Chapter 46

_Enter_ VANITY.[402]

VAN. O rotten rope, that thou must be so brittle! Hadst thou but happened to have held a little, I had taught my princocks against another time So to presume Dame Fortune's bower to climb. To make such a 'scape, his hap was very good: Well, he 'scaped fair, I swear by the rood: But will you have me say my fantasy, _Quod differtur, non aufertur_; for assuredly The gentleman will never hold himself quiet, Till once more he come to taste of this diet. Mark the end.

FOR. Vanity! [_From a window_.

VAN. Madam.

FOR. Is this roister gone?

VAN. Yea, madam, he is gone.

FOR. Then get thee anon, And cause my attendants to come away, For here as now I will no longer stay, But prosecute this foe of mine so fast By mischiefs all I may, that at the last He shall arrive unto a wretched end, And with repentance learn how to offend A goddess of my state and dignity.

VAN. Lady, to do your will I hasten willingly. [VANITY _exit_.

FORTUNE _comes down_.

FOR. Dame Fortune's power, her most exceeding might, Is known by this as an undoubted thing: Since here most plainly hath appear'd in sight, How all the world doth hang upon her wing, How high and low, of all states and degrees, Do rise and fall again, as she decrees. Then let not Virtue think it scorn to yield To Fortune, chief of power, chief sovereignty: Sith Fortune here by proof hath won the field, Subdu'd her foes, and got the victory: For as she list to favour, else to frown, She hoisteth up, or headlong hurleth down.

[_Enter_ VANITY _again_.][403]

VAN. Madam, here are your vassals ready prest, To do the thing that Fortune liketh best.

FOR. Well, then, come on to witness this our victory; Depart we hence with sound of fame triumphantly.

[_Cries of Reverence, due reverence_!