Enter Staines.
Staines. There is a devil has haunted me these three years, in likeness of an usurer: a fellow that in all his life never ate three groat loaves out of his own purse, nor ever warmed him but at other men's fires; never saw a joint of mutton in his own house these four-and-twenty years, but always cosened the poor prisoners, for he always bought his victuals out of the alms-basket; and yet this rogue now feeds upon capons, which my tenants send him out of the country; he is landlord, forsooth, over all my possessions. Well, I am spent; and this rogue has consumed me. I dare not walk abroad to see my friends, for fear the serjeants should take acquaintance of me: my refuge is Ireland or Virginia:[155] necessity cries out, and I will presently to West Chester.
Enter Bubble.
How now, Bubble! hast thou pack'd up all thy things?
Our parting-time is come: nay, prythee, do not weep.
Bub. Affection, sir, will burst out.
Staines. Thou hast been a faithful servant to me. Go to thy uncle, he'll give thee entertainment: tell him, upon the stony rock of his merciless heart my fortunes suffer shipwreck.
Bub. I will tell him he is an usuring rascal, and one that would do the commonwealth good if he were hanged.
Staines. Which thou hast cause to wish for; thou art his heir, my affectionate Bubble.
Bub. But, master, wherefore should we be parted?
Staines. Because my fortunes are desperate, thine are hopeful.