University of Virginia Library

SCENE 2.

Cricca, Antonio.
Cri.
What do I see? is not this Trincalo
Transform'd t'Antonio? tis, and so perfectly
That did the right Antonio now confront him,
I'de sweare they both were true, or both were false.

Ant.
This man admires the unexpectednesse
Of my return.

Cri.
O wondrous powre of Stars,
And skil of Art t'apply't. You that are married
May justly feare, lest this Astrologer
Cloath your wives servants in your shape, and use you
As Jupiter did Amphitrio. You that are rich,
In your own forme may lose your gold.

Ant.
Tis Cricca.

Cri.
He seems so just the man he represents,
That I dare hardly use him as I purposd.

Ant.
Cricca, well met, how fares my friend Pandolfo?

Cri.
Your friend Pandolfo? how are your means improv'd,
To stile familiarly your Masters friend?

Ant.
What sayst thou?

Cri.
That I rejoyce your Worship's safe returnd
From your late drowning. Th'Exchange hath giv'n you lost;
And all your friends worn mourning three months past.

Ant.
The danger of the shipwrack I escapt,
So desperate was, that I may truly say
I am new born, not sav'd.

Cri.
Ha, ha, ha, through what a grace
And goodly countenance the Rascall speaks:
What a grave portance; could Antonio
Himself out-do him? O you notorious villain!
Who would have thought thou couldst have thus dissembled?

Ant.
How now: a servant thus familiar? Syrrha
Use your companions so; more reverence
Becomes you better.

Cric.
As though I understood not.
The end of all this plot and goodly businesse?
Come I know all, see! this untill'd clod of earth.
Conceits his minde transform'd, as well as body.
He wrings and bites his lips for feare of laughing. Ha, ha, ha!

Ant.
Why laugh you sirra?

Cri.
To see thee chang'd
So strangely, that I cannot spy on inch
Of thy old Clownish Carkas. Ha, ha.

Ant.
Laughter proceeds
From absurd actions that are harmlesse.

Cri.
Ha, ha, ha,
Sententious Block-head.

Ant.
And y'are all advis'd
To jeast in stead of pitty. Alas! my miseries,
Dangers of death, slav'ry of cruell Moores,
And tedious journeys, might have easily altred
A stronger body; much more this decay'd vessell,
Out-worn with age, and broken by misfortunes.

Cri.
Leave your set speeches. Go to Antonio's house,
Effect your businesse. For upon my credit
Th'art so well turn'd, they dare not but accept thee.

Ant.
Where should I hope for welcome, if not there;
From my own house, children and family?

Cri.
Is't possible this Coxcombe should conceive
His minde transform'd? How gravely he continues
The countenance he began? Ha, ha. Why Blockhead?
Thinkst to deceive me too? Why Trincalo?

Ant.
I understand you not. Hands off.

Cri.
Art not thou Trincalo,
Pandolfo's man?

Ant.
I not so much as know him.

Cri.
Dar'st thou deny't to me?

Ant.
I dare, and must
To all the World, 'long as Antonio lives.

Cri.
You arrant Asse, have I not known thee serve
My Master in his Farm this thirteen yeers?

Ant.
By all the oathes that binde mens consciences
To truth, I am Antonio; and no other.