Man. Ay, if it can. But hark you, alderman, without you—
Ald. Business, sir, I say, must be done; and there's an officer of the treasury [Several cross the stage.] I have an affair with—[Exit.
Man. You see now what the mighty friendship of the world is; what all ceremony, embraces, and plentiful professions come to! You are no more to believe a professing friend than a threatening enemy; and as no man hurts you, that tells you he'll do you a mischief, no man, you see, is your servant who says he is so. Why the devil, then, should a man be troubled with the flattery of knaves if he be not a fool or cully; or with the fondness of fools, if he be not a knave or cheat?
Free. Only for his pleasure: for there is some in laughing at fools, and disappointing knaves.
Man. That's a pleasure, I think, would cost you too dear, as well as marrying your widow to disappoint her. But, for my part, I have no pleasure by 'em but in despising 'em, wheresoe'er I meet 'em; and then the pleasure of hoping so to be rid of 'em. But now my comfort is, I am not worth a shilling in the world, which all the world shall know; and then I'm sure I shall have none of 'em come near me.
Free. A very pretty comfort, which I think you pay too dear for.—But is the twenty pound gone since the morning?
Man. To my boat's crew.—Would you have the poor, honest, brave fellows want?
Free. Rather than you or I.
Man. Why, art thou without money? thou who art a friend to everybody?
Free. I ventured my last stake upon the squire to nick him of his mother; and cannot help you to a dinner, unless you will go dine with my lord—