No more masters now, but a mistress, if I can light on her. 873An astronomer! Of all occupations that's the worst. Yet well fare the Alchemist, for he keeps good 874fires though he gets no gold; the other stands warming himself by staring on the stars, which 875I think he can as soon number as know their virtues. He told me a long tale 876of octogessimus octavus, and the meeting of the conjunctions and planets, and in the meantime he fell 877backward himself into a pond. I asked him why he foresaw not that by the stars. He 878said he knew it but contemned it. But soft, is not this my brother Robin?

Yes, as sure as thou art Rafe.

What, Robin? What news? What fortune?

Faith, I have had but bad fortune, but I prithee tell me thine.

I have had two masters, not by art but by nature. One said that by multiplying he would make of a penny ten pound.

Ay, but could he do it?

Could he do it, quoth you? Why, man, I saw a pretty wench 886come to his shop, where with puffing, blowing, and sweating, he so plied her that he multipled her.

How?

Why he made her of one, two.

What, by fire?

No, by the philosopher's stone.

Why, have philosopher's such stones?

Ay, but they lie in a privy cupboard.

Why then thou art rich if thou have learned this cunning.

Tush, this was nothing. He would of a little fasting spittle make a 895hose and doublet of cloth of silver.

5.1.19896Robin. Would I had been with him! For I have had almost no meat but spittle since I came to the woods.

How then didst thou live?

Why, man, I served a fortune-teller, who said I should live to see 899my father hanged and both my brothers beg. So I conclude the mill shall be mine, and 900I live by imagination still.

Thy master was an ass, and looked on the lines of thy hands. 902But my other master was an astronomer, which could pick my nativity out of the stars. I 903should have half a dozen stars in my pocket if I have not lost them, but here 904they be: Sol, Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, Venus.

Why, these be but names.

5.1.24906Rafe. Ay, but by these he gathereth that I was a Jovalist born of 907a Thursday, and that I should be a brave Venerian and get all my good luck on 908a Friday.

'Tis strange that a fish day should be a flesh-day.

Robin, Venus orta mari: Venus was born of the sea, the sea will 911have fish, fish must have wine, wine will have flesh, for caro carnis genus est muliebre. But 912soft, here cometh that notable villain that once preferred me to the Alchemist.

[To himself] So I had a master, I would not care what became of me.

[Aside to Robin] Robin, thou shalt see me fit him. So I had a servant, I care neither for his conditions, his qualities, nor his person.

[Seeing them] What, Rafe? well met. No doubt you had a warm service of my master the alchemist?

'Twas warm indeed, for the fire had almost burnt out mine eyes, and 918yet my teeth still watered with hunger, so that my service was both too hot and too 919cold. I melted all my meat and made only my slumber thoughts, and so had a full 920head and an empty belly. But where hast thou been since?

With a brother of thine, I think, for he hath such a coat, 922and two brothers (as he saith) seeking of fortunes.

'Tis my brother Dick. I prithee, let's go to him.

Sirrah, what was he doing that he came not with thee?

He hath gotten a master now, that will teach him to make you 926both his younger brothers.

Ay, thou passest for devising impossibilities. That's as true as thy master could 928make silver pots of tags of points.

Nay, he will teach him to cozen you both, and so get the mill to himself.

Nay, if he be both our cozens, I will be his great grandfather, 931and Robin shall be his uncle. But, I pray thee, bring us to him quickly, for I 932am great-bellied with conceit till I see him.

Come then and go with me, and I will bring ye to him straight.