Part 22 (1/2)

LADY P: Is't possible! how has my judgment wander'd?

Sir, I must, blus.h.i.+ng, say to you, I have err'd; And plead your pardon.

PER: What, more changes yet!

LADY P: I hope you have not the malice to remember A gentlewoman's pa.s.sion. If you stay In Venice here, please you to use me, sir-

MOS: Will you go, madam?

LADY P: 'Pray you, sir, use me. In faith, The more you see me, the more I shall conceive You have forgot our quarrel.

[EXEUNT LADY WOULD-BE, MOSCA, NANO, AND WAITING-WOMEN.]

PER: This is rare!

Sir Politick Would-be? no; sir Politick Bawd.

To bring me thus acquainted with his wife!

Well, wise sir Pol, since you have practised thus Upon my freshman-s.h.i.+p, I'll try your salt-head, What proof it is against a counter-plot.

[EXIT.]

SCENE 4.2.

THE SCRUTINEO, OR SENATE-HOUSE.

ENTER VOLTORE, CORBACCIO, CORVINO, AND MOSCA.

VOLT: Well, now you know the carriage of the business, Your constancy is all that is required Unto the safety of it.

MOS: Is the lie Safely convey'd amongst us? is that sure?

Knows every man his burden?

CORV: Yes.

MOS: Then shrink not.

CORV: But knows the advocate the truth?

MOS: O, sir, By no means; I devised a formal tale, That salv'd your reputation. But be valiant, sir.

CORV: I fear no one but him, that this his pleading Should make him stand for a co-heir-

MOS: Co-halter!

Hang him; we will but use his tongue, his noise, As we do croakers here.

CORV: Ay, what shall he do?

MOS: When we have done, you mean?

CORV: Yes.

MOS: Why, we'll think: Sell him for mummia; he's half dust already.