And prithee let it be as full of meat as an egg; for we do many deeds, love not many words.

IV:1:43 FRIAR.

Thou shalt not steal.

IV:1:44 1ST BRAVO.

He blasphemes.

IV:1:45 FRIAR.

But what is theft?

IV:1:46 2ND BRAVO.

Ay! there it is.

IV:1:47 FRIAR.

The tailor he steals the cloth, and the miller he steals the meal; is either a thief? 'tis the way of trade. But what if our trade be to steal? Why then our work is to cut purses; to cut purses is to follow our business; and to follow our business is to obey the King; and so thieving is no theft. And that's probatum, and so, amen.

IV:1:48 5TH BRAVO.

Shall put thy spoon in the olla for that.

IV:1:49 2ND BRAVO.

And drink this health to our honest fraternity.

IV:1:50 OLD MAN.

I have heard sermons by the hour; this is brief; every thing falls off.

[Enter a PERSONAGE masked and cloaked.]

IV:1:51 1ST BRAVO.

[to his Companions]

See'st yon mask?

IV:1:52 2ND BRAVO.

'Tis strange.

IV:1:53 GRAUS.

[to FLIX]

Who is this?

IV:1:54 FLIX.

The fool wonders, the wise man asks. Must have no masks here.

IV:1:55 GRAUS.

An obedient wife commands her husband. Business with a stranger, t.i.tle enough.

[Advancing and addressing the Mask.]

Most n.o.ble Senor Mask.

IV:1:56 THE UNKNOWN.

Well, fellow!

IV:1:57 GRAUS.

Hem; as it may be. D'ye see, most n.o.ble Senor Mask, that 'tis an orderly house this, frequented by certain honest gentlemen, that take their siesta, and eat a fried egg after their day's work, and so are not ashamed to show their faces. Ahem!

IV:1:58 THE UNKNOWN.

As in truth I am in such villanous company.

IV:1:59 GRAUS.

Wheugh! but 'tis not the first ill word that brings a blow.

Would'st sup indifferently well here at a moderate rate, we are thy servants. My Flix hath reputation at the frying-pan, and my wine hath made lips smack; but here, senor, faces must be uncovered.

IV:1:60 THE UNKNOWN.

Poh! poh!

IV:1:61 GRAUS.

Nay, then, I will send some to you shall gain softer words.

IV:1:62 1ST BRAVO.

Why, what's this?

IV:1:63 2ND BRAVO.

Our host is an honest man, and has friends.

IV:1:64 5TH BRAVO.

Let me finish my olla, and I will discourse with him.

IV:1:65 THE UNKNOWN.

Courage is fire, and bullying is smoke. I come here on business, and with you all.

IV:1:66 1ST BRAVO.

Carraho! and who's this?

IV:1:67 THE UNKNOWN.

One who knows you, though you know not him. One whom you have never seen, yet all fear. And who walks at night, and where he likes.

IV:1:68 2ND BRAVO.

The devil himself!

IV:1:69 THE UNKNOWN.

It may be so.

IV:1:70 2ND BRAVO.

Sit by me, Friar, and speak Latin.

IV:1:71 THE UNKNOWN.