ut I'll prove it by another. 85

_Speed._ The shepherd seeks the sheep, and not the sheep
the shepherd; but I seek my master, and my master seeks
not me: therefore I am no sheep.

_Pro._ The sheep for fodder follow the shepherd; the
shepherd for food follows not the sheep: thou for wages 90
followest thy master; thy master for wages follows not
thee: therefore thou art a sheep.

_Speed._ Such another proof will make me cry 'baa.'

_Pro._ But, dost thou hear? gavest thou my letter to
Julia? 95

_Speed._ Ay, sir: I, a lost mutton, gave your letter to her,
a laced mutton, and she, a laced mutton, gave me, a lost
mutton, nothing for my labour.

_Pro._ Here's too small a pasture for such store of muttons.

_Speed._ If the ground be overcharged, you were best 100
stick her.

_Pro._ Nay: in that you are astray, 'twere best pound you.

_Speed._ Nay, sir, less than a pound shall serve me for
carrying your letter.

_Pro._ You mistake; I mean the pound,--a pinfold. 105

_Speed._ From a pound to a pin? fold it over and over,
'Tis threefold too little for carrying a letter to your lover.

_Pro._ But what said she?

_Speed._ [_First nodding_] Ay.

_Pro._ Nod--Ay--why, that's noddy. 110

_Speed._ You mistook, sir; I say, she did nod: and you
ask me if she did nod; and I say, 'Ay.'

_Pro._ And that set together is noddy.

_Speed._ Now you have taken the pains to set it together,
take it for your pains. 115

_Pro._ No, no; you shall have it for bearing the letter.

_Speed._ Well, I perceive I must be fain to bear with you.

_Pro._ Why, sir, how do you bear with me?

_Speed._ Marry, sir, the letter, very orderly; having nothing
but the word 'noddy' for my pains. 120

_Pro._ Beshrew me, but you have a quick wit.

_Speed._ And yet it cannot overtake your slow purse.

_Pro._ Come, come, open the matter in brief: what said
she?

_Speed._ Open your purse, that the money and the matter 125
may be both at once delivered.

_Pro._ Well, sir, here is for your pains. What said she?

_Speed._ Truly, sir, I think you'll hardly win her.

_Pro._ Why, couldst thou perceive so much from her?

_Speed._ Sir, I could perceive nothing at all from her; 130
no, not so much as a du