SPEED
Why, man, how black?
LAUNCE
Why, as black as ink.
SPEED
Let me read them.
LAUNCE
Fie on thee, jolt-head! 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 St. Nicholas be thy speed!
SPEED
[Reads] 'Imprimis: 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.'