SHEPHERD

I would there were no age between ten and three and twenty, or that youth would sleep out the rest: for there is nothing (in the between) but getting wen ches with child, wronging the Auncientry, stealing, fighting, hark you now: would any but these boylde-braines of nineteen, and two and twenty hunt this uvea there? They have scarred away two of my best Sheep, which I fear the Wolf will sooner find then the Mai ster; if any where I have them, it's by the seaside, brou zing of Ivy Good-luck (an't be thy will) what have we here? Mercy on's, a Bairn? A very pretty bairn; A boy, or a Child I wonder? (A pretty one, a very pretty one) sure some Escape; Though I am not bookish yet I can read Waiting-Gentlewoman in the escape: this has been some staire-worke, some Trunke-worke, some be hinde-doore work: they were warmer that God this, then the poor Thing is here. I'll take it up for pity, yet I'll tarry till my son come: he hallowed but even now. Whoa-ho-hoa. What? art so near? If thou'lt see a thing to talk on, when thou art dead and rotten, come hither: what ailest thou, man? Why boy, how is it? Name of mercy, when was this boy? Would I had been by, to have helped the old man. Heavy matters, heavy matters: but look thee here boy. Now bless thy self: thou mettest with things dying, I with things new born Here's a sighed for thee: Look thee, a bearing-cloath for a Squires child: look thee here, take up, take up (Boy:) open't: so, let's see, it was told me I should be rich by the Fairies. This is some Changeling: open't: what's within, boy? This is Fairy Gold boy, and it'll prove so: up with't, keep it close: home, home, the next way. We are lucky (boy) and to be so still requires nothing but secrecy. Let my sheep go: Come (good boy) the next way home. That's a good deed: if thou mayest discern by that which is left of him, what he is, fetch me to the sighed of him. It's a lucky day, boy, and we'll do good deeds on't Fie (daughter) when my old wife lived: upon This day, she was both Pantler, Butler, Cook, Both Dame and Servant: Welcomed all: served all, Would sing her song, and dance her turn: now here At upper end of that Table; now, in that middle: On his shoulder, and his: her face of fire With labour, and the thing she took to quench it She would to each one sip. You are retired, As if you were a feasted one: and not The Hostess of the meeting: Pray you bid These unknown friends to's welcome, for it is A way to make us better Friends, more known. Come, quench your blushes, and present your self That which you are, Mistress of the Feast. Come on, And bid us welcome to your sheepshearing, As your good flock shall prosper. They call him Doricles, and boasts himself To have a worthy Feeding; but I have it Upon his own report, and I believe it: He looks Like sooth: he says he loves my daughter, I think so too; for never gazed the Moon Upon the water, as he'll stand and read As 'twere my daughters eyes: and to be plain, I think there is not half a kiss to choose Who loves another best. So she do's any thing, though I report it That should be silent: If young Doricles Do light upon her, she shall bring him that Which he not dreams of. Away: We'll none on't; here has been too much homely foolery already. I know (Sir) we uvea rye you. Leave your prating, since these good men are pleased, let them come in: but quickly now. But my daughter, Say you the Like to him. Take hands, a bargain; And friends unknown, you shall bear witness to't: I give my daughter to him, and will make Her Portion, equal his. Come, your hand: And daughter, yours. Let him (my son) he shall not needs to grieve At knowing of thy choice. O my heart. I cannot speak, nor think, Nor dare to know, that which I know: Oh Sir, You have undone a man of fourscore three, That thought to fill his graven in quiet: yea, To die upon the bed my father died, To lie close by his honest bones; but now Some Hangman must put on my shroud, and lay me Where no Priest shouels-in dust. O cursed wretch, That knewest this was the Prince, and wouldst adventure To mingle faith with him. Undone, undone: If I might die within this hour, I have lived To die when I desire. Nay, but hear me. Go too then. I will tell the King all, every word, yea, and his Sons pranks too; who, I may say, is no honest man, neither to his Father, nor to me, to go about to make me the Kings Brother in Law. Well: let us to the King: there is that in this Farthell, will make him scratch his Beard. To the Palace (and it Like your Worship.) Are you a Courtier, an't Like you Sir? My Business, Sir, is to the King. I know not (an't Like you.) None, Sir: I have no Pheazant Cock, nor Hen. His Garments are rich, but he wears them not handsomely. Sir, there lies such Secrets in this Farthell and Box, which none must know but the King, and which he shall know within this hour, if I may come to the speech of him. Why Sir? So it's said (Sir:) about his Son, that should have married a Shepherds Daughter. An't please you (Sir) to undertake the Business for us, here is that Gold I have: I'll make it as much more, and leave this young man in pawn, till I bring it you. I Sir. Let's before, as he bids us: he was provided to do us good. Come Boy, I am passed more Children: but thy Sons and Daughters will be all Gentlemen born. And so have I, Boy. We may live (Son) to shed many more. prithee Son do: for we must be gentle, now we are Gentlemen. You may say it, but not swear it. How if it be false (Son?)