Volp. My divine Mosca!
Thou hast to-day outgone thyself. [Knocking within.]—Who’s there?
I will be troubled with no more. Prepare
Me music, dances, banquets, all delights;
The Turk is not more sensual in his pleasures,
Than will Volpone. [Exit Mos.] Let me see; a pearl!
A diamond! plate! chequines! Good morning’s purchase.
Why, this better than rob churches, yet;
Or fat, by eating, once a month, a man—

Mos. The beauteous lady Would-be, sir,
Wife to the English knight, sir Politick Would-be,
(This is the style, sir, is directed me,)
Hath sent to know how you have slept to-night,
And if you would be visited?

Volp. Not now:
Some three hours hence—

Mos. I told the squire so much.

Volp. When I am high with mirth and wine; then, then:
’Fore heaven, I wonder at the desperate valour
Of the bold English, that they dare let loose
Their wives to all encounters!

Mos. Sir, this knight
Had not his name for nothing, he is politick,
And knows, howe’er his wife affect strange airs,
She hath not yet the face to be dishonest:
But had she signior Corvino’s wife’s face—

Volp. Has she so rare a face?

Mos. O, sir, the wonder,
The blazing star of Italy! a wench
Of the first year! a beauty ripe as harvest!
Whose skin is whiter than a swan all over,
Than silver, snow, or lilies! a soft lip,
Would tempt you to eternity of kissing!
And flesh that melteth in the touch to blood!
Bright as your gold, and lovely as your gold!

Volp. Why had not I known this before?

Mos. Alas, sir,
Myself but yesterday discover’d it.

Volp. How might I see her?

Mos. O, not possible;
She’s kept as warily as is your gold;
Never does come abroad, never takes air,
But at a window. All her looks are sweet,
As the first grapes or cherries, and are watch’d
As near as they are.

Volp. I must see her.

Mos. Sir,
There is a guard of spies ten thick upon her,
All his whole household; each of which is set
Upon his fellow, and have all their charge,
When he goes out, when he comes in, examined.

Volp. I will go see her, though but at her window.

Mos. In some disguise, then.

Volp. That is true; I must
Maintain mine own shape still the same: we’ll think.