Ateu. Be brief, then.
Slip. If you need me in your chamber, I can keep the door at a whistle; in your kitchen, turn the spit, and lick the pan, and make the fire burn; but if in the stable,—
Ateu. Yea, there would I use thee.
Slip. Why, there you kill me, there am I! and turn me to a horse and a wench, and I have no peer.
Ateu. Art thou so good in keeping a horse? I pray thee, tell me how many good qualities hath a horse.
Slip. Why, so, sir: a horse hath two properties of a man, that is, a proud heart, and a hardy stomach; four properties of a lion, a broad breast, a stiff docket,—hold your nose, master,—a wild countenance, and four good legs; nine properties of a fox, nine of a hare, nine of an ass, and ten of a woman.
Ateu. A woman! why, what properties of a woman hath a horse?
Slip. O, master, know you not that? Draw your tables,[253] and write what wise I speak. First, a merry countenance; second, a soft pace; third, a broad forehead; fourth, broad buttocks; fifth, hard of ward; sixth, easy to leap upon; seventh, good at long journey; eighth, moving under a man; ninth, always busy with the mouth; tenth, ever chewing on the bridle.
Ateu. Thou art a man for me: what's thy name?
Slip. An ancient name, sir, belonging to the chamber and the night-gown: guess you that.