Sil. [Singing.]
A cup of wine,
That's brisk and fine,
And drink unto the leman mine;
And a merry heart lives long-a.
Fal.
Well said, master Silence.
Sil.
If we shall be merry, now comes in the sweet of
the night.
Fal.
Health and long life to you, master Silence.
Sil.
Fill the cup, and let it come. I'll pledge you,
were't a mile to the bottom.
Shal.
Honest Bardolph, welcome; if thou want'st any
thing and wilt not call, beshrew thy heart. Welcome,
my little tiny thief, and welcome, indeed, too: I'll
drink to master Bardolph, and to all the cavileroes about
London.
Dav.
I hope to see London, ere I die.
Bard.
If I might see you there, Davy,—
Shal.
You'll crack a quart together? ha, will you
not, master Bardolph?
Bard.
Yes, Sir, in a pottle pot.
Shal.
By God's liggens, I thank thee; the knave will
stick by thee, I can assure thee that. He will not out,
he is true-bred.
Bard.
And I'll stick by him, Sir.
[One knocks at the door.
Shal.
Why, there spoke a King: lack nothing, be
merry. Look; who's at door there, ho: who knocks?
Fal.
Why, now you have done me right.
-- 534 --
Sil. [Singing.]
Do me right, and dub me Knight, Samingo.
Is't not so?
Fal.
'Tis so.
Sil.
Is't so? why, then say, an old man can do somewhat.
Dav.
If it please your Worship, there's one Pistol
come from the Court with news.
Fal.
From the Court? let him come in.
Enter Pistol.
How now, Pistol?
Pist.
Sir John, save you, Sir.
Fal.
What wind blew you hither, Pistol?
Pist.
Not the ill wind which blows no man good,
sweet Knight: thou art now one of the greatest men
in the Realm.
Sil.
Indeed, I think he be, but goodman Puff of
Barson.
Pist.
Puff?
Puff in thy teeth, most recreant coward base!
Sir John, I am thy Pistol and thy friend;
And helter skelter have I rode to thee;
And tidings do I bring, and lucky joys,
And golden times, and happy news of price.
Fal.
I pr'ythee now, deliver them like a man of this world.
Pist.
A foutra for the world and worldlings base!
I speak of Africa and golden joys.
Fal.
O base Assyrian Knight, what is thy news?
Let King Cophetua know the truth thereof.
Sil.
And Robin-hood, Scarlet, and John.
Pist.
Shall dunghill curs confront the Helicons?
And shall good news be baffled?
Then Pistol lay thy head in fury's lap.
Shal.
Honest gentleman, I know not your breeding.
Pist.
Why then, lament therefore.
-- 535 --
Shal.
Give me pardon, Sir. If, Sir, you come with
news from the Court, I take it, there is but two ways,
either to utter them, or to conceal them. I am, Sir,
under the King, in some authority.
Pist.
Under which King? Bezonian, speak or die.(36) note
Shal.
Under King Harry.
Pist.
Harry the Fourth? or Fifth?
Shal.
Harry the Fourth.
Pist.
A foutra for thine office!
Sir John, thy tender Lamb-kin now is King.
Harry the Fifth's the man. I speak the truth.
When Pistol lies, do this, and fig me like
The bragging Spaniard.
Fal.
What, is the old King dead?
Pist.
As nail in door: the things I speak are just.
Fal.
Away, Bardolph, saddle my horse. Master Robert
Shallow, chuse what office thou wilt in the Land,
'tis thine. Pistol, I will double charge thee with Dignities.
Bard.
O joyful day! I would not take a Knighthood
for my fortune.
Pist.
What? I do bring good news?
Fal.
Carry master Silence to bed: master Shallow,
my lord Shallow, be what thou wilt, I am Fortune's
Steward. Get on thy boots, we'll ride all night. Oh,
sweet Pistol! away, Bardolph: come, Pistol, utter more
to me; and withal devise something to do thy self good.
Boot, boot, master Shallow. I know, the young King
is sick for me. Let us take any man's horses: the Laws
of England are at my commandment. Happy are they
which have been my friends; and wo to my Lord Chief
Justice!
-- 536 --
Pist.
Let vultures vile seize on his lungs also!
Where is the life that late I led, say they?
Why, here it is, welcome this pleasant day.
[Exeunt.
Lewis Theobald [1733], The works of Shakespeare: in seven volumes. Collated with the Oldest Copies, and Corrected; With notes, Explanatory and Critical; By Mr. Theobald (Printed for A. Bettesworth and C. Hitch [and] J. Tonson [etc.], London) [word count] [S11201].
