paper makes pasteboard, and pasteboard makes Collar: and is not this a stiff argument, that he is his maker, and therefore master? Ruff. Well, be he what he will, if I catch his collar I'll cut him in jags. and I'll make him for stirring. Cuff. But ye shall not fight. friends and neighbours enough to troversy, but you must go Have ye not end this con into the fields, and there cut the thread of your lives? No, we'll have no such doing. Come, choose you an umpire, Band, for it shall be so. Band. Since you will force me to it; if Ruff be content, I am willing. Cuff. Ruff, you shall be content. Ruff. If I shall, then I must: let me name him. Band. If I may choose, I'll have Master Handkerchief. Cuff. Nay, stay there : he is a mutable snivelling fellow, and a notable lawyer. He will wipe your nose of all, if you put the case to him. But what say you to Shirt? Ruff. Hang him, a rope on him. He is a filthy shifting knave; and one to whom Band a little before hath been much beholden. They were joined a long time together in friendship. Cuff. Why, then go to Master Cap the headman of the town. Band. No; I deem that he is a very bad justice. You may have him wrought on any side for money. Ruff. I'll tell you what: then we will go to my Lord Corpus himself. Band. He is not in town. Ruff. He is for to-day I saw Sock, his chief foot-man in town. Cuff. Here's ado with you and my Lord Corpus. Indeed, I would you were both hanged about his neck for me; for then I think you would be both But I see, this strife will never be ended, till I be arbitrator myself. You know I am equally allied to you both : shall I be moderator between you? Band and Ruff. Content. even. Cuff. Well then, Ruff shall be most accounted of amongst the clergy, for he is the graver fellow : although I know the puritans will not greatly care for him; he hath such a deal of sitting, and they love standing better. As for you, Band, you shall be made most of amongst the young gallants: although sometimes they shall use Ruff for a fashion, but not otherwise. However, you need not regard the giddy-headed multitude. Let them do as they list; sometimes respecting one, sometimes the other. But when you come to the counsellors and men of law, which know right from wrong, judging your worths to be equal, they shall prefer neither, but use the kindness of both. How say you are you both pleased? Band and Ruff. We are. Cuff. Then go before me to the next town, and I'll follow after with a band of your friendship drawn, which I hope these gentleman will seal with their hands. [Exeunt Band and Ruff. Cuff. Claw me, and I'll claw thee, the proverb goes: Let it be true, in this that freshman shows. Cuff graceth hand, Cuff's debtors hand remain ; Let hands clap me, and I'll cuff them again. 15428118 THE COLD YEARE, 1614. I Deepe Snow: h Men and Cattell have perished, all losse of Farmers, Grasiers, Hus- que-wise, in a plaine Familiar Talke In which, the Reader shall find many thinges for his Imprinted at London for Thomas Langley in Iuie |