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.
NICHOLAS. Oh, my Cousin begins to speak to me now: I shall be acquainted with him again, I hope.
SKIRMISH. Look what ridiculous Raptures take hold of his wrinkles.
PYE. Then, what say you to this device? a happy one, Captain?
CAPTAIN. Speak low, George; Prison Rats have wider ears than those in Malt-lofts.
NICHOLAS. Cousin, if it lay in my power, as they say--to--do--
CAPTAIN. Twould do me an exceeding pleasure, indeed, that, but ne'er talk forder on't: the fool will be hang'd, ere he do't.
[To the Corporal.]
CORPORAL. Pax, I'll thump 'im to't.
PYE. Why, do but try the Fopster, and break it to him bluntly.
CAPTAIN. And so my disgrace will dwell in his Jaws, and the slave slaver out our purpose to his Master, for would I were but as sure on't as I am sure he will deny to do't.
NICHOLAS. I would be heartily glad, Cousin, if any of my friendships, as they say, might--stand--ah--
PYE. Why, you see he offers his friendship foolishly to you already.
CAPTAIN. Aye, that's the hell on't, I would he would offer it wisely.
NICHOLAS. Verily, and indeed la, Cousin--
CAPTAIN. I have took note of thy fleers a good while: if thou art minded to do me good--as thou gapst upon me comfortably, and giv'st me charitable faces, which indeed is but a fashion in you all that are Puritains--wilt soon at night steal me thy Master's chain?
NICHOLAS. Oh, I shall swoon!
PYE. Corporal, he starts already.