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That place wherein I lock so rich a jewel,
I do pronounce again, shall be thy paradise.
Thy paradise, my Eugenia, saving that
In this, man only finds no being; other
Delights shall stream themselves into thy bosom,
And those that pass shall flow again, to invite
Thy sense to tasting.-Perenotto-

Peren. Your Grace's pleasure?

Duke. Admit those ladies that attend.
Fulo. The duke shews much indulgence.
Orp. Observe the issue.

Duke. We will not limit thy companions;
Elect what Mantuan beauties thou canst best
Delight in, they shall serve thee; or if some
Of your own train, whom we have thought most
proper

To be your personal guard, affect you, they
Enter DONELLA, KATHARINA, MARDONA, and
FIDELLA.

Attend our pleasures: see, they are ignorant
Yet of our purpose. If to any, thy
Affection be not free, thy breath discharge them,
And 'point thy own attendants.

Eug. I shall be pleased with your appointment. Ladies, I know you love me.

[She goes to the Ladies.

Don. Doth your Grace hold suspicion any of

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Mar. How have we forfeited our freedom?

Duke. No one argue- -'tis our pleasure. Don. 'Las, madam, I am new contracted to a handsome signior.

Kath. I have but newly entertained a servant, that gave me these gloves: they smell of him still, a sweet courtier !

Don. Not one man among so many ladies! Not a gentleman-usher! nor a page!

How shall we do, madam!

Mar. I beseech your Grace let me be exempted.

If I have committed an offence deserves your

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Grut. We ha' told you.

Mor. What, committed to New-prison?
Fulo. Very true, signior.

Dond. Our dancing days are done: shut up close, not

A man must enter.

Morel. Would I were a mouse then.-Why but is the duke mad?

Orp. Take heed what you say, signior: though we be no informers, yet walls have ears.

Morel, Ears! would I had left mine behind me: here's news indeed!

Fulv. An' y'ad come a little sooner, you might ha' taken your leave; but it was your barber's fault.

Morel. Would he had left me i'the suds an hour ago!

What shall we do, gentlemen? 'Tis a hard case, when a man that has an intention to marry and live honest

Enter ROLLIARDO,

How now, what art thou?

Rol. Any thing, nothing; yet a man, yet no

man;

For I want

Morel. What? th' art no capon, I hope. Rol. Money, sir; will you spare any from your precious sins?

Grut. Th' art very free.

Rol. Yet, sir, I am in debt,
Dond. What do'st owe?
Rol. Nobody harm.
Fulo. Whence cam'st?

Rol. I dropt from the moon.

Orp. So methinks; thou talk'st very madly : Th'ast much humour in thee.

Rol. Ha' ye any thing to do, that ye account impossible, gentlemen?

Fule. Why, wilt thou do't?

Rol. An' you'll pay for't. Let me have money enough, and I'll do any thing,

Orp. Hold, hold!

Rol. Yes, I will hold.

Morel. I'll lay with thee; what wilt hold?

Rol. Why paradoxes.

Grut. & Dond. Paradoxes!
Morel. I hold you a paradox.
Fulo. Let's hear some.

Rol. There are no beasts but cuckolds and Aatterers; no cold weather but i'the dog-days; no physic to a whore; no fool to an alderman; no scholar to a justice of peace; nor no soldier to a belt and buff jerkin.

Orp. A smart fellow.

Enter Duke,

Morel. The Duke.

Duke. So, my fears are over; in her restraint I bury all my jealousies.-How now, what fellow's this?

Fuln. Such an humourist as I never before conyersed withal; it seems he makes himself free of all places.

Duke. What would he have?

Rol. Thy pardon, mighty man, if it be no trcason to pray for thee, Save thee, wilt employ me? 'tis vacation, and I want work. Ask me not what I can do, let me have money enough, and I'll do any thing.

Duke. You have your senses?

Rol. I take it: I can see greatness big with an imposthume, yet towering in the air like a faulcon; I can hear a man swear, I am thy cternal slave and will serve thee; when, if opportunity were offered, VOL. I.

for price of a plush cloak, he will be the first shall strip thee to the very soul: I can taste wine that another man pays for, and relish any thing that coines of free cost: I can smell a knave through a furred gown, a politician through a surplice, a fool through a scarlet outside: I can touch a wench better than a lute, and teli money with a secreta ry, to shew I ha' lost my feeling: tush, all's nothing, I have a humour to do something to be talked on; nothing can come amiss to me; let ine have money enough, and my life to a cheese-paz ring, I'll do any thing.

Duke. You'll except somewhat,

Rol. Not to do o'er the seven wonders of the world, and demolish 'em when I ha' done. Let me have money enough, what star so high, but I will measure by this Jacob's staff! Divine money, the soul of all things sublunary, what lawyer's tongue will not be tipt with silver? and will not money with a judge make it a plain case? Does not gouty greatness find ease with Aurum palpabile and he's a slight physician cannot give a golden glister at a dead lift.---Money, I adore thee; it comes near the nature of a spirit, and is so subtle it can creep in at a cranny, be present at the most inward councils and betray 'em: money ! it opens locks, draws curtains, buys wit, sells honesty, keeps courts, fights quarrels, pulls down churches, and builds alms-houses.

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3

Rol Your highness' pardon; if you prohibit, I must not undertake; but let me have freedom and money enough, (for that's the circle I walk in), and if I do not conjure up a spirit hot enough to enflame a frozen Lucretia's bosom, make mummy of my flesh, and sell me to the apothecaries. Try me with some master-piece; a woman's love is as easy as to eat dinner without saying grace, getting of children, or going to bed drunk; let me have money enough, and task me to the purpose. Furo. & Orp. He's constant.

Duke. Admit there be a lady, whom a prince
Might court for her affection; of a beauty
Great as her virtue; add unto them, birth,
Equal to both, and all three but in her
Not to be matched-Suppose this miracle
(Too precious for man's eye) were shut up, where
A guard more watchful than the dragon's did
Forbid access to mankind :-men picked out,
Between whose souls and money were antipathy
Beyond that which we know; and you as soon
Might bribe to be a saint :--what would you do
With your enough of money, were your life
Engaged to win her love?

Rol. The sky may fall, 4 and aldermen cry larks About the city.

Duke. The fellow's impudent-Sirrah, thou hast landed thyself upon a rock; you shall have sense of what you would contemn, a life: put on a most fortified resolution, you shall need it; we have a daughter thus locked up

Fulv. What does the Duke mean?
Duke. A virgin.-

Orp. Ile is in a passion.

Duke. Shalt not engage thee on a work so
much

Impossible as procurement of her love;
Make it appear, with all thy art, thou canst
Get but access to her. A month we limit;
But take heed, boaster, if you fail, your life
Shall only satisfy our charge, and teach
All other mountebanks to be at distance,
With such bold undertakings: you shall expect
A severe justice.

By this, I shall know the fidelity of those are
trusted.

Rol. 'Tis a match. I shall have money enough?
Duke. You shall. What d'ye call enough?5

Rol. 1 will not be particular, and agree o' the sum; you look I should die if I perform not, and I'll look to be merry, and want nothing while I live; I'll not take the advantage on you, because I hope to receive credit by it: if I use now aud then a round sum, set me up o' the tick for't. But who shall pass his word, if I do this feat, you'll let me keep my head o' my shoulders?

Duke. Our royal word secures thee.
Rol. 'Tis enough.

Fulv. What security can your grace expect for

his

Or for some woman's lenity, accuse
That fair creation? money buy their love!
Promise a salary of that sacred flame
Themselves cannot direct, as guided by

Divine intelligence ?--This passage is very obscure, if at all intelligible. In the first line I should not hesitate to read levity instead of lenity. What follows may have this meaning: Will you, as if guided by divine intelligence, promise yourself a reward from that heavenly passion, which women, who feel and inspire it, cannot direct for any purpose beneficial to themselves ?—Or, in yet plainer terms: Do you, as a superior being, pretend to turn the passions, which women cannot direct for their advantage, to your own ?In defence of this explanation, which is wrong with some degree of violence from the text, it may be observed, that the duke, who is the speaker, has just imprisoned his daughter, lest she should dispose of herself improperly. Such a sentiment, therefore, from one reflecting on the impotence of female reason, is not out of character; but seems naturally enough to arise from his own particular situation and opinions. S.

3 Make mummy of my flesh, and sell me to the apothecaries." Mummy is said to have been first brought into use in medicine, by the malice of a Jewish physician; who wrote, that flesh thus embalmed was good for the cure of divers diseases, and particularly bruises, to prevent the blood's gathering and coagulating. It is, however, believed, that no use whatever can be derived from it in medicine; and that all which is sold in the shops, whether brought from Venice or Lyons, or even directly from the Levant by Alexandria, is factitious, the work of certain Jews; who counterfeit it by drying carcases in ovens, after having prepared them with powder of myrrh, caballin aloes, Jewish pitch, and other coarse or unwholesome drugs." See Chambers's Dictionary, voce MUMMY.

The sky may fall, &c.-See Note 17, to The Muses Looking-Glass. DODSLEY'S Edit.

5 What d ye call enough?—In the 4to edition this sentence follows, which in the errata is directed to be obliterated: "Yet it shall be under twenty-thousand crowns. I will not leave the pawn here for twice

SJ much."

13

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ACT II.

Bonum. What do they say abroad? do they not wonder?

Serv. They are strucken dumb at reading; he that has

The use of tongue, employs it to express
Uis admiration of your art,— your deep
Invisible art.

Bonum. There's hope then we shall prosper.
In this believing age, Italy is full
Of juggling mountebanks, that shew tricks with oils
And powders. Here an empiric dares boast
Himself a Paracelsian, and daub

Each post with printed follies, when he went
O' the tick with some midwife, er old woman,
For his whole stock of physic. Here a fellow
Only has skill to make a handsome periwig,

Or to sow teeth i' the gums of some state madam, Which she coughs out again, when so much phlegm

As would not strangle a poor flea, provokes her,
Proclaims himself a rectifier of nature,
And is believed so, getting more by keeping
Mouths in their quarterly reparations,
Than knowing men for all their art and pains
In the cure of the whole body-Shall we doubt
To be made rich, rich, Carlo, by our art,
Whereof I am the first and bold professor

In Italy? we shall grow fat and purchase,Dost not think so?

Serv. To go invisible

Who will not learn at any rate?

Bonam. True, Carlo.

There may be, in the throng of our admirers,
Some will presume 't above the power of art
To make men walk and talk invisible;
But we can clear the mystery, and make
Mantua in the proof acknowledge it
A matter feasible.-Here's some customer:
Enter ROLLIARDO.

Ha! 'tis the humourist, the undertaker
The bird I spread my art for; he has money
Enough, and's apt to prove a fortune to me.

Rol. So, the covenants are sealed: I ain like a famous cathedral with two rings of bells, a sweet chime o' both sides. Now 'tis noised, I ha' money enough, how many gallants of all sorts and sexes court me! here's a gentleman ready to run himself in the kennel for haste to give me the wall; this cavalier will kiss my hand, while t'other signior crinkles in the hams, as he were studying new postures against his turn comes to salute me. As I walk, every window is glazed with eyes, as some triumph were in the street; this Madona invites me to a banquet for my discourse, t'other Bona-roba sends me a spark, a third a ruby, a fourth an emerald, and all but in hope to put their jewels to usury, that they may return again with precious interest--Thus far it goes well; very well. What's next?

Bonam. Save you signior.
Rol. What art thou?

Bonam. One appointed by fate to do you ser-
vice, Sir.

Rol. But I gave fate no commission to take

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Bonam. To omit circumstance, I know what you

Ilave undertaken, to the general
Anrizement: upon penalty of death,

You must procure access to the fair princess,
'Tis in my art to help--to perfect what
The Duke holds so impossible.

Rol. How canst thou assist me?

Bonam. Altho' my outside promise not, my brain

caps: keep a fool in play, to tell the multitude of a gentle faith, that you were caught in a wilderness, and thou may'st be taken for some farcountry howlet. 6

Bonam. Do you despise my art?

Rol. Art! but such another word, and I shall mar the whole expectation of your invisible traffic: in to your nest, and leave me : distinguish men before you practise on 'em; 'tis wholesome

caution.

Bonam. I leave you to the misery of your unbelief. When you hear of me hereafter, you will curse your fortune to have thus neglected me. Fare you well, sir. [Erit.

Enter PERENOTTÓ, with three or four of the Guard.

Rol. This is Perenotto, captain of the guard.
Peren. Not yet attemped you?

1 Guard. We have not seen him, my lord,
Peren. He's here.

2 Guard. Is that he that has gold enough? would I had some of his yellow-hammers. Rol. D'ye hear—you are one of the list. 1 Guard. A poor halbert man, sir. Rol. Poor! hold thee, there's gold for thee: brim-thou wo't be honest now?

Is better furnished: I ha' gained by study
A secret, will advance the work yoù labour with;
I'll teach you, sir, to go invisible-

Rol. How? th' hast no cloven foot: I scent stone, and thou be'st a devil, tell me.

Bonam. I trifle not; I am a man, whose fame Shall out-live time, in teaching you this mystery, For which I must expect reward——you are, (Loud noise proclaims it) able, and can pay me Out of the Duke's exchequer, being yourself His walking treasury.

Rol. You'll teach me to go invisible, you say? Bonam. I can, and with your safety; for I deal

not

With magic to betray you to a faith Black and satanical; I abhor the devil.

Rol. Very like so.

Bonam. Which some have conjured into a ring To effect the wonder: I admit of no Suffumigation, incense offered to Infernal spirits; but by art, whose rules Are lawful and demonstrative

Rol. You think I admire you all this whileharkce, when did you eat? or do you hope again, that you are put to this pitiful and desperate exigent? I see you, my would-be-invisible, fine knave! Bonam. D'ye mock me, sir?

Rol. I'll tell you a better project, wherein no courtier has prefooled you. Stick your skin with feathers, and draw the rabble of the city for pence a-piece to see a monstrous bird brought from Peru: baboons have passed for men already, been taken for usurers, i'their furred gowns and night

1 Guard. O yes, sır.

Rol. Not a penny; and thou hadst not been a fool, thou wouldst ha' been a knave, and so thou might'st have got by me: yet by those scurvy legs there's some hope thou'lt be converted; at all adventures take it.

1 Guard. I will be what you please, sir. Rol. Tell me what condition is that signior of; is he rich?

1 Guard. He loves money.

Rol. Come, shalt be iny pensioner-here's more gold for thee; and will he take a bribe?

1 Guard. D'ye make question of that, sir? he bought his office, and therefore may sell his conscience; he has sold two hundred one's twice over: he was brought up at court, and knows what belongs to his place, I warrant you. Rol. Good.

1 Guard. Am I not a knave, now, sir? Rol. I like thee.

1 Guard. To your cost :-I hope you wo'not tell him what I say; but if you do, and he chance to turn me out of my office, your gold is restorative. Peren. To your stations, and be circumspect.

[Exit Guard. Rol. Noble sir, you are the only man I have ambition to honour.

Peren. I should be proud to merit such a phrase.

Ilowlet i, e. owl.

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