Mos. Good advocate,
Prithee not rail, nor threaten out of place thus;
Thou’lt make a solecism, as madam says.
Get you a biggin more, your brain breaks loose.

Volt. Well, sir.

Volp. Would you have me beat the insolent slave,
Throw dirt upon his first good clothes?

Volt. This same
Is doubtless some familiar.

Volp. Sir, the court,
In troth, stays for you. I am mad, a mule
That never read Justinian, should get up,
And ride an advocate. Had you no quirk
To avoid gullage, sir, by such a creature?
I hope you do but jest; he has not done it,
’Tis but confederacy, to blind the rest.
You are the heir.

Volt. A strange, officious,
Troublesome knave! thou dost torment me.

Volp. I know—
It cannot be, sir, that you should be cozen’d;
’Tis not within the wit of man to do it;
You are so wise, so prudent; and ’tis fit
That wealth and wisdom still should go together.

[Exeunt.

Scene VI.—The Scrutineo or Senate-House.

Enter Avocatori, Notario, Bonario, Celia, Corbaccio, Corvino, Commandadori, Saffi, etc.

1 Avoc. Are all the parties here?

Not. All but the advocate.

2 Avoc. And here he comes.

Enter Voltore and Volpone.

1 Avoc. Then bring them forth to sentence.

Volt. O, my most honour’d fathers, let your mercy
Once win upon your justice, to forgive—
I am distracted—

Volp. What will he do now?

Volt. O,
I know not which to address myself to first;
Whether your fatherhoods, or these innocents—

Corv. Will he betray himself?

Volt. Whom equally
I have abused, out of most covetous ends—

Corv. The man is mad!

Corb. What’s that?

Corv. He is possest.

Volt. For which, now struck in conscience, here, I prostrate
Myself at your offended feet, for pardon.