Page 1106 - Shakespeare - Vol. 3

Sir, if it please your honour, this is not so.

ELBOW
Prove it before these varlets here, thou honourable man, prove it. [85]

ESCALUS
[to Angelo]
Do you hear how he misplaces?

POMPEY
Sir, she came in great with child, and longing, saving your honours’
reverence, for stewed prunes; sir, we had but two in the house, which at that

very distant time stood as it were in a fruit-dish, a dish of some three [90]
pence, your honours have seen such dishes, they are not china dishes, but
very good dishes −

ESCALUS
Go to, go to: no matter for the dish, sir.

POMPEY

No indeed, sir, not of a pin: you are therein in the right: but to the point. As I
say, this Mistress Elbow [95] being, as I say, with child, and being great-
bellied, and 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 [100] not give you three pence again −

FROTH
No, indeed.

POMPEY
Very well: you being then, if you be remembered, cracking the stones of the
foresaid prunes −

FROTH
Ay, so I did indeed. [105]