Quic.

What, John Rugby! I pray thee, go to the casement, and see if you can see my master, master Doctor Caius, coming; if he do, i'faith, and find any body in the house, here will be old abusing of God's patience, and the King's English.

Rug.

I'll go watch.

Quic.

Go, and we'll have a posset for't soon at night, in faith, at the latter end^{3 note} of a sea-coal fire. [Exit Rugby.] An honest, willing, kind fellow, as ever servant shall come in house withal; and, I warrant you, no tell tale, nor no breed-bate; his worst fault is, that he is given to pray'r; he is something peevish that way; but no body but has his fault; but let that pass. Peter Simple, you say your name is.

Sim.

Ay, for fault of a better.

Quic.

And master Slender's your master?

Sim.

Ay, forsooth.

Quic.

Does he not wear a great round beard, like a glover's paring-knife?

Sim.

No, forsooth; he hath but a little wee-face, with a little yellow beard,^{4 note} a Cain-colour'd beard.

Quic.

A softly-sprighted man, is he not?

Sim.

Ay, forsooth; but he is as tall a man of his hands, as any is between this and his head: he hath fought with a warrener.

Quic.

How say you? oh, I should remember him; does he not hold up his head, as it were? and strut in his gate?

Sim.

Yes, indeed, does he.

Quic.

Well, heav'n send Anne Page no worse fortune! Tell master parson Evans, I'll do what I can for your master: Anne is a good girl, and I wish—

Rug.

Out, alas! here comes my master.

Quic.

We shall all be shent; run in here, good young man; go into this closet; [shuts Simple in the closet.] He will not not stay long. What, John Rugby! John! what, John, I say; go, John, go enquire for my master; I doubt, he be not well, that he comes not home: and down, down, a-down-a, &c.