Again, what earthy spirit but will attempt To taste the fruit of beauty"s golden tree, When leaden sleep seals up the dragon"s eyes?
Oh, beauty is a project of some power, Chiefly when opportunity attends her: She will infuse true motion in a stone, Put glowing fire in an icy soul, Stuff peasants" bosoms with proud Caesar"s spleen, Pour rich device into an empty brain: Bring youth to folly"s gate: there train him in, And after all, extenuate his sin.
Well, I will not go, I am resolved for that.
Go, carry it again: yet stay: yet do too, I will defer it till some other time.
[ENTER PISO.]
PIS. Sir, Signior Platano will meet you there with the bond.
THO. That"s true: by Jesu, I had clean forgot it.
I must go, what"s a clock?
PIS. Past ten, sir.
THO. "Heart, then will Prospero presently be here too, With one or other of his loose consorts.
I am a Jew if I know what to say, What course to take, or which way to resolve.
My brain (methinks) is like an hour-gla.s.s, And my imaginations like the sands Run dribbling forth to fill the mouth of time, Still changed with turning in the ventricle.
What were I best to do? it shall be so.
Nay, I dare build upon his secrecy. Piso.
PIS. Sir.
THO. Yet now I have bethought me too, I will not.
Is Cob within?
PIS. I think he be, sir.
THO. But he"ll prate too, there"s no talk of him.
No, there were no course upon the earth to this, If I durst trust him; tut, I were secure, But there"s the question now, if he should prove, Rimarum plenus, then, "sblood, I were rook"d.
The state that he hath stood in till this present Doth promise no such change: what should I fear then?
Well, come what will, I"ll tempt my fortune once.
Piso, thou mayest deceive me, but I think thou lovest me, Piso.
PIS. Sir, if a servant"s zeal and humble duty may be term"d love, you are possest of it.
THO. I have a matter to impart to thee, but thou must be secret, Piso.
PIS. Sir, for that --
THO. Nay, hear me, man; think I esteem thee well, To let thee in thus to my private thoughts; Piso, it is a thing sits nearer to my crest, Than thou art "ware of; if thou should"st reveal it --
PIS. Reveal it, sir?
THO. Nay, I do not think thou would"st, but if thou should"st --
PIS. Sir, then I were a villain: Disclaim in me for ever if I do.
THO. He will not swear: he has some meaning, sure, Else (being urged so much) how should he choose, But lend an oath to all this protestation?
He is no puritan, that I am certain of.
What should I think of it? urge him again, And in some other form: I will do so.
Well, Piso, thou has sworn not to disclose; ay, you did swear?
PIS. Not yet, sir, but I will, so please you.
THO. Nay, I dare take thy word.
But if thou wilt swear, do as you think good, I am resolved without such circ.u.mstance.
PIS. By my soul"s safety, sir, I here protest, My tongue shall ne"er take knowledge of a word Deliver"d me in compa.s.s of your trust.
THO. Enough, enough, these ceremonies need not, I know thy faith to be as firm as bra.s.s.
Piso, come hither: nay, we must be close In managing these actions: So it is, (Now he has sworn I dare the safelier speak;) I have of late by divers observations -- But, whether his oath be lawful, yea, or no? ha!
I will ask counsel ere I do proceed: Piso, it will be now too long to stay, We"ll spy some fitter time soon, or to-morrow.
PIS. At your pleasure, sir.
THO. I pray you search the books "gainst I return For the receipts "twixt me and Platano.
PIS. I will, sir.
THO. And hear you: if my brother Prospero Chance to bring hither any gentlemen Ere I come back, let one straight bring me word.
PIS. Very well, sir.
THO. Forget it not, nor be not you out of the way.
PIS. I will not, sir.
THO. Or whether he come or no, if any other, Stranger or else: fail not to send me word.
PIS. Yes, sir.
THO. Have care, I pray you, and remember it.
PIS. I warrant you, sir.
THO. But, Piso, this is not the secret I told thee of.
PIS. No, sir, I suppose so.
THO. Nay, believe me, it is not.
PIS. I do believe you, sir.
THO. By heaven it is not, that"s enough.
Marry, I would not thou should"st utter it to any creature living, Yet I care not.
Well, I must hence: Piso, conceive thus much, No ordinary person could have drawn So deep a secret from me; I mean not this, But that I have to tell thee: this is nothing, this.
Piso, remember, silence, buried here: No greater h.e.l.l than to be slave to fear.
[EXIT THO.]