PIS. He will expect you, sir, within this half hour.
THO. Why, what's a clock?
PIS. New stricken ten.
THO. Hath he the money ready, can you tell?
PIS. Yes, sir, Baptista brought it yesternight.
THO. Oh, that's well: fetch me my cloak.
[EXIT PISO.
Stay, let me see; an hour to go and come, Ay, that will be the least: and then 'twill be An hour before I can dispatch with him;Or very near: well, I will say two hours;Two hours? ha! things never dreamt of yet May be contrived, ay, and effected too, In two hours' absence: well, I will not go.
Two hours; no, fleering opportunity, I will not give your treachery that scope.
Who will not judge him worthy to be robb'd, That sets his doors wide open to a thief, And shews the felon where his treasure lies?
Again, what earthy spirit but will attempt To taste the fruit of beauty's golden tree, When leaden sleep seals up the dragon's eyes?
Oh, beauty is a project of some power, Chiefly when opportunity attends her:
She will infuse true motion in a stone, Put glowing fire in an icy soul, Stuff peasants' bosoms with proud Caesar's spleen, Pour rich device into an empty brain:
Bring youth to folly's gate: there train him in, And after all, extenuate his sin.
Well, I will not go, I am resolved for that.
Go, carry it again: yet stay: yet do too, I will defer it till some other time.
[ENTER PISO.
PIS. Sir. Signior Platano will meet you there with the bond.
THO. That's true: by Jesu, I had clean forgot it.
I must go, what's a clock?
PIS. Past ten, sir.
THO. 'Heart, then will Prospero presently be here too, With one or other of his loose consorts.
I am a Jew if I know what to say, What course to take, or which way to resolve.
My brain (methinks) is like an hour-glass, And my imaginations like the sands Run dribbling forth to fill the mouth of time, Still changed with turning in the ventricle.
What were I best to do? it shall be so.
Nay, I dare build upon his secrecy. Piso.
PIS. Sir.
THO. Yet now I have bethought me too, I will not.
Is Cob within?
PIS. I think he be, sir.
THO. But he'll prate too, there's no talk of him.
No, there were no course upon the earth to this, If I durst trust him; tut, I were secure, But there's the question now, if he should prove, 'Rimarum plenus', then, 'sblood, I were rook'd.
The state that he hath stood in till this present Doth promise no such change: what should I fear then?
Well, come what will, I'll tempt my fortune once.
Piso, thou mayest deceive me, but I think thou lovest me, Piso.
PIS. Sir, if a servant's zeal and humble duty may be term'd love, you are possest of it.
THO. I have a matter to impart to thee, but thou must be secret, Piso.
PIS. Sir, for that --THO. Nay, hear me, man; think I esteem thee well, To let thee in thus to my private thoughts;Piso, it is a thing sits nearer to my crest, Than thou art 'ware of; if thou should'st reveal it --PIS. Reveal it, sir?
THO. Nay, I do not think thou would'st, but if thou should'st --PIS. Sir, then I were a villain:
Disclaim in me for ever if I do.
THO. He will not swear: he has some meaning, sure, Else (being urged so much) how should he choose, But lend an oath to all this protestation?
He is no puritan, that I am certain of.
What should I think of it? urge him again, And in some other form: I will do so.
Well, Piso, thou has sworn not to disclose; ay, you did swear?
PIS. Not yet, sir, but I will, so please you.
THO. Nay, I dare take thy word.
But if thou wilt swear, do as you think good, I am resolved without such circumstance.
PIS. By my soul's safety, sir, I here protest, My tongue shall ne'er take knowledge of a word Deliver'd me in compass of your trust.
THO. Enough, enough, these ceremonies need not, I know thy faith to be as firm as brass.
Piso, come hither: nay, we must be close In managing these actions: So it is, (Now he has sworn I dare the safelier speak;)I have of late by divers observations --But, whether his oath be lawful, yea, or no? ha!
I will ask counsel ere I do proceed:
Piso, it will be now too long to stay, We'll spy some fitter time soon, or to-morrow.
PIS. At your pleasure, sir.
THO. I pray you search the books 'gainst I return For the receipts 'twixt me and Platano.
PIS. I will, sir.
