_Adam_ (_alone_). Well, Goodman Jonas, I would you had never come from Jewry to this country; you have made me look like a lean rib of roast beef, or like the picture of Lent painted upon a red-herring-cob. Alas, masters, we are commanded by the proclamation to fast and pray! By my faith, I could prettily so-so away with praying; but for fasting, why, 'tis so contrary to my nature that I had rather suffer a short hanging than a long fasting. Mark me, the words be these, 'Thou shalt take no manner of food for so many days'. I had as lief he should have said, 'Thou shalt hang thyself for so many days'. And yet, in faith, I need not find fault with the proclamation, for I have a buttery and a pantry and a kitchen about me; for proof, _ecce signum_! This right slop (_leg of his garments_) is my pantry--behold a manchet [_Draws it out_]; this place is my kitchen, for, lo, a piece of beef [_Draws it out_]: O, let me repeat that sweet word again! for, lo, a piece of beef! This is my buttery; for see, see, my friends, to my great joy, a bottle of beer [_Draws it out_]. Thus, alas, I make shift to wear out this fasting; I drive away the time. But there go searchers about to seek if any man breaks the king's command. O, here they be; in with your victuals, Adam. [_Puts them back into his slops. Enter two_ Searchers.] _First Searcher._ How duly the men of Nineveh keep the proclamation! how are they armed to repentance! We have searched through the whole city, and have not as yet found one that breaks the fast. _Second Searcher._ The sign of the more grace.--But stay! here sits one, methinks, at his prayers; let us see who it is. _First S._ 'Tis Adam, the smith's man.--How now, Adam! _Adam._ Trouble me not; 'Thou shalt take no manner of food, but fast and pray.' _First S._ How devoutly he sits at his orisons! But stay, methinks I feel a smell of some meat or bread about him. _Second S._ So thinks me too.--You, sirrah, what victuals have you about you? _Adam._ Victuals! O horrible blasphemy! Hinder me not of my prayer, nor drive me not into a choler. Victuals! why, heardest thou not the sentence, 'Thou shalt take no food, but fast and pray'? _Second S._ Truth, so it should be; but methinks I smell meat about thee. _Adam._ About me, my friends! these words are actions in the case. About me! No, no! hang those gluttons that cannot fast and pray. _First S._ Well, for all your words, we must search you. _Adam._ Search me! Take heed what you do: my hose are my castles; 'tis burglary if you break ope a slop; no officer must lift up an iron hatch; take heed, my slops are iron. [_They search_ Adam.]