Act 5 — Scene VII.[1731]

Volt. Outstript thus, by a parasite! a slave, Would run on errands, and make legs for crumbs! Well, what I’ll do—— Volp. The court stays for your worship. I e’en rejoice, sir, at your worship’s happiness, And that it fell into so learned hands,5 That understand the fing’ring—— Volt. What do you mean? Volp. I mean to be a suitor to your worship, For the small tenement, out of reparations,[1732] That, at the end of your long row of houses, By the Piscaria: it was, in Volpone’s time,10 Your predecessor, ere he grew diseas’d, A handsome, pretty, custom’d[1733] hawdy-house As any was in Venice, none disprais’d; But fell with him: his body and that house Decay’d together. Volt. Come, sir, leave your prating.15 Volp. Why, if your worship give me but your hand That I may ha’ the refusal, I have done. ’T is a mere toy to you, sir; candle-rents; As your learn’d worship knows—— Volt. What do I know? Volp. Marry, no end of your wealth, sir; God decrease it!20 Volt. Mistaking knave! what, mock’st thou my misfortune? [Exit.] Volt. His blessing on your heart, sir; would ’t were more!—— Now to my first again, at the next corner. [Exit.]