KING. Else God forbid: and, good sir, thus it is, I bought a farm of one that dwells here by, And for an earnest gave an hundred pound: The rest was to be paid as six weeks past. Now, sir, I would have you as witness, That at my house you saw me pay three hundred pound, And for your pains I will give you a hundred pound; Besides, I will stand your friend in what I may. You hear the cause; What, will your conscience serve you to do it? CONEYCATCHER. How say you, sir? My conscience? then you touch me! I tell you, sir, my conscience will serve me to do more than this. Why, I have been a post-knight[300] in Westminster this twelve year, And sworn to that which no one else would venture on. Why, I have sworn against mine own father for money: I have sworn right or wrong--any ways--for money, When I have received money before witness, I swore to the contrary; And do you misdoubt me in so slight a matter as this, When I have sworn against father, mother, and all my kin? HONESTY. I told you, sir, how resolute you should find him: He doth it without fear, I warrant you. I think That in London you could not have found a man so fit For your purpose. I knew his father, sir: A man of honest reputation, and one whose life Was witness to the life he led: he was a bailiff, sir, Though I say't, but no bailiff that used deceit; He had too good a conscience for that. KING. All the better for that; for it should seem by his Behaviour that he hath had good bringing-up. CONEYCATCHER. Indeed, my father in his lifetime was a man Given to the fear of God, and to use much devotion. HONESTY. Ay, but he gave nothing for God's sake, except it were Hard words, or blows; and they had been better kept than given. But hush! here comes the judge. _Enter_ PERIN _a judge, and_ DUNSTAN _a farmer_. KING. Hear you, sir; If you be in readiness, here is the judge. CONEYCATCHER. Ay, sir: I fear not, I warrant you: is that your adversary? What an old crust it is! HONESTY. I think the villain hath a face hardened with steel; He could never be so impudent else. DUNSTAN. If it please your worship, this is the man That wrongfully would have my farm from me, Facing me down that he hath paid me that, Which he never off'red, nor I never received: And this day he hath promised to make proof, That he hath paid me full four hundred pound. KING. And so I can; and here's my witness to it, That saw me when I paid the money. DUNSTAN. Why, I am sure he will not say it. I never saw the man in all my life. CONEYCATCHER. No, sir? but I saw you, and was a witness When this gentleman paid you three hundred pound, As the last payment for the farm he bought. PERIN. But where was the money tendered? CONEYCATCHER. At the gentleman's house.