ARISTIPPUS. _Dictum sapienti sat est_: friend Carisophus, shall I forget that thing? No, I warrant you: though I say little to your face, I will lay on with my mouth for you to Dionysius,[55] when I am in place. [_Aside_] If I speak one word for such a knave, hang me. [_Exit._
CARISOPHUS. Our fine philosopher, our trim learned elf, Is gone to see as false a spy as himself. Damon smatters as well as he of crafty philosophy, And can turn cat in the pan[56] very prettily: But Carisophus hath given him such a mighty check, As I think in the end will break his neck. What care I for that? why would[57] he then pry, And learn the secret estate of our country and city? He is but a stranger, by his fall let others be wise, I care not who fall, so that I may rise. As for fine Aristippus, I will keep in with him, He is a shrewd fool to deal withal, he can swim; And yet by my troth, to speak my conscience plainly, I will use his friendship to mine own commodity.[58] While Dionysius favoureth him, Aristippus shall be mine; But if the king once frown on him, then good night, Tomalin: He shall be as strange, as though I never saw him before. But I tarry too long, I will prate no more. Jack, come away.
CARISOPHUS. At Damon’s lodging, if that you see Any stir to arise, be still at hand by me: Rather than I will lose the spoil, I will blade[59] it out. [_Exeunt._
PITHIAS. What strange news are these! ah, my Stephano, Is my Damon in prison, as the voice doth go?
STEPHANO. It is true, O cruel hap! he is taken for a spy, And as they say, by Dionysius’ own mouth condemned to die.
STEPHANO. A sycophant falsely accused him: other cause there is none. But, O Jupiter, of all wrongs the revenger, Seest thou this unjustice, and wilt thou stay any longer From heaven to send down thy hot consuming fire, To destroy the workers of wrong, which provoke thy just ire? Alas! Master Pithias, what shall we do, Being in a strange country, void of friends and acquaintance too? Ah, poor Stephano, hast thou lived to see this day, To see thy true master unjustly made away?
PITHIAS. Stephano, seeing the matter is come to this extremity, Let us make virtue our friend of mere necessity. Run thou to the court, and understand secretly As much as thou canst of Damon’s cause, and I Will make some means to entreat Aristippus: He can do much, as I hear, with King Dionysius.