Slender.
Shal.
How now, master parson? good-morrow, good Sir
Hugh. Keep a gamester from the dice, and a good student
from his book, and it is wonderful.
Slen.
Ah sweet Anne Page!
Page.
Save you, good Sir Hugh.
Eva.
'Pless you from his mercy-sake, all of you.
Shal.
What? the sword and the word? do you study them
both, Mr. parson?
Page.
And youthful still, in your doublet and hose, this raw-rheumatick
day?
Eva.
There is reasons and causes for it.
Page.
We are come to you, to do a good office, Mr. Parson.
Eva.
Ferry well: what is it?
Page.
Yonder is a most reverend gentleman, who belike having
receiv'd wrong by some person, is at most odds with his
own gravity and patience, that ever you saw.
Shal.
I have liv'd fourscore years, and upward; I never heard a
man of his place, gravity and learning, so wide of his own respect.
-- 271 --
Eva.
What is he?
Page.
I think you know him; Mr. Doctor Caius, the renowned
French physician.
Eva.
Got's will and his passion of my heart! I had as lief
you should tell me of a mess of porridge.
Page.
Why?
Eva.
He has no more knowledge in Hibocrates and Galen;
and he is a knave besides, a cowardly knave as you would desire
to be acquainted withal.
Page.
I warrant you, he's the man should fight with him.
Slen.
O sweet Anne Page!
George Sewell [1723–5], The works of Shakespear in six [seven] volumes. Collated and Corrected by the former Editions, By Mr. Pope ([Vol. 7] Printed by J. Darby, for A. Bettesworth [and] F. Fayram [etc.], London) [word count] [S11101].
