University of Virginia Library

Actus Quartus.

The Argument of the Fourth Argument.

Hind and his associates disguised like Beggars, rob a wealthy Citizen of London, and his two friends, near Hogsden.
Enter Hind, Furbo, Latro, Grammario, Spolario, in patcht coats, like beggars, their legs and arms bound up.
Hind.
Are we not finely fitted (fellow mendicants)
For a days prentiship to the begging trade?
O sad account! we that were wont to speak
In smoak and thunder, Stand—upon your Lives,
Must now petition for a piece of coin.

Latro.
Tut,
Our begging is like that the Persians us'd
Of old unto their eager God of fire,
When with a flaming torch they did descend
Unto some river, and protest to quench
Th'aspiring God, in case he did deny
To grant their wishes. Oh, I have't ad unguem,
The Bard of Bednal green was nothing to me,

Gram.
Eo Claudus, et Ægrotus sum,
This is the garb men of my cloth must take to,
Since every Sales-man writes himself Sacerdos.
Stand close; and obsecrate with Rhumatick eys,
Here comes the Patron we must plunder.

Enter Mercator a Citizen, with two friends.
Mercat.
A fine morning this is.

1 Friend.

Oh that my wife had born us company; good soul, she
loves to hear the Cuckoo sing, especially in the winter.

2. Friend.

So does mine, indeedla.

Hind.

Bless your good worships in your
The theeves come all about them & beg.
minds and your bodies, at home and abroad, in
bed and at board,

No troubles toss ye,
Nor no hare cross ye;
No succubus ride ye,
No false fire guide ye;

Please to distribute your charity amongst a company of poor maimd
men—

Lat.

Deprived of their limbs for the cause of their Countrey, whose
legs and hands remain as Trophies, in France, Spain, Aragon and
Apulia.

Furbo.
In Turkey, in Russia, in Naples and Muscovia

Spilar.
In the Adriatick and the Baltick Seas.

Gram.
Supposito quolibet sequitur qu idlibet,
For your own sakes, whose rewards shall be glorious,
Extend with liberall minds, and willing hands,
What both becomes your oppulency, and our indigency.

Mer.
Hey day! What bold beggars are these?

1. Friend.
What Countrey men are they?
They speak all severall Languages.

2. Friend.
They are men of China I think.

Mer.

Truly friends the times are so hard, and we so burthend, that
verily, yea and nay, we are scarce able to furnish our wives with a competent
number of silke gownes, lawn smocks, gold laces, beaver hats, silver
hilted fans, Flanders laces and other necessaries, without which, all honest
men know we cannot subsist.

1. Friend,

He speaks truth my brethren.

Hind,

Zounds what dogs are these—
Come ye counterfeiting Coxcombs
Discover, discover: you (Mercator)
They discover their swords and pistols, and put them to the Citizens brests.
brought forth 6. hundred
pounds to expiate a debt you owe
at Hogsden here.

Mer.
Take all (Sir) so you'l spare my life.

Hind,
Alas, ide rather overthrow thy wife.

Latro.
What d'ye linger ye pair of Puttocks?
Come, lighten, lighten.

1. Friend.
Oh Lord (sir!)

2. Friend.
Wo and alas!

they rob them.
Hind.
Now each man lay his hand upon his mouth:
Mum, not a word upon your lives.
Away my Blades, this must we do for gain,
Since as the ancient Sages truly tell,
“Tis better ne're to be, then not be well.