Anon, anon, sir.—Look down into the Pomgarnet, Ralph.
FRANCIS
Just a second, sir.—Ralph, make sure everything's okay in the Pomegranate Room!
PRINCE HENRY
Come hither, Francis.
PRINCE HENRY
Come here, Francis.
FRANCIS
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My lord?
FRANCIS
Sir?
PRINCE HENRY
How long hast thou to serve, Francis?
PRINCE HENRY
How many more years of your apprenticeship do you have, Francis?
FRANCIS
Forsooth, five years, and as much as to—
FRANCIS
Truly, five years, which is as long —
POINS
(within) Francis!
POINS
(offstage) Francis!
FRANCIS
Anon, anon, sir.
FRANCIS
Just a second, sir!
PRINCE HENRY
40
Five year! By 'r lady, a long lease for the clinking of pewter!
But, Francis, darest thou be so valiant as to play the coward
with thy indenture, and show it a fair pair of heels, and run
from it?
PRINCE HENRY
Five years! Wow, that's a long time to be clinking beer mugs. But Francis, are you brave enough to play the coward with your contract? To flash it your heels, as you run away?
FRANCIS
O Lord, sir, I'll be sworn upon all the books in England, I
45
could find in my heart—
FRANCIS
Oh Lord, sir. I'd swear on a stack of Bibles that I'd love to be able to—
