The Poetaster Act 4. Scene 2

A Room in Lupus's House.

Enter Lupus, HISTRIO, and Lictors.

Tuc.
Do, do: stay, there's a drachm to purchase ginger-bread for
thy muse.

Lup.
Come, let us talk here; here we may be private; shut the door,
lictor. You are a player, you say.

Hist.
Ay, an't please your worship.

Lup.
Good; and how are you able to give this intelligence?

Hist.
Marry, sir, they directed a letter to me and my fellow—
sharers.

Lup.
Speak lower, you are not now in your theatre, stager:—my
sword, knave. They directed a letter to you, and your
fellow-sharers: forward.

Hist.
Yes, sir, to hire some of our properties; as a sceptre and
crown for Jove; and a caduceus for Mercury; and a petasus—

[Reenter Lictor.

Lup.
Caduceus and petasus! let me see your letter. This is a
conjuration: a conspiracy, this. Quickly, on with my buskins: I'll
act a tragedy, i'faith. Will nothing but our gods serve these poets
to profane? dispatch! Player, I thank thee. The emperor shall take
knowledge of thy good service. [A knocking within.] Who's there
now? Look, knave.

[Exit Lictor.]

A crown and a sceptre! this is
good rebellion, now.

Lic.
'Tis your pothecary, sir, master Minos.

Lup.
What tell'st thou me of pothecaries, knave! Tell him, I have
affairs of state in hand; I can talk to no apothecaries now. Heart
of me! Stay the pothecary there. [Walks in a musing posture.] You
shall see, I have fish'd out a cunning piece of plot now: they have
had some intelligence, that their project is discover'd, and now
have they dealt with my apothecary, to poison me; 'tis so; knowing
that I meant to take physic to-day: as sure as death, 'tis there.
Jupiter, I thank thee, that thou hast. yet made me so much of a
politician.

[Enter Minos.

You are welcome, sir; take the potion from him there; I have an
antidote more than you wot of, sir; throw it on the ground there:
so! Now fetch in the dog; and yet we cannot tarry to try
experiments now: arrest him; you shall go with me, sir; I'll tickle
you, pothecary; I'll give you a glister, i'faith. Have I the
letter? ay, 'tis here.—Come, your fasces, lictors: the half pikes
and the Halberds, take them down from the Lares there. Player,
assist me.

[As they are going out, enter MECAENAS and HORACE.

Mec.
Whither now, Asinius Lupus, with this armory?

Lup.
I cannot talk now; I charge you assist me: treason! treason!

Hor.
How! treason?

Lup.
Ay: if you love the emperor, and the state, follow me.

[Exeunt.