_Sir Rad._ Yea, boy, write that down: very learnedly, in good faith. I pray now let me ask you one question that I remember, whether is the masculine gender or the feminine more worthy? _Im._ The feminine, Sir. _Sir Rad._ The right answer, the right answer. In good faith, I have been of that mind always: write, boy, that, to shew he is a grammarian. _Rec._ What university are you of? _Im._ Of none. _Sir Rad._ He tells truth: to tell truth is an excellent virtue: boy, make two heads, one for his learning, another for his virtues, and refer this to the head of his virtues, not of his learning. Now, Master Recorder, if it please you, I will examine him in an author, that will sound him to the depth; a book of astronomy, otherwise called an almanack. _Rec._ Very good, Sir Roderick; it were to be wished there were no other book of humanity; then there would not be such busy state-prying fellows as are now a-days. Proceed, good Sir. _Sir Rad._ What is the dominical letter? _Im._ C, Sir, and please your worship. _Sir Rad._ A very good answer, a very good answer, the very answer of the book. Write down that, and refer it to his skill in philosophy. How many days hath September? _Im._ Thirty days hath September, April, June, and November, February hath twenty-eight alone, and all the rest hath thirty and one. _Sir Rad._ Very learnedly, in good faith: he hath also a smack in poetry. Write down that, boy, to shew his learning in poetry. How many miles from Waltham to London? _Im._ Twelve, Sir. _Sir Rad._ How many from New Market to Grantham? _Im._ Ten, Sir. _Sir Rad._ Write down that answer of his, to shew his learning in arithmetic. _Page._ He must needs be a good arithmetician that counted [out] money so lately. _Sir Rad._ When is the new moon? _Im._ The last quarter, the 5th day, at two of the clock, and thirty-eight minutes in the morning. _Sir Rad._ How call you him that is weather-wise? _Rec._ A good astronomer. _Sir Rad._ Sirrah, boy, write him down for a good astronomer. What day of the month lights the queen’s day on? _Im._ The 17th of November. _Sir Rad._ Boy, refer this to his virtues, and write him down a good subject. _Page._ Faith, he were an excellent subject for two or three good wits: he would make a fine ass for an ape to ride upon. _Sir Rad._ And these shall suffice for the parts of his learning. Now it remains to try, whether you be a man of a good utterance, that is, whether you can ask for the strayed heifer with the white face, as also chide the boys in the belfry, and bid the sexton whip out the dogs: let me hear your voice. _Im._ If any man or woman— _Sir Rad._ That’s too high. _Im._ If any man or woman— _Sir Rad._ That’s too low.