USURY. No, Fraud: though many have counterfeited both thee and me, We are ourselves yet, and no changelings, I see And why shouldst thou ask me, man, if I live? The silly ass cannot feed on harder forage than Usury: she upon thistles, and I upon a brown crust of a month old. SIMPLICITY. So that Usury and an ass are two of the profitablest beasts that a man can keep; yet th'one hath sharper teeth than th'other. FRAUD. But what means Dissimulation? He droops, methinks. What cheer, man? Why, cousin, frolic a fit. Art thou not glad of this meeting? What's the cause of thy melancholy? DISSIMULATION. Not melancholic, but musing how it comes to pass that we are thus fortunate to meet, as we do? SIMONY. I'll tell thee why we met: because we are no mountains.[247] SIMPLICITY. But ye are as ill, for ye are monsters. SIMONY. And men may meet, though mountains cannot. FRAUD. In token that this meeting is joyous to us all, let us embrace altogether with heart's joy and affection. SIMPLICITY. I see many of these old proverbs prove true; 'tis merry when knaves meet. [_Aside_. FRAUD. How, sir! what's that? SIMONY. If a man had a casting-net, he might catch all you. FRAUD. Art thou not Simplicity? SIMPLICITY. Goodman Simplicity, for I am married, and it like your mastership. And you are Master Fraud, too; a pox on your worship. I see a fox and a false knave have all one luck, the better for banning; and many of you crafty knaves live merrilier than we honest men. FRAUD. Sirrah, bridle your tongue, if you'll be welcome to our company. No girds nor old grudges, but congratulate this meeting. And, sirs, if you say it, let's tell how we have lived since our parting. SIMPLICITY. O, it is great pity. USURY. What, to tell how we have lived? SIMPLICITY. No; that ye do live. FRAUD. Yet again, sirrah? Usury, as for thee, it were folly to ask, for thou livest but too well; but Dissimulation and Simony, how have you two lived? Discourse, I pray you heartily. SIMPLICITY. Faith, even like two mice in an ambery,[248] that eat up all the meat, and when they have done gnaw holes in the cupboard. DISSIMULATION. Fraud, after my 'scaping away at the Sessions, where I shifted, as thou knowest, in three sundry shapes: one of a friar, and they can dissemble; another like a woman, and they do little else; the third as a saint and a devil--and so is a woman--I was banished out of London by Nemo. To the country went I amongst my old friends, and never better loved than among the russet-coats. Once in a month I stole in o' th' market-day to Leadenhall and about, and sometime to Westminster Hall. Now, hearing some speech that the ladies should be sued for, I am come in hope of my old entertainment, supposing myself not known of many, and hoping the three lords will prevail in their suit, and I to serve one of them. SIMPLICITY. He shall do well that gives thee a coat, but he should do better that could take off thy skin. [Aside.