'Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings'--"
SIR THOMAS.
"Silas, the youth has failings--a madcap; but he is pious."
WILLIAM SHAKSPEARE.
"Alas, no, sir! Would I were! But Sir Silas, like the prophet,
came to curse, and was forced to bless me, even me, a sinner, a
mutton-eater!"
SIR THOMAS.
"Thou urgedst him. He beareth no ill-will toward thee. Thou
knewedst, I suspect, that the blackness in his mouth proceeded from
a natural cause."
WILLIAM SHAKSPEARE.
"The Lord is merciful! I was brought hither in jeopardy; I shall
return in joy. Whether my innocence be declared or otherwise, my
piety and knowledge will be forwarded and increased; for your
worship will condescend, even from the judgment-seat, to enlighten
the ignorant where a soul shall be saved or lost. And I, even I,
may trespass a moment on your courtesy. I quail at the words
NATURAL CAUSE. Be there any such?"
SIR THOMAS.
"Youth! I never thought thee so staid. Thou hast, for these many
months, been represented unto me as one dissolute and light, much
given unto mummeries and mysteries, wakes and carousals, cudgel-
fighters and mountebanks and wanton women. They do also represent
of thee--I hope it may be without foundation--that thou enactest the
parts, not simply of foresters and fairies, girls in the green-
sickness and friars, lawyers and outlaws, but likewise, having small
reverence for station, of kings and queens, knights and privy-
counsellors, in all their glory.
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