Information prepared by the Project Gutenberg legal advisor 10
SLY . Third , or fourth , or fifth borough , I ' ll answer him by law . I ' ll not budge an inch , boy : let him come , and kindly .
[ Lies down on the ground , and falls asleep .] [ Horns winded . Enter a LORD from hunting , with Huntsmen and Servants .]
LORD . Huntsman , I charge thee , tender well my hounds ; Brach Merriman , the poor cur , is emboss ' d , And couple Clowder with the deep-mouth ' d brach . Saw ' st thou not , boy , how Silver made it good At the hedge-corner , in the coldest fault ? I would not lose the dog for twenty pound .
FIRST HUNTSMAN . Why , Bellman is as good as he , my lord ; He cried upon it at the merest loss , And twice to-day pick ' d out the dullest scent ; Trust me , I take him for the better dog .
LORD . Thou art a fool : if Echo were as fleet , I would esteem him worth a dozen such . But sup them well , and look unto them all ; To-morrow I intend to hunt again .
FIRST HUNTSMAN . I will , my lord . LORD . [ Sees Sly .] What ' s here ? One dead , or drunk ? See , doth he breathe ?
SECOND HUNTSMAN . He breathes , my lord . Were he not warm ' d with ale , This were a bed but cold to sleep so soundly .
LORD . O monstrous beast ! how like a swine he lies ! Grim death , how foul and loathsome is thine image ! Sirs , I will practise on this drunken man . What think you , if he were convey ' d to bed , Wrapp ' d in sweet clothes , rings put upon his fingers , A most delicious banquet by his bed , And brave attendants near him when he wakes , Would not the beggar then forget himself ?
FIRST HUNTSMAN . Believe me , lord , I think he cannot choose .