Page:The Tragedy of the Duchesse of Malfy (1623).pdf/72

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The Tragedy of


Duch.
And thou com'st to make my tombe?

Bos.
Yes.

Duch.
Let me be a little merry,
Of what stuffe wilt thou make it?

Bos.
Nay, resolve me first, of what fashion?

Duch.
Why, do we grow phantasticall in our death-bed?
Do we affect fashion in the grave?

Bos.
Most ambitiously: Princes images on their tombes,
Do not lie, as they were wont, seeming to pray,
Up to heaven: but with their hands under their cheekes,
(As if they died of the tooth-ache) they are not carved
With their eies, fix'd upon the starres; but as their
Mindes were wholy bent upon the world,
The selfe-same way they seeme to turne their faces.

Duch.
Let me know fully therefore the effect
Of this thy dismall preparation,
This talke, fit for a charnell?

Bos.
Now, I shall,
Here is a present from your Princely brothers, A Coffin, Cords, and a Bell.
And may it arrive wel-come, for it brings
Last benefit, last sorrow.

Duch.
Let me see it,
I have so much obedience, in my blood,
I wish it in ther veines, to do them good.

Bos.
This is your last presence Chamber.

Cari.
O my sweete Lady.

Duch.
Peace, it affrights not me.

Bos.
I am the common Bell-man,
That usually is sent to condemn'd persons.
The night before they suffer:

Duch
Even now thou said'st,
Thou wast a tombe-maker?

Bos.
'Twas to bring you
By degrees to mortification: Listen.
Hearke, now every thing is still,
The Schritch-Owle, and the whistler shrill,
Call upon our Dame, aloud,
And bid her quickly don her shrowd:

Much