[RALPH ROISTER _and_ TOM TOSSPOT _go out, and_ SEVERITY, _the judge, entereth, and_ NICHOL NEWFANGLE _lieth on the ground groaning_. SEV. That upright judgment without partiality Be minist'red duly to ill-doers and offenders! I am one, whose name is Severity, Appointed a judge to suppress evil-doers, Not for hatred nor yet for malice: But to advance virtue and suppress vice. Wherefore Isodorus these words doth say: _Non est Judex, si in eo non est Justitia!_ He is not a judge that Justice doth want, But he that truth and equity doth plant. Fully also these words doth express, Which words are very true doubtless. _Semper iniquus est judex, qui aut invidet aut favet_: They are unrightful judges all, That are either envious or else partial. NEW. Help me up, good sir, for I have got a fall. SEV. What cause have you, my friend, thus heavily to groan? NEW. O sir, I have good cause to make great moan; Here were two fellows but right now, That (I think) have killed me, I make God a vow. I pray you, tell me, am I alive or am I dead? SEV. Fellow, it is more meet for thee to be in thy bed, Than to lie here in such sort as thou dost. NEW. In faith, I should have laid some of the knaves in the dust, If I had had your sword right now in presence; I would have had a leg or an arm, ere they had gone hence. SEV. Who is it that hath done thee this injury? NEW. A couple of beggars have done me this villainy. SEV. I see, if severity should not be executed, One man should not live by another. If such injuries should not be confuted, The child would regard neither father nor mother. Give me thy hand, and I shall help thee. NEW. Hold fast your sword then, I pray you heartily. [_He riseth._ SEV. Now, friend, it appeareth unto me, That you have been a traveller of the country And such as travel do hear of things done, As well in the country, as the city of London. How say you, my friend, can you tell any news NEW. That can I, for I came lately from the stews. There are knaves abroad, you may believe me, As in this place shortly you shall see. No more words, but mum, and stand awhile aside: Yonder cometh two knaves; therefore abide. _Intrat_ C. CUTPURSE _and_ PIERCE PICKPURSE. CUTHB. By Gog's wounds, if he help not now, we are undone: By the mass, for my part, I wot not whither to run. PIERCE. We be so pursu'd on every side That, by Gog's heart, I wot not where to abide. CUTHB. Every constable is charged to make privy search; So that, if we may be got, we shall be thrown over the perch.