TRADE
(laughing immoderately)
Pumpkins? Who cares for pumpkins? No—not I.
I only mentioned them to keep you busy,
For I can hardly settle with you yet,
Nor judge the better lover of the twain.
For, at this time, great kings take thought for me—
Princes and leaders of the people crave
My kindness—and myself. You two must wait.
LABOR
Know then it was not all for you I spoke,
But for a principle—for that I fight.
(Labor turns up his sleeves, clenches his fist and takes a stride or two toward Capital, who is frightened and blows a whistle in alarm. Enter Religion from The World Inn, a little man in black, carrying a book, who trots up to Capital as to a master. Capital pinions his two arms and holds Religion in front of him. Labor laughs roughly and begins to pull off his shirt.)
LABOR
Come, Flip, your wit is all too deep for me,
But, if Religion is to second him,
I would depend on you in my good cause.
Come, help me strip and then, a fight, a fight!
FLIP
(Hesitates, goes to help him, speaks gently.)