Page:Cutter of Coleman-street - Cowley (1663).djvu/19

Joll.Well, and what is't?

Worm.Why, Business is afloat again; the King has muster'd five and twenty thousand men in Flanders, as tall Fellows as any are in Christendom.

Joll.A pox upon you for a couple of gross Cheats!
I wonder from what fools in what blind corners you get a dinner for this stuff.

Cut.Nay, there's another News that's stranger ye, but for that let the Captain Answer.

Wor.I confess I should ha' thought it very ridiculous, but that I saw it from a good hand beyond Sea, under Black and White, and all in Cypher.

Joll.Oh it cann't miss then; what may it be, pray?

Wor.Why, that the Emperor of Muscovy has promis'd
To land ten thousand Bears in England to
Over-run the Country.

Joll.Oh! that's in revenge of the late barbarous Murder of their brethren here I warrant you!

Cut.Why, Colonel, things will come about again!
We shall have another 'bout for't!

Joll.Why all this to a friend that knows you? where were thy former Bouts, I prethee Cutter? where didst thou ever serve the King, or when?

Cut.Why every where; and the last time at Worcester
If I never serv'd him since, the faults not mine; an there had been any Action———

Joll.At Worcester, Cutter? prethee how got's thou thither?

Cut.Why as you and all other Gentlemen should ha' done; I carri'd him in a Troop of Reformado Officers; most of them had been under my command before!

Joll.I'le be sworn they were Reformado Tapsters then; but prethee how gots thou off?

Cut.Why as the King himself, and all the rest of the great ones; in a disguise; if you'l needs know't.

Wor.He's very cautious, Colonel, h'as kept it ever since.

Joll.That's too long 'ifaith, Cutter, prethee take one disguise now more at last, and put thy self into the habit of a Gentleman.

Cut.I'le answer no more Prethees; Is this the Mornings-draught you sent for me to?

Joll.