DANIEL. And to blab out secrets. (During this conversation they continue drinking.) PETER. Some men do not know an enemy from a friend when they are drunk. DANIEL. Certainly sobriety is the health of the soul. MARTIN. Now I know I am going to be drunk. Because I begin to be melancholy. That's always a sign. FRANCIS. Take care of Martin, he'll topple off his seat else. (Martin drops asleep.) PETER. Times are greatly altered, since young master took upon himself the government of this household. ALL. Greatly altered. FRANCIS. I think every thing be altered for the better since His Majesty's blessed restoration. PETER. In Sir Walter's days there was no encouragement given to good house-keeping. None. ALL. DANIEL. For instance, no possibility of getting drunk before two in the afternoon. Whereby it may appear, we were treated more like beasts than what we were-discreet and reasonable serving-men. Like beasts. ALL. MARTIN. (Opening his eyes.) Like beasts. DANIEL. To sleep, wag-tail! FRANCIS. I marvel all this while where the old gentleman has found means to secrete himself. It seems no man has heard of him since the day of the King's return. Can any tell why our young master, being favoured by. the court, should not have interest to procure his father's pardon? DANIEL. Marry, I think 'tis the obstinacy of the old Knight, that will not be beholden to the court for his safety. MARTIN. Now that is wilful. FRANCIS. But can any tell me the place of his conceal ment? PETER. That cannot I; but I have my conjectures. DANIEL. Two hundred pounds, as I hear, to the man that shall apprehend him. FRANCIS. Well, I have my suspicions. PETER. And so have I. MARTIN. And I can keep a secret. FRANCIS. (To Peter.) Warwickshire you mean. (aside.) I hope there is none in this company would be mean enough to betray him. O Lord, surely not. ALL. (They drink to Sir Walter's safety.) FRANCIS. I have often wondered how our master came to be excepted by name in the late Act of Oblivion. DANIEL. Shall I tell the reason? Aye, do. ALL. DANIEL. 'Tis thought he is no great friend to the present happy establishment. ALL. O! monstrous ! PETER. Fellow servants, a thought strikes me.-Do we, or do we not, come under the penalties of the treason-act, by reason of our being privy to this man's concealment. ALL. Truly a sad consideration. To them enters Sandford suddenly. SANDFORD. You well-fed and unprofitable grooms, You lazy feasters at another's cost, That eat like maggots into an estate, And do as little work, Being indeed but foul excrescences, And no just parts in a well-order'd family; Who act up to the height your master's vices, |