I tell you what, sir, as I was going a field to serve my father's great horse, & carried a bottle of hay upon my head--now do you see, sir--I, fast hoodwinked, that I could see nothing, perceiving the bear coming, I threw my hay into the hedge and ran away.

SEGASTO.

What, from nothing?

MOUSE.

I warrant you, yes, I saw something, for there was two load of thorns besides my bottle of hay, and that made three.

SEGASTO.

But tell me, sirra, the bear that thou didst see, Did she not bear a bucket on her arm?

MOUSE.

Ha, ha, ha! I never saw bear go a milking in my life. But hark you, sir, I did not look so high as her arm: I saw nothing but her white head, and her white belly.

SEGASTO.

But tell me, sirra, where dost thou dwell?

MOUSE.

Why, do you not know me?

SEGASTO.

Why no, how should I know thee?

MOUSE.

Why, then, you know no body, and you know not me. I tell you, sir, I am the goodman rats son of the next parish over the hill.

SEGASTO.

Goodman rats son: why, what's thy name?

MOUSE.

Why, I am very near kin unto him.

SEGASTO.

I think so, but what's thy name?

MOUSE.

My name? I have a very pretty name; I'll tell you what my name is: my name is Mouse.

SEGASTO.

What, plain Mouse?

MOUSE.