Aristippus.
Aristippus. Ah, sirrah, by’r Lady, Aristippus likes Dionysius’ court very well,
Which in passing joys and pleasures doth excel.
Where he hath dapsiles cœnas, geniales lectos, et auro
Fulgentem tyranni zonam.[51]
I have plied the harvest, and stroke when the iron was hot;
When I spied my time, I was not squeamish to crave, God wot!
But with some pleasant toy[52] I crept into the king’s bosom,
For which Dionysius gave me Auri talentum magnum—
A large reward for so simple services.
What, then? the king’s praise standeth chiefly in bountifulness:
Which thing though I told the king very pleasantly,
Yet can I prove it by good writers of great antiquity:
But that shall not need at this time, since that I have abundantly:
When I lack hereafter, I will use this point of philosophy:
But now, whereas I have felt the king’s liberality,
As princely as it came, I will spend it as regally:
Money is current, men say, and current comes of Currendo:
Then will I make money run, as his nature requireth, I trow.
For what becomes a philosopher best,
But to despise money above the rest?
And yet not so despise it, but to have in store
Enough to serve his own turn, and somewhat more.
With sundry sports and taunts yesternight I delighted the king,
That with his loud laughter the whole court did ring,
And I thought he laugh’d not merrier than I, when I got this money.
But, mumbudget,[53] for Carisophus I espy
In haste to come hither: I must handle the knave finely.
Here entereth Carisophus.
O Carisophus, my dearest friend, my trusty companion!
What news with you? where have you been so long?
Carisophus. My best beloved friend Aristippus, I am come at last;
I have not spent all my time in waste.
I have got a prey, and that a good one, I trow.
Aristippus. What prey is that? fain would I know.
Carisophus. Such a crafty spy I have caught, I dare say,
As never was in Sicilia before this day;
Such a one as viewed every weak place in the city,
Surviewed the haven and each bulwark in talk very witty:
And yet by some words himself he did bewray.
Aristippus. I think so in good faith, as you did handle him.
Carisophus. I handled him clerkly, I joined in talk with him courteously:
But when we were entered, I let him speak his will, 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