human
Many events of import have transpired, said he, as he at length pushed his plate from him, in token that the inner man was satisfied;
gpt
Of that I have long been aware,
human
Most probably, said the Captain.
gpt
A foe is generally found sooner or later, like the blind mole, by the effects of his progress; but I have unearthed this mole.
human
Good, said Sir Hugh,
gpt
Nay, more, I have discovered you have also a secret and powerful friend at Court, and the friend is more powerful than the foe. Witness the effects. Your nephew is released from all responsibility on the subject of the treasonable charge trumped up against him, and, as he himself bade me deliver to you, is in a fair way of getting rid also of other matters appertaining.
human
And how is this derived? said Sir Hugh.
gpt
You amaze me with so much good news, I pray you expound unto me the names of these persons who have interested themselves for and against me and mine. Set this foe before me, that I may know him, good Captain. 'Fore Heaven, I am old, but I have still some skill in fence. Thou shalt bear a cartel to the caitiff.
human
It could be easily done,
gpt
said Sir Hugh, lighting a fellow pipe, and performing upon it with equal gusto,
human
Have you ever had personal quarrel with the Earl of Leicester?
gpt
None, as I am a gentleman,
human
And yet, said the Captain,
gpt
Were he twenty times an earl, said Sir Hugh,
human
I had much rather be excused,
gpt
How? said Sir Hugh.
human
Wilt not be then my friend, good Captain? Well, be it so, I will to my good neighbour, Sir Thomas Lucy. He is a man to beard fifty earls, be they ever so powerful.
gpt
Sir Thomas Lucy could hardly do your message either,
human
Ha, say'st thou! Truly, then, thou knowest not the goodness and hot-valour of the knight of Charlecote; he is a true friend, and right honest. But wherefore should Sir Thomas refuse to carry a cartel to the Earl?
gpt
Because Sir Thomas would scarce carry a cartel to one unable to reply to it, said the Captain.
human
The Earl of Leicester is dead. He died two nights back at Cornbury, on his way to Kenilworth. So much I learnt as I tarried at Oxford, where, moreover, I further heard strange rumours of the manner of his death.
gpt
Gad-a-mercy! said Sir Hugh,
human
Ahem! said the Captain.
gpt
Of that, anon. Bless me! how heavily the rain beats against the casement. Foul weather this, good Sir Hugh, for travellers. Truly the night hath come down dark, as a wolf's mouth, and ways be both foul and dangerous.
human
Hast any friend on the road to-night, good Captain?
gpt
I was consorted, said the Captain,
human
And his name? inquired Sir Hugh.
gpt
Come, fill your glass.
human
William Shakespeare, said the Captain.
gpt
He who wrote the play we saw in London.
human
Is Shakespeare coming back? he said.
gpt
Ha, said the Captain,
human
I have before named to thee, said Sir Hugh,
gpt
Truly then, said the Captain, whose rough nature was in something moved,
human
And is he in sooth coming back to Stratford? said Sir Hugh, rubbing his hands.
gpt
In prosperity or adversity, he shall be welcome as if he were mine own son.
human
Truly, said the Captain,
gpt
I can in some sort almost feel the same towards this friend of thine, for never travelled I with one who so cheered the long miles 'twixt post and post. He was right pleasant and facetious all the miry way 'twixt Acton and Oxbridge. I wished the miles twice us long whilst we pricked across the waste land towards Beaconsfield. Neither wind nor rain, or mud or mire, could alter his merry mood, as, by night, we made our way towards Walting Town; and when we lost our route, and were nearly drowned in the marshes of Abingdon, he turned our danger into a jest. Nothing came amiss to this Shakespeare; he had a saying for every mistake, and a good word for every misfortune.
human
Such a comrade, said Sir Hugh,
gpt
Nay, Sir Hugh, returned the Captain,
human
I have travelled far and near, yet never met I with such another. By 'ur Lady, I have consorted with your Dane, drank with your Hollander, revelled with your Frenchman, and fought with your Spaniard, yet none did I ever find who could hold comparison with this man.
gpt
I marvel you came not on further together, said Sir Hugh,
human
He tarried, as I told you, at Oxford, returned the Captain,
gpt
I know that hostel, said Sir Hugh.