Keep all our men in readiness;—ride thro' the ranks,
And cheer the soldiery.—Come, bustle, bustle.
Oh! we'll not fail, I warrant!—How now, sirrah?
How came you here? [To the Fool.
Fool. Willy nilly, madam, as the thief came to the gallows. I am a modest guest here, madam, with a poor stomach for fighting, and need a deal of pressing before I fall to. When Providence made plumbers, it did wisely to leave me out of the number; for, Heaven knows, I take but little delight in lead: but here are two who come to traffic in that commodity. [Points to Adeline and Gregory.
Marg. How mean you, sir? What are these men?
Fool. Swelling spirits, madam, with shrunk fortunes, as I take it;—as painful to the owners, as your gouty leg in a tight boot: but if a man's word be not taken in the world, he's forced to come to blows to keep up a reputation. Poverty without spirit lets in the frost upon him worse than a crazy portal at Christmas; so here are a couple of warped doors in the foul weather of adversity, madam, who want to be listed.
Marg. I never saw a youth of better promise:
But say, young man, serve you here willingly
In these our wars? [To Adeline.