Master, let me take you a
buttonhole
lower.
Shakespeare
Hector will challenge him.
BEROWNE. Ay, if 'a have no more man's blood in his belly than will
sup a flea.
ARMADO. By the North Pole, I do challenge thee.
COSTARD. I will not fight with a pole, like a Northern man; I'll
slash; I'll do it by the sword. I bepray you, let me borrow my
arms again.
DUMAIN. Room for the incensed Worthies!
COSTARD. I'll do it in my shirt.
DUMAIN. Most resolute Pompey!
MOTH.
Master, let me take you a buttonhole lower. Do you not see
Pompey is uncasing for the combat? What mean you? You will lose
your reputation.
ARMADO. Gentlemen and soldiers, pardon me; I will not combat in my
shirt.
DUMAIN. You may not deny it: Pompey hath made the challenge.
ARMADO. Sweet bloods, I both may and will.
BEROWNE. What reason have you for 't?
ARMADO. The naked truth of it is: I have no shirt; I go woolward
for penance.
BOYET. True, and it was enjoined him in Rome for want of linen;
since when, I'll be sworn, he wore none but a dishclout of
Jaquenetta's, and that 'a wears next his heart for a favour.
BEROWNE. Ay, if 'a have no more man's blood in his belly than will
sup a flea.
ARMADO. By the North Pole, I do challenge thee.
COSTARD. I will not fight with a pole, like a Northern man; I'll
slash; I'll do it by the sword. I bepray you, let me borrow my
arms again.
DUMAIN. Room for the incensed Worthies!
COSTARD. I'll do it in my shirt.
DUMAIN. Most resolute Pompey!
MOTH.
Master, let me take you a buttonhole lower. Do you not see
Pompey is uncasing for the combat? What mean you? You will lose
your reputation.
ARMADO. Gentlemen and soldiers, pardon me; I will not combat in my
shirt.
DUMAIN. You may not deny it: Pompey hath made the challenge.
ARMADO. Sweet bloods, I both may and will.
BEROWNE. What reason have you for 't?
ARMADO. The naked truth of it is: I have no shirt; I go woolward
for penance.
BOYET. True, and it was enjoined him in Rome for want of linen;
since when, I'll be sworn, he wore none but a dishclout of
Jaquenetta's, and that 'a wears next his heart for a favour.