222my profession; the multiplicity of Schollars, hatcht, and

223nourisht in the idle Calmes of peace, makes'em like Fi-

224shes one devour another; and the communitie of Learn-

225ing has so plaid upon affections, and there by almost Re-

226ligion is come about to Phantasie, and discredited by be-

227ing too much spoken of--in so many and mean mouths. I

228my self being a Schollar and a Graduate, have no other

229comfort by my learning, but the affection of my words,

230to know how Schollar-like to name what I want, and

231can call my self a Beggar both in Greek and Latine, and

232therefore not to cog with Peace, I'le not be afraid to say,

233'tis a great Breeder, but a bad Nourisher: a great getter

234of Child

ren, which must either be Thieves or Rich men,

235Knaves or Beggars.

236Skirmish. Well, would I had been born a Knave then,

237when I was born a Beggar, for if the truth were known,

238I think I was begot when my Father had never a penny

239in his purse.

240Pye.Puh, faint not old Skirmish, let this warrant thee,

241Facilis Descensus Averni, 'tis an easie journey to a

242Knave, thou maist be a Knave when thou wilt; and

243Peace is a good Madam to all other professions, and an

244arrant Drab to us, let us handle her accordingly, and by

245our wits thrive in despight of her; for the law lives by

246quarrels, the Courtier by smooth good-morrows, and

247every profession makes it self greater by imperfections,

248why not we then by shifts, wiles, and forgeries? and

249seeing our brains are the onely Patrimonies, let's spend

250with judgement, not like a desperate son and heir, but

251like a sober and discreet Templer,---one that will never

252march beyond the bounds of his allowance, and for our

253thriving means, thus, I my self will put on the Deceit of

254a Fortune-teller, a Fortune-teller.

255Skirm. Very proper.

256Pye. And you a figure-caster, or a Conjurer.

257Skir. A Conjurer.

258Pye. Let me alone, I'le instruct you, and teach you to

259deceive all eyes, but the Devils.

260Skir. Oh I, for I would not deceive him and I could

261choose, of all others.

262Pye. Fear not I warrant you; and so by these means

263we shall help one another to Patients, as the condition of

264the age affords creatures enow for cunning to work upon.

265Skir. Oh wondrous, new fools and fresh asses.

266Pye. Oh, fit, fit, excellent.

267Skir. What in the name of Conjuring?

268Pye-boord. My memory greets me happily with an ad-

269mirable subject to graze upon. The Lady-Widow, who

270of late I saw weeping in her Garden, for the death of her

271Husband, sure she's but a watrish soul, and half on't by

272this time is dropt out of her eyes: device well manag'd

273may do good upon her: it stands firme, my first practise

274shall be there.

275Skir. You have my voice, George.

276Pye-board. Sh'as a gray Gull to her Brother, a fool to

277her onely son, and an ape to her youngest Daughter;---

278I over-heard'em severally, and from their words I'le drive

279my device; and thou old Peter Skirmish shalt be my se-

280cond in all slights.

281Skir. Ne're doubt me, George Pye-board,----only you

282must teach me to conjure.

285Pye. Puh, I'le perfect thee, Peter:

286How now? what's he?

287Skir. Oh George! this sight kills me,

288'Tis my sworn Brother, Captain Idle.

289Pye. Captain Idle.

290Skir. Apprehended for some fellonious act or other,

291he has started out, h'as made a Night on't, lackt silver;

292I cannot but commend his resolution, he would not pawn

293his Buff-Jerkin, I would either some of us were employed,

294or might pitch our Tents at Usurers doors, to kill the

295slaves as they peep out at the Wicket.

296Pye. Indeed those are our ancient enemies; they keep

297our money in their hands, and make us to be hang'd for

298robbing of'em, but come let's follow after to the Prison,

299and know the nature of his offence, and what we can

300stead him in, he shall be sure of; and I'le uphold it still,

301that a charitable Knave, is better then a soothing Puri-

302tan. Exeunt.

309Nich. What Corporal Oath? I am sorry we have

310met with you next our hearts; you are the man that we

311are forbidden to keep company withall, we must not

312swear I can tell you, and you have the name for swearing.

313Sim. I, Corporal Oath, I would you would do so

314much as forsake us, we cannot abide you, we must not be

315seen in your company.

316Frail. There is none of us I can tell you, but shall be

317soundly whipt for swearing.

318Corp. Why how now? we three? Puritanical Scrape-

319shooes, Flesh a good Fridayes; a hand.

320All. Oh.

321Corp. Why Nicholas Saint-Tantlings, Simon Saint

322Mary-Overies, has the De'il possest you, that you swear

323no better, you half-Christened Katomites, you ungod-

324mother'd Varlets, do's the first lesson teach you to be

325proud, and the second to be Cox-combs; proud Cox-

326combs; not once to do duty to a man of Mark.

327Frail. A man of Mark, quatha, I do not think he can

328shew a Beggars Noble.

329Corp. A Corporal, a Commander, one of spirit, that

330is able to blow you up all drye with your Books at your

331Girdles.

332Simon. We are not taught to believe that, sir, for we

334Frail. Foh, you lie Nicholas; for here's one strong

335enough; blows us up, quatha, he may well blow me above

336twelve-score off on him: I warrant if the wind stood

337right, a man might smell him from the top of Newgate, to

338the the Leads of Ludgate.

339Corp. Sirrah, thou hollow book of Wax-candle.

340Nich. I, you may say what you will, so you swear not.

341Corp. I swear by the------

342Nich. Hold, hold, good Corporal Oath; for if you

343swear once, we shall fall down in a sown presently.

344Corp. I must and will swear: you quivering Cox-

345combs, my Captain is imprisoned, and by Vulcan's Lea-

346ther Cod-piece point---------

347Nich. O Simon, what an oath was there.

348Frail. If he should chance to break it, the poor man's

349Breeches would fall down about his heels, for Venus al-

350lows but one point to his hose.