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Joyce.A council formed of officers, say I.
Harrison [growing excited.]To govern there must needs be seventy!
Barebones.For England no salvation may there be,
So long as we shall not all things ordain
According to the Bible, and require
Tradesmen, for honest profits, to employ
The weights and measures of the sanctuary,
The sacred numbers, too, and therewithal,
For Zion leaving Egypt and Chaldæa,
Fathoms for cubits, palms for feet exchange.
Garland.'Tis spoken sensibly.
Joyce. 'Tis spoken sensibly. Is Barebones mad?
A mole, who nothing sees outside his hole!
Pray, does he take his counter for a throne,
His yardstick for a sceptre, and his cap
For a tiara?
Plinlimmon [to Joyce, indicating Barebones.
For a tiara? Do not jest. Full oft
The spirit doth inspire him.
The spirit doth … [To Barebones.] My friend,
I do approve thy words.
Barebones [puffing himself out.
I do approve thy words. That nought be done
By halves, 'tis fitting that in every shire
We take the foremost men—
Joyce [sneeringly.] We take the fore… Ay, the cordwainers!
Barebones [to Joyce, bitterly.]Thanks, friend! 'twas said most courteously, in sooth!
But you yourself, good Master Cornet Joyce,
Ere you became an officer and scoffer,
Wert not a tailor?
[Joyce makes an angry gesture. Barebones continues.
Wert not a tailor? I, whom men esteem