g._, 'gabbling like _tinkers_,' '_alehouse_,'
squeaking out your '_cozier's_ catches' ['cozier' is 'cobbler']. Sir
Toby's puns on 'keep time' in ll. 94 and 115 ought not to be missed.
To 'keep time' is almost the only virtue a catch singer _must_ have.
_Tw._ II, iii, 18.
_Sir To._ Welcome, ass. Now _let's have a catch_.
_Sir And._ By my troth, the fool has an _excellent breast_.
I had rather than forty shillings I had such a leg, and so
_sweet a breath to sing_, as the fool has.
L. 30.
_Sir And._ Now, _a song_.
_Sir To._ Come on; there is _sixpence_ for you; let's have
_a song_.
_Sir And._ There's a _testril_ of me too; if one knight give
a----
_Clown._ Would you have a _love-song_, or a _song of good
life_?
_Sir To._ A love-song, a love-song.
_Sir And._ Ay, ay; I care not for good life.
[_Clown_ sings 'O mistress mine.']
_Sir And._ A mellifluous voice, as I am true knight.
_Sir To._ A contagious breath.
_Sir And._ Very sweet and contagious, i'faith.
_Sir To._ To _hear by the nose_, it is _dulcet in
contagion_. But shall we make the welkin dance indeed? Shall
we rouse the night-owl in a _catch_, that will _draw three
souls out of one weaver_? Shall we do that?
_Sir And._ An you love me, let's do't: I am _dog at a
catch_.
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