_Gos_. But what will that advantage thee?
_Ger_. O much Sir,
'Twill give me the preheminence of the rest,
Make me a King among 'em, and protect me
From all abuse, such as are stronger, might
Offer my age; Sir, at your better leisure
I will inform you further of the good
It may do to me.
_Gos_. 'Troth thou mak'st me wonder;
Have you a King and common-wealth among you?
_Ger_. We have, and there are States are govern'd worse.
_Gos_. Ambition among Beggars?
_Ger_. Many great ones
Would part with half their states, to have the place,
And credit to beg in the first file, Master:
But shall I be so much bound to your furtherance
In my Petition?
_Gos._ That thou shalt not miss of,
Nor any worldly care make me forget it,
I will be early there.
_Ger._ Heaven bless my Master. [_Exeunt_.
_ACTUS SECUNDUS. SCENA PRIMA._
_Enter_ Higgen, Ferret, Prig, Clause, Jaculine,
Snap, Ginks, _and other beggars_.
_Hig._ Come Princes of the ragged regiment,
You o' the blood, _Prig_ my most upright Lord,
And these (what name or title, e're they bear)
_Jarkman_, or _Patrico_, _Cranke_, or _Clapperdudgeon_,
_Frater_, or _Abram-man_; I speak to all
That stand in fair Election for the title
Of King of _Beggars_, with the command adjoyning,
_Higgen_, your Orator, in this Inter-regnum,
That whilom was your Dommerer, doth beseech you
All to stand fair, and put your selves in rank,
That the first Comer, may at his first view
Make a free choice, to say up the question.
Pages:
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28