_Fath._ Sir, though I could be pleas'd to make my ills Only mine own, for grieving other men, Yet to so fair and courteous a demander That promises compassion, at worst pity, I will relate a little of my story. I am a Gentleman, however thus Poor and unhappy; which believe me, Sir, Was not born with me; for I well have try'd Both the extreams of Fortune, and have found Both dangerous; my younger years provok'd me, Feeling in what an ease I slept at home, Which to all stirring spirits is a sickness, To see far Countrys, and observe their Customs: I did so, and I travell'd till that course Stor'd me with language, and some few slight manners, Scarce worth my money; when an itch possess'd me Of making Arms my active end of travel. _Fab._ But did you so? _Fath._ I did, and twenty Winters I wore the Christian Cause upon my Sword Against his Enemies, at _Buda_ Siege Full many a cold Night have I lodg'd in armour, When all was frozen in me but mine Honour; And many a day, when both the Sun and Cannon Strove who should most destroy us; have I stood Mail'd up in Steel, when my tough sinew shrunk, And this parch'd Body ready to consume As soon to ashes, as the Pike I bore; Want has been to me as another Nature, Which makes me with this patience still profess it; And if a Souldier may without vain glory Tell what h'as done, believe me, Gentlemen, I could turn over annals of my dangers; With this poor weakness have I man'd a breach, And made it firm with so much bloud, that all I had to bring me off alive was anger; Thrice was I made a Slave, and thrice redeem'd At price of all I had; The miseries Of which times, if I had a heart to tell, Would make ye weep like Children; but [I]'ll spare ye. _Jac. Fabricio_, we two have been Souldiers Above these fourteen years, yet o' my Conscience, All we have seen, compar'd to his experience Has been but cudgel-play, or Cock-fighting. By all the faith I have in Arms, I reverence The very poverty of this brave fellow; Which were enough it self, and his to strengthen The weakest town against half _Christendom_. I was never so asham'd of service In all my life before, now I consider What I have done; and yet the Rogues would swear I was a valiant fellow; I do find The greatest danger I have brought my life through, Now I have heard this worthy, was no more Than stealing of a _May_-pole, or at worst, Fighting at single Billet with a Barge-man. _Fab._ I do believe him, _Jacomo_. _Jac._ Believe him? I have no faith within me, if I do not.