Speed.
Sir Protheus, save you; saw you my master?

Pro.
But now he parted hence, t'imbark for Milan.

Speed.
Twenty to one then he is shipp'd already,
And I have play'd the sheep in losing him.

Pro.
Indeed, a sheep doth very often stray,
An if the shepherd be awhile away.

Speed.

You conclude that my master is a shepherd then, and I a sheep?

Pro.

I do.

Speed.

Why then my horns are his horns, whether I wake or sleep.

Pro.

A silly answer, and fitting well a sheep.

Speed.

This proves me still a sheep.

Pro.

True; and thy master a shepherd.

Speed.

Nay, that I can deny by a circumstance.

Pro.

It shall go hard, but I'll prove it by another.

Speed.

The shepherd seeks the sheep, and not the sheep the shepherd; but I seek my master, and my master seeks not me; therefore I am no sheep.

Pro.

The sheep for fodder follows the shepherd, the

shepherd for the food follows not the sheep; thou for wages followest thy master, thy master for wages follows not thee; therefore thou art a sheep.

Speed.

Such another proof will make me cry Baâ.

Pro.

But dost thou hear? gavest thou my letter to Julia?

Speed.

Ay, Sir, I, a lost mutton, gave your letter to her, a lac'd mutton,^{7 note} and she, a lac'd mutton, gave me, a lost mutton, nothing for my labour.

Pro.

Here's too small a pasture for such store of muttons.

Speed.

If the ground be over-charg'd, you were best stick her.

Pro.

Nay, in that you are a stray,^{8 note} 'twere best pound you.

Speed.

Nay, Sir, less than a pound shall serve me for carrying your letter.

Pro.
You mistake: I mean the pound, a pin-fold.

Speed.
From a pound to a pin? fold it over and over,
'Tis threefold too little for carrying a letter to your lover.

Pro.
But what said she: did she nod? [Speed nods.

Speed.
I.

Pro.
Nod-I? why, that's noddy.

Speed.
You mistook, Sir: I said, she did nod:
And you ask me, if she did nod; and I said, I.

Pro.

And that set together, is noddy.

Speed.

Now you have taken the pains to set it together, take it for your pains.

Pro.

No, no, you shall have it for bearing the letter.

Speed.

Well, I perceive, I must be fain to bear with you.

Pro.

Why, Sir, how do you bear with me?

Speed.
Marry, Sir, the letter very orderly;
Having nothing but the word noddy for my pains.

Pro.

Beshrew me, but you have a quick wit.

Speed.

And yet it cannot overtake your slow purse.

Pro.

Come, come, open the matter in brief: what said she?

Speed.

Open your purse, that the money and the matter may be both at once deliver'd.

Pro.

Well, Sir, here is for your pains; what said she?

Speed.
Truly, Sir, I think you'll hardly win her.

Pro.
Why? could'st thou perceive so much from her?

Speed.
Sir, I could perceive nothing at all from her;
No, not so much as a ducket for delivering your letter.
And being so hard to me that brought your mind,
I fear, she'll prove as hard to you in telling her mind.
Give her no token but stones; for she's as hard as steel.

Pro.
What, said she nothing?

Speed.
No, not so much as—take this for thy pains.
To testify your bounty, I thank you, you have testern'd me:^{9 note}

In requital whereof, henceforth carry your letter yourself: and so, Sir, I'll commend you to my master.

Pro.
Go, go, be gone, to save your ship from wreck,
Which cannot perish, having thee aboard,
Being destin'd to a drier death on shore.
I must go send some better messenger:

I fear, my Julia would not deign my lines,
Receiving them from such a worthless post. [Exeunt severally.

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