Lingua, or, The combat of the tongue, and the five senses for superiority a pleasant comoedy.

ACT. 1. SCEN. 8.

VISUS, in a Garland of Bays, mixt with white and red Roses, a light coloured Taffata mantle striped with sil∣ver, and fring'd upon green silk Bases, Buskins, &c.

GUSTUS, in the same fashion, differing only in colour.

TACTUS, in a corner of the Stage.

VISUS. GUSTUS. TACTUS.

VIS.

Gustus good day.

GUST.

I cannot have a bad, Meeting so fair an omen as your self.

TACT.

Shall I? wilt prove? ha? well 'tis best to venture.

Tactus puts on the Robes.

GUST.

Saw you not Tactus, I should speak with him.

TACT

Perchance so, a sudden lie hath best luck.

VIS.

That face is his, or else mine eye's deceiv'd, Why how now Tactus, what so gorgious?

GUST.

Where didst thou get these fair habiliments?

TACT.

Stand back I charge you as you love your lives, By Stix, the first that toucheth me shall die.

VIS.

I can discern no weapons, will he kill us?

TACT.

Kill you? not I, but come not neer me you had best.

VIS.

Why, art thou mad?

TACT.

Friends as you love your lives, Venture not once to come within my reach.

GUST.

Why dost threaten so?

TACT.

I do not threaten, but in pure love advise you for the best, Dare not to touch me, but hence fly apace, Adde wings unto your feet and save your lives.

VIS.

Why what's the matter Tactus prethe tell me?

TACT.

If you will needs jeopard your lives so long, As hear the ground of my amazednesse, Then for your better safety stand aside.

GUST.

How full of ceremonies, sure he'l conjure, For such like Robes Magicians use to wear.

VIS.

Ile see the end, though he should unlock Hell: And set th'infernall haggs at liberty.

TACT.

How rash is man on hidden arms to rush! It was my chance, O chance most miserable! To walk that way that to Crumena leads.

GUST.

You mean Cremona a little Town hard by.

TACT.

I say Crumena, called Vacua, A Town which doth, and alwaies hath belong'd, Chiefly to Scholars: from Crumena wals, I saw a man came stealing craftily, Apparelled in this vesture which I wear, But seeing me est-soons, he took his heels, And threw his garment from him all in hast, Which I perceiving to be richly wrought, Took it me up: But good now get you gone, Warn'd by my harms, and scape my misery.

VIS.

I know no danger, leave these circumstances.

TAC.

No sooner had I put it on my back, But suddenly mine eyes began to dim, My joynts wax sore, and all my body burn With most intestine torture, and at length, It was too evident, I had caught the plague.

VIS.

The plague, away good Gustus lets be gone, I doubt 'tis true, now I remember me, Crumena Vacua never wants the plague.

GUST.

Tactus Ile put my self in jeopardy to pleasure thee.

TACT.

No gentle Gustus, your absence is the only thing I wish, Lest I infect you with my company.

GUST.

Farewell.

Exit Gustus.

VIS.

I willingly would stay to do thee good.

TACT.

A thousand thanks, but since I needs must die, Let it suffice, death only murthers me, Oh 'twould augment the dolour of my death, To know my self the most unhappy Bow, Through w^ch pale death should aim his shafts at you.

VIS.

Tactus farewell, yet die with this good hope, Thy corps shall be interred as they ought.

Exit Visus.

TAC.

Go make my Tomb, provide my funerals, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, Excellent Asses thus to be deluded, Bewail his death and cruel destinies, That lives, and laughs your fooleries to scorn, But where's my Crown, oh here: I well deserve, Thus to be crowned for two great victories, ha, ha, ha, Visus take care my corps be well interr'd: Go make my Tomb, and write upon the Stone;

Here lies the Sense, that lying gul'd them all, With a false plague, and fained Ʋrinal.