SLENDER.
I am not a-hungry, I thank you, forsooth. [To Simple.] Go, sirrah, for all you are my man, go wait upon my cousin Shallow.
[Exit Simple.]
A Justice of Peace sometime may be beholding to his friend for a man. I keep but three men and a boy yet, till my mother be dead. But what though? Yet I live like a poor gentleman born.
ANNE.
I may not go in without your worship. They will not sit till you come.
SLENDER.
I’ faith, I’ll eat nothing. I thank you as much as though I did.
ANNE.
I pray you, sir, walk in.
SLENDER.
I had rather walk here, I thank you. I bruised my shin th’ other day with playing at sword and dagger with a master of fence—three veneys for a dish of stewed prunes—and, by my troth, I cannot abide the smell of hot meat since. Why do your dogs bark so? Be there bears i’ the town?
ANNE.
I think there are, sir; I heard them talked of.
SLENDER.
I love the sport well, but I shall as soon quarrel at it as any man in England. You are afraid, if you see the bear loose, are you not?
ANNE.
Ay, indeed, sir.