# Volpone/Act IV Scene II

SCENE II.
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 croaker's 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. Do you not smile, [to Voltore.] to see this buffalo, How he doth sport it with his head?—I should, If all were well and past. [Aside.]—Sir, [to Corbaccio.] only you Are he that shall enjoy the crop of all, And these not know for whom they toil. Corb. Ay, peace. Mos. [turning to Corvino.] But you shall eat it. Much! [Aside.]—Worshipful sir, [to Voltore. Mercury sit upon your thundering tongue,
Or the French Hercules, and make your language As conquering as his club, to beat along, As with a tempest, flat, our adversaries; But much more yours, sir. Volt. Here they come, have done. Mos. I have another witness, if you need, sir, I can produce. Volt. Who is it? Mos. Sir, I have her.
Enter Avocatori and take their seats, Bonario, Celia, Notario, Commandadori, Saffi, and other Officers of justice.
1 Avoc. The like of this the senate never heard of. 2 Avoc. 'Twill come most strange to them when we report it. 4 Avoc. The gentlewoman has been ever held Of unreproved name, 3 Avoc. So has the youth. 4 Avoc. The more unnatural part that of his father. 2 Avoc. More of the husband. 1 Avoc. I not know to give His act a name, it is so monstrous! 4 Avoc. But the impostor, he's a thing created To exceed example! 1 Avoc. And all after-times! 2 Avoc. I never heard a true voluptuary Described, but him.
3 Avoc. Appear yet those were cited? Not. All but the old magnifico, Volpone. 1 Avoc. Why is not he here? Mos. Please your fatherhoods, Here is his advocate: himself's so weak, So feeble—— 4 Avoc. What are you? Bon. His parasite, His knave, his pandar: I beseech the court, He may be forced to come, that your grave eyes May bear strong witness of his strange impostures. Volt. Upon my faith and credit with your virtues, He is not able to endure the air. 2 Avoc. Bring him, however. 3 Avoc. We will see him. 4 Avoc. Fetch him. Volt. Your fatherhoods fit pleasures be obey'd; [Exeunt Officers. But sure, the sight will rather move your pities, Than indignation. May it please the court, In the mean time, he may be heard in me: I know this place most void of prejudice, And therefore crave it, since we have no reason To fear our truth should hurt our cause. 3 Avoc. Speak free. Volt. Then know, most honour'd fathers, I must now Discover to your strangely abused ears, The most prodigious and most frontless piece Of solid impudence, and treachery, That ever vicious nature yet brought forth To shame the state of Venice. This lewd woman, That wants no artificial looks or tears To help the vizor she has now put on, Hath long been known a close adulteress To that lascivious youth there; not suspected,
I say, but known, and taken in the act With him; and by this man, the easy husband, Pardon'd; whose timeless bounty makes him now Stand here, the most unhappy, innocent person, That ever man's own goodness made accused. For these not knowing how to owe a gift Of that dear grace, but with their shame; being placed So above all powers of their gratitude, Began to hate the benefit; and, in place Of thanks, devise to extirpe the memory Of such an act: wherein I pray your fatherhoods To observe the malice, yea, the rage of creatures Discover'd in their evils; and what heart Such take, even from their crimes:—but that anon Will more appear.—This gentleman, the father, Hearing of this foul fact, with many others, Which daily struck at his too tender ears, And grieved in nothing more than that he could not Preserve himself a parent, (his son's ills Growing to that strange flood,) at last decreed To disinherit him. 1 Avoc. These be strange turns! 2 Avoc. The young man's fame was ever fair and honest. Volt. So much more full of danger is his vice, That can beguile so under shade of virtue. But, as I said, my honour'd sires, his father Having this settled purpose, by what means To him betray'd, we know not, and this day Appointed for the deed; that parricide, I cannot style him better, by confederacy Preparing this has paramour to be there, Enter'd Volpone's house, (who was the man, Your fatherhoods must understand, design'd
For the inheritance,) there sought his father:— But with what purpose sought he him, my lords? I tremble to pronounce it, that a son Unto a father, and to such a father, Should have so foul, felonious intent! It was to murder him: when being prevented By his more happy absence, what then did he? Not check his wicked thoughts; no, now new deeds; (Mischief doth never end where it begins) An act of horror, fathers! he dragg'd forth The aged gentleman that had there lain bed-rid Three years and more, out of his innocent couch, Naked upon the floor, there left him; wounded His servant in the face; and, with this strumpet, The stale to his forged practice, who was glad To be so active,—(I shall here desire Your fatherhoods to note but my collections, As most remarkable,—) thought at once to stop His father's ends, discredit his free choice In the old gentleman, redeem themselves, By laying infamy upon this man, To whom, with blushing, they should owe their lives. 1 Avoc. What proofs have you of this? Bon. Most honour'd fathers, I humbly crave there be no credit given To this man's mercenary tongue. 2 Avoc. Forbear. Bon. His soul moves in his fee. 3 Avoc. O, sir.
Bon. This fellow, For six sols more, would plead against his Maker. 1 Avoc. You do forget yourself. Volt. Nay, nay, grave fathers, Let him have scope: can any man imagine That he will spare his accuser, that would not Have spared his parent? 1 Avoc. Well, produce your proofs. Cel. I would I could forget I were a creature. Volt. Signior Corbaccio! [Corbaccio comes forward. 4 Avoc. What is he? Volt. The father. 2 Avoc. Has he had an oath? Not. Yes. Corb. What must I do now? Not. Your testimony's craved. Corb. Speak to the knave? I'll have my mouth first stopt with earth; my heart Abhors his knowledge: I disclaim in him. 1 Avoc. But for what cause? Corb. The mere portent of nature! He is an utter stranger to my loins. Bon. Have they made you to this? Corb. I will not hear thee, Monster of men, swine, goat, wolf, parricide! Speak not, thou viper. Bon. Sir, I will sit down, And rather wish my innocence should suffer, Than I resist the authority of a father. Volt. Signior Corvino! [Corvino comes forward. 2 Avoc. This is strange. 1 Avoc. Who's this?
Not. The husband. 4 Avoc. Is he sworn? Not. He is. 3 Avoc. Speak then. Corv. This woman, please your fatherhoods, is a whore, 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 the piece of cedar, That fine well timber'd gallant; and that here The letters may be read, thorough the horn, That make the story perfect. Mos. Excellent! sir. Corv. There is no shame in this now, is there? [Aside to Mosca. Mos. None. Corv. Or if I said, I hoped that she were onward To her damnation, if there be a hell Greater than whore 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. What can you say? [to Mosca.] 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. This woman has too many moods. Volt. Grave fathers, She is a creature of a most profest And prostituted 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 camelion harlot! now thine eyes Vie tears with the hyæna. 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 scandalize your honours, or my sex'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 coarse—— 4 Avoc. We know it. Lady P. To offend With pertinacy—— 3 Avoc. Lady— Lady P. Such a presence! No surely. 1 Avoc. We well think it. Lady P. You may think it. 1 Avoc. Let her o'ercome. What witnesses have you, To make good your report?
Bon. Our consciences. Cel. And heaven, that never fails the innocent. 4 Avoc. These are no testimonies. Bon. Not in your courts, Where multitude, and clamour overcomes. 1 Avoc. Nay, then you do wax insolent.
Re-enter Officers, bearing Volpone on a couch.
Volt. Here, here, The testimony comes, that will convince, And put to utter dumbness their bold tongues! See here, grave fathers, here's the ravisher, The rider on men's wives, the great impostor, The grand voluptuary! Do you not think These limbs should affect venery? or these eyes Covet a concubine? pray you mark these hands; Are they not fit to stroke a lady's breasts?— Perhaps he doth dissemble! Bon. So he does. Volt. Would you have him tortured? Bon. I would have him proved. Volt. Best try him then with goads, or burning irons; Put him to the strappado: I have heard The rack hath cured the gout; 'faith, give it him, And help him of a malady; be courteous. I'll undertake, before these honour'd fathers, He shall have yet as many left diseases, As she has known adulterers, or thou strumpets.—
O, my most equal hearers, if these deeds, Acts of this bold and most exorbitant strain, May pass with sufferance, what one citizen But owes the forfeit of his life, yea, fame, To him that dares traduce him? which of you Are safe, my honour'd fathers? I would ask, With leave of your grave fatherhoods, if their plot Have any face or colour like to truth? Or if, unto the dullest nostril here, It smell not rank, and most abhorred slander? I crave your care of this good gentleman, Whose life is much endanger'd by their fable; And as for them, I will conclude with this, That vicious persons, when they're hot, and flesh'd In impious acts, their constancy abounds: Damn'd deeds are done with greatest confidence. 1 Avoc. Take them to custody, and sever them. 2 Avoc. 'Tis pity two such prodigies should live. 1 Avoc. Let the old gentleman be return'd with care: [Exeunt Officers with Volpone. I'm sorry our credulity hath wrong'd him. 4 Avoc. These are two creatures! 3 Avoc. I've an earthquake in me. 2 Avoc. Their shame, even in their cradles, fled their faces. 4 Avoc. You have done a worthy service to the state, sir, In their discovery.[To Volt. 1 Avoc. You shall hear, ere night, What punishment the court decrees upon them. [Exeunt Avocat. Not. and Officers with Bonario and Celia. Volt. We thank your fatherhoods.—How like you it? Mos. Rare. I'd have your tongue, sir, tipt with gold for this; I'd have you be the heir to the whole city;
The earth I'd have want men, ere you want living: They're bound to erect your statue in St. Mark's. Signior Corvino, I would have you go And shew yourself, that you have conquer'd. Corv. Yes. Mos. It was much better that you should profess Yourself a cuckold thus, than that the other Should have been proved. Corv. Nay, I consider'd that: Now it is her fault. Mos. Then it had been yours. Corv. True; I do doubt this advocate still. Mos. I'faith You need not, I dare ease you of that care. Corv. I trust thee, Mosca.[Exit. Mos. As your own soul, sir. Corb. Mosca! Mos. Now for your business, sir. Corb. How! have you business? Mos. Yes, your's sir. Corb. O, none else? Mos. None else, not I. Corb. Be careful then. Mos. Rest you with both your eyes, sir. Corb. Dispatch it. Mos. Instantly. Corb. And look that all, Whatever, be put in, jewels, plate, moneys, Househould stuff, bedding, curtains. Mos. Curtain-rings, sir: Only the advocate's fee must be deducted. Corb. I'll pay him now; you'll be too prodigal. Mos. Sir, I must tender it. Corb. Two chequines is well. Mos. No, six, sir. Corb. 'Tis too much.
Mos. He talk'd a great while; You must consider that, sir. Corb. Well, there's three—— Mos. I'll give it him. Corb. Do so, and there's for thee.[Exit. Mos. Bountiful bones! What horrid strange offence Did he commit 'gainst nature, in his youth, Worthy this age? [Aside.]—You see, sir, [to Volt.] how I work Unto your ends: take you no notice. Volt. No, I'll leave you.[Exit. Mos. All is yours, the devil and all: Good advocate!—Madam, I'll bring you home. Lady P. No, I'll go see your patron. Mos. That you shall not: I'll tell you why. My purpose is to urge My patron to reform his will; and for The zeal you have shewn to-day, whereas before You were but third or fourth, you shall be now Put in the first; which would appear as begg'd, If you were present. Therefore—— Lady P. You shall sway me.[Exeunt.
* ↑ ————We will but use his tongue, As we do croaker's, here.] i. e. the old raven's, Corbaccio's: this word would not have required a note, had not its meaning been overlooked by Upton, who wishes to read "crackers, that is squibs"!
* ↑ But you shall eat it. Much!] Upton and Whalley constantly mistake the sense of this interjection; they will have it to be elliptical, for "Much good may it do you!" whereas it is merely ironical, as I have already observed, and means, Not at all.
* ↑ Or the French Hercules,] "The Gallic or Celtic Hercules (says Upton) was the symbol of eloquence. Lucian has a treatise on this French Hercules, surnamed Ogmius: he was pictured drest in his lion's skin; in his right hand he held his club; in his left, his bows: several very small chains were figured reaching from his tongue to the ears of crowds of men at some distance."
* ↑ (Mischief doth ever end where it begins)] But the reverse of this seems the truer remark, and what he intended to say; namely, that mischief does not stop where it first began, or set out. So that, notwithstanding the authority of the old copies, it is probably we should read, Mischief doth never end where it begins.Whal.
* ↑ Have they made you to this?] Wrought you by previous instruction, &c. See p. 45.
* ↑ More than a partrich,] The salacious nature of this bird is taken notice of by all the ancient writers of natural history. Thus Ælian, L. iii. c. 5. Περδικες δε ακρατορες εισιν αφροδιτης. And again, Δαγνιςατον δε ό περδιξ και μοιχικον. Ibid. L. vii. c. 19. And Pliny, Nat. Hist. L. x. c. 33: Neque in alio animali per opus libidini, &c. Whal.
* ↑ And that, here, &c.] Δεικτικως, pointing to his forehead: the allusion, in the next line, is to the horn-book of children. Our old writers are never weary of their ridiculous jests on the transparency of these badges of cuckoldom: thus Shakspeare; "He hath the horn of abundance, and the lightness of his wife shines through it. Henry IV. Pt. 2. A. I. S. 2.
* ↑ O most laid impudence!] i. e. plotted, designed, well contrived. Whal.
* ↑ 1 Avoc. Let her o'ercome.] There never was a character supported with more propriety, than this of Lady Would-be. She comes into the court in all the violence of passion, and having vented her rage in a hasty epithet or two, relapses into her usual formality, and begins to compliment the judges. Tired with her breeding and eloquence, they cease to notice her, and proceed to the examination of the other parties. Whal.
* ↑ ————What strange offence Did he commit 'gainst nature, &c.] ———Cur hœc in tempore duret? Quod facinus dignum tam longo admiserit avo? Juv. Sat. 10.  There are other imitations of Juvenal in this scene, which, like this, are all sufficiently obvious.