_Devil._ No ale, villain; spirits cannot drink; come, get upon my back, that I may carry thee.[114]
_Adam._ You know I am a smith, sir: let me look whether you be well shod or no; for if you want a shoe, a remove, or the clinching of a nail, I am at your command.
_Devil._ Thou hast never a shoe fit for me.
_Adam,_ Why, sir, we shoe horned beasts, as well as you,--[_Aside._] O good Lord! let me sit down and laugh; hath never a cloven foot; a devil, quoth he! I'll use _Spritus santus_ nor _Nominus patrus_ no more to him, I warrant you; I'll do more good upon him with my cudgel: now will I sit me down, and become justice of peace to the devil.
_Adam._ I am ready, and with this cudgel I will conjure thee. [_Beats him._
_Devil._ O, hold thy hand! thou killest me, thou killest me! [_Exit._
_Adam._ Then may I count myself, I think, a tall[115] man, that am able to kill a devil. Now who dare deal with me in the parish? or what wench in Nineveh will not love me, when they say, "There goes he that beat the devil?" [_Exit._
SCENE V.--_A Public Place near the_ Usurer's.
_Thras._ Loath'd is the life that now enforc'd I lead; But since necessity will have it so, (Necessity that doth command the gods), Through every coast and corner now I pry, To pilfer what I can to buy me meat. Here have I got a cloak, not over old, Which will afford some little sustenance: Now will I to the broking Usurer, To make exchange of ware for ready coin.
_Alc._ Wife, bid the trumpets sound, a prize, a prize! mark the posy: I cut this from a new-married wife, by the help of a horn-thumb[116] and a knife,--six shillings, four pence.
_Samia._ The better luck ours: but what have we here, cast apparel? Come away, man, the Usurer is near: this is dead ware, let it not bide on our hands.
_Thras._ [_aside_]. Here are my partners in my poverty, Enforc'd to seek their fortunes as I do: Alas, that few men should possess the wealth, And many souls be forc'd to beg or steal!-- Alcon, well met.
_Thras._ To the Usurer, to get gold on commodity.
_Alc._ And I to the same place, to get a vent for my villainy. See where the old crust comes: let us salute him.
God-speed, sir: may a man abuse your patience upon a pawn?
_Alc. Ecce signum!_ a fair doublet and hose, new-bought out of the pilferer's shop,--a handsome cloak.