 | The Sophister |  |
SCENA SECVNDA.
Enter Ambiguity.Amb.
He is not here: 'tis common to say, Hee is a
true man that never deceiveth his Master: and
I thinke it may properly be said, He is a rare Master that never
deceiveth his man. This is not the first time my Master
Fallacy hath sent me on such idle errands: He is right like
the fellow that when hee had nothing to steale, filled his
Pockets with Rushes: rather than he will deceive no body,
he will deceive me. But let him take heede he play not
like the madde fellow Aiax, who when he had left nothing
else to kill, slew himself: and when he can no longer
cozen others, he'le cozen himselfe: His golden Letters,
written with an Angels quill, will doe him no good: But
here I thinke he comes; no, it is Distinction: This Villaine
I can no more endure than Demosthenes could Phocion: he
is the fatall Axe of all my Policies, the Atropos of all my
subtle Devices.
Enter Distinction.
Diston.
My Lords, what are they gone? it had beene folly
for them to stay for Demostration.
He must not be of our Councell, if Opposition
should chance to come.
Dist.
There was adoe indeede: Old Discourse talking
nothing but of Quadratures, of Circles, of Lines running
nearer and nearer, but never comming together: of
Hexities, Ideas, Quintessences, Sublimations, Corporall Ubiquities,
infinite Quantities, Consubstantiations, Transubstantiations;
things beside impossible: I wonder what he
meanes; surely he is besides himselfe.
Amb.
Well, I must adventure on him, delay may prove
dangerous. How now Distinction, what newes is stirring?
Distinct.
Oh Sir, I see that stirring head of yours is
weary of our better state: you listen to heare of some new
change?
These words he speakes aside to himselfe.
Amb.
What are there windowes in my breast? this fellow
knowes my heart.
Dist.
No, you are Ambiguity.
Amb.
You may mistake me.
Distinct.
Yes, If I take thee for any other than thou
art.
Ambig.
What's that Sir?
Distinct.
An honest man.
Ambig.
Indeede you say true, hee doth mistake me that
thinkes me other than an honest man.
Distinct.
But you say false: I say hee doth mistake
that takes thee for an honest man, otherwise than thou
art.
Ambig.
Why Distinction? 'tis not you can finde fault with
my honesty.
Dist.
No, Ile be sworne.
Ambig.
Why say you so then?
Dist.
Because I can finde no honesty with thy faults.
Come, come Distinction, if I have beene faulty,
you know no man is borne without faults.
Distinct.
Yes, and I thinke there are few faults borne
without thee.
Ambig.
Come prethee, thou art alwaies disposed to
crosse me, but I will not fall out with thee for a Kingdome.
Distin.
You would for a lesser matter, if feare did not
hold your hands.
Ambig.
Sir you shall know my hands be free.
Distine.
Why, you will not draw Sir?
Ambig.
Yes, I will Sir.
Distinc.
What, not your Sword?
Ambig.
No, good Distinction, I love thee too well;
Ile draw my Purse, with all my heart, to doe
thee good.
Dist.
I thanke you good Amphoteros: but I feare you have
two Purses, as hee had two Chests; one full of money, the other
of thankes.
Ambig.
That I have, my deare Oudeteros, and if thou
wilt goe with me, I will draw them both; the one to
pay for the wine we will drinke, the other to thanke thee for
thy Company.
Distinc.
Well, Ile goe with thee.
Exeunt.
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