must needs be had: and, sir, do you mean to 24
stop any of William's wages, about the sack he
lost the other day at Hinckley fair?
Shal. A' shall answer it. Some pigeons,
Davy, a couple of short-legged hens, a joint of 28
mutton, and any petty little tiny kickshaws,
tell William cook.
Davy. Doth the man of war stay all night,
sir? 32
Shal. Yea, Davy. I will use him well. A
friend i' the court is better than a penny in
purse. Use his men well, Davy, for they are
arrant knaves, and will backbite. 36
Davy. No worse than they are back-bitten,
sir; for they have marvellous foul linen.
Shal. Well conceited, Davy: about thy busi-
ness, Davy. 40
Davy. I beseech you, sir, to countenance
William Visor of Wincot against Clement Perkes
o' the hill.
Shal. There is many complaints, Davy, 44
against that Visor: that Visor is an arrant
knave, on my knowledge.
Davy. I grant your worship that he is a
knave, sir; but yet, God forbid, sir, but a knave 48
should have some countenance at his friend's
request. An honest man, sir, is able to speak for
himself, when a knave is not. I have served
your worship truly, sir, this eight years; and if 52
I cannot once or twice in a quarter bear out a
knave against an honest man, I have but a very
little credit with your worship. The knave is
29 kickshaws: fancy dishes
39 Well conceited: cleverly put
41 countenance: favor
