Nich.

What, corporal Oath! I am sorry we have met with you, next our hearts: you are the man that we are forbidden to keep company withal. We must not swear I can tell you, and you have the name for swearing.

Sim.

Ay, corporal Oath, I would you would do so much as forsake us, sir: we cannot abide you; we must not be seen in your company.

Frail.

There is none of us, I can tell you, but shall be soundly whip'd for swearing.

Oath.

Why how now, we three^{3 note}

All.

Oh!

Oath.

Why Nicholas St. Antlings, Simon St. Mary-Overies, has the devil possess'd you, that you swear no better? you half-christen'd catamites, you un-godmother'd varlets^{4 note}. Does the first lesson teach you to be proud, and the second to be coxcombs, proud coxcombs, not once to do duty to a man of mark^{5 note}
?

Frail.

A man of mark, quoth-a! I do not think he can show a beggar's noble^{6 note}

Oath.

A corporal, a commander, one of spirit, that is able to blow you up all three with your books at your girdles^{7 note}

Sim.

We are not taught to believe that, sir; for we know the breath of man is weak.

Frail.

Foh! you lie, Nicholas; for here's one strong enough. Blow us up, quoth-a! he may well

blow me above twelve-score off on him^{8 note}: I warrant, if the wind stood right, a man might smell him from the top of Newgate to the leads of Ludgate^{9 note}

Oath.

Sirrah, thou hollow book of wax-candle^{1 note}—

Nich.

Ay, you may say what you will, so you swear not.

Oath.

I swear by the—

Nich.

Hold, hold, good corporal Oath; for if you swear once, we shall all fall down in a swoon presently.

Oath.

I must and will swear, you quivering coxcombs: my captain is imprison'd; and by Vulcan's leather codpiece-point—

Nich.

O Simon, what an oath was there!

Frail.

If he should chance to break it, the poor man's breeches would fall down about his heels^{2 note}

Oath.

With these my bully feet^{3 note} I will thump

ope the prison doors, and brain the keeper with the begging-box, but I'll set my honest sweet captain Idle at liberty.

Nich.

How, captain Idle? my old aunt's son, my dear kinsman, in cappadochio^{4 note}?

Oath.

Ay, thou church-peeling, thou holy paring, religious outside, thou. If thou hadst any grace in thee, thou wouldst visit him, relieve him, swear to get him out.

Nich.

Assure you, corporal, indeed-la, 'tis the first time I heard on't.

Oath.

Why do't now then, marmozet^{5 note}. Bring forth thy yearly wages; let not a commander perish.

Sim.

But if he be one of the wicked, he shall perish.

Nich.

Well, corporal, I'll e'en along with you, to visit my kinsman; if I can do him any good, I will: but I have nothing for him. Simon St. Mary-Overies and Frailty, pray make a lie for me to the knight my master, old sir Godfrey.

Oath.

A lie! may you lie then?

Frail.

O ay, we may lie, but we must not swear.

Sim.

True, we may lie with our neighbour's wife; but we must not swear we did so.

Oath.

O, an excellent tag of religion!

Nich.

O, Simon, I have thought upon a sound excuse; it will go current: say that I am gone to a fast.

Sim.

To a fast? very good.

Nich.

Ay, to a fast, say, with master Full-belly the minister.

Sim.

Master Full-belly? an honest man: he feeds the flock well, for he's an excellent feeder.

Frail.

O ay; I have seen him eat a whole pig, and afterward fall to the pettitoes.