_Diccon._ Well, if ye will be ordered, and do by my reed, I will bring you to a place, as the house stands, Where ye shall take the drab with the nee'le in her hands. _Doctor Rat._ For God's sake do so, Diccon, and I will gage my gown To give thee a full pot of the best ale in the town. _Diccon._ Follow me but a little, and mark what I will say; Lay down your gown beside you, go to, come on your way! See ye not what is here? a hole wherein ye may creep Into the house, and suddenly unawares among them leap; There shall ye find the bitch-fox and the nee'le together. Do as I bid you, man, come on your ways hither! _Doctor Rat._ Art thou sure, Diccon, the swill-tub stands not hereabout? _Diccon._ I was within myself, man, even now, there is no doubt. Go softly, make no noise; give me your foot, sir John, Here will I wait upon you, till you come out anon. [_D. Rat creeps in._ _Doctor Rat_ [_calling from within_]. Help, Diccon! out alas! I shall be slain among them! _Diccon._ If they give you not the needle, tell them that ye will hang them. Ware that! How, my wenches! have ye caught the fox, That used to make revel among your hens and cocks? Save his life yet for his order, though he sustain some pain. Gog's bread! I am afraid they will beat out his brain. _Doctor Rat._ Woe worth the hour that I came here! And woe worth him that wrought this gear! A sort of drabs and queans have me blest-- Was ever creature half so evil drest? Whoever it wrought, and first did invent it He shall, I warrant him, ere long repent it! I will spend all I have without my skin But he shall be brought to the plight I am in! Master Baily, I trow, and he be worth his ears, Will snaffle these murderers, and all that them bears: I will surely neither bite nor sup Till I fetch him hither, this matter to take up. THE FIFTH ACT. THE FIRST SCENE. MASTER BAILY, DOCTOR RAT. _Baily._ I can perceive none other, I speak it from my heart, But either ye are in all the fault, or else in the greatest part. _Doctor Rat._ If it be counted his fault, besides all his griefs, When a poor man is spoiled, and beaten among thieves, Then I confess my fault herein, at this season; But I hope you will not judge so much against reason. _Baily._ And, methinks, by your own tale, of all that ye name, If any played the thief, you were the very same. The women they did nothing, as your words made probation, But stoutly withstood your forcible invasion. If that a thief at your window to enter should begin, Would you hold forth your hand and help to pull him in? Or you would keep him out? I pray you answer me. _Doctor Rat._ Marry, keep him out! and a good cause why! But I am no thief, sir, but an honest learned clerk.