Every Man in His Humour Part 12

Again, what earthy spirit but will attempt To taste the fruit of beauty's golden tree, When leaden sleep seals up the dragon's eyes?

Oh, beauty is a project of some power, Chiefly when opportunity attends her: She will infuse true motion in a stone, Put glowing fire in an icy soul, Stuff peasants' bosoms with proud Caesar's spleen, Pour rich device into an empty brain: Bring youth to folly's gate: there train him in, And after all, extenuate his sin.

Well, I will not go, I am resolved for that.

Go, carry it again: yet stay: yet do too, I will defer it till some other time.

[ENTER PISO.]

PIS. Sir, Signior Platano will meet you there with the bond.

THO. That's true: by Jesu, I had clean forgot it.

I must go, what's a clock?

PIS. Past ten, sir.

THO. 'Heart, then will Prospero presently be here too, With one or other of his loose consorts.

I am a Jew if I know what to say, What course to take, or which way to resolve.

My brain (methinks) is like an hour-gla.s.s, And my imaginations like the sands Run dribbling forth to fill the mouth of time, Still changed with turning in the ventricle.

What were I best to do? it shall be so.

Nay, I dare build upon his secrecy. Piso.

PIS. Sir.

THO. Yet now I have bethought me too, I will not.

Is Cob within?

PIS. I think he be, sir.

THO. But he'll prate too, there's no talk of him.

No, there were no course upon the earth to this, If I durst trust him; tut, I were secure, But there's the question now, if he should prove, Rimarum plenus, then, 'sblood, I were rook'd.

The state that he hath stood in till this present Doth promise no such change: what should I fear then?

Well, come what will, I'll tempt my fortune once.

Piso, thou mayest deceive me, but I think thou lovest me, Piso.

PIS. Sir, if a servant's zeal and humble duty may be term'd love, you are possest of it.

THO. I have a matter to impart to thee, but thou must be secret, Piso.

PIS. Sir, for that --

THO. Nay, hear me, man; think I esteem thee well, To let thee in thus to my private thoughts; Piso, it is a thing sits nearer to my crest, Than thou art 'ware of; if thou should'st reveal it --

PIS. Reveal it, sir?

THO. Nay, I do not think thou would'st, but if thou should'st --

PIS. Sir, then I were a villain: Disclaim in me for ever if I do.

THO. He will not swear: he has some meaning, sure, Else (being urged so much) how should he choose, But lend an oath to all this protestation?

He is no puritan, that I am certain of.

What should I think of it? urge him again, And in some other form: I will do so.

Well, Piso, thou has sworn not to disclose; ay, you did swear?

PIS. Not yet, sir, but I will, so please you.

THO. Nay, I dare take thy word.

But if thou wilt swear, do as you think good, I am resolved without such circ.u.mstance.

PIS. By my soul's safety, sir, I here protest, My tongue shall ne'er take knowledge of a word Deliver'd me in compa.s.s of your trust.

THO. Enough, enough, these ceremonies need not, I know thy faith to be as firm as bra.s.s.

Piso, come hither: nay, we must be close In managing these actions: So it is, (Now he has sworn I dare the safelier speak;) I have of late by divers observations -- But, whether his oath be lawful, yea, or no? ha!

I will ask counsel ere I do proceed: Piso, it will be now too long to stay, We'll spy some fitter time soon, or to-morrow.

PIS. At your pleasure, sir.

THO. I pray you search the books 'gainst I return For the receipts 'twixt me and Platano.

PIS. I will, sir.

THO. And hear you: if my brother Prospero Chance to bring hither any gentlemen Ere I come back, let one straight bring me word.

PIS. Very well, sir.

THO. Forget it not, nor be not you out of the way.

PIS. I will not, sir.

THO. Or whether he come or no, if any other, Stranger or else: fail not to send me word.

PIS. Yes, sir.

THO. Have care, I pray you, and remember it.

PIS. I warrant you, sir.

THO. But, Piso, this is not the secret I told thee of.

PIS. No, sir, I suppose so.

THO. Nay, believe me, it is not.

PIS. I do believe you, sir.

THO. By heaven it is not, that's enough.

Marry, I would not thou should'st utter it to any creature living, Yet I care not.

Well, I must hence: Piso, conceive thus much, No ordinary person could have drawn So deep a secret from me; I mean not this, But that I have to tell thee: this is nothing, this.

Piso, remember, silence, buried here: No greater h.e.l.l than to be slave to fear.

[EXIT THO.]