Smith. Well, Ned, what think you now?
Johns. A devil, this is worst of all: Mr. Bayes, pray what's the meaning of this scene?
Bayes. O cry you mercy, sir: I protest I had forgot to tell you. Why, sir, you must know, that long before the beginning of this play, this prince was taken by a fisherman.
Smith. How, sir, taken prisoner?
Bayes. Taken prisoner! O Lord, what a question's there! did ever any man ask such a questions? Plague on him, he has put the plot quite out of my head with this—this—question! what was I going to say?
Johns. Nay, Heaven knows: I cannot imagine.
Bayes. Stay, let me see: taken! O 'tis true. Why, sir, as I was going to say, his highness here, the prince, was taken in a cradle by a fisherman, and brought up as his child!
Smith. Indeed!
Bayes. Nay, prithee, hold thy peace. And so, sir, this murder being committed by the river-side, the fisherman, upon suspicion, was seiz'd, and thereupon the prince grew angry.
Smith. So, so; now 'tis very plain.