_Hat_. What odious death, I pray? _Alf_. Eaten with Rats, Whilest he was living, for the wrong he did Unto the poore, the branches of our God. _Hat_. Tis true, and therefore, call the poore againe. Come hither, friends, I did forget my selfe. Pray for me, ther's some silver for thy wants. 2. Now the Lord blesse you and keep your good face[169] from being Mouse-eaten; wee came thinking wee should have some dole at the Bishops funerall, but now this shall serve our turne, wee will pray for you night and day. _Hat_. Goe to the backe-gate, and you shall have dole. _Om_. O the Lord save thee. [_Exeunt Beggers_. _Hat_. These Beggers pray and curse both in a breath. Oh wherefore should we fawne upon such curres, The mice of mankind, and the scorne of earth? _Alf_. So said our brother. _Hat_. And he was a Bishop, Had read the Scripture and knew what he said. _Alf_. But he hath bought[170] that saying with his death, With such a loathsome and notorious death As while the World's a World 'twill speake of _Meath_. _Hat_. The Lord Archbishop of _Meath_, and die by Rats! _Alf_. He did proclaime reliefe unto the poore; Assembled them unto a private Barne And, having lockt the doore, set it on fire, Saying hee'de rid the countrie of such Mice; And Mice and Rats have rid him from the World. _Hat_. Well, Ile not hurt the poore so publikely, But privately I'le grinde their very hearts. Torture them living, and yet have their prayers, And by such meanes that few or none shall know it. _Al_. In such a course _Alfred_ would wind with you; For though I counsail'd you to be more calme, Twas not in pittie of their povertie But to avoide their clamour. To give nothing Will make them curse you: but to threaten them, Flie in your face, and spit upon your beard. No devill so fierce as a bread-wanting heart, Especially being baited with ill tearmes. But what course can you take to plague these dogges? _Hat_. Why, buy up all the corne and make a dearth, So thousands of them will die under stalles. _Alf_. And send it unto forraine nations To bring in toies to make the wealthy poore. _Hat_. Or make our land beare woad[171] instead of wheate. _Al_. Inclose the commons and make white meates deare. _Hat_. Turne pasture into Park grounds and starve cattle, Or twentie other honest thriving courses. The meanest of these will beggar halfe a Kingdome. _Al_. I have a commission drawne for making glasse. Now if the Duke come, as I thinke he will, Twill be an excellent meanes to lavish wood; And then the cold will kill them, had they bread. _Hat_. The yron Mills are excellent for that. I have a pattent[172] drawne to that effect; If they goe up, downe goes the goodly trees; Ile make them search the earth to find new fire. _Alf_. We two are brothers, and the Duke's our brother. Shall we be brothers in Commission? And Ile perswade him to authorize thee His substitute in _Meath_, when he enjoyes it.