Page 463 - Shakespeare - Vol. 2

LORENZO

I shall answer that better to the commonwealth than you can the getting up
of the Negro’s belly. The Moor is with child by you, Launcelot.

LAUNCELOT
It is much that the Moor should be more [40] than reason; but if she be less
than an honest woman, she is indeed more than I took her for.

LORENZO

How every fool can play upon the word! I think the best grace of wit will
shortly turn into silence, and discourse grow commendable in none [45] only
but parrots. Go in, sirrah, bid them prepare for dinner.

LAUNCELOT
That is done, sir, they have all stomachs!

LORENZO
Goodly Lord, what a wit-snapper are you! The bid them prepare dinner. [50]

LAUNCELOT
That is done too, sir. Only ‘cover’ is the word.

LORENZO
Will you cover then, sir?

LAUNCELOT

Not so, sir, neither. I know my duty.

LORENZO

Yet more quarrelling with occasion. Wilt [55] thou show the whole wealth of
thy wit in an instant? I pray thee understand a plain man in his plain
meaning: go to thy fellows, bid them cover the table, serve in the meat, and

we will come in to dinner.

LAUNCELOT

For the table, sir, it shall be served in; for [60] the meat, sir, it shall be
covered; for your coming in to dinner, sir, why let it be as humours and