FORTUNE. The dearest friends are scattered, when Fortune turns her toe. VENUS. If they be noble born, or of a princely blood? FORTUNE. When Fortune frowns, that may procure more harm than do them good. VENUS. But wise men evermore upon a rock are set. FORTUNE. Yet can they not escape a scourge, for Fortune hath a net. JUPITER. I will not in, till things be well discern'd: Affection shall not mar a lawful cause. By examples this may best be learn'd, In elder ages led within your laws. Therefore, a while hereof I mean to pause; And bring in, Mercury, in open view The ghosts of them that Love and Fortune slew. MERCURY. Thy word my will-- Thou triple-headed Cerberus, give place; And I command thee, Charon, with thy ferryboat Transport the souls of such as may report Fortune and Love, and not in open sort. Let them appear to us in silent show, To manifest a truth that we must know. [_Strikes with his rod three times_. VULCAN. Are ye mad, my masters? what a stir have we here. Lord, have mercy upon us! must the devil appear? Come away, wife; when I pray thee, come away. Down on your knees, my masters, and pray. [_Music_. _Enter the show of Troilus and Cressida_. MERCURY. Behold, how Troilus and Cressida Cries out on Love, that framed their decay. VULCAN. That was like the old wife, when her ale would not come, Thrust a firebrand in the grout, and scratch'd her bum. [_Music_. _Enter the[71] show of Alexander_. MERCURY. Alexander the Great, that all the world subdu'd, Curseth fell Fortune, that did him delude. VULCAN. 'Tis an honest, grim sire at his first coming out, believe me; And ye had stood in the wind, ye might have smelt me. [_Music_. _Enter the show of Queen Dido_. MERCURY. Queen Dido, that Aeneas could not move, Stabbed herself, and yielded unto Love. VULCAN. The more fool she, and she were my own brother? If my wife would not love me, must not I love another? [_Music_. _Enter the show of Pompey and Caesar_. MERCURY. Pompey and Caesar, the wonders of their time, By froward Fortune spoiled in their prime. VULCAN. They were served well enough, why could not they be content With a roach and a red herring in the holy time of Lent? [_Music_. _Enter the show of Leander and Hero_. MERCURY. [Hero and] Leander presents them very loth, That felt the force of Love and Fortune both. FORTUNE. Upon him I my sovereignty did show. VENUS. And think you, dame, my power she did not know? FORTUNE. But it was I that dashed their delight. VENUS. After that I had proved my open might. VULCAN. What a scolding is here! shall it even thus be? You look like an honest man in the parish; I pray you, make them agree.