SCENE XI.
1 Lord.
No more than a fish loves water.—Is not
this a strange fellow, my Lord, that so confidently
seems to undertake this business, which he knows is
not to be done; damns himself to do it, and dares
better be damn'd than to do't?
2 Lord.
You do not know him, my Lord, as we
do; certain it is, that he will steal himself into a man's
favour, and for a week escape a great deal of discoveries;
but when you find him out, you have him
ever after.
Ber.
Why, do you think, he will make no deed
at all of this, that so seriously he does address himself
unto?
2 Lord.
None in the world, but return with an invention,
and clap upon you two or three probable lies;
but we have almost2 note
imboss'd him, you shall see his
fall to night; for, indeed, he is not for your lordship's
respect.
1 Lord.
We'll make you some sport with the fox,
ere we case him. He was first smoak'd by the old
lord Lafeu; when his disguise and he is parted, tell
me what a sprat you shall find him; which you shall
see, this very night.
2 Lord.
I must go and look my twigs; he shall be
caught.
Ber.
Your brother, he shall go along with me.
2 Lord.
As't please your lordship. I'll leave you.
[Exit.
-- 353 --
Ber.
Now will I lead you to the house, and shew you
The lass I spoke of.
1 Lord.
But you say, she's honest.
Ber.
That's all the fault: I spoke with her but once,
And found her wondrous cold; but I sent to her,
By this same coxcomb that we have i'th'wind,
Tokens and letters, which she did re-send;
And this is all I've done; she's a fair creature,
Will you go see her?
1 Lord.
With all my heart, my Lord.
[Exeunt.
Samuel Johnson [1765], The plays of William Shakespeare, in eight volumes, with the corrections and illustrations of Various Commentators; To which are added notes by Sam. Johnson (Printed for J. and R. Tonson [and] C. Corbet [etc.], London) [word count] [S11001].
