there? A most perverse and turbulent nature. What appears in him mirth is merely outside; If he laught heartily, it is to laugh All honesty out of fashion. DELIO. Twins? ANTONIO. In quality. He speaks with others' tongues, and hears men's suits With others' ears; will seem to sleep o' the bench Only to entrap offenders in their answers; Dooms men to death by information; Rewards by hearsay. DELIO. Then the law to him Is like a foul, black cobweb to a spider,—   He makes it his dwelling and a prison To entangle those shall feed him. ANTONIO. Most true:   He never pays debts unless they be shrewd turns, And those he will confess that he doth owe. Last, for this brother there, the cardinal, They that do flatter him most say oracles Hang at his lips; and verily I believe them, For the devil speaks in them. But for their sister, the right noble duchess, You never fix'd your eye on three fair medals Cast in one figure, of so different temper. For her discourse, it is so full of rapture, You only will begin then to be sorry When she doth end her speech, and wish, in wonder, She held it less vain-glory to talk much, Than your penance to hear her. Whilst she speaks, She throws upon a man so sweet a look That it were able to raise one to a galliard.[10]   That lay in a dead palsy, and to dote On that sweet countenance; but in that look There speaketh so divine a continence As cuts off all lascivious and vain hope. Her days are practis'd in such noble virtue, That sure her nights, nay, more, her very sleeps, Are more in heaven than other ladies' shrifts. Let all sweet ladies break their flatt'ring glasses, And dress themselves in her. DELIO. Fie, Antonio, You play the wire-drawer with her commendations. ANTONIO. I 'll case the picture up:  only thus much; All her particular worth grows to this sum,—   She stains[11] the time past, lights the time to come. CARIOLA. You must attend my lady in the gallery, Some half and hour hence. ANTONIO. I shall.        [Exeunt ANTONIO and DELIO.]    FERDINAND. Sister, I have a suit to you. DUCHESS. To me, sir? FERDINAND. A gentleman here, Daniel de Bosola, One that was in the galleys——    DUCHESS. Yes, I know him. FERDINAND. A worthy fellow he is:  pray, let me entreat for The provisorship of your horse. DUCHESS. Your knowledge of him Commends him and prefers him. FERDINAND. Call him hither.        [Exit Attendant.]   We [are] now upon[12] parting. Good Lord Silvio, Do us commend 

 Prev. P 6/74 next