Sket. My brother Heron hath right wisely deliver'd his opinion; for he that threads his needle with the sharp eyes of industry, shall in time go thorough-stitch with the new suit of prefer ment. Ast. Spoken to the purpose, my fine witted brother Sketon; for as no indenture but has its counterpane; no noverint but his condition or defeisance; so no right but may have claim, no claim but may have possession, any act of parliament to the contrary notwithstanding. Fri. You are all read in mysteries of state, Such counsel should lie buried in obscurity. J. a-Wat. If men may be credited in their mortality, which I dare not peremptorily aver but they may, or not be; presumptions by this marriage are then, in sooth, of fruitful expectation. Or else I must not justify other men's belief, more than other should rely on mine. Fri. Pith of experience! those that have borne office, Weigh every word before it can drop from them. But, noble counsellors, since now the present Requires, in point of honour, (pray mistake not,) Some service to our lord; 'tis fit the Scots Should not engross all glory to themselves, Sket. The Scots? the motion is defied: I had rather, for my part, without trial of my country, suffer persecution under the pressing-iron of reproach; or let my skin be punch'd full of oyletholes with the bodkin of derision. Ast. I will sooner lose both my ears on the pillory of forgery. Her. Let me first live a bankrupt, and die, in the lousy hole, of hunger, without compounding for sixpence in the pound. J. a-Wat. If men fail not in their expectations, there may be spirits also that digest no rude affronts, master secretary Frion, or I am cozen'd; which is possible, I grant. Fri. Resolv'd like men of knowledge! at this feast, then, In honour of the bride, the Scots, I know, By so much more will our endeavours meet with Have, for their recreations, undertook Such kind of pastimes; as for the conceit, You all shall share a thanks in: 'twill be grateful. Her. The motion is allow'd; I have stole to a dancing-school when I was a prentice. Ast. There have been Irish-hubbubs, when I have made one too. Sket. For fashioning of shapes, and cutting a cross-caper, turn me off to my trade again. J. a-Wat. Surely, there is, if I be not deceived, a kind of gravity in merriment; as there is, or perhaps ought to be, respect of persons in the quality of carriage, which is, as it is construed, either so, or so. Fri. Still you come home to me; upon occasion, I find you relish courtship with discretion; Oh the toil [Exit. 4 Irish-hubbubs.] Tumultuous merry-meetings at wakes and fairs. The speakers, it should be observed, are all from Ireland. Astley, as has been said, was a petty-fogger; his presence at these hubbubs therefore is natural enough. 5 Yet our tide, &c.] i. e. hitherto, thus far, &c. as in p. 62. ACT III. SCENE I. Westminster.-The Palace. Enter King HENRY, with his Gorget on, his Sword, Plume of Feathers, and leading-staff, (truncheon) followed by URSWICK. K. Hen. How runs the time of day? K. Hen. A bloody hour will it prove to some, Urs. They are all silent. K. Hen. From their own battlements, they may behold Saint George's fields o'erspread with armed men ; Amongst whom our own royal standard threatens Confusion to opposers: we must learn To practise war again in time of peace, Or lay our crown before our subjects' feet; Urs. The powers, who seated King Henry on his lawful throne, will ever Rise up in his defence. K. Hen. Rage shall not fright The bosom of our confidence; in Kent George Abergeny, Cobham, Poynings, Guilford, And other loyal hearts; now, if Blackheath Must be reserv'd the fatal tomb to swallow Such stiff-neck'd abjects, as with weary marches Have travell'd from their homes, their wives, and children, To pay, instead of subsidies, their lives, Without the food of fit supplies:-but, Urswick, The witchcraft, wherewith young King James is bound, And free it at my pleasure without bloodshed. Urs. Your majesty's a wise king, sent from heaven, Protector of the just. K. Hen. Let dinner cheerfully Be serv'd in; this day of the week is ours, Yet never fail'd, in all my undertakings, To yield me rest at night.-[A Flourish.]-What means this warning? Good fate, speak peace to Henry! Yet never fail'd me, &c.] The king's predilection for Saturday is noticed by Lord Bacon. Henry had taken great pains to |