'cause you shall not come to me in debt, Being now my steward, here upon your lips I sign your Quietus est.[25]  This you should have begg'd now. I have seen children oft eat sweetmeats thus, As fearful to devour them too soon. ANTONIO. But for your brothers? DUCHESS. Do not think of them:   All discord without this circumference Is only to be pitied, and not fear'd:   Yet, should they know it, time will easily Scatter the tempest. ANTONIO. These words should be mine, And all the parts you have spoke, if some part of it Would not have savour'd flattery. DUCHESS. Kneel.        [Cariola comes from behind the arras.]    ANTONIO.          Ha! 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' 

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