Chapter 18

Enter Segasto, the Clown and Rumbelo.

SEGASTO. Come, sirs; what, shall I never have you find out Amadine and the shepherd?

MOUSE. I have been through the woods and through the woods, and could see nothing but an emet.

RUMBELO. Why, I see a thousand emets. Thou meanest a little one?

MOUSE. Nay, that emet that I saw was bigger than thou art.

RUMBELO. Bigger than I? [_To Segasto_.] What a fool have you to your man! I pray you, master, turn him away.

SEGASTO. But dost thou hear, was he not a man?

MOUSE. I think he was, for he said he did lead a saltseller’s life about the woods.

SEGASTO. Thou wouldst say, a solitary life about the woods?

MOUSE. I think it was so, indeed.

RUMBELO. I thought what a fool thou art.

MOUSE. Thou art a wise man! [_To Segasto_.] Why, he did nothing but sleep since he went.

SEGASTO. But tell me, Mouse, how did he go?

MOUSE. In a white gown, and a white hat on his head, and a staff in his hand.

SEGASTO. I thought so; it was a hermit that walked a solitary life in the woods. Well, get you to dinner; and after never leave seeking, till you bring some news of them, or I’ll hang you both.

[_Exit._]

MOUSE. How now, Rumbelo, what shall we do now?

RUMBELO. Faith, I’ll home to dinner, and afterward to sleep.

MOUSE. Why, then, thou wilt be hanged.

RUMBELO. Faith, I care not, for I know I shall never find them. Well, I’ll once more abroad, and if I cannot find them, I’ll never come home again.

MOUSE. I tell thee what, Rumbelo; thou shalt go in at one end of the wood, and I at the other, and we will meet both together in the midst.

RUMBELO. Content, let’s away to dinner.

[_Exeunt._]