GRIPE.
Ay, here's my hand; I do consent,
And think her happy in her happy choice;
Yet half forejudge my hopes will be deceiv'd.
But, Fortunatus, I must needs commend
Thy constant mind thou bear'st unto thy friend:
The after-ages, wond'ring at the same,
Shall say 't's a deed deserveth lasting fame.
FORTUNATUS.
Then rest you here, till I return again;
I'll go to Sophos, ere I go along,
And bring him here to keep you company.
Perhaps he hath some skill in hidden arts,
Of planets' course, or secret magic spells,
To know where Lelia and that fox lies hid,
Whose craft so cunningly convey'd her hence.
[Exit FORTUNATUS.
GRIPE.
Ay, here I'll rest an hour or twain,
Till Fortunatus do return again.
WILL CRICKET. Faith, sir, this same Churms is a very scurvy lawyer; for once I put a case to him, and methought his law was not worth a pudding.
GRIPE.
Why, what was your case?
WILL CRICKET. Marry, sir, my case was a goose's case; for my dog wearied[163] my neighbour's sow, and the sow died.
NURSE.
And he sued you upon wilful murder?
WILL CRICKET. No; but he went to law with me, and would make me either pay for his sow, or hang my dog. Now, sir, to the same returna[164] I went.
NURSE.
To beg a pardon for your dog?
WILL CRICKET. No; but to have some of his wit for my money. I gave him his fee, and promised him a goose beside for his counsel. Now, sir, his counsel was to deny all was asked me, and to crave a longer time to answer, though I knew the case was plain. So, sir, I take his counsel; and always when he sends to me for his goose, I deny it, and crave a longer time to answer.