SCENE III.
Enter Hotspur solus, reading a Letter.
But for mine own part, my Lord, I could be well contended to be there,
in respect of the love I bear your House. He could be contented: Why
is he not then? in respect of the love he bears our House. He shews in
this, he loves his own Barn better than he loves our House. Let me
see some more, The purpose you undertake is dangerous. Why that's
certain: 'Tis dangerous to take a cold, to sleep, to drink: but I tell
you (my Lord Fool) out of this Nettle, Danger; we pluck this Flower,
Safety. The purpose you undertake is dangerous, the Friends you
have named uncertain, the Time it self unsorted, and your whole Plot too
light, for the counterpoize so great an Opposition. Say you so, say you
so: I say unto you again, you are a shallow cowardly Hind, and you
lye. What a Lack-brain is this? I protest, our Plot is as good a Plot as
ever was laid? our Friends true and constant: A good Plot, good Friends,
and full of Expectation: An excellent Plot, very good Friends. What a
Frosty-spirited Rogue is this? Why, my Lord of York commends the Plot,
and the general course of the action. By this hand, if I were now by this
Rascal, I could brain him with his Ladies Fan. Is there not my Father,
my Uncle, and my self, Lord Edmond Mortimer, my Lord of York, and
Owen Glendower? Is there not besides, the Dowglas? Have I not all
their Letters, to meet me in Arms by the ninth of the next Month?
and are there not some of them set forward already? What a Pagan Rascal
is this? An Infidel. Ha, you shall see now in very sincerity of fear
and cold heart, will he to the King, and lay open all our Proceedings.
O, I could divide my self, and go to buffets, for moving such a dish of
skim'd Milk with so Honourable an Action. Hang him, let him tell
the King we are prepared. I will set forwards to night.
Enter his Lady.
How now, Kate, I must leave you, within these two hours.
La.
O my good Lord, why are you thus alone?
For what Offence have I this fortnight been
A Banish'd Woman from my Harry's Bed?
Tell me (sweet Lord) what is't that takes from thee
Thy stomach, pleasure, and thy g[illeg.]en sleep?
Why dost thou bend thy Eyes upon the Earth?
And start so often when thou sitt'st alone?
O what Portents are these?
Some heavy business hath my Lord in hand,
And I must know it: else he loves me not.
Hot.
What ho; Is Gilliams with the Packet gone?
Ser.
He is, my Lord an hour agone.
Hot.
Hath Butler brought those Horses from the Sheriff?
Ser.
One Horse, my Lord, he brought even now.
-- 19 --
Hot.
What Horse? a Roan, a Crop-ear, is it not?
Ser.
It is, my Lord.
Hot.
That Roan shall be my Throne. Well, I will back him streight.
Esperance, bid Butler lead him forth into the Park.
La.
But hear you, my Lord.
Hot.
What say'st thou, my Lady?
La.
What is it that carries you away?
Hot.
Why, my Horse (my Love) my Horse.
La.
Out you mad-headed Ape, a Weazel hath not such a deal of Spleen,
as you are tost with. In sooth I'll know your business, Harry, that I
will. I fear my Brother Mortimer doth stir about his Title, and hath
sent for you to line his Enterprise. But if you go—
Hot.
So far a foot, I shall be weary, Love.
La.
Come, come, you Paraquito, answer me directly unto this Question,
that I shall ask. Indeed I'll break thy little Finger, Harry, if
thou wilt not tell me true.
Hot.
Away, away, you trifler: Love, I love thee not,
I care not for thee, Kate: this is no World
To tilt with Lips.
We must have bloody Noses and crack'd Crowns,
And pass them currant too. Gods me, my Horse.
What say'st thou, Kate? what would'st thou have with me?
La.
Do ye not love me? do you not indeed?
Well, do not then. For since you love me not,
I will not love my self. Do you not love me?
Nay, tell me if thou speakest in Jeast, or no.
Hot.
Come, wilt thou see me ride?
And when I am a Horse-back, I will swear
I love thee infinitely. But hark you, Kate,
I must not have you henceforth, question me,
Whither I go: nor reason whereabout.
Whither I must, I must: and to conclude,
This Evening must I leave thee, gentle Kate.
I know you wife, but yet no further wife
Then Harry Percies Wife. Constant you are,
But yet a Woman: and for Secrecy,
No Lady closer. For I will believe,
Thou wilt not utter what thou dost not know,
And so far will I trust thee, gentle Kate.
La.
How so far?
Hot.
Not an inch further. But hark you Kate,
Whether I go, thither shall you go too:
To day will I set forth, to morrow you.
Will this content you Kate?
La.
It must of force.
[Exeunt.
-- 20 --
Thomas Betterton [1700], K. Henry IV with the humours of Sir John Falstaff. A tragi-comedy it is Acted at the Theatre in Little-Lincolns-Inn-Fields by His Majesty's Servants. Revived, with Alterations. Written Originally by Mr. Shakespear (Printed for R.W. and Sold by John Deeve [etc.], London) [word count] [S30900].