Page:The Tragedy of the Duchesse of Malfy (1623).pdf/11

 He runs as if he were ballass'd with Quick-silver.

Sil. True (my Lord) he reels from the Tilt-often.

''Rod. Gris.'' Ha, ha, ha.

Ferd. Why do you laugh? Me thinks you that are Courtiers Should be my touch-wood, take fire, when I give fire; That is, laugh when I laugh, were the subject never so wity.

Cast. True (my Lord) I my selfe have heard a very good jest, And have scorn'd to seeme to have so silly a wit, as to understand it.

Ferd. But I can laugh at your Foole (my Lord.)

Cast. He cannot speake (you know) but he makes faces, My Lady cannot abide him.

Ferd. Noe?

Cast. Nor endure to be in merry Company: for she saies Too much laughing, and too much Company, fils her Too full of the wrinckle.

Ferd. I would then have a Mathematicall Instrument made for Her face, that she might not laugh out of compasse: I shall shortly Visit you at Millaine (Lord Silvio.)

Sil. Your Grace shall arrive most wel-come.

Ferd. You are a good Horse-man (Antonio) you have excellent Riders in France, what doe you thinke of good Horse-man-ship?

Ant. Noblely (my Lord) as out of the Grecian-horse, issued Many famous Princes: So, out of brave Horse-man-ship, Arise the first Sparkes of growing resolution, that raise The minde, to noble action.

Ferd. You have be-spoake it worthely.

Sil. Your brother, the Lord Cardinall, and sister Dutchesse.

Card. Are the Gallies come about?

Gris. They are (my Lord).

Ferd. Here's the Lord Silvio, is come to take his leave.

Del. Now (Sir) your promise: what's that Cardinall? I meane his Temper? they say he's a brave fellow, Will play his five thousand crownes, at Tennis, Daunce, Court ladies, and one that hath fought single Combats.

Ant. Some such flashes superficially hang on him, for forme: But observe his inward Character: he is a mellancholly Church-man: The Spring in his face, is nothing but the