The Duchess of Malfi

• Considering duly that a prince's court

  Is like a common fountain, whence should flow

  Pure silver drops in general; but if't chance

  Some cursed example poison't near the head,

  Death, and diseases through the whole land spread.

  Antonio
• Some fellows, they say, are possessed with the devil, but his great fellow were able to possess the greatest devil, and make him worse.

  
  

  Bosola
• He and his brother are like plum-trees that grow crooked over standing pools; they are rich and o'erladen with fruit, but none but crows, pies and caterpillars feed on them.

  Bosola
• want of action breeds all black malcontents, and their close rearing, like moths in cloth, do hurt for want of wearing.

  Antonio
• for he strews in his way flatterers, panders, intelligencers, atheists, and a thousand such political monsters.

  Antonio
• The Duke there? A most perverse, and turbulent nature: What appears in him mirth, is merely outside.
• the right noble Duchess

  Antonio
• She throws upon a man so sweet a look, that it were able raise one to a galliard that lay dead in a palsy

  Antonio
• Her days are practised in such noble virtue that sure her nights, nay more, her very sleeps, are more in heaven than other ladies shrifts.

  Antonio
• Such weddings may more properly be said, to be executed, than celebrated.

  Ferdinand
• This was my father's poniard [...] I'd be loth to see't look rusty.

  Ferdinand
• A visor and a mask are whispering-rooms that were ne'er built for goodness.

  Ferdinand
• Farewell, lusty widow.

  Ferdinand
• But I intend to make you overseer.

  The Duchess
• [of marriage] It locally contains or heaven or hell; There's no third place in't.

  Antonio
• [She puts her ring upon his finger]
• raise yourself

  Or if you please, my hand to help you

  The Duchess
• The misery of us that are born great

  We are forced to woo, because none dare woo us

  The Duchess
• This is flesh, and blood, sir; 'tis not the figure cut in albaster kneels at my husband' tomb

  The Duchess
• [Kisses him]
• I would have you lead your fortune by the hand, unto your marriage bed.

  The Duchess
• O, let me shroud my blushes in your bosom, since 'tis the treasury of all my secrets

  The Duchess
• Whether the spirit of greatness or of woman reign most in her, I know not, but it shows a fearful madness

  Cariola
• To behold thee not painted inclines somewhat near a miracle.

  Bosola
• One would suspect it for a shop of witchcraft, to find it in the fact of serpents, spawn of snakes.

  Bosola
• What thing is in this outward form of man to be beloved?

  Bosola
• Apricots, madam.

  Bosola
• Lights to my chamber. O good Antonio, I fear I am undone.

  The Duchess
• I will hear no more of the glass-house; you are still abusing women!

  Old Lady
• Though lust do mask in ne'er so strange disguise,

  She's oft found witty, but is never wise.

  Bosola
• a sister damned; she's loose i'th' hilts, grown a notorious strumpet.

  Ferdinand.
• The common rabble do directly say she is a strumpet.

  Antonio
• Go tell my brothers, when I am laid out, then they may feed in quiet.

  Duchess
• Bosola: Here are your executioners

  Duchess: I forgive them.
• Come violent death.

  Duchess
• Dispose of my death how you please, but my body, bestow upon my women, will you?

  Duchess
• Who would be afraid on't

  Knowing to meet such excellent company

  In th'other world?

  Duchess
• What an excellent shape hath that fellow.

  Julia
• I forgive you

  This equal piece of justice you have done

  For I betrayed your counsel to that fellow.

  Julia
• 'Tis weakness

  Too much to think what should have been done, I go,

  I know not whither.

  Julia