Cit. If your haste be no greater than mine—for blessed be GOD, we have now too many idle hours against our will —I would gladly confer with you of the state of the country; and if I can delight you with any city news, you shall have my bosom opened freely.
Coun. The ploughman's hands, Sir, are now held in his pocket as well as the shopkeeper's. I have as little to do as you, and therefore an hour's chat shall please me well. We old men are old chronicles, and when our tongues go they are not clocks to tell only the time present, but large books unclasped; and our speeches, like leaves turned over and over, discover wonders that are long since past.
Cit. I am glad that I have met with an old man that hath not stood still all his life like a pool; but like a river hath run through the world to get experience. But I pray you, of what country are you?
Coun. Of Ripon in Yorkshire.
Cit. And, if it be not too much beyond the rule of good manners; let me be bold to inquire what drew you, dwelling so far off, to travel to London?
Coun. Marry, Sir, I will tell you: even that drew me to London which draws you out of your houses; that which makes you cry out in London "We have cold doings," and to leave your shops to catch your heat in the streets: nay, to leave your new beautiful walks in Moorfields—for those I have seen at my entering into the city—and to make newer and larger walks, though not so safe, upon a field of glass as it were. That slippery world, which I beheld, as I remember, in the fifth year of the reign of Queen ELIZABETH —or I am sure I am not much wide—do I come 'thus far to behold again in the fifth year of our good King JAMES: and that is, in a few cold words, the Thames frozen over.
Cit. Yea, father, and frozen over and over.
Coun. I have but two ears, Sir—if I had more I were a monster: but those two ears bring me home a thousand tales in less than seven days. Some I hearken to, some I shake my head at, some I smile at, some I think true, some I know false. But because this world is like our millers in the country, knavish and hard to be trusted; though mine ears be mine own and good, yet I had rather give credit to mine eyes: although they see but badly, yet they will not cozen
