Volume Xi Part 65 (1/2)

PRIS. Here's the bread-and-meat-man come.

FOX. Well, the bread-and-meat-man may stay a little.

PRIS. Yes, indeed, Harry, the bread-and-meat-man may stay; but you know our stomachs cannot stay.

_Enter_ GATHERSc.r.a.p _with the basket_.

FOX. Indeed your stomach is always first up.

PRIS. And therefore by right should be first served: I have a stomach like _aqua fortis_, it will eat anything; O father Gathersc.r.a.p, here are excellent bits in the basket.

FOX. Will you hold your chaps farther? By and by, you'll drivel into the basket.

PRIS. Perhaps it may do some good; for there may be a piece of powdered beef that wants watering.

FOX. Here, sir, here's your share.

PRIS. Here's a bit indeed: what's this to a Gargantua stomach?

FOX. Thou art ever grumbling.

PRIS. Zounds! it would make a dog grumble to want his victuals: I pray, give Spendall none; he came into the hole but yesternight.

FOX. What, do you refuse it?

SPEND. I cannot eat, I thank you.

PRIS. No, no, give it me, he's not yet seasoned for our company.

FOX. Divide it then amongst you.

[_Exit_ FOX _and_ PRISONER.

SPEND. To such a one as these are must I come; Hunger will draw me into their fellows.h.i.+p, To fight and scramble for unsavoury sc.r.a.ps, That come from unknown hands, perhaps unwash'd: And would that were the worst; for I have noted That nought goes to the prisoners, but such food As either by the weather has been tainted, Or children, nay, sometimes full-paunched dogs Have overlick'd; as if men had determin'd That the worst sustenance which is G.o.d's creatures'-- However they're abus'd--is[208] good enough For such vild creatures as abuse themselves.

O, what a slave was I unto my pleasures!

How drown'd in sin, and overwhelm'd in l.u.s.t!

That I could write my repentance to the world, And force th' impression of it in the hearts Of you of[209] my acquaintance: I might teach them By my example, to look home to thrift, And not to range abroad to seek out ruin.

Experience shows, his purse shall soon grow light, Whom dice wastes in the day, drabs in the night.

Let all avoid false strumpets, dice and drink; For he that leaps i' th' mud, shall quickly sink.

_Enter_ FOX _and_ LONGFIELD.

FOX. Yonder's the man.

LONG. I thank you.

How is it with you, sir? What, on the ground?

Look up, there's comfort towards you.

SPEND. Belike, some charitable friend has sent a s.h.i.+lling.