144Bag. I hope this day is fatal unto some,

145And by their losse must Bagot seek to gain.

146This is the Lodging of Master Friskiball,

147A liberall Merchant, and a Florentine,

148To whom Banister owes a thousand pound,

149A Merchant-Banckrupt, whose Father was my Master.

150What doe I care for pity or regard,

151He once was wealthy, but he now is faln,

152And this morning have I got him arrested

153At the suit of Master Friskiball,

154And by this meanes shall I be sure of Coyn,

155For doing this same good to him unknown:

156And in good time, see where the Merchant comes.

158Good morrow to kind Master Friskiball.

159Fris. Good morrow to your self, good Master Bagot,

160And whats the newes your are so early stirring?

161It is for gain, I make no doubt of that.

162Bag. It is for the love, sir, that I bear to you.

163When did you see your debtor Banister?

164Fris. I promise you, I have not seen the man

165This two moneths day, his poverty is such,

166As I doe think he shames to see his friends.

167Bag. Why then assure your self to see him straight,

168For at your suit I have arrested him,

169And here they will be with him presently.

170Fris. Arrest him at my suit? you were too blame,

171I know the mans misfortunes to be such,

172As he's not able for to pay the debt,

173And were it known to some, he were undone.

174Bag. This is your pittifull heart to think it so,

175But you are much deceiv'd in Banister:

176Why, such as he will break for fashion sake,

177And unto those they owe a thousand pound,

178Pay scarce a hundred: O, sir, beware of him,

179The man is lewdly given, to Dice and Drabs,

180Spends all he hath in Harlots companies,

181It is no mercy for to pity him:

182I speak the truth of him, for nothing else,

183But for the kindnesse that I bear to you.

184Fris. If it be so, he hath deceiv'd me much,

185And to deale strictly with such a one as he,

186Better severe than too much lenity:

187But here is Master Banister himself,

188And with him, as I take't, the Officers.

190Ban. O, Master Friskiball, you have undone me:

191My state was well nigh overthrown before,

192Now altogether down-cast by your meanes.

193Mist. Ba. O, Mr. Friskiball, pity my husband's case,

194He is a man hath liv'd as well as any,

195Till envious Fortune, and the ravenous Sea

196Did rob, disrobe, and spoil us of our own.

197Fris. Mistresse Banister, I envy not your husband,

198Nor willingly would I have us'd him thus:

199But that I hear he is so lewdly given,

200Haunts wicked company, and hath enough

201To pay his debts, yet will not be known thereof.

202Ban. This is that damned Broker, that same Bagot,

203Whom I have often from my Trencher fed:

204Ingratefull villain for to use me thus.

205Bag. What I have said to him is nought but truth.

207A Cannibal that doth eat men alive:

208But here upon my knee believe me, sir,

209And what I speak, so help me God, is true,

210We scrace have meat to feed our little Babes:

211Most of our Plate is in that Broker's hand,

212Which had we money to defray our debts,

213O think, we would not bide that penury:

214Be mercifull, kind Master Friskiball,

215My husband, children, and my self will eat

216But one meale a day, the other will we keep and sell,

217Fri.Go to, I see thou art an envious man:

218Good Mistris Banister, kneel not to me,

219I pray rise up, you shall have your desire.

220Hold officers; be gone, there's for your pains,

221You know you owe to me a thousand pound,

222Here take my hand, if e're God make you able;

223And place you in your former state again,

224Pay me: but if still your fortune frown,

225Upon my faith I'le never ask you crown:

226I never yet did wrong to men in thrall,

227For God doth know what to my self may fall.

228Ban. This unexpected favour undeserved,

229Doth make my heart bleed inwardly with joy:

230Nere may ought prosper with me is my own,

231If I forget this kindness you have shown.

233For your good fortune and success shall pray.

234Fri. I thank you both, I pray go dine with me,

235Within these three dayes, if God give me leave,

236I will to Florence to my native home.

237Bagot, hold, there's a Portague to drink,

238Although you ill deserved it by your merit;

239Give not such cruel scope unto your heart;

240Be sure the ill you do will be requited:

241Remember what I say, Bagot, farewell.

242Come, Master Banister, you shall with me,

243My fare's but simple, but welcome heartily.

245Bag. A plague go with you, would you had eat your last,

246Is this the thanks I have for all my pains?

247Confusion light upon you all for me:

248Where he had wont to give a score of Crowns,

249Doth he now foyst me with a Portague:

250Well, I will be revenged upon this Banister.

251I'le to his Creditors, buy all the debts he owes,

252As seeming that I do it for good will,

253I am sure to have them at an easie rate;

254And when 'tis done, in Christendome he stayes not,

255But I'le make his heart t'ake with sorrow,

256And if that Banister become my debter,

257By heaven and earth I'le make his plague the greater.