Lang. I grant you. The place is full of impurity. So much the more need of instruction and reformation. The purpose that carried me thither was with the spirit of conversion to purify their uncleanness, and I hope your lordship will say the law cannot take hold o' me for that.
1st Judge. No, sir, it cannot; but yet give me leave
To tell you that I hold your wary answer
Rather premeditated for excuse
Then spoken out of a religious purpose.
Where took you your degrees of scholarship?
Lang. I am no scholar, my lord. To speak the sincere truth, I am Snuffe the tallow-chandler.
2nd Judge. How comes your habits to be altered thus?
Lang. My Lord Belforest, taking a delight in the cleanness of my conversation, withdrew me from that unclean life and put me in a garment fit for his society, and my present profession.
1st Judge. His lordship did but paint a rotten post,
Or cover foulness fairly. Monsieur Snuffe,
Back to your candle-making! You may give
The world more light with that, than either with
Instruction or the example of your life.
Lang. Thus the Snuffe is put out. [Exit.
Enter D'Amville distractedly with the hearses of his two Sons borne after him.
D'Am. Judgment! Judgment!