Bloody-B. No trade at all, friend; I profess murder; rascally butchers make a trade on't; 'tis a gentleman's divertisement.
Sir Dav. Do you profess murder?
Bloody-B. Yes, sir, 'tis my livelihood: I keep a wife and six children by it.
Sir Dav. Then, sir, here's to you with all my heart. Would I had done with these fellows! [Aside.
Four. Well, sir, if you have any service for us, I desire we may receive your gold and your instructions as soon as is possible.
Sir Dav. Soft and fair, sweetheart; I love to see a little how I lay out my money. Have you very good trading now-a-days in your way, friend?
Bloody-B. In peaceable times a man may eat and drink comfortably upon't: a private murder done handsomely is worth money; but now that the nation's unsettled, there are so many general undertakers, that 'tis grown almost a monopoly; you may have a man murdered almost for little or nothing, and nobody e'er know who did it neither.[43]
Sir Dav. Pray what countryman are you? where were you born, most noble sir?
Bloody-B. Indeed, my country is foreign. I was born in Argier[44]; my mother was an apostate Greek, my father a renegado Englishman, who by oppressing of Christian slaves grew rich; for which, when he lay sick, I murdered him one day in his bed; made my escape to Malta, where, embracing the faith, I had the honour given me to command a thousand horse aboard the galleys of that state.
Sir Dav. O Lord, sir! my humble service to you again.