Page 1104 - Shakespeare - Vol. 3

ELBOW

Come, bring them away. If these be good people in a commonweal, that do
nothing but use their abuses in common houses, I know no law. Bring them
away.

ANGELO
How now sir, what’s your name? And what’s the matter? [45]

ELBOW

If it please your honour, I am the poor Duke’s constable, and my name is
Elbow. I do lean upon justice, sir, and do bring in here before your good
honour two notorious benefactors.

ANGELO
Benefactors? Well, what benefactors are they? [50] Are they not malefactors?

ELBOW
If it please your honour, I know not well what they are. But precise villains
they are, that I am sure of, and void of all profanation in the world, that good

Christians ought to have. [55]

ESCALUS
[to Angelo]
This comes off well: here’s a wise officer.

ANGELO
Go to. What quality are they of? Elbow is your name? Why dost thou not

speak, Elbow?

POMPEY

He cannot, sir: he’s out at elbow. [60]

ANGELO
What are you, sir?

ELBOW
He, sir? A tapster, sir; parcel bawd; one that serves a bad woman; whose