SCENE IV.--_An Apartment in the_ Cardinal's _Palace.

_Enter_ Cardinal, PESCARA, MALATESTI, RODERIGO, _and_ GRISOLAN.

_Card._ You shall not watch to-night by the sick prince; His grace is very well recovered.

_Mal._ Good my lord, suffer us.

_Card._ O, by no means; The noise, and change of object in his eye, Doth more distract him: I pray, all to bed; And though you hear him in his violent fit, Do not rise, I entreat you.

_Pes._ So, sir; we shall not.

_Card._ Nay, I must have you promise Upon your honours, for I was enjoined to't By himself; and he seemed to urge it sensibly.

_Pes._ Let our honours bind this trifle.

_Card._ Nor any of your followers.

_Mal._ Neither.

_Card._ It may be, to make trial of your promise, When he's asleep, myself will rise and feign Some of his mad tricks, and cry out for help, And feign myself in danger.

_Mal._ If your throat were cutting, I'd not come at you, now I have protested against it.

_Card._ Why, I thank you.

_Gris._ 'Twas a foul storm to-night.

_Rod._ The Lord Ferdinand's chamber shook like an osier.

_Mal._ 'Twas nothing but pure kindness in the devil, To rock his own child. [_Exeunt all except the_ Cardinal.

_Card._ The reason why I would not suffer these About my brother, is, because at midnight I may with better privacy convey Julia's body to her own lodging. O, my conscience! I would pray now; but the devil takes away my heart For having any confidence in prayer. About this hour I appointed Bosola To fetch the body: when he hath served my turn, He dies. [_Exit._

_Enter_ BOSOLA.

_Bos._ Ha! 'twas the cardinal's voice; I heard him name Bosola and my death. Listen; I hear one's footing.

_Enter_ FERDINAND.

_Ferd._ Strangling is a very quiet death.

_Bos._ [_Aside_.] Nay, then, I see I must stand upon my guard.

_Ferd._ What say you to that? whisper softly; do you agree to't? So; it must be done i' the dark: the cardinal would not for a thousand pounds the doctor should see it. [_Exit._

_Bos._ My death is plotted; here's the consequence of murder. We value not desert nor Christian breath, When we know black deeds must be cured with death.

_Enter_ ANTONIO _and_ Servant.

_Serv._ Here stay, sir, and be confident, I pray: I'll fetch you a dark lantern. [_Exit._

_Ant._ Could I take him at his prayers, There were hope of pardon.

_Bos._ Fall right, my sword!--[_Stabs him._ I'll not give thee so much leisure as to pray.

_Ant._ O, I am gone! Thou hast ended a long suit In a minute.

_Bos._ What art thou?

_Ant._ A most wretched thing, That only have thy benefit in death, To appear myself.

_Re-enter_ Servant _with a lantern._

_Serv._ Where are you, sir?

_Ant._ Very near my home.--Bosola!

_Serv._ O, misfortune!

_Bos._ Smother thy pity, thou art dead else.--Antonio! The man I would have saved 'bove mine own life! We are merely the stars' tennis-balls, struck and bandied Which way please them.--O good Antonio, I'll whisper one thing in thy dying ear Shall make thy heart break quickly! thy fair duchess and two sweet children--

_Ant._ Their very names Kindle a little life in me.

_Bos._ Are murdered.

_Ant._ Some men have wished to die At the hearing of sad things; I am glad That I shall do't in sadness:[142] I would not now Wish my wounds balmed nor healed, for I have no use To put my life to. In all our quest of greatness, Like wanton boys, whose pastime is their care, We follow after bubbles blown in the air. Pleasure of life, what is't? only the good hours Of an ague; merely a preparative to rest, To endure vexation. I do not ask The process of my death; only commend me To Delio.

_Bos._ Break, heart!

_Ant._ And let my son fly the courts of princes. [_Dies._

_Bos._ Thou seem'st to have loved Antonio?

_Serv._ I brought him hither, To have reconciled him to the cardinal.

_Bos._ I do not ask thee that. Take him up, if thou tender thine own life, And bear him where the lady Julia Was wont to lodge.--O, my fate moves swift; I have this cardinal in the forge already; Now I'll bring him to the hammer. O direful misprision! I will not imitate things glorious, No more than base; I'll be mine own example.-- On, on, and look thou represent, for silence, The thing thou bear'st. [_Exeunt._