Lav. Then thou art unfit to be in office, either in Court or City.
La-p. Indeed, corruption is a Tree, whose branches are of an unmeasurable length, they spread every where, and the dew, that drops from thence, hath infected some chairs and stools of authority.
Mal. Ah Captain! lay not all the fault upon Officers, you know you can shark, tho you be out of action, witness Montague.
Lav. Hang him, he's safe enough; you had a hand in it too, and have gained by him; but I wonder you Citizens, that keep so many books, and take such strict accounts for every farthing due to you from others, reserve not so much as a memorandum for the courtesies you receive.
Mal. Would you have a Citizen book those? thankfulness is a thing, we are not sworn to in our Indentures: you may as well urge conscience.
Lav. Talk no more of such vanities, Mountague is irrecoverably sunk, I would we had twenty more to send after him; the Snake that would be a Dragon, and have wings, must eat; and what implies that, but this, that in this Cannibal age, he that would have the sute of wealth, must not care —— whom he feeds on? and as I have heard, no flesh battens better, then that of a profest friend; and he that would mount to honor, must not make dainty to use the head of his mother, back of his Father, or neck of his Brother, for ladders to his preferment; for, but observe, and you shall find for the most part, cunning villany sit at a Feast as principal guest, and innocent honesty wait as a contemn'd servant with a trencher.
La-p. The Ladies.
Enter Montague bare-headed, Lamira, Lady Orleance, Charlotte a[n]d V[e]ramour.
Mont. Do ye smell nothing?
Char. Not I Sir.