Chapter LXVI: Act II: Scene II

Prince George arises.

_Prince George speaks._

O horrible! terrible! the like was never seen,
A man drove out of seven senses into fifteen,
And out of fifteen into four score,
O horrible! terrible! the like was ne’er before.
_Alex._ Thou silly ass, that liv’st on grass, dost thou abuse a
stranger?
I live in hopes to buy new ropes, and tie thy nose to a manger.
_P. George._ Sir, unto you I bend.
_Alex._ Stand off thou slave, I think thee not my friend.
_P. George._ A slave! Sir, that’s for me by far too base a name,
That word deserves to stab thine honour’s fame!
_Alex._ To be stabb’d, sir, is least of all my care,
Appoint your time and place, I’ll meet you there.
_P. George._ I’ll cross the water at the hour of five.
_Alex._ I’ll meet you there, sir, if I be alive.
_P. George._ But stop, sir, I’ll wish you a wife both lusty and
young,
Can talk Dutch, French, and the Italian tongue.
_Alex._ I’ll have none such.
_P. George._ Why don’t you love your learning?
_Alex._ Yes, I love my learning as I love my life,
I love a learned scholar, but not a learned wife;
Stand off, &c.
_K. of Egypt._ Sir, to express thy beauty I’m not able,
For thy face shines like the very kitchen table,
Thy teeth are no whiter than the charcoal, &c.
_Alex._ Stand off thou dirty dog, or by my sword thou’lt die,
I’ll make thy body full of holes, and cause thy buttons to fly.