COSTARD

O Lord, sir, they would know
Whether the three Worthies shall come in or no.

BIRON

What, are there but three?

COSTARD

No, sir; but it is vara fine,
For every one pursents three.

BIRON

And three times thrice is nine.

COSTARD

Not so, sir; under correction, sir; I hope it is not so.
You cannot beg us, sir, I can assure you, sir we know
what we know:
I hope, sir, three times thrice, sir, –

BIRON

Is not nine.

COSTARD

Under correction, sir, we know whereuntil it doth amount.

BIRON

By Jove, I always took three threes for nine.

COSTARD

O Lord, sir, it were pity you should get your living
by reckoning, sir.

BIRON

How much is it?

COSTARD

O Lord, sir, the parties themselves, the actors,
sir, will show whereuntil it doth amount: for mine
own part, I am, as they say, but to parfect one man
in one poor man, Pompion the Great, sir.

BIRON

Art thou one of the Worthies?

COSTARD

It pleased them to think me worthy of Pompion the
Great: for mine own part, I know not the degree of
the Worthy, but I am to stand for him.

BIRON

Go, bid them prepare.