WIT. Time worketh all with ease, and gives the greatest dint: In him soft water drops can hollow hardest flint. Again with labour by itself great matters compass'd be, Even at a gird, in very little time or none we see. Wherefore in my conceit good reason it is, Either this without that to look, or that without this. NATURE. Set case thou didst attempt to climb Parnassus hill: Take time five hundred thousand years and longer, if thou will, Trowest thou to touch the top thereof by standing still? Again work out thy heart, and spend thyself with toil: Take time withal, or else I dare assure thee of the foil. WIT. Madam, I trust I have your licence and your leave, With your good-will and so much help as you to me can give; With further aid also, when you shall spy your time, To make a proof to give attempt this famous hill to climb; And now I here request your blessing and your prayer; For sure, before I sleep, I will to yonder fort repair. NATURE. I bless thee here with all such gifts as nature can bestow, And for thy sake I would they were as many hundred mo. Take there withal this child, to wait upon thee still: A bird of mine, some kin to thee: his name is Will. WIT. Welcome to me, my Will, what service canst thou do? WILL. All things forsooth, sir, when me list, and more too. WIT. But whether[383] wilt thou list, when I shall list, I trow? WILL. Trust not to that; peradventure yea, peradventure no. WIT. When I have need of thee, thou wilt not serve me so. WILL. If ye bid me run, perhaps I will go. WIT. Cock's soul, this is a boy for the nonce amongst twenty mo! WILL. I am plain, I tell you, at a word and a blow. WIT. Then must I prick you, child, if you be drown'd in sloth. NATURE. Agree, you twain, for I must leave you both; Farewell, my son: farewell, mine own good Will, Be ruled by Wit, and be obedient still; Force thee I cannot, but as far as lies in me, I will help thy master to make a good servant of thee. Farewell-- [_Exit_. WIT. Adieu, lady mother, with thanks for all your pain; And now let me bethink myself again and eke again, To match with Science is the thing that I have took in hand: A matter of more weight, I see, than I did understand. Will must be won to this, or else it will be hard; Will must go break the matter first, or else my game[384] is marr'd, Sir boy, are you content to take such part for me, As God shall send, and help it forth as much as lies in thee? WILL. Yea, master, by his wounds, or else cut off his head. WIT. Come then, and let us two devise what trace were best to tread; Nature is on my side, and Will my boy is fast. There is no doubt I shall obtain my joys at last. [_Exeunt_. ACT II, SCAENA 1. WIT _and_ WILL. WIT. What, Will, I say, Will boy, come again, foolish elf! WILL. I cry you mercy, sir, you are a tall man yourself. WIT. Such a crackbrain as thou art, I never saw the like to it.