GRIM. Parson, persuade me no more. I come,
Jug, to your custody; Jug, hold the nut-bag.
CLACK. Nay, I will give you nuts to crack.
GRIM. Crack in thy throat and hauster[469] too.
SHO. Neighbours, I wish you both agree:
Let me be judge, be rul'd by me.
GRIM. Master Parson, remember what Pueriles[470] saith, Ne accesseris ad concilio, &c. I tell you I found this written in the bottom of one of my empty sacks. Never persuade men that be inexecrable. I have vowed it, and I will perform it. The quarrel is great, and I have taken it upon my own shoulders.
CLACK. Ay, that thou shalt, ere I have done; for I will lay it on, i'faith.
GRIM. If you lay it in, I must bear it out, this is all. If you strike, I must stand to anything, although it be the biggest blow that you can lay upon me.
JOAN. Ye both have ofttimes sworn that ye love me;
Let me overrule you in this angry mood.
Neighbours and old acquaintance, and fall out!
ROB. Why, that is, because thou wilt not let them fall in.
GRIM. I say, my heart bleedeth when thou speaketh, and therefore do not provoke me. Yet, miller, as I am monstrous angry, so I have a wonderful great mind to be repeas'd. Let's think what harm cometh by this same fighting; if we should hurt one another, how can we help it? Again, Clack, do but here forswear Joan's company, and I'll be thine instead of her, to use in all your businesses from Croydon to London; yours, Gilbert Grim, the chief collier for the king's majesty's own mouth.