Prov.

Come hither, sirrah: can you cut off a man's head?

Clown.

If the man be a batchelor, Sir, I can: but if he be a marry'd man, he is his wife's head, and I can never cut off a woman's head.

Prov.

Come, Sir, leave me your snatches, and yield me a direct answer. To-morrow morning are to die Claudio and Barnardine: here is in our prison a common executioner, who in his office lacks a helper; if you will take it on you to assist him, it shall redeem you from your ^{a note}gyves: if not, you shall have your full time of imprisonment, and your deliverance with an unpitied whipping, for you have been a notorious bawd.

Clown.

Sir, I have been an unlawful bawd, time out of mind, but yet I will be content to be a lawful hangman: I would be glad to receive some instruction from my fellow-partner.

Prov.

What hoa, Abhorson! where's Abhorson there?

Abhor.

Do you call, Sir?

Prov.

Sirrah, here's a fellow will help you to-morrow in your execution: if you think it meet, compound with him by the year, and let him abide here with you; if not, use him for

the present, and dismiss him. He cannot plead his estimation with you; he hath been a bawd.

Abhor.

A bawd, Sir? fie upon him, he will discredit our mystery.

Prov.

Go to, Sir; you weigh equally, a feather will turn the scale.

Clown.

Pray Sir, by your good favour; (for surely, Sir, a good favour you have, but that you have a hanging look;) do you call, Sir, your occupation a mystery?

Abhor.

Ay Sir, a mystery.

Clown.

Painting, Sir, I have heard say, is a mystery; and your whores, Sir, being members of my occupation, using painting, do prove my occupation a mystery: but what mystery there should be in hanging, if I should be hang'd, I cannot imagine.

Abhor.

Sir, it is a mystery.

Clown.

Proof.

Abhor.

Every true man's apparel fits your thief.

Clown.

If it be too little for your thief, your true man thinks it big enough. If it be too big for your thief, your thief thinks it little enough: so every true man's apparel fits your thief.

Prov.

Are you agreed?

Clown.

Sir, I will serve him: for I do find your hangman is a more penitent trade than your bawd; he doth oftner ask forgiveness.

Prov.

You, sirrah, provide your block and your ax to-morrow, four a-clock.

Abhor.

Come on, bawd, I will instruct thee in my trade; follow.

Clown.

I do desire to learn, Sir; and I hope, if you have occasion to use me for your own turn, you shall find me yours: for truly, Sir, for your kindness I owe you a good turn.

Prov.
Call hither Barnardine and Claudio:
One has my pity; not a jot the other,
Being a murth'rer, tho' he were my brother.

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