ossible thou shouldst despatch so soon?

MEN. Madam, I had no sooner told
Tactus that Gustus would fain speak with him,
But I spied Visus, Gustus, and the rest,
And serv'd them all with sauce of several lies.
Now the last sense I spake with was Olfactus
Who, having smelt the meaning of my message,
Straight blew his nose, and quickly puff'd me hither;
But in the whirlwind of his furious blast,
Had not by chance a cobweb held me fast,
Mendacio had been with you long ere this.

LIN. Witness this lie, Mendacio's with me now;
But, sirrah, out of jesting will they come?

MEN. Yes, and it like your ladyship, presently;
Here may you have me prest[177] to flatter them.

LIN. I'll flatter no such proud companions,
'Twill do no good, therefore I am determin'd
To leave such baseness.

MEN. Then shall I turn and bid them stay at home?

LIN. No; for their coming hither to this grove
Shall be a means to further my device.
Therefore I pray thee, Mendacio, go presently;
Run, you vile ape.

MEN. Whither?

LIN. What, dost thou stand?

MEN. Till I know what to do.

LIN. 'Sprecious, 'tis true,
So might'st thou finely overrun thine errand.
Haste to my chest.

MEN. Ay, ay.

LIN. There shalt thou find
A gorgeous robe and golden coronet;
Convey them hither nimbly, let none see them.

MEN. Madam, I fly, I fly. [_Exit_ MENDACIO.

LIN. But hear you, sirrah?
Lock up your fellow-servant Veritas.

MEN. I warrant you,
You need not fear so long as I am with you.
[_He goes out, and comes in presently_.
What colour is the robe?

LIN. There is but one.

[MENDACIO, _going, turns in haste_.

MEN. The key, madam, the key.

LIN. By Juno, how forgetful
Is sudden speed! Here, take it, run.

MEN. I'll be here instantly.

[_Exit_ MENDACIO.

SCAENA TERTIA.

LINGUA _sola_.

LIN. Whilome this crown and gorgeous ornament
Were the great prize for which five orators
With the sharp weapons of their tongues contended:
But all their speeches were so equal wrought
And alike gracious,[178] that, if his were witty,
His was as wise; the third's fair eloquence
Did parallel the fourth's firm gravity;
The last's good gesture kept the balance even
With all the rest; so that the sharpest eye
And most judicious censor could not judge,
To whom the hanging victory should fall.
Therefore with one consent they all agreed
To offer up both crown and robe to me,
As the chief patroness of their pro