Show me some clothes worn by kings, princes, and potentates.
Punch.
Mine friend, let me take your measure. [He takes Whetstone’s measure with a tape-line.]
Whetstone.
Do you think you can take my measure for a suitable character suit with your puny tape-line? Put up your line, and search Flatpuddle Smith’s Biography of Great Men,—although I must say there are in that book some of the biggest measures of the littlest men on earth; and besides, old Heavyweight, who made his fortune putting sand in sugar, is on the first page. They asked for sugar, and he sandpapered them. It’ll go rough with him. Peter Punch, listen to my measure. I’m a merchant prince, Mayor Whetstone, from Cornville, near the capital of Illinois, called Hercules after my grand-uncle Hercules, who drove the Indians down the Mississippi.
Punch [presenting a robe].
This is the robe that Julius Cæsar wore when he did thrice refuse the crown up at the Capitol.
Whetstone.
Why did he refuse it? Didn’t it fit him? I don’t want that.
Punch [presenting a suit].