Jaq. Mon dieu, what malheur be this! me come a the chamber, Signior Andrew, mon dieu; taka my poniard en ma main to give the estocade to the damoisella: par ma foi, there was no person; elle s'est en allée.
And. The worse luck, Jaques: but because I am thy friend, I will advise thee somewhat towards the attainment of the gallows.
Jaq. Gallows! what be that?
And. Marry, sir, a place of great promotion, where thou shalt by one turn above ground rid the world of a knave, and make a goodly ensample for all bloody villains of thy profession.
Jaq. Que dites vous, Monsieur Andrew?
And. I say, Jaques, thou must keep this path, and hie thee; for the queen, as I am certified, is departed with her dwarf, apparelled like a squire. Overtake her, Frenchman, stab her: I'll promise thee, this doublet shall be happy.
Jaq. Pourquoi?
And. It shall serve a jolly gentleman, Sir Dominus Monseigneur Hangman.
Jaq. C'est tout un; me will rama pour la monnoie. [Exit.
And. Go, and the rot consume thee!—O, what a trim world is this! My master lives by cozening the king, I by flattering him; Slipper, my fellow, by stealing, and I by lying: is not this a wily accord, gentlemen?[280] This last night, our jolly horsekeeper, being well steeped in liquor, confessed to me the stealing of my master's writings, and his great reward. Now dare I not bewray him, lest he discover my knavery; but this have I wrought: I understand he will pass this way, to provide him necessaries; but, if I and my fellows fail not, we will teach him such a lesson as shall cost him a chief place on Pennyless Bench[281] for his labour. But yond he comes. [Stands aside.