Measure for Measure Part 6

_Pom._ No, indeed, sir, not of a pin; you are therein in the right: but to the point. As I say, this Mistress Elbow, being, as I say, with child, and being great-bellied, and 95 longing, as I said, for prunes; and having but two in the dish, as I said, Master Froth here, this very man, having eaten the rest, as I said, and, as I say, paying for them very honestly; for, as you know, Master Froth, I could not give you three-pence again. 100

_Froth._ No, indeed.

_Pom._ Very well;--you being then, if you be remembered, cracking the stones of the foresaid prunes,--

_Froth._ Ay, so I did indeed.

_Pom._ Why, very well; I telling you then, if you be remembered, 105 that such a one and such a one were past cure of the thing you wot of, unless they kept very good diet, as I told you,--

_Froth._ All this is true.

_Pom._ Why, very well, then,-- 110

_Escal._ Come, you are a tedious fool: to the purpose.

What was done to Elbow's wife, that he hath cause to complain of? Come me to what was done to her.

_Pom._ Sir, your honour cannot come to that yet.

_Escal._ No, sir, nor I mean it not. 115

_Pom._ Sir, but you shall come to it, by your honour's leave. And, I beseech you, look into Master Froth here, sir; a man of fourscore pound a year; whose father died at Hallowmas:--was't not at Hallowmas, Master Froth?--

_Froth._ All-hallond eve. 120

_Pom._ Why, very well; I hope here be truths. He, sir, sitting, as I say, in a lower chair, sir; 'twas in the Bunch of Grapes, where, indeed, you have a delight to sit, have you not?

_Froth._ I have so; because it is an open room, and 125 good for winter.

_Pom._ Why, very well, then; I hope here be truths.

_Ang._ This will last out a night in Russia, When nights are longest there: I'll take my leave, And leave you to the hearing of the cause; 130 Hoping you'll find good cause to whip them all.

_Escal._ I think no less. Good morrow to your lords.h.i.+p.

[_Exit Angelo._

Now, sir, come on: what was done to Elbow's wife, once more?

_Pom._ Once, sir? there was nothing done to her once. 135

_Elb._ I beseech you, sir, ask him what this man did to my wife.

_Pom._ I beseech your honour, ask me.

_Escal._ Well, sir; what did this gentleman to her?

_Pom._ I beseech you, sir, look in this gentleman's face. 140 Good Master Froth, look upon his honour; 'tis for a good purpose. Doth your honour mark his face?

_Escal._ Ay, sir, very well.

_Pom._ Nay, I beseech you, mark it well.

_Escal._ Well, I do so. 145

_Pom._ Doth your honour see any harm in his face?

_Escal._ Why, no.

_Pom._ I'll be supposed upon a book, his face is the worst thing about him. Good, then; if his face be the worst thing about him, how could Master Froth do the constable's 150 wife any harm? I would know that of your honour.

_Escal._ He's in the right. Constable, what say you to it?

_Elb._ First, an it like you, the house is a respected house; next, this is a respected fellow; and his mistress is a respected woman. 155

_Pom._ By this hand, sir, his wife is a more respected person than any of us all.

_Elb._ Varlet, thou liest; thou liest, wicked varlet! the time is yet to come that she was ever respected with man, woman, or child. 160

_Pom._ Sir, she was respected with him before he married with her.

_Escal._ Which is the wiser here? Justice or Iniquity?

Is this true?

_Elb._ O thou caitiff! O thou varlet! O thou wicked 165 Hannibal! I respected with her before I was married to her! If ever I was respected with her, or she with me, let not your wors.h.i.+p think me the poor duke's officer. Prove this, thou wicked Hannibal, or I'll have mine action of battery on thee. 170

_Escal._ If he took you a box o' th' ear, you might have your action of slander too.

_Elb._ Marry, I thank your good wors.h.i.+p for it. What is't your wors.h.i.+p's pleasure I shall do with this wicked caitiff? 175

_Escal._ Truly, officer, because he hath some offences in him that thou wouldst discover if thou couldst, let him continue in his courses till thou knowest what they are.

_Elb._ Marry, I thank your wors.h.i.+p for it. Thou seest, thou wicked varlet, now, what's come upon thee: thou art 180 to continue now, thou varlet; thou art to continue.

_Escal._ Where were you born, friend?

_Froth._ Here in Vienna, sir.

_Escal._ Are you of fourscore pounds a year?

_Froth._ Yes, an't please you, sir. 185

_Escal._ So. What trade are you of, sir?

_Pom._ A tapster; a poor widow's tapster.

_Escal._ Your mistress' name?

_Pom._ Mistress Overdone.