It hath been whispered, moreover,
and the testimony of these two witnesses doth appear in some measure
to countenance and confirm it, that thou hast at divers times this
last summer been seen and heard alone, inasmuch as human eye may
discover, on the narrow slip of greensward between the Avon and the
chancel, distorting thy body like one possessed, and uttering
strange language, like unto incantation. This, however, cometh not
before me. Take heed! take heed unto thy ways; there are graver
things in law even than homicide and deer-stealing."
SIR SILAS.
"And strong against him. Folks have been consumed at the stake for
pettier felonies and upon weaker evidence."
SIR THOMAS.
"To that anon."
William Shakspeare did hold down his head, answering nought. And
Sir Thomas spake again unto him, as one mild and fatherly, if so be
that such a word may be spoken of a knight and parliament-man. And
these are the words he spake:-
"Reason and ruminate with thyself now. To pass over and pretermit
the danger of representing the actions of the others, and mainly of
lawyers and churchmen, the former of whom do pardon no offences, and
the latter those only against God, having no warrant for more, canst
thou believe it innocent to counterfeit kings and queens? Supposest
thou that if the impression of their faces on a farthing be
felonious and rope-worthy, the imitation of head and body, voice and
bearing, plume and strut, crown and mantle, and everything else that
maketh them royal and glorious, be aught less? Perpend, young man,
perpend! Consider, who among inferior mortals shall imitate them
becomingly? Dreamest thou they talk and act like checkmen at
Banbury fair? How can thy shallow brain suffice for their vast
conceptions? How darest thou say, as they do: 'Hang this fellow;
quarter that; flay; mutilate; stab; shoot; press; hook; torture;
burn alive'? These are royalties.
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