University of Virginia Library

SCENE III.

MEGARONIDES
alone.
In troth there cannot be more errant dolts,
More barefac'd fibbers, and more prating puppies,
Than these officious fools, the Busy-Bodies.
And I too should rank with them, thus to credit
Their groundless suppositions. Ev'ry thing
They will pretend to know, yet nothing know.
They'll dive into your breast, and learn your thoughts
Present and future: nay they can discover
What the king whisper'd in her highness' ear,
And tell what past in Juno's chat with Jove.
They know what never was, nor ever will be:
Whether they praise or dispraise right or wrong,
They care not, but invent whate'er they please.—
This Callicles, for instance—Men's report
Pronounc'd him for society unfit,
For that he spoil'd a young man of his fortunes.
I, prompted by their scandal, sallied forth
To chide my friend, though blameless.—Ill reports,
Trac'd to their root, unless it well appear
What ground and what authority they have,
Should turn on those that spread them.—Public good
Requires it should be so.—These idle chatterers,
That know what they don't know, I fain would lessen,
And shut up their fools tongues within their teeth.

[Exit Megaronides.