Sir P. So ’twas given out,
In policy, by those that did employ him:
But he could read, and had your languages,
And to’t, as sound a noddle—

Per. I have heard, sir,
That your baboons were spies, and that they were
A kind of subtle nation near to China.

Sir P. Ay, ay, your Mamaluchi. Faith, they had
Their hand in a French plot or two; but they
Were so extremely given to women, as
They made discovery of all: yet I
Had my advices here, on Wednesday last.
From one of their own coat, they were return’d,
Made their relations, as the fashion is,
And now stand fair for fresh employment.

Per. ’Heart!
This sir Pol will be ignorant of nothing.
It seems, sir, you know all.

[Aside.

Sir P. Not all, sir, but
I have some general notions. I do love
To note and to observe: though I live out,
Free from the active torrent, yet I’d mark
The currents and the passages of things,
For mine own private use; and know the ebbs
And flows of state.

Per. Believe it, sir, I hold
Myself in no small tie unto my fortunes,
For casting me thus luckily upon you,
Whose knowledge, if your bounty equal it,
May do me great assistance, in instruction
For my behaviour, and my bearing, which
Is yet so rude and raw.

Sir P. Why, came you forth
Empty of rules for travel?

Per. Faith, I had
Some common ones, from out that vulgar grammar,
Which he that cried Italian to me, taught me.

Sir P. Why this it is that spoils all our brave bloods,
Trusting our hopeful gentry unto pedants.
Fellows of outside, and mere bark. You seem
To be a gentleman, of ingenuous race:—
I not profess it, but my fate hath been
To be, where I have been consulted with,
In this high kind, touching some great men’s sons,
Persons of blood and honour.—

Enter Mosca and Nano disguised, followed by persons with materials for erecting a Stage.

Per. Who be these, sir?

Mos. Under that window, there ’t must be. The same.

Sir P. Fellows, to mount a bank. Did your instructor
In the dear tongues, never discourse to you
Of the Italian mountebanks?

Per. Yes, sir.

Sir P. Why,
Here you shall see one.

Per. They are quacksalvers;
Fellows, that live by venting oils and drugs.

Sir P. Was that the character he gave you of them?

Per. As I remember.

Sir P. Pity his ignorance.
They are the only knowing men of Europe!
Great general scholars, excellent physicians,
Most admired statesmen, profest favourites,
And cabinet counsellors to the greatest princes;
The only languaged men of all the world!