University of Virginia Library

Scene. IV.

Mere-craft, &c. to them. Gvilt-head. Sledge. Plvtarchvs. Serieants.
[Mer.]
Gvilt-head what newes?

Fit.
O Sir, my hundred peices:
Fitz-dottrel askes for his money.
Let me ha' them yet.

Gvi.
Yes Sir, officers
Arrest him.

Fit.
Me?

Ser.
I arrest you.

Sle.
Keepe the peace,
I charge you gentlemen.

Fit.
Arrest me? Why?

Gvi.
For better security, Sir. My sonne Plutarchus
Assures me, y'are not worth a groat.

Plv.
Pardon me, Father,
I said his worship had no foote of Land left:
And that I'll iustifie, for I writ the deed.

Fit.
Ha' you these tricks i'the citty?

Gvi.
Yes, and more.
Arrest this gallant too, here, at my suite.

Meaning Mere-craft
Sle.
I, and at mine. He owes me for his lodging
Two yeere and a quarter.

Mer.
Why M Guilt-head, Land-Lord,
Thou art not mad, though th'art Constable
Puft vp with th'pride of the place? Do you heare, Sirs
Haue I deseru'd this from you two? for all
My paines at Court, to get you each a patent

The Project of forks
Gvi.
For what?

Mer.
Vpo' my proiect o' the forkes,

Sle.
Forkes? what be they?

Mer.
The laudable vse of forkes,
Brought into custome here, as they are in Italy,
To th'sparing o' Napkins. That, that should haue made
Your bellowes goe at the forge, as his at the fornace.
I ha' procur'd it, ha' the Signet for it,
Dealt with the Linnen-drapers, on my priuate,
By cause, I fear'd, they were the likelyest euer
To stirre against, to crosse it: for 'twill be
A mighty sauer of Linnen through the kingdome
(As that is one o' my grounds, and to spare washing)
Now, on you two, had I layd all the profits.
Guilt-head to haue the making of all those
Of gold and siluer, for the better personages;
And you, of those of Steele for the common sort.
And both by Pattent, I had brought you your seales in.
Sledge is brought about.
But now you haue preuented me, and I thanke you.

Sle.
Sir, I will bayle you, at mine owne ap-perill.

Mer.
Nay choose.

Plv.
Do you so too, good Father.

And Guilt-head comes.
Gvi.
I like the fashion o' the proiect, well,
The forkes! It may be a lucky one! and is not
Intricate, as one would say, but fit for
Plaine heads, as ours, to deale in. Do you heare
Officers, we discharge you.

Mer.
Why this shewes
A little good nature in you, I confesse,
But do not tempt your friends thus. Little Guilt-head,
Aduise your sire, great Guilt-head from these courses:
And, here, to trouble a great man in reuersion,
For a matter o' fifty on a false Alarme,
Away, it shewes not well. Let him get the pieces
And bring 'hem. Yo'll heare more else.

Plv.
Father.