Asked if he is wise, he says "aye," that is "yes," and adds that he has "a pretty wit," a phrase we must remember that is constantly used in reference to the Stratford actor. Touchstone mocks him with a paraphrase of the well-known maxim "If you are wise you are a Foole if you be a Foole you are wise" which is to be found in Bacon's "Advancement of Learning" Antitheta xxxi. Then he asks him "_Art thou learned_" and William replies "_No sir_." This means, _unquestionably_, as every lawyer must know, that William replies that he cannot _read_ one line of print. I feel sure the man called Shackspeare of Stratford was an uneducated rustic, never able to read a single line of print, and that this is the reason why no books were found in his house, this is the reason why his solicitor, Thomas Greene, lived with him in his house at New Place (Halliwell-Phillipps: Outlines, 1889, Vol. i, p. 226);--a well-known fact that very much puzzles those who do not realize the depth of Shakspeare's illiteracy. Chapter V. "The Return from Parnassus" and "Ratsei's Ghost." The next play to which attention must be called is "The Return from Parnassus" which was produced at Cambridge in 1601 and was printed in 1606 with the following title page:-- The Returne from Parnassus or The Scourge of Simony. Publiquely acted by the Students in Saint Johns Colledge in Cambridge. At London Printed by G. Eld for John Wright, and are to bee sold at his shop at Christchurch Gate. 1606. The portion to which I wish to direct attention is:-- Actus 5, Scena i. _Studioso_. Fayre fell good _Orpheus_, that would rather be King of a mole hill, then a Keysars slaue: Better it is mongst fidlers to be chiefe, Then at plaiers trencher beg reliefe. But ist not strange this mimick apes should prize Vnhappy Schollers at a hireling rate. Vile world, that lifts them vp to hye degree, And treades vs downe in groueling misery. _England_ affordes those glorious vagabonds, That carried earst their fardels on their backes, Coursers to ride on through the gazing streetes Sooping it in their glaring Satten sutes, And Pages to attend their maisterships: With mouthing words that better wits haue framed, They purchase lands, and now Esquiers are made. _Philomusus_. What ere they seeme being euen at the best They are but sporting fortunes _scornfull_ iests.