SIR JO. Oh, here a' comes--Ay, my Hector of Troy, welcome, my bully, my Back; agad, my heart has gone a pit pat for thee. BLUFF. How now, my young knight? Not for fear, I hope; he that knows me must be a stranger to fear. SIR JO. Nay, agad, I hate fear ever since I had like to have died of a fright. But-- BLUFF. But? Look you here, boy, here's your antidote, here's your Jesuits' powder for a shaking fit. But who hast thou got with thee? is he of mettle? [_Laying his hand upon his sword_.] SIR JO. Ay, bully, a devilish smart fellow: 'a will fight like a cock. BLUFF. Say you so? Then I honour him. But has he been abroad? for every cock will fight upon his own dunghill. SIR JO. I don't know, but I'll present you-- BLUFF. I'll recommend myself. Sir, I honour you; I understand you love fighting, I reverence a man that loves fighting. Sir, I kiss your hilts. SHARP. Sir, your servant, but you are misinformed, for, unless it be to serve my particular friend, as Sir Joseph here, my country, or my religion, or in some very justifiable cause, I'm not for it. BLUFF. O Lord, I beg your pardon, sir, I find you are not of my palate: you can't relish a dish of fighting without sweet sauce. Now, I think fighting for fighting sake's sufficient cause; fighting to me's religion and the laws. SIR JO. Ah, well said, my Hero; was not that great, sir? by the Lord Harry he says true; fighting is meat, drink, and cloth to him. But, Back, this gentleman is one of the best friends I have in the world, and saved my life last night--you know I told you. BLUFF. Ay! Then I honour him again. Sir, may I crave your name? SHARP. Ay, sir, my name's Sharper. SIR JO. Pray, Mr. Sharper, embrace my Back. Very well. By the Lord Harry, Mr. Sharper, he's as brave a fellow as Cannibal, are not you, Bully-Back? SHARP. Hannibal, I believe you mean, Sir Joseph. BLUFF. Undoubtedly he did, sir; faith, Hannibal was a very pretty fellow--but, Sir Joseph, comparisons are odious--Hannibal was a very pretty fellow in those days, it must be granted--but alas, sir! were he alive now, he would be nothing, nothing in the earth. SHARP. How, sir! I make a doubt if there be at this day a greater general breathing. BLUFF. Oh, excuse me, sir! Have you served abroad, sir? SHARP. Not I, really, sir. BLUFF. Oh, I thought so. Why, then, you can know nothing, sir: I am afraid you scarce know the history of the late war in Flanders, with all its particulars. SHARP. Not I, sir, no more than public letters or gazettes tell us.