1st Mad. God speed the plough, thou shalt not speed me.
Pio. We see you, old man, for all you dance in a net.
1st Mad. True, but thou wilt dance in a halter, and I shall not see thee.
Ans. Oh do not vex him, pray.
Cas. Are you a fisherman, father?
1st Mad. No, I am neither fish nor flesh.
Flu. What do you with that net then?
1st Mad. Dost not see, fool? there’s a fresh salmon in’t; if you step one foot further, you’ll be over shoes, for you see I’m over head and ears in the salt-water: and if you fall into this whirl-pool where I am, you’re drowned: you’re a drowned rat. I am fishing here for five ships, but I cannot have a good draught, for my net breaks still, and breaks; but I’ll break some of your necks an I catch you in my clutches. Stay, stay, stay, stay, stay, where’s the wind? where’s the wind? where’s the wind? where’s the wind? Out you gulls, you goose-caps, you gudgeon-eaters! do you look for the wind in the heavens? ha, ha, ha, ha! no, no! look there, look there, look there! the wind is always at that door: hark how it blows, puff, puff, puff!
All. Ha, ha, ha!
1st Mad. Do you laugh at God’s creatures? Do you mock old age, you rogues? Is this gray beard and head counterfeit that you cry, ha, ha, ha? Sirrah, art not thou my eldest son?