Let it be cast and paid.—Sir John, you shall not be excused.
SHALLOW
Check the figures and then and pay it. Sir John, you will not be excused.
DAVY
Now, sir, a new link to the bucket must needs be had. And,
sir, do you mean to stop any of William's wages about the
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sack he lost the other day at Hinckley Fair?
DAVY
Now, sir, we need some new chain for the bucket. And sir, do you plan to dock William's pay for the wine he lost at the Hinckley fair?
SHALLOW
He shall answer it. Some pigeons, Davy, a couple of short-
legged hens, a joint of mutton, and any pretty little tiny kickshaws, tell William cook.
SHALLOW
He'll pay for that. Some pigeons, Davy; a couple of short-legged hens, a leg of lamb, and any fun little fancy dishes. Tell William the cook.
DAVY
Doth the man of war stay all night, sir?
DAVY
Is the soldier staying all night?
SHALLOW
Yea, Davy. I will use him well. A friend i' th' court is better
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than a penny in purse. Use his men well, Davy, for they are
arrant knaves and will backbite.
SHALLOW
Yes, Davy. I'll take good care of him. A friend at court is better than money in your pocket. Take good care of his men, Davy. They're good-for-nothings, and they'll bite you.
DAVY
No worse than they are back-bitten, sir, for they have
marvellous foul linen.
DAVY
No worse than they're bitten, sir. Their clothes are full of lice.
SHALLOW
Well-conceited, Davy. About thy business, Davy.
SHALLOW
Good one, Davy. Get on with your work, Davy.
DAVY
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I beseech you, sir, to countenance William Visor of Woncot
against Clement Perkes o' th' hill.
DAVY
Please, sir, rule in favor of William Visor of Woncot in his lawsuit against Clement Perkes of the hill.
SHALLOW
There is many complaints, Davy, against that Visor. That
Visor is an arrant knave, on my knowledge.
SHALLOW
Davy, there are a lot of suits against that Visor. That Visor is a good-for-nothing, as best I can tell.
DAVY
I grant your Worship that he is a knave, sir, but yet, God
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forbid, sir, but a knave should have some countenance at his
friend's request. An honest man, sir, is able to speak for
himself when a knave is not. I have served your Worship
truly, sir, this eight years; an if I cannot once or twice in a
quarter bear out a knave against an honest man, I have
DAVY
I agree with your honor that he's a good-for-nothing, but God forbid that a good-for-nothing should be denied a favor when his friend asks for one on his behalf. An honest man can speak for himself, but a good-for-nothing can't. I've worked for you for eight years, sir. If I can't get you to rule in favor of a good-
