University of Virginia Library

Scene. 2.

Enter Lapirus, solus.
Lap.
Foule monster monger, who must live by that
Which is thy owne destruction: Why should men
Be natures bondslaves? Every creature else
Comes freely to the Table of the Earth;
That which for man alone doth all things beare
Scarce gives him his true dyet any where.
What spightfull winds breath here? that not a Tree
Spreads, forth a friendly arme? distressed Queene,


And most accursed Babes; the earth that beares you
Like a proud mother, scornes to give you food: ha?
Thankes fate, I now defie thee starveling hunger,
Blest tree, foure lives grow in thy fruite, run tast it then,
Wise men serve first themselves then other men.
He falls in the Pit.
Oh me accursed and most miserable,
Helpe, helpe, some Angell lay a listning eare
To draw my cry up; none to lend helpe? oh
Then pine and dye.

Enter Clowne.
Clo.
A wolfe caught, a wolfe caught.

Lap.
Oh helpe, I am no wolfe good friend.

Clo.
No! What art thou then?

Lap.
A miserable wretch.

Clo.
An Vsurer?

Lap.
No, no.

Clo.
A Broaker then?

Lap.
Mocke not a man in woe, in a greene wound,
Poure Balsome and not Physicke.

Clo.
Snayles, he talkes like a Surgeon,
If you be one why doe you not helpe your selfe sir?

Lap.
I am no Surgeon friend, my name's Lapirus.

Clo.
How? a wolfe caught hoa—Lap what Lap, hoa!

Lap.
Lapirus is my name dost thou not know me?

Clo.
Yes, for a wolvish rascall that would have worried his owne Country.

Lap.
Torture me not, I prithee, I am that wretch; a villaine I was once; but I am now—

Clo.

The Devill in the Vault; you sirra, that betrayd your
Countrey, and the old King your Vncle, there lye till one
Wolfe devoure another, thou trecherous rascall.


Exit.
Lap.
Oh me most miserable and wretched creature!
I now doe finde there's a revenging fate
That doomes bad men to be unfortunate.