ENTER CORBACCIO AND CORVINO;- MOSCA Pa.s.sES OVER THE STAGE, BEFORE THEM.
CORB: See, in our habit! see the impudent varlet!
CORV: That I could shoot mine eyes at him like gun-stones.
[ENTER VOLPONE.]
VOLP: But is this true, sir, of the parasite?
CORB: Again, to afflict us! monster!
VOLP: In good faith, sir, I"m heartily grieved, a beard of your grave length Should be so over-reach"d. I never brook"d That parasite"s hair; methought his nose should cozen: There still was somewhat in his look, did promise The bane of a clarissimo.
CORB: Knave-
VOLP: Methinks Yet you, that are so traded in the world, A witty merchant, the fine bird, Corvino, That have such moral emblems on your name, Should not have sung your shame; and dropt your cheese, To let the Fox laugh at your emptiness.
CORV: Sirrah, you think the privilege of the place, And your red saucy cap, that seems to me Nail"d to your jolt-head with those two chequines, Can warrant your abuses; come you hither: You shall perceive, sir, I dare beat you; approach.
VOLP: No haste, sir, I do know your valour well, Since you durst publish what you are, sir.
CORV: Tarry, I"d speak with you.
VOLP: Sir, sir, another time-
CORV: Nay, now.
VOLP: O lord, sir! I were a wise man, Would stand the fury of a distracted cuckold.
[AS HE IS RUNNING OFF, RE-ENTER MOSCA.]
CORB: What, come again!
VOLP: Upon "em, Mosca; save me.
CORB: The air"s infected where he breathes.
CORV: Let"s fly him.
[EXEUNT CORV. AND CORB.]
VOLP: Excellent basilisk! turn upon the vulture.
[ENTER VOLTORE.]
VOLT: Well, flesh-fly, it is summer with you now; Your winter will come on.
MOS: Good advocate, Prithee not rail, nor threaten out of place thus; Thou"lt make a solecism, as madam says.
Get you a biggin more, your brain breaks loose.
[EXIT.]
VOLT: Well, sir.
VOLP: Would you have me beat the insolent slave, Throw dirt upon his first good clothes?
VOLT: This same Is doubtless some familiar.
VOLP: Sir, the court, In troth, stays for you. I am mad, a mule That never read Justinian, should get up, And ride an advocate. Had you no quirk To avoid gullage, sir, by such a creature?
I hope you do but jest; he has not done it: "Tis but confederacy, to blind the rest.
You are the heir.
VOLT: A strange, officious, Troublesome knave! thou dost torment me.
VOLP: I know- It cannot be, sir, that you should be cozen"d; "Tis not within the wit of man to do it; You are so wise, so prudent; and "tis fit That wealth and wisdom still should go together.
[EXEUNT.]
SCENE 5.6.
THE SCRUTINEO OR SENATE-HOUSE.
ENTER AVOCATORI, NOTARIO, BONARIO, CELIA, CORBACCIO, CORVINO, COMMANDADORI, SAFFI, ETC.
1 AVOC: Are all the parties here?
NOT: All but the advocate.
2 AVOC: And here he comes.
[ENTER VOLTORE AND VOLPONE.]
1 AVOC: Then bring them forth to sentence.
VOLT: O, my most honour"d fathers, let your mercy Once win upon your justice, to forgive- I am distracted-
VOLP [ASIDE.]: What will he do now?
VOLT: O, I know not which to address myself to first; Whether your fatherhoods, or these innocents-
CORV [ASIDE.]: Will he betray himself?
VOLT: Whom equally I have abused, out of most covetous ends-
CORV: The man is mad!
CORB: What"s that?
CORV: He is possest.