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.