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ALL.

We like it well, my lord; we'll follow ye.

[Exeunt Lord Mayor and Justices.]

MORE.

Nay, plaintiff, go you too;—and officers,

[Exeunt Smart.]

Stand you aside, and leave the prisoner

To me awhile.—Lifter, come hither.

LIFTER.

What is your worship's pleasure?

MORE.

Sirrah, you know that you are known to me,

And I have often saved ye from this place,

Since first I came in office: thou seest beside,

That Justice Suresby is thy heavy friend,

By all the blame that he pretends to Smart,

For tempting thee with such a sum of money.

I tell thee what; devise me but a means

To pick or cut his purse, and, on my credit,

And as I am a Christian and a man,

I will procure they pardon for that jest.

LIFTER.

Good Master Shrieve, seek not my overthrow:

You know, sir, I have many heavy friends,

And more indictments like to come upon me.

You are too deep for me to deal withal;

You are known to be one of the wisest men

That is in England: I pray ye, Master Sheriff,

Go not about to undermine my life.

MORE.

Lifter, I am true subject to my king;

Thou much mistake me: and, for thou shall not think

I mean by this to hurt thy life at all,

I will maintain the act when thou hast done it.

Thou knowest there are such matters in my hands,

As if I pleased to give them to the jury,

I should not need this way to circumvent thee.

All that I aim at is a merry jest:

Perform it, Lifter, and expect my best.

LIFTER.

I thank your worship: God preserve your life!

But Master Justice Suresby is gone in;

I know not how to come near where he is.

MORE.

Let me alone for that; I'll be thy setter;

I'll send him hither to thee presently,

Under the colour of thine own request,

Of private matters to acquaint him with.

LIFTER.

If ye do so, sir, then let me alone;

Forty to one but then his purse is gone.

MORE.

Well said: but see that thou diminish not

One penny of the money, but give it me;

It is the cunning act that credits thee.

LIFTER.

I will, good Master Sheriff, I assure ye.

[Exeunt More.]

I see the purpose of this gentleman

Is but to check the folly of the Justice,

For blaming others in a desperate case,

Wherein himself may fall as soon as any.

To save my life, it is a good adventure:

Silence there, ho! now doth the Justice enter.

[Enter Justice Suresby.]

SURESBY.

Now, sirrah, now, what is your will with me?

Wilt thou discharge thy conscience like an honest man?

What sayest to me, sirrah? be brief, be brief.

LIFTER.

As brief, sir, as I can.—

[Aside.] If ye stand fair, I will be brief anon.

SURESBY.

Speak out, and mumble not; what sayest thou, sirrah?

LIFTER.

Sir, I am charged, as God shall be my comfort,

With more than's true.

SURESBY.

Sir, sir, ye are indeed, with more than's true,

For you are flatly charged with felony;

You're charged with more than truth, and that is theft;

More than a true man should be charged withal;

Thou art a varlet, that's no more than true.

Trifle not with me; do not, do not, sirrah;

Confess but what thou knowest, I ask no more.

LIFTER.

There be, sir, there be, if't shall please your worship—

SURESBY.

There be, varlet! what be there? tell me what there be.

Come off or on: there be! what be there, knave?

LIFTER.

There be, sir, diverse very cunning fellows,

That, while you stand and look them in the face,

Will have your purse.

SURESBY.

Th'art an honest knave:

Tell me what are they? where they may be caught?

Aye, those are they I look for.

LIFTER.

You talk of me, sir;

Alas, I am a puny! there's one indeed

Goes by my name, he puts down all for purses;

He'll steal your worship's purse under your nose.

SURESBY.

Ha, ha! Art thou so sure, varlet?

Well, well,

Be as familiar as thou wilt, my knave;

Tis this I long to know.

LIFTER.

And you shall have your longing ere ye go.—

This fellow, sir, perhaps will meet ye thus,

Or thus, or thus, and in kind complement

Pretend acquaintance, somewhat doubtfully;

And these embraces serve—

SURESBY.

Aye, marry, Lifter, wherefor serve they?

[Shrugging gladly.]

LIFTER.

Only to feel

Whether you go full