Act 2 — Scene IV. [1627]

Volp. O, I am wounded! Mos. Where, sir? Volp. Not without; Those blows were nothing: I could bear them ever. But angry Cupid, bolting from her eyes, Hath shot himself into me like a flame; Where now he flings about his burning heat,5 As in a furnaces an ambitious fire Whose vent is stopt. The fight is all within me. I cannot live, except thou help me, Mosca; My liver melts, and I, without the hope Of some soft air from her refreshing breath,10 Am but a heap of cinders. Mos. ’Las, good sir, Would you had never seen her! Volp. Nay, would thou Hadst never told me of her! Mos. Sir, ’t is true; I do confess I was unfortunate, And you unhappy; but I ’m bound in conscience,15 No less than duty, to effect my best To your release of torment, and I will, sir. Volp. Dear Mosca, shall I hope? Mos. Sir, more than dear, I will not bid you to despair of aught Within a human compass. Volp. O, there spoke20 My better angel. Mosca, take my keys, Gold, plate, and jewels, all ’s at thy devotion; Employ them how thou wilt: nay, coin me too: So thou in this but crown my longings, Mosca. Mos. Use but your patience. Volp. So I have. Mos. I doubt not,25 To bring success to your desires. Volp. Nay, then, I not repent me of my late disguise. Mos. If you can horn him, sir, you need not. Volp. True: Besides, I never meant him for my heir. Is not the colour o’ my beard and eyebrows30 To make me known? Mos. No jot. Volp. I did it well. Mos. So well, would I could follow you in mine, With half the happiness! and yet I would Escape your epilogue.[1628] Volp. But were they gull’d With a belief that I was Scoto? Mos. Sir,35 Scoto himself could hardly have distinguish’d! I have not time to flatter you now; we ’ll part: And as I prosper, so applaud my art. [Exeunt.]