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Page 48
CLOWN.
He seems to be the more noble in being fantastical: a great man,
I'll warrant; I know by the picking on's teeth.
AUTOLYCUS.
The fardel there? what's i' the fardel? Wherefore that box?
SHEPHERD.
Sir, there lies such secrets in this fardel and box which none
must know but the king; and which he shall know within this
hour, if I may come to the speech of him.
AUTOLYCUS.
Age, thou hast lost thy labour.
SHEPHERD.
Why, sir?
AUTOLYCUS.
The king is not at the palace; he is gone aboard a new ship to
purge melancholy and air himself: for, if thou beest capable of
things serious, thou must know the king is full of grief.
SHEPHERD.
So 'tis said, sir,--about his son, that should have married a
shepherd's daughter.
AUTOLYCUS.
If that shepherd be not in hand-fast, let him fly: the curses he
shall have, the tortures he shall feel, will break the back of
man, the heart of monster.
CLOWN.
Think you so, sir?
AUTOLYCUS.
Not he alone shall suffer what wit can make heavy and vengeance
bitter; but those that are germane to him, though removed fifty
times, shall all come under the hangman: which, though it be
great pity, yet it is necessary. An old sheep-whistling rogue, a
ram-tender, to offer to have his daughter come into grace! Some
say he shall be stoned; but that death is too soft for him, say
I. Draw our throne into a sheep-cote!--all deaths are too few,
the sharpest too easy.
CLOWN.
Has the old man e'er a son, sir, do you hear, an't like you, sir?
AUTOLYCUS.
He has a son,--who shall be flayed alive; then 'nointed over
with honey, set on the head of a wasp's nest; then stand till
he be three quarters and a dram dead; then recovered again with
aqua-vit� or some other hot infusion; then, raw as he is, and
in the hottest day prognostication proclaims, shall he be set
against a brick wall, the sun looking with a southward eye upon
him,--where he is to behold him with flies blown to death. But
what talk we of these traitorly rascals, whose miseries are to
be smiled at, their offences being so capital? Tell me,--for you
seem to be honest plain men,--what you have to the king: being
something gently considered, I'll bring you where he is aboard,
tender your persons to his presence, whisper him in your behalfs;
and if it be in man besides the king to effect your suits, here
is man shall do it.
CLOWN.
He seems to be of great authority: close with him, give him gold;
and though authority be a stubborn bear, yet he is oft led by the
nose with gold: show the inside of your purse to the outside of
his hand, and no more ado. Remember,--ston'd and flayed alive.
SHEPHERD.
An't please you, sir, to undertake the business for us, here is
that gold I have: I'll make it as much more, and leave this young
man in pawn till I bring it you.
AUTOLYCUS.
After I have done what I promised?
SHEPHERD.
Ay, sir.
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