SPEND. To such a one as these are must I come; Hunger will draw me into their fellowship, To fight and scramble for unsavoury scraps, That come from unknown hands, perhaps unwash'd: And would that were the worst; for I have noted That nought goes to the prisoners, but such food As either by the weather has been tainted, Or children, nay, sometimes full-paunched dogs Have overlick'd; as if men had determin'd That the worst sustenance which is God's creatures'-- However they're abus'd--is[208] good enough For such vild creatures as abuse themselves. O, what a slave was I unto my pleasures! How drown'd in sin, and overwhelm'd in lust! That I could write my repentance to the world, And force th' impression of it in the hearts Of you of[209] my acquaintance: I might teach them By my example, to look home to thrift, And not to range abroad to seek out ruin. Experience shows, his purse shall soon grow light, Whom dice wastes in the day, drabs in the night. Let all avoid false strumpets, dice and drink; For he that leaps i' th' mud, shall quickly sink. _Enter_ FOX _and_ LONGFIELD. FOX. Yonder's the man. LONG. I thank you. How is it with you, sir? What, on the ground? Look up, there's comfort towards you. SPEND. Belike, some charitable friend has sent a shilling. What is your business? LONG. Liberty. SPEND. There's virtue in that word; I'll rise up to you. Pray, let me hear that cheerful word again. LONG. The able and well-minded widow Raysby, Whose hand is still upon the poor man's box, Hath in her charity remember'd you; And, being by your master seconded, Hath taken order with your creditors For day and payment; and freely from her purse, By me her deputy, she hath discharg'd All duties in the house: besides, to your necessities This is bequeath'd, to furnish you with clothes. SPEND. Speak you this seriously? LONG. 'Tis not my practice to mock misery. SPEND. Be ever praised that divinity, That has to my oppressed state rais'd friends, Still be his blessings pour'd upon their heads. Your hand, I pray, That have so faithfully perform'd their wills. If e'er my industry, join'd with their loves, Shall raise me to a competent estate, Your name shall ever be to me a friend. LONG. In your good wishes you requite me amply. SPEND. All fees, you say, are paid? There's for your love. FOX. I thank you, sir, and am glad you are releas'd. [_Exeunt._ _Enter_ BUBBLE, _gallanted_. BUB. How apparel makes a man respected! the very children in the street do adore me: for if a boy, that is throwing at his jack-a-lent,[210] chance to hit me on the shins, why, I say nothing but _Tu quoque_, smile, and forgive the child with a beck of my hand, or some such like token: so by that means I do seldom go without broken shins.