FAST. Good faith, I must crave pardon: I was invited this morning, ere I was out of my bed, by a bevy of ladies, to a banquet: whence it was almost one of Hercules's labours for me to come away, but that the respect of my promise did so prevail with me. I know they'll take it very ill, especially one, that gave me this bracelet of her hair but over night, and this pearl another gave me from her forehead, marry she -- what! are the writings ready? PUNT. I will send my man to know. Sirrah, go you to the notary's, and learn if he be ready: leave the dog, sir. [EXIT SERVANT. FAST. And how does my rare qualified friend, Sogliardo? Oh, signior Macilente! by these eyes, I saw you not; I had saluted you sooner else, o' my troth. I hope, sir, I may presume upon you, that you will not divulge my late check, or disgrace, indeed, sir. MACI. You may, sir. CAR. He knows some notorious jest by this gull, that he hath him so obsequious. SOG. Monsieur Fastidious, do you see this fellow there? does he not look like a clown? would you think there were any thing in him? FAST. Any thing in him! beshrew me, ay; the fellow hath a good ingenious face. SOG. By this element he is as ingenious a tall man as ever swagger'd about London: he, and I, call Countenance and Resolution; but his name is cavalier Shift. PUNT. Cavalier, you knew signior Clog, that was hang'd for the robbery at Harrow on the hill? SOG. Knew him, sir! why, 'twas he gave all the directions for the action. PUNT. How! was it your project, sir? SHIFT. Pardon me, Countenance, you do me some wrong to make occasions public, which I imparted to you in private. SOG. God's will! here are none but friends, Resolution. SHIFT. That's all one; things of consequence must have their respects; where, how, and to whom. -- Yes, sir, he shewed himself a true Clog in the coherence of that affair, sir; for, if he had managed matters as they were corroborated to him, it had been better for him by a forty or fifty score of pounds, sir; and he himself might have lived, in despight of fates, to have fed on woodcocks, with the rest: but it was his heavy fortune to sink, poor Clog! and therefore talk no more of him. PUNT. Why, had he more aiders then? SOG. O lord, sir! ay, there were some present there, that were the Nine Worthies to him, i'faith. SHIFT. Ay, sir, I can satisfy you at more convenient conference: but, for mine own part, I have now reconciled myself to other courses, and profess a living out of my other qualities. SOG. Nay, he has left all now, I assure you, and is able to live like a gentleman, by his qualities. By this dog, he has the most rare gift in tobacco that ever you knew. CAR. He keeps more ado with this monster, than ever Banks did with his horse, or the fellow with the elephant.