Cutter of Coleman-street/Act 2 Scene 4

by Abraham Cowley

Scene 4.

Cutter, Worm.

Cut.Now I ha' thee at the place, where thou affronted'st me, here will I cut thy throat.

Wor.You'l be hang'd first.

Cut.No by this light.

Wor.You'l be hang'd after then.

Cut.Not so neither; for I'l hew thee into so many morsels, that the Crowner shall not be able to give his Verdict whether 'twas the Body of a Man or of a Beast, as thou art. Thou shalt be mince-meat, Worm, within this hour.

Wor.He was a Coward once, nor have I ever heard one syllable since of his Reformation, he shall not daunt me.

[Draws.Cut.Come on; I'l send thee presently to Erebus without either Bail or Main-prize.

Wor.Have at you, Cutter, an' thou hadst as many lives as are in Plutarch, I'd make an end of e'm all.

Cut.Come on, Miscreant.

Wor.Do, do! strike an' thou dar'st.

Cut.Coward, I'l give thee the advantage of the first push, Coward.

Wor.I scorn to take any thing o' thee, Jew.

Cut.If thou dar'st not strike first, thou submitt'st, and I give thee thy life.

Wor.Remember, Cutter, you were treacherous first to me, and therefore must begin. Come, pox upon't, this quarrel will cost us quarts o' Wine a piece before the Treaty o' Peace be ended.

Cut.Here's company coming in; I'l hear o' no Treaties, Worm, we'l fight it out.