King. [reads]. ‘sorted and consorted, contrary to thy established [247] proclaimed edict and continent canon, which with,—O, with— but with this I passion to say wherewith,’—
Cost. With a wench.
King. [reads] 250 ‘with a child of our grandmother Eve, a female; [251] or, for thy more sweet understanding, a woman. Him I, as my everesteemed [252] duty pricks me on, have sent to thee, to receive the meed [253] of punishment, by thy sweet Grace’s officer, Anthony Dull; a man of good repute, carriage, bearing, and estimation.’
255 Dull. Me, an’t shall please you; I am Anthony Dull.
King. [reads]. ‘For Jaquenetta,—so is the weaker vessel called [257] which I apprehended with the aforesaid swain,—I keep her as a vessel of thy law’s fury; and shall, at the least of thy sweet notice, bring her to trial. Thine, in all compliments of devoted and heart-burning heat [260] of duty. Don Adriano de Armado.’
Biron. This is not so well as I looked for, but the best that ever I heard.
King. Ay, the best for the worst. But, sirrah, what say you to this?
265 Cost. Sir, I confess the wench.
King. Did you hear the proclamation?
Cost. I do confess much of the hearing it, but little of the marking of it.