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
almost † noteimbost 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.
-- 425 --
2 Lord.
As't please your lordship. I'll leave you.
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 resend;
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.
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].