NATHANIEL.
Where will you find men worthy enough to present them?
HOLOFERNES.
Joshua, yourself; myself; and this gallant gentleman, Judas Maccabaeus. This swain, because of his great limb or joint, shall pass Pompey the Great; the page, Hercules.
ARMADO.
Pardon, sir; error. He is not quantity enough for that Worthy’s thumb; he is not so big as the end of his club.
HOLOFERNES.
Shall I have audience? He shall present Hercules in minority. His enter and exit shall be strangling a snake; and I will have an apology for that purpose.
MOTH.
An excellent device! So, if any of the audience hiss, you may cry “Well done, Hercules, now thou crushest the snake!” That is the way to make an offence gracious, though few have the grace to do it.
ARMADO.
For the rest of the Worthies?
HOLOFERNES.
I will play three myself.
MOTH.
Thrice-worthy gentleman!
ARMADO.
Shall I tell you a thing?
HOLOFERNES.
We attend.