Page 2449 - Shakespeare - Vol. 1
P. 2449
(to Holofernes) Monsieur, are you not lettered?
MOTE
Yes, yes! He teaches boys the horn-book. What is a, b, spelt backward with
the horn on his head? [45]
HOLOFERNES
Ba, pueritia, with a horn added.
MOTE
Ba, most silly sheep with a horn. You hear his learning.
HOLOFERNES
Quis, quis, thou consonant?
MOTE
The last of the five vowels, if you repeat them; or [50] the fifth, if I.
HOLOFERNES
I will repeat them: a, e, i -
MOTE
The sheep. The other two concludes it - o, u.
ARMADO
Now, by the salt wave of the Mediterraneum, a sweet touch, a quick venue
of wit! Snip, snap, quick and [55] home! It rejoiceth my intellect. True wit!
MOTE
Offered by a child to an old man - which is witold.
HOLOFERNES
What is the figure? What is the figure?
MOTE
Horns.
HOLOFERNES
Thou disputes like an infant. Go whip thy [60] gig.
