University of Virginia Library

SCENE 1.

Enter Monobius a great noise and busling within, One swears and curses aloud above all the rest.
Mon.
VVhose that within that rends mine
Ears with oathes?

Lap.
Whose that without doth ask? 'twas I did swear,
Enter Lapardas.
And I do hope I did it with a grace.

Mon.
Can words so foul come from so fair a face.

Lap.
Oathes are the badges of magnanimity.

Mon.
But he's Most valiant that least useth oathes.

Lap.
Valour it self expires such expressions.

Mon.
As nature is purg'd out in excrements,
Some sins with pleasure do delight the sense,
Others with profit do invite the soul,
Neither of these in swearing we can see

Lap.
'Tis my pleasure to swear.

Mon.
Svvearing svvallows the hook without a bait.

Lap.
To speak the truth, Sir, I vvas overtaken,
The Rascals did much provoke my patience.

Mon.
VVill you strike heaven, because earth did vex you?

Lap.
My tongue was bad, but yet my heart is good,

Mon.
But by the tongue the heart is understood.

Lap.
They'r Oaths of course.

Mon.
Course oaths they are indeed,

Mon.
A solemn oath I carefully observe.

Mon.
That's solemn which appeals to the highest judge.

Lap.
The tyrant custome makes me to persist,

Mar.
The Usurpers Custom, and you must resist it,

Lap.
So long prescription doth create a right,

Mar.
Not against him who is the Prince,

Lap.
For every Oath I bestow to the poor,
Some money, and so re-buy my innocence.

Mon.
Such bargains would break you, though Indias master,
Beside Heavens wounds you cannot cure with gold.

Lap.
My debts I pay toth'poor, heavens heirs at large:

Mar.
Alas they can't discharge you from your sins.

Lap.
Tel me what pennance I must then endure;

Mon.
I take no pleasure in anothers pain.

Lap.
What you injoyn that I intend to do.

Mon.
Then for the future strive to mend your fault;

Lap.
Habits depart slowly, which are slowly acquired.

Mon.
It is half done, when desired seriously,
Unswear your tongue by degrees.—

Lap.
You will give leave, I may presume to send
A curious Limner to you.

Mon.
For what end?

Lap.
Your lively picture he shall make for me,
His Art shall strive to overtake nature;
The frame shall be richly imbost with Gold.

Mon.
Alas, It never will deserve the cost.
Adorn'd with all the Art the gilder can,

Mon.
The picture will be more worth then the man.

Lap.
Ile hang it by my bed, where your grave sight,
M'unruly tongue will woo or fright from oaths.

Mon.
Set but your Maker once before your eyes,
Remember him I pray, and forget me.

Exit.
Lap.
I wonder Ducas breaks his promise, now
'Tis past eleven, but here he is.