Scene 2.2

J

Fvluia, good wench, how dost thou?

I

Well, Sempronia,

Whither are you thus early addrest?

J

To see

Aurelia Orestilla. She sent for me.

I came to call thee, with me; wilt thou goe?

I

I cannot now, in troth, I have some letters To write, and send away.

J

Alas, I pitty thee.

I have bene writing all this night, (and am So very weary) vnto all the Tribes, And Centuries, for their voyces, to helpe Catiline, In his election. We shall make him Consul I hope, amongst us. Crassus, I, and Cæsar Will carry it for him.

I

Does he stand for it?

J

He is the chiefe Candidate.

I

Who stands beside?

Give me some wine, and poulder for my teeth.

J

Here is a good pearle in troth.

I

A prettie one.

J

A very orient one. There are Competitors,

Caius Antonius, Publius Galba, Lucius Cassius Longinus, Quinius Cornificius, Caius Licinius, and that talker, Cicero.

But Catiline, and Antonius will be chosen.

For foure of the other, Licinius, Longinus, Galba, and Cornificius will give way.

And Cicero they will not choose.

I

No? Why?

J

It will be cross'd, by the Nobility.

K

How she does vnderstand the common busines!

J

Nor, were it fit. He is but a new fellow, An In-mate here in Rome (as Catiline calls him) And, the Patricians should do very ill, To let the Consul-ship be so defil'd As it would be, if he obtain'd it? A meere upstarr, That has no pedigree, no house, no coate, No ensignes of a family?

I

He has vertue.

J

Hang vertue, where there is no blood: it is vice And, in him, sawcinesse. Why should he presume To be more learned, or more eloquent, Then the Nobility? or boast any quality Worthie a Noble man, himselfe not noble?

I

It was vertue onely, at first, made all men noble.

J

I yeeld you, it might, at first, in Romes poore age; When both her Kings, and Consuls held the plough, Or garden'd well: But, now, we have no need, To digge, or loose our sweat for it. We have wealth, Fortune and ease, and then their stocke, to spend on,

Of Name, for Vertue, which will beare us out

'Gainst all new commers: and can neuer faile us, While the succession stayes. And, we must glorifie, A Mushrome? one of yesterday? a fine speaker?

'Cause he has suck'd at Athens? and aduance him, To our owne losse? No Fuluia. There are they Can speake Greeke too, if need were, Cæsar and I Have sate upon him; so hath Crassus, too; And others. We have all decreed his rest, For rising farder.

K

Excellent rare Lady!

I

Sempronia, you are beholden to my woman, here, She does admire you.

J

O good Galla, how dost thou?

K

The better, for your learned Ladiship.

J

Is this grey poulder, a good Dentifrice?

I

You see I vse it.

J

I have one is whiter.

I

It may be so.

J

Yet this smells well.

K

And clenses

Very well Madam, and resists the crudities.

J

Fuluia, I pray thee, who comes to thee, now?

Which of our great Patricians?

I

Faith, I keepe

No Catalogue of them. Sometimes I have one, Sometimes another, as the toy takes their blouds.

J

Thou hast them all. Faith, when was Quintus Curius, Thy speciall seruant, here?

I

My speciall seruant?

J

Yes, thy Idolater, I call him.

I

He may be yours,

If you do like him.

J

How!

I

He comes, not, here,

I have forbid him, hence.

J

Venus forbid!

I

Why?

J

Your so constant Louer.

I

So much the rather.

I would have change. So would you too, I am sure.

And now, you may have him.

J

He is fresh yet, Fuluia:

Beware, how you do tempt me.

I

Faith, for me,

He is somewhat too fresh, indeed. The salt is gone, That gaue him season. His good gifts are done.

He does not yeeld the crop that he was wont.

And, for the act, I can have secret fellowes, With backs worth ten of him, and shall please me

(Now that the Land is fled) a myriade better.

J

And those one may command.

I

It is true, These Lordings,

Your noble Faunes, they are so imperious, saucy, Rude, and as boystrous as Centaures; leaping A Ladie, at first sight.

J

And must be borne

Both with, and out, they think.

I

Tut, I will obserue

None of them all: nor humor them a iot Longer, then they come laden in the hand, And say, here is the one, for the tother.

J

Does Cæsar give well?

I

They shall all give, and pay well, that come here If they will have it: and that iewels, pearle, Plate, or round summes, to buy these. I am not taken With a Cob-Swan, or a high-mounting Bull, As foolish Leda, and Europa were, But the bright gold, with Danae. For such price, I would endure, a rough, harsh Iupiter, Or ten such thundring Gamsters, and refraine To laugh at them, till they are gone, with my much suffring.

J

Thou art a most happy wench, that thus canst make Vse of thy youth, and freshnesse, in the season: And hast it to make vse of.

I

(Which is the happinesse.)

J

I am, now, faine to give to them, and keepe Musique, and a continuall table, to invuite them;

I

Yes, and they studie your kitchin, more then you: J

Eate my selfe out with vsury, and my Lord, too, And all my officers, and friends beside, To procure moneyes, for the needfull charge I must be at, to have them: And, yet, scarce Can I atchieue them, so.

I

Why, that is because

You affect yong faces onely, and smooth chinnes, Sempronia. If you would loue beards, and bristles, (One with another, as others do) or wrinkles ~~

Who is that? Looke Galla.

K

It is the partie, Madame.

I

What party? Has he no name?

K

It is Quintus Curius;

I

Did I not bid them, say, I kept my chamber?

K

Why, so they do.

J

I will leaue you, Fuluia.

I

Nay, good Sempronia, stay.

J

In faith, I will not.

I

By Iuno, I would not see him.

J

I will not hinder you.

K

You know, he will not be kept out, Madam.

J

No,

Nor shall not, carefull Galla, by my meanes.

I

As I do liue, Sempronia.

J

What needs this?

I

Go, say, I am asleepe, and ill at ease.

J

By Castor, no; I will tell him, you are awake; And very well. Stay Galla. Farewell Fuluia: I know my manners. Why do you labour, thus, With action, against purpose? Quintus Curius, She is, yfaith, here, and in disposition: I

Spight, with your courtesie. How shall I be tortur'd!