And prithee let it be as full of meat as an egg; for we do many deeds, love not many words.
IV:1:43 FRIAR.
Thou shalt not steal.
IV:1:44 1ST BRAVO.
He blasphemes.
IV:1:45 FRIAR.
But what is theft?
IV:1:46 2ND BRAVO.
Ay! there it is.
IV:1:47 FRIAR.
The tailor he steals the cloth, and the miller he steals the meal; is either a thief? "tis the way of trade. But what if our trade be to steal? Why then our work is to cut purses; to cut purses is to follow our business; and to follow our business is to obey the King; and so thieving is no theft. And that"s probatum, and so, amen.
IV:1:48 5TH BRAVO.
Shall put thy spoon in the olla for that.
IV:1:49 2ND BRAVO.
And drink this health to our honest fraternity.
IV:1:50 OLD MAN.
I have heard sermons by the hour; this is brief; every thing falls off.
[Enter a PERSONAGE masked and cloaked.]
IV:1:51 1ST BRAVO.
[to his Companions]
See"st yon mask?
IV:1:52 2ND BRAVO.
"Tis strange.
IV:1:53 GRAUS.
[to FLIX]
Who is this?
IV:1:54 FLIX.
The fool wonders, the wise man asks. Must have no masks here.
IV:1:55 GRAUS.
An obedient wife commands her husband. Business with a stranger, t.i.tle enough.
[Advancing and addressing the Mask.]
Most n.o.ble Senor Mask.
IV:1:56 THE UNKNOWN.
Well, fellow!
IV:1:57 GRAUS.
Hem; as it may be. D"ye see, most n.o.ble Senor Mask, that "tis an orderly house this, frequented by certain honest gentlemen, that take their siesta, and eat a fried egg after their day"s work, and so are not ashamed to show their faces. Ahem!
IV:1:58 THE UNKNOWN.
As in truth I am in such villanous company.
IV:1:59 GRAUS.
Wheugh! but "tis not the first ill word that brings a blow.
Would"st sup indifferently well here at a moderate rate, we are thy servants. My Flix hath reputation at the frying-pan, and my wine hath made lips smack; but here, senor, faces must be uncovered.
IV:1:60 THE UNKNOWN.
Poh! poh!
IV:1:61 GRAUS.
Nay, then, I will send some to you shall gain softer words.
IV:1:62 1ST BRAVO.
Why, what"s this?
IV:1:63 2ND BRAVO.
Our host is an honest man, and has friends.
IV:1:64 5TH BRAVO.
Let me finish my olla, and I will discourse with him.
IV:1:65 THE UNKNOWN.
Courage is fire, and bullying is smoke. I come here on business, and with you all.
IV:1:66 1ST BRAVO.
Carraho! and who"s this?
IV:1:67 THE UNKNOWN.
One who knows you, though you know not him. One whom you have never seen, yet all fear. And who walks at night, and where he likes.
IV:1:68 2ND BRAVO.
The devil himself!
IV:1:69 THE UNKNOWN.
It may be so.
IV:1:70 2ND BRAVO.
Sit by me, Friar, and speak Latin.
IV:1:71 THE UNKNOWN.