Fal.

You must excuse me, master Robert Shallow.

Shal.

I will not excuse you^{5 note}; you shall not be excused; excuses shall not be admitted; there is

no excuse shall serve; you shall not be excused.— Why, Davy!

Davy.

Here, sir.

Shal.

Davy, Davy, Davy,—let me see, Davy; let me see:—yea, marry, William cook, bid him come hither^{6 note}


.—Sir John, you shall not be excused.

Davy.

Marry, sir, thus; those precepts cannot be served^{7 note}: and, again, sir.—Shall we sow the headland with wheat?

Shal.

With red wheat, Davy. But for William cook;—Are there no young pigeons?

Davy.

Yes, sir.—Here is now the smith's note, for shoeing, and plough irons.

Shal.

Let it be cast^{8 note}, and paid:—sir John, you shall not be excused.

Davy.

Now, sir, a new link to the bucket must needs be had:—And, sir, do you mean to stop any of William's wages, about the sack he lost the other day at Hinckley fair^{9 note}?

Shal.

He shall answer it:—Some pigeons, Davy; a couple of short-legged hens; a joint of mutton; and any pretty little tiny kickshaws, tell William cook.

Davy.

Doth the man of war stay all night, sir?

Shal.

Yes, Davy. I will use him well; A friend i' the court is better than a penny in purse^{1 note}

Davy.

No worse than they are back-bitten, sir; for they have marvellous foul linen.

Shal.

Well conceited, Davy. About thy business, Davy.

Davy.

I beseech you, sir, to countenance William Visor of Wincot against Clement Perkes of the hill.

Shal.

There are many complaints, Davy, against that Visor; that Visor is an arrant knave, on my knowledge.

Davy.

I grant your worship, that he is a knave, sir: but yet, God forbid, sir, but a knave should have some countenance at his friend's request. An honest man, sir, is able to speak for himself, when a knave is not. I have served your worship truly, sir, this* ^note eight years; and if I cannot once or twice in a quarter bear out a knave against an honest man, I have but a very little credit with your worship^{2 note}
. The knave is mine honest friend, sir; therefore, I beseech your worship, let him be countenanced.

Shal.

Go to; I say, he shall have no wrong. Look about, Davy. [Exit Davy.] Where are you, sir John? Come, off with your boots.—Give me your hand, master Bardolph.

Bard.

I am glad to see your worship.

Shal.

I thank thee with all my heart, kind master Bardolph:—and welcome, my tall fellow^{3 note}

. [To the Page† ^note.] Come, sir John.

Fal.

I'll follow you, good master Robert Shallow. Bardolph, look to our horses. Exeunt Bardolph and Page.] If I were sawed into quantities, I should make four dozen of such bearded hermit's staves^{3 note} as master Shallow^{4 note}. It is a wonderful thing, to see the semblable coherence of his men's spirits and his: They, by observing him, do bear themselves like foolish justices; he, by conversing with them, is turned into a justice-like serving man; their spirits are so married in conjunction with the participation of society, that they flock together in consent^{5 note}