1st B. D.—Now where is he?
2nd B. D.—Eating soup maigre!
1st B. D.—Eating soup maigre! Where?
2nd B. D.—Not where fat King’s are eaten: a certain convocation of politic worms are e’en at them. Your worm is your only Emperor for diet: we fat all creatures else to fat us; and we fat ourselves for maggots. Your fat King and your lean skeleton is but variable service; two dishes, but to one table that’s the end.
1st B. D.—Alas! alas! shall I feed worms when I am dead?
2nd B. D.—Ay, and a living skeleton may fish with the worm that hath eat of a King; and eat of the fish that hath fed of that worm.
1st B. D.—What dost thou mean by this?
2nd B. D.—Nothing but to show you how a King may go a progress through the carcase of a living skeleton.
1st B. D.—I like thy wit well in good faith. To’t again; come, what is this Barrow?
2nd B. D.—Cudgel thy brains no more about it; when you are asked this question next say ’tis a British Barrow, a house that will last till doomsday. Go get thee to Shapwicke, and fetch me a stoup of liquor.