_Oppr._ Thou sayest sooth, Adulation! so might I go: If he were disposed to take the charge in hand, I warrant him a chive to rule all the whole land. _Adul._ So, Master Insolence! ye hear Oppression? _Insol._ I thank both him and thee, good Adulation! And long have I dreamed of such an enterprise; But how, or where to begin, I cannot devise. _Oppr._ Wherefore serve friends, but your enterprise to allow? _Adul._ And then must you support them, as they must maintain you. _Oppr._ And, wherefore do friends serve, but to set you in? _Adul._ Ye shall have all my help whenever ye begin. _Insol._ But we may, herein, nothing attempt, in no wise, Without the counsel of our founder, Avarice. _Adul._ He must direct all this gear by his holy ghost. _Oppr_. For he knoweth what is to be done in each coast; He knoweth where, and how that money is to be had-- And, yonder he cometh! methinketh more than half mad! [_Intrat_ AVARICE. ACTUS PRIMI, SCENA TERTIA. AVARICE. INSOLENCE. OPPRESSION. ADULATION. _Avarice._ It was a fair grace that I was not undone clean; Yet my key was safe locked under mine locks, I ween. But e'en, as against such a thing my heart will throb, I found knaves about my house, ready me to rob. There was such tooting, such looking, and such prying; Such hearkening, such stalking, such watching, such spying. "What would ye, my masters?" "We look after a cat." "What make ye hereabout?" "We have smelled a rat." Now, a weal on such noses! thought I, by and by, That so quickly can scent where hidden gold doth lie. But had I not come when I did, without all fails, I think they had digged up my walls with their nails! _Insol._ Let us speak to him, and break his chafing talk. _Avar._ Such greediness of money among men doth walk That, have it they will, either by hook or by crook! _Oppr._ Let us call to him that he may this way look. _Avar._ Whether by right, or by wrong, in faith! some care not: Therefore, catch that catch may, hardely, and spare not! _Adul._ All hail our founder and chief, Master Avarice! _Avar._ The devil is a knave, an I catch not a flyce. _Adul._ When ye see your time, look this way, your friends upon! _Avar._ I doubt not to scamble and rake as well as one. _Adul._ Here be that would fain be disciples of your art. _Avar._ I will not be behind to get a child's part. _Adul._ Now, if ye have done, I pray you look this way back. _Avar._ Who buzzeth in mine ear so? what? ye saucy Jack! _Adul._ Are ye yet at leisure, with your good friends to talk?