with difficulty the stale jests of us thy compeers.
When was't ever known to club thy own particular jest among us?

_Mar_. Most unkind Daniel, to speak such biting things of me!

_Fran_. See--if he hath not brought tears into the poor fellow's eyes
with the saltness of his rebuke.

_Dan_. No offence, brother Martin--I meant none. 'Tis true, Heaven
gives gifts, and withholds them. It has been pleased to bestow upon
me a nimble invention to the manufacture of a jest; and upon thee,
Martin, an indifferent bad capacity to understand my meaning.

_Mar_. Is that all? I am content. Here's my hand.

_Fran_. Well, I like a little innocent mirth myself, but never could
endure bawdry.

_Dan_. _Quot homines tot sententiae._

_Mar_. And what is that?

_Dan_. 'Tis Greek, and argues difference of opinion.

_Mar_. I hope there is none between us.

_Dan_. Here's to thee, brother Martin. (_Drinks_.)

_Mar_. And to thee, Daniel. (_Drinks_.)

_Fran_. And to thee, Peter. (_Drinks_.)

_Peter_. Thank you, Francis. And here's to thee. (_Drinks_.)

_Mar_. I shall be fuddled anon.

_Dan_. And drunkenness I hold to be a very despicable vice.

_All_. O! a shocking vice. (_They drink round_.)

_Peter_. In as much as it taketh away the understanding.

_Dan_. And makes the eyes red.

_Peter_. And the tongue to stammer.

_Dan_. 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.

_Dan_. Certainly sobriety is the health of the soul.

_Mar_. Now I know I am going to be drunk.

_Dan_. How canst tell, dry-bones?

_Mar_. Because I begin to be melancholy. That's always a sign.

_Fran_. 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.

_Fran_. I think everything be altered for the better since His
Majesty's blessed restoration.

_Peter_. In Sir Walter's days there was no encouragement given to
good housekeeping.

_All_. None.

_Dan_. For instance, no possibility of getting drunk before two in
the afternoon.

_Peter_. Every man his allowance of ale at breakfast--his quart!

_All_. A quart!! [_In derision._

_Dan_. Nothing left to our own sweet discretions.

_Peter_. Where