_Boh._ I then changed the court for the country, and the wars for a wife: but I found the craft of swains more vile than the knavery of courtiers, the charge of children more heavy than servants, and wives' tongues worse than the wars itself; and therefore I gave o'er that, and went to the city to dwell; and there I kept a great house with small cheer, but all was ne'er the near.[247] _Ober._ And why? _Boh._ Because, in seeking friends, I found table-guests to eat me and my meat, my wife's gossips to bewray the secrets of my heart, kindred to betray the effect of my life: which when I noted,--the court ill, the country worse, and the city worst of all,--in good time my wife died, ay would she had died twenty winter sooner, by the mass! leaving my two sons[248] to the world, and shutting myself into this tomb, where, if I die, I am sure I am safe from wild beasts, but, whilst I live, cannot be free from ill company. Besides, now I am sure, gif all my friends fail me, I sall have a grave of mine own providing. This is all. Now, what art thou? _Ober._ Oberon, King of Fairies, that loves thee because thou hatest the world; and, to gratulate thee, I brought these antics to show thee some sport in dancing, which thou hast loved well. _Boh._ Ha, ha, ha! thinkest thou those puppets can please me? whay, I have two sons, that with one Scottish jig shall break the necks of thy antics. _Ober._ That I would fain see. _Boh._ Why, thou shalt.--Ho, boys! _Enter_ SLIPPER _and_ NANO. Haud your clacks,[249] lads; trattle not for thy life, but gather up your legs, and dance me forthwith a jig worth the sight. _Slip._ Why, I must talk, an I die for't: wherefore was my tongue made? _Boh._ Prattle, an thou darest, one word more, and ais dab this whinyard in thy wemb. _Ober._ Be quiet, Bohan. I'll strike him dumb, and his brother too; their talk shall not hinder our jig.--Fall to it; dance, I say, man! _Boh._ Dance, Humer, dance, ay rid thee. [_The two dance a jig devised for the nonst._ Now get you to the wide world with more than my father gave me; that's learning enough both kinds, knavery and honesty; and that I gave you, spend at pleasure. _Ober._ Nay, for their sport I will give them this gift: to the dwarf I give a quick wit, pretty of body, and awarrant his preferment to a prince's service, where by his wisdom he shall gain more love than common; and to loggerhead your son I give a wandering life, and promise he shall never lack, and avow that, if in all distresses he call upon me, to help him. Now let them go. [_Exeunt_ SLIPPER _and_ NANO _with courtesies._