Part 5

SCENE.--Paris[4:2]]

FOOTNOTES:

Bussy D'Ambois

A Tragedie

ACTUS PRIMI SCENA PRIMA.

Enter Bussy D'Ambois poore.

Buss. He, sir.

Mons. Turn'd to earth, alive! Up man, the sunne shines on thee.

Buss. Let it shine: 55 I am no mote to play in't, as great men are.

Mons. Callest thou men great in state, motes in the sunne? They say so that would have thee freeze in shades, That (like the grosse Sicilian gurmundist) Empty their noses in the cates they love, 60 That none may eat but they. Do thou but bring Light to the banquet Fortune sets before thee And thou wilt loath leane darknesse like thy death. Who would beleeve thy mettall could let sloth Rust and consume it? If Themistocles 65 Had liv'd obscur'd thus in th'Athenian State, Xerxes had made both him and it his slaves. If brave Camillus had lurckt so in Rome, He had not five times beene Dictator there, Nor foure times triumpht. If Epaminondas 70 (Who liv'd twice twenty yeeres obscur'd in Thebs) Had liv'd so still, he had beene still unnam'd, And paid his country nor himselfe their right: But putting forth his strength he rescu'd both From imminent ruine; and, like burnisht steele, 75 After long use he shin'd; for as the light Not only serves to shew, but render us Mutually profitable, so our lives In acts exemplarie not only winne Our selves good names, but doe to others give 80 Matter for vertuous deeds, by which wee live.

Buss. What would you wish me?

Mons. Leave the troubled streames, And live where thrivers doe, at the well head.

Buss. At the well head? Alas! what should I doe With that enchanted glasse? See devils there? 85 Or (like a strumpet) learne to set my looks In an eternall brake, or practise jugling, To keep my face still fast, my heart still loose; Or beare (like dames schoolmistresses their riddles) Two tongues, and be good only for a shift; 90 Flatter great lords, to put them still in minde Why they were made lords; or please humorous ladies With a good carriage, tell them idle tales, To make their physick work; spend a man's life In sights and visitations, that will make 95 His eyes as hollow as his mistresse heart: To doe none good, but those that have no need; To gaine being forward, though you break for haste All the commandements ere you break your fast; But beleeve backwards, make your period 100 And creeds last article, "I beleeve in God": And (hearing villanies preacht) t'unfold their art, Learne to commit them? Tis a great mans part. Shall I learne this there?

Mons. No, thou needst not learne; Thou hast the theorie; now goe there and practise. 105

Buss. I, in a thrid-bare suit; when men come there, They must have high naps, and goe from thence bare: A man may drowne the parts of ten rich men In one poore suit; brave barks, and outward glosse Attract Court loves, be in parts ne're so grosse. 110

Mons. Thou shalt have glosse enough, and all things fit T'enchase in all shew thy long smothered spirit: Be rul'd by me then. The old Scythians Painted blinde Fortunes powerfull hands with wings, To shew her gifts come swift and suddenly, 115 Which if her favorite be not swift to take, He loses them for ever. Then be wise;

Exit Mon[sieur] with Pages. Manet Buss.

Stay but a while here, and I'le send to thee.

Buss. What will he send? some crowns? It is to sow them Upon my spirit, and make them spring a crowne 120 Worth millions of the seed crownes he will send. Like to disparking noble husbandmen, Hee'll put his plow into me, plow me up; But his unsweating thrift is policie, And learning-hating policie is ignorant 125 To fit his seed-land soyl; a smooth plain ground Will never nourish any politick seed. I am for honest actions, not for great: If I may bring up a new fashion, And rise in Court for vertue, speed his plow! 130 The King hath knowne me long as well as hee, Yet could my fortune never fit the length Of both their understandings till this houre. There is a deepe nicke in Times restlesse wheele For each mans good, when which nicke comes, it strikes; 135 As rhetorick yet workes not perswasion, But only is a meane to make it worke: So no man riseth by his reall merit, But when it cries "clincke" in his raisers spirit. Many will say, that cannot rise at all, 140 Mans first houres rise is first step to his fall. I'le venture that; men that fall low must die, As well as men cast headlong from the skie.

Ent Maffe.

Buss. Sir?

Maff. Is your name D'Ambois?

Buss. Who have we here? 150 Serve you the Monsieur?

Maff. How?

Buss. Serve you the Monsieur?

Maff. Sir, y'are very hot. I doe serve the Monsieur; But in such place as gives me the command Of all his other servants: and because His Graces pleasure is to give your good 155 His passe through my command, me thinks you might Use me with more respect.

Buss. Crie you mercy! Now you have opened my dull eies, I see you, And would be glad to see the good you speake of: What might I call your name?

Maff. Monsieur Maffe. 160