"I dare not dissemble, nor feign, nor hold aught back, although it
be to my confusion. As well may I speak at once the whole truth for
your worship could find it out if I abstained."
SIR THOMAS.
"Ay, that I should indeed, and shortly. But, come now, I am sated
of thy follies and roguish tricks, and yearn after the sound
doctrine of that pious man. What expounded the grave Glaston upon
signs and tokens whereby ye shall be known?"
WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE.
"Wonderful things! things beyond belief! 'There be certain men,'
quoth he--"
SIR THOMAS.
"He began well. This promises. But why canst not thou go on?"
WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE.
"'There be certain men, who, rubbing one corner of the eye, do see a
peacock's feather at the other, and even fire. We know, William,
what that fire is, and whence it cometh. Those wicked men, William,
all have their marks upon them, be it only a corn, or a wart, or a
mole, or a hairy ear, or a toe-nail turned inward. Sufficient, and
more than sufficient! He knoweth his own by less tokens. There is
not one of them that doth not sweat at some secret sin committed, or
some inclination toward it unsnaffled.
"'Certain men are there, likewise, who venerate so little the
glorious works of the Creator that I myself have known them to
sneeze at the sun! Sometimes it was against their will, and they
would gladly have checked it had they been able; but they were
forced to shew what they are.
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