_Grip._ From an impertinent coxcomb: I am out of humour, and am in haste; leave me. _Merc._ 'Tis my duty to attend on your lordship, and to ease you of that undecent burden. _Grip._ Gold was never any burden to one of my profession. _Merc._ By your lordship's permission, Phædra has sent me to take it from you. _Grip._ What, by violence? _Merc._ [_still bowing._] No; but by your honour's permission, I am to restore it to her, and persuade your lordship to renounce your pretensions to her. _Grip._ Tell her flatly, I will neither do one, nor t'other. _Merc._ O my good lord, I dare pass my word for your free consent to both.----Will your honour be pleased to take your choice of one of these? _Grip._ Why, these are swords: what have I to do with them? _Merc._ Only to take your choice of one of them, which your lordship pleases; and leave the other to your most obedient servant. _Grip._ What, one of these ungodly weapons? Take notice, I'll lay you by the heels, sirrah: this has the appearance of an unlawful bloody challenge. _Merc._ You magistrates are pleased to call it so, my lord; but with us swordmen, it is an honourable invitation to the cutting of one another's throats. _Grip._ Be answered; I have no throat to cut. The law shall decide our controversy. _Merc._ By your permission, my lord, it must be dispatched this way. _Grip._ I'll see thee hanged before I give thee any such permission, to dispatch me into another world. _Merc._ At the least, my lord, you have no occasion to complain of my want of respect to you. You will neither restore the goblet, nor renounce Phædra: I offer you the combat; you refuse it; all this is done in the forms of honour: It follows, that I am to affront, cudgel you, or kick you, at my own arbitrement; and, I suppose, you are too honourable not to approve of my proceeding. _Grip._ Here is a new sort of process, that was never heard of in any of our courts. _Merc._ This, my good lord, is law in short-hand, without your long preambles, and tedious repetitions that signify nothing but to squeeze the subject: therefore, with your lordship's favour, I begin. [_Fillips him under the chin._ _Grip._ What is this for? _Merc._ To give you an occasion of returning me a box o' the ear; that so all things may proceed methodically. _Grip._ I put in no answer, but suffer a non-suit. _Merc._ No, my lord; for the costs and charges are to be paid: will you please to restore the cup? _Grip._ I told thee, no. _Merc._ Then from your chin, I must ascend to your lordship's ears. _Grip._ Oh, oh, oh, oh!--Wilt thou never leave lugging me by the ears? _Merc._ Not till your lordship will be pleased to hear reason. [_Pulling again._ _Grip._ Take the cup, and the devil give thee joy on't.