A TALE OF A TUB.
171
Re-enter Hilts.
Hilts. You mean to make a hoiden[1] or a hare
Of me, to hunt counter thus, and make these doubles:
And you mean no such thing as you send about.
Where is your sweetheart now, I marle?
Of me, to hunt counter thus, and make these doubles:
And you mean no such thing as you send about.
Where is your sweetheart now, I marle?
Tub. Oh Hilts!
Hilts. I know you of old! ne'er halt afore a cripple.
Will you have a caudle? where's your grief, sir? speak.
Will you have a caudle? where's your grief, sir? speak.
Met. Do you hear, friend, do you serve this gentleman?
Hilts. How then, sir? what if I do? peradventure yea,
Peradventure nay; what's that to you, sir? say.
Peradventure nay; what's that to you, sir? say.
Met. Nay, pray you, sir, I meant no harm in truth;
But this good gentleman is arrested.
But this good gentleman is arrested.
Hilts. How!
Say me that again.
Say me that again.
Tub. Nay, Basket, never storm;
I am arrested here, upon command
From the queen's council; and I must obey.
I am arrested here, upon command
From the queen's council; and I must obey.
Met. You say, sir, very true, you must obey.
An honest gentleman, in faith!
An honest gentleman, in faith!
- ↑ You mean to make a hoiden, &c.] Dr. Johnson derives this word from the Welsh, hoeden, an awkward country girl. From the passage in the text, as well as from several others which I have met with of a similar kind, I am induced to think that hoiden was the ancient term for a leveret. It was assuredly the name of some animal remarkable for the vivacity of its motions, and was formerly applied to the youth of both sexes, though now confined to designate a wild romping girl.
