wants money, means, and content, is without
three good friends; that the property of rain is
to wet, and fire to burn; that good pasture 28
makes fat sheep, and that a great cause of the
night is lack of the sun; that he that hath
learned no wit by nature nor art may com-
plain of good breeding, or comes of a very dull
kindred.
Touch. Such a one is a natural philosopher.
Wast ever in court, shepherd?
Cor. No, truly. 36
Touch. Then thou art damned.
Cor. Nay, I hope.
Touch. Truly, thou art damned, like an ill-
roasted egg, all on one side. 40
Cor. For not being at court? Your reason.
Touch. Why, if thou never wast at court, thou
never sawest good manners; if thou never sawest
good manners, then thy manners must be wick-
ed; and wickedness is sin, and sin is damnation.
Thou art in a parlous state, shepherd. 46
Cor. Not a whit, Touchstone: those that are
good manners at the court, are as ridiculous in
the country as the behaviour of the country is
most mockable at the court. You told me you
salute not at the court, but you kiss your hands;
that courtesy would be uncleanly if courtiers
were shepherds.
Touch. Instance, briefly; come, instance.
Cor. Why, we are still handling our ewes, and
their fells, you know, are greasy. 56
27 property: particular quality, peculiarity
31 complain of: bewail the lack of
44 manners: here in sense of 'morals'
46 parlous: contraction of 'perilous'
50 mockable: deserving ridicule
56 fells: fleeces
