others to a similar extent-mayhap, there shall be something of both when the truth cometh to be known; and I blame her only because I feel assured there will mischief happen of it either to one party or the other-like enough to all. But come along with thee, and let us after these lords."

Saying this, the two friends started off, and laughing and jesting all the way, they made for Finsbury Fields, out by Cripplegate. Here had they scarce arrived when lo! they spied my Lords Simple and Dimple very soberly a strolling together for to take the air, in the direction of the windmills; and so earnest in talk, they knew not that the two players were close upon them, endeavouring all they could not to laugh aloud; and nudging of each other on the elbow when anything fell from them which was more than ordinary ridiculous.

"Thou

"Now, Simple, thou art in the wrong there," said one, as if with great seriousness. knowest I am full two days older than art thou; therefore, if, as I before said, some tyrant should order us to be executed to the death, I would have precedency of thee, and suffer first."

"By this glove, that would I never allow!" exclaimed the other with extreme eagerness. "What, shall it be said that such a true heart as am I, should allow his friend to die before him? I tell thee, Dimple, it must not be. I will set thee such an example of friendship as shall

do thee infinite good to look on; and shall be a marvel to the world ever after."

"It is for me to set the example, who am the oldest," cried Dimple, more seriously than at first. "I claim it of natural right, which will I never give up; and peradventure it shall happen as I have said, then shalt thou wonder to see how heroic I will behave myself-ay, with such a strength of soul, that the name of Dimple shall be engraved on monuments of adamant unto latest posterity."

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"If I let thee, then am I no true friend," replied Simple, with a more earnest eagerness. will have it so. I would give way to none in so vital a matter. Indeed it must be.-Then will I

astonish human nature-then"

"Indeed it shall never be, my lord!" exclaimed the first, as if in some way nettled- "I am the elder, and if I die not first, then will I know the reason why."

My lord, you do ill in disputing upon this," observed the other somewhat warmly. ""Tis my particular wish to suffer before you, and I will have it so."

"You be no true friend for wishing what be against my inclination, and I will not suffer it," said Dimple, as if getting into a rage.

"You be a scurvy fellow, if you say I be no true friend," replied Dimple angrily.

"What, caitiff! dost call me scurvy fellow?" shouted one in a very monstrous fierceness.

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My lords, this be a marvellous sight, indeed!" exclaimed Master Burbage, now breaking in upon them with as grave a face as he could assume for the occasion, and leading of Dimple on one side behind one of the windmills, whilst Master Shakspeare did the same with Simple. "Between ourselves, my lord," added he, "you do exceeding right in quarrelling with this person. He hath no proper estimation of your lordship's excellent parts. I did myself hear him say that you had no more brains than a maggot."

"He lies in his throat!" furiously cried my Lord Dimple. "I will prove on his villainous body that I have more brains than fifty maggots."

"My Lord Simple," said Master Shakspeare very concernedly, "I think 'tis exceeding strange that you should hold acquaintance with one who hath said you are of so faint a heart, you would not draw upon a snail for fear he should run at you.”

"Oh! the pitiful traitor!" shouted my Lord Simple in a tearing passion. "By this glo 2,

there liveth not on this earth the snail that I a afeard of."

"See! he is going to draw upon you my lord!" said Master Burbage. "I pray you out with your weapon quick, or he shall take you unawares, and mayhap, give you a mortal wound."

"Prepare you, my lord, quickly,” cried Master Shakspeare. "He hath his weapon out, and cometh with deadly mischief in his eyes."

"Thou villain, Dimple!"

"Thou villain, Simple!" shouted both at the same moment of time, as they came furiously on with their drawn weapons and began a thrusting at each other, though, without doubt, at a wonderful respectful distance, after as fierce a fashion as might be possible to behold. But this continued not for long-for suddenly they dropped the points of their rapiers, upon hearing of such a burst of laughter as startled them exceedingly, and looking round, observed Master Burbage a holding of his sides, and Master Shakspeare with his hand before his mouth. The two lords, upon this, looked as if they knew not what to make of it."

"Didst say I had no more brains than a maggot, my lord?" enquired Dimple, as if wonderfully moved.

66 By this glove, no;" replied Simple, with exceeding gravity. "For, if thou hadst no more brains than half a maggot, it be not the part of such a true heart as am I, to say it of his friend. But didst thou assert I was of so faint a heart, I would not draw upon a snail for fear he should run at me?"

"By all true friendship, never asserted I aught of the kind," answered the first with a monstrous

seriousness. "For, if thou wouldst not draw upon half a snail, I would assert it to none, because I could never do so unfriendly a thing."

"These players be making fools of us," whispered the other as he put up his weapon. "Let

"So

They be low fellows, that's a sure thing," replied his friend as he sheathed his weapon. we'll e'en have none of their villainous company." Upon this both went off together as quick as they might; and in no way relishing the mirth that was so loudly shouted from behind them.

"Oh! Dick, Dick!" exclaimed Master Shakspeare, as seriously as he could, "thou hast spoiled the most exquisite sport: 'tis a thousand pities thou shouldst have broken out into a laugh."

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Laugh!" cried Master Burbage, still holding of his sides; "'twould have made a man laugh that had been dead this seven year. Never saw I so rare a sight! they skipped about like two fleas on a bolster ! O' my life, 'twould be no easy matter to say which was the most afraid of the two. And then the terrible fierceness of their looks, and the awful manner in which they made their thrusts, compared with the monstrous safe distance at which they kept from the point of each other's weapon, made me roar again. By this hand, I would not have missed so fine a jest for half my share of the playhouse."