JOHN IS DRAINED AND CAST ASIDE His lordship was busy with some letters, and did not look up for a minute or two, although he knew that I was there.

Meanwhile I stood waiting to make my bow; afraid to begin upon him, and wondering at his great bull-head.

Then he closed his letters, well-pleased with their import, and fixed his bold broad stare on me, as if I were an oyster opened, and he would know how fresh I was.
'May it please your worship,' I said, 'here I am according to order, awaiting your good pleasure.' 'Thou art made to weight, John, more than order.

How much dost thou tip the scales to ?' 'Only twelvescore pounds, my lord, when I be in wrestling trim.

And sure I must have lost weight here, fretting so long in London.' 'Ha, ha! Much fret is there in thee! Hath His Majesty seen thee ?' 'Yes, my lord, twice or even thrice; and he made some jest concerning me.' 'A very bad one, I doubt not.