Читать книгу The Complete Works of Shakespeare онлайн

252 страница из 942

[Enter] Speed.

Speed. How now, Signior Launce? what news with your mastership?

Launce. With my [master’s ship]? why, it is at sea.

Speed. Well, your old vice still: mistake the word. What news then in your paper?

Launce. The blackest news that ever thou heardst.

Speed. Why, man? how black?

Launce. Why, as black as ink.

Speed. Let me read them.

Launce. Fie on thee, jolthead, thou canst not read.

Speed. Thou liest; I can.

Launce. I will try thee. Tell me this: who begot thee?

Speed. Marry, the son of my grandfather.

Launce. O illiterate loiterer! it was the son of thy grandmother. This proves that thou canst not read.

Speed. Come, fool, come; try me in thy paper.

Launce. There—and Saint Nicholas be thy speed!

Speed [Reads.] “Inprimis, She can milk.”

Launce. Ay, that she can.

Speed. “Item, She brews good ale.”

Launce. And thereof comes the proverb: “Blessing of your heart, you brew good ale.”

Speed. “Item, She can sew.”

Launce. That’s as much as to say, “Can she so?”

Speed. “Item, She can knit.”