WILL. Shall I tell thee, Tom Beggar, by the faith of a gentleman, this ancient freedom I would not forego, If I might have whole mines of money at my will to bestow. Then, a man's mind should be troubled to keep that he had; And you know it were not for me: it would make my valiant mind mad. For now we neither pay Church-money, subsidies, fifteens, scot nor lot: All the payings we pay is to pay the good ale-pot. SIMPLICITY. But, fellow beggars, you cosen me, and take away all the best meat, And leave me nothing but brown bread or fin of fish to eat. When you be at the alehouse, you drink up the strong ale, and give me small beer: You tell me 'tis better than the strong to make me sing clear. Indeed, you know, with my singing I get twice so much as ye, But, and you serve me so, you shall sing yourselves, and beg alone for me. TOM. We stand prating here: come, let us go to the gate. Mass, I am greatly afraid we are come somewhat too late. Good gentle Master Porter, your reward do bestow On a poor lame man, that hath but a pair of legs to go. WILL. For the honour of God, good Master Porter, give somewhat to the blind, That the way to the alehouse in his sleep cannot find. TOM. For the good Lord's sake, take compassion on the poor. _Enter_ FRAUD, _with a basket of meat on his arm_. FRAUD. How now, sirs! you are vengeance hasty: can ye not tarry, But stand bawling so at my lady's door? Here, take it amongst you; yet 'twere a good alms-deed to give you nothing, Because you were so hasty, and kept such a calling. TOM. I beseech ye not so, sir, for we were very hungry: That made us so earnest, but we are sorry we troubled ye. SIMPLICITY (_aside_). Look how greedy they be, like dogs that fall a snatching. You shall see that I shall have the greatest alms, because I said nothing. Fraud knows me, therefore he'll be my friend; I am sure of that. They have nothing but lean beef, ye shall see I shall have a piece that is fat. Master Fraud, you have forgot me: pray ye, let me have my share. FRAUD. Faith, all is gone; thou com'st too late: thou seest to all is given there. By the faith of a gentleman, I have it not: I would I were able to give thee more. SIMPLICITY. O sir, I saw your arms hang out of a stable-door.[219] FRAUD. Indeed, my arms are at the painter's; belike, lie hung them out to dry. I pray thee, tell me what they were, if thou canst them descry.