University of Virginia Library

SCENE II.

Enter Brancadoro and Villerotto; They whisper.
Vill.
Now Sir, do you yet believe it is a consequence,
That you must not expect to live, if proud Cialto does?
Or wou'd you have the Parish Priest to make you friends,
And all the Neighbourhood invited to the reconciling dinner?

Bran.
Why thou seest I look'd thee out for the nonce
To know if thou canst have him quickly dispatch'd;
Why man, I cannot marry else.

Vill.
Well, be secure, reckon that insolent Enemy
To your Repose and Fortunes, in his Grave:
[Enter Montalto and his Companions.
—But see, Sir—yonder are an odd parcel of men,
I think I have seen the face of one of them before;
If I mistake not, they are a sort of People
Fitted by their own wants for my designs.
Retire, Sir, and leave me to sound them.

[As he goes out he returns and speaks.
Bran.
But be sure, man; be sure, I say:
If thou should'st miss, and Cialto find me married,—
Um—I might give my life for a farthing.
[Exit Brancadoro.

Vill.
Fear not, fear not. Save you, Gentlemen.

Mont.
And you, Sir.

Vill.
You seem Persons that have not been
So kindly us'd by Fortune as your merits
Might justly challenge; your carriage speaks you
To have been men of Action.

Mont.
We have seen danger, Sir, and have not shrunk;
When those that live at ease have shook to hear
The Story told.

Vill.
'Tis pity, at least to our frail Reason it so appears,
That neither Virtue nor Courage shou'd be safe
From mixtures of Necessity.

Mont.
We are us'd as our Swords are;
When the danger's past, hung by.

Vill.
And yet if such as you, whose haughty minds
Brook not the sight of other mens Enjoyments,
Or think it barbarous injustice to starve
Amidst that Plenty which your Swords
Secur'd or purchas'd; if such men as you
But snatch at some small share,
You wou'd be punish'd certainly.

Mont.
We have found that.

Vill.
Nay, the Clergy wou'd declare your Souls
In dangerous condition.

Mont.
Yes, damn'd, without dispute.

Vill.
Come we are betray'd and fool'd;
Those that have power over us
Confirm themselves by Cruelty and Cheating;
One they call Justice, th'other Pollicy.
Mean while the poor must starve, or else be whip'd;
The Souldier out of War want, or be hang'd;
Nature's relieving Laws are lost in theirs;
And she whispers unto man his own advantage;
If he be guilty then in that pursuance,
The fault still rests in those that urg'd the Act;
The rich and powerful part of Men
Are answerable for those deeds
To which they force the poor and the necessitous.

2 Com.
Oh admirable Reason!

Mont.
'Tis most profound, and never to be answer'd.

Vill.
Are you convinc'd then?

Mo., 1 C. & 2 C.
Yes, yes, yes.

Vill.
Then I may tell you, I have a business for you,
If you dare attempt it, in which there will not be
Much danger, but great profit.

Mont.
Pish, Danger's our Companion;
Name the thing, Sir.

Vill.
Follow me then to a more private place,
Where you shall know your task; my own Sword
Shall share a little with you, far as I dare;
I may, for ought I know, keep with the boldest.

[Exeunt.