DAGGER

'Tis Dagger sir; what will you never leave your quarreling? Nay, you shall find Sword a notable Cutter. Nay never go, for if you do, I'll send one after you, which shall scour you both. The Cutler can do it. I have seen him handle you both bravely. Alas Sword, you needs not talk of his shutting up of Shop, and if it had not been for him, you had broken by this time Sword, Nay, never talk: For you know he can hold your nose to the Grindstone, when he list. And as for you Rapier, you know he brought you up first, and if you had stayed with him still, it might have be better for you. He used you too well indeed: for when you were with him he furnished you with Siler and every thing, but now you are worn out of all fashion. You are even Like a Lapwing, you are no sooner Hatched Ra pier, but you run abroad presently from him. Do you hear Sword? If you go, look for Dagger at your backs present lie; For I am a Justice of Peace, and am sworn to keep and defend the Peace. Alas I care not if you were both Plaintiffs against me, you shall find Dag her your Defendant I'll warrant you: I, and if need be, I could put up and Actium of Battery against you. Away Sword, the Time was in deed when thou wast a notable Swash-buck ler, but now thou art grown old Sword. Flourished? i'faith Sir I, I have seen Sword hang with nothing but Scarffes ere now. A Thief? Nay Rapier, never hit Sword ith teeth with that: for you know you were both Indited for treason before now, and were in danger to be hanged, and drawn too, and had escaped well if you had not be quartered. You are a crafty Fox Sword: It were well if you knew how to keep your friendship too, for Gentlemen and Friends should not fallen out. Nay, Dagger will defend you both for good Soldiers. Yes Rapier is a Soldier, and a Man as well Armed at all points as any one. Alas there's none Master of De fence but Dagger: But yet if you speak of Soldiers, the'rs Bow, Bill, and Gun, worth twenty such as we are. But what say you to Bill? he's a notable sturdy villain. Its more then you can do, Ime afraid; For Bill's a Tall-fellow ons hands, and will quickly be Wood: and then theres Gun, such another Bouncing-fellow too. Well, is Gun Nobody? Ime sure heel give some blows sometime. Faith I know not what Souldi er he is, but they say, He's and excellent pol litician. Why, he has and excellent wit? Ime sure I can remember since he was a Parlement-man. Well, if either you, or any body else should meet with Powder, yet its a hun dreaded to one, if he meet not with his match. Nay, you know Ime equally all lied to you both, and therefore shall prove and impartial Judge: How say you, will you be ruled by me? Why are are you so long Sword before you speak? Then in brief it shall be thus. Sword, you shall bear Chief force ith Camp, and be made General of the Field, to bear sway every where. As for you Ra pier, since Duels are put down, you shall live quietly and peaceably here 'ith Court, and go every day in Velvet: You shall be Friends with every one, and be on every ones side, that if occasion serve, and Sword be absent, so that matters are driven ̄ to a push, Rapier shall be the only man to perform a Combat: And I my self will back you both, as occasion shall serve. How say ye, are ye content? Then go before to my House, to the Dagger in Cheap: and there weel conclude all. Our weapons drawn, and yet no hurt ye find, Did Dagger then defend unto your mind? He that defended others not long sense, At last he dares not stand inns own defence; But this he Hope's, with you it will suffice, To crave a pardon for a Scholars Prize. Nay Sword, put the Case of Rapiers aside, that there were two of them, I hope you were able to buckle with them. If you offer but to thrust towards him Rapier, I'll strike you down. But me thinks Sword by the very sounding of his Name should be the better Gentleman, and has the better Arms too: for if the truth were well known, Rapier hath but one arm. If you look ith book of Armory, I'll warrant you, you shall find Sword of more antiquity then you Rapier: He derives his Pedigree from Morglay, Bevis of South-hamp tons sword; and that from S. George his sword, that killed the Dragon. Byth mass, I think indeed, you are both well sanguind. Your both of one blood, only the this difference, that sword coms of the elder brother, & you Rapier of the the ̄ her. Nay ber-lady, it was for the whole Country. O he plots shrevvdly. If they had not look't too it, He had undermined the whole parliament-house. Well said, desperate Dick. Sword, You may be ashamed to offer it. You know you are tvvo-handed- Sword, and Rapier has but one hand (unless I help him) to do any good withal, and yet youde have him go in to the Fields with you. Come, theres ney there of you shall go. Do not you know that Duels are put down? Yowl be bound to'th Peace ever hereafter, if you strike but one stroke. Therefore you had best let me decide your controversy for you. Why any man may see that thou art well carved Sword; and yet me thinks that Rapier should not speak of that, for it's and hundred to one if he be not gilded too.