_Mal._ I am myself. How long was't ere I could Persuade my passion to grow calm to you! Rich sense makes good bad language, and a friend Should weigh no action, but the action's end. I am now worthy yours; when before The beast of man, loose blood, distemper'd us: He that lust rules cannot be virtuous. _Enter_ MULLIGRUB, Mistress MULLIGRUB, _and Officers_. _Off._ On afore there! room for the prisoners! _Mul._ I pray you do not lead me to execution through Cheapside. I owe Master Burnish, the goldsmith, money, and I fear he'll set a sergeant on my back for it. _Coc._ Trouble not your sconce, my Christian brothers, but have an eye unto the main chance. I will warrant your shoulders; as for your neck, _Plinius Secundus_, or _Marcus Tullius Cicero_, or somebody it is, says that a threefold cord is hardly broken. 75 _Mul._ Well, I am not the first honest man that hath been cast away; and I hope shall not be the last. _Coc._ O, sir, have a good stomach and maws; you shall have a joyful supper. _Mul._ In troth I have no stomach to it; and it please you, take my trencher; I use to fast at nights. 81 _Mistress Mul._ O husband! I little thought you should have come to think on God thus soon;[111] nay, and you had been hang'd deservedly it would never have grieved me; I have known of many honest innocent men have been hang'd deservedly: but to be cast away for nothing! _Coc._ Good woman, hold your peace, your prittles and your prattles, your bibbles and your babbles; for I pray you hear me in private: I am a widower, and you are almost a widow; shall I be welcome to your houses, to your tables, and your other things? 92 _Mistress Mul._ I have a piece of mutton and a featherbed for you at all times; I pray make haste. _Mul._ I do here make my confession: if I owe any man anything, I do heartily forgive him; if any man owe me anything, let him pay my wife. _Coc._ I will look to your wife's payment, I warrant you. _Mul._ And now, good yoke-fellow, leave thy poor Mulligrub. 101 _Mistress Mul._ Nay, then I were unkind; i'faith I will not leave you until I have seen you hang.