.

_Dom._ Peace be here: I thought I had been sent for to a dying man; to
have fitted him for another world.

_Lor._ No, faith, father, I was never for taking such long journeys.
Repose yourself, I beseech you, sir, if those spindle legs of yours
will carry you to the next chair.

_Dom._ I am old, I am infirm, I must confess, with fasting.

_Lor._ 'Tis a sign by your wan complexion, and your thin jowls,
father. Come, to our better acquaintance:--here's a sovereign remedy
for old age and sorrow. [_Drinks._

_Dom._ The looks of it are indeed alluring: I'll do you reason.
[_Drinks._

_Lor._ Is it to your palate, father?

_Dom._ Second thoughts, they say, are best: I'll consider of it once
again. [_Drinks._] It has a most delicious flavour with it. Gad
forgive me, I have forgotten to drink your health, Son, I am not used
to be so unmannerly. [_Drinks again._

_Lor._ No, I'll be sworn, by what I see of you, you are not:--To the
bottom;--I warrant him a true church-man.--Now, father, to our
business: 'tis agreeable to your calling; I do intend to do an act of
charity.

_Dom._ And I love to hear of charity; 'tis a comfortable subject.

_Lor._ Being in the late battle, in great hazard of my life, I
recommended my person to good Saint Dominick.

_Dom._ You could not have pitched upon a better; he's a sure card; I
never knew him fail his votaries.

_Lor._ Troth, I also made bold to strike up a bargain with him, that,
if I escaped with life and plunder, I would present some brother of
his order with part of the booty taken from the infidels, to be
employed in charitable uses.

_Dom._ There you hit him; Saint Dominick loves charity exceedingly;
that argument never fails with him.

_Lor._ The spoils were mighty; and I scorn to wrong him of a farthing.
To make short my story; I inquired among the jacobins for an almoner,
and the general fame has pointed out your reverence as the worthiest
man:--here are fifty good pieces in this purse.

_Dom._ How, fifty pieces? 'tis too much, too much in conscience.

_Lor._ Here, take them, father.

_Dom._ No, in troth, I dare not; do not tempt me to break my vow of
poverty.

_Lor._ If you are modest, I must force you; for I am strongest.

_Dom._ Nay, if you compel me, there's no contending; but, will you set
your strength against a decrepit, poor,