Shallow.
By cock and pye, Sir, you shall not away to-night.
What! Davy, I say.

Fal.

You must excuse me, master Robert Shallow.

Shal.

I will not excuse you: you shall not be excused. Excuses shall not be admitted: there is no excuse shall serve: you shall not be excus'd. Why, Davy.

Davy.

Here, Sir,

Shal.

Davy, Davy, Davy, let me see, Davy, let me see! William Cook, bid him come hither.—Sir John, you shall not be excus'd,

Davy.

Marry, Sir, thus: those precepts cannot be serv'd; and, again, Sir, shall we sow the head-land with wheat?

Shal.

With red wheat, Davy. But for William Cook; are there no young pidgeons?

Davy.

Yea, Sir—Here is now the smith's note for shooing, and plow-irons.

Shal.

Let it be cast, and paid—Sir John, you shall not be excus'd.

Davy.

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 Hinckly fair?

Shal.

He shall answer it. Some pidgeons, Davy, a couple of short-legg'd 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'th' court is better than a penny in purse. Use his men well, Davy; for they are arrant knaves, and will backbite.

Davy.

No worse than they are 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 Woncot, 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, heav'n 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 serv'd your worship truly, Sir, these eight years; and if I cannot, once or twice in a quarter, bear out a knave against an honest man, I have but very little credit with your worship. The knave is mine honest friend, Sir; therefore I beseech your worship let him be countenanc'd.

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. [To the Page.] Come, Sir John.

Fal.

I'll follow you, good master Robert Shallow. Bardolph, look to our horses. [Exit Bard.]—If I were saw'd into quantities, I should make four dozen of such

bearded-hermit staves as master Shallow. It is a wonderful thing to see the semblable coherence of his mens spirits and his: they, by observing of him, do bear themselves like foolish justices: he, by conversing with them, is turn'd into a justice-like servingman. Their spirits are so married in conjunction, with the participation of society, that they flock together in consent, like so many wild geese. If I had a suit to master Shallow, I would humour his men with the imputation of being near their master: If to his men, I would curry with master Shallow, that no man could better command his servants. It is certain that either wise bearing, or ignorant carriage, is caught, as men take diseases one of another: therefore let men take heed of their company. I will devise matter enough out of this Shallow, to keep Prince Henry in continual laughter, the wearing out of six fashions, which is four terms, or two actions; and he shall laugh without Intervallums. O, it is much, that a lye with a slight oath, and a jest with a sad brow, will do with a fellow that never had the ache in his shoulders. O, you shall see him laugh, till his face be like a wet cloak ill laid up* ^note.

Shal. [Within.]

Sir John.

Fal.

I come, master Shallow; I come, master Shallow.