Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 10 of 10Fletcher, John
General
Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 10 of 10
Fletcher, John
English drama
_3 Cred._ 'Faith and mine is much about that matter too; your
Girdle and Hangers, and your Beaver, shall be sufficient bail for't.
_1 Cred._ If you have ever a plain black sute at home, this Silken
one, with your Silke-stockings, Garters, and Roses shall pacifie me
too; for I take no delight, if I have a sufficient pawn, to cast
any Gentleman in prison; therefore 'tis but an untrussing matter:
and you are free, we are no unreasonable creatures you see; for
mine own part, I protest I am loth to put you to any trouble for
security.
_Mont._ Is there no more of you? he wou'd next demand my skin.
_1 Cred._ No Sir, here's no more of us, nor do any of us demand
your skin, we know not what to do with it: but it may be if you
ow'd your Glover any money, he knew what use to make of it.
_Mont._ Ye dregs of baseness, vultures amongst men,
That tyre upon the hearts of generous spirits.
_1 Cred._ You do us wrong Sir, we tyre no generous spirits, we tyre
nothing but our hackneys.
_Enter Mallicorne._
_Mont._ But here comes one made of another piece;
A man well meriting that free born name
Of Citizen; welcome my deliverer, I am falen
Into the hands of blood-hounds, that for a sum
Lesser than their honesties, which is nothing,
Wou'd tear me out of my skin.
_Mal._ Why Sir, what's the matter?
_1 Cre._ Why Sir the matter is, that we must have our money, which
if we cannot have, we'll satisfie our selves with his carcass,
and be payd that wayes: you had as good Sir, not have been so
peremptory. Officer, hold fast.
_1 Offi._ The strenuous fist of vengeance now is clutcht; therefore
fear nothing.
_Mal._ What may be the debt in gross?
_Mont._ Some forty Crowns, nay rather not so much, 'tis quickly
cast.
_Mal._ 'Tis strange to me, that your estate shou'd have so low an
ebb, to stick at such sleight sums: why my friends, you are too
strict in your accounts, and call too sudden on this Gentleman, he
has hopes left yet to pay you all.
_1 Cred._ Hopes? I marry; bid him pay his friends with hopes,
and pay us with currant Coyn: I knew a gallant once that fed his
creditors still with hopes, and bid 'em they shou'd fear nothing,
for he had 'em tyed in a string; and trust me so he had indeed, for
at last he and all his hopes hopt in a halter.
_Mont._ Good Sir, with what speed you may, free me out of the
company of these slaves, that have nothing but their names to show
'em men.
_Mal._ What wou'd you wish me do Sir? I protest I ha' not the
present sum (small as it is) to lay down for you; and for giving my
word, my friends no later than yesternight made me take bread and
eat it, that I shou'd not do it for any man breathing i'th' world;
therefore I pray hold me excused.
_Mont._ You do not speak this seriously?
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