_Cles._ O, how my mother's mourning moveth me!
_Alc._ Nay, you shall pay me interest for getting the boy, wife, before you carry him hence: alas, woman, what can Alcon do more? I'll pluck the belly out of my heart for thee, sweet Samia; be not so waspish.
_Samia._ Ah silly man, I know thy want is great, And foolish I to crave where nothing is. Haste, Alcon, haste, make haste unto our son; Who, since he is in favour of the king, May help this hapless gentleman and us For to regain our goods from tyrant's hands.
_Thras._ Have patience, Samia, wait your weal from heaven: The gods have rais'd your son, I hope, for this, To succour innocents in their distress. Lo, where he comes from the imperial court; Go, let us prostrate us before his feet.
_Alc._ Nay, by my troth, I'll never ask my son's blessing; che trow, cha[94] taught him his lesson to know his father.
What, son Radagon! i'faith, boy, how dost thee?
_Radag._ Villain, disturb me not; I cannot stay.
_Alc._ Tut, son, I'll help you of that disease quickly, for I can hold thee: ask thy mother, knave, what cunning I have to ease a woman when a qualm of kindness comes too near her stomach; let me but clasp mine arms about her body, and say my prayers in her bosom, and she shall be healed presently.
_Radag._ Traitor unto my princely majesty, How dar'st thou lay thy hands upon a king?
_Samia._ No traitor, Radagon, but true is he: What, hath promotion blearèd thus thine eye, To scorn thy father when he visits thee? Alas, my son, behold with ruthful eyes Thy parents robb'd of all their worldly weal By subtle means of usury and guile: The judge's ears are deaf and shut up close; All mercy sleeps: then be thou in these plunges[96] A patron to thy mother in her pains: Behold thy brother almost dead for food: O, succour us, that first did succour thee!
_Radag._ What, succour me! false callet,[97] hence, avaunt! Old dotard, pack! move not my patience: I know you not; kings never look so low.
_Samia._ You know us not! O Radagon, you know That, knowing us, you know your parents then; Thou know'st this womb first brought thee forth to light: I know these paps did foster thee, my son.
_Alc._ And I know he hath had many a piece of bread and cheese at my hands, as proud as he is; that know I.