"'Tis an axiom in natural philosophy, what comes nearest the nature
of that it feeds, converts quicker to nourishment, and doth sooner
essentiate." Now nothing in flesh and entrails assimilates or resembles
man more than a hog or swine.
[DRINKS.

MACI. True; and he, to requite their courtesy, oftentimes doffeth his own
nature, and puts on theirs; as when he becomes as churlish as a hog, or as
drunk as a sow; but to your conclusion.
[DRINKS.

CAR. Marry, I say, nothing resembling man more than a swine, it follows,
nothing can be more nourishing; for indeed (but that it abhors from our
nice nature) if we fed upon one another, we should shoot up a great deal
faster, and thrive much better; I refer me to your usurous cannibals, or
such like; but since it is so contrary, pork, pork, is your only feed.

MACI. I take it, your devil be of the same diet; he would never have
desired to have been incorporated into swine else. -- O, here comes the
melancholy mess; upon 'em, Carlo, charge, charge!

ENTER PUNTARVOLO, FASTIDIOUS BRISK, SOGLIARDO, AND FUNGOSO.
CAR. 'Fore God, sir Puntarvolo, I am sorry for your heaviness: body o'
me, a shrew'd mischance! why, had you no unicorn's horn, nor bezoar's
stone about you, ha?

PUNT. Sir, I would request you be silent.

MACI. Nay, to him again.

CAR. Take comfort, good knight, if your cat have recovered her catarrh,
fear nothing; your dog's mischance may be holpen.

FAST. Say how, sweet Carlo; for, so God mend me, the poor knight's moans
draw me into fellowship of his misfortunes. But be not discouraged, good
sir Puntarvolo, I am content your adventure shall be performed upon your
cat.

MACI. I believe you, musk-cod, I believe you; for rather than thou
would'st make present repayment, thou would'st take it upon his own bare
return from Calais
[ASIDE.

CAR. Nay, 'slife, he'd be content, so he were well rid out of his company,
to pay him five for one, at his next meeting him in Paul's. [ASIDE TO
MACILENTE.] -- But for your dog, sir Puntarvolo, if he be not out-right
dead, there is a friend of mine, a quack-salver, shall put life in him
again, that's certain.

FUNG. O, no, that comes too late.

MACI. 'Sprecious! knight, will you suffer this?

PUNT. Drawer, get me a candle and hard wax presently.
[EXIT GEORGE.

SOG. Ay, and bring up s