POLEMICI

We Courtiers Beneventi Can talk, but seldom fight. Had you been There Beneventi, 'twould have made your linen Soon want perfuming. You take your servants partly. The Maidenheads you purchased in our absence! Many a Suburb agent is enriched by't; Though to the lose of your own state and conscience: Ingeniously confess your chief employment. While we Soldiers After a tedious match, are forced to make The earth our bed without a Pillow, sheets, Or silver warming-pan; start from our sleep At every found the airs light motion makes, Thinking it and alarm: Return from fight Smeared over with blood and sweat, and savourly Take the refreshment of a troubled water; Whose muddy streams our Horses would scarce taste But for necessity: fast till our guts Contract themselves so close they will scarce hold The full digestion of one Lark. You have instructed me, Dissemble first and imitation Of the Dukes virtues; feed high, and be lazy; Next lecherous: is't not so? In the last School We shall outstrip you Courtiers; for observe If any one of you should rival us, And dare to intercept our pleasures, we Can beat you Beneventi, mark me, beat you; And sure the Duke would give us pensions for it, To keep your Goat-ships honest. These Madam are Bounties above them. Not as you do, Like Children; play with them. That I believe you use. There's much. As much as is betwixt A good sword and a Fiddlestick. That unto my self I best know how to use. The Ladies eyes have shot some wanton fire Into his heart: my Lord. They are the same Safe Closets you have trusted. We should not sure unless It made you proud. Why what disloyal devil Hath put these thoughts into you? have we saved Our throats from cutting by the enemy To feel the Hangmans Axe? why how dare you Cherish such vain ambition? if you should Marry the Duchess, she must have no son first: And then it's doubtful whither the election Will be conferred on you. There are more worthies That hold as good opinion in the state. I never studied Your Genealogy so much, to find How there might be relation; if there's any Let it appear. Notho! he's in the presence. I scarce think He'll own you when he's Duke: Vittorio, What thinkest thou of this riddle? He begins To form himself fit for't: he takes survey Of all that he supposeth shortly must Bow to his humour: tell's me he'll new mould The State, and we shall be advanced. I do not Like such raising; let's be honest; And though we cannot make a full discovery Of this so close and intricate proceeding, We'll intimate some fears that may betray him To jealousy and care; that watchful eyes Observing him; if ought should be attempted, It may be stifled by prevention in the first birth. Yes, I would preserve him. But chiefly from the dangers incident To such a vain ambition, into which He's flattered by his father but upon What ground, I do not think the devil owns A perfect knowledge: Sure he cannot think There's power in his success to make him popular, And lead the multitude in their disorder To wish and innovation first, then practice it. But where's the testimony? Hell on these dark devises. Well, let's be Like valiant Soldiers in the Rear, that dare Go on, while the front stands to be their bulwark: But breaches made therein to show them danger, In flight they put their safety. Let's observe, And add more to our knowledge; then resolve: He that pursues and act that is attended With doubtful issues, for the means had needs Of policy and force to make it speed. Exeunt. My information sir was truth. There is More mystery to be unfolded yet; Times daughter will appear, although she blush To show her nakedness. 5 Scene. Enter Fidelio and Cardente.