Dor. Is it true too, think you? Aut. Five juftices hands at it; and witneffes, more than my pack will hold. Clo. Lay it by too: another. Aut. This is a merry ballad, but a very pretty one. Aut. Why, this is a paffing merry one, and goes to the tune of, Two maids wooing a man; there's fcarce a maid weftward, but fhe fings it: 'tis in request, I can tell you. Mop. We can both fing it; if thou'lt bear a part, thou fhalt hear, 'tis in three parts. Dor. We had the tune on't a month ago. Aut. I can bear my part; you must know, 'tis my occupation have at it with you. Aut. Get you bence, for I must go, Dor. Whither ? Mop. O whither? Dor. Whither? Mop. It becomes thy oath full well, Thou to me thy fecrets tell. Dor. Me too, let me go Mop. Or thou goeft to th' grange, or mill, Aut. Neither. Dor. What neither? Aut. Neither. Dor. Thou hast fworn my love to be; Then whither goest? fay, whither ? Clo. We'll have this fong out anon by ourselves: my father and the gentlemen are in fad talk, and we'll not trouble them: come, bring away thy pack after me. Wenches, I'll buy for you both: Pedler, let's have the firft choice; follow me, girls. Aut. And you fhall pay well for 'em. SONG. SONG. Will you buy any tape, or lace for your cape, And filk, and thread, any toys for your bead [Ex. Clown, Autolicus, Dorcas, and Mopía, Ser. (14) Mafter, there are three goat-herds, three fhepherds, three neat-herds, and three íwine-herds, that have made themselves all men of hair, they call themfelves Saltiers and they have a dance, which the wenches fay is a gallymaufry of gambols, because they are not in't but they themselves are o'th' mind, (if it be not too rough for fome, that know little but bowling,) it will please plentifully. : Shep. Away! we'll none on't; here has been too much homely foolery already. I know, Sir, we weary. you. Pol. You weary thofe, that refresh us: 'pray, let's fee thefe four-threes of herdímen. Ser. One three of them, by their own report, Sir, hath danc'd before the King; and not the worft of the three but jumps twelve foot and a half by th' fquare. Shep. Leave your prating; fince these good men are pleas'd, let them come in; but quickly now. (14) Mafter, there are three Carters, three Shepherds, three Neat-herds, and three Swine-herds,] Thus all the printed Copies hitherto. Now, in two Speeches after this, these are call'd four three's of Herdsmen. But could the Carters properly be call'd Herdsmen? At least, they have not the final Syllable, Herd, in their Names; which, I believe, Shakespeare intended, all the four three's fhould have. I have therefore guess'd that he wrote; -Mafter, there are three Goat-herds, &c. And fo, I think, we take in the four Species of Cattle ufually tended by Herdsmen. Here Here a Dance of twelve Satyrs. Pol. O, father, you'll know more of that hereafter. To load my fhe with knacks: I would have ranfack'd Flo. Old Sir, I know, She prizes not fuch trifles as thefe are; The gifts, the looks from me, are packt and lockt How prettily the young fwain feems to wash What you profefs. Flo. Do, and be witness to't. Pol. And this my neighbour too ? Flo. And he, and more Than he, and men; the earth, and heav'ns, and all Commend Commend them, and condemn them, to her fervice, Or to their own perdition. Pol. Fairly offer'd. Cam. This fhews a found affection. Shep. But, my daughter, Say you the like to him? Per. I cannot fpeak So well, nothing fo well, no, nor mean better. Shep. Take hands, a bargain; And, friends unknown, you shall bear witness to't Flo. O, that must be I'th' virtue of your daughter; one being dead, Shep. Come, your hand, And, daughter, yours. Pol. Soft, fwain, a-while; 'befeech you, Have you a father? Flo. I have; but what of him? Pol. Knows he of this? Flo. He neither does, nor fhall. Pol. Methinks, a father Is, at the nuptial of his fon, a guest That beft becomes the table: 'pray you once more, Is not your father grown incapable Of reasonable affairs? is he not ftupid With age, and alt'ring rheums? can he fpeak? hear? Flo. No, good Sir; He has his health, and ampler ftrength, indeed, Pol. By my white beard, You offer him, if this be fo, a wrong Some Something unfilial: Reafon, my fon Should chufe himself a wife; but as good reason, But fair pofterity) fhould hold fome counsel Flo. I yield all this; But for fome other reafons, my grave Sir, Pol. Let him know't. Pol. Pr'ythee, let him. Flo. No; he must not. Shep. Let him, my fon, he shall not need to grieve At knowing of thy choice. Flo. Come, come, he muft not : Mark our contract. Pol. Mark your divorce, young Sir, [Difcovering himself. Whom fon I dare not call: thou art too base To be acknowledg'd. Thou a fcepter's heir, That thus affect'it a fheep-hook! Thou old traytor, I'm forry, that, by hanging thee, I can but Shorten thy life one week. And thou fresh piece Of excellent witchcraft, who of force must know The royal fool thou coap'ft with Shep. O my heart! Pol. I'll have thy beauty fcratch'd with briars, and made More homely than thy ftate. For thee, fond boy, That thou no more fhalt fee this knack, as never Un |