CLOWN. O, I know thee now, thou art he[182] that eats up all the hips and haws; we could not have one piece of fat bacon for thee all this year.
MUCEDORUS. Thou dost mistake me; but I pray thee, tell me what dost thou seek in these woods?
CLOWN. What do I seek? for a stray king's daughter run away with a shepherd.
MUCEDORUS. A stray king's daughter run away with a shepherd.
Wherefore? canst thou tell?
CLOWN. Yes, that I can; 'tis this. My master and Amadine walking one day abroad, nearer to these woods than they were used (about what I cannot tell); but toward them comes running a great bear. Now my master he played the man, and ran away; and Amadine, crying after him;—now, sir, comes me a shepherd, and he strikes off the bear's head. Now, whether the bear were dead before or no, I cannot tell; for bring twenty bears before me, and bind their hands and feet, and I'll kill them all. Now, ever since, Amadine hath been in love with the shepherd; and for goodwill she's even run away with the shepherd.
MUCEDORUS. What manner of man was a? canst describe him unto me?
CLOWN. Scribe him? ay, I warrant you, that I can. A was a little, low, broad, tall, narrow, big, well-favoured fellow: a jerkin of white cloth, and buttons of the same cloth.
MUCEDORUS. Thou describest him well; but if I chance to see any such, pray you, where shall I find you, or what's your name?
CLOWN. My name is called Master Mouse.
MUCEDORUS. O Master Mouse, I pray you, what office might you bear in the court?