SCAR. Thus like a fever that doth shake a man From strength to weakness, I consume myself. I know this company, their custom vile, Hated, abhorr'd of good men, yet like a child By reason's rule, instructed how to know Evil from good, I to the worser go. Why do you suffer this, you upper powers, That I should surfeit in the sin of taste, Have sense to feel my mischiefs, yet make waste Of heaven and earth? Myself will answer, what myself doth ask. Who once doth cherish sin, begets his shame, For vice being foster'd once, comes impudence, Which makes men count sin custom, not offence: When all like me their reputation blot, Pursuing evil, while the good's forgot. _Enter_ ILFORD, _led in by a couple of_ SERJEANTS, _and_ GRIPE _the usurer_. SER. Nay, never strive, we can hold you. ILF. Ay, me, and the devil too,[386] and he fall into your clutches. Let go your tugging; as I am a gentleman, I'll be your true prisoner. WEN. How now: what's the matter, Frank? ILF. I am fallen into the hands of Serjeants: I am arrested. BAR. How, arrested? a gentleman in our company? ILF. Put up, put up; for sin's sake put up; let's not all sup in the Counter to night; let me speak with Master Gripe the creditor. GRIPE. Well, what say you to me, sir? ILF. You have arrested me here, Master Gripe. GRIPE. Not I, sir; the serjeants have. ILF. But at your suit, Master Gripe: yet hear me, as I am a gentleman. GRIPE. I rather you could say as you were an honest man, and then I might believe you. ILF. Yet hear me. GRIPE. Hear me no hearing; I lent you my money for goodwill. ILF. And I spent it for mere necessity. I confess I owe you five hundred pound, and I confess I owe not a penny to any man, but he would be glad to ha't [on my word]: my bond you have already, Master Gripe; if you will, now take my word. GRIPE. Word me no words! officers, look to your prisoner. If you cannot either make me present payment, or put me in security--such as I shall like, too-- ILF. Such as you shall like, too: what say you to this young gentleman? he is the widgeon that we must feed upon. [_Aside_.] GRIPE. Who, young Master Scarborow? he's an honest gentleman for aught I know; I ne'er lost a penny by him. ILF. I would be ashamed any man should say so by me, that I have had dealings withal [_Aside_]: but, my enforced friends, will't please you but to retire into some small distance, whilst I descend with a few words to these gentlemen, and I'll commit myself into your merciless hands immediately. SER. Well, sir, we'll wait upon you. [_They retire_.