Of his bones are coral made;
Those are pearls that were his eyes:
Sea-nymphs hourly ring his knell—”
“Beshrew me, sir,” interrupted Abigail, her disapproval too strong to be repressed, “but these songs are not to my liking.” She rose. “I will be pleased to have you read this description, sir,” she said, drawing a paper from her pocket tied by a string around her waist, “and tell me if ye ken aught o’ this fine gentleman.”
The student rose and made her a low bow. “Since you be pleased to put on such dignity, mistress,” said he, with a fine and jesting air, “I must needs fall in with your ways.”
He took the paper she extended to him and unfolded it with many airs, the while crooking his little fingers daintily.
This was what he read, written in a fair and flowing hand as did befit a teacher of the Dame School:—
“A descripshun of ye fine gentellman whom I met in ye forest on ye afternoon of June 3 wich is herein sett downe. He be aboute three score more or less & be of make suffishunt large to be stared att & for ye naughty boys of ye streete to call att, he having an immoderate goodly girth arounde ye middle. shure did yu know him yu would be of my minde that he had grate rank across ye seas fore he wears full breeches with knots of ryban of a Purple-Blue colour att his knees. alsoe he do walke inn grate bootes. his Sleeves be of fine Velvet withe watchet-Blue Tiffany peeping through ye Slashes. alsoe he carried a blacke case bestock with smal sharp knives exceeding bright. he showed me a picture of his lyttle maide of faire countenance. As regardes ye countenance of ye fine gentellman itt was wrighte goode to looke att having Witte Beauty & Goodness, as theay say. alsoe he weares a light Brown Wigg, parted to ye Crown & falling in Naturall Silke curles to his Shoulders. his Moustache curls finely towards his Nose.
by ye wich descripshun Abigail finde him & deliver ye pckge soe saye I & ye Lord be willing.
Deliverance Wentworth.