_Speed._ You conclude that my master is a shepherd, then, and I a sheep? _Pro._ I do. _Speed._ Why then, my horns are his horns, whether I wake or sleep. 80 _Pro._ A silly answer, and fitting well a sheep. _Speed._ This proves me still a sheep. _Pro._ True; and thy master a shepherd. _Speed._ Nay, that I can deny by a circumstance. _Pro._ It shall go hard but I'll prove it by another. 85 _Speed._ The shepherd seeks the sheep, and not the sheep the shepherd; but I seek my master, and my master seeks not me: therefore I am no sheep. _Pro._ The sheep for fodder follow the shepherd; the shepherd for food follows not the sheep: thou for wages 90 followest thy master; thy master for wages follows not thee: therefore thou art a sheep. _Speed._ Such another proof will make me cry 'baa.' _Pro._ But, dost thou hear? gavest thou my letter to Julia? 95 _Speed._ Ay, sir: I, a lost mutton, gave your letter to her, a laced mutton, and she, a laced mutton, gave me, a lost mutton, nothing for my labour. _Pro._ Here's too small a pasture for such store of muttons. _Speed._ If the ground be overcharged, you were best 100 stick her. _Pro._ Nay: in that you are astray, 'twere best pound you. _Speed._ Nay, sir, less than a pound shall serve me for carrying your letter. _Pro._ You mistake; I mean the pound,--a pinfold. 105 _Speed._ From a pound to a pin? fold it over and over, 'Tis threefold too little for carrying a letter to your lover. _Pro._ But what said she? _Speed._ [_First nodding_] Ay. _Pro._ Nod--Ay--why, that's noddy. 110 _Speed._ You mistook, sir; I say, she did nod: and you ask me if she did nod; and I say, 'Ay.' _Pro._ And that set together is noddy. _Speed._ Now you have taken the pains to set it together, take it for your pains. 115 _Pro._ No, no; you shall have it for bearing the letter. _Speed._ Well, I perceive I must be fain to bear with you. _Pro._ Why, sir, how do you bear with me? _Speed._ Marry, sir, the letter, very orderly; having nothing but the word 'noddy' for my pains. 120 _Pro._ Beshrew me, but you have a quick wit. _Speed._ And yet it cannot overtake your slow purse. _Pro._ Come, come, open the matter in brief: what said she? _Speed._ Open your purse, that the money and the matter 125 may be both at once delivered. _Pro._ Well, sir, here is for your pains. What said she? _Speed._ Truly, sir, I think you'll hardly win her. _Pro._ Why, couldst thou perceive so much from her?