HEAR. Bravely contriv'd! SLICER. That weapons be not wanting, We'll have a dozen of bones well-charg'd with marrow For ordnance, muskets, petronels, petards; Twelve yards of sausage by, instead of match; And caveary[141] then prepar'd for wild-fire. HEAR. Rare rogue! how I do love him now, methinks! SLICER. Next we'll have true fat eatable old pikes, Then a fresh turbot brought in for a buckler, With a long spitchcock for the sword adjoin'd. We'll bring the ancient weapons into play. HAVE. Most rare, by heaven! SLICER. Peaches, apricocks, And malecotoons,[142] with other choicer plums, Will serve for large-sized bullets; then a dish Or two of peas for small ones. I could now Tell you of pepper in the stead of powder, But that 'tis not in fashion 'mongst us gallants. If this might all stand upon drum-heads, 'twould Work somewhat better. HAVE. Will't so? Then we'll have 'em From every ward i' th' city. SLICER. No, I'm loth To put you to such charge. For once a long Table shall serve the turn; 'tis no great matter. The main thing's still behind. We must have there Some fort to scale; a venison-pasty doth it. You may have other pies instead of outworks: Some sconces would not be amiss, I think. When this is all prepar'd, and when we see The table look like a pitch'd battle, then We'll give the word, fall to, slash, kill and spoil: Destruction, rapine, violence! spare none. HEAR. Thou hast forgotten wine, lieutenant--wine. SLICER. Then to avoid the gross absurdity Of a dry battle, 'cause there must some blood Be spill'd (on th' enemies' side, I mean) you may Have there a rundlet of brisk claret, and As much of alicant; the same quantity Of tent would not be wanting--'tis a wine Most like to blood. Some shall bleed fainter colours, As sack and white wine. Some that have the itch (As there are tailors still in every army), Shall run with Rhenish that hath brimstone in't. When this is done, fight boldly: write yourself The tenth or 'leventh worthy--which you please: Your choice is free. HAVE. I'll be the gaming worthy; My word shall be twice twelve. I think the dice Ne'er mounted any upon horseback yet. SLICER. We'll bring your friends and ours to this large dinner: It works the better, eaten before witness. Beware you say 'tis yours; confession is One step to weakness; private conscience is A theatre to valour. Let's be close: Old Credulous and his son, and Master Caster, Shall all be there. HAVE. But then they will grow valiant All at my charge. SLICER. Ne'er fear't: the unknowing man Eats only flesh, the understanding, valour: His ignorance i' th' mystery keeps him coward. To him 'tis but a meal; to you 'tis virtue. It shall be kept here.