rah, this predicable, this saucy groom, because, when I
was in Cambridge, and lay in a trundlebed under my tutor, I was content,
in discreet humility, to give him some place at the table; and because I
invited the hungry slave sometimes to my chamber, to the canvassing of a
turkey-pie or a piece of venison which my lady grandmother sent me, he
thought himself therefore eternally possessed of my love, and came
hither to take acquaintance of me; and thought his old familiarity did
continue, and would bear him out in a matter of weight. I could not tell
how to rid myself better of the troublesome burr than by getting him
into the discourse of hunting; and then tormenting him a while with our
words of art, the poor scorpion became speechless, and suddenly
vanished![92] These clerks are simple fellows, simple fellows.
[_He reads Ovid_.]

PAGE.
Simple, indeed, they are; for they want your courtly composition of a
fool and of a knave. [_Aside_.] Good faith, sir, a most absolute jest;
but, methinks, it might have been followed a little further.

AMORETTO.
As how, my little knave?

PAGE.
Why thus, sir; had you invited him to dinner at your table, and have put
the carving of a capon upon him, you should have seen him handle the
knife so foolishly, then run through a jury of faces, then wagging his
head and showing his teeth in familiarity, venture upon it with the same
method that he was wont to untruss an apple-pie, or tyrannise an egg and
butter: then would I have applied him all dinner-time with clean
trenchers, clean trenchers; and still when he had a good bit of meat, I
would have taken it from him by giving him a clean trencher, and so have
served him in kindness.

AMORETTO.
Well said, subtle Jack; put me in mind, when I return again, that I may
make my lady mother laugh at the scholar. I'll to my game; for you,
Jack, I would have you employ your time, till my coming, in watching
what hour of the day my hawk mutes. [_Exit_.

PAGE.
Is not this an excellent office, to be apothecary to his worship's hawk,
to sit scouting on the wall how the physic works? And is not my master
an absolute villain, that loves his hawk, his hobby, and his greyhound,
more than any mortal creature? Do but dispraise a feather of his hawk's
train, and he writhes his mouth, and swears (for he can do that only
with a good grace) that you are the most shallow-brained fellow that
lives. Do but