 | Appius and Virginia, Acted at the Dukes Theater under the name of The Roman Virgin or Unjust Judge |  |
Actus Tertius
Scena Prima.
Enter Nurse and the Clown.Corbulo.
What was that you said, Nurse?
Nurse.
Why, I did say thou must bestir thy selfe.
Corbulo.
I warrant you I can bestir my stumps as soon as another,
if fit occasion be offered; but why do you come upon me in
such haste? is it because (Nurse) I should come over you at leisure?
Come over me, thou knave? what dost thou mean by that?
Corbulo.
Only this, if you will come off, I will come on.
Nurse.
My Lord hath strangers to night: you must make ready the
Parlour, a table and lights; nay when, I say?
Corbulo.
Me thinks you should rather wish for a bed then for a
board, for darkness then for lights; yet I must confess you have been
a light woman in your time: but now.
Nurse.
But now? what now, you knave?
Corbulo.
But now I'l go fetch the table and some lights presently.
Enter Numitorius, Horatio, Valerius, Icilius.
Numit.
Some lights to usher in these Gentlemen,
Clear all the roomes without there. Sit, pray sit.
None interrupt our conference.
Enter Virginia.
Ha, whose that?
Nurse.
My most—child, if it please you.
Numitor.
Fair Virginia, you are welcome.
The rest forbear us till we call. Sweet cozen,
our business, and the cause of our discourse
admits you to this Councel. Take your place.
Icilius we are private, now proceed.
Icil.
Then thus; Lord Appius doth intend me wrong,
and under his smooth calmnesse cloaks a tempest,
that will ere long break out in violence
on me and on my fortunes.
Numit.
My good cozen,
you are young, and youth breeds rashness. Can I think
Lord Appius will do wrong, who is all Justice,
the most austere and upright Censurer
that ever sate upon the awful Bench?
Valer.
Icilius, you are neer to me in blood,
and I esteem your safety as mine owne.
If you will needs wage eminence and state,
chuse out a weaker opposite, not one
that in his arm bears all the strength of Rome.
Numit.
Besides Icilius,
know you the danger what it is to scandal
one of his place and sway?
Icil.
I know it kinsmen, yet this popular Greatness
can be no bug-bear to affright mine innocence.
No his smooth crest hath cast a palped film
over Romes eyes. He juggles, a plain Juggler.
Lord Appius is no lesse.
Nay, then Cozen,
you are too harsh, and I must hear no more.
It ill becomes my place and gravity,
to lend a face to such reproachful terms
'gainst one of his high presence.
Icil.
Sit, pray sit,
to see me draw his picture 'fore your eyes,
to make this man seem monstrous, and this god
Rome so adores, a divel, a plain divel.
This Lord, this Judg this Appius, that professeth
to all the world a vestal chastity,
is an incontinent, loose Leacher growne.
Numit.
Fy cozen.
Icil.
Nay 'tis true. Daily and hourely
he tempts this blushing Virgin with large promises,
with melting words and Presents of high rate,
to be the stale to his unchaste desires.
Omnes.
Is't possible?
Icil.
Possible?
'Tis actual Truth, I pray but ask your Neece.
Virg.
Most true, I am extremely tyr'd and wearied
with messages and tokens of his love;
no answer, no repulse will satisfie
the tediousness of his importunate suit.
And whilst I could with modesty and honour,
without the danger of reproach and shame,
I kept it secret from Icilius;
but when I saw their boldness found no limit,
and they from fair intreaty grew to threats,
I told him all.
Icil.
True: understanding which
to him I went.
Valer.
To Appius?
Icil.
To that Gyant,
the high Colossus that bestrides us all;
I went to him.
Horatio.
How did you bear your self?
Icil.
Like Appius, at the first, dissemblingly,
but when I saw the coast clear, all withdrawn,
and none but we two in the Lobby, then
I drew my Poinyard, took him by the throat,
and when he would have clamor'd, threatned death,
unlesse he would with patience hear me out.
Numit.
Did he, Icilius?
I made him that he durst not squeake,
not move an eye, not draw a breath too loud,
nor stir a fingar.
Horatio.
What succeeded then?
Numit.
Keep fast the door there: Sweet Couz not too loud.
What then succeeded?
Icilius.
Why, I told him all,
gave him his due, call'd him lascivious Judge,
(a thousand things which I have now forgot)
shewd him his hand a witnesse 'gainst himself,
and every thing with such known circumstance,
that he might well excuse, but not deny.
Numit.
How parted you?
Icilius.
Why Friends, in outward shew.
But I perceiv'd his heart: that Hypocrite
was born to gull Rome, and deceive us all.
He swore to me quite to abjure her love;
yet ere my self could reach Virginia's chamber,
one was before me with regreets from him,
I know his hand. Th'intent of this our meeting
was to intreat your counsell and advice:
The good old man her Father is from home,
I think it good that she now in his absence
should lodg in secret with some private friend,
where Appius not his Lictors, those blood-hounds
can hunt her out. You are her unkle Sir,
I pray counsell the best.
Numit.
To oppose our selves
now in this heat against so great a man,
might in my judgment to our selves bring danger,
and to my Neece no safety. If we fall
she cannot stand; lets then preserve our selves
until her father be discharg'd the Camp.
Valer.
And good Icilius, for your private ends,
and the dear safety of your friends and kindred,
against that Statist, spare to use your spleen.
Iicil.
I will be sway'd by you. My Lords, 'tis late,
and time to break up conference. Noble Uncle
I am your growing Debtor.
Numit.
Lights without there.
Icil.
I will conduct Virginia to her lodging.
Good night to all at once.
Numit.
The Gods of Rome protect you all, and then
we need not fear the envious rage of men.
Exeunt.
Clodius.
Lictors bestow your selves in some close shops,
about the forum, till you have the sight
of faire Virginia, for I understand
this present morning shee'l come forth to buy
some necessaries at the Sempsters shops:
how ere accompanied be it your care
to sease her at our action. Good my friends,
disperse your selves, and keep a carefull watch.
1.
'Tis strange that Ladies will not pay their debts.
2.
'It were strange indeed, if that our Romane Knights
would give them good example and pay theirs.
1.
The Calender that we Lictors goe by, is all dog dayes.
2.
Right, our common hunt is still to dog unthrifts.
1.
And whats your book of common-prayer?
2.
Faith onely for the increase of riotous young Gentlemen i'th'
countrey, and banquerouts i'th'City.
1.
I know no man more valiant then we are, for wee
back Knights and Gentlemen daily.
2.
Right, we have them by the back hourely: your French flye applied
to the nape of the neck for the French Rheume, is not so sore
a drawer as a Lictor.
1.
Some say that if a little timbred fellow would justle a great logerhead,
let him be sure to lay him i'th'kennell; but when we shoulder
a Knight, or a Knights fellow, we make him more sure, for we kennell
him i'th'counter.
2.
Come, lets about our businesse.
Exeunt.
Enter Virginia, Nurse, and Clowne.
Virg.
You are growne wondrous amorous of late,
why doe you looke back so often?
Clown.
Madam, I goe as a Frenchman tides, all upon one buttock.
Virg.
And what's the reason?
Clown.
Your Ladiship never saw a Monky in all your life time
have a clog at's taile, but hee's still looking back to see what the devil
'tis that followes him.
Nurse.
Very good, we are your clogs then.
Virg.
Your crest is growne regardant; here's the beauty
that makes your eyes forgetfull of their way.
Clow.
Beauty? O the gods! Madam I cannot indure her complexion
Nurse.
Why sir, what's my complexion?
Clow.
Thy complexion is just between a moore & a french woman
Virg.
But she hath a matchlesse eye sir,
Clow.
True, her eyes are not right matches, besides she is a widow
Nurse.
What then, I pray you?
Of all waters I would not have my beefe powder'd with a
widowes teares.
Virg.
Why, I beseech you?
Clow.
O they are too fresh Madam, assure your selfe they will
not last for the death of fourteen husbands above a day and a quarter;
besides, if a man come a wooing to a widow, and invite her to a
banquet contrary to the old rule, she will sooner fill her eye then her
belly. Besides that, if he looke into her estate, first, look you, Here
are foure fingers, first the charge of her husbands funerall, next debts,
and legacies, and lastly the reversion; now take away debts and legacies,
and what remaines for her second husband?
Nurse.
I would some of the Tribe heard you.
Clown.
There's a certaine fish, that as the learned divulge, is call'd
a sharke. Now this fish can never feede while he swims upon's belly,
marry when he lies upon his back, oh he takes it at pleasure.
Virg.
Well sir, about your businesse, make provision
of those things I directed.
Clown.
Sweet Lady, these eyes shall be the clarks of the kitchin for
your belly; but I can assure you Woodcocks will be hard to be spoke
with, for there's a great feast towards.
Virg.
You are very pleasant.
Clown.
And fresh cod is taken down thick and threefold, women
without great bellies goe together by the ears for't, and such a number
of sweet tooth'd ta'ers in the market, not a calves head to be got
for love or money; Muttons mutton now.
Virg.
Why, was it not so ever?
Clown.
No Madam, the sinners i'th'Suburbs had almost tane the
name quite away from't, 'twas so cheap and common: but now 'tis at
a sweet reckoning, the Terme time is the mutton monger in the whole
calender.
Nurse.
Doe your Lawyers eat any sallets with their mutton.
Clow.
Yes, the younger revellers use capers to their mutton, so long
till with their shuffling and cutting some of them be out at heeles
againe. A bountifull minde and a full purse ever attend your Ladiship.
Virg.
O I thank you.
Enter Clodius, and foure Lictors.
Clo.
See, yon's the Lady.
Clown.
I will buy up for your Ladiship all the young cuckoes in
the market.
Virg.
What to doe?
Clown.
O 'tis the most delicatest dish Ile assure you, and newest
in fashion: not a great feast in all Rome without a cuckoe.
Clodi.
Virginia.
Virg.
Sir.
Clodi.
Mistris you doe not know me,
yet we must be acquainted: follow me.
You doe salute me strangely. Follow you.
Clow.
Doe you hear sir, me thinks you have followers enough.
Many Gentlemen that I know, would not have so many tall followers
as you have for the price of ten hunting geldings, I'le assure you.
Clodius.
Come, will you goe?
Virg.
Whither? by what command?
Clodius.
By warrant of these men, and priviledge
I hold even on thy life. Come ye proud dame,
you are not what you seeme.
Virg.
Uncivill sir,
what makes you thus familiar and thus bold?
Unhand me villaine.
Clodius.
What Mistris, to your Lord?
he that can set the rasor to your throate,
and punish you as freely as the gods,
no man to aske the cause? Thou art my slave,
and here I sease what's mine.
Virg.
Ignoble villaine,
I am as free as the best King or Consull
since Romulus. What dost thou meane? Unhand me.
Give notice to my uncle and Icilius,
what violence is offer'd me.
Clodi.
Doe, doe.
Clow.
Doe you presse women for souldiers, or do you beg women,
instead of other commodities, to keep your hands in use? By this light
if thou hast any eares on thy head, as it is a question, I'le make my
Lord pull you out by th'eares, though you take a Castle.
Exit.
Clodius.
Come, will you goe along?
Nurse.
Whither should she goe sir? here's pulling and haling a
poore Gentlewoman.
Clodius.
Hold you your prating reverence, the whip
shall cease on you for your smooth cozenage.
Virg.
Are not you servant to Lord Appius.
Clodius.
How ere I am your Lord, and will approve it
'fore all the Senate.
Virg.
Thou wilt prove thy selfe
the cursed pander for anothers lust,
and this your plot shall burst about your Ears
like thunderbolts.
Clodi.
Hold you that confidence,
first I will sease you by the course of law,
And then I'le talke with you.
Enter Icilius, and Numitorius.
Numit.
How now, faire cozen?
Icilius.
How now, Gentlemen?
you bend your weapons on us?
Lictor.
Sir stand back, we fear a rescue.
Icilius.
There's no need of feare,
where there's no cause of rescue: what's the matter?
Virg.
O my Icilius! Your incredulity
hath quite undone me, I am now no more
Virginius daughter, so this villaine urges;
But publish't for his bondwoman.
Numit.
How's this?
Clodius.
'Tis true my Lord,
and I will take my right by course of Law.
Icilius.
Villaines set her free,
or by the power of all our Romane gods,
Ile give that just revenge unto my rage
which should be given to Justice. Bondwoman?
Clodi.
Sir, we doe not come to fight, wee'le deale
Enter Appius.
By course of Law. My Lord we fear a rescue.
Appius.
A rescue? never fear't, here's none in presence
but civill men. My Lord, I am glad to see you.
Noble Icilius, we shall ever love you.
Now Gentlemen reach your Petitions.
Icilius.
My Lord, my Lord.
App.
Worthy Icilius, if you have any businesse defer't
untill to morrow, or the afternoone,
I shall be proud to pleasure you.
Icilius.
The Fox is earth't, my Lord you cannot winde him yet.
Appius.
Stooles for my noble friends.—I pray you sir.
Clodius.
May it please your Lordship.
App.
Why uncivill sir?
have I not beg'd forbearance of my best
and dearest friends, and must you trouble me?
Clodius.
My Lord, I must be heard, and will be heard,
were all the gods in Parliament, I'de burst
their silence with my importunity,
but they should heare me.
Appius.
The fellow's mad;
we have no leasure now to heare you sir.
Clodius.
Hast now no leasure to heare just complaints?
Resigne thy place O Appius, that some other
may doe me Justice then.
Appius.
Wee'l hear't to morrow.
Clodius.
O my Lord,
Deny me Justice absolutely, rather
Icilius.
Good my Lord hear him,
and wonder when you heare him, that a case
so full of vile Imposture, should desire
to be unfoulded.
Clodius.
I my Lord, 'tis true,
the Imposture is on their parts.
Appius.
Hold your prating.
away with him to prison, clamorous fellow.
Suspect you our uprightnesse?
Clodius.
No my Lord:
but I have mighty Enemies, my Lord,
will overflow my cause. See, here I hold
my bondwoman that brags her selfe to be
descended of a noble family.
My purse is too scant to wage Law with them,
I am inforc't be mine own advocate,
not one will pleade for me. Now if your Lordship
will doe me justice so, if not then know
high hills are safe, when seas poore dales or'eflow.
Appius.
Sirra, I think it fit to let you know,
e're you proceed in this your subtle suite,
what penalty and danger you acrue,
if you be found to double. Here's a virgin
famous by birth, by education noble,
and she forsooth, haply but to draw
some piece of money from her worthy father,
must needs be challeng'd for a bondwoman.
Sirra take heed, and well bethink your selfe,
I'le make you a president to all the world,
if I but finde you tripping.
Clodius.
Doe it freely.
and view on that condition these just proofes.
App.
Is that the Virgins nurse.
Nurse.
Her milch Nurse my Lord, I had a sore hand with her for
a year and a quarter, I have had somewhat to doe with her since too,
for the poore Gentlewoman hath been so troubled with the green
sicknesse.
Icilius.
I pray thee Nurse intreat Sertorius
to come and speak with me.
App.
Here is strange circumstance, view it my Lord,
if he should prove this, it would make Virginius
think he were wronged.
Icilius.
There is a devilish cunning
App.
Icilius and Virginia, pray come near,
compound with this base fellow. You were better
disburse some trifle then to undergo
the question of her freedome.
Icilius.
O my Lord!
she were not worth a handfull of a bribe,
if she did need a bribe.
Appius.
Nay, take your course,
I onely give you my opinion,
I aske no fee for't. Do you know this fellow?
Virginia.
Yes my Lord, he's your servant.
Appius.
Y'are i'th'right:
But will you truly know his character?
he was at first a pettie Notary,
a fellow that being trusted with large summes
of honest Citizens, to be imploy'd
i'th'trade of usury; this Gentleman,
couching his credit like a tilting staffe
most cunningly it brake, and at one course
he ran away with thirty thousand pound,
returning to the City seven year after,
having compounded with his creditors
for the third moity, he buyes an office
belonging to our place, depends on us,
in which the oppression and vile injuries
he hath done poore suters, they have cause to rue,
and I to pity: he hath sold his smiles
for silver, but his promises for gold,
his delayes have undone men.
The plague that in some foulded cloud remaines,
the bright Sun soone disperseth; but observe,
when black infection in some dunghill lies;
there's worke for bells and graves, if it doe rise.
Numitor.
He was an ill prop to your house, my Lord.
Appius.
'Tis true my Lord, but we that have such servants,
are like to Cuccolds that have riotous wives,
we are the last that know it: this is it
makes noblemen suspected to have done ill,
when the oppression lies in their proud followers.
Clod.
My Lord, it was some soothing sicophant,
some base detracting Rascal that hath spread
this falsehood in your ears.
App.
Peace Impudence, did I not yesterday, no longer since
our hand?
Clod.
'Tis true, my Lord.
App.
Being subscribed
unto a Letter fill'd with amorous stuff
unto this Lady?
Clod.
I have askt your pardon,
and gave you reason why I was so bold
to use that forgery.
App.
Did you receive it?
Virg.
I did my Lord, and I can shew your Lordship
a packet of such Letters.
App.
Now by the Gods,
I'l make you rue it. I beseech you Sir,
show them the reason mov'd you counterfeit
our Letter.
Enter Valerius.
Clod.
Sir, I had no other colour
to come to speak with her.
App.
A goodly reason!
Did you until this hour acquaint the Lady
with your intended suit?
Clod.
At several times,
and would have drawn her by some private course
to have compounded for her liberty.
Virg.
Now by a Virgins honour and true birth,
'tis false, my Lord, I never had a dream
so terrible as is this monstrous divel.
App.
Well Sir, referring my particular wrong
to a particular censure, I would know
what is your suit?
Clod.
My Lord, a speedy tryal.
App.
You shall obtain't with all severity,
I will not give you longer time to dream
upon new slights to cloak your forgery.
Observe you this Camelion, my Lords,
Ile make him change his colour presently.
Numit.
My Lord, although th'uprightness of our cause
needs no delayes, yet for the satisfaction
of old Virginius, let him be present
when we shall crave a tryal.
Appius.
Sir it needs not:
Who stands for father of the Innocent,
if not the Judg? Ile save the poor old man
that needless travel.
Virg.
With your favour Sir,
we must intreat some respit in a business
App.
I do protest,
you wrong your selves thus to importune it.
Well, let it be to morrow, I'l not sleep
till I have made this thicket a smooth plain,
and giv'n you your true honor back again.
Icil.
My Lord, the distance 'twixt the Camp and us
cannot be measured in so short a time.
Let us have four dayes respit.
App.
You are unwise;
rumor by that time will have fully spred
the scandal, which being ended in one hour
will turn to air: To morrow is the Tryal,
in the mean time, let all contented thoughts
attend you.
Clod.
My Lord, you deal unjustly
thus to dismiss her; this is that they seek for,
before to morrow they'l convey her hence
where my claim shall not seise her.
App.
Cunning knave,
You would have bond for her appearance? say.
Clod.
I think the motions honest.
App.
Very good.
Icilius shall engage his honoured word
for her appearance.
Clod.
As you please, my Lord,
But it were fitting her old Uncle there
were jointly bound with him.
App.
Well Sir, your pleasure
shall have satiery. You'l take our word
for her appearance; will you not Sir, I pray?
Clod.
Most willingly my Lord.
App.
Then Sir you have it,
and i'th'mean time I'l take the honoured Lady
into my guardianship, and by my life,
I'l use her in all kindness as my wife.
Icil.
Now by the Gods you shall not.
App.
Shall not, what?
Icil.
Not use her as your wife Sir.
App.
O my Lord, I spake it from my heart.
Icil.
I very likely.
She is a Virgin Sir, and must not lye
under a mans forth coming; do you mark?
not under your forth coming, leacherous Appius.
Mistake me not, my Lord. Our Secretary,
Take bonds for the appearance of this Lady.
And now to you sir, you that were my servant,
I here casheire you; never shalt thou shrowde
thy villanies under our noble roofe,
nor scape the whip, or the fell hangmans hook
by warrant of our favour.
Clod.
So my Lord,
I am more free to serve the Gods, I hope,
now I have lost your service.
App.
Harke you sirra,
who shall give bonds for your appearance, ha?
to justifie your claim?
Clod.
I have none, my Lord.
App.
Away, commit him prisoner to his chamber:
I'le keep you safe from starting.
Clod.
Why my Lord?
App.
Away, I wil not hear you.
A Judges heart here in the midst must stand,
and move not a haires bredth to either hand.
Exit.
Numit.
O were thy heart but of the self same piece
thy tongue is, Appius; how blest were Rome!
Icil.
Post to the campe Sertorius, thou hast heard
th'effect of all, relate it to Virginius.
I pray thee use thy ablest horsemanship,
for it concerns us near.
Serto.
I goe my Lord.
Exit.
Icil.
Sure all this is damn'd cunning.
Virg.
O my Lord,
seamen in tempests shun the flattering shore,
to bear full sails upon't were danger more.
So men o're born with greatness stil hold dread,
false seeming friends that on their bosomes spread:
for this is a safe truth which never varies,
He that strikes all his failes seldome miscarries.
Icil.
Must we be slaves both to a tyrants will,
and confounding ignorance at once?
Where are we, in a mist, or is this hell?
I have seen as great as the proud Judge have fell:
the bending Willow yeilding to each wind,
shall keep his rooting firme, when the proud Oak
braving the storme, prefuming on his root,
shall have his body rent from head to foote;
Let us expect the worst that may befal,
and with a noble confidence beare all.
Exeunt.
App.
Here, bear this packet to Minutius,
and privately deliver't, make as much speed
as if thy father were deceas'd i'th'Camp,
and that thou went'st to take th'Administration
of what he left thee. Fly.
Serv.
I go my Lord.
Exit.
App.
O my trusty Clodius.
Clod.
My dear Lord,
let me adore your divine policy.
You have poison'd them with sweet meats, you have my Lord.
But what contain those Letters?
App.
Much importance.
Minutius is commanded by that packet
to hold Virginius prisoner in the Camp
on some suspect of Treason.
Clod.
But my Lord, how will you answer this?
App.
Tush, any fault
or shadow of a Crime will be sufficient
for his committing: thus when he is absent
we shall in a more calm and friendly sea,
sail to our purpose.
Clod.
Mercury himself
could not direct more safely.
App.
O my Clodius,
Observe this rule, one ill must cure another;
as Aconitum a strong poison, brings
a present cure against all Serpents stings.
In high attempts, the soul hath infinite eyes,
and 'tis necessity makes men most wise.
Should I miscarry in this desperate plot,
this of my fate in after times be spoken,
I'l break that with my weight on which I am broken.
Exeunt.
Enter Two Serving men at one door, at the other Corbulo the Clowne melancholy.
1 Serving.
Why how now Corbulo? thou wast not wont to be of
this sad temper. What's the matter now?
Corb.
Times change, and seasons alter, some men are born to the
Bench, and some to the halter. What do you think now that I am?
1. Serving.
I think thee to be Virginia's man, and Corbulo.
Corb.
No, no such matter: ghess again, tell me but what I am,
or what manner of fellow you imagine me to be?
1. Serving.
I take thee to be an honest good fellow.
Wide of the bow hand stil: Corbulo is no such man.
2. Serving.
What art thou then?
Corb.
Listen, and I'l describe my self to you: I am something
better then a Knave, and yet come short of being an honest man;
and though I can sing a treble, yet am accounted but as one of the
base, being indeed, and as the case stands with me at this present, inferiour
to a rogue, and three degrees worse then a Rascal.
1. Serving.
How comes this to passe?
Corb.
Only by my services successe. Take heed whom you serve.
Oh you serving Creatures; for this is all I have got by serving my Lady
Virginia.
2. Serving.
Why, what of her?
Corb.
She is not the woman you take her to be; for though she
have borrowed no money, yet she is entered into bonds; and though
you may think her a woman not sufficient, yet 'tis very like her bond
will be taken. The truth is, she is challenged to be a bond woman; now
if she be a bond woman and a slave, and I her servant and Vassal,
what did you take me to be? I am an Ant, a Gnat, a worm, a Woodcock
amongst birds, a Hodmondod amongst flies, amongst Curs a
trindle tale and amongst fishes a poor Iper; but amongst Serving men
worse, worse then the mans man to the under Yeomen Fewterer.
1. Serving.
But is it possible, thy Lady is challenged to be a slave?
What witness have they?
Corb.
Witness these Fountains, these Flood gates, these Wellsprings:
the poor Gentlewoman was Arrested in the open Marker;
I offered, I offered to bail her, but (though she was) I could not be
taken. The grief hath gone so near my heart, that until I be made
free, I shall never be mine own man. The Lord Appius hath committed
her to Ward, and it is thought she shall neither lye on the
Knight side, nor in the Troping Ward, for if he may have his will of
her, he means to put her in the Hole. His Warrant hath been out
for her, but how the case stands with him, or how matters will be
taken up with her, 'tis yet uncertain.
2. Serving.
When shall the Tryal be?
Corb.
I take it to be as soon as the morning is brought a bed of a
new son and Heir.
2. Serving.
And vvhen is that?
Corb.
Why to morrovv, for every morning you knovv brings
forth a nevv sun, but they are all short liv'd, for every night shee
drovvns them in the Western sea. But to leave these Ænigmaes, as
too high for your dull apprehensions. Shall I see you at the Tryal to
morrow?
1. Serving.
By Joues help I'l be there.
And I, if I live.
Corb.
And I, if I dye for't: Here's my hand I'l meet you. It is
thought my old master will be there at the Bar; for though all the
timber of his house yet stand, yet my Lord Numitorius hath sent
one of his Posts to the Camp to bid him spur cut and come to the sentence.
Oh we have a house at home as heavy as if it were covered
with lead. But you will remember to be there.
1. Serving.
And not to fail.
Corb.
If I chance to meet you there, and that the Case go against us,
I will give you a quart, not of Wine, but of Tears; for instead of a
new Role, I purpose to break my Fast with sops of sorrow.
| Appius and Virginia, Acted at the Dukes Theater under the name of The Roman Virgin or Unjust Judge | |