SCENE IV.--_An Apartment in the Palace of the_ Cardinal _at Rome.

_Enter_ Cardinal _and_ JULIA.

_Card._ 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 Here for devotion.

_Card._ Thou art a witty false one,-- I mean, to him.

_Julia._ You have prevailed with me Beyond my strongest thoughts: I would not now Find you inconstant.

_Card._ Do not put thyself To such a voluntary torture, which proceeds Out of your own guilt.

_Julia._ How, my lord!

_Card._ You fear My constancy, because you have approved Those giddy and wild turnings in yourself.

_Julia._ Did you e'er find them?

_Card._ Sooth, generally for women, A man might strive to make glass malleable, Ere he should make them fixèd.

_Julia._ So, my lord.

_Card._ We had need go borrow that fantastic glass Invented by Galileo the Florentine To view another spacious world i' the moon, And look to find a constant woman there.

_Julia._ This is very well, my lord.

_Card._ Why do you weep? Are tears your justification? the self-same tears Will fall into your husband's bosom, lady, With a loud protestation that you love him Above the world. Come, I'll love you wisely, That's jealously; since I am very certain You cannot make me cuckold.

_Julia._ I'll go home To my husband.

_Card._ You may thank me, lady, I have taken you off your melancholy perch, Bore you upon my fist, and showed you game, And let you fly at it.--I pray thee, kiss me.-- When thou wast with thy husband, thou wast watched Like a tame elephant:--still you are to thank me:-- Thou hadst only kisses from him and high feeding; But what delight was that? 'twas just like one That hath a little fingering on the lute, Yet cannot tune it:--still you are to thank me.

_Julia._ You told me of a piteous wound i' the heart And a sick liver, when you wooed me first, And spake like one in physic.

_Card._ Who's that?--

_Enter_ Servant.

Rest firm, for my affection to thee, Lightning moves slow to't.

_Serv._ Madam, a gentleman, That's come post from Malfi, desires to see you.

_Card._ Let him enter: I'll withdraw. [_Exit._

_Serv._ He says Your husband, old Castruccio, is come to Rome, Most pitifully tired with riding post. [_Exit._

_Enter_ DELIO.

_Julia._ [_Aside._] Signior Delio! 'tis one of my old suitors.

_Delio._ I was bold to come and see you.

_Julia._ Sir, you are welcome.

_Delio._ Do you lie here?

_Julia._ Sure, your own experience Will satisfy you no: our Roman prelates Do not keep lodging for ladies.

_Delio._ Very well: I have brought you no commendations from your husband, For I know none by him.

_Julia._ I hear he's come to Rome.

_Delio._ I never knew man and beast, of a horse and a knight, So weary of each other: if he had had a good back, He would have undertook to have borne his horse, His breech was so pitifully sore.

_Julia._ Your laughter Is my pity.

_Delio._ Lady, I know not whether You want money, but I have brought you some.

_Julia._ From my husband?

_Delio._ No, from mine own allowance.

_Julia._ I must hear the condition, ere I be bound to take it.

_Delio._ Look on't, 'tis gold: hath it not a fine colour?

_Julia._ I have a bird more beautiful.

_Delio._ Try the sound on't.

_Julia._ A lute-string far exceeds it: It hath no smell, like cassia or civet; Nor is it physical, though some fond doctors Persuade us seethe't in cullises.[121] I'll tell you, This is a creature bred by--

_Re-enter_ Servant.

_Serv._ Your husband's come, Hath delivered a letter to the Duke of Calabria That, to my thinking, hath put him out of his wits. [_Exit._

_Julia._ Sir, you hear: Pray, let me know your business and your suit As briefly as can be.

_Delio._ With good speed: I would wish you, At such time as you are non-resident With your husband, my mistress.

_Julia._ Sir, I'll go ask my husband if I shall, And straight return your answer. [_Exit._

_Delio._ Very fine! Is this her wit, or honesty, that speaks thus? I heard one say the duke was highly moved With a letter sent from Malfi. I do fear Antonio is betrayed: how fearfully Shows his ambition now! unfortunate fortune! They pass through whirlpools, and deep woes do shun, Who the event weigh ere the action's done. [_Exit._