Part 31 (2/2)

1 MER: 'Twere a rare motion to be seen in Fleet-street.

2 MER: Ay, in the Term.

1 MER: Or Smithfield, in the fair.

3 MER: Methinks 'tis but a melancholy sight.

PER: Farewell, most politic tortoise!

[EXEUNT PER. AND MERCHANTS.]

[RE-ENTER WAITING-WOMAN.]

SIR P: Where's my lady?

Knows she of this?

WOM: I know not, sir.

SIR P: Enquire.- O, I shall be the fable of all feasts, The freight of the gazetti; s.h.i.+p-boy's tale; And, which is worst, even talk for ordinaries.

WOM: My lady's come most melancholy home, And says, sir, she will straight to sea, for physic.

SIR P: And I to shun this place and clime for ever; Creeping with house on back: and think it well, To shrink my poor head in my politic sh.e.l.l.

[EXEUNT.]

SCENE 5.3.

A ROOM IN VOLPONE'S HOUSE.

ENTER MOSCA IN THE HABIT OF A CLARISSIMO; AND VOLPONE IN THAT OF A COMMANDADORE.

VOLP: Am I then like him?

MOS: O, sir, you are he; No man can sever you.

VOLP: Good.

MOS: But what am I?

VOLP: 'Fore heaven, a brave clarissimo, thou becom'st it!

Pity thou wert not born one.

MOS [ASIDE.]: If I hold My made one, 'twill be well.

VOLP: I'll go and see What news first at the court.

[EXIT.]

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