University of Virginia Library

Scena Sexta.

After a small supper set forth, Enter Hannibal, and Cacala.
Han.
What! Is this all w'are like to have?

Caca.
So please your Souldier-ship, renowned Captain,
This is even all; And it may serve the turn.
Although I have an Appetite as sharp
As your victorious Sword, great Captain Hannibal.

Han.
Where is Floretta (Cacala?) Go call her,
She will rail at this meat, and call me covetous.

Caca.
I needs must say, her stomack never fail'd her;
Though she's but litle, she's a tall woman at a Trencher.

Han.
Run, and call her,
Tell her the meat, will be cold; And then 'tis spoyld.

Caca.
I may save that Labour. Mistris Spinella hath invited her to supper.
They and Cypassis eat to night together.

Han.
Will Captain Dacus be there.

Caca.
I think not Sir.
I never knew Cypassis but an hungry:
She's not so bountifull, as to invite
Others to eat her meat up.

Han.
How comes it then Floretta is their guest?
Sit down, and be not troublesome: You know
I'de have it so.

Caca.
I thank your valour. I have some small suspition
Bassanes hath a Likeing took to your
Dear Damigolla, and Cypassis must
Court her, and tempt her to his various Lust.

Han.
May be so Cacala! Let him take his Chance:
If he so lead, i'le follow him the Dance,
Then I will woe Spinella; And he shall
Father the spurious Issue i'le get on her.
Hark! Some body knocks: Rise, and inform me who
Is at the door—How now, What art thou deafe,
And hear'st me knock; or dumb because thou speak'st not?
An Apoplexy sure hath ceaz'd upon thee.
Sit down again, and drink a Glass of Wine
It will recover thee. Well don, now eat thy meat.
Again there knocks some body at the door.
Rise once more Sirrah, and conduct them in.
Be gon, or I shall kick you to your duty.
He opens the door, turns back and fals down, as in a Swound.
This Idle Rascall sure the falling Sickness
Hath got of late. I must be at the charge,
I fear to send for a Physician to him.
I wonder who it is: For some body knocks
Again. It needs must be a stranger, else
He such long Complement would not have shew'd.
Still he knocks on. I will go bring him in.
Enter Spectre.
Your name Sir, and your pleasure

Spectre.
My name, Helvidius is.

Han.
You are a stranger
Unknown to me; I pray, what is your business.

Spectre.
I come to sup with you,

Han.
Though clad so meanly,
You shall be welcom.

Spectre.
I am not so rude,
To press upon you, uninvited Captain.

Han.
Who should invite you?

Spec.
Sir! Your self.

Han.
'Tis strange.
I should forget it then.

Spec.
I come unlook'd for Noble Hannibal,
But you did bid me to supper to night.

Han.
My Memory hath fail'd me. Where Helvidius?

Spec.
At the Gibbet, by the City walls;
Where I did hang in Chains.

Han.
This is a Curtesy deserves a welcome,
You are most welcom Sir, and so believe it.

Spec.
You are my generous Patron, and I thank you.

Han.
Sit down, I pray sit down. So: 'tis well done,
Cacala! Where's Cacala. Give me a Glass of Wine,
What on the flore still! rise man.

Cacala.
I dare not stir nor breathe, Sir.

Han.
He will not hurt you.

Spec.
I shall not be so rude, where I find welcome
To do a Mischief.

Han.
Fill Wine. Sir much good do you; And here's to you,
To you fair Mistrisses health; whether alive,
Or your Companion it'h Elizian Groves.

Spec.
You much endear me.

Han.
Could I have thought you would have supp'd with me,
You should have been much better treated.
Sit down and eat, Thou silly Cacala!

Caca.
I am very timerous.
His Promise and my Valour do protect

Han.
[OMITTED] thee.

Caca.
This Napkin thus dispos'd under my Hat,
Shall keep my eyes off him. I'le eat like a Lion;
Because I sit in fear, and after will
Shew the Cud as some Beasts do, to disjest it.

Spec.
Good Fellow, I salute thee with this Boule:
To thy brave Hannibals Mistrisses health.

Caca.
I have no mind to drink yet. My Master
Is the better Pledger of such Fancies.

Han.
You shall not refuse him. Off with it Cacala:
Ill'e conclude it.

Spec.
It has gon round.
Captain, your kindness hath so far oblieg'd me,
That I presume to crave a favour of you.

Han.
You shall command.

Spec.
I pray you dine with me to morrow.

Han.
You jest,

Spec.
I am in earnest: You shall be most welcome.

Han.
Where?

Spec.
At the Gibbit.

Han.
I'le come.

Caca.
Now my bellie's full, I cannot forbear,
To cast a Sheep's eye at him.
Oh! oh.

Cries out aloud, falls backward, and (with his Legs under the Table) overthrows it, and all the meat.
Spect.
I thank you, generous Captain; And good night.

Han.
Farewell Sir; And expect me as I promis'd.
Rise thou unmannerly Beast, and let's to bed.

Caca.
Good Master, And thrice-valiant Captain Hannibal,
See me in bed first, and asleep, I beseech you,
And let me have Mistriss Floretta; For I dare not lye alone.

Han.
Follow me and undress me.

Caca.
Sir I beseech you have a litle Patience:
Say that I shall not lye alone to night,
And you will Comfort me. I otherwise
Shall be so weak with fear, I shall not be
Able to pluck your stockins off.

Han.
Get whom
Thou wilt to be thy bedfellow, but Floretta:
For, her I cannot spare.

Caca.
Then I entreat you,
Let me lye in the same bed with you both.

Han.
You must some other Lodging find.

Caca.
I'st so?
Then I must old Cypassis try: Perhaps
A Bottle of strong water will prevail
So far with her,
That she may give me leave,
To lye with her.
And yet I had much rather
Lye with my old Grand-mother, or Grand-father.

Han.
'Tis said she was a Beauty in her Youth.

Caca.
Sure no man can report it that hath seen it:
For I believe her birth was in the daies
Of Lucius Brutus; who was Rome's first Consul.

Exeunt.