VOLT: Grave fathers, No more than his good patron, old Volpone.

4 AVOC: Why, he is dead.

VOLT: O no, my honour'd fathers, He lives-

1 AVOC: How! lives?

VOLT: Lives.

2 AVOC: This is subtler yet!

3 AVOC: You said he was dead.

VOLT: Never.

3 AVOC: You said so.

CORV: I heard so.

4 AVOC: Here comes the gentleman; make him way.

[ENTER MOSCA.]

3 AVOC: A stool.

4 AVOC [ASIDE.]: A proper man; and, were Volpone dead, A fit match for my daughter.

3 AVOC: Give him way.

VOLP [ASIDE TO MOSCA.]: Mosca, I was almost lost, the advocate Had betrayed all; but now it is recovered; All's on the hinge again-Say, I am living.

MOS: What busy knave is this!-Most reverend fathers, I sooner had attended your grave pleasures, But that my order for the funeral Of my dear patron, did require me-

VOLP [ASIDE.]: Mosca!

MOS: Whom I intend to bury like a gentleman.

VOLP [ASIDE.]: Ay, quick, and cozen me of all.

2 AVOC: Still stranger!

More intricate!

1 AVOC: And come about again!

4 AVOC [ASIDE.]: It is a match, my daughter is bestow'd.

MOS [ASIDE TO VOLP.]: Will you give me half?

VOLP: First, I'll be hang'd.

MOS: I know, Your voice is good, cry not so loud.

1 AVOC: Demand The advocate.-Sir, did not you affirm, Volpone was alive?

VOLP: Yes, and he is; This gentleman told me so.

[ASIDE TO VOLP.]

-Thou shalt have half.-

MOS: Whose drunkard is this same? speak, some that know him: I never saw his face.

[ASIDE TO VOLP.]

-I cannot now Afford it you so cheap.

VOLP: No!

1 AVOC: What say you?

VOLT: The officer told me.

VOLP: I did, grave fathers, And will maintain he lives, with mine own life.

And that this creature [POINTS TO MOSCA.] told me.

[ASIDE.]

-I was born, With all good stars my enemies.

MOS: Most grave fathers, If such an insolence as this must pa.s.s Upon me, I am silent: 'twas not this For which you sent, I hope.

2 AVOC: Take him away.

VOLP: Mosca!

3 AVOC: Let him be whipt.

VOLP: Wilt thou betray me?

Cozen me?

3 AVOC: And taught to bear himself Toward a person of his rank.

4 AVOC: Away.

[THE OFFICERS SEIZE VOLPONE.]

MOS: I humbly thank your fatherhoods.

VOLP [ASIDE.]: Soft, soft: Whipt!

And lose all that I have! If I confess, It cannot be much more.

4 AVOC: Sir, are you married?

VOLP: They will be allied anon; I must be resolute: The Fox shall here uncase.

[THROWS OFF HIS DISGUISE.]