Anto. Noble Sebastian,
Thou lett’st thy fortune sleep,—die rather; wink’st
Whiles thou art waking.[404-44]
Sebas. Thou dost snore distinctly;
There’s meaning in thy snores.
Anto. I am more serious than my custom: you
Must be so too, if heed[404-45] me; which to do
Trebles thee o’er.[404-46]
Sebas. Well, I am standing water.[405-47]
Anto. I’ll teach you how to flow.
Sebas. Do so: to ebb
Hereditary sloth instructs me.
Anto. O,
If you but knew how you the purpose cherish
Whiles thus you mock it! how, in stripping it,
You more invest it![405-48] Ebbing men,[405-49] indeed,
Most often do so near the bottom run
By their own fear or sloth.
Sebas. Pr’ythee, say on:
The setting of thine eye and cheek proclaim
A matter[405-50] from thee; and a birth indeed
Which throes thee much to yield.[405-51]
Anto. Thus, sir:
Although this lord[405-52] of weak remembrance, this
Who shall be of as little memory[405-53]
When he is earth’d,[405-54] hath here almost persuaded—
For he’s a spirit of persuasion, only
Professes to persuade—the King his son’s alive,
’Tis as impossible that he’s undrown’d
As he that sleeps here swims.