THE OTTER AND CHUB. 95 



I '11 say you are one when I shall see you perform what you 

 say you can do ; but I yet doubt it. 



PlSC. You shall not doubt it long, for you shall see me 

 do it presently : look, the biggest of these chubs has had 

 some bruise upon his tail by a pike, or some other accident, 

 and that looks like a white spot ; that very chub I mean to 

 put into your hands presently : sit you but down in the 

 shade, and stay but a little while, and I '11 warrant you I '11 

 bring him to you. 



VEN. I '11 sit down, and hope well, because you seem to 

 be so confident. 



PlSC. Look you, Sir, there is a trial of my skill, there he 

 is, that very chub that I showed you with the white spot on 

 his tail ; and I '11 be as certain to make him a good dish of 

 meat, as I was to catch him. I '11 now lead you to an honest 

 alehouse, where we shall find a cleanly room, lavender in the 

 windows, and twenty ballads stuck about the wall : there 

 my hostess, which, I may tell you, is both cleanly and hand- 

 some and civil, hath dressed many a one for me, and shall 

 now dress it after my fashion, and I warrant it good meat. 



VEN. Come, Sir, with all my heart, for I begin to be 

 hungry, and long to be at it, and indeed to rest myself too ; 

 for though I have walked but four miles this morning, yet I 

 begin to be weary; yesterday's hunting hangs still upon me. 



PlSC. Well, Sir, you shall quickly be at rest, for yonder 

 is the house I mean to bring you to. 



Come, hostess, how do you ? Will you first give me a 

 cup of your best drink, and then dress this chub as you 

 dressed my last, when I and my friend were here about 

 eight or ten days ago ? But you must do me one courtesy, 

 it must be done instantly. 



