Page 565 - Shakespeare - Vol. 4

Re-enter Gaolers.

FIRST GAOLER
Come, sir, are you ready for death?

POSTHUMUS
Over-roasted rather: ready long ago.

FIRST GAOLER
Hanging is the word, sir: if you be ready for that, you are well cook’d. [155]

POSTHUMUS
So, if I prove a good repast to the spectators, the dish pays the shot.

FIRST GAOLER
A heavy reckoning for you sir: but the comfort is you shall be called to no
more payments, fear no more tavern-bills, which are often the sadness of

parting, as the procuring of [160] mirth: you come in faint for want of meat,
depart reeling with too much drink: sorry that you have paid too much, and
sorry that you are paid too much: purse and brain, both empty: the brain the

heavier for being too light; the purse too light, being drawn of heaviness. O,
[165] of this contradiction you shall now be quit. O, the charity of a penny
cord! it sums up thousands in a trice: you have no true debitor and creditor
but it: of what’s past, is, and to come, the discharge: your neck, sir, is pen,
book, and counters; so the acquittance follows. [170]

POSTHUMUS
I am merrier to die than thou art to live.

FIRST GAOLER
Indeed sir, he that sleeps feels not the toothache: but a man that were to
sleep your sleep, and a hangman to help him to bed, I think he would change
places with his officer: for, [175] look you, sir, you know not which way you

shall go.

POSTHUMUS

Yes, indeed do I, fellow.