with you. We that are great women of pleasure use to cut off These uncertain wishes and unquiet longings, And in an instant join the sweet delight And the pretty excuse together. Had you been i' th' street, Under my chamber-window, even there I should have courted you. BOSOLA. O, you are an excellent lady! JULIA. Bid me do somewhat for you presently To express I love you. BOSOLA. I will; and if you love me, Fail not to effect it. The cardinal is grown wondrous melancholy; Demand the cause, let him not put you off With feign'd excuse; discover the main ground on 't. JULIA. Why would you know this? BOSOLA. I have depended on him, And I hear that he is fall'n in some disgrace With the emperor: if he be, like the mice That forsake falling houses, I would shift To other dependance. JULIA. You shall not need Follow the wars: I 'll be your maintenance. BOSOLA. And I your loyal servant: but I cannot Leave my calling. JULIA. Not leave an ungrateful General for the love of a sweet lady! You are like some cannot sleep in feather-beds, But must have blocks for their pillows. BOSOLA. Will you do this? JULIA. Cunningly. BOSOLA. To-morrow I 'll expect th' intelligence. JULIA. To-morrow! get you into my cabinet; You shall have it with you. Do not delay me, No more than I do you: I am like one That is condemn'd; I have my pardon promis'd, But I would see it seal'd. Go, get you in: You shall see my wind my tongue about his heart Like a skein of silk. [Exit BOSOLA.] [Re-enter CARDINAL] CARDINAL. Where are you? [Enter Servants.] SERVANTS. Here. CARDINAL. Let none, upon your lives, have conference With the Prince Ferdinand, unless I know it.— [Aside] In this distraction he may reveal The murder. [Exeunt Servants.] Yond 's my lingering consumption: I am weary of her, and by any means Would be quit of. JULIA. How now, my lord! what ails you? CARDINAL. Nothing. JULIA. O, you are much alter'd: Come, I must be your secretary, and remove This lead from off your bosom: what 's the matter? CARDINAL. I may not tell you. JULIA. Are you so far in love with sorrow You cannot part with part of it? Or think you I cannot love your grace when you are sad As well as merry? Or do you suspect I, that have been a secret to your heart These many winters, cannot be the same Unto your tongue? CARDINAL. Satisfy thy longing,— The only way to make thee keep my counsel Is, not to tell thee. JULIA.
Prev.
Back
Top