Gads.

What ho, chamberlain?

Chamb.

At hand, quoth pick-purse.

Gads.

That's even as fair, as at hand, quoth the chamberlain; for thou variest no more from picking of purses, than giving direction doth from labouring. Thou lay'st the plot how.

Chamb.

Good-morrow master Gads-hill, it holds currant that I told you yesternight. There's a Franklin in the wild of Kent, hath brought three hundred marks with him in gold; I heard

him tell it to one of his company last night at supper; a kind of auditor, one that hath abundance of charge too, God knows what: they are up already, and call for eggs and butter. They will away presently.

Gads.

Sirrah, if they meet not with † ^noteSt. Nicholas' clarks, I'll give thee this neck.

Chamb.

No, I'll none of it: I pr'ythee keep that for the hangman, for I know thou worshipp'st St. Nicholas as truly as a man of falshood may.

Gads.

What talk'st thou to me of the hangman? if I hang, I'll make a fat pair of gallows. For if I hang, old Sir John hangs with me, and thou know'st he's no starveling. Tut, there are other Trojans that thou dream'st not of, the which, for sport-sake, are content to do the profession some grace; that would, if matters should be look'd into, for their own credit-sake, make all whole. I am join'd with no foot-land-rakers, no long-staff-six- penny-strikers, none of those mad Mustachio-purple-hu'd-malt-worms; but with nobility and tranquility; burgomasters, and great † ^noteone-eyers, such as can hold in, such as will strike sooner than speak; and speak sooner than drink; and drink sooner than pray; and yet I lye, for they pray continually unto their saint the common-wealth; or rather, not pray to her, but prey on her; for they ride up and down on her, and make her their boots.

Chamb.

What, the common-wealth their boots? will she hold out water in foul way?

Gads.

She will, she will; justice hath liquor'd her. We steal, as in a castle, cock-sure; we have the receipt of Fern-seed, we walk invisible.

Chamb.

Nay, I think rather, you are more beholden to the night, than the Fern-seed, for your walking invisible.

Gads.

Give me thy hand: thou shalt have a share in our purchase, as I am a true man.

Chamb.

Nay, rather let me have it, as you are a false thief.

Gads.

Go to, Homo is a common name to all men. Bid the ostler bring my gelding out of the stable. Farewel, ye muddy knave.