John. Why, you would not have us starve, would you? If you stop us here, you must keep us.
Const. You will be ill kept at our maintenance.
John. If you stint us, we shall make ourselves the better allowance.
Const. Why, you will not pretend to quarter upon us by force, will you?
John. We have offered no violence to you yet, why do you seem to oblige us to it? I am an old soldier, and cannot starve; and, if you think that we shall be obliged to go back for want of provisions, you are mistaken.
Const. Since you threaten us, we shall take care to be strong enough for you. I have orders to raise the county upon you.
John. It is you that threaten, not we; and, since you are for mischief, you cannot blame us if we do not give you time for it. We shall begin our march in a few minutes.
Const. What is it you demand of us?
John. At first we desired nothing of you but leave to go through the town. We should have offered no injury to any of you, neither would you have had any injury or loss by us. We are not thieves, but poor people in distress, and flying from the dreadful plague in London, which devours thousands every week. We wonder how you can be so unmerciful.
Const. Self-preservation obliges us.