Earl of Hertford Quotes in The Prince and the Pauper (1937)

[Tom - as the prince - is signing documents]

Tom Canty: Please, sir, how much longer must I do this?

Earl of Hertford: This is the last, sire.

Tom Canty: [starts to read the document] "Authorizes an increased tax on windows..." Do you mean to say we have a tax on windows?

Earl of Hertford: May I suggest that your majesty cease troubling himself about...

Tom Canty: But I'm head of the government. It's my job to be troubled about these things. And I think a tax on windows is cruel... unjust.

Earl of Hertford: The royal treasury is empty, sire. Every means of replenishing it must be taken.

Tom Canty: Yes... but windows. Don't you see when poor people are sick, windows are the only outside they have? Why they wouldn't have anything nice to look at if it weren't for windows. And, besides... that's taxing sunshine and light, which don't belong to us at all, but to God.