His back, while o'er it leap his laughing friends; Simple and weak, he acts the boy once more, And heedless children call him Silly Shore. TALE XII. 'SQUIRE THOMAS; OR THE PRECIPITATE CHOICE. Such smiling rogues as these, Like rats, oft bite the holy cords in twain. Too intrinsicate t'unloose. SHAKESPEARE, King Lear. My other self, my counsel's consistory, My oracle, my prophet, I as a child will go by thy direction. Richard III. If I do not have pitv upon her, I'm a villain: If I do not love her, I am a Jew. Much Ado about Nothing. Women are soft, mild, pitiable, flexible; But thou art obdurate, flinty, rough, remorseless. Henry VI. He must be told of it, and he shall; the office Becomes a woman best; I'll take it upon me; If I prove honey-mouth'd, let my tongue blister. Winter's Tale. Disguise, I see thou art a wickedness. Twelfth Night. ------------------------- 'Squire Thomas flatter'd long a wealthy Aunt, Who left him all that she could give or grant; Ten years he tried, with all his craft and skill, To fix the sovereign lady's varying will; Ten years enduring at her board to sit, He meekly listen'd to her tales and wit: He took the meanest office man can take, And his aunt's vices for her money's sake: By many a threat'ning hint she waked his fear, And he was pain'd to see a rival near: Yet all the taunts of her contemptuous pride He bore, nor found his grov'ling spirit tried: Nay, when she wish'd his parents to traduce, Fawning he smiled, and justice call'd th' abuse: "They taught you nothing: are you not at best," Said the proud Dame, "a trifler, and a jest? Confess you are a fool!"--he bow'd and he confess'd. This vex'd him much, but could not always last: The dame is buried, and the trial past. There was a female, who had courted long Her cousin's gifts, and deeply felt the wrong; By a vain boy forbidden to attend The private councils of her wealthy friend, She vow'd revenge, nor should that crafty boy In triumph undisturb'd his spoils enjoy: He heard, he smiled, and when the Will was read, Kindly dismiss'd the Kindred of the dead; "The dear deceased" he call'd her, and the crowd Moved off with curses deep and threat'nings loud. The youth retired, and, with a mind at ease, Found he was rich, and fancied he must please: He might have pleased, and to his comfort found The wife he wish'd, if he had sought around, For there were lasses of his own degree, With no more hatred to the state than he; But he had courted spleen and age so long, His heart refused to woo the fair and young; So long attended on caprice and whim, He thought attention now was due to him; And as his flattery pleased the wealthy Dame, Heir to the wealth, he might the flattery claim: But this the fair, with one accord, denied,