_Sir Dav._ Ay, murdered I say, sir; his face flayed off, and nailed to a post in my great hall in the country, amongst all the other trophies of wild beasts slain by our family since the Conquest; there's never a whore-master's head there yet. _Four._ Sir, for that let me recommend this worthy friend of mine to your service; he's an industrious gentleman, and one that will deserve your favour. _Sir Dav._ He looks but something ruggedly, though, methinks. _Four._ But, sir, his parts will atone for his person; forms and fashions are the least of his study: he affects a sort of philosophical negligence indeed; but, sir, make trial of him, and you'll find him a person fit for the work of this world. _Sir Dav._ What trade are you, friend? _Bloody-B._ No trade at all, friend; I profess murder; rascally butchers make a trade on't; 'tis a gentleman's divertisement. _Sir Dav._ Do you profess murder? _Bloody-B._ Yes, sir, 'tis my livelihood: I keep a wife and six children by it. _Sir Dav._ Then, sir, here's to you with all my heart. Would I had done with these fellows! [_Aside._ _Four._ Well, sir, if you have any service for us, I desire we may receive your gold and your instructions as soon as is possible. _Sir Dav._ Soft and fair, sweetheart; I love to see a little how I lay out my money. Have you very good trading now-a-days in your way, friend? _Bloody-B._ In peaceable times a man may eat and drink comfortably upon't: a private murder done handsomely is worth money; but now that the nation's unsettled, there are so many general undertakers, that 'tis grown almost a monopoly; you may have a man murdered almost for little or nothing, and nobody e'er know who did it neither.[43] _Sir Dav._ Pray what countryman are you? where were you born, most noble sir? _Bloody-B._ Indeed, my country is foreign. I was born in Argier[44]; my mother was an apostate Greek, my father a renegado Englishman, who by oppressing of Christian slaves grew rich; for which, when he lay sick, I murdered him one day in his bed; made my escape to Malta, where, embracing the faith, I had the honour given me to command a thousand horse aboard the galleys of that state. _Sir Dav._ O Lord, sir! my humble service to you again. _Four._ He tells you, sir, but the naked truth. _Sir Dav._ I doubt it not in the least, most worthy sir.--These are devilish fellows, I'll warrant 'em. [_Aside._ _Four._ War, friend, and shining honour has been our province, till rusty peace reduced us to this base obscurity. Ah, Bloody-Bones! ah, when thou and I commanded that party at the siege of Philipsburg, where, in the face of the army, we took the impenetrable half-moon!