Volume I Part 119 (1/2)

_Des._ A Dad, and all little enough.

_Free._ The Devil do him good with it.

_Des._ Had not the Lard put it into your Hearts to have given me two thousand _per Annum_ out of Bishops Lands, and three thousand _per Annum_ out of the Marquess's Estate; how shou'd I have liv'd and serv'd the Commonwealth as I have done?

_Free._ A plague confound his Honour, he makes a hard s.h.i.+ft to live on Eight thousand Pound a Year, who was born and bred a Hedger.

_Lov._ Patience, Friend.

_Lam._ I have been thinking-- but I'll find out a way.

_Lov._ Or betray some honest Gentleman, on purpose to gratify the Loone.

_Lam._ And, Gentlemen, I am bound in Honour and Conscience to speak in behalf of my Lord _Whitlock_; I think fit, if you agree with me, he shou'd be made Constable of _Windsor_ Castle, Warden of the Forest, with the Rents, Perquisities, and Profits thereto belonging; nor can your Lords.h.i.+ps confer a Place of greater Trust and Honour in more safe Hands.

_Due._ I find he wou'd oblige all to his side. [Aside.

Has he not part of the Duke of _Buckingham's Estate_ already, with _Chelsey_ House, and several other Gifts?

_Lam._ He has dearly deserv'd 'em; he has serv'd our Interest well and faithfully.

_Due._ And he has been well paid for't.

_Whit._ And so were you, Sir, with several Lords.h.i.+ps, and Bishops Lands, you were not born to, I conceive.

_Duc._ I have not got it, Sir, by knavish Querks in Law; a Sword that deals out Kingdoms to the brave, has cut out some small parcels of Earth for me. And what of this?

[Stands up in a heat.

_Whit._ I think, Sir, he that talks well, and to th' purpose, may be as useful to the Commonwealth as he that fights well. Why do we keep so many else in Pension that ne'er drew Sword, but to talk, and rail at the malignant Party; to libel and defame 'em handsomly, with pious useful Lyes, Which pa.s.s for Gospel with the common Rabble, And edify more than _Hugh Peter's_ Sermons; And make Fools bring more Grist to the publick Mill.

Then, Sir, to wrest the Law to our convenience Is no small, inconsiderate Work.

_Free._ And which you may be hang'd for very shortly-- [Aside.

_Lam._ 'Tis granted, my Lord, your Merit's infinite-- We made him Keeper of the Great Seal, 'tis true, 'tis Honour, but no Salary.

_Duc._ Ten thousand Pound a Year in Bribes will do as well.

_Lam._ Bribes are not so frequent now as in Old _Noll's_ Days.

_Hews._ Well, my Lord, let us be brief and tedious, as the saying is, and humour one another: I'm for _Whitlock's_ Advance.

_Lam._ I move for a Salary, Gentlemen, _Scobel_ and other petty Clerks have had a thousand a Year; my Lord sure merits more.

_Hews._ Why-- let him have two thousand then.

_Fleet._ I profess ingeniously, with all my Heart.

_Whit._ I humbly thank your Lords.h.i.+ps-- but, if I may be so bold to ask, from whence shall I receive it?

_Lam._ Out of the Customs.