human
Well, said John Peto, the tanner,
gpt
I remember me, said Master Richard Coomb, (who was known amongst his co-mates by the sobriquet of Thin Beard, from the circumstance of his wearing a starved cane-coloured beard),
human
I remember me that our townsman, John Shakespeare, father of this William, had from his youth upwards, a quick and shrewd wit. Nay, by 'ur Lady, he must be about my own age; by the same token I played oft-times with him when he was a boy and living with his father at Snitterfield.
gpt
Aye, said Mumble,
human
I did know him, returned Coomb;
gpt
Did not your brother, John Coomb, accommodate Master John Shakespeare, at his need, with moneys, not long back?
human
In sooth did he, returned Thin Beard,
gpt
And did I not hear that John Coomb pressed him hard for repayment, and would have clapped him up in jail but for the debt being defrayed by this poet of our's,--this William his son,--so soon as he became aware of it?
human
Nay, 'tis true enough, said Thin Beard;
gpt
I may not deny that my brother doth press hard for moneys due.
human
Go to, said Mumble;
gpt
Come, said the head bailiff, laying down his pipe, and rising from his chair,
human
Let us drink the health of our good townsman, since he hath so far done honour to the place of his birth. Who knows, he may do even better yet! We have not altogether approved of the production here before us, peradventure his songs and sonnets are in better taste than his lampoons. Fill, my masters, to the brim. Since the Queen delights to honour Master Shakespeare, here's his health, and may he soon return amongst us!