loveliness More perfect in her tears than in her smiles: She will muse for hours together; and her silence, Methinks, expresseth more than if she spake. FERDINAND. Her melancholy seems to be fortified With a strange disdain. BOSOLA. 'Tis so; and this restraint, Like English mastives that grow fierce with tying, Makes her too passionately apprehend Those pleasures she is kept from. FERDINAND. Curse upon her! I will no longer study in the book Of another's heart. Inform her what I told you. Exit. [Enter DUCHESS and Attendants] BOSOLA. All comfort to your grace! DUCHESS. I will have none. Pray thee, why dost thou wrap thy poison'd pills In gold and sugar? BOSOLA. Your elder brother, the Lord Ferdinand, Is come to visit you, and sends you word, 'Cause once he rashly made a solemn vow Never to see you more, he comes i' th' night; And prays you gently neither torch nor taper Shine in your chamber. He will kiss your hand, And reconcile himself; but for his vow He dares not see you. DUCHESS. At his pleasure.— Take hence the lights.—He 's come. [Exeunt Attendants with lights.] [Enter FERDINAND] FERDINAND. Where are you? DUCHESS. Here, sir. FERDINAND. This darkness suits you well. DUCHESS. I would ask you pardon. FERDINAND. You have it; For I account it the honorabl'st revenge, Where I may kill, to pardon.—Where are your cubs? DUCHESS. Whom? FERDINAND. Call them your children; For though our national law distinguish bastards ]From true legitimate issue, compassionate nature Makes them all equal. DUCHESS. Do you visit me for this? You violate a sacrament o' th' church Shall make you howl in hell for 't. FERDINAND. It had been well, Could you have liv'd thus always; for, indeed, You were too much i' th' light:—but no more; I come to seal my peace with you. Here 's a hand Gives her a dead man's hand. To which you have vow'd much love; the ring upon 't You gave. DUCHESS. I affectionately kiss it. FERDINAND. Pray, do, and bury the print of it in your heart. I will leave this ring with you for a love-token; And the hand as sure as the ring; and do not doubt But you shall have the heart too. When you need a friend, Send it to him that ow'd it; you shall see Whether he can aid you. DUCHESS. You are very cold: I fear you are not well after your travel.— Ha! lights!——O, horrible! FERDINAND. Let her have lights enough.
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