Page:The Tragedy of the Duchesse of Malfy (1623).pdf/74

 This cord should terrifie you?

Duch. Not a whit, What would it pleasure me, to have my throate cut With diamonds? or to be smothered With Cassia? or to be shot to death, with pearles? I know death hath ten thousand severall doores For men to take their Exits: and 'tis found They go on such strange geometricall hinges, You may open them both wayes: any way, (for heaven sake) So I were out of your whispering: Tell my brothers, That I perceive death, (now I am well a wake) Best guift is, they can give, or I can take, I would faine put off my last womans-fault, Il'd not be tedious to you.

Exec. We are ready.

Duch. Dispose my breath, how please you, but my body Bestow upon my women, will you?

Exec. Yes.

Duch. Pull, and pull strongly, for your able strength, Must pull downe heaven upon me: Yet stay, heaven gates are not so highly arch'd As Princes pallaces, they that enter there Must go upon their knees: Come violent death, Serve for Mandragora, to make me sleepe; Go tell my brothers, when I am laid out, They then may feede in quiet.

Bos. Where's the waiting woman? Fetch her: Some other strangle the children: Looke you, there sleepes your mistris.

Cari. Oh you are damn'd Perpetually for this: My turne is next, Is't not so ordered?

Bos. Yes, and I am glad You are so well prepar'd for't.

Cari. You are deceiv'd Sir, I am not prepar'd for't, I will not die, I will first come to my answere; and know How I have offended.

Bos. Come, dispatch her: You kept her counsell, now you shall keepe ours.

Cari. I will not die, I must not, I am contracted