Both--I am a keeper, for I keep all I catch; and a charmer,
for I drive bad spirits out of honest men's turnips.
Woodc. Mary sain us, what be they like?
Peas. Four-legged kitchens of leather, cooking farmers' crops into
butcher's meat by night, without leave or licence.
Woodc. By token, thou'rt a deer-stealer?
Peas. Stealer, quoth he? I have dominion. I do what I like with
mine own.
Woodc. Thine own?
Peas. Yea, marry--for, saith the priest, man has dominion over the
beast of the field and the fowl of the air: so I, being as I am a
man, as men go, have dominion over the deer in my trade, as you have
in yours over sleep-mice and woodpeckers.
Woodc. Then every man has a right to be a poacher.
Peas. Every man has his gift, and the tools go to him that can use
them. Some are born workmen; some have souls above work. I'm one
of that metal. I was meant to own land, and do nothing; but the
angel that deals out babies' souls, mistook the cradles, and spoilt
a gallant gentleman! Well--I forgive him! there were many born the
same night--and work wears the wits.
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