all our train Shrunk to this poor remainder? ANTONIO. These poor men Which have got little in your service, vow To take your fortune: but your wiser buntings,[96] Now they are fledg'd, are gone. DUCHESS. They have done wisely. This puts me in mind of death: physicians thus, With their hands full of money, use to give o'er Their patients. ANTONIO. Right the fashion of the world: ]From decay'd fortunes every flatterer shrinks; Men cease to build where the foundation sinks. DUCHESS. I had a very strange dream to-night. ANTONIO. What was 't? DUCHESS. Methought I wore my coronet of state, And on a sudden all the diamonds Were chang'd to pearls. ANTONIO. My interpretation Is, you 'll weep shortly; for to me the pearls Do signify your tears. DUCHESS. The birds that live i' th' field On the wild benefit of nature live Happier than we; for they may choose their mates, And carol their sweet pleasures to the spring. [Enter BOSOLA with a letter] BOSOLA. You are happily o'erta'en. DUCHESS. From my brother? BOSOLA. Yes, from the Lord Ferdinand your brother All love and safety. DUCHESS. Thou dost blanch mischief, Would'st make it white. See, see, like to calm weather At sea before a tempest, false hearts speak fair To those they intend most mischief. [Reads.] 'Send Antonio to me; I want his head in a business.' A politic equivocation! He doth not want your counsel, but your head; That is, he cannot sleep till you be dead. And here 's another pitfall that 's strew'd o'er With roses; mark it, 'tis a cunning one: [Reads.] 'I stand engaged for your husband for several debts at Naples: let not that trouble him; I had rather have his heart than his money':— And I believe so too. BOSOLA. What do you believe? DUCHESS. That he so much distrusts my husband's love, He will by no means believe his heart is with him Until he see it: the devil is not cunning enough To circumvent us In riddles. BOSOLA. Will you reject that noble and free league Of amity and love which I present you? DUCHESS. Their league is like that of some politic kings, Only to make themselves of strength and power To be our after-ruin; tell them so. BOSOLA. And what from you? ANTONIO. Thus tell him; I will not come. BOSOLA. And what of this? ANTONIO. My brothers have dispers'd Bloodhounds abroad; which till I hear are muzzl'd, No truce, though hatch'd with ne'er such politic skill, Is safe, that hangs upon our enemies'
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