Act. III. Scene I.
Trist . Well, here we are, Scout, sound wind and limb, within the Castle. Our adventure begins under most happy auspices. Our tale of desertion passes muster, without suspicion. Our proffered assistance seems to be very acceptable: and these preparations betoken no meagre reception. One would think we had followed the heel of Victory, rather than trod on the toe of approaching Action.
Scout . Toe! brother Tristram! why 'tis the very CORN we have trod on, to tell my mind o' the matter. Would we were well thro with it. It is a project big with dangers.
Trist . Big with water, like a dropsy, you well-hunter! You swill your coward Fears with the draught of Temperance, as you call it, till every kilderkin of apprehension becomes a butt; while I, with more inebriate wisdom, never see dangers, but by reflection, on the outside of a goblet, or at the bottom of a well polished tankard; where the convexity of the medium diminishes their proportions and shrinks them into insignificance.
But away to your task. There is no time to lose. And as Providence has blest thee with a fine lying face of thy own, honour thy creator by making the most of it.
Scout . Never fear me. Remember but your own part as stoutly.
Trist . Mine. Pho! my memory is on the edge of my sword: — keen and durable. Do you but lie and wriggle and intrigue through the first part of the business — if I do not fight thro the other, may I never be drunk again with the 'Squires of the Round Table. So away to your quirks and your quibbles, and contrive to give the princess Guenever an item of what is in agitation. Remember — the lone tower is the place. You will find my Sword and me at the draw bridge, at the time appointed.
In the mean time, as I am no dab at intrigue, I will endeavour to kill time, till the time of killing arrives, with some fool's sport among these scullions.
Trist . Well, here we are, Scout, sound wind and limb, within the Castle. Our adventure begins under most happy auspices. Our tale of desertion passes muster, without suspicion. Our proffered assistance seems to be very acceptable: and these preparations betoken no meagre reception. One would think we had followed the heel of Victory, rather than trod on the toe of approaching Action.
Scout . Toe! brother Tristram! why 'tis the very CORN we have trod on, to tell my mind o' the matter. Would we were well thro with it. It is a project big with dangers.
Trist . Big with water, like a dropsy, you well-hunter! You swill your coward Fears with the draught of Temperance, as you call it, till every kilderkin of apprehension becomes a butt; while I, with more inebriate wisdom, never see dangers, but by reflection, on the outside of a goblet, or at the bottom of a well polished tankard; where the convexity of the medium diminishes their proportions and shrinks them into insignificance.
But away to your task. There is no time to lose. And as Providence has blest thee with a fine lying face of thy own, honour thy creator by making the most of it.
Scout . Never fear me. Remember but your own part as stoutly.
Trist . Mine. Pho! my memory is on the edge of my sword: — keen and durable. Do you but lie and wriggle and intrigue through the first part of the business — if I do not fight thro the other, may I never be drunk again with the 'Squires of the Round Table. So away to your quirks and your quibbles, and contrive to give the princess Guenever an item of what is in agitation. Remember — the lone tower is the place. You will find my Sword and me at the draw bridge, at the time appointed.
In the mean time, as I am no dab at intrigue, I will endeavour to kill time, till the time of killing arrives, with some fool's sport among these scullions.