University of Virginia Library

Scæn. 2.

Enter Usurer, and Scrivener, with writings.
Usu.
'Tis sign'd, seal'd, and delivered?

Scri.
As fast as waxe and witnesse can make good.

Usu.
And to my use?

Scri.
Yes, and as great an use as e're you lent out mony on.

Usu.
Is there no hope he will redeeme't at all?

Scri.
Redeeme this did you say? tush, had he more,
More he would soone send after; why hee's all expence and riot.

Usu.
I shall love expence and riot while I live;
Not in my selfe, I must confesse, but in such prodigalls
By whom we Usurers profit.

Scri.
He spends all.

Usu.
So let him, what he hath;
But this Ile looke to safe as my life.

Scri.
He minds nor cares for nothing.

Usu.
For this he minds not, my care is tooke already.

Scri.
Troth hee's sinking, hee's up to the necke already.

Usu.
May he drowne for him that holds him by the Chin.

Scri.
Alas poore sheepe, each Bramble shares his wooll.
Till hee bee fleec'd quite.

Usu.
What makes he then 'mongst Bryers? this be his comfort,
His flesh will shew the better when hee's shorne,
Hee'le make sale for the Shambles.

Scri.
Oh these Dice, Drabbs, and Drinke?

Vsu.
Excellent sokers, brave pills to purge the purse:
But for my part, I will take no such Physicke.

Scri.
What will you doe, sir?

Vsu.
Marry, first home, and safely locke up these,
Then seeke some other new come to his Lands,
To make like prey on him.

Scri.
I am your Scrivener, and sir, I hope
You'le not forget my paines?

Usu.
Forget thee? no, not whilst thy Parchment lasts:
I doe remember thee by thy shop, thy signe,
Yes, thou hast Labells hanging at thy doore;
Thou writ'st a good faire hand, and hast in Horne,
Sixe severall Seales with sundry strange inscripts
All joyn'd together; thee? not remember thee?
I can call thee by thy name.

Scri.
But sir, my money.

Vsu.
Money from me, thy writings are all paid for,
It came from Slightalls purse.

Scri.
I, but my Brokage?

Vsu.
Brokage indeed hath some dependance still
On Usury, and Usury on that,
Th'are Relatives; one is not called a Son
That hath no Father, and no Father's he
That hath no Son; yet money doth goe hard.

Scri.
Yet let me have my due.

Usu.
Yes, give the Divell that,
For he will have't at length; ha, let me see,
Come, let us once be mad, we'le to the next Taverne,
And there debate the businesse.

Scri.
At your owne charge?

Vsu.
Yes, for this once, not use't.

Scri.
A Gallon sir, betwixt us two?

Vsu.
An Usurers Gallon, that's just halfe a pint,
'Tis none of Slightalls measure, 'tis too great,
And come, good Scrivener, write it in Record,
That I am now thus liberall.

Scri.
Sir, I shall.

Exeunt.