Tom Canty Quotes in The Prince and the Pauper (1937)

[the boys are switching clothes - the prince holds up one of Tom's tattered garments]

Prince Edward Tudor: Are there in any vermin in this?

Tom Canty: So few you'll hardly notice them at all, your highness.

[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.

Tom Canty: If you think the food may be poisoned, why not feed it to a dog, or a plumber?