University of Virginia Library

SCENE I.

Enter DIABOLUS and the PARASITE.
DIABOLUS.
Follow me this way: shall I suffer this?
And shall I hold my tongue? I'd rather die
Than not discover to his wife this business.
Ay, say you so then? With your mistress would you
Act the young man? And wou'd you to your wife
Excuse yourself, and tell her you are old?
Take from your son his mistress; and then give
The bawd a sum of money for her? Filch
From your own wife at home clandestinely?
You first must hang me, ere you'll carry off
These matters undiscover'd—Yes, by Hercules!
I'll go to her this instant; as I'm certain,
Unless she should prevent you, ere 'tis long
You'll drive her to distress, that you may have
Supplies for your expensive luxuries—

Par.
In my opinion, thus 'tis you should act.
'Twould be more fit for me to inform her of it,
Than you, who she might think discover'd it;
Incited to it rather from a pique
Of disappointed love, than from regard
To her—

Dia.
By Pollux! nought can be more right.
Raise a storm, tell her, that at her expence
He's all the live-long day at a debauch;
His own son with him, and one girl in common.

Par.
Let me alone, I will take care of it.

Dia.
I'll wait for you at home.

[Exeunt severally.