Autolicus.

Now, had I not the dash of my former life in me, wou'd preferment fall upon my head. I brought the old man and his son to the king's, and told them, I heard them talk of a fardel, and I know not what—but 'tis all one to me; for had I been the finder-out of this secret, it wou'd not have relish'd among my other discredits—here come those I have done good to against my will, and already appearing in the blossoms of their fortune.

Enter Old Shep. and Clown, fantastically dress'd.

Old Shep.

Come, boy; I am past more children; but thy sons and daughters will be all gentlemen born.

Clown. (To Autolicus.)

You are well met, Sir; you denied that I was a gentleman born; see these cloaths! say you see them not, and think me still no gentleman born—give me the lie, do—and try whether I am now no gentleman born.

Autolicus.

I know you are now, Sir, a gentleman born.

Clown.

Ay, and have been so, for any time this half hour.

Old Shep.

And so have I, boy.

Clown.

So you have; but I was a gentleman born before my father; for the king's son took me by the hand and call'd me brother; and then the two kings call'd my father, brother; and then, the prince, my brother, and the princess, my sister, (that is, that was my sister) call'd my father, father; and so we all wept; and there was the first gentleman-like tears that ever we shed.

Old Shep.

We may live, son, to shed many more.

Clown.

Ay, or else 'twere hard luck, being in so preposterous estate as we are.

Autolicus.

I humbly beseech you, Sir, to pardon all the faults I have committed to your worship; and to give me your good report to the prince my master.

Old Shep.

Prithee, son, do; for we must be gentle, now we are gentlemen.

Clown.

Thou wilt amend thy life?

Autolicus.

Ay, an' it like your good worship.

Clown.

No, it does not like my worship now; but it is like it may like my worship when it is amended; therefore have heed that thou do'st amend it.

Autolicus.

I will, an't like you.

Clown.

Give me thy hand; hast nothing in't? am not I a gentleman? I must be gently consider'd—am not I a courtier? seest thou not the air of the court in these enfoldings? hath not my gait in it the measure of the court?

Autolicus.

Here is what gold I have, Sir;—so, I have brib'd him with his own money.

Clown.

And when am I to have the other moiety? and the young man in pawn till you bring it me?

Autolicus.

After you have done the business, Sir.

Clown.

Well, I will swear to the prince, thou art as honest a tall fellow as any in Bohemia.

Old Shep.

You may say it, but not swear it.

Clown.

Not swear it, now I am a gentleman? let boors and franklyns say it; I'll swear it.

Old Shep.

How, if it be false, son?

Clown.

If it be never so false, a true gentleman may swear it in behalf of his friend; and I will swear to the prince thou art a tall fellow of thy hands, and that thou wilt not be drunk; but I know thou art no tall fellow of thy hands, and that thou wilt be drunk; but I'll swear it; no matter for that. (Trumpets.) Hark! the kings, and the princes, our kindred, are going to see the queen's statute. Come, follow us, we will be thy good masters.