What cause, I know not; but, be it what it may, it taketh him hence, on what, perchance, may be his last journey.

He biddeth you remember your oath, and would have me advertise you that one Merriman hath been heard of in these parts, travelling for London, with a party, of whom one is the lady of the castle on the river, with her ward.

He is a dark mysterious man, this Irish wolf-hound of thine, my Hollander, and, did I not suspect him to have a secret tooth for the olives of Parnassus, I had not thus condescended to act as go between you.

When I enquired of him concerning her, that incomparable swan, that bright and shining star, that white snowflake, that Cupid's elder sister, my lady-love--to serve whom I counted as nought the perils of a certain fell voyage you wot of--when I enquired him of her, he asked me back, Did I desire to flounder in the castle moat?
By which talk it appeared to me much care hath weakened his mind, and I misdoubt me his present journey bodes no good.

My Hollander, I beg not any man's bread, yet am I hard put to it to show the world that heaven doth not desert her favourites.