SCENE IV. [1627

[_Enter_] VOLPONE, MOSCA.

_Volp._ O, I am wounded!

_Mos._ Where, sir?

_Volp._ Not without; Those blows were nothing: I could bear them ever. But angry Cupid, bolting from her eyes, Hath shot himself into me like a flame; Where now he flings about his burning heat, 5 As in a furnaces an ambitious fire Whose vent is stopt. The fight is all within me. I cannot live, except thou help me, Mosca; My liver melts, and I, without the hope Of some soft air from her refreshing breath, 10 Am but a heap of cinders.

_Mos._ ’Las, good sir, Would you had never seen her!

_Volp._ Nay, would thou Hadst never told me of her!

_Mos._ Sir, ’t is true; I do confess I was unfortunate, And you unhappy; but I ’m bound in conscience, 15 No less than duty, to effect my best To your release of torment, and I will, sir.

_Volp._ Dear Mosca, shall I hope?

_Mos._ Sir, more than dear, I will not bid you to despair of aught Within a human compass.

_Volp._ O, there spoke 20 My better angel. Mosca, take my keys, Gold, plate, and jewels, all ’s at thy devotion; Employ them how thou wilt: nay, coin me too: So thou in this but crown my longings, Mosca.

_Mos._ Use but your patience.

_Volp._ So I have.

_Mos._ I doubt not, 25 To bring success to your desires.

_Volp._ Nay, then, I not repent me of my late disguise.

_Mos._ If you can horn him, sir, you need not.

_Volp._ True: Besides, I never meant him for my heir. Is not the colour o’ my beard and eyebrows 30 To make me known?

_Mos._ No jot.

_Volp._ I did it well.

_Mos._ So well, would I could follow you in mine, With half the happiness! and yet I would Escape your epilogue.[1628]

_Volp._ But were they gull’d With a belief that I was Scoto?

_Mos._ Sir, 35 Scoto himself could hardly have distinguish’d! I have not time to flatter you now; we ’ll part: And as I prosper, so applaud my art. [_Exeunt._]