Act. V. Scene. IV.
Mere-craft, &c. to them. Gvilt-head. Sledge. Plutarchus. Serjants.
* 1.1GVilt-head what newes?
Fit.
O Sir, my hundred peices:
Let me ha'them yet.
Gui.
Yes Sir, officers
Arrest him.
Fit.
Me?
Ser.
I arrest you.
Sle.
Keepe the peace,
I charge you gentlemen.
Fit.
Arrest me? Why?
Gui.
For better security, Sir. My sonne Plutarchus
Assures me, y'are not worth a groat.
Plu.
Pardon me, Father,
I said his worship had no foot of Land left:
And that I'll justifie, for I writ the deed.
Fit.
Ha'you these tricks i'the citty?
Sle.
I, and at mine. He owes me for his lodging
Two yeere and a quarter.
Mer.
Why M. ••uilt-head, Land-Lord,
Thou art not mad, though th'art Constable
Puft up with the pride of the place? Doe you heare, Sirs.
Have I deserv'd this from you two? for all
My paines at Court, to get you each a patent.
Gui.
* 1.3For what?
Mer.
Upo' my project o' the forkes.
Sle.
Forkes? what be they?
Mer.
The laudable use of forkes,
Brought into custome here, as they are in Italy,
To th'sparing o'Napkins. That, that should have made
Your bellowes goe at the forge, as his at the furnace.
I ha'procured it, ha'the Signet for it,
Dealt with the Linnen-drapers, on my private,
By cause, I fear'd, they were the likeliest ever
To stirre against, to crosse it: for 'twill be
A mighty saver of Linnen through the Kingdome
(As that is one o'my grounds, and so spare washing)
Now, on you two, had I laid all the profits.
Guilt-head to have the making of all those
Of gould and silver, for the better personages;
And you of those of Steele for the common sort.
And both by Pattent, I had brought you your seales in.
* 1.4But now you have prevented me, and I thanke you.
Sle.
Sir, I will baile you, at my owne ap-perill.
Mer.
* 1.5Nay choose.
Plu.
Do you so too, good Father.
Gui.
I like the fashin o'the project, well,
The forkes! It may be a lucky one! and is not
Intricate, as one would say, but fit for
Plaine heads, as ours, to deale in. Do you heare.