Boyet. Your nose says, no, you are not; for it stands too right.
Ber. Your nose smells 'no,' in this, most tender-smelling knight.
Prin. The conqueror is dismay'd. Proceed, good Alexander. 568
Nath. 'When in the world I liv'd, I was the world's commander;—'
Boyet. Most true; 'tis right: you were so, Alisander.
Ber. Pompey the Great,—
Cost. Your servant, and Costard. 572
Ber. Take away the conqueror, take away Alisander.
Cost. [To Nathaniel.] O! sir, you have over-
thrown Alisander the conqueror! You will be
scraped out of the painted cloth for this: your 576
lion, that holds his poll-axe sitting on a close-
stool, will be given to Ajax: he will be the ninth
Worthy. A conqueror, and afeard to speak!
run away for shame, Alisander! [Nathaniel 580
retires.] There, an 't shall please you: a foolish
mild man; an honest man, look you, and soon
dashed! He is a marvellous good neighbour,
faith, and a very good bowler; but, for Alisan- 584
der,—alas, you see how 'tis,—a little o'erparted.
But there are Worthies a-coming will speak
their mind in some other sort.
Prin. Stand aside, good Pompey. 588
Enter Pedant [Holofernes] for Judas, and the
Boy [Moth] for Hercules.
Hol. 'Great Hercules is presented by this imp,
Whose club kill'd Cerberus, that three-headed canus;
566 right: straight; cf. n.
576 painted cloth; cf. n.
577 lion . . . poll-axe; cf. n.
585 o'erparted: i.e. given a part too difficult for him
590 canus: canis, dog