AUTOLYCUS I know you are now, sir, a gentleman born.
Clown Ay, and have been so any time these four hours.
Shepherd And so have I, boy.
Clown So you have: but I was a gentleman born before my
father; for the king's son took me by the hand, and
called me brother; and then the two kings called my
father brother; and then the prince my brother and
the princess my sister called my father father; and
so we wept, and there was the first gentleman-like
tears that ever we shed.
Shepherd We may live, son, to shed many more.
Clown Ay; or else 'twere hard luck, being in so
preposterous estate as we are.
AUTOLYCUS I humbly beseech you, sir, to pardon me all the
faults I have committed to your worship and to give
me your good report to the prince my master.
Shepherd Prithee, son, do; for we must be gentle, now we are
gentlemen.
Clown Thou wilt amend thy life?
AUTOLYCUS Ay, an it like your good worship.
Clown Give me thy hand: I will swear to the prince thou
art as honest a true fellow as any is in Bohemia.
Shepherd You may say it, but not swear it.
Clown Not swear it, now I am a gentleman? Let boors and
franklins say it, I'll swear it.
Shepherd How if it be false, son?
Clown If it be ne'er so false, a true gentleman may swear
it in the behalf of his friend: and I'll swear to
the prince thou art a tall fellow of thy hands and
that thou wilt not be drunk; but I know thou art no
tall fellow of thy hands and that thou wilt be
drunk: but I'll swear it, and I would thou wouldst
be a tall fellow of thy hands.
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