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SIMON.

To a Fast? very good.

NICHOLAS.

Aye, to a Fast, say, with Master Fullbelly the Minister.

SIMON.

Master Fullbelly? an honest man: he feeds the flock well, for he's an excellent feeder.

[Exit Corporal, Nicholas.]

FRAILTY.

Oh, aye, I have seen him eat up a whole Pig, and afterward fall to the pittitoes.

[Exit Simon and Frailty.]

SCENE IV.

The Prison, Marshalsea.

[Enter Captain Idle at one door, and later Pye-board and old soldier at the other. George Pye-board, speaking within.]

PYE.

Pray turn the key.

SKIRMISH.

Turn the key, I pray.

CAPTAIN.

Who should those be? I almost know their voices.-- O my friends!

[Entering.]

Ya're welcome to a smelling Room here. You newly took leave of the air; ist not a strange savour?

PYE.

As all prisons have: smells of sundry wretches, Who, tho departed, leave their scents behind 'em. By Gold, Captain, I am sincerely sorry for thee.

CAPTAIN.

By my troth, George, I thank thee; but pish,--what must be, must be.

SKIRMISH.

Captain, what do you lie in for? ist great? what's your offence?

CAPTAIN.

Faith, my offence is ordinary,--common: A High-way; and I fear me my penalty will be ordinary and common too: a halter.

PYE.

Nay, prophecy not so ill; it shall go h

eard, But I'll shift for thy life.

CAPTAIN.

Whether I live or die, thou'art an honest George. I'll tell you--silver flowed not with me, as it had done, (for now the tide runs to Bawds and flatterers.) I had a start out, and by chance set upon a fat steward, thinking his purse had been as pursey as his body; and the slave had about him but the poor purchase of ten groats: notwithstanding, being descried, pursued, and taken, I know the Law is so grim, in respect of many desperate, unsettled soldiers, that I fear me I shall dance after their pipe for't.

SKIRMISH.

I am twice sorry for you, Captain: first that your purchase was so small, and now that your danger is so great.

CAPTAIN.

Push, the worst is but death,--ha you a pipe of Tobacco about you?

SKIRMISH.

I think I have there abouts about me.

[Captain blows a pipe.]

CAPTAIN.

Here's a clean Gentleman, too, to receive.

PYE.

Well, I must cast about some happy slight. Work brain, that ever didst thy Master right!

CAPTAIN.

Keeper! let the key be turn'd!

[Corporal and Nicholas within.]

NICHOLAS.

Aye, I pray, Master keeper, give's a cast of your office.

CAPTAIN.

How now? more Visitants?--what, Corporal Oath?

PYE.

Corporal?

SKIRMISH.

Corporal?

CORPORAL.

In prison, honest Captain? this must not be.

NICHOLAS.

How do you, Captain Kinsman>

CAPTAIN.

Good Cocks-comb! what makes that pure, starch'd fool here?

NICHOLAS.

You see, Kinsman, I am somewhat bold to call in, and see how you do. I heard you were safe enough, and I was very glad on't that it was no worse.

CAPTAIN.

This is a double torture now,--this fool by'th book Do's vex me more than my imprisonment. What meant you, Corporal, to hook him hither?

CORPORAL.

Who, he? he shall relieve thee, and supply thee; I'll make him do 't.

CAPTAIN.

[Aside, to Oath.] Fie, what vain breath you spend! he supply? I'll sooner expect mercy from a Usurer when my bond's Forfeited, sooner kindness from a Layer when my money's spent: Nay, sooner charity from the devil, than good from a Puritan! I'll look for relief from him, when Lucifer is restor'd to his blood, and in Heaven again.

NICHOLAS.

I warrant, my Kinsman's talking of me, for my left ear burns most tyrannically.

PYE.

Captain Idle, what's he there? he looks like a Monkey upward, and a Crane down-ward.

CAPTAIN.

Pshaw, a foolish Cousin of mine; I must thank God for him.

PYE.

Why, the better subject to work a scape upon; thou shalt o'en change clothes with him, and leave him here, and so--

CAPTAIN.

Push, I publish't him e'en now to my Corporal: he will be damned, ere he do me so much good; why, I know a more proper, a more handsome device than that, if the slave would be sociable. Now, goodman Fleer-face.