Harris - The Duchess (of Malfi)

A drum gently joins in.She starts to sing. Its a song that feels familiar stand nearer, breathe deeper, its the heat of night talk longer, move slower, hold me tightShe is just starting to find her confidence, to enjoy the song, when the world changes. The sides of the stage seem to close in on her.Two men come on to the stage.Whatever that was, it had the feeling of a dream.Ferdinand sister Cardinal we wish to speak to you She looks at them.Duchess when did you arrive? Cardinal you are a widow now Duchess yes Cardinal and a duchess, and of course royalty Ferdinand high blood, respected Duchess we all are Cardinal and no doubt youre thinking your mourning is behind you but Ferdinand a word of caution Cardinal lets not let good looks, eloquence and sweet-talking Ferdinand turn our heads She looks at her brothers, not sure she is following.Duchess my head has not turned ? Cardinal because people that dally around, we always think Duchess dally around? Ferdinand marry again Cardinal its like they are soiled goods, no? Their livers spotted Ferdinand over-used Cardinal you are a jewel of utter beauty, of course, but jewels actually lose their value when theyve been bought and sold Ferdinand yes, to pass through many hands produces a sort of tarnishing Duchess dont diamonds gain value that way? Ferdinand but that means whores would be precious Duchess Im not thinking about marrying again so if thats your worry Cardinal a lot of widows say that but, after a month or two, you seem changed already Duchess Im exactly the same Cardinal what we mean is, you live in comfort here, dont you? In the court, there is a kind of honey dew, our family has status and you are attractive Ferdinand men will come with open faces and say anything to get in your Cardinal watch out, dear sister! It could be poison Ferdinand two-faced swine are more like witches in disguise Cardinal and yes the devil lurks beneath their skins. Duchess this is such wise counsel Ferdinand oh sarcasm, yes, very witty Cardinal and you can throw us off but in the end everything you do, even your most private thoughts Ferdinand some weddings are said to be executed rather than celebrated Cardinal the marriage night an entrance to some prison Ferdinand and will the pleasure Cardinal the carnal pleasure Ferdinand seem so sweet after the domestic dungeon has shut its doors? The Duchess looks at them.She puts her tea down.She looks at them again.She laughs a bit.Ferdinand what are you doing? She laughs a bit more.Cardinal stop that. She laughs harder.Duchess Im sorry it is just She carries on laughing. She stops it. She picks up a teacup and laughs even more into it. Ferdinand I told you shed be like this Cardinal sister, you have to listen to us Ferdinand look we brought you something Cardinal we know officially you no longer need to wear black but we thought They show her the dress. She stops it. She picks up a teacup and laughs even more into it. Ferdinand I told you shed be like this Cardinal sister, you have to listen to us Ferdinand look we brought you something Cardinal we know officially you no longer need to wear black but we thought They show her the dress.

Grey and drab.She looks at it.She laughs even harder. can you stop her? Ferdinand can you suggest how? She laughs again.They put the dress down.The Cardinal catches her by the hand.Cardinal sister, please, you are the closest thing we have. And we are worried. Duchess dont be worried Cardinal we used to feel we knew you Duchess I was a mouse Ferdinand you were who you had always been Duchess in a cage Cardinal we were in Naples, theyd heard of you there Ferdinand in the square, sitting, we heard these men talking Duchess good Cardinal how can you say that, they knew we were nearby and still they were going on Duchess Im not afraid of people talking about me Ferdinand you dont want to know what they were saying? Duchess was it nice things? Cardinal of course it wasnt Duchess well never mind Ferdinand youre courting attention Duchess of course Im not Ferdinand the young and wanton duchess. Looking for an adventure, and why not she has got all this money now Duchess oh stop it Ferdinand that outfit Duchess what outfit? Cardinal the way you walk Ferdinand the way you flaunt