authority; was ever such an attempt heard?

MEM. I remember there was: for, to say the truth, at my last being at
Athens--it is now, let me see, about one thousand eight hundred years
ago--I was at a comedy of Aristophanes' making.[228] I shall never
forget it; the arch-governor of Athens took me by the hand, and placed
me; and there, I say, I saw Socrates abused most grossly, himself being
then a present spectator: I remember he sat full against me, and did not
so much as show the least countenance of discontent.

COM. SEN. In those days it was lawful; but now the abuse of such liberty
is insufferable.

PHA. Think what you will of it, I think 'tis done, and I think it is
acting by this time: hark, hark; what drumming's yonder! I'll lay my
life they are come to present the show I spake of.

COM. SEN. It may be so; stay, we'll see what 'tis.

SCAENA QUINTA.

LINGUA, MENDACIO, COMMUNIS SENSUS, _and the rest_.

LIN. Feign thyself in great haste.

MEN. I warrant you, madam: I doubt 'tis in vain to run, by this they are
all past overtaking.

COM. SEN. Is not this Lingua, that is in such haste?

PHA. Yes, yes, stand still.

MEN. I must speak with him.

COM. SEN. With whom?

MEN. Assure yourself they are all at court ere this.

LIN. Run after them, for, unless he know it--

COM. SEN. Lingua!

LIN. O, is't your lordship? I beseech you, pardon me. Haste and fear, I
protest, put out mine eyes: I looked so long for you, that I knew not,
when I had found you.

PHA. In my conceit that's like the man that inquired who saw his ass,
when himself rid on him.

LIN. O, my heart beats so! fie, fie, fie, fie!

MEN. I am so weary; so, so, so, so.

COM. SEN. I prythee, Lingua, make an end.

LIN. Let me begin first, I beseech you; but if you will needs have the
end first--thus 'tis: the commonwealth of Microcosm at this instant
suffers the pangs of death, 'tis gasping for breath. Will you have all?
'tis poisoned.

PHA. What apothecary durst be so bold as make such a confection? ha,
what poison is't?

LIN. A golden crown.

MEN. I mistake; or else Galen, in his book "De Sanitate Tuenda,"
commends gold as restorative.

COM. SEN. Lingua, express yourself.

MEN. Madam, if you want breath, let me help you out.

LIN. I prythee do, do.

MEN. My lord, the report is that Mercury, coming late into this country,
in this very place left a coronet with this inscription, _that the best
of the five should have