_Man_. Consider first, the impossibility Of the attempt; four men, and two poor boys, (Which, added to our number, make us weaker) Against ten villains, more resolved for death, Than any ten among our holiest priests. Stay but a little longer, till they all Disperse to rest within their several cabins; Then more securely we may set upon them, And kill them half, before the rest can wake: By this means too, the boys are useful for us, For they can cut the throats of sleeping men. _Hip_. Now have I the greatest temptation in the world to reveal, Thou art a woman. [_To AMIDEO_. _Amid_. If 'twere not for thy beauty, my master should know, What a man he keeps. [_To HIPPOLITO_. _Hip_. Why should we have recourse to desperate ways, When safer may be thought on? 'Tis like giving the extreme unction. In the beginning of a sickness; Can you imagine to find all asleep? The wicked joy, of having such a booty In their possession, will keep some awake; And some, no doubt, will watch with wounded Roderick. _Amid_. What would your wisdom now propose? _Hip_. To say That some of us are sea-sick; (your complexion Will make the excuse for us who are less fair:) So, by good words and promises, procure We may be set ashore, ere morning come. _Amid_. O, the deep reasons of the grave Hippolito!-- As if 'twere likely, in so calm a season, We should be sick so soon; or, if we were, Whom should we chuse among us to go tell it? For whoe'er ventures out must needs be known: Or, if none knew us, can you think that pirates Will let us go upon such easy terms, As promising rewards?--Let me advise you. _Hip_. Now, we expect an oracle. _Amid_. Here are bundles, Of canvas and of cloth, you see lie by us; In which one of us shall sew up the rest, Only some breathing place, for air, and food: Then call the pirates in, and tell them, we, For fear, had drowned ourselves: And when we come To the next port, find means to bring us out. _Hip_. Pithily spoken!-- As if you were to bind up marble statues, Which only bore the shapes of men without, And had no need of ever easing nature. _Gons_. There's but one way left, that's this;-- You know the rope, by which the cock-boat's tied, Goes down by the stern, and now, we are at anchor, There sits no pilot to discover us; My counsel is, to go down by the ladder, And, being once there, unloose, and row to shore. _Man_. This, without doubt, were best; but there lies ever Some one, or more, within the boat, to watch it. _Gons_. I'll slide down first, and run the venture of it; You shall come after me, if there be need, To give me succour. _Man_. 'Tis the only way. _Gons_. Go in to Julia, then, and first prepare her, With knowledge of the pirates, and the danger Her honour's in, among such barbarous people. _Man_. Leave it to me. _Amid_. Hippolito and Julia, My rivals, like two pointed rocks appear; And I, through both, must to Gonsalvo steer. [_Aside_. [_Exeunt all but HIPPOLITA_.