lately: some of these
Happily may take.
_Bos._ Well, I'll not freeze i' the business:
I would see that wretched thing, Antonio,
Above all sights i' the world.
_Card._ Do, and be happy. [_Exit_.
_Bos._ 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.
_Julia._ So, sir, you are well met.
_Bos._ How now!
_Julia._ Nay, the doors are fast enough:
Now, sir, I will make you confess your treachery.
_Bos._ Treachery!
_Julia._ Yes, confess to me
Which of my women 'twas you hired to put
Love-powder into my drink?
_Bos._ Love-powder!
_Julia._ Yes, when I was at Malfi.
Why should I fall in love with such a face else?
I have already suffered for thee so much pain,
The only remedy to do me good
Is to kill my longing.
_Bos._ Sure, your pistol holds
Nothing but perfumes or kissing-comfits.[141]
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.
_Bos._ Know you me, I am a blunt soldier.
_Julia._ The better:
Sure, there wants fire where there are no lively sparks
Of roughness.
_Bos._ And I want compliment.
_Julia._ Why, ignorance
In courtship cannot make you do amiss,
If you have a heart to do well.
_Bos._ You are very fair.
_Julia._ Nay, if you lay beauty to my charge,
I must plead unguilty.
_Bos._ Your bright eyes
Carry a quiver of darts in them sharper
Than sunbeams.
_Julia._ You will mar me with commendation,
Put yourself to the charge of courting me,
Whereas now I woo you.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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