COSTARD

Of other men's secrets, I beseech you.

FERDINAND

[Reads] 'So it is, besieged with sable-coloured
melancholy, I did commend the black-oppressing humour
to the most wholesome physic of thy health-giving
air; and, as I am a gentleman, betook myself to
walk. The time when. About the sixth hour; when
beasts most graze, birds best peck, and men sit down
to that nourishment which is called supper: so much
for the time when. Now for the ground which; which,
I mean, I walked upon: it is y-cleped thy park. Then
for the place where; where, I mean, I did encounter
that obscene and preposterous event, that draweth
from my snow-white pen the ebon-coloured ink, which
here thou viewest, beholdest, surveyest, or seest;
but to the place where; it standeth north-north-east
and by east from the west corner of thy curious-
knotted garden: there did I see that low-spirited
swain, that base minnow of thy mirth,'–

COSTARD

Me?

FERDINAND

[Reads] 'that unlettered small-knowing soul,'–

COSTARD

Me?

FERDINAND

[Reads] 'that shallow vassal,'–

COSTARD

Still me?

FERDINAND

[Reads] 'which, as I remember, hight Costard,'–

COSTARD

O, me!

FERDINAND

[Reads] 'sorted and consorted, contrary to thy
established proclaimed edict and continent canon,
which with, –O, with–but with this I passion to say
wherewith, –

COSTARD

With a wench.