Volume Ii Part 56 (2/2)

Suppose I would address myself to seek her out, And to refuse no pain that lieth thereabout; Should I be sure to speed?

NATURE.

Trust me, and have no doubt, Thou canst not choose but speed with travail and with time: These two are they that must direct thee how to climb.

WIT.

With travail and with time? must they needs join in one?

NATURE.

Nor that nor this can do thee good, if they be took alone.

WIT.

Time worketh all with ease, and gives the greatest dint: In him soft water drops can hollow hardest flint.

Again with labour by itself great matters compa.s.s'd be, Even at a gird, in very little time or none we see.

Wherefore in my conceit good reason it is, Either this without that to look, or that without this.

NATURE.

Set case thou didst attempt to climb Parna.s.sus hill: Take time five hundred thousand years and longer, if thou will, Trowest thou to touch the top thereof by standing still?

Again work out thy heart, and spend thyself with toil: Take time withal, or else I dare a.s.sure thee of the foil.

WIT.

Madam, I trust I have your licence and your leave, With your good-will and so much help as you to me can give; With further aid also, when you shall spy your time, To make a proof to give attempt this famous hill to climb; And now I here request your blessing and your prayer; For sure, before I sleep, I will to yonder fort repair.

NATURE.

I bless thee here with all such gifts as nature can bestow, And for thy sake I would they were as many hundred mo.

Take there withal this child, to wait upon thee still: A bird of mine, some kin to thee: his name is Will.

WIT.

Welcome to me, my Will, what service canst thou do?

WILL.

All things forsooth, sir, when me list, and more too.

WIT.

But whether[383] wilt thou list, when I shall list, I trow?

WILL.

Trust not to that; peradventure yea, peradventure no.

WIT.

When I have need of thee, thou wilt not serve me so.

WILL.

If ye bid me run, perhaps I will go.

WIT.

c.o.c.k's soul, this is a boy for the nonce amongst twenty mo!

WILL.

I am plain, I tell you, at a word and a blow.

<script>