Volpone; Or, The Fox (Act 5 Scene 5.5)

ANOTHER PART OF THE STREET.

ENTER CORBACCIO AND CORVINO;—
MOSCA PASSES OVER THE STAGE, BEFORE THEM.

CORB
See, in our habit! see the impudent varlet!

CORV
That I could shoot mine eyes at him like gun-stones.

[ENTER VOLPONE.]

VOLP
But is this true, sir, of the parasite?

CORB
Again, to afflict us! monster!

VOLP
In good faith, sir,
I'm heartily grieved, a beard of your grave length
Should be so over-reach'd. I never brook'd
That parasite's hair; methought his nose should cozen:
There still was somewhat in his look, did promise
The bane of a clarissimo.

CORB
Knave—

VOLP
Methinks
Yet you, that are so traded in the world,
A witty merchant, the fine bird, Corvino,
That have such moral emblems on your name,
Should not have sung your shame; and dropt your cheese,
To let the Fox laugh at your emptiness.

CORV
Sirrah, you think the privilege of the place,
And your red saucy cap, that seems to me
Nail'd to your jolt-head with those two chequines,
Can warrant your abuses; come you hither:
You shall perceive, sir, I dare beat you; approach.

VOLP
No haste, sir, I do know your valour well,
Since you durst publish what you are, sir.

CORV
Tarry,
I'd speak with you.

VOLP
Sir, sir, another time—

CORV
Nay, now.

VOLP
O lord, sir! I were a wise man,
Would stand the fury of a distracted cuckold.

[AS HE IS RUNNING OFF, RE-ENTER MOSCA.]

CORB
What, come again!

VOLP
Upon 'em, Mosca; save me.

CORB
The air's infected where he breathes.

CORV
Let's fly him.

[EXEUNT CORV. AND CORB.]

VOLP
Excellent basilisk! turn upon the vulture.

[ENTER VOLTORE.]

VOLT
Well, flesh-fly, it is summer with you now;
Your winter will come on.

MOS
Good advocate,
Prithee not rail, nor threaten out of place thus;
Thou'lt make a solecism, as madam says.
Get you a biggin more, your brain breaks loose.

[EXIT.]

VOLT
Well, sir.

VOLP
Would you have me beat the insolent slave,
Throw dirt upon his first good clothes?

VOLT
This same
Is doubtless some familiar.

VOLP
Sir, the court,
In troth, stays for you. I am mad, a mule
That never read Justinian, should get up,
And ride an advocate. Had you no quirk
To avoid gullage, sir, by such a creature?
I hope you do but jest; he has not done it:
'Tis but confederacy, to blind the rest.
You are the heir.

VOLT
A strange, officious,
Troublesome knave! thou dost torment me.

VOLP
I know—
It cannot be, sir, that you should be cozen'd;
'Tis not within the wit of man to do it;
You are so wise, so prudent; and 'tis fit
That wealth and wisdom still should go together.

[EXEUNT.]