SCENE VI.[1711

[_To them re-enter_] MOSCA [_with_] LADY WOULD-BE.

_Mos._ Be resolute, madam.

_Lady P._ Ay, this same is she. [_Pointing to_ CELIA.] Out, thou chameleon harlot! now thine eyes Vie tears with the hyena. Dar’st thou look Upon my wronged face? I cry your pardons, I fear I have forgettingly transgrest 5 Against the dignity of the court——

_2 Avoc._ No, madam.

_Lady P._ And been exorbitant——

_2 Avoc._ You have not, lady.

_4 Avoc._ These proofs are strong.

_Lady P._ Surely, I had no purpose To scandalize your honours, or my sex’s.

_3 Avoc._ We do believe it.

_Lady P._ Surely you may believe it. 10

_2 Avoc._ Madam, we do.

_Lady P._ Indeed you may; my breeding Is not so coarse——

_4 Avoc._ We know it.

_Lady P._ To offend With pertinacy——

_3 Avoc._ Lady——

_Lady P._ Such a presence! No surely.

_1 Avoc._ We will think it.

_Lady P._ You may think it.

_1 Avoc._ Let her o’ercome. What witnesses have you, 15 To make good your report?

_Bon._ Our consciences.

_Cel._ And heaven, that never fails the innocent.

_1 Avoc._ These are no testimonies.

_Bon._ Not in your courts, Where multitude and clamour overcomes.

_1 Avoc._ Nay, then you do wax insolent.

VOLPONE _is brought in, as impotent._

_Volt._ Here, here, 20 The testimony comes that will convince, And put to utter dumbness their bold tongues! See here, grave fathers, here ’s the ravisher, The rider on men’s wives, the great impostor, The grand voluptuary! Do you not think 25 These limbs should affect venery? or these eyes Covet a concubine? Pray you mark these hands; Are they not fit to stroke a lady’s breasts? Perhaps he doth dissemble!

_Bon._ So he does.

_Volt._ Would you ha’ him tortur’d?

_Bon._ I would have him prov’d. 30

_Volt._ Best try him then with goads, or burning irons; Put him to the strappado: I have heard The rack hath cur’d the gout; faith, give it him, And help him of a malady; be courteous. 34 I’ll undertake, before these honour’d fathers, He shall have yet as many left diseases, As she has known adulterers, or thou strumpets. O, my most equal hearers, if these deeds, Acts of this bold and most exorbitant strain, May pass with suff’rance, what one citizen 40 But owes the forfeit of his life, yea, fame, To him that dares traduce him? Which of you Are safe, my honour’d fathers? I would ask, With leave of your grave fatherhoods, if their plot Have any face or colour like to truth? 45 Or if, unto the dullest nostril here, It smell not rank, and most abhorred slander? I crave your care of this good gentleman, Whose life is much endanger’d by their fable; And as for them, I will conclude with this, 50 That vicious persons, when they’re hot, and flesh’d In impious acts, their constancy[1712] abounds: Damn’d deeds are done with greatest confidence.

_1 Avoc._ Take ’em to custody, and sever them.

_2 Avoc._ ’T is pity two such prodigies should live. 55

_1 Avoc._ Let the old gentleman be return’d with care. [_Exeunt_ Officers _with_ VOLPONE.] I’m sorry our credulity wrong’d him.

_4 Avoc._ These are two creatures!

_3 Avoc._ I’ve an earthquake in me.

_2 Avoc._ Their shame, ev’n in their cradles, fled their faces.

_4 Avoc._ You have done a worthy service to the state, sir, 60 In their discovery. [_To_ VOLT.]

_1 Avoc._ You shall hear, ere night, What punishment the court decrees upon ’em. [_Exeunt_ Avocat., Not., _and_ Officers _with_ BONARIO _and_ CELIA.]

_Volt._ We thank your fatherhoods. How like you it?

_Mos._ Rare. I’d ha’ your tongue, sir, tipt with gold for this; I’d ha’ you be the heir to the whole city; 65 The earth I’d have want men ere you want living: They ’re bound to erect your statue in St. Mark’s. Signior Corvino, I would have you go And show yourself that you have conquer’d.

_Corv._ Yes.

_Mos._ It was much better that you should profess 70 Yourself a cuckold thus, than that the other Should have been prov’d.

_Corv._ Nay, I consider’d that: Now it is her fault.

_Mos._ Then it had been yours.

_Corv._ True; I do doubt this advocate still.

_Mos._ I’ faith. You need not, I dare ease you of that care. 75

_Corv._ I trust thee, Mosca. [_Exit._]

_Mos._ As your own soul, sir.

_Corb._ Mosca!

_Mos._ Now for your business, sir.

_Corb._ How! ha’ you business?

_Mos._ Yes, yours, sir.

_Corb._ O, none else?

_Mos._ None else, not I.

_Corb._ Be careful then.

_Mos._ Rest you with both your eyes, sir.

_Corb._ Dispatch it.

_Mos._ Instantly.

_Corb._ And look that all, 80 Whatever, be put in, jewels, plate, moneys, Household stuff, bedding, curtains.

_Mos._ Curtain-rings, sir: Only the advocate’s fee must be deducted.

_Corb._ I’ll pay him now; you’ll be too prodigal.

_Mos._ Sir, I must tender it.

_Corb._ Two chequins is well. 85

_Mos._ No, six, sir.

_Corb._ ’Tis too much.

_Mos._ He talk’d a great while; You must consider that, sir.

_Corb._ Well, there ’s three——

_Mos._ I’ll give it him.

_Corb._ Do so, and there ’s for thee. [_Exit._]

_Mos._ [_Aside._] Bountiful bones! What horrid strange offence Did he commit ’gainst nature, in his youth, 90 Worthy this age?—You see, sir, [_to_ VOLT] how I work Unto your ends; take you no notice.

_Volt._ No, I’ll leave you.

_Mos._ All is yours, the devil and all, Good advocate!—Madam, I’ll bring you home.

_Lady P._ No, I’ll go see your patron.

_Mos._ That you shall not: 95 I’ll tell you why. My purpose is to urge My patron to reform his will, and for The zeal you’ve shown to-day, whereas before You were but third or fourth, you shall be now 99 Put in the first; which would appear as begg’d If you were present. Therefore——

_Lady P._ You shall sway me. [_Exeunt._]