DUNSTAN. And if your grace call Abram's tale to mind, When that Egyptian Pharaoh crav'd his wife, You will, no doubt, forgive my nephew's guilt; Who by the merry jest he showed your grace, Did save your honour and her chastity.
KING. We take it so; and for amends, Ethenwald, Give me thy hand and we are friends; And love thy wife, and live together long, For Edgar hath forgot all former wrong.
ETHENWALD. Thanks, gracious king, and here upon my knee I rest to be disposed, as you please.
KING. Enough, Ethenwald. But who comes here?
HONESTY. Why, I think I have taken in hand an endless task, To smell a knave: 'tis more than a dog can do. I have disguised myself of purpose to find A couple of knaves, which are yet behind. The next knave is a priest, call'd John the precise, That with counterfeit holiness blinds the people's eyes. This is one of them, that will say it is a shame For men to swear and blaspheme God's holy name; Yet if a make a good sermon but once in a year, A will be forty times in a tavern making good cheer: Yet in the church he will read with such sobriety, That you would think him very precise and of great honesty. [_Aside_.]
KING. What, Honesty, hast thou despatch'd, and found these privy knaves?
HONESTY. I shall do anon: I have them in scent; but I will be gone. [_Exit_.
PRIEST. Good Lord! I praise God I am come from our morning's exercise, Where I have profited myself, and e[d]ified my brethren In shewing the way to salvation by my doctrine; And now I am going to the court to prefer my petition. I would give a hundred pound it were granted; 'Tis a thing of nothing: but here comes one of the court.
God save you, brother in Christ: are you towards the king?
HONESTY. Ay, marry am I: what then? why dost thou ask?
PRIEST. Nothing, sir, but I would desire you to stand my friend, To get me the king's hand and seal to this letter. I would not use it, sir, to hinder any man for a thousand pound; For indeed I am a clergyman by my profession. 'Tis nothing, sir, but, as you see, to have the king's seal To carry tin, lead, wool, and broadcloths beyond seas, For you know, sir, every man will make the most he can of his own; And for my part, I use it but for a present necessity, If you will undertake to do it, I'll give you a hundred pound.