PYE.
Why, every fool knows that, Captain: nay, then, I’ll not
cog with you, Captain; if you’ll stay and hang the next
Sessions, you may.
CAPTAIN. No, by my faith, George: come, come, let’s to conjuring, let’s to conjuring.
PYE. But if you look to be released—as my wits have took pain to work it, and all means wrought to farther it— besides to put crowns in your purse, to make you a man of better hopes, and whereas before you were a Captain or poor Soldier, to make you now a Commander of rich fools, (which is truly the only best purchase peace can allow you) safer then High-ways, Heath, or Cunny-groves, and yet a far better booty; for your greatest thieves are never hangd, never hangd, for, why, they’re wise, and cheat within doors: and we geld fools of more money in one night, then your false tailed Gelding will purchase in a twelve-month’s running; which confirms the old Beldam saying, he’s wisest, that keeps himself warmest; that is, he that robs by a good fire—
CAPTAIN. Well opened, yfaith, George; thou has pulled that saying out of the husk.
PYE.
Captain Idle, tis no time now to delude or delay: the old
Knight will be here suddenly. I’ll perfect you, direct
you, tell you the trick on’t: tis nothing.
CAPTAIN. Sfoot, George, I know not what to say toot: conjure? I shall be hand ere I conjure.
PYE. Nay, tell not me of that, Captain; you’ll ne’er conjure after you’re hangd, I warrant you. Look you, sir, a parlous matter, sure! First, to spread your circle upon the ground, then, with a little conjuring ceremony, as I’ll have an Hackney-man’s wand silvered ore a purpose for you,—then arriving in the circle, with a huge word, and a great trample, as for instance:—have you never seen a stalking- stamping Player, that will raise a tempest with his tongue, and thunder with his heels?
CAPTAIN.
O yes, yes, yes: often, often.
PYE. Why, be like such a one, for any thing will blear the old Knight’s eyes: for you must note that he’ll ne’er dare to venture into the room, only perhaps peep fearfully through the Key hold, to see how the Play goes forward.
CAPTAIN. Well, I may go about it when I will, but mark the end ont: I shall but shame my self, ifaith, George. Speak big words, and stamp and stare, and he look in at Key-hold! why, the very thought of that would make me laugh out-right, and spoil all: nay, I’ll tell thee, George, when I apprehend a thing once, I am of such a laxative laughter, that if the Devil him-self stood by, I should laugh in his face.