2 Avoc. Take him away.
Volp. Mosca!
3 Avoc. Let him be whipt.
Volp. Wilt thou betray me?
Cozen me?
3 Avoc. And taught to bear himself
Toward a person of his rank.
4 Avoc. Away.
[The Officers seize Volpone.
Mos. I humbly thank your fatherhoods.
Volp. Soft, soft: Whipt!
And lose all that I have! If I confess,
It cannot be much more.
[Aside.
4 Avoc. Sir, are you married?
Volp. They’ll be allied anon; I must be resolute:
The Fox shall here uncase.
[Throws off his disguise.
Mos. Patron!
Volp. Nay, now
My ruins shall not come alone: your match
I’ll hinder sure: my substance shall not glue
you,
Nor screw you into a family.
Mos. Why, patron!
Volp. I am Volpone, and this is my knave;
[Pointing to Mosca.
This, [to Volt.] his own knave; this, [to Corb.] avarice’s fool;This, [to Corv.] a chimera of wittol, fool, and knave:
And, reverend fathers, since we all can hope
Nought but a sentence, let’s not now despair it.
You hear me brief.
Corv. May it please your fatherhoods—
Com. Silence.
1 Avoc. The knot is now undone by miracle.
2 Avoc. Nothing can be more clear.
3 Avoc. Or can more prove
These innocent.
1 Avoc. Give them their liberty.
Bon. Heaven could not long let such gross crimes be hid.
2 Avoc. If this be held the high-way to get riches,
May I be poor!
3 Avoc. This is not the gain, but torment.
1 Avoc. These possess wealth, as sick men possess fevers,
Which trulier may be said to possess them.
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