BEGGAR Oh, Sir, you would not talk thus, if you knew What life is this of ours, how sleep will master The weary-worn.--You gentlefolk have got Warm chambers to your wish. I'd rather be A stone than what I am.--But two nights gone, The darkness overtook me--wind and rain Beat hard upon my head--and yet I saw A glow-worm, through the covert of the furze, Shine calmly as if nothing ailed the sky: At which I half accused the God in Heaven.-- You must forgive me. OSWALD Ay, and if you think The Fairies are to blame, and you should chide Your favourite saint--no matter--this good day Has made amends. BEGGAR Thanks to you both; but, Oh Sir! How would you like to travel on whole hours As I have done, my eyes upon the ground, Expecting still, I knew not how, to find A piece of money glittering through the dust. MARMADUKE This woman is a prater. Pray, good Lady! Do you tell fortunes? BEGGAR Oh Sir, you are like the rest. This Little-one--it cuts me to the heart-- Well! they might turn a beggar from their doors, But there are Mothers who can see the Babe Here at my breast, and ask me where I bought it: This they can do, and look upon my face-- But you, Sir, should be kinder. MARMADUKE Come hither, Fathers, And learn what nature is from this poor Wretch! BEGGAR Ay, Sir, there's nobody that feels for us. Why now--but yesterday I overtook A blind old Greybeard and accosted him, I' th' name of all the Saints, and by the Mass He should have used me better!--Charity! If you can melt a rock, he is your man; But I'll be even with him--here again Have I been waiting for him. OSWALD Well, but softly, Who is it that hath wronged you? BEGGAR Mark you me; I'll point him out;--a Maiden is his guide, Lovely as Spring's first rose; a little dog, Tied by a woollen cord, moves on before With look as sad as he were dumb; the cur, I owe him no ill will, but in good sooth He does his Master credit. MARMADUKE As I live, 'Tis Herbert and no other!