Echo my lord, and lick away a moth :' 9 Echo my lord, and lick away a moth :] This, as Upton affectedly observes, is an allusion "to such officious kind of parasites, as are called in Low Dutch pluyme-strücker, qui plumas pilosque ex vestibus assentatoriè legit." All this learning is from Minshieu Jonson, however, did not go to Holland for his flatterer, but to Attica, a country with which he was much better acquainted: Απο τε ἱματις αφέλειν κροκίδα και εαν τι προς το τρίχωμα της κεφαλής απο πνευματος προσενεχθη αχυρον καρφολογησαι. Theo. phras. περι κολακείας. Hall has the same allusion: “But some one, like a claw-backe parasite, "Pick'd mothes from his patron's cloake in sight." Sat. Lib. 6. Mr. Cumberland parallels this exquisite speech with that of a parasite, preserved to us in a fragment of Eupolis. The advantage, however, is on the side of Jonson. His "fine elegant rascal, "that can rise, "And stoop, almost together, like an arrow; "Turn short as doth a swallow," &c. is much superior to the parasite of the Greek dramatist, whom our poet undoubtedly had in view, and over whom he manifestly triumphs in the conclusion of his speech. Lucian's parasite, who is here brought forward by Upton, is, it must be confessed, a sprightly, impudent, pleasant fellow; Enter BONARIO. Who's this? Bonario, old Corbaccio's son? Bon. That cannot be by thee. Mos. Why, sir? Bon. Nay, pray thee know thy way, and leave me: I would be loth to interchange discourse Mos. Courteous sir, Scorn not my poverty. Bon. Not I, by heaven; But thou shalt give me leave to hate thy baseness. Bon. Ay; answer me, is not thy sloth Mos. Heaven be good to me! These imputations are too common, sir, Bon. What! does he weep? the sign is soft and good: I do repent me that I was so harsh. [Aside. from him, however, Jonson has taken nothing, but the idea that "the mystery should be made a science," &c. Indeed the two characters are perfectly distinct. 2 You are unequal to me, &c.] i. e. unjust; you do not judge equitably. The sentiment itself is from the Medea of Seneca: Qui statuit aliquid, parte inauditá alterð, Equum licet statuerit, haud æquus fuit. WHAL. Mos. 'Tis true, that, sway'd by strong necessity, With mine own tender ease, but would not rather I was to blame, so to mistake thy nature; seem, At first to make a main offence in manners, To disinherit you Bon. How! Mos. And thrust you forth, As a mere stranger to his blood; 'tis true, sir. I claim an interest in the general state Bon. This tale hath lost thee much of the late trust Thou hadst with me; it is impossible: Mos. It is a confidence that well becomes From your own simple innocence which makes Your wrong more monstrous and abhorr'd. But, sir, I now will tell you more. This very minute, Shall be but pleased to go with me, I'll bring you, Hear yourself written bastard, and profest Bon. I am mazed! Mos. Sir, if I do it not, draw your just sword, And score your vengeance on my front and face; Mark me your villain: you have too much wrong, And I do suffer for you, sir. My heart Weeps blood in anguish Bon. Lead; I follow thee. SCENE II. A Room in Volpone's House. Enter VOLPONE. [Exeunt. Volp. Mosca stays long, methinks.-Bring forth your sports, And help to make the wretched time more sweet. Enter NANO, ANDROGYNO, and CASTRONE. Nan. Dwarf, fool, and eunuch, well met here we be. A question it were now, whether of us three, And. And so doth the fool. Nan. 'Tis foolish indeed: let me set you both to school. First for your dwarf, he's little and witty, Admit your fool's face be the mother of laughter, [Knocking within. Volp. Who's there? my couch; away! look! Nano, see: [Exe. And. and Cas. Give me my caps, first-go, enquire. [Exit Send it be Mosca, and with fair return! Nan. The same. Vol. Now torment on me! Squire her in; For she will enter, or dwell here for ever: |