Volpone Or the Fox Part 24

CORV: This woman, please your fatherhoods, is a wh.o.r.e, Of most hot exercise, more than a partrich, Upon record-

1 AVOC: No more.

CORV: Neighs like a jennet.

NOT: Preserve the honour of the court.

CORV: I shall, And modesty of your most reverend ears.

And yet I hope that I may say, these eyes Have seen her glued unto that piece of cedar, That fine well-timber'd gallant; and that here The letters may be read, through the horn, That make the story perfect.

MOS: Excellent! sir.

CORV [ASIDE TO MOSCA.]: There's no shame in this now, is there?

MOS: None.

CORV: Or if I said, I hoped that she were onward To her d.a.m.nation, if there be a h.e.l.l Greater than wh.o.r.e and woman; a good catholic May make the doubt.

3 AVOC: His grief hath made him frantic.

1 AVOC: Remove him hence.

2 AVOC: Look to the woman.

[CELIA SWOONS.]

CORV: Rare!

Prettily feign'd, again!

4 AVOC: Stand from about her.

1 AVOC: Give her the air.

3 AVOC [TO MOSCA.]: What can you say?

MOS: My wound, May it please your wisdoms, speaks for me, received In aid of my good patron, when he mist His sought-for father, when that well-taught dame Had her cue given her, to cry out, A rape!

BON: O most laid impudence! Fathers-

3 AVOC: Sir, be silent; You had your hearing free, so must they theirs.

2 AVOC: I do begin to doubt the imposture here.

4 AVOC: This woman has too many moods.

VOLT: Grave fathers, She is a creature of a most profest And prost.i.tuted lewdness.

CORV: Most impetuous, Unsatisfied, grave fathers!

VOLT: May her feignings Not take your wisdoms: but this day she baited A stranger, a grave knight, with her loose eyes, And more lascivious kisses. This man saw them Together on the water in a gondola.

MOS: Here is the lady herself, that saw them too; Without; who then had in the open streets Pursued them, but for saving her knight's honour.

1 AVOC: Produce that lady.

2 AVOC: Let her come.

[EXIT MOSCA.]

4 AVOC: These things, They strike with wonder!

3 AVOC: I am turn'd a stone.

[RE-ENTER MOSCA WITH LADY WOULD-BE.]

MOS: Be resolute, madam.

LADY P: Ay, this same is she.

[POINTING TO CELIA.]

Out, thou chameleon harlot! now thine eyes Vie tears with the hyaena. Dar'st thou look Upon my wronged face?-I cry your pardons, I fear I have forgettingly transgrest Against the dignity of the court-

2 AVOC: No, madam.

LADY P: And been exorbitant-

2 AVOC: You have not, lady.

4 AVOC: These proofs are strong.

LADY P: Surely, I had no purpose To scandalise your honours, or my s.e.x's.

3 AVOC: We do believe it.

LADY P: Surely, you may believe it.

2 AVOC: Madam, we do.

LADY P: Indeed, you may; my breeding Is not so coa.r.s.e-

1 AVOC: We know it.

LADY P: To offend With pertinacy-

3 AVOC: Lady-

LADY P: Such a presence!

No surely.