SCENE XI.[1742

[_Enter_] VOLPONE.

_Volp._ To make a snare for mine own neck! and run My head into it, wilfully! with laughter! When I had newly scap’d, was free and clear, Out of mere wantonness! O, the dull devil Was in this brain of mine when I devis’d it, 5 And Mosca gave it second; he must now Help to sear up this vein, or we bleed dead. [_Enter_ NANO, ANDROGYNO, _and_ CASTRONE.] How now! Who let you loose? Whither go you now? What, to buy gingerbread, or to drown kitlings?

_Nan._ Sir, Master Mosca call’d us out of doors, And bid us all go play, and took the keys. 11

_And._ Yes.

_Volp._ Did Master Mosca take the keys? Why, so? I’m farther in. These are my fine conceits! I must be merry, with a mischief to me! 14 What a vile wretch was I, that could not bear My fortune soberly? I must ha’ my crochets, And my conundrums! Well, go you, and seek him: His meaning may be truer than my fear. Bid him, he straight come to me to the court; Thither will I, and, if’t be possible, 20 Unscrew my advocate, upon new hopes: When I provok’d him, then I lost myself. [_Exeunt._]