s the fast.

_2nd Sear._ The sign of the more grace; but stay, there sits one,
methinks at his prayers; let us see who it is.

_1st Sear._ 'Tis Adam, the smith's man. How, now, Adam?

_Adam._ Trouble me not; thou shalt take no manner of food, but fast
and pray.

_1st Sear._ How devoutly he sits at his orisons! But stay, methinks
I feel a smell of some meat or bread about him.

_2nd Sear._ So thinks me too. You, Sirrah, what victuals have you
about you?

_Adam._ Victuals! O horrible blasphemy! Hinder me not of my prayer,
nor drive me not into a choler. Victuals? why heardest thou not the
sentence, thou shalt take no food, but fast and pray?

_2nd Sear._ Troth, so it should be; but, methinks, I smell meat
about thee.

_Adam._ About me, my friends? these words are actions in the case.
About me? no! no! hang those gluttons that cannot fast and pray.

_1st Sear._ Well, for all your words we must search you.

_Adam._ Search me? take heed what you do! my hose are my castles;
'tis burglary if you break ope a slop; no officer must lift up an
iron hatch; take heed, my slops are iron.

_2nd Sear._ O, villain! See how he hath gotten victuals--bread,
beef and beer, where the king commanded upon pain of death none
should eat for so many days, not the sucking infant.

_Adam._ Alas! Sir, this is nothing but a _modicum non nocet ut
medicus daret_; why, Sir, a bit to comfort my stomach.

_1st Sear._ Villain! thou shalt be hanged for it.

_Adam._ These are your words, I shall be hanged for it; but first
answer me this question, how many days have we to fast still?

_2nd Sear._ Five days.

_Adam._ Five days! a long time; then I must be hanged.

_1st Sear._ Ay, marry must thou.

_Adam._ I am your man, I am for you, Sir, for I had rather be
hanged than abide so long a fast. What! five days! Come, I'll
untruss. Is your halter, and the gallows, the ladder, and all such
furniture in readiness.

_1st Sear._ I warrant thee thou shalt want none of these.

_Adam._ But hear you, must I be hanged?

_1st Sear._ Ay, marry.

_Adam._ And for eating of meat. Then, friends, know ye by these
presents, I will eat up all my meat, and drink up all my drink, for
it shall never be said, I was hanged with an empty stomach.

It has bee