1 Rob. Pshaw! plague on your physic? aren't we taking our wine in the full vigour of roguery? This it is [Holding the Bottle.] that gives courage to poor knaves to knock down rich fools, in the forest;—just as it gives rich fools spirits to sally forth, and break poor knaves' heads, in the town. Come, as I'm Lieutenant, and our Captain is prowling, let's to business:—read over the list of our yesterday's booties.
2 Rob. Agreed! but, first, one more round; one health; one general health, and then we'll to't.
1 Rob. Here it is then—here's a short, little, snug, general health, that hits most humours; it suits your soldier, your tithe parson, your lawyer, your politician, just as well as your robber.
All. Now for it. [All rise.
1 Rob. Plunder! [Drinks.
All. Plunder! [All drink.
1 Rob. And now for the list.
2 Rob. [Reads.] Hexham Forest, May 14th, 1462. Taken, from a single lady, on a pad nag, eleven pounds, four groats, and a portmanteau.—She seemed marvellously frightened, and whispered thanks, privately, for her delivery.
1 Rob. No uncommon case—she isn't the first single lady who has been delivered, and whispered thanks for it in private.
2 Rob. From a Scotch laird, on his way from London to Inverness—by Philip Thunder in gloves; the whole provision for his journey, viz. one cracked angel, and two sticks of brimstone.