FOURTH DANE (whispering). 'Twould be safest to take him prisoner, my lord!
CHIEF (nodding). We'll take him with us to be certain.
GOODWIFE (hearing this). Yes, take him! 'Twould serve him right! He burnt my cakes just now!
CHIEF. What! Burnt your cakes?
GOODWIFE. Yes, my lord! And I'd have beaten him had not your lordship come.
CHIEF (aside to Danes). This cannot be the king.
FIRST DANE (shaking head). No king would fry cakes!
SECOND DANE (shaking head). He could not be made to fry them!
THIRD DANE (shaking head). Nor take a beating from a woman!
[The Goodwife has crept up to listen; and so overhears this last remark.]