Oh, if I take prison once, I shall be pressed to death with Actions, but not so happy as speedily; perhaps I may be forty year a pressing, till I be a thin old man; That, looking through the grates, men may look through me. All my means is confounded: what shall I do? has my wits served me so long, and now give me the slip (like a Trained servant) when I have most need of 'em? no device to keep my poor carcass fro these Puttocks?--yes, happiness! have I a paper about me now? yes, too! I'll try it, it may hit: Extremity is Touch-stone unto wit. Aye, aye.
PUT. Sfoot, how many yards are in thy Garters, that thou art so long a tying on them? come away, sir.
PYE. Troth, Sergeant, I protest, you could never ha took me at a worse time; for now at this instant I have no lawful picture about me.
PUT. Slid, how shall we come by our fees then?
RAVEN. We must have fees, Sirra.
PYE. I could ha wisht, ifaith, that you had took me half an hour hence for your own sake; for I protest, if you had not crossed me, I was going in great joy to receive five pound of a Gentleman, for the Device of a Mask here, drawn in this paper. But now, come, I must be contented: tis but so much lost, and answerable to the rest of my fortunes.
PUT. Why, how far hence dwells that Gentleman?
RAVEN. Aye, well said, sergeant, tis good to cast about for money.
PUT. Speak; if it be not far--
PYE. We are but a little past it, the next street behind us.
PUT. Slid, w have waited upon you grievously already: if you'll say you'll be liberal when you hate, give us double fees, and spend upon's, why we'll show you that kindness, and go along with you to the Gentleman.
RAVEN. Aye, well said still, sergeant, urge that.
PYE. Troth, if it will suffice, it shall be all among you; for my part I'll not pocket a penny: my hostess shall have her four pound five shillings, and bate me the five pence, and the other fifteen shillings I'll spend upon you.
RAVEN. Why, now thou art a good Scholar.
PUT. An excellent Scholar, ifaith; has proceeded very well alate; come, we'll along with you.
[Exeunt with him: passing in they knock at the door with a Knocker withinside.]
SCENE IV. A gallery in a gentleman's house.
[Enter a servant.]
SERVANT. Who knocks? who's at door? we had need of a Porter.
PYE. A few friends here:--pray, is the Gentleman your master within?
SERVANT. Yes, is your business to him?
PYE. Aye, he knows it, when he see's me: I pray you, have you forgot me?
SERVANT. Aye, by my troth, sir. Pray come near; I'll in and tell him of you: please you to walk here in the Gallery till he comes.
PYE. We will attend his worship.--Worship, I think, for so much the Posts at his door should signify, and the fair coming in, and the wicket; else I neither knew him nor his worship, but 'tis happiness he is within doors, what so ere he be; if he be not too much a formal Citizen, he may do me good.-- Sergeant and Yeoman, how do you like this house? ist not most wholesomely plotted?
RAVEN. Troth, prisoner, an exceeding fine house.
PYE. Yet I wonder how he should forget me,--for he ne'er knew me.--No matter, what is forgot in you will be remembered in your Master. A pretty comfortable room this, me thinks: You have no such rooms in prison now?
PUT. Oh, dog-holes toote.
PYE. Dog-holes, indeed. I can tell you, I have great hope to have my Chamber here shortly, nay, and diet too, for he's the most free-heartedst Gentleman where he takes: you would little think it! and what a fine Gallery were here for me to walk and study, and make verses.
PUT. O, it stands very pleasantly for a Scholar.
[Enter Gentleman.]
PYE. Look what maps, and pictures, and devices, and things: neatly, delicately--mass, here he comes: he should be a Gentleman; I like his Beard well.--All happiness to your worship.
GENTLEMAN. You're kindly welcome, sir.
PUT. A simple salutation.
RAVEN. Mass, it seems the Gentleman makes great account of him.
PYE. I have the thing here for you, sir.