University of Virginia Library

SCENA QVINTA.

Enter Distinction in Ambiguities cloake.
Dist.

I thinke that Villaine Ambiguity was borne to doe
me harme, I never was so overtaken by any as by
him: No sooner had I put the Cup to my lips, but my witts
shooke hands with my head, and left me to be arrested by
dull Sergeant Sleepe, so like a bankrupt Merchant, I was
faine to let downe my Shop-windows, and I thinke yet had
not opend them: but that which plagued me worse, up
comes a Drawer, and delivering me from that prison, was
like to have me waking to another, unlesse I would pay for the
Wine, which that Rascall had promised to bestow upon me,
which I had scarce done, when looking about me, I found
the Villaine which had left me witlesse and moneylesse, left
me also cloakelesse, till I saw where the forke-tongued
Snake had cast this his party-coloured skinne. Now I could
be angry with my selfe for my simplicity: but see the villaine
hath sent Ignoratio Elener the foole, his fellow, to laugh at
me; this would make Demotritus melancholy.

Enter Ignoratio Elener.
He pulls downe his Hat, and walkes aside.
Ignor.

What Ambiguity, are you studying? My Master
Fallacy bad me deliver you these Keyes, and would you
should locke up this Violl where you found it:

He gives them to Distinction, who goes away with them.

Remember now you had them: forsooth I may not be admitted
to his Closet, I am too honest; but if I be not deceiv'd,
this fellow is not so worthy to be trusted. Now beshrew his
heart, he is gone without part of my message: I should have
told hem, hee was to contrive some accusations against the

Ladies of Verona, this wits I know would be working that
way, and I must follow.

Exit.
Enter Opposition, Contradiction, and Fallacy.
Fall.
But say, where are our Brothers? oh I long
To understand how well your love succeeds.

Cont.
Breathlesse and wounded both of them I left,
And ere my comming from them, they began
To faint with bleeding.

Fall.
Bled they very much?

Cont.
Exceedingly.
Well, so their streaming veines
Shall serve as Conduits dropping Clarret wine,
To sollemnize my Coronation:
And now I cannot but applaud my wits,
And hugg my happy Genius that hath thus
Inspight of selfe-conceited honesty,
Found forth this passage to my sweet desires.

Opp.

But shall your old friends escape so? will you not requite
their kindnesse?

Fall.
Let Definition and Division, both
Be banished the Court, for Proposition,
He ne're oppos'd himselfe against me much,
We may procure his love, and use his helpe;
And therefore let him stay. But you
Lord Opposition, willingly I make
My sole or chiefest Counsellor of State,
By whom in all affaires I will be rul'd.
You Contradiction, wheresoe're I goe,
I chuse to beare my sword: to your faire trust
Committing both my fortunes and my selfe.

Opp.
Ne're may we thrive in this new policy
If we maintaine not what we have begun.

Fall.
I doe beleeve you, and relye on you;
And therefore know, that not an houre since
I by a sly devised subtlety,
Have luckily surpriz'd the Lady Truth,
With her two famous Daughters; now in doubt
How I might best captive their constant thoughts,
I faine would heare your resolutions.

Opp.
Were it my care I would enforce them straight.

Con.
They should not eate, nor drinke, nor rest on minute;
Nay, I would torture, and torment them all,
Till they did yeeld submissely to my pleasure.

Fall.
I thinke such meanes at first too violent,
I'le try how glozing words, and kind intreaties
Can worke upon them: You know not the force
Of well convey'd dissimulation,
Therefore goe you, and through Parrhesia,
Proclaime my lawfull just succession.

Opp.
I will my noble Lord.

Fall.
And doe you heare?
To make my name more gracious, more belov'd,
I will no longer be call'd Fallacy:
Exit. Oppo.
Stile me great Sophime. You Contradiction,
Let Definition and Division know
What is our pleasure to be done with them.

Cont.
I ne're did any thing more willingly.

Exit.
Fall.
I my selfe,
My project will pursue immediately;
Mee thinkes my hopes assure me. Now damn'd slaves,
Disloyall and unfaithfull miscreants,
Thinke yee that I will trust your villanies?
No: these distemper'd, quarrelling, fighting fellowes
Must not be conscious to our Policies,
They will rip open one anothers breast,
And prostitute their hearts to vulgar view:
Therefore the next thing that I wil contrive,
Shall be their ruine: Dead dogges cannot bite:
That done, I feare not Fortunes envious spight.

Exit.