SCENE VI.[1730

[_Enter_] CORBACCIO, CORVINO.

_Corb._ They say the court is set.

_Corv._ We must maintain Our first tale good, for both our reputations.

_Corb._ Why, mine ’s no tale. my son would there have kill’d me.

_Corv._ That ’s true, I had forgot:—mine is, I ’m sure. But for your will, sir.

_Corb._ Ay, I ’ll come upon him 5 For that hereafter, now his patron ’s dead.

[_Enter_ VOLPONE.]

_Volp._ Signior Corvino! and Corbaccio! sir, Much joy unto you.

_Corv._ Of what?

_Volp._ The sudden good Dropt down upon you——

_Corb._ Where?

_Volp._ And none knows how, From old Volpone, sir.

_Corb._ Out, arrant knave! 10

_Volp._ Let not your too much wealth, sir, make you furious.

_Corb._ Away, thou varlet.

_Volp._ Why, sir?

_Corb._ Dost thou mock me?

_Volp._ You mock the world, sir; did you not change wills?

_Corb._ Out, harlot!

_Volp._ O! belike you are the man, Signior Corvino? Faith, you carry it well; 15 You grow not mad withal; I love your spirit: You are not over-leaven’d with your fortune. You should ha’ some would swell now, like a wine-fat, With such an autumn.—Did he gi’ you all, sir?

_Corb._ Avoid, you rascal!

_Volp._ Troth, your wife has shown 20 Herself a very woman; but you are well, You need not care, you have a good estate, To bear it out, sir, better by this chance: Except Corbaccio have a share.

_Corb._ Hence, varlet.

_Volp._ You will not be acknown, sir; why, ’t is wise. 25 Thus do all gamesters, at all games, dissemble: No man will seem to win. [_Exeunt_ CORVINO _and_ CORBACCIO.] Here comes my vulture, Heaving his beak up i’ the air, and snuffing.