Soto. Can any living man, unless a Rascal
That neither knows himself, nor a fashion'd Gentleman
Take me for a worse man than my Master now?
I am naturally proud in these clothes: but if pride now
Should catch a fall in what I am attempting,
'Tis but a Proverb sound, and a neck broken,
That's the worst can come on't, a Gentleman's gone then,
A Gentleman o'th' first house, there's the end on't:
My Master lies most pittifully complaining,
Wringing and kicking up to th' ears in love yonder,
And such a lamentable noise he keeps, it kills me:
I have got his cloaths, and if I can get to her
By hook or crook here, such a song I'll sing her—
I think I shall be hang'd, but that's no matter,
What's a hanging among friends: I am valiant now as an Elephant,
I have consider'd what to say too: let me see now,
This is the place, 'tis plaguy high: stay at that lower window
Let me aim finely now, like a good Gunner,
It may prove but a whipping.
Enter Silvio.
Sil. I saw some body
Pass by me now, and though it were dark, me-thought yet
I knew the clothes: ha, let me not be cozen'd,
The Ladder too, ready to fling it? monstrous,
'Tis he, 'tis Claudio: most voluptuous villain,
Scandal to womans credit: Love, I forget thee.
Soto. What will he do i'th' name of Heaven, what's that there?
Sil. And all the friendship that I bore thee, bury here.
Soto. What has he in's hand? I hope but a Cudgel.
Sil. Thy faul'ts forgive O Heaven: farewel thou traitor.
Soto. I am slain: I am slain.
Sil. He's down, and dead: dead certain,
'Twas too rash, too full of spleen, stark dead:
This is no place now to repent in, only
Would I had given this hand that shot the Pistol
I had miss'd thee, and thou wer't once more Claudio. [Exit.
Enter Claudio.