Page 613 - Shakespeare - Vol. 3

CLOWN

Truly, sir, the better for my foes, and the worse [10] for my friends.

DUKE
Just the contrary: the better for thy friends.

CLOWN
No, sir, the worse.

DUKE
How can that be?

CLOWN
Marry, sir, they praise me, and make an ass of [15] me. Now my foes tell me

plainly I am an ass: so that by my foes, sir, I profit in the knowledge of
myself, and by my friends I am abused. So that, conclusions to be as kisses, if
your four negatives make your two affirmatives, why then the worse for my
friends, and the better [20] for my foes.

DUKE
Why, this is excellent.

CLOWN
By my troth, sir, no: though it please you to be one of my friends.

DUKE

Thou shalt not be the worse for me: there’s gold. [25]

CLOWN

But that it would be double-dealing, sir, I would you could make it another.

DUKE
O, you give me ill counsel.

CLOWN
Put your grace in your pocket, sir, for this once, and let your flesh and blood
obey it. [30]