FROTH.
I have so, because it is an open room, and good for winter.
POMPEY.
Why, very well then. I hope here be truths.
ANGELO.
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;
Hoping you’ll find good cause to whip them all.
ESCALUS.
I think no less. Good morrow to your lordship.
[_Exit Angelo._]
Now, sir, come on. What was done to Elbow’s wife, once more?
POMPEY.
Once, sir? There was nothing done to her once.
ELBOW.
I beseech you, sir, ask him what this man did to my wife.
POMPEY.
I beseech your honour, ask me.
ESCALUS.
Well, sir, what did this gentleman to her?
POMPEY.
I beseech you, sir, look in this gentleman’s face. Good Master Froth,
look upon his honour; ’tis for a good purpose.—Doth your honour mark
his face?
ESCALUS.
Ay, sir, very well.
POMPEY.
Nay, I beseech you, mark it well.
ESCALUS.
Well, I do so.
POMPEY.
Doth your honour see any harm in his face?
ESCALUS.
Why, no.
POMPEY.
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 wife any harm? I would know that of your
honour.
ESCALUS.
He’s in the right. Constable. What say you to it?
ELBOW.
First, an it like you, the house is a respected house; next, this is a
respected fellow; and his mistress is a respected woman.
POMPEY.
By this hand, sir, his wife is a more respected person than any of us
all.
ELBOW.
Varlet, thou liest; thou liest, wicked varlet! The time is yet to come
that she was ever respected with man, woman, or child.
POMPEY.
Sir, she was respected with him before he married with her.
ESCALUS.
Which is the wiser here, Justice or Iniquity? Is this true?
ELBOW.
O thou caitiff! O thou varlet! O thou wicked 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.
ESCALUS.
If he took you a box o’ th’ ear, you might have your action of slander
too.
ELBOW.
Marry, I thank your good worship for it. What is’t your worship’s
pleasure I shall do with this wicked caitiff?
ESCALUS.
Truly, officer, because he hath some offences in him that thou wouldst
discover if thou couldst, let him continue in his courses till thou
know’st what they are.
ELBOW.
Marry, I thank your worship for it.—Thou seest, thou wicked varlet,
now, what’s come upon thee. Thou art to continue now, thou varlet, thou
art to continue.
ESCALUS.
[_To Froth_.] Where were you born, friend?
FROTH.
Here in Vienna, sir.
ESCALUS.
Are you of fourscore pounds a year?
FROTH.
Yes, an’t please you, sir.
ESCALUS.
So. [_To Pompey_.] What trade are you of, sir?
POMPEY.
A tapster, a poor widow’s tapster.
ESCALUS.
Your mistress’ name?
POMPEY.
Mistress Overdone.
ESCALUS.
Hath she had any more than one husband?
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