Page:The Tragedy of the Duchesse of Malfy (1623).pdf/8

 Though some oth' court hold it presumption To instruct Princes what they ought to doe, It is a noble duety to informe them What they ought to for-see. Here comes Bosola The onely Court-Gall: yet I observe his rayling Is not for simple love of Piety: Indeede he rayls at those things which he wants, Would be as leacherous, covetous, or proud, Bloody, or envious, as any man, If he had meanes to be so: Here's the Cardinall.

Bos. I doe haunt you still.

Card. So.

Bos. I have done you Better service then to be slighted thus: Miserable age, where onely the reward Of doing well, is the doing of it.

Card. You inforce your merrit to-much.

Bos. I fell into the Gallies in your service, Where, for two yeares together, I wore two Towells in stead of A shirt, with a knot on the shoulder, after the fashion of a Romaine Mantle: Slighted thus? I will thrive some way: Black-birds fatten best in hard weather: why not I, In these dogde dayes?

Card. Would you could become honest,

Bos. With all your divinity, do but direct me the way to it, I Have knowne many travell farre for it, and yet returne as Arrant knaves, as they went forth; because they carried Themselves alwayes a long with them; Are you gon? Some fellowes (they say) are possessed with the divell, But this great fellow, were able to possesse the greatest Divell, and make him worse.

Ant. He hath denied thee some suit?

Bos. He, and his brother, are like Plum-trees (that grow crooked Over standing-pooles) they are rich, and ore-laden with Fruite, but none but Crowes, Pyes, and Cater-pillers feede On them: Could I be one of their flattring Panders, I Would hang on their eares like a horse-leach, till I were full, an