 | The Sophister |  |
Scæ 3.
Enter Ambiguity, and Ignoratio Elenchi.Amb.
Now will I blow up this fellow like a soap bubble. It is
necessary for great men to keep some fools as well as many knavs,
They wil never dispute their businesse. And must
I frame inditements.
Ign.
Yes, tis that I should have told thee sooner.
Amb.
Tis well I must play the Scrich-owle and proclaime
misfortunes, whilst you become the Mercury of more pleasing
messages, imploy'd in tuning the strings of love.
Ign.
Sir you must doe it, like it as you thinke fit.
Amb.
Ile thinke upon it if it be but to sharpen my wits. And
prethee noble Ignoratio Sirnam'd Elenchi; wilt thou prove Pander
and procurer to any man, thy person promiseth more grace,
stayne not thy worthinesse with so base imployments.
Ign.
I never meant it.
Amb.
So I thinke verily, and therefore thou didst undertake it,
Thy brave spirits scorne such service.
Ign.
Yes I doe scorne it.
Amb.
Thou dost know thy selfe.
Ign.
I thinke I doe, and admire my selfe as much as another.
Amb.
Methinks thine owne Idæa should be thy only Mistris.
Ign.
I must confesse I know not that shape that I could ever affect
so well.
Amb.
Why then should not these parts raise thee, Nature and
Fortune have conspir'd about thee. Take but this opportunity,
and triumph over the world.
I doubt not that but I have a farther reach, tis heere, tis
heere will doe it.
Amb.
I warrant tis some admirable plot.
Ign.
Ile to the cunning man for some inchantments.
Amb.
Out upon it, worke by witchcraft, 'twill never prosper.
Ign.
Then I will use some other meanes.
Amb.
Whats that.
Ign.
Why any thou wilt councell me.
Amb.
Then be ruled by me. Thou know'st our master now is
call'd the great Sophisme.
Jgn.
Yes.
Amb.
And thou art Jgnoratio Elenchi.
Ign.
I am so.
Amb.
Now thou art employd upon an honourable message.
Ign.
Well.
Amb.
Proclaim thy self Ambassadour.
Ign.
You say true; turne Ambassadour, but I am no good
speaker.
Amb.
We will help that too; Thou hast his letters, open them,
learn to pronounce them, take his person, frame his posture, speak
as if thou wert the man thou seemest, she will not chuse but answere
expectation. Besure thou act this before good company, a
contract is nothing worth without witnesse.
Ign.
Wouldst thou be there I should speed much the better.
Amb.
I will not faile thee, goe and make thy selfe most richly
fine.
Ign.
I warrant you, you seldome see a man of my wits want
good cloaths. Ile about it straight.
Exit.
Amb.
I care not if I crosse my master in this project, we Creatures
of the lower region, never doe worse then when the higher
bodies grow in conjuction. If the master once fry in a husbandish
affection, the man may freeze and starve in expectation.
Exeunt.
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