“‘Where dost thou lodge, young man?’ said the preacher.
“‘At the public,’ said I, ‘where my father customarily lodgeth. There, too, is a mitre of the old fashion, swinging on the sign-post in the middle of the street.’
“‘Respectable tavern enough!’ quoth the reverend doctor; ‘and worthy men do turn in there, even quality,—Master Davenant, Master Powel, Master Whorwood, aged and grave men. But taverns are Satan’s chapels, and are always well attended on the Lord’s day, to twit him. Hast thou no friend in such a city as Oxford?’
“‘Only the landlady of the Mitre,’ said I.
“‘A comely woman,’ quoth he, ‘but too young for business by half.
“‘Stay thou with me to-day, and fare frugally, but safely.
“‘What may thy name be, and where is thy abode?’
“‘William Shakspeare, of Stratford-upon-Avon, at your service, sir.’
“‘And welcome,’ said he; ‘thy father ere now hath bought our college wool. A truly good man we ever found him; and I doubt not he hath educated his son to follow him in his paths. There is in the blood of man, as in the blood of animals, that which giveth the temper and disposition. These require nurture and culture. But what nurture will turn flint-stones into garden mould? or what culture rear cabbages in the quarries of Hedington Hill? To be well born is the greatest of all God’s primary blessings, young man, and there are many well born among the poor and needy. Thou art not of the indigent and destitute, who have great temptations; thou art not of the wealthy and affluent, who have greater still. God hath placed thee, William Shakspeare, in that pleasant island, on one side whereof are the sirens, on the other the harpies, but inhabiting the coasts on the wider continent, and unable to make their talons felt, or their voices heard by thee. Unite with me in prayer and thanksgiving for the blessings thus vouchsafed. We must not close the heart when the finger of God would touch it. Enough, if thou sayest only, My soul, praise thou the Lord!’”
Sir Thomas said, “Amen!” Master Silas was mute for the moment, but then quoth he, “I can say amen too in the proper place.”