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292 put it in, squire; and 'tis against your own rules to

represent anything on the stage that cannot be.

Mul. Why, dost think 'tis impossible for a lawyer to be

honest?

1 Act. As 'tis for a lord treasurer to be poor, or for a

king not to be cozened. There's little Robin, in debt

within these three years, grown fat and full by the trade;

and then there's Borachio, an unknown man, got it all by

speaking loud and bawling. Believe it, sir, they have no

more conscience than an inn-keeper.

Mul. I grant you all this: an old cook and a good

will please all palates. There's that for the young tapers

of the law: then there's a bawdy jest or two extraordinary

for the ladies; and, when it comes to be acted in private,

I'll have a jerk at the state for the country gentlemen.

If it does not take, my masters, it lies not upon me: I

have provided well; and, if the stomach of the times be

naught, the fault's not in the meat or in the cook. Come,

let's find out Lepido, and dine at the Mermaid. Come,

let us have one rouse, my Joves, in Aristippus: we shall

conceive the better afterwards.

Act. Agreed, agreed. Come, come away to the tavern, I say; For now at home is washing-day. Leave your prittle-prattle, let's have a pottle: We are not so wise as Aristotle.

Clar. By heaven,

She's false, false as the tears of crocodiles,

Or what is yet more feign'd, I do confess.

Your pardon, Florelio, come, pray, your pardon;

Perchance I may deserve it.

Flor. You have it, so has she;

Would heaven would do it as easily as I.

Clar. Heaven cannot do so foul an act. She has

O, she has done too much! And, should not I

See justice done, the gods would punish me.

Brother, clear up!

The world shall not be one day elder, ere

I see thy injuries revenged.