But thy good Nan and thy Bet shall have raiment and lackeys enow, and that

soon, too: my cofferer shall look to it. No, thank me not; 'tis nothing. Thou

speakest well; thou hast an easy grace in it. Art learned?'

'I know not if I am or not, sir. The good priest that is called Father Andrew

taught me, of his kindness, from his books.'

'Know'st thou the Latin?'

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'But scantily, sir, I doubt.'

'Learn it, lad: 'tis hard only at first. The Greek is harder; but neither these

Nor any tongues else, I think, are hard to the Lady Elizabeth and my cousin.

Thou shouldst hear those damsels at it! But tell me of thy Offal Court. Hast

thou a pleasant life there?'

'In truth, yes, so please you, sir, save when one is hungry. There be Punch-

and-Judy shows, and monkeys — oh, such antic creatures! and so bravely

dressed! — and there be plays wherein they that play do shout and fight till

all are slain, and 'tis so fine to see, and costeth but a farthing — albeit 'tis

main hard to get the farthing, please your worship.'

'Tell me more.'

'We lads of Offal Court do strive against each other with the cudgel, like to

the fashion of the 'prentices, sometimes.'

The prince's eyes flashed. Said he:

'Marry, that would I not mislike. Tell me more.'

'We strive in races, sir, to see who of us shall be fleetest.'

'That would I like also. Speak on.'

'In summer, sir, we wade and swim in the canals and in the river, and each