Imp. Pov. Keep, keep, for Cock's face!
Peace. Why art thou so out of patience?
Imp. Pov. A knave would have rested me:
I owe him but forty pence—
He shall abide, by God's dear blest!
Peace. Take heed, my friend! thus saith the text:
In little meddling standeth great rest.
Therefore, pay thy duty well and honestly,
With few words discreetly;
Another time ye shall be the better trust.
Imp. Pov. That will I never do while I live; let him do his best.
I had liever lay all my good to pledge
To get a writ of privilege;
So may I go by his nose at large,
Spite of his teeth, whosoever say Nay.
Peace. This is but a wilful mind: if thou wilt not pay
Thy very duty, which cannot be denied,
Getting of thy writ and expense in the law
Will cost more than thy duty—this well I knaw.
Thy debt therewith cannot be paid;
It is only a deferring of the payment.
Imp. Pov. Yet the knave shall not have his intent.
Peace. Thou shalt pay by rightful judgment,
For the law is indifferent to every person.
Imp. Pov. I see thou holdest on his opinion.
Yet, I set not by you both a rish:
And I meet the knave I shall hew his flesh;
Help him, thou old churl and thou can!
Peace. I see thou art an evil-disposed man:
I utterly forsake thy condition.