“‘And welcome,’ said he; ’thy father ere now hath bought our college wool.  A truly good man we ever found him; and I doubt not he hath educated his son to follow him in his paths.  There is in the blood of man, as in the blood of animals, that which giveth the temper and disposition.  These require nurture and culture.  But what nurture will turn flint-stones into garden mould? or what culture rear cabbages in the quarries of Hedington Hill?  To be well born is the greatest of all God’s primary blessings, young man, and there are many well born among the poor and needy.  Thou art not of the indigent and destitute, who have great temptations; thou art not of the wealthy and affluent, who have greater still.  God hath placed thee, William Shakspeare, in that pleasant island, on one side whereof are the sirens, on the other the harpies, but inhabiting the coasts on the wider continent, and unable to make their talons felt, or their voices heard by thee.  Unite with me in prayer and thanksgiving for the blessings thus vouchsafed.  We must not close the heart when the finger of God would touch it.  Enough, if thou sayest only, my soul, praise thou the lord!’”

Sir Thomas said, “Amen!” Master Silas was mute for the moment, but then quoth he, “I can say amen too in the proper place.”

The knight of Charlecote, who appeared to have been much taken with this conversation, then interrogated Willy:-

“What farther might have been thy discourse with the doctor? or did he discourse at all at trencher-time?  Thou must have been very much abashed to sit down at table with one who weareth a pure lambskin across his shoulder, and moreover a pink hood.”

William Shakspeare.

“Faith! was I, your honour! and could neither utter nor gulp.”

Sir Thomas.

“These are good signs.  Thou hast not lost all grace.”

William Shakspeare.

“With the encouragement of Dr. Glaston—­”

Sir Thomas.

“And was it Dr. Glaston?”

William Shakspeare.

“Said I not so?”

Sir Thomas.

“The learnedst clerk in Christendom! a very Friar Bacon!  The Pope offered a hundred marks in Latin to who should eviscerate or evirate him,—­poisons very potent, whereat the Italians are handy,—­so apostolic and desperate a doctor is Doctor Glaston! so acute in his quiddities, and so resolute in his bearing!  He knows the dark arts, but stands aloof from them.  Prithee, what were his words unto thee?”

William Shakspeare.

“Manna, sir, manna! pure from the desert!”

Sir Thomas.

“Ay, but what spake he? for most sermons are that, and likewise many conversations after dinner.”

William Shakspeare.