He said it was a good comparizement for a king; but would not do for a pedlar: Whereof I look'd four, and ask'd, why so pray? Because, said he, few pedlar die worth a shirt. There he had me on the hip, and we both laugh'd so heartily, that I was obliged to drink off the rest of the beer, or I shou'd have burst. In troth, he's a good-humour'd

man, and a pretty poet to my thinking, as poets go now-a-days. Come, you must buy it.

King.

Nay, since 'tis the king's poetry, 'tis fit all his good subjects shou'd buy it.

Aut.

I have no change, master.

King.

I want none, thou may'st keep it all. And now, I pray thee, without further words, which is the nearest way to the house of one Alcon, an aged yeoman of good repute, that lives somewhere hereabouts?

Aut.

Are you going to master Alcon's? I'm heartily glad of it; for I shall meet you there by and by. There's to be high doings; both a sheep-shearing and a wedding: And, if that will not make sport enough for one day, I wonder at it. We shall not lack for good chear, I warrant you. And I hope to sell a parcel of my wares.

King.

Dost thou believe it now, Camillo?

Cam.

But pray who is to be married there?

Aut.

Why, young Mrs. Perdita, his daughter; the prettiest lass, master!—Ods-life! she'll make thy old gums water when thou see'st her. When you go there, put it about that we may all kiss the bride; I long dearly to have one smack at her sweet lips.

Cam.

And what is he that is design'd her husband?

Aut.

Why some give out he is a gentleman; but this world is so strangly given to lying, that I scarce believe a word in ten I hear to any body's advantage; but if he were I am sure he's nothing the better for that; for I never was acquainted with a gentleman, that is to say, to drink with him or so, that was not the saddest dog in nature: Your gentlemen are sad dogs, sad dogs, indeed! But this young man has too good a character for a gentleman: Alas! they say he has honour and honesty, and love and virtue, and all that trumpery stuff that you never meet with—in gentlemen now-a-days: But it is no matter, Alcon hath enough for her and him too, though he were as poor, and as extravagant, as any gentleman of them all.

King.

But Alcon, I suppose, knows, for certain, who and what he is to whom he gives his daughter.

Aut.

I know not that; 'tis none of my concern.

King.

Then pray direct us thither.

Aut.

Come here.—Look, you go along this foot-path, (for, if you tread in the grass, you'll have a quarter-staff over your pate) cross the stile at the end of the meadow, then wind along the river's side to where it tumbles and

flounces down the rock, as white as sillabub; then, turning to the left, mount up the rising ground, leaving the wood a little to the right, till coming to a spacious lawn close nibbled by the sheep, as if 'twere shorn, straight on you may descry old Alcon's dwelling; though not a fine, the warmest hereabouts.—Some business calls me now another way; but in a hour I'll be with you there.