Aut.

Yes, yes, I understand the business. To have an open ear, a quick eye, and a nimble hand, is necessary for a cut-purse. I see this is the time, that the unjust man doth thrive. What an exchange had

there been without boot? and what a boot is here without this exchange? (shewing the purse) Sure, the gods do, this year, connive at us, and we may do any thing extempore. The prince himself is about a piece of iniquity, stealing away from his father, with his clog at his heels. If I thought it were not a piece of honesty to acquaint the king withal, I would do it; but I hold it the more knavery to conceal it, and therein am I constant to my profession.

Here's more matter for a hot brain! (Seeing the shepherd and clown) Every lane's end, every shop, church, session, and hanging, yields a careful man work.

Shep.

Well, let us to the king then. There is that in this fardel, will make him scratch his beard.

Aut.

How now, rusticks, whither are ye bound?

Shep.

To the palace, an't like your worship.

Aut.

Your affairs there, what, with whom, the condition of that fardel, the place of your dwelling, your names, your age, of what having, breeding, and any thing that is fitting for to be known, discover.

Shep.

Are you a courtier, and like you, Sir?

Aut.

Whether it like me or no, I am a courtier. Seest thou not the air of the court, in these enfoldings? hath not my gait in it the measure of the court? reflect I not on thy baseness court-contempt? I am courtier cap-a-pe; and one that will either push on, or push back, thy business there; whereupon I command thee to open thy affair.

Shep.

My business, Sir, is to the king.

Aut.
The fardel there; what's i'th' fardel?
Wherefore that box?

Shep.

Sir, there lies such secrets in this fardel and box, which none must know but the king, and which he shall know, within this hour, if I may come to th' speech of him.

Aut.

Age, thou hast lost thy labour.

Shep.

Why, Sir?

Aut.

The king is not at the palace, he is gone aboard a new ship, to purge melancholy and air himself; for if thou be'st capable of things serious, thou must know the king is full of grief.

Shep.

So 'tis said, Sir, about his son that should have married a shepherd's daughter.

Aut.

If that shepherd be not in hand-fast, let him fly; the curses he shall have, the tortures he shall feel, will break the back of man, the heart of monster.

Clo.

Think you so, Sir?

Aut.

Not he alone shall suffer what wit can make heavy, and vengeance bitter; but those that are germain to him, tho' remov'd fifty times, shall all come under the hangman. An old sheep-whistling rogue, draw our throne into a sheep-coat! all deaths are too few, the sharpest too easy.

Clo.

Has the old man e'er a son, Sir; do you hear, and't like you, Sir?

Aut.

He has a son, who shall be stay'd alive, then 'nointed over with honey, set on the head of a wasp's nest, then stand 'till he be three quarters and a dram dead. But what talk we of these traitorly-rascals. Tell me, (for you seem to be honest plain men) what you have to the king; I'll bring you where he is aboard, tender your persons to his presence, whisper him in your behalf; and if it be in man, besides the king, to effect your suits, here is a man shall do it.

Clo.

He seems to be of great authority; close with him, give him gold; and though authority be a stubborn bear, yet he is oft led by the nose with gold: shew the inside of your purse to the out side of his hand, and no more ado. Remember ston'd and stay'd alive.

Shep.

And't please you, Sir, to undertake the business for us, here is that gold I have; I'll make it as much more, and leave this young man in pawn, 'till I bring it you.

Aut.

After I have done what I promised?

Clo.

Ay, Sir.

Aut.

You'll give me the moiety. Are you a party, in this business?

Clo.

In some sort, Sir; I will give you as much as this old man does, when the business is perform'd; and remain, as he says, your pawn, 'till it be brought you.

Aut.

I will trust you; follow me toward the seaside.

Clo.

We are blest in this man, as I may say, even bless'd.

Shep.

Let's before, as he bids us; he was provided to do us good.

Aut.

If I had a mind to be honest, I see Fortune would not suffer me; she drops booties in my mouth; I am courted now with a double occasion: gold, and a means to do the prince my master good; which, who knows how that may turn back to my advancement? I will bring these two moles, these blind ones, aboard him; if he think it fit to shore them again, and that the complaint they have to the king, concerns him nothing, let him call me rogue, for being so far officious, for I am proof against that title, and what shame else belongs to't.

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