_Qu._ In Cheapside, famous for gold and plate, Quicksilver I did dwell of late; 50 I had a master good and kind, That would have wrought me to his mind. He bade me still, Work upon that, But, alas! I wrought I knew not what. He was a Touchstone black, but true, And told me still what would ensue; Yet woe is me! I would not learn; I saw, alas! but could not discern! _Fr._ Excellent, excellent well! _Go._ O let him alone: he is taken already. 60 _Qu._ I cast my coat and cap away, I went in silks and satins gay; False metal of good manners I Did daily coin unlawfully. I scorn'd my master, being drunk; I kept my gelding and my punk; And with a knight, Sir Flash by name, Who now is sorry for the same,-- _Pe._ I thank you, Francis. [_Qu._] I thought by sea to run away, 70 But Thames and tempest did me stay. _To._ This cannot be feigned, sure. Heaven pardon my severity! The ragged colt may prove a good horse. _Go._ How he listens, and is transported! He has forgot me. _Qu._ Still Eastward-ho was all my word: But westward I had no regard, Nor never thought what would come after, As did, alas! his youngest daughter. At last the black ox trod o' my foot,[123] 80 And I saw then what long'd unto 't; Now cry I, "Touchstone, touch me still, And make me current by thy skill." _To._ And I will do it, Francis. _Wo._ Stay him, Master Deputy; now is the time: we shall lose the song else. _Fr._ I protest it is the best that ever I heard. _Qu._ How like you it, gentlemen? _All._ O admirable, sir! _Qu._ This stanze now following, alludes to the story of Mannington, from whence I took my project for my invention. 92 _Fr._ Pray you go on, sir. _Qu._ O Mannington, thy stories show, Thou cutt'st a horse-head off at a blow! But I confess, I have not the force For to cut off the head of a horse; Yet I desire this grace to win, That I may cut off the horse-head of Sin, And leave his body in the dust 100 Of sin's highway and bogs of lust, Whereby I may take Virtue's purse, And live with her for better, for worse. _Fr._ Admirable, sir, and excellently conceited! _Qu._ Alas, sir! _To._ Son Golding and Master Wolf, I thank you: the deceit is welcome, especially from thee, whose charitable soul in this hath shown a high point of wisdom and honesty. Listen, I am ravished with his repentance, and could stand here a whole prenticeship to hear him. 111 _Fr._ Forth, good sir.