Ros. O, yes, I heard them all, and more too;
for some of them had in them more feet than
the verses would bear. 176
Cel. That's no matter: the feet might bear
the verses.
Ros. Ay, but the feet were lame, and could
not bear themselves without the verse, and
therefore stood lamely in the verse. 181
Cel. But didst thou hear without wondering
how thy name should be hanged and carved
upon these trees? 184
Ros. I was seven of the nine days out of the
wonder before you came; for look here what I
found on a palm-tree: I was never so be-rimed
since Pythagoras' time, that I was an Irish rat,
which I can hardly remember. 189
Cel. Trow you who hath done this?
Ros. Is it a man?
Cel. And a chain, that you once wore, about
his neck. Change you colour? 193
Ros. I prithee, who?
Cel. O Lord, Lord! it is a hard matter for
friends to meet; but mountains may be removed
with earthquakes, and so encounter. 197
Ros. Nay, but who is it?
Cel. Is it possible?
Ros. Nay, I prithee now, with most petitionary
vehemence, tell me who it is. 201
Cel. O wonderful, wonderful, and most won-
derful wonderful! and yet again wonderful! and
after that, out of all whooping! 204
185 seven . . . nine; cf. n.
187 palm-tree; cf. n.
188 Pythagoras' . . . rat; cf. n.
190 Trow: know
195 hard . . . meet; cf. n.
204 out . . . whooping: beyond all shouting of astonishment
