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(Character | Volpone Mosca Voltore | |
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Scene type / Who are | Friends, Colleagues | |
Type | Comic | |
Year | 1606 | |
Period | 17th Century | |
Genre | Comedy | |
Description | Volpone and Mosca trick Voltore out of a gift | |
Location | ACT I, Scene 3 |
Summary
Volpone is a wealthy Venetian con man and Mosca is his parasitic assistant/manservant. Volpone has become rich through several cons and has another con in mind which he reveals to Mosca: he plans to pretend that he is terminally ill and about to die in order to con three gentlemen, Voltore, Corbaccio and Corvino into giving him gifts in order to become Volpone's heirs to his fortune.
In this scene Volpone and Mosca trick their first victim, Voltore, a lawyer. Voltore inquires about Volpone's health and Volpone pretends to be very sick. Mosca eventually tells him he is the sole heir to his fortune and that he has chosen him because he deeply admires lawyers. Mosca begs him not to forget him when Volpone dies and he will inherit his fortune.
In this scene Volpone and Mosca trick their first victim, Voltore, a lawyer. Voltore inquires about Volpone's health and Volpone pretends to be very sick. Mosca eventually tells him he is the sole heir to his fortune and that he has chosen him because he deeply admires lawyers. Mosca begs him not to forget him when Volpone dies and he will inherit his fortune.
Written by Administrator
Excerpt |
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[RE-ENTER MOSCA, INTRODUCING VOLTORE, WITH A PIECE OF PLATE.] MOS: You still are what you were, sir. Only you, Of all the rest, are he commands his love, And you do wisely to preserve it thus, With early visitation, and kind notes Of your good meaning to him, which, I know, Cannot but come most grateful. Patron! sir! Here's signior Voltore is come - VOLP [FAINTLY.]: What say you? MOS: Sir, signior Voltore is come this morning To visit you. VOLP: I thank him. MOS: And hath brought A piece of antique plate, bought of St Mark, With which he here presents you. VOLP: He is welcome. Pray him to come more often. MOS: Yes. VOLT: What says he? MOS: He thanks you, and desires you see him often. VOLP: Mosca. MOS: My patron! VOLP: Bring him near, where is he? I long to feel his hand. MOS: The plate is here, sir. VOLT: How fare you, sir? VOLP: I thank you, signior Voltore; Where is the plate? mine eyes are bad. VOLT [PUTTING IT INTO HIS HANDS.]: I'm sorry, To see you still thus weak. MOS [ASIDE.]: That he's not weaker. VOLP: You are too munificent. VOLT: No sir; would to heaven, I could as well give health to you, as that plate! VOLP: You give, sir, what you can: I thank you. Your love Hath taste in this, and shall not be unanswer'd: I pray you see me often. VOLT: Yes, I shall sir. VOLP: Be not far from me. MOS: Do you observe that, sir? VOLP: Hearken unto me still; it will concern you. MOS: You are a happy man, sir; know your good. VOLP: I cannot now last long - MOS: You are his heir, sir. VOLT: Am I? VOLP: I feel me going; Uh! uh! uh! uh! I'm sailing to my port, Uh! uh! uh! uh! And I am glad I am so near my haven. MOS: Alas, kind gentleman! Well, we must all go - VOLT: But, Mosca - MOS: Age will conquer. VOLT: 'Pray thee hear me: Am I inscribed his heir for certain? MOS: Are you! I do beseech you, sir, you will vouchsafe To write me in your family. All my hopes Depend upon your worship: I am lost, Except the rising sun do shine on me. VOLT: It shall both shine, and warm thee, Mosca. MOS: Sir, I am a man, that hath not done your love All the worst offices: here I wear your keys, See all your coffers and your caskets lock'd, Keep the poor inventory of your jewels, Your plate and monies; am your steward, sir. Husband your goods here. VOLT: But am I sole heir? MOS: Without a partner, sir; confirm'd this morning: The wax is warm yet, and the ink scarce dry Upon the parchment. VOLT: Happy, happy, me! By what good chance, sweet Mosca? MOS: Your desert, sir; I know no second cause. VOLT: Thy modesty Is not to know it; well, we shall requite it. MOS: He ever liked your course sir; that first took him. I oft have heard him say, how he admired Men of your large profession, that could speak To every cause, and things mere contraries, Till they were hoarse again, yet all be law; That, with most quick agility, could turn, And [re-] return; [could] make knots, and undo them; Give forked counsel; take provoking gold On either hand, and put it up: these men, He knew, would thrive with their humility. And, for his part, he thought he should be blest To have his heir of such a suffering spirit, So wise, so grave, of so perplex'd a tongue, And loud withal, that would not wag, nor scarce Lie still, without a fee; when every word Your worship but lets fall, is a chequin! - [LOUD KNOCKING WITHOUT.] Who's that? one knocks; I would not have you seen, sir. And yet - pretend you came, and went in haste: I'll fashion an excuse. - and, gentle sir, When you do come to swim in golden lard, Up to the arms in honey, that your chin Is born up stiff, with fatness of the flood, Think on your vassal; but remember me: I have not been your worst of clients. VOLT: Mosca! - MOS: When will you have your inventory brought, sir? Or see a coppy of the will? - Anon! - I will bring them to you, sir. Away, be gone, Put business in your face. [EXIT VOLTORE.] |