Cap. Our Generall yet shewd himselfe right noble in offering ransome for poore Captive Pike.
Sec. So largely, too, as he did, Captaine.
Cap. If any reasonable price would have bene accepted it had bene given Mr. Secretary, I assure you.
Jew. I can testify that at our returne, in our Generalls name & my owne, I made the large offer to the Teniente, who will by no meanes render him. Sure they hold him for some great noble purchace.
Sec. A Barronet at least, one of the lusty blood, Captaine.
Cap. Or perhaps, Mr. Secretary, some remarkable Commonwealths man, a pollitician in Government.
Sec. 'Twere a weake state-body that could not spare such members. Alas, poore Pike, I thinke thy pate holds no more pollicy than a Pollax.
Hill. Who is more expert in any quality then he that hath it at his fingers ends; & if he have more pollicy in his braines then dirt under his nayles Ile nere give 2 groates for a Calves head. But without all question he hath done some excellent piece of villany among the Diegoes, or else they take him for a fatter sheep to kill then he is.
Cap. Well, gentlemen, we all can but condole the losse of him; and though all that we all come hither for be not worth him, yet we must be content to leave him. The fleete is ready, the wind faire, and we must expect him no longer.
Hill. He was a true Devonshire blade.