# Prithee, speak'st thou to me in the honey-tongued wit of the Swan of Avon, absolute in their numbers as he conceived them **URL:** \ **Category:** Thread Games\ **Created:** [May 18, 2021, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prithee-speakst-thou-to-me-in-the-honey-tongued-wit-of-the-swan-of-avon-absolute-in-their-numbers-as-he-conceived-them/942330 "2021-05-18T00:56:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![bob\_2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bob_2/32/3341_2.png) [@bob\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bob_2)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2021, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prithee-speakst-thou-to-me-in-the-honey-tongued-wit-of-the-swan-of-avon-absolute-in-their-numbers-as-he-conceived-them/942330/41 "2021-05-19T14:58:55Z")
I do desire we may be better strangers _As You Like It, III, II_ ---
**Author:** ![Civil\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/d78d45/32.png) [@Civil\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Civil_Guy)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2021, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prithee-speakst-thou-to-me-in-the-honey-tongued-wit-of-the-swan-of-avon-absolute-in-their-numbers-as-he-conceived-them/942330/42 "2021-05-19T16:04:56Z")
Well, ’tis no matter; honour pricks me on. Yea, but how if honour prick me off when I come on? how then? Can honour set to a leg? no: or an arm? no: or take away the grief of a wound? no. Honour hath no skill in surgery, then? no. What is honour? a word. What is in that word honour? what is that honour? air. A trim reckoning! Who hath it? he that died o’ Wednesday. Doth he feel it? no. Doth he hear it? no. ‘Tis insensible, then. Yea, to the dead. But will it not live with the living? no. Why? detraction will not suffer it. Therefore I’ll none of it. Honour is a mere scutcheon: and so ends my catechism. _Henry IV, Part I, V, I_ ---
**Author:** ![Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/prof.pepperwinkle/32/13627_2.png) [@Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Prof.Pepperwinkle)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2021, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prithee-speakst-thou-to-me-in-the-honey-tongued-wit-of-the-swan-of-avon-absolute-in-their-numbers-as-he-conceived-them/942330/43 "2021-05-19T16:09:46Z")
My dear, dear Lord, The purest treasure mortal times afford Is spotless reputation; that away Men are but gilded loan or painted clay… Mine honor is my life; both grow in one; Take honor from me, and my life is done. _Richard II_, I, i ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2021, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prithee-speakst-thou-to-me-in-the-honey-tongued-wit-of-the-swan-of-avon-absolute-in-their-numbers-as-he-conceived-them/942330/44 "2021-05-19T16:35:45Z")
Now is the winter of our discontent Made glorious summer by this sun of York; And all the clouds that lour’d upon our house In the deep bosom of the ocean buried. Now are our brows bound with victorious wreaths; Our bruised arms hung up for monuments; Our stern alarums changed to merry meetings, Our dreadful marches to delightful measures. Grim-visaged war hath smooth’d his wrinkled front; And now, instead of mounting barbed steeds To fright the souls of fearful adversaries, He capers nimbly in a lady’s chamber To the lascivious pleasing of a lute. _Richard III_, I, i ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2021, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prithee-speakst-thou-to-me-in-the-honey-tongued-wit-of-the-swan-of-avon-absolute-in-their-numbers-as-he-conceived-them/942330/45 "2021-05-19T16:50:17Z")
> _Re-enter HORTENSIO, with his head broke_ > **BAPTISTA** > How now, my friend! why dost thou look so pale? > **HORTENSIO** > For fear, I promise you, if I look pale. > **BAPTISTA** > What, will my daughter prove a good musician? > **HORTENSIO** > I think she’ll sooner prove a soldier > Iron may hold with her, but never lutes. > **BAPTISTA** > Why, then thou canst not break her to the lute? > **HORTENSIO** > Why, no; for she hath broke the lute to me. > I did but tell her she mistook her frets, > And bow’d her hand to teach her fingering; > When, with a most impatient devilish spirit, > ‘Frets, call you these?’ quoth she; ‘I’ll fume with them:’ > And, with that word, she struck me on the head, > And through the instrument my pate made way; > And there I stood amazed for a while, > As on a pillory, looking through the lute; > While she did call me rascal fiddler > And twangling Jack; with twenty such vile terms, > As had she studied to misuse me so. — _The Taming of the Shrew_, II, i ---
**Author:** ![Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/prof.pepperwinkle/32/13627_2.png) [@Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Prof.Pepperwinkle)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2021, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prithee-speakst-thou-to-me-in-the-honey-tongued-wit-of-the-swan-of-avon-absolute-in-their-numbers-as-he-conceived-them/942330/46 "2021-05-19T16:58:42Z")
Do you think I am easier to be played on than a pipe? Call me what instrument you will, though you can fret me, you cannot play upon me. _Hamlet_, III, ii ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2021, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prithee-speakst-thou-to-me-in-the-honey-tongued-wit-of-the-swan-of-avon-absolute-in-their-numbers-as-he-conceived-them/942330/47 "2021-05-20T00:53:46Z")
Some men there are love not a gaping pig, Some that are mad if they behold a cat, And others, when the bagpipe sings i’ th’ nose, Cannot contain their urine. — _The Merchant of Venice_, IV, i. (This passage was clearly part of Shakespeare’s dramatic strategy to make Shylock as unsympathetic as possible.) ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2021, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prithee-speakst-thou-to-me-in-the-honey-tongued-wit-of-the-swan-of-avon-absolute-in-their-numbers-as-he-conceived-them/942330/48 "2021-05-20T02:53:41Z")
The quality of mercy is not strained. _The Merchant of Venice_, IV, i. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2021, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prithee-speakst-thou-to-me-in-the-honey-tongued-wit-of-the-swan-of-avon-absolute-in-their-numbers-as-he-conceived-them/942330/49 "2021-05-20T03:36:51Z")
It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven. — _The Merchant of Venice_ , IV, i. ---
**Author:** ![penultima\_thule](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/penultima_thule/32/3833_2.png) [@penultima\_thule](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/penultima_thule)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2021, 5:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prithee-speakst-thou-to-me-in-the-honey-tongued-wit-of-the-swan-of-avon-absolute-in-their-numbers-as-he-conceived-them/942330/50 "2021-05-20T05:22:40Z")
When shall we three meet again? In thunder, lightning, or in rain? Macbeth; I,i. ---
**Author:** ![Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/prof.pepperwinkle/32/13627_2.png) [@Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Prof.Pepperwinkle)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2021, 12:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prithee-speakst-thou-to-me-in-the-honey-tongued-wit-of-the-swan-of-avon-absolute-in-their-numbers-as-he-conceived-them/942330/51 "2021-05-20T12:08:58Z")
The clock struck nine when I did send the nurse; Romeo & Juliet, II, v ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2021, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prithee-speakst-thou-to-me-in-the-honey-tongued-wit-of-the-swan-of-avon-absolute-in-their-numbers-as-he-conceived-them/942330/52 "2021-05-20T15:34:55Z")
If we shadows have offended, Think but this, and all is mended, That you have but slumber’d here While these visions did appear. And this weak and idle theme, No more yielding but a dream, Gentles, do not reprehend: if you pardon, we will mend: And, as I am an honest Puck, If we have unearned luck Now to 'scape the serpent’s tongue, We will make amends ere long; Else the Puck a liar call; So, good night unto you all. Give me your hands, if we be friends, And Robin shall restore amends. _A Midsummer Night’s Dream_, V, i ---
**Author:** ![Civil\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/d78d45/32.png) [@Civil\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Civil_Guy)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2021, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prithee-speakst-thou-to-me-in-the-honey-tongued-wit-of-the-swan-of-avon-absolute-in-their-numbers-as-he-conceived-them/942330/53 "2021-05-20T21:26:32Z")
_Prior to the above_ I have had a dream, past the wit of man to say what dream it was: man is but an ass, if he go about to expound this dream. _A Midsummer Night’s Dream_ , IV, i _It’s been a long dream, no, year. We can agree on that, right?_ ---
**Author:** ![Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/prof.pepperwinkle/32/13627_2.png) [@Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Prof.Pepperwinkle)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2021, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prithee-speakst-thou-to-me-in-the-honey-tongued-wit-of-the-swan-of-avon-absolute-in-their-numbers-as-he-conceived-them/942330/54 "2021-05-21T00:36:53Z")
To die, to sleep; To sleep: perchance to dream: ay, there’s the rub; For in that sleep of death what dreams may come When we have shuffled off this mortal coil, Must give us pause: _Hamle_t, III, i ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2021, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prithee-speakst-thou-to-me-in-the-honey-tongued-wit-of-the-swan-of-avon-absolute-in-their-numbers-as-he-conceived-them/942330/55 "2021-05-21T03:51:44Z")
Wake Duncan with thy knocking! I would thou could’st! — _The Scots Play_, II, ii ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2021, 4:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prithee-speakst-thou-to-me-in-the-honey-tongued-wit-of-the-swan-of-avon-absolute-in-their-numbers-as-he-conceived-them/942330/56 "2021-05-21T04:21:49Z")
“For which of my bad parts didst thou first fall in love with me?” _Much Ado About Nothing_, V, ii ---
**Author:** ![Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/prof.pepperwinkle/32/13627_2.png) [@Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Prof.Pepperwinkle)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2021, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prithee-speakst-thou-to-me-in-the-honey-tongued-wit-of-the-swan-of-avon-absolute-in-their-numbers-as-he-conceived-them/942330/57 "2021-05-21T14:06:35Z")
"Zounds! What mounds! From _The Taming of the Shrew_ episode of _Moonlighting_. ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2021, 5:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prithee-speakst-thou-to-me-in-the-honey-tongued-wit-of-the-swan-of-avon-absolute-in-their-numbers-as-he-conceived-them/942330/58 "2021-05-22T05:47:26Z")
You lie, in faith, for you are called plain Kate, And bonny Kate and sometimes Kate the curst, But Kate, the prettiest Kate in Christendom, Kate of Kate Hall, my super-dainty Kate. _The Taming of the Shrew_, II, i. ---
**Author:** ![Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/prof.pepperwinkle/32/13627_2.png) [@Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Prof.Pepperwinkle)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2021, 11:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prithee-speakst-thou-to-me-in-the-honey-tongued-wit-of-the-swan-of-avon-absolute-in-their-numbers-as-he-conceived-them/942330/59 "2021-05-22T11:39:31Z")
…see how she leans her cheek upon her hand! O that i were a glove upon that hand, that i might touch that cheek! _Romeo and Juliet_, II, ii. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2021, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prithee-speakst-thou-to-me-in-the-honey-tongued-wit-of-the-swan-of-avon-absolute-in-their-numbers-as-he-conceived-them/942330/60 "2021-05-23T01:57:31Z")
Yes, py’r lady; if he has a quarter of your coat, there is but three skirts for yourself, in my simple conjectures: but that is all one. If Sir John Falstaff have committed disparagements unto you, I am of the church, and will be glad to do my benevolence to make atonements and compromises between you. _The Merry Wives of Windsor,_ I, i [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prithee-speakst-thou-to-me-in-the-honey-tongued-wit-of-the-swan-of-avon-absolute-in-their-numbers-as-he-conceived-them/942330.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prithee-speakst-thou-to-me-in-the-honey-tongued-wit-of-the-swan-of-avon-absolute-in-their-numbers-as-he-conceived-them/942330.md?page=4)