How now, Simple! where have you been? I must wait on myself, must I? You have not the Book of Riddles about you, have you?
Sim. Book of Riddles! why, did you not lend it to 185 Alice Shortcake upon All-hallowmas last, a fortnight afore [Michaelmas]?
Shal. Come, coz; come, coz; we stay for you. A word with you, coz; marry, [this, coz]: there is, as ’twere, a tender, a kind of tender, made afar off by Sir Hugh here. Do 190 you understand me?
Slen. Ay, sir, you shall find me reasonable; if it be so, I shall do [that that] is reason.
Shal. Nay, but understand me.
Slen. So I do, sir.
195 Evans. Give ear to his motions, Master Slender: I will description the matter to you, if you be capacity of it.
Slen. Nay, I will do as my cousin Shallow says: I pray you, pardon me; he’s a justice of peace in his country, simple though I stand here.
I. 1.
200 Evans. But that is not the question: the question is concerning your marriage.
Shal. Ay, there’s the point, sir.