John. Why do you stop us on the King's highway, and pretend to refuse us leave to go on our way?
Const. We are not bound to tell you the reason, though we did let you know it was because of the plague.
John. We told you we were all sound, and free from the plague, which we were not bound to have satisfied you of, and yet you pretend to stop us on the highway.
Const. We have a right to stop it up, and our own safety obliges us to it; besides, this is not the King's highway, it is a way upon sufferance. You see here is a gate, and if we do let people pass here, we make them pay toll.
John. We have a right to seek our own safety as well as you; and you may see we are flying for our lives, and it is very unchristian and unjust in you to stop us.
Const. You may go back from whence you came, we do not hinder you from that.
John. No, it is a stronger enemy than you that keeps us from doing that, or else we should not have come hither.
Const. Well, you may go any other way, then.
John. No, no. I suppose you see we are able to send you going, and all the people of your parish, and come through your town when we will; but, since you have stopped us here, we are content. You see we have encamped here, and here we will live. We hope you will furnish us with victuals.
Const. We furnish you! What mean you by that?