The youth, hearing these words, said unto him, -
"I fear, Master Silas, gentry like you often pray God to grant what
HE would rather not; and now and then what YOU would rather not."
Sir Silas was wroth at this rudeness of speech about God in the face
of a preacher, and said, reprovingly, -
"Out upon thy foul mouth, knave! upon which lie slaughter and
venison."
Whereupon did William Shakspeare sit mute awhile, and discomfited;
then turning toward Sir Thomas, and looking and speaking as one
submiss and contrite, he thus appealed unto him:-
"Worshipful sir! were there any signs of venison on my mouth, Master
Silas could not for his life cry out upon it, nor help kissing it as
'twere a wench's."
Sir Thomas looked upon him with most lordly gravity and wisdom, and
said unto him, in a voice that might have come from the bench:
"Youth, thou speakest irreverently;" and then unto Master Silas:
"Silas! to the business on hand. Taste the fat upon yon boor's
table, which the constable hath brought hither, good Master Silas!
And declare upon oath, being sworn in my presence, first, whether
said fat do proceed of venison; secondly, whether said venison be of
buck or doe.
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