John. Ay, with spoons as soon. Dost thou think The devil such an ass as people make him? Such a poor coxcomb? such a penny foot-post? Compell'd with cross and pile to run of errands? With Asteroth, and Behemoth, and Belfagor? Why should he shake at sounds, that lives in a smith's forge? Or, if he do Fred. Without all doubt he does, John. John. Why should not bilbo raise him, or a pair of bullions?' They go as big as any; or an unshod car, These make as fell a noise. Methinks the cholic, Fred. 'Tis the virtue John. The virtue? nay, an goodness fetch him up once, He has lost a friend of me; the wise old gentleman Knows when, and how. I'll lay this hand to twopence, Let all the conjurers in Christendom, With all their spells and virtues, call upon him, And I but think upon a wench, and follow it, Bullions.] This word occurs in Beggars' Bush, and there appears to mean buttons, (vol. II. p. 194.) It seems here to signify round balls or bullets.-Ed. 1778. Perhaps it is a cant corruption of bullets. Or an unshod car, When he goes tumble, tumble, o'er the stones, Like Anacreon's drunken verses, make us tremble?] A sugges tion of Mason's has been adopted here, as the whole context proves its propriety, Don John alluding throughout to the devil's being frighted and compelled by the conjurations of Vecchio. Heshall be sooner mine than theirs: Where's Virtue? Fred. Thou art the most sufficient,3 (I'll say for thee) Not to believe a thing John. Oh, sir, slow credit Is the best child of knowledge. I'll go Fred. Let's inquire along; For certain we are not far off. John. Nor much nearer. with you; [Exeunt. SCENE III. A Room in Vecchio's House. Enter Duke, PETRUCCIO, and VECCHIO. Vec. You lost her yester-night. Petr. How think you, sir? Duke. Is your name, Vecchio? Vec. Yes, sir. Duke. And you can shew me These things you promise? Vec. Your grace's word bound to me, No hand of law shall seize me. Duke. As I live, sir! Petr. And as I live, that can do something too, sir! Vec. I take your promises. Stay here a little, Till I prepare some ceremonies, and I'll satisfy ye. The lady's name's Constantia ? 3 Sufficient.] We should now saySelf-sufficient. Petr. Yes. [Exit. Vec. I come straight. Duke. Sure he's a learned man.* Petr. The most now living. Did your grace mark, when we told all these cir cumstances, How ever and anon he bolted from To use his study's help? Duke. Now I think rather To talk with some familiar. For sure he has 'em subject. Duke. How could he else us, Tell when she went, and who went with her? Duke. Or hit upon mine honour?5 or assure me, The lady loved me dearly? Enter VECCHIO, in his magical Habiliments. Petr. 'Twas so. Vec. Now, I do beseech your grace, sit down; and you, sir: Nay, pray sit close, like brothers. • Sure, he's a learned man.] The ridiculous absurdity of believing in conjurers and witches is finely exposed both here and in Rollo; yet it is but a few years since our whole legislature have freed themselves from the imputation of this absurd belief, and it is to this day far from being worn out of the minds of the vulgar. -Seward. It may, however, be observed, that at the time the Duke of Buckingham undertook to re-write the two last acts, the belief in magic was so far rooted out from the minds of the higher ranks, that he judged it expedient to omit the character of Vecchio altogether. Among the lower ranks a certain belief in conjurations will most probably obtain to the end of time. 5 Upon mine honour.] Meaning here, my rank and title.-Ed. 1778. Petr. A rare fellow! Vec. And what ye see, stir not at, nor use a word, Until I ask you; for what shall appear Is but weak apparition, and thin air, Not to be held, nor spoken to. [Knocking within. Duke. We are counsell'd. Vec. What noise is that without there? Fred. [Within.] We must speak with him! John. [Within. That's all one, friend; We must and will speak with him. Duke. Let 'em in, sir: We know their tongues and business; 'tis our own, And in this very cause that we now come for, They also come to be instructed. Vec. Let 'em in then. Enter FREDERIC, JOHN, and Servant. Sit down; I know your meaning. But make your eyes your tongues. Neither indent before-hand for his payment, Nor know the breadth o' th' business? Sure his devil Comes out of Lapland, where they sell men winds For dead drink and old doublets. Fred. Peace; he conjures. John. Let him; he cannot raise my devil. Fred. Pr'ythee peace! Vec. Appear, appear! And you soft winds so clear, That dance upon the leaves, and make them sing With your verdure, as ye blow, Raise these forms from under ground, [Soft music. John. This is an honest conjurer, and a pretty poet: I like his words well; there's no bombast in 'em. But do you think now he can cudgel up the devil With this short staff of verses? Fred. Peace! the spirits. [Two shapes of Women passing by. John. Nay, an they be no worse Vec. Do you know these faces? Duke. No. Vec. Sit still upon your lives then, and mark what follows. Away, away! John. These devils do not paint sure? Have they no sweeter shapes in hell ? Fred. Hark now, John. Enter CONSTANTIA veiled. John. Ay, marry, this moves something like; this devil Carries some mettle in her gait. Vec. I find you; You would see her face unveil'd? Duke. Yes. Vec. Be uncover'd. Duke. Oh, Heaven! Vec. Peace! Petr. See how she blushes. John. Frederic, [She unveils. |