Peeling a Charley [graphic]

"Peel kicks a lean old watchman behind, and drags from his shoulders his patched and tattered coat. Just behind him (right) is a big bonfire in which a watch-box and battered lanterns are blazing; beside it lie more lanterns, a rattle, and staves. In the background a watchman hangs by the neck from the branch of a tree, still holding rattle and lantern. Beside the tree is a pond from which projects an arm clutching a rattle. Peel says: '"But such a poor, bare-forked animal as thou art--Off--off you lendings: come unbutton here vide Shaks--' ["Lear", III. iv]. The terrified watchman answers: '"Nay, take my life and all, pardon not that: You take my house, when you do take the prop That doth sustain my house; you take my life, When you do take the means whereby I live, vide Shaks.' ["Merchant of Venice", IV. i]."--British Museum online catalogue