GRAVEDIGGER           What is he that builds stronger than either the mason, the shipwright or the carpenter?

2 MAN The gallows-maker, for that outlives a thousand tenants.

GRAVEDIGGER           I like thy wit well, in good faith. The gallows does well. But how does it well? It does well to those that do ill. Now, thou dost ill to say the gallows is built stronger than the church. Argal, the gallows may do well to thee. To’t again, come.     (5.1.37-45)

Now they’re into riddles, safer ground than theology or class, probably: what is he that builds stronger than either the mason, the shipwright or the carpenter? Whose constructions will outlast buildings in stone or wood, or great ships? The second man thinks he’s got this, he knows how the gravedigger’s mind works: the gallows-maker, for that outlives a thousand tenants. (Gallows humour, right there.) I like thy wit well, in good faith; you’re getting the hang of this. (Boom boom.) The gallows does well. But—no cigar. But how does it well? It does well to those that do ill. Your answer isn’t really in the spirit of my question, is it? And—a bit of a threat—now, thou dost ill to say the gallows is built stronger than the church (which would be built by mason and carpenter; he’s suggesting that it’s wrong to say that earthly justice is more powerful than divine, than the law of the church as an institution). (But mostly it’s about extending the joke.) Argal—his favourite, rank-pulling word—the gallows may do well to thee. Watch yourself, young man, or you’ll come to a bad end. To’t again, come. Have another go.