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 CARDINAL. Sit:  thou art my best of wishes. Prithee, tell me What trick didst thou invent to come to Rome Without thy husband? JULIA. Why, my lord, I told him I came to visit an old anchorite[61]   Here for devotion. CARDINAL. Thou art a witty false one,—   I mean, to him. JULIA. You have prevail'd with me Beyond my strongest thoughts; I would not now Find you inconstant. CARDINAL. Do not put thyself To such a voluntary torture, which proceeds Out of your own guilt. JULIA. How, my lord! CARDINAL. You fear My constancy, because you have approv'd[62]   Those giddy and wild turnings in yourself. JULIA. Did you e'er find them? CARDINAL. Sooth, generally for women, A man might strive to make glass malleable, Ere he should make them 

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