University of Virginia Library

SCENE V.

Enter Vanity, and Fortune.
Van.
O rotten rope, that thou must be so brittle!
Hadst thou but happened to haue held a little,
I had taught my princocks against another time,
So to presume dame Fortunes bowre to clime.
To make such a scape, his hap was very good.
Well, he scaped faire, I sweare by the rood:
But will you haue me say my fantasie,
Quod differtur, non aufertur. For assuredly
The Gentleman will neuer hold himselfe quiet,
Till once more he come to taste of this dyet.
Marke the end.

For.
Vanitie?

Van.
Madam.

For.
Is this Royster gone?

Van.
Yea, Madam, he is gone.

For.
Then get thee anon,
And cause my attendants to come away,
For here as now I will no longer stay,
But prosecute this foe of mine so fast,
By mischiefes all I may, that at the last,
He shall arriue vnto a wretched end,
And with repentance learne how to offend
A goddesse of my state and dignitie.

Van.
Lady, to do your will, I hasten willingly.
Vanitie exit.

Come downe.
For.
Dame Fortunes power, her most exceeding might,
Is knowne by this as an vndoubted thing:
Since here most plainely hath appear'd in sight,
How all the world doth hang vpon her wing,
How hie and low, of all states and degrees,
Doe rise and fall againe as she decrees.
Then let not Vertue thinke it scorne to yeeld,
To Fortune chiefe of power, chiefe soueraignety:
Sith Fortune here by proofe hath wonne the field,
Subdude her foes, and got the victorie:
For as she list to fauour, els to frowne,
She hoyseth vp, or headlong hurleth downe.

Van.
Madam, here are your vassals ready prest,
To doe the thing that Fortune liketh best.

For.
Well then, come on, to witnes this our victorie,
Depart we hence with sound of same triumphantly.