ACT III. SCENE I.

Enter LURCHER and his Equipage.

Lurcher.

So, now to our business, friends.

"Come, come,

"the vizards." Where are the masking suits? "Carb. Here, here in the portmanteau, my boy "of mettle."

Lurch. Well, gentlemen, I beg leave only to repeat what I said before, be honest and you shall all be safe, have every penny that I owe, and a present into the bargain; but you'll hang yourselves and me too if you purloin a sixpence. I have a particular reason for this sham robbery, which will help me to execute my design with honour and safety.

Carb. Oh, I'll be very honest; don't suspect me, my little bully.

Long. Indeed, 'Squire, this way of robbing is quite out of our way.

Sneak. I do not like it, 'tis so like robbing. Dear Squire, turn me out of the house-We shall certainly be taken and hanged.

Lurch. Carbuncle, bind all fast: terrify much and hurt little, that's your way.

Carb. Well, well, we'll do our best.

Lurch. Now, ceremonious uncle, with your good worship's leave, I hope to borrow from your awkward generosity a little ready money, however.

"'Tis strange this old man would upon no account "lend to supply the necessities of his nephew-nay, "of a nephew he seems to love too---he will readily << pay down to the glare of his grace." But to business, my friends, to business; you all know your several appointments; away. [Exeunt.

SCENE II.

Changes. Enter VULTUR with a pistol, thrusting in

SHACKLEFIGURE in his shirt and breeches.

Vult. Your money, your money, dog-bolt. Tim. Really I never part with money without a receipt.

Vult. You rascal, a receipt! when did you ever hear of a receipt given by a gentleman of our profession?

Tim. Dear Sir, only let it be then by way of memorandum, that it may appear in my accounts, and that his worship may be satisfied what you shall receive of me in a violent manner.

Vult. Villain, mention one word more of your memorandums and accounts, and I'll shoot you thro' the head for understanding arithmetic. Oons, Sir, the nine figures are all authorised thieves.

Tim. No, Sir, with all submission, they are not thieves, but guardians of estates.

Vult. Dog-bolt! must I drive a pellet through your scull to confound your figures?

ACT III. SCENE I.

Enter LURCHER and his Equipage.

Lurcher.

So, now to our business, friends.

"Come, come,

"the vizards." Where are the masking suits? "Carb. Here, here in the portmanteau, my boy "of mettle."

Lurch. Well, gentlemen, I beg leave only to repeat what I said before, be honest and you shall all be safe, have every penny that I owe, and a present into the bargain; but you'll hang yourselves and me too if you purloin a sixpence. I have a particular reason for this sham robbery, which will help me to execute my design with honour and safety.

Carb. Oh, I'll be very honest; don't suspect me, little bully.

my

Long. Indeed, 'Squire, this way of robbing is quite out of our way.

Sneak. I do not like it, 'tis so like robbing. Dear Squire, turn me out of the house-We shall certainly be taken and hanged.

Lurch. Carbuncle, bind all fast: terrify much and hurt little, that's your way.

Carb. Well, well, we'll do our best.

Lurch. Now, ceremonious uncle, with your good worship's leave, I hope to borrow from your awkward generosity a little ready money, however.

"'Tis strange this old man would upon no account "lend to supply the necessities of his nephew-nay, "of a nephew he seems to love too---he will readily pay down to the glare of his grace." But to business, my friends, to business; you all know your several appointments; away.

SCENE II.

[Exeunt.

Changes. Enter VULTUR with a pistol, thrusting in

SHACKLEFIGURE in his shirt and breeches.

Vult. Your money, your money, dog-bolt. Tim. Really I never part with money without a receipt.

Vult. You rascal, a receipt! when did you ever hear of a receipt given by a gentleman of our profession ?

Tim. Dear Sir, only let it be then by way of memorandum, that it may appear in my accounts, and that his worship may be satisfied what you shall receive of me in a violent manner.

Vult. Villain, mention one word more of your memorandums and accounts, and I'll shoot you thro' the head for understanding arithmetic. Oons, Sir, the nine figures are all authorised thieves.

Tim. No, Sir, with all submission, they are not thieves, but guardians of estates.

Vult. Dog-bolt! must I drive a pellet through your scull to confound your figures?

2

Tim. Ah, Sir, I do not insist upon it

-Ah, spare

my life, and I'll confess all the money and the plate. Vult. In, in then, dismal, and I'll give you bond for the money. [Exeunt.

Enter CARBUNCLE, haling DOUBLEJUGG after him, very drunk, and SNEAK and LONG BOTTOM at a distance.

Doub. Are you not ashamed to bind an honest man hand and foot, who can neither stand nor go?

Carb. Rot you, do you prate ?

Doub. Yes, Sir, I'm given to talk in my cups. Carb. Where's your plate, you drunken sot, your plate?

Doub. My plate, Sir, why, [Hiccups] why it is, it is

Carb. Where is it?

Doub. Why it is to tell you the truth it is locked up.

Carb. Demme, the keys, or I'll slice October.

Sneak. I beg you, Sir, to make no resistance, I entreat you.

Long. Upon my soul, Sir, if you don't comply with our request, you will be very roughly treated.

'Doub. I thank you very kindly, but I don't care for drinking a drop more.

Carb. Give me the keys of the cellar, or by Gogmagog I'll slice you, hash you, carbonade you, pickle you, pepper you, salt you, broil you, and eat you.

Doub. Keep your temper, friend; there they are.