Peg. O! why did I ever wrong such generous Love!
Dick. Talk no more of it. Here let us kneel, and thank the Goodness which has made us blest.
King. May you be happy.
Mil. [Kneels.] After I have seen so much of your Majesty's Goodness, I cannot despair of Pardon, even for the rough Usage your Majesty receiv'd from me.
[The King draws his Sword, the Miller is frighted, and rises up, thinking he was going to kill him.
What have I done that I should lose my Life?
King. Kneel without Fear. No, my good Host, so far are you from having any thing to pardon, that I am much your Debtor. I cannot think but so good and honest a Man will make a worthy and honourable Knight, so rise up, Sir John Cockle: And, to support your State, and in some sort requite the Pleasure you have done us, a Thousand Marks a Year shall be your Revenue.
Mil. Your Majesty's Bounty I receive with Thankfulness; I have been guilty of no Meanness to obtain it, and hope I shall not be obliged to keep it upon base Conditions; for tho' I am willing to be a faithful Subject, I am resolv'd to be a free and an honest Man.
King. I rely upon your being so: And to gain the Friendship of such a one, I shall always think an Addition to my Happiness, tho' a King.
Worth, in whatever State, is sure a Prize