Slen.

I wonder now, coz; when you know what a desperate kind of a horrible man Sir John is, you should—

Shal.

Tut—Tut—I fear him not; there's ne'er a Sir John Falstaff in the nation shall over-reach me.

Slen.

But what's done cannot be help'd, coz; he overreach'd you now, as I take it, when you lent him the money.

Shal.

Well, cousin of mine, then it is my turn now to over-reach him, and get it again.

Slen.

That, indeed, cousin Shallow, to be sure would be quite right; tit for tat, as we say in the country; but then he is such a bloody-minded caitiff; you know he broke my head once for nothing at all: and if he should get an inkling that you are going to law with him, O Lord, O Lord, I shall never sleep in quiet again.

Shal.

Poh, you chit, if he breaks the peace, I shall know what to do with him, I warrant ye.

Slen.

Ay, there indeed, cousin, ecod, I did not think of that. If I am in fear of my life, I can answer taking him up with a warrant, and binding him over to his good behaviour. Suppose therefore, coz, we swear the peace against him first, and lay him fast by the heels before we enter the action.—And yet I don't know, if I might advise ye, I would wash my hands of him, and thank God I was rid of a knave.

Shal.

And so lose my thousand pound!

Slen.

If I might advise ye, coz.

Shal.

And shall a chit, a cullion, a beardless boy, presume to advise Robert Shallow, Esq? To your a, b, c, your primmer, to school again. Advise me! do you think I will lose a thousand pound by e'er a swaggering knight in England?

Slen.

Nay, I say nothing, cousin Shallow; but I know a little of the law. I did not live so long with my uncle Lingersuit for nothing. I know he used to say none of his clients got any thing by it, but losses. Mind, I say nothing; but don't you remember the picture that us'd to hang up in goody Undone's stone parlour? (she was one of my uncle's clients too) of the man, I mean, that lost his doublet, in going to law for his cloak. There was another picture too—

Shal.

Don't tell me—

Slen.

Of the dog and the shadow. I have heard them explained; marry, good morals; good morals, cousin Shallow.

Shal.

Talk not to me. I tell thee, I will spend half my estate before the rascally knight shall carry it off so. I had rather the inns of court should share the money among

them than let that gor-bellied knave feast his enormous guts at any free cost of mine. I will to my counsel immediately.

Slen.

You know best, to be sure, cousin Shallow, but—

Shal.
But me no buts, I say, but come along;
Your cousin Shallow puts up no such wrong. [Exeunt. End of the first Act.

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