VEL. After these preparatives (if you call them so) The physic wrought well; for a few years' practice Brought him in wondrous credit, and preferments Came tumbling in: O, such a sudden rise Hath Fortune for her minions! blame him not then, Though he look high on't. MECH. Nay, for his pride, of weaker souls term'd state, It hurts none but himself. DRAP. Yet to my seeming it is very strange, That from so base beginning men can breathe Such soaring fames. MECH. Strange! it's not strange a whit, Dunghills and marish bogs dart store of vapours And viscous exhalations against heaven, Which borrowing lustre there (though basely bred) Seem yet like glorious planets, fairest stars, To the weak eyes of wond'ring ignorance, When wise men know they are but meteors. But here comes the orator. _Enter_ PRATE. PRATE. What, Precedent, I say! Come and attend me to the senate-house. PRE. I am ready, sir; if you have _copia verborum_, I have _copia rerum_, in a buckram bag here. PRATE. Your lordship's pleasure! MECH. Master orator, 'tis not unknown--my suit-- PRATE. Nay, your lordship must be brief, I'll not attend The shallow sleight of words--your suit, your suit. MECH. The restoration of my lands and honours. PRATE. They are confiscate. MECH. My lands confiscate, and my body free? PRATE. My lord, my lord, the queen's more merciful. MECH. Sir, you forget my place. PRATE. Sir, you forget your faith: 'Twas known unto the queen, the state, and us, Your malcontented spirit, your disease in duty, Your diligent perturbance of the peace! Your passages, occurrences, and-- MECH. Sir! PRATE. Sir me no sirs, Do not I know you were the chief of those, Which rais'd the war in Sicil? and long since Wrought in the king's laws[194] bloody business? Did not you hold fair quarter and commerce With all the spies of Cyprus? fie, I am asham'd Blind impudence should make you be so bold, To bear your face before authority. MECH. But hear me. PRATE. I will hear no reply; Go home, repent, pray, and die. Come, gentlemen, what's your businesses? VEL. Your confirmation to his highness' grant touching our trade with Spain, in which if it please you to assist us, we have a thousand crowns which shall attend you. PRATE. O, I have you in my memory: the suit is great, and I must squeeze forth more than a thousand crowns. [_Aside._] Well, attend me to the senate; you shall have fair despatches. [_Exeunt all but_ MECHANT.