boastful knight he followed the author of _Thersites_ in his
exaggerated caricature until the least semblance of truth to nature is
banished from the portrait. It is interesting to compare him with Ralph
Roister Doister. Nevertheless if we project Sir Tophas upon the stage,
and by our imagination dress him and make him strut and gesticulate
after such a fashion as the text seems to indicate, we shall probably
discover ourselves smiling over puns and remarks which, on casual
perusal, we might pronounce flavourless imbecilities. Indeed, for sheer
laughable absurdity on the stage, Sir Tophas would be hard to beat. The
following scene will also show the decent quality of wit which Lyly
bestowed upon his Pages--lineal descendants of the old Vice through
those younger sons, Will and Jack.[53]

[SIR TOPHAS _and his page_, EPITON, _have just met_ SAMIAS _and_
DARES.]

_Tophas._ What be you two?

_Samias._ I am Samias, page to Endymion.

_Dares._ And I Dares, page to Eumenides.

_Tophas._ Of what occupation are your masters?

_Dares._ Occupation, you clown! Why, they are honourable and
warriors.

_Tophas._ Then are they my prentices.

_Dares._ Thine! And why so?