"Master Ephraim! look at these badgers! with a long leg on one
quarter and a short leg on the other. The wench herself might well
and truly have said all that matter without the poet, bating the
rhymes and metre. Among the girls in the country there are many
such SHILLY-SHALLYS, who give themselves sore eyes and sharp eye-
water; I would cure them rod in hand."
Whereupon did William Shakspeare say, with great humility, -
"So would I, may it please your worship, an they would let me."
"Incorrigible sluts! Out upon 'em! and thou art no better than they
are," quoth the knight.
Master Silas cried aloud, "No better, marry! they at the worst are
but carted and whipped for the edification of the market-folks.
{44a} Not a squire or parson in the country round but comes in his
best to see a man hanged."
"The edification then is higher by a deal," said William, very
composedly.
"Troth! is it," replied Master Silas. "The most poisonous reptile
has the richest jewel in his head; thou shalt share the richest gift
bestowed upon royalty, and shalt cure the king's evil." {45a}
"It is more tractable, then, than the church's," quoth William; and,
turning his face toward the chair, he made an obeisance to Sir
Thomas, saying, -
"Sir! the more submissive my behaviour is, the more vehement and
boisterous is Master Silas.
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