Monologue

Duchess Monologue from The Duchess of Malfi

From The Duchess of Malfi by John Webster

female · romantic · 2:18 min

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Now she pays it. The misery of us that are born great! We are forc'd to woo, because none dare woo us; And as a tyrant doubles with his words, And fearfully equivocates, so we Are forc'd to express our violent passions In riddles and in dreams, and leave the path Of simple virtue, which was never made To seem the thing it is not. Go, go brag You have left me heartless; mine is in your bosom: I hope 'twill multiply love there. You do tremble: Make not your heart so dead a piece of flesh, To fear more than to love me. Sir, be confident: What is 't distracts you? This is flesh and blood, sir; 'Tis not the figure cut in alabaster Kneels at my husband's tomb. Awake, awake, man! I do here put off all vain ceremony, And only do appear to you a young widow That claims you for her husband, and, like a widow, I use but half a blush in 't. (ANTONIO: Truth speak for me; I will remain the constant sanctuary Of your good name.) I thank you, gentle love: And 'cause you shall not come to me in debt, Being now my steward, here upon your lips I sign your Quietus est. (25) This you should have begg'd now. I have seen children oft eat sweetmeats thus, As fearful to devour them too soon. (ANTONIO: But for your brothers?) Do not think of them: All discord without this circumference Is only to be pitied, and not fear'd: Yet, should they know it, time will easily Scatter the tempest.

About this piece

30s · longing · love · betrayal · identity · power

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