The Duchess of Malfi

Scene IV

[Enter] Two Pilgrims to the Shrine of our Lady of Loretto

FIRST PILGRIM.  I have not seen a goodlier shrine than this;
Yet I have visited many.
SECOND PILGRIM.           The Cardinal of Arragon
Is this day to resign his cardinal's hat:
His sister duchess likewise is arriv'd
To pay her vow of pilgrimage.  I expect
A noble ceremony.
FIRST PILGRIM.     No question. – They come.
[Here the ceremony of the Cardinal's instalment, in the habit
of a soldier, perform'd in delivering up his cross, hat, robes,
and ring, at the shrine, and investing him with sword, helmet,
shield, and spurs; then ANTONIO, the DUCHESS and their children,
having presented themselves at the shrine, are, by a form
of banishment in dumb-show expressed towards them by the
CARDINAL and the state of Ancona, banished: during all which
ceremony, this ditty is sung, to very solemn music, by divers
churchmen: and then exeunt [all except the]
Two Pilgrims.
Arms and honours deck thy story,
To thy fame's eternal glory!
Adverse fortune ever fly thee;
No disastrous fate come nigh thee!
I alone will sing thy praises,
Whom to honour virtue raises,
And thy study, that divine is,
Bent to martial discipline is,
Lay aside all those robes lie by thee;
Crown thy arts with arms, they 'll beautify thee.
O worthy of worthiest name, adorn'd in this manner,
Lead bravely thy forces on under war's warlike banner!
O, mayst thou prove fortunate in all martial courses!
Guide thou still by skill in arts and forces!
Victory attend thee nigh, whilst fame sings loud thy powers;
Triumphant conquest crown thy head, and blessings pour down
showers![94 - The first quarto has in the margin: "The Author disclaims this Ditty to be his."]
FIRST PILGRIM.
Here 's a strange turn of state! who would have thought
So great a lady would have match'd herself
Unto so mean a person?  Yet the cardinal
Bears himself much too cruel.
SECOND PILGRIM.                They are banish'd.
FIRST PILGRIM.  But I would ask what power hath this state
Of Ancona to determine of a free prince?
SECOND PILGRIM.  They are a free state, sir, and her brother show'd
How that the Pope, fore-hearing of her looseness,
Hath seiz'd into th' protection of the church
The dukedom which she held as dowager.
FIRST PILGRIM.  But by what justice?
SECOND PILGRIM.                       Sure, I think by none,
Only her brother's instigation.
FIRST PILGRIM.  What was it with such violence he took
Off from her finger?
SECOND PILGRIM.       'Twas her wedding-ring;
Which he vow'd shortly he would sacrifice
To his revenge.
FIRST PILGRIM.      Alas, Antonio!
If that a man be thrust into a well,
No matter who sets hand to 't, his own weight
Will bring him sooner to th' bottom.  Come, let 's hence.
Fortune makes this conclusion general,
All things do help th' unhappy man to fall.

Exeunt.

Scene V[95 - Near Loretto.]

[Enter] DUCHESS, ANTONIO, Children, CARIOLA, and Servants

DUCHESS.  Banish'd Ancona!
ANTONIO.                    Yes, you see what power
Lightens in great men's breath.
DUCHESS.                         Is all our train
Shrunk to this poor remainder?
ANTONIO.                        These poor men
Which have got little in your service, vow
To take your fortune:  but your wiser buntings,[96 - Small birds.]
Now they are fledg'd, are gone.
DUCHESS.                         They have done wisely.
This puts me in mind of death:  physicians thus,
With their hands full of money, use to give o'er
Their patients.
ANTONIO.         Right the fashion of the world:
]From decay'd fortunes every flatterer shrinks;
Men cease to build where the foundation sinks.
DUCHESS.  I had a very strange dream to-night.
ANTONIO.                                        What was 't?
DUCHESS.  Methought I wore my coronet of state,
And on a sudden all the diamonds
Were chang'd to pearls.
ANTONIO.                 My interpretation
Is, you 'll weep shortly; for to me the pearls
Do signify your tears.
DUCHESS.                The birds that live i' th' field
On the wild benefit of nature live
Happier than we; for they may choose their mates,