Sha.

By cock and pye, sir ^note, you shall not away to-night. —What, Davy, I say!

Fal.

You must excuse me, master Robert Shallow.

Sha.

I will not excuse you; you shall not be excus'd; excuses shall not be admitted; there is no excuse shall serve; you shall not be excus'd.—Why, Davy!

Dav.

Here, sir.

Sha.

Davy, Davy, Davy,—let me see, Davy; let me see: William ^note cook, bid him come hither.—Sir John, you shall not be excus'd.

Dav.

Marry, sir, thus;—those precepts cannot be serv'd: and again, sir,—Shall we sow the head-land ^note with wheat?

Sha.

With red wheat, Davy. But for William cook;— Are there no young pigeons?

Dav.

Yes ^note, sir. Here is now † the smith's note, for shooing, and plough-irons.

Sha.

Let it be cast, and pay'd:—Sir John, you shall not be excus'd.

Dav.

Sir ^note, a new link to the bucket must needs be had: And, sir, do you mean to stop any of William's wages, about the sack he lost the other day at Hinckley ^note fair?

Sha.

He shall ^note answer it:—Some pigeons, Davy; a couple of short-leg'd hens; a joint of mutton; and any pretty little tiny kickshaws, tell William cook.

Dav.

Doth the man of war stay all night, sir?

Sha.

Yes ^note, Davy. I will use him well; A friend i'the court is better than a penny in purse. Use his men well, Davy; for they are arrant knaves, and will back-bite.

Dav.

No worse than they are bitten ^note, sir; for they have marvellous ^note foul linnen.

Sha.

Well conceited, Davy. About thy business, Davy.

Dav.

I beseech you, sir, to countenance William Visor of Woncot against Clement Perkes o'the hill.

Sha.

There are ^note many complaints, Davy, against that Visor; that Visor is an arrant knave, on my knowledge.

Dav.

I grant your worship, that he is a knave, sir: but yet, God forbid ^note, sir, but a knave should have some countenance at his friend's request. An honest man, sir, is able to speak for himself, when a knave is not. I have serv'd your worship truly, sir, these eight ^note years; and if I ^note cannot once or twice in a quarter bear out a knave against an honest man, I have but a very little ^note credit with your worship. The knave is mine honest friend, sir; therefore, I beseech your worship, let ^note him be countenanc'd.

Sha.

Go to; I say, he shall have no wrong. Look about, Davy. [Exit Davy.] Where are you, sir John? Come, ^note off with your boots.—Give me your hand, master Bardolph.

Bar.

I am glad to see your worship.

Sha.

I thank thee with all my ^note heart, kind master Bardolph:—and welcome, my tall fellow. [to the Page.] Come, sir John.

Fal.

I'll follow you, good master Robert Shallow.— [Exit Shallow. Bardolph, look to our horses. [Exeunt Bar. and Page.] If I were saw'd into quantities, I should make four dozen of such bearded hermit ^note-staves14Q0712 as master Shallow. It is a wonderful thing, to see the semblable coherence of his men's spirits and his: They, by observing of ^note him, do bear themselves like foolish justices; he, by conversing with them, is turn'd into a justice-like servingman: their spirits are so marry'd in conjunction with

the participation of society, that they flock together in consent, like so many wild-geese. If I had a suit to master Shallow, I would humour his men, with the imputation of being near their master: if to his men, I would curry with master Shallow, that no man could better command his servants. It is certain, that either wise bearing, or ignorant carriage, is caught, as men take diseases, one of another: therefore, let men take heed of their company. I will devise matter enough out of this Shallow, to keep prince Harry in continual laughter, the wearing-out of six fashions, (which is four terms,14Q0713 or two actions) and he shall ^note laugh without intervallums ^note. O, it is much, that a lie, with a slight oath, and a jest, with a sad brow, will do with a fellow that never had the ache in his shoulders! o, you shall see him laugh, 'till his face be like a wet cloak ill lay'd up.

Sha. [within.]

Sir John!

Fal.

I come, master Shallow; I come, master Shallow.