Volume Xi Part 79 (1/2)

CRI. At what?

PAN. At this rare perspicil and autocousticon: For with these two I'll hear and see all secrets; Undo intelligencers. Pray, let my man see What's done in Rome; his eyes are just as yours are.

RON. Pandolfo, are you mad? be wise and secret; See you the steep danger you are tumbling in?

Know you not that these instruments have power To unlock the hidden'st closets of whole states?

And you reveal such mysteries to a servant?

Sir, be advis'd, or else you learn no more Of our unknown philosophy.

PAN. Enough.

What news from Lelio? Shall I have his sister?

CRI. He swears and vows he never will consent.

She shall not play with worn antiquities, Nor lie with snow and statues; and such replies That I omit for reverence of your wors.h.i.+p.

PAN. Not have his sister! Cricca, I will have Flavia, Maugre his head:[255] by means of this astrologer, I'll enjoy Flavia. Are the stars yet inclin'd To his divine approach?

RON. One minute brings him.

CRI. What 'strologer?

PAN. The learned man I told thee, The high Almanac of Germany; an Indian Far beyond Trebisond and Tripoli, Close by the world's end: a rare conjuror And great astrologer. His name, pray, sir?

RON. Alb.u.mazarro Meteoroscopico.

CRI. A name of force to hang him without trial.

PAN. As he excels in science, so in t.i.tle.

He tells of lost plate, horses, and stray'd cattle Directly, as he had stol'n them all himself.

CRI. Or he or some of his confederates.

PAN. As thou respect'st thy life, look to thy tongue; Alb.u.mazar has an autocousticon.

Be silent, reverent, and admire his skill.

See what a promising countenance appears!

Stand still and wonder--wonder and stand still.

SCENE V.

ALb.u.mAZAR, RONCA, PANDOLFO, CRICCA.

ALB. Ronca, the bunch of planets new found out, Hanging at the end of my best perspicil, Send them to Galileo at Padua:[256]

Let him bestow them where he please. But the stars, Lately discover'd 'twixt the horns of Aries, Are as a present for Pandolfo's marriage, And hence styl'd Sidera Pandolfaea.

PAN. My marriage, Cricca! he foresees my marriage: O most celestial Alb.u.mazar!

CRI. And sends y' a present from the head of Aries.[257]

ALB. My almanac, made for the meridian And height of j.a.pan, give't th' East India Company; There may they smell the price of cloves and pepper, Monkeys and china dishes, five years ensuing.

And know the success of the voyage of Magores;[258]