Mil. Come, come, Sirrah, confess; you have shot one of the King's Deer, have not you?
King. No indeed, I owe the King more Respect. I heard a Gun go off, indeed, and was afraid some Robbers might have been near.
Mil. I am not bound to believe this, Friend. Pray who are you? What's your Name?
King. Name!
Mil. Name! yes Name. Why you have a Name, have not you? Where do you come from? What is your Business here?
King. These are Questions I have not been us'd to, honest Man.
Mil. May be so; but they are Questions no honest Man would be afraid to answer, I think: So if you can give no better Account of your self, I shall make bold to take you along with me, if you please.
King. With you! What Authority have you to——
Mil. The King's Authority, if I must give you an Account, Sir. I am John Cockle, the Miller of Mansfield, one of his Majesty's Keepers in this Forest of Sherwood; and I will let no suspected Fellow pass this Way that cannot give a better Account of himself than you have done, I promise you.
King. I must submit to my own Authority. [Aside.] Very well, Sir, I am glad to hear the King has so good an Officer: And since I find you have his Authority, I will give you a better Account of myself, if you will do me the Favour to hear it.