Rom. Good morrow to you both. What
counterfeit did I give you? 52
Mer. The slip, sir, the slip; can you not con-
ceive?
Rom. Pardon, good Mercutio, my business
was great; and in such a case as mine a man
may strain courtesy. 57
Mer. That's as much as to say, such a case
as yours constrains a man to bow in the hams.
Rom. Meaning—to curtsy. 60
Mer. Thou hast most kindly hit it.
Rom. A most courteous exposition.
Mer. Nay, I am the very pink of courtesy.
Rom. Pink for flower. 64
Mer. Right.
Rom. Why, then, is my pump well flowered.
Mer. Sure wit! Follow me this jest now till
thou hast worn out the pump, that, when the
single sole of it is worn, the jest may remain
after the wearing sole singular.
Rom. O single-soled jest! solely singular for
the singleness. 72
Mer. Come between us, good Benvolio; my
wit faints.
Rom. Switch and spurs, switch and spurs;
or I'll cry a match. 76
Mer. Nay, if our wits run the wild-goose
chase, I am done, for thou hast more of the
wild-goose in one of thy wits than, I am sure,
I have in my whole five. Was I with you there
for the goose? 81
53 conceive: understand
61 kindly: aptly
66 well flowered; cf. n.
69 sole: here, also, 'soul'
70 sole singular: all alone
71 single-soled: contemptible, threadbare
72 singleness: triviality
75 Switch and spurs: arouse your wits
76 cry a match: say you are beaten (?)
77 wild-goose chase; cf. n.
