OLD CROMWELL. Here is master Bowser come to know if you have dispatched his petition for the Lords of the counsel or no. CROMWELL. Father, I have; please you to call him in. OLD CROMWELL. That’s well said, Tom; a good lad, Tom. [Enter Master Bowser.] BOWSER. Now, Master Cromwell, have you dispatched this petition? CROMWELL. I have, sir; here it is: please you peruse it. BOWSER. It shall not need; we’ll read it as we go by water: And, Master Cromwell, I have made a motion May do you good, and if you like of it. Our Secretary at Antwerp, sir, is dead, And the Merchants there hath sent to me, For to provide a man fit for the place: Now I do know none fitter than your self, If with your liking it stand, master Cromwell. CROMWELL. With all my heart, sir, and I much am bound, In love and duty for your kindness shown. OLD CROMWELL. Body of me, Tom, make haste, least some body get between thee and home, Tom. I thank you, good master Bowser, I thank you for my boy; I thank you always, I thank you most heartily, sir. Ho, a cup of Beer there for master Bowser. BOWSER. It shall not need, sir. Master Cromwell, will you go? CROMWELL. I will attend you, sir. OLD CROMWELL. Farewell, Tom; God bless thee, Tom; God speed thee, good Tom. [Exit omnes.] ACT I. SCENE III. London. A street before Frescobald’s house. [Enter Bagot, a Broker, solus.] BAGOT. I hope this day is fatal unto some, And by their loss must Bagot seek to gain. This is the lodging of master Friskiball, A liberal Merchant, and a Florentine, To whom Banister owes a thousand pound, A Merchant Banckrout, whose Father was my master. What do I care for pity or regard? He once was wealthy, but he now is fallen, And this morning have I got him arrested, At the suit of master Friskiball, And by this means shall I be sure of coin, For doing this same good to him unknown: And in good time, see where the merchant comes. [Enter Friskiball.] BAGOT. Good morrow to kind master Friskiball. FRISKIBALL. Good morrow to your self, good master Bagot, And what’s the news, you are so early stirring: It is for gain, I make no doubt of that. BAGOT. It is for the love, sir, that I bear to you. When did you see your debtor Banister? FRISKIBALL. I promise you, I have not seen the man This two months day; his poverty is such, As I do think he shames to see his friends. BAGOT. Why, then, assure your self to see him straight, For at your suit I have arrested him, And here they will be with him presently. FRISKIBALL. Arrest him at my suit? you were to blame. I know the man’s misfortune to be such, As he’s not able for to pay the debt, And were it known to some he were undone.