FUR. "The Spartans held it lawful, and th' Arabians, So grew Arabia happy, Sparta valiant." HAR. "The world's a theatre of theft: great rivers Rob smaller brooks; and them the ocean." ALB. Have not I wean'd you up from petty larceny, Dangerous and poor, and nurs'd you to full strength Of safe and gainful theft? by rules of art And principles of cheating made you as free From taking as you went invisible; And do ye thus requite me? this the reward For all my watchful care? RON. We are your scholars, Made by your help and our own aptness able To instruct others. 'Tis the trade we live by. You that are servant to divine astrology, Do something worth her livery: cast figures, Make almanacs for all meridians. FUR. Sell perspicils and instruments of hearing: Turn clowns to gentlemen; buzzards to falcons, 'ur-dogs to greyhounds; kitchen-maids to ladies. HAR. Discover more new stars and unknown planets: Vent them by dozens, style them by the names Of men that buy such ware. Take lawful courses, Rather than beg. ALB. Not keep your honest promise? RON. "Believe none, credit none: for in this city No dwellers are but cheaters and cheatees." ALB. You promis'd me the greatest share. RON. Our promise! If honest men by obligations And instruments of law are hardly constrain'd T' observe their word, can we, that make profession Of lawless courses, do't? ALB. Amongst ourselves! Falcons, that tyrannise o'er weaker fowl, Hold peace with their own feathers. HAR. But when they counter Upon one quarry,[348] break that league, as we do. ALB. At least restore the ten pound in gold I lent you. RON. "'Twas lent in an ill second, worser third, And luckless fourth:" 'tis lost, Albumazar. FUR. Saturn was in ascension, Mercury Was then combust, when you delivered it. 'Twill never be restor'd. RON. "Hali, Abenezra, Hiarcha, Brachman, Budda Babylonicus," And all the Chaldees and the Cabalists, Affirm that sad aspect threats loss of debts. HAR. Frame by your azimuth Almicantarath, An engine like a mace, whose quality Of strange retractive virtue may recall Desperate debts, and with that undo serjeants. ALB. Was ever man thus baited by's own whelps? Give me a slender portion, for a stock To begin trade again. RON. 'Tis an ill course, And full of fears. This treasure hath enrich'd us, And given us means to purchase and live quiet Of th' fruit of dangers past. When I us'd robbing, All blocks before me look'd like constables, And posts appear'd in shape of gallowses; Therefore, good tutor, take your pupil's counsel: 'Tis better beg than steal; live in poor clothes Than hang in satin. ALB. Villains, I'll be reveng'd, And reveal all the business to a justice!