"And now, my lads all," said Snare, "let us have one song, and then a nap; after that to seek our several destinations. I am for Warwick when day breaks."
"And I for Monkspath," said Careless.
"And I for Stoneleigh," said Caliver.
"And I for home," said Shakespeare, with a look of mock solemnity, "where——"
"Where thou wilt be finely clapper-clawed for being out all night," said the host. "Such it is to be a married man—ha! ha! A young man married is a man that's marred. But truly, Will, thou art not yet married; thou canst hit a buck by moonlight with the best of us; so, I pry'thee, give us that song of thine about the horns, and we'll all join in chorus."
Shakespeare accordingly commenced the following glee. Snare and the others taking part, and joining chorus:—
Shak. What shall he have that killed the deer?[15]
Snare. His leather skin and horns to wear.
Shak. Then sing him home.
Chorus. Take thou no scorn, to wear the horn,
It was a crest ere thou wast born,
Shak. Thy father's father wore it.
Snare. And thy own father bore it.
Chorus. The horn, the horn, the lusty horn,
Is not a thing to laugh to scorn.
The first faint light of the breaking dawn, as it gradually appeared through the diamond-paned window, found the entire party wrapped in slumber.
The fat and jovial Froth, with his huge legs stretched out before him, his portly body thrown back, and the tankard fast-clutched in his hand, showed by his apoplectic breathing, the heaviness of his slumbers.
Shakespeare, somewhat fatigued by the night's exertions, sat opposite, with his head on his folded arms.