"I always said there was something in him," said Master Lamb.
"He was ever a clever dog though a mischievous one," said Cramboy.
"Dost think he will come back amongst us?" inquired Teazle. "Methinks I long to look upon one who hath written three poems, a whole litany of sonnets, and two masques or mysteries."
"An he do come amongst us again," said the head-bailiff, "I, for one, vote we make him master of the free school."
"Nay," said Cramboy, "I know not how far to agree with you there, before we go to such lengths, let us peruse his works; there is some difference, my masters all, between teaching one's boys their quis, their quæs, and their quods, and writing jingling rhymes for the amusement of the Londoners and the Court."
"Well," said the mayor, "we might make him parish-clerk. Something we ought to offer him, methinks, an he comes back amongst us. Body o' me, hath he not written two poems and a play? There be those amongst us who cannot even write their own names, much more a poem such as 'tis said this William Shakespeare hath produced."
"Hath any one seen these poems you speak of?" inquired Master Scourge.
"Truly, I believe mine host hath a copy of one brought from London by a gentleman of the Court, and left behind him. I saw it myself not a week ago and looked at the title-page, 'tis called Tartquin and Lucrece, a very clever book, if I may judge from the look of the binding."
"We will see that poem," said the bailiff; and the host, being accordingly summoned, produced a small volume, which the head-bailiff with infinite gravity, after laying aside his pipe and adjusting his spectacles, proceeded to read. Scarcely, however, had he got through one verse ere he paused and looked over his glasses at the grave auditors who sat in judgment upon the production, whilst they themselves puffed out such clouds of smoke, that it appeared they were resolved the bailiff should scarce observe the impression produced.
"You do not speak, my masters," said the head-bailiff, "have you heard?"