Lup. I cannot talk now; I charge you assist me: treason! treason!
Lup. Ay: if you love the emperor, and the state, follow me. [Exeunt.
Enter OVID, JULIA, GALLUS, CYTHERIS, TIBULLUS, PLAUTIA, ALBIUS, CHLOE, TUCCA, CRISPINUS, HERMOGENES, PYRGUS, characteristically habited, as gods and goddesses.
Ovid. Gods and goddesses, take your several seats. Now, Mercury, move your caduceus, and, in Jupiter's name, command silence.
Her. The crier of the court hath too clarified a voice.
Ovid. Oh, he is the god of reprehension; let him alone: 'tis his office. Mercury, go forward, and proclaim, after Phoebus, our high pleasure, to all the deities that shall partake this high banquet.
Gal. The great god, Jupiter,--[Here, and at every break in the line, Crispinus repeats aloud the words of Gallus.]--Of his licentious goodness,--Willing to make this feast no fast--From any manner of pleasure;--Nor to bind any god or goddess--To be any thing the more god or goddess, for their names:--He gives them all free license--To speak no wiser than persons of baser titles;--And to be nothing better, than common men, or women.--And therefore no god--Shall need to keep himself more strictly to his goddess--Than any man does to his wife:--Nor any goddess--Shall need to keep herself more strictly to her god--Than any woman does to her husband.--But, since it is no part of wisdom,--In these days, to come into bonds;--It shall be lawful for every lover--To break loving oaths,--To change their lovers, and make love to others,--As the heat of every one's blood,--And the spirit of our nectar, shall inspire.--And Jupiter save Jupiter!
Tib. So; now we may play the fools by authority.
Her. To play the fool by authority is wisdom.
Jul. Away with your mattery sentences, Momus; they are too grave and wise for this meeting.
Ovid. Mercury, give our jester a stool, let him sit by; and reach him one of our cates.
Tuc. Dost hear, mad Jupiter? we'll have it enacted, he that speaks the first wise word, shall be made cuckold. What say'st thou? Is it not a good motion?
Alb. I have read in a book, that to play the fool wisely, is high wisdom.
Gal. How now, Vulcan! will you be the first wizard?
Ovid. Take his wife, Mars, and make him cuckold quickly.