MOUSE. My name? I have a very pretty name; I’ll tell you what my name is, my name is Mouse. SEGASTO. What, plain Mouse? MOUSE. Ay, plain Mouse without either welt or guard. But do you hear, sir, I am but a very young Mouse, for my tail is scarce grown out yet; look you here else. SEGASTO. But, I pray thee, who gave thee that name? MOUSE. Faith, sir, I know not that, but if you would fain know, ask my father’s great horse, for he hath been half a year longer with my father than I have. SEGASTO. [_Aside_.] This seems to be a merry fellow; I care not if I take him home with me. Mirth is a comfort to a troubled mind, A merry man a merry master makes. [_To Mouse_.] How say’st thou, sirrah, wilt thou dwell with me? MOUSE. Nay, soft, sir; two words to a bargain; pray you, what occupation are you? SEGASTO. No occupation, I live upon my lands. MOUSE. Your lands? Away, you are no master for me. Why, do you think that I am so mad to go seek my living in the lands amongst the stones, briars, and bushes, and tear my holiday-apparel? Not I, by your leave. SEGASTO. Why, I do not mean thou shalt. MOUSE. How then? SEGASTO. Why, thou shalt be my man, and wait upon me at the court. MOUSE. What’s that? SEGASTO. Where the king lies. MOUSE. What’s that same king, a man or woman? SEGASTO. A man as thou art. MOUSE. As I am? Hark you, sir, pray you, what kin is he to goodman King of our parish, the churchwarden? SEGASTO. No kin to him; he is the king of the whole land. MOUSE. King of the land? I never saw him. SEGASTO. If thou wilt dwell with me, thou shalt see him every day. MOUSE. Shall I go home again to be torn in pieces with bears? No, not I, I will go home and put on a clean shirt, and then go drown myself. SEGASTO. Thou shalt not need, if thou wilt dwell with me, thou shalt want nothing. MOUSE. Shall I not? Then here’s my hand, I’ll dwell with you. And hark you, sir! now you have entertained me, I will tell you what I can do. I can keep my tongue from picking and stealing, and my hands from lying and slandering, I warrant you, as well as ever you had man in all your life. SEGASTO. Now will I to court with sorrowful heart, rounded with doubts. If Amadine do live, then happy I: Yea happy I, if Amadine do live. [_Exeunt._] ACT II SCENE I. The Camp of the King of Aragon Enter the King with a young Prince prisoner, Amadine, Tremelio, with Collen and Councillors. KING OF ARAGON. Now, brave Lords, our wars are brought to end, Our foes to foil, and we in safety rest, It us behoves to use such clemency In peace, as valour in the wars. It is As great an honour to be bountiful At home, as to be conquerors in the field. Therefore, my lords, the more to my content, Your liking, and your country’s safeguard, We are dispos’d in marriage for to give Our daughter to Lord Segasto here, Who shall succeed the diadem after me, And reign hereafter as tofore I’ve done, Your sole and lawful King of Aragon. What say you, lordings, like you of my advice?