MOUSE. O, horrible, terrible! Was ever poor gentleman so scar'd out of his seven senses? A bear? Nay, sure it cannot be a bear, but some devil in a bear's doublet; for a bear could never have had that agility to have frighted me. Well, I'll see my father hanged before I'll serve his horse any more. Well, I'll carry home my bottle of hay, and for once make my father's horse turn Puritan, and observe fasting-days, for he gets not a bit. But soft! this way she followed me; therefore I'll take the other path; and because I'll be sure to have an eye on him, I will take hands with some foolish creditor, and make every step backward. [_As he goes backwards, the bear comes in, and he tumbles over her, and runs away, and leaves his bottle of hay behind him.] Enter_ SEGASTO _running, and_ AMADINE _after him, being pursued with a bear_. SEGASTO. O, fly, madam, fly, or else we are but dead! AMADINE. Help, Segasto! help, help, sweet Segasto, or else I die! [SEGASTO _runs away_. SEGASTO. Alas, madam! there is no way but flight; Then haste, and save yourself. AMADINE. Why then I die; ah! help me in distress. _Enter_ MUCEDORUS _like a shepherd, with a sword drawn and a bear's head in his hand_. MUCEDORUS. Stay, lady, stay; and be no more dismay'd; That cruel beast, most merciless and fell, Which hath bereaved thousands of their lives, Affrighted many with his hard pursues, Prying from place to place to find his prey, Prolonging thus his life by others' death, His carcase now lies headless, void of breath. AMADINE. That foul, deformed monster, is he dead? MUCEDORUS. Assure yourself thereof--behold his head; Which, if it please you, lady, to accept, With willing heart I yield it to your majesty. AMADINE. Thanks, worthy shepherd, thanks a thousand times; This gift, assure thyself, contents me more Than greatest bounty of a mighty prince, Although he were the monarch of the world. MUCEDORUS. Most gracious goddess, more than mortal wight-- Your heavenly hue of right imports no less-- Most glad am I, in that it was my chance To undertake this enterprise in hand, Which doth so greatly glad your princely mind.