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 lordship.

[_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 worship 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 worship for it. What is't your worship'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 worship 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.