FILCH. When a Gentleman is long kept in suspence, Penitence may
break his Spirit ever after. Besides, Certainty gives a Man a good
Air upon his Trial, and makes him risk another without Fear or
Scruple. But I'll away, for 'tis a Pleasure to be the Messenger of
Comfort to Friends in Affliction.
[Exit Filch.]
PEACHUM. But 'tis now high time to look about me for a decent
Execution against next Sessions. I hate a lazy Rogue, by whom one
can get nothing 'till he is hang'd. A Register of the Gang,
[Reading.] Crook-finger'd Jack. A Year and a half in the Service;
Let me see how much the Stock owes to his industry; one, two, three,
four, five Gold Watches, and seven Silver ones. A mighty clean-
handed Fellow! Sixteen Snuff-boxes, five of them of true Gold. Six
Dozen of Handkerchiefs, four silver-hilted Swords, half a Dozen of
Shirts, three Tye-Periwigs, and a Piece of Broad-Cloth. Considering
these are only the Fruits of his leisure Hours, I don't know a
prettier Fellow, for no Man alive hath a more engaging Presence of
Mind upon the Road.
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