_Grac._ Hum! the fools are modest; I know their insides: here's an ill-faced fellow, (But that will not be seen in a dark shop;) If he did not in a month learn to outswear, In the selling of his wares, the cunning'st tradesman In Syracuse, I have no skill. Here's another; Observe but what a cozening look he has!-- Hold up thy head, man! If, for drawing gallants Into mortgages for commodities[114], cheating heirs With your new counterfeit gold thread, and gumm'd velvets, He does not transcend all that went before him, Call in his patent. _Mar._ Is 't not pity, then, Men of such eminent virtues should be slaves? _Cimb._ Our fortune. _Mar._ 'Tis your folly: daring men Command and make their fates. Say, at this instant, I mark'd you out a way to liberty; Possess'd you of those blessings our proud lords So long have surfeited in; and, what is sweetest, Arm you with power, by strong hand to revenge Your stripes, your unregarded toil, the pride, The insolence, of such as tread upon Your patient sufferings; fill your famish'd mouths With the fat and plenty of the land; redeem you From the dark vale of servitude, and seat you Upon a hill of happiness; what would you do To purchase this, and more? _Grac._ Do! any thing: To burn a church or two, and dance by the light on 't, Were but a May-game. _Poliph._ I have a father living; But if the cutting of his throat could work this, He should excuse me. _Cimb._ 'Slight! I would cut mine own, Rather than miss it; so I might but have A taste on 't ere I die. _Mar._ Be resolute men; You shall run no such hazard, nor groan under The burden of such crying sins. _Poliph._ Do not torment us With expectation. _Mar._ Thus, then:--Our proud masters, And all the able freemen of the city, Are gone unto the wars---- _Poliph._ Observe but that. _Mar._ Old men, and such as can make no resistance, Are only left at home---- _Grac._ And the proud young fool, My master--if this take, I'll hamper him. _Mar._ Their arsenal, their treasure, 's in our power, If we have hearts to seize them. If our lords fall In the present action, the whole country's ours: Say they return victorious, we have means To keep the town against them; at the worst, To make our own conditions. If you dare break up Their iron chests, banquet in their rich halls, And carve yourselves of all delights and pleasures You have been barr'd from, with one voice cry with me, Liberty! liberty! _All._ Liberty! liberty! _Mar._ Go, then, and take possession: use all freedom; But shed no blood. [_Exeunt Slaves._]--So, this is well begun; But not to be commended till 't be done. [_Exit._ FOOTNOTES: [112] _Rouse_,] i. e. _full glass_, _bumper_.