_Oliver_.--I am sent hither by them who (the Lord in his loving-kindness having pity and mercy upon these poor realms) do, under his right hand, administer unto our necessities and righteously command us, _by the aforesaid as aforesaid_ (thus runs the commission) hither am I deputed (woe is me!) to levy certain fines in this county, or shire, on such as the Parliament in its wisdom doth style malignants. _Sir Oliver_.--If there is anything left about the house, never be over nice: dismiss thy modesty and lay hands upon it. In this county or shire, we let go the civet-bag to save the weazon. _Oliver_.--O mine uncle and godfather! be witness for me. _Sir Oliver_.--Witness for thee! not I indeed. But I would rather be witness than surety, lad, where thou art docketed. _Oliver_.--From the most despised doth the Lord ever choose his servants. _Sir Oliver_.--Then, faith! thou art his first butler. _Oliver_.--Serving Him with humility, I may peradventure be found worthy of advancement. _Sir Oliver_.--Ha! now if any devil speaks from within thee, it is thy own: he does not sniffle: to my ears he speaks plain English. Worthy or unworthy of advancement, thou wilt attain it. Come in; at least for an hour's rest. Formerly thou knewest the means of setting the heaviest heart afloat, let it be sticking in what mud-bank it might: and my wet-dock at Ramsey is pretty near as commodious as that over-yonder at Hinchinbrook was erewhile. Times are changed, and places too! yet the cellar holds good. _Oliver_.--Many and great thanks! But there are certain men on the other side of the gate, who might take it ill if I turn away and neglect them. _Sir Oliver_.--Let them enter also, or eat their victuals where they are. _Oliver_.--They have proud stomachs: they are recusants. _Sir Oliver_.--Recusants of what? of beef and ale? We have claret, I trust, for the squeamish, if they are above the condition of tradespeople. But of course you leave no person of higher quality in the outer court. _Oliver_.--Vain are they and worldly, although such wickedness is the most abominable in their cases. Idle folks are fond of sitting in the sun: I would not forbid them this indulgence. _Sir Oliver_.--But who are they? _Oliver_.--The Lord knows. May-be priests, deacons, and such like. _Sir Oliver_.--Then, sir, they are gentlemen. And the commission you bear from the parliamentary thieves, to sack and pillage my mansion-house, is far less vexatious and insulting to me, than your behaviour in keeping them so long at my stable-door. With your permission, or without it, I shall take the liberty to invite them to partake of my poor hospitality. _Oliver_.--But, uncle Sir Oliver! there are rules and ordinances whereby it must be manifested that they lie under displeasure--not mine--not mine--but my milk must not flow for them.