_Enter a_ Lawyer _towards them._ _Man._ A pox! this way:--here's a lawyer I know threatening us with another greeting. _Law._ Sir, sir, your very servant; I was afraid you had forgotten me. _Man._ I was not afraid you had forgotten me. _Law._ No, sir; we lawyers have pretty good memories. _Man._ You ought to have by your wits. _Law._ O, you are a merry gentleman, sir: I remember you were merry when I was last in your company. _Man._ I was never merry in thy company, Mr. Lawyer, sure. _Law._ Why, I'm sure you joked upon me, and shammed me all night long. _Man._ Shammed! prithee what barbarous law-term is that? _Law._ Shamming! why, don't you know that? 'tis all our way of wit, sir. _Man._ I am glad I do not know it then. Shamming! what does he mean by't, Freeman! _Free._ Shamming is telling you an insipid dull lie with a dull face, which the sly wag the author only laughs at himself; and making himself believe 'tis a good jest, puts the sham only upon himself. _Man._ So, your lawyer's jest, I find, like his practice, has more knavery than wit in't. I should make the worst shammer in England: I must always deal ingenuously, as I will with you, Mr. Lawyer, and advise you to be seen rather with attorneys and solicitors, than such fellows as I am: they will credit your practice more. _Law._ No, sir, your company's an honour to me. _Man._ No, faith; go this way, there goes an attorney; leave me for him; let it never be said a lawyer's civility did him hurt. _Law._ No, worthy, honoured sir; I'll not leave you for any attorney, sure. _Man._ Unless he had a fee in his hand. _Law._ Have you any business here, sir? Try me: I'd serve you sooner than any attorney breathing. _Man._ Business--[_Aside._] So, I have thought of a sure way.--[_Aloud._] Yes, faith, I have a little business. _Law._ Have you so, sir? in what court, sir? what is't, sir? Tell me but how I may serve you, and I'll do't, sir, and take it for as great an honour-- _Man._ Faith, 'tis for a poor orphan of a sea officer of mine, that has no money. But if it could be followed in _forma pauperis_, and when the legacy's recovered-- _Law. Forma pauperis_, sir! _Man._ Ay, sir. [_Several crossing the stage._ _Law._ Mr. Bumblecase, Mr. Bumblecase! a word with you.--Sir, I beg your pardon at present; I have a little business-- _Man._ Which is not in _forma pauperis_. [_Exit_ Lawyer. _Free._ So, you have now found a way to be rid of people without quarrelling? _Enter_ Alderman. _Man._ But here's a city-rogue will stick as hard upon us, as if I owed him money. _Ald._ Captain, noble sir, I am yours heartily, d'ye see; why should you avoid your old friends? _Man._ And why should you follow me? I owe you nothing. _Ald._ Out of my hearty respects to you: for there is not a man in England-- _Man._ Thou wouldst save from hanging with the expense of a shilling only. _Ald._ Nay, nay, but, captain, you are like enough to tell me--