Co. A whip, sira, a whip!—But, sir, provide your tooles against to morrow morning; tis somewhat darke now, indeed: you know Dawsons close, betweene the hedge and the pond; tis good even ground; Ile meete you there; and I do not, call me cut,[1811] and you be a man, shew yourselfe a man; weele have a bout or two; and so weele part for that present. 377
Fran. Well, sir, well.
Nic. [approaching.] Boy, have they appointed to fight?
Boy. I, Nicholas; wilt not thou go see the fray? 380
Nich. No, indeed; even as they brewe, so let them bake. I wil not thrust my hand into the flame, and[1812] need not; tis not good to have an oare in another mans boate; little said is soone amended, and in little medling commeth great rest; tis good sleeping in a whole skin; so a man might come home by Weeping Crosse[1813]: no, by lady, a friend is not so soone gotten as lost; blessed are the peace-makers; they that strike with the sword, shall be beaten with the scabberd. 388
Phil. Well said, proverbs: nere another to that purpose?
Nic. Yes, I could have said to you, sir, Take heed is a good reed.[1814] 391
Phil. Why to me, take heede?
Ni. For happy is he whom other mens harms do make to beware.
Phi. O, beware, Franke!—Slip away, Mall.—You know what I told ye. Ile hold our mothers both in talk meanwhile. [Aside.] —Mother, and mistris Barnes, me thinkes you should not stand in hatred so hard one with the[1815] other.