Act 5 — Scene VI.[1730]

Corb. They say the court is set. Corv. We must maintain Our first tale good, for both our reputations. Corb. Why, mine ’s no tale. my son would there have kill’d me. Corv. That ’s true, I had forgot:—mine is, I ’m sure. But for your will, sir. Corb. Ay, I ’ll come upon him5 For that hereafter, now his patron ’s dead.

Volp. Signior Corvino! and Corbaccio! sir, Much joy unto you. Corv. Of what? Volp. The sudden good Dropt down upon you—— Corb. Where? Volp. And none knows how, From old Volpone, sir. Corb. Out, arrant knave!10 Volp. Let not your too much wealth, sir, make you furious. Corb. Away, thou varlet. Volp. Why, sir? Corb. Dost thou mock me? Volp. You mock the world, sir; did you not change wills? Corb. Out, harlot! Volp. O! belike you are the man, Signior Corvino? Faith, you carry it well;15 You grow not mad withal; I love your spirit: You are not over-leaven’d with your fortune. You should ha’ some would swell now, like a wine-fat, With such an autumn.—Did he gi’ you all, sir? Corb. Avoid, you rascal! Volp. Troth, your wife has shown20 Herself a very woman; but you are well, You need not care, you have a good estate, To bear it out, sir, better by this chance: Except Corbaccio have a share. Corb. Hence, varlet. Volp. You will not be acknown, sir; why, ’t is wise.25 Thus do all gamesters, at all games, dissemble: No man will seem to win. [Exeunt Corvino and Corbaccio.] Here comes my vulture, Heaving his beak up i’ the air, and snuffing.