Escal.
I think no less. Good morrow to your lordship. [Exit Angelo.

Now, Sir, come on: what was done to Elbow's wife, once more?

Clown.

Once, Sir? there was nothing done to her once.

Elb.

I beseech you, Sir, ask him what this man did to my wife.

Clown.

I beseech your Honour, ask me.

Escal.

Well, Sir, what did this gentleman to her?

Clown.

I beseech you, Sir, look in this gentleman's face.—Good master Froth, look upon his Honour; 'tis for a good purpose.—Doth your Honour mark his face?

Escal.

Ay, Sir, very well.

Clown.

Nay, I beseech you, mark it well.

Escal.

Well, I do so.

Clown.

Doth your Honour see any harm in his face?

Escal.

Why, no.

Clown.

I'll be suppos'd upon a book, his face is the worst thing about him. Good then; if his face be the worst thing about him, how could master Froth do the constable's wife any harm? I would know that of your Honour.

Escal.

He's in the right; constable, what say you to it?

Elb.

First, an' it like you, the house is a respected

house; next, this is a respected fellow; and his mistress is a respected woman.

Clown.

By this hand, Sir, his wife is a more respected person than any of us all.

Elb.

Varlet, thou liest; thou liest, wicked varlet; the time is yet to come, that she was ever respected with man, woman, or child.

Clown.

Sir, she was respected with him before he marry'd with her.

Escal.

Which is the wiser here? Justice, or Iniquity?^{1 note} —Is this true?

Elb.

O thou caitiff! O thou varlet! O thou wicked Hannibal! I respected with her, before I was marry'd to her? If ever I was respected with her, or she with me, let not your worship think me the poor duke's officer; prove this, thou wicked Hannibal;^{2 note} or I'll have mine action of battery on thee.

Escal.

If he took you a box o'th' ear, you might have your action of slander too.

Elb.

Marry, I thank your good worship for't. What is't your worship's pleasure I shall do with this wicked caitiff?

Escal.

Truly, officer, because he hath some offences in him, that thou wouldst discover if thou couldst, let him continue in his courses, 'till thou know'st what they are.

Elb.

Marry, I thank your worship for it; thou seest, thou wicked varlet now, what's come upon thee. Thou art to continue now, thou varlet; thou art to continue.

Escal.

Where were you born, friend?

Froth.

Here in Vienna, Sir.

Escal.

Are you of fourscore pounds a year?

Froth.

Yes, and't please you, Sir.

Escal.

So. What trade are you of, Sir?

Clown.

A tapster, a poor widow's tapster.

Escal.

Your mistress's name?

Clown.

Mistress Over-done.

Escal.

Hath she had any more than one husband?

Clown.

Nine, Sir: Over-done by the last.

Escal.

Nine? Come hither to me, master Froth. Master Froth, I would not have you acquainted with tapsters; they will draw you,^{3 note} master Froth, and you will hang them. Get you gone, and let me hear no more of you.

Froth.

I thank your worship. For mine own part, I never come into any room in a taphouse, but I am drawn in.

Escal.

Well; no more of it, master Froth; farewel.