and I
Suck’d out thus much of his words, that I made him say plainly,
He was come hither to know the state of the city;
And not only this, but that he would understand
The state of Dionysius’ court and of the whole land.
Which words when I heard, I desired him to stay,
Till I had done a little business of the way.
Promising him to return again quickly; and so did convey
Myself to the court for Snap the tipstaff, which came and upsnatched him,
Brought him to the court, and in the porter’s lodge dispatched him,
After I ran to Dionysius, as fast as I could,
And bewrayed this matter to him, which I have you told;
Which thing when he heard, being very merry before,
He suddenly fell in dump, and foaming like a boar,
At last he swore in great rage, that he should die
By the sword or the wheel, and that very shortly.
I am too shamefast: for my travail and toil
I crave nothing of Dionysius, but only his spoil:
Little hath he about him, but a few motheaten crowns of gold,
Cha pouch’d them up already, they are sure in hold:
And now I go into the city, to say sooth,
To see what he hath at his lodging to make up my mouth.[54]
Aristippus. My Carisophus, you have done good service, But what is the spy’s name?
Carisophus. He is called Damon, born in Greece, from whence lately he came.
Aristippus. By my troth, I will go see him, and speak with him too, if I may.
Carisophus. Do so, I pray you; but yet by the way,
As occasion serveth, commend my service to the king.
Aristippus. Dictum sapienti sat est: friend Carisophus, shall I forget that thing?
No, I warrant you: though I say little to your face,
I will lay on with my mouth for you to Dionysius,[55] when I am in place.
[Aside] If I speak one word for such a knave, hang me.
[Exit.
Carisophus. Our fine philosopher, our trim learned elf,
Is gone to see as false a spy as himself.
Damon smatters as well as he of crafty philosophy,
And can turn cat in the pan[56] very prettily:
But Carisophus hath given him such a mighty check,
As I think in the end will break his neck.
What care I for that? why would[57] he then pry,
And learn the secret estate of our country and city?
He is but a stranger, by his fall let others be wise,
I care not who fall, so that I may rise.
As for fine Aristippus, I will keep in with him,
He is a shrewd fool to deal withal, he can swim;
And yet by my troth, to speak my conscience plainly,
I will use his friendship to mine own commodity.[58]
While Dionysius favoureth him, Aristippus shall be mine;
But if the king once frown on him, then good night, Tomalin:
He shall be as strange, as though I never saw him before.
But I tarry too long, I will prate no more.
Jack, come away.
Jack. At hand, sir.
Carisophus. At Damon’s lodging, if that you see
Any stir to arise, be still at hand by me:
Rather than I will lose the spoil, I will blade[59] it out.
[Exeunt.
Here entereth Pithias and Stephano.
Pithias. What strange news are these! ah, my Stephano,
Is my Damon in prison, as the voice doth go?
Stephano. It is true, O cruel hap! he is taken for a spy,
And as they say, by Dionysius’ own mouth condemned to die.
Pithias. To die! Alas! For what cause?
Stephano. A sycophant falsely accused him: other cause there is none.
But, O Jupiter, of all wrongs the revenger,
Seest thou this unjustice, and wilt thou stay any longer
From heaven to send down thy hot consuming fire,
To destroy the workers of wrong, which provoke thy just ire?
Alas! Master Pithias, what shall we do,
Being in a strange country, void of friends and acquaintance too?
Ah, poor Stephano, hast thou lived to see this day,
To see thy true master unjustly made away?
Pithias. Stephano, seeing the matter is come to this extremity,
Let us make virtue our friend of mere necessity.
Run thou to the court, and understand secretly
As much as thou canst of Damon’s cause, and I
Will make some means to entreat Aristippus:
He can do much, as I hear, with King Dionysius.
Stephano. I am gone, sir. Ah, I would to God my travail and pain
Might restore my master to his liberty again!
Pithias. Ah woful Pithias! sith now I am alone,
What way shall I first begin to make my moan?
What words shall I find apt for my complaint?
