Ben. Look else: the lion roars, and the spaniel fawns; down, cur! the badger bribes the unicorn, that a jury may not pass upon his pillage; here the bear fees the wolf, for he will not howl gratis,-beasts call pleading howling. So, then! there the horse complains of the ape's rank-riding; the jockey makes mouths, but is fined for it; the stag is not jeered by the monkey for his horns, the ass by the hare for his burthen, the ox by the leopard for his yoke, nor the goat by the ram for his beard; only the fox wraps himself warm in beaver, bids the cat mouse, the elephant toil, the boar gather acorns; whiles he grins, feeds fat, tells tales, laughs at all, and sleeps safe at the lion's feet.-Save ye, people. Ful. Why, save thee too, if thou be'st of heaven's making: What art?-Fear nothing, Don; we have our blades, Are metal-men ourselves, try us who dare. Guz. Our brother speaks our mind, think what you please on't. Ben. A match: observe well this switch; with this only switch have I pashed out the brains of thirteen Turks to the dozen for a breakfast. Ful. What, man, thirteen! is't possible thou liest not? Ben. I was once a scholar, then I begged without pity; from thence I practised law, there a scruple of conscience popped me over the bar; a soldier I turned a while, but could not procure the letter of preferment; merchant I would be, and a glut of land-rats gnawed me to the bones; would have bought an office, but the places with reversions were catched up; offered to pass into the court, and wanted trust for clothes; 4 pashed] See note, vol. i. p. 15. D. was lastly, for my good parts, pressed into the galleys, took prisoner, redeemed amongst other slaves by your gay great man,-they call him Auria,—and am now I know not who, where, or what. How d'ye like me? say. Ful. A shaver of all trades! What course of life Dost mean to follow next? ha! speak thy mind. Guz. Nor be thou daunted, fellow; we ourselves Have felt the frowns of fortune in our days. Ben. I want extremely, exceedingly, hideously. Lev. [above] Take that, enjoy it freely, wisely use it [to] Th' advantage of thy fate, and know the giver. [Throws him a purse, and draws back. Ful. Hoy-day! a purse, in troth; who dropp'd?— stay, stay: Um, have we gipsies here? O, mine is safe. Is't your purse, brother Don? Guz. Not mine; I seldom Wear such unfashionable trash about me. Ful. Has't any money in it, honest blade? A bots on empty purses! Guz. We defy them. Ben. Stand from about me, as you are mortal! You are dull clod-pated lumps of mire and garbish. This is the land of fairies.-Imperial queen of elves, I do crouch to thee, vow my services, my blood, my sinews to thee, sweet sovereign of largess and liberality. A French tailor-neat!-Persian cook-dainty! Greek wines-rich !-Flanders mares- -stately!— Spanish salads-poignant!-Venetian wanton-ravishing!-English bawd—unmatchable !—Sirs, I am fitted. Ful. All these thy followers ? miserable pigmies! Prate sense, and don't be mad: I like thy humour, 'Tis pretty, odd, and so―as one might say, VOL. III. E I care not greatly if I entertain thee: Dost want a master? if thou dost, I'm for thee; Else choose, and sneck-up!5 pish, I scorn to flinch, man. Guz. Forsake not fair advancement; money, certes, Will fleet and drop off, like a cozening friend : Who holds it, holds a slippery eel by th' tail, Unless he gripe it fast: be rul'd by counsel. Ben. Excellent! what place shall I be admitted to? chamber, wardrobe, cellar, or stable? Ful. Why, one and all: thou'rt welcome, let's shake hands on't. Thy name? Ben. Parado, sir. The great affairs I shall employ thee most in will be news, And telling what's o'clock, for aught I know yet. Ben. It is, sir, to speak punctually, some hour and half, eight three thirds of two seconds of one minute over at most, sir. Ful. I do not ask thee now; or if I did, We are not much the wiser; and for news Ben. Auria, the fortunate, is this day to be received with great solemnity at the city council-house; the streets are already thronged with lookers-on. Ful. That's well remember'd.-Brother Don, let's trudge, Or we shall come too late. Guz. Ful. Wait close, my raggèd new-come. Ben. By no means, brother. As your shadows.? [Exeunt. 5 sneck-up! Or "snick-up,-equivalent to "Go and hang yourself!" The 4to has "sneake up." D. 6 fleet] Gifford printed "flit." D. 7 shadows.] Qy. "shadow"? D. SCENE II. A hall in the house of AURIA. Enter AURIA, Adurni, MarTINO, TRELCATIO, AURELIO, PIERO, and FUTELLI. Aur. Your favours, with these honours, speak your bounties; And though the low deserts of my success Appear in your constructions fair and goodly, Not my abilities, the thanks due to them. I owe my country for my birth and fortunes. Mart. Which to make good, our state of Genoa, Not willing that a native of her own, So able for her safety, should take pension Trel. Adds thereto, Besides th' allowance yearly due, for ever, Of Admiral of Genoa. One month of stay for your dispatch; no more. Fut. In all your great attempts may you grow thrifty, Secure, and prosperous ! Piero. If you please to rank Amongst the humblest one that shall attend Aur. O, still the state Engageth me her creature, with the burthen. Adur. In memory, my Lord,—such is your style now, Of your late fortunate exploits, the council, Aur. Load upon load! let not.my want of mo desty Trespass against good manners: I must study For fear it swell into a surfeit. Quite lost; no prints Adur. What of Spinella yet? Adur. Fall danger what fall can, she is a goodness Above temptation; more to be ador'd 7 digest] Here the 4to has "disgest." D. |