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William Shakespeare, 1564-1616 [1623], Mr. William Shakespeares comedies, histories, & tragedies. Published according to the True Originall Copies (Printed by Isaac Iaggard, and Ed. Blount, London) [word count] [S10801].
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Actus Quintus.

Scœna Prima. Enter Shallow, Silence, Falstaffe, Bardolfe, Page, and Dauie.

Shal.
By Cocke and Pye, you shall not away to night.
What Dauy, I say.

Fal.
You must excuse me, M. Robert Shallow.

Shal.

I will not excuse you: you shall not be excused. Excuses shall not be admitted: there is no excuse shall serue: you shall not be excus'd.


Why Dauie.

Dauie.

Here sir.

Shal.

Dauy, Dauy, Dauy, let me see (Dauy) let me see: William Cooke, bid him come hither. Sir Iohn, you shal not be excus'd.

Dauy.

Marry sir, thus: those Precepts cannot bee seru'd: and againe sir, shall we sowe the head-land with Wheate?

Shal.

With red Wheate Dauy. But for William Cook: are there no yong Pigeons?

Dauy.
Yes Sir.
Heere is now the Smithes note, for Shooing,
And Plough-Irons.

Shal.

Let it be cast, and payde: Sir Iohn, you shall not be excus'd.

Dauy.

Sir, a new linke to the Bucket must needes bee had: And Sir, doe you meane to stoppe any of Williams Wages, about the Sacke he lost the other day, at Hinckley Fayre?

Shal.

He shall answer it: Some Pigeons Dauy, a couple of short-legg'd Hennes: a ioynt of Mutton, and any pretty little tine Kickshawes, tell William Cooke.

Dauy.

Doth the man of Warre, stay all night sir?

Shal.

Yes Dauy: I will vse him well. A Friend i'th Court, is better then a penny in purse. Vse his men well Dauy, for they are arrant Knaues, and will backe-bite.

Dauy.

No worse then they are bitten. sir: For they haue maruellous fowle linnen.

Shallow.

Well conceited Dauy: about thy Businesse, Dauy.

Dauy.

I beseech you sir, To countenance William Uisor of Woncot, against Clement Perkes of the hill.

Shal.

There are many Complaints Dauy, against that Uisor, that Uisor is an arrant Knaue, on my knowledge.

Dauy.

I (graunt your Worship, that he is a knaue Sir:) But yet heauen forbid Sir, but a Knaue should haue some Countenance, at his Friends request. An honest man sir, is able to speake for himselfe, when a Knaue is not. I haue seru'd your Worshippe truely sir, these eight yeares: and if I cannot once or twice in a Quarter beare out a knaue, against an honest man, I haue but a very litle credite with your Worshippe. The Knaue is mine honest Friend Sir, therefore I beseech your Worship, let him bee Countenanc'd.

Shal.
Go too,
I say he shall haue no wrong: Looke about Dauy.
Where are you Sir Iohn? Come, off with your Boots.
Giue me your hand M. Bardolfe.

Bard.
I am glad to see your Worship.

Shal.
I thanke thee, with all my heart, kinde Master
Bardolfe: and welcome my tall Fellow:
Come Sir Iohn.

Falstaffe.

Ile follow you, good Master Robert Shallow. Bardolfe, looke to our Horsses. If I were saw'de into Quantities, I should make foure dozen of such bearded Hermites staues, as Master Shallow. It is a wonderfull thing to see the semblable Coherence of his mens spirits, and his: They, by obseruing of him, do beare themselues like foolish Iustices: Hee, by conuersing with them, is turn'd into a Iustice-like Seruingman. Their spirits are so married in Coniunction, with the participation of Society, that they flocke together in consent, like so many Wilde-Geese. If I had a suite to Mayster Shallow, I would humour his men, with the imputation of beeing neere their Mayster. If to his Men, I would currie with Maister Shallow, that no man could better command his Seruants. It is certaine, that either wise bearing, or ignorant Carriage is caught, as men take diseases, one of another: therefore, let men take heede of their Companie. I will deuise matter enough out of this Shallow, to keepe Prince Harry in continuall Laughter, the wearing out of sixe Fashions (which is foure Tearmes) or two Actions, and he shall laugh with Interuallums. O it is much that a Lye (with a slight Oath) and a iest (with a sadde) brow) will doe, with a Fellow, that neuer had the Ache in his shoulders. O you shall see him laugh, till his Face be like a wet Cloake, ill laid vp.

Shal.
Sir Iohn.

Falst.
I come Master Shallow, I come Master Shallow.
Exeunt

Scena Secunda. Enter the Earle of Warwicke, and the Lord Chiefe Iustice.

Warwicke.

How now, my Lord Chiefe Iustice, whether away?

Ch. Iust.
How doth the King?

Warw.
Exceeding well: his Cares
Are now, all ended.

Ch. Iust.
I hope, not dead.

Warw.
Hee's walk'd the way of Nature,
And to our purposes, he liues no more.

Ch. Iust.
I would his Maiesty had call'd me with him,
The seruice, that I truly did his life,
Hath left me open to all iniuries.

-- 97 --

War.
Indeed I thinke the yong King loues you not.

Ch. Iust.
I know he doth not, and do arme my selfe
To welcome the condition of the Time,
Which cannot looke more hideously vpon me,
Then I haue drawne it in my fantasie.
Enter Iohn of Lancaster, Gloucester, and Clarence.

War.
Heere come the heauy Issue of dead Harrie:
O, that the liuing Harrie had the temper
Of him, the worst of these three Gentlemen:
How many Nobles then, should hold their places,
That must strike saile, to Spirits of vilde sort?

Ch. Iust.
Alas, I feare, all will be ouer-turn'd.

Iohn.
Good morrow Cosin Warwick, good morrow.

Glou. Cla.
Good morrow, Cosin.

Iohn.
We meet, like men, that had forgot to speake.

War.
We do remember: but our Argument
Is all too heauy, to admit much talke.

Ioh.
Well: Peace be with him, that hath made vs heauy

Ch. Iust.
Peace be with vs, least we be heauier.

Glou.
O, good my Lord, you haue lost a friend indeed:
And I dare sweare, you borrow not that face
Of seeming sorrow, it is sure your owne.

Iohn.
Though no man be assur'd what grace to finde,
You stand in coldest expectation.
I am the sorrier, would 'twere otherwise.

Cla.
Wel, you must now speake Sir Iohn Falstaffe faire,
Which swimmes against your streame of Quality.

Ch. Iust.
Sweet Princes: what I did, I did in Honor,
Led by th'Imperiall Conduct of my Soule,
And neuer shall you see, that I will begge
A ragged, and fore-stall'd Remission.
If Troth, and vpright Innocency fayle me,
Ile to the King (my Master) that is dead,
And tell him, who hath sent me after him.

War.
Heere comes the Prince.
Enter Prince Henrie.

Ch. Iust.
Good morrow: and heauen saue your Maiesty

Prince.
This new, and gorgeous Garment, Maiesty,
Sits not so easie on me, as you thinke.
Brothers, you mixe your Sadnesse with some Feare:
This is the English, not the Turkish Court:
Not Amurah, an Amurah succeeds,
But Harry, Harry: Yet be sad (good Brothers)
For (to speake truth) it very well becomes you:
Sorrow, so Royally in you appeares,
That I will deeply put the Fashion on,
And weare it in my heart. Why then be sad,
But entertaine no more of it (good Brothers)
Then a ioynt burthen, laid vpon vs all.
For me, by Heauen (I bid you be assur'd)
Ile be your Father, and your Brother too:
Let me but beare your Loue, Ile beare your Cares;
But weepe that Horrie's dead, and so will I.
But Harry liues, that shall conuert those Teares
By number, into houres of Happinesse.

Iohn, &c.
We hope no other from your Maiesty.

Prin.
You all looke strangely on me: and you most,
You are (I thinke) assur'd, I loue you not.

Ch. Iust.
I am assur'd (if I be measur'd rightly)
Your Maiesty hath no iust cause to hate mee.

Pr.
No? How might a Prince of my great hopes forget
So great Indignities you laid vpon me?
What? Rate? Rebuke? and roughly send to Prison
Th'immediate Heire of England? Was this easie?
May this be wash'd in Lethe, and forgotten?

Ch. Iust.
I then did vse the Person of your Father:
The Image of his power, lay then in me,
And in th'administration of his Law,
Whiles I was busie for the Commonwealth,
Your Highnesse pleased to forget my place,
The Maiesty, and power of Law, and Iustice,
The Image of the King, whom I presented,
And strooke me in my very Seate of Iudgement:
Whereon (as an Offender to your Father)
I gaue bold way to my Authority,
And did commit you. If the deed were ill,
Be you contented, wearing now the Garland,
To haue a Sonne, set your Decrees at naught?
To plucke downe Iustice from your awefull Bench?
To trip the course of Law, and blunt the Sword
That guards the peace, and safety of your Person?
Nay more, to spurne at your most Royall Image,
And mocke your workings, in a Second body?
Question your Royall Thoughts, make the case yours:
Be now the Father, and propose a Sonne:
Heare your owne dignity so much prophan'd,
See your most dreadfull Lawes, so loosely slighted;
Behold your selfe, so by a Sonne disdained:
And then imagine me, taking you part,
And in your power, soft silencing your Sonne:
After this cold considerance, sentence me;
And, as you are a King, speake in your State,
What I haue done, that misbecame my place,
My person, or my Lieges Soueraigntie.

Prin.
You are right Iustice, and you weigh this well:
Therefore still beare the Ballance, and the Sword:
And I do wish your Honors may encrease,
Till you do liue, to see a Sonne of mine
Offend you, and obey you, as I did.
So shall I liue, to speake my Fathers words:
Happy am I, that haue a man so bold,
That dares do Iustice, on my proper Sonne;
And no lesse happy, hauing such a Sonne,
That would deliuer vp his Greatnesse so,
Into the hands of Iustice. You did commit me:
For which, I do commit into your hand,
Th'vnstained Sword that you haue vs'd to beare:
With this Remembrance; That you vse the same
With the like bold, iust, and impartiall spirit
As you haue done 'gainst me. There is my hand,
You shall be as a Father, to my Youth:
My voice shall sound, as you do prompt mine eare,
And I will stoope, and humble my Intents,
To your well-practis'd, wise Directions.
And Princes all, beleeue me, I beseech you:
My Father is gone wilde into his Graue,
(For in his Tombe, lye my Affections)
And with his Spirits, sadly I suruiue,
To mocke the expectation of the World;
To frustrate Prophesies, and to race out
Rotten Opinion, who hath writ me downe
After my seeming. The Tide of Blood in me,
Hath prowdly flow'd in Vanity, till now.
Now doth it turne, and ebbe backe to the Sea,
Where it shall mingle with the state of Floods,
And flow henceforth in formall Maiesty.
Now call we our High Court of Parliament,
And let vs choose such Limbes of Noble Counsaile,

-- 98 --


That the great Body of our State may go
In equall ranke, with the best gouern'd Nation,
That Warre, or Peace, or both at once may be
As things acquainted and familiar to vs,
In which you (Father) shall haue formost hand.
Our Coronation done, we will accite
(As I before remembred) all our State,
And heauen (consigning to my good intents)
No Prince, nor Peere, shall haue iust cause to say,
Heauen shorten Harries happy life, one day. Exeunt.

Scena Tertia. Enter Falstaffe, Shallow, Silence, Bardolfe, Page, and Pistoll.

Shal.

Nay, you shall see mine Orchard: where, in an Arbor we will eate a last yeares Pippin of my owne graffing, with a dish of Carrawayes, and so forth. (Come Cosin Silence, and then to bed.

Fal.

You haue heere. a goodly dwelling, and a rich.

Shal.

Barren, barren, barren: Beggers all, beggers all Sir Iohn: Marry, good ayre. Spread Dauy, spread Dauie: Well said Dauie.

Falst.

This Dauie serues you for good vses: he is your Seruingman, and your Husband.

Shal.

A good Varlet, a good Varlet, a very good Varlet, Sir Iohn: I haue drunke too much Sacke at Supper. A good Varlet. Now sit downe, now sit downe: Come Cosin.

Sil.

Ah sirra (quoth-a) we shall doe nothing but eate, and make good cheere, and praise heauen for the merrie yeere: when flesh is cheape, and Females deere, and lustie Lads rome heere, and there: so merrily, and euer among so merrily.

Fal.

There's a merry heart, good M. Silence, Ile giue you a health for that anon.

Shal.

Good M. Bardolfe: some wine, Dauie.

Da.

Sweet sir, sit: Ile be with you anon: most sweete sir, sit. Master Page, good M. Page, sit: Proface. What you want in meate, wee'l haue in drinke: but you beare, the heart's all.

Shal.

Be merry M. Bardolfe, and my little Souldiour there, be merry.

Sil.
Be merry, be merry, my wife ha's all:
For women are Shrewes, both short, and tall:
'Tis merry in Hall, when Beards wagge all;
And welcome merry Shrouetide. Be merry, be merry.

Fal.

I did not thinke M. Silence had bin a man of this Mettle.

Sil.

Who I? I haue beene merry twice and once, ere now.

Dauy.

There is a dish of Lether-coats for you.

Shal.

Dauie.

Dau.

Your Worship: Ile be with you straight. A cup of Wine, sir?

Sil.

A Cup of Wine, that's briske and fine, & drinke vnto the Leman mine: and a merry heart liues long-a.

Fal.

Well said, M. Silence.

Sil.

If we shall be merry, now comes in the sweete of the night.

Fal.

Health, and long life to you, M. Silence.

Sil.

Fill the Cuppe, and let it come. Ile pledge you a mile to the bottome.

Shal.

Honest Bardolfe, welcome: If thou want'st any thing, and wilt not call, beshrew thy heart. Welcome my little tyne theefe, and welcome indeed too: Ile drinke to M. Bardolfe, and to all the Cauileroes about London.

Dau.

I hope to see London, once ere I die.

Bar.

If I might see you there, Dauie.

Shal.

You'l cracke a quart together? Ha, will you not M. Bardolfe?

Bar.

Yes Sir, in a pottle pot.

Shal.

I thanke thee: the knaue will sticke by thee, I can assure thee that. He will not out, he is true bred.

Bar.

And Ile sticke by him, sir.

Shal.

Why there spoke a King: lack nothing, be merry. Looke, who's at doore there, ho: who knockes?

Fal

Why now you haue done me right.

Sil.

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 somwhat.

Dau.

If it please your Worshippe, there's one Pistoll come from the Court with newes.

Fal.
From the Court? Let him come in. Enter Pistoll.
How now Pistoll?

Pist.
Sir Iohn, 'saue you sir.

Fal.
What winde blew you hither, Pistoll?

Pist.

Not the ill winde which blowes none to good, sweet Knight: Thou art now one of the greatest men in the Realme.

Sil.

Indeed, I thinke he bee, but Goodman Puffe of Barson.

Pist.

Puffe? puffe in thy teeth, most recreant Coward base. Sir Iohn, I am thy Pistoll, and thy Friend: helter skelter haue I rode to thee, and tydings do I bring, and luckie ioyes, and golden Times, and happie Newes of price.

Fal.

I prethee now deliuer them, like a man of this World.

Pist.
A footra for the World, and Worldlings base,
I speake of Affrica, and Golden ioyes.

Fal.
O base Assyrian Knight, what is thy newes?
Let King Couitha know the truth thereof.

Sil.
And Robin-hood, Scarlet, and Iohn.

Pist.
Shall dunghill Curres confront the Hellicons?
And shall good newes be baffel'd?
Then Pistoll lay thy head in Furies lappe.

Shal.
Honest Gentleman,
I know not your breeding.

Pist.
Why then Lament therefore.

Shal.

Giue me pardon, Sir. If sir, you come with news from the Court, I take it, there is but two wayes, either to vtter them, or to conceale them. I am Sir, vnder the King, in some Authority.

Pist.
Vnder which King?
Bezonian, speake, or dye.

Shal.
Vnder King Harry.

Pist.
Harry the Fourth? or Fift?

Shal.
Harry the Fourth.

Pist.
A footra for thine Office.
Sir Iohn, thy tender Lamb-kinne, now is King,
Harry the Fift's the man, I speake the truth.
When Pistoll lyes, do this, and figge-me, like
The bragging Spaniard.

-- 99 --

Fal.
What, is the old King dead?

Pist.
As naile in doore.
The things I speake, are iust.

Fal.
Away Bardolfe, Sadle my Horse,
Master Robert Shallow, choose what Office thou wilt
In the Land, 'tis thine. Pistol, I will double charge thee
With Dignities.

Bard.
O ioyfull day:
I would not take a Knighthood for my Fortune.

Pist.
What? I do bring good newes.

Fal.

Carrie Master Silence to bed: Master Shallow, my Lord Shallow, be what thou wilt, I am Fortunes Steward. Get on thy Boots, wee'l ride all night. Oh sweet Pistoll: Away Bardolfe: Come Pistoll, vtter more to mee: and withall deuise something to do thy selfe good. Boote, boote Master Shallow, I know the young King is sick for mee. Let vs take any mans Horsses: The Lawes of England are at my command'ment. Happie are they, which haue beene my Friendes: and woe vnto my Lord Chiefe Iustice.

Pist.
Let Vultures vil'de seize on his Lungs also:
Where is the life that late I led, say they?
Why heere it is, welcome those pleasant dayes.
Exeunt

Scena Quarta. Enter Hostesse Quickly, Dol Teare-sheete, and Beadles.

Hostesse.

No, thou arrant knaue: I would I might dy, that I might haue thee hang'd: Thou hast drawne my shoulder out of ioynt.

Off.

The Constables haue deliuer'd her ouer to mee: and shee shall haue Whipping cheere enough, I warrant her. There hath beene a man or two (lately) kill'd about her.

Dol.

Nut-hooke, nut-hooke, you Lye: Come on, Ile tell thee what, thou damn'd Tripe-visag'd Rascall, if the Childe I now go with, do miscarrie, thou had'st better thou had'st strooke thy Mother, thou Paper-fac'd Villaine.

Host.

O that Sir Iohn were come, hee would make this a bloody day to some body. But I would the Fruite of her Wombe might miscarry.

Officer.

If it do, you shall haue a dozen of Cushions againe, you haue but eleuen now. Come, I charge you both go with me: for the man is dead, that you and Pistoll beate among you.

Dol.

Ile tell thee what, thou thin man in a Censor; I will haue you as soundly swindg'd for this, you blew-Bottel'd Rogue: you filthy famish'd Correctioner, if you be not swing'd, Ile forsweare halfe Kirtles.

Off.

Come, come, you shee-Knight-arrant, come.

Host.

O, that right should thus o'recome might. Wel of sufferance, comes ease.

Dol.
Come you Rogue, come:
Bring me to a Iustice.

Host.
Yes, come you staru'd Blood-hound.

Dol.
Goodman death, goodman Bones.

Host.
Thou Anatomy, thou.

Dol.
Come you thinne Thing:
Come you Rascall.

Off.
Very well.
Exeunt.

Scena Quinta. Enter two Groomes.

1. Groo.

More Rushes, more Rushes.

2. Groo.

The Trumpets haue sounded twice.

1. Groo.

It will be two of the Clocke, ere they come from the Coronation.

Exit Groo. Enter Falstaffe, Shallow, Pistoll, Bardolfe, and Page.

Falstaffe.

Stand heere by me, M. Robert Shallow, I will make the King do you Grace. I will leere vpon him, as he comes by: and do but marke the countenance that hee will giue me.

Pistol.

Blesse thy Lungs, good Knight.

Falst.

Come heere Pistol, stand behind me. O if I had had time to haue made new Liueries, I would haue bestowed the thousand pound I borrowed of you. But it is no matter, this poore shew doth better: this doth inferre the zeale I had to see him.

Shal.

It doth so.

Falst.

It shewes my earnestnesse in affection.

Pist.

It doth so.

Fal.

My deuotion.

Pist.
It doth, it doth, it doth.

Fal.
As it were, to ride day and night,
And not to deliberate, not to remember,
Not to haue patience to shift me.

Shal.
It is most certaine.

Fal.

But to stand stained with Trauaile, and sweating with desire to see him, thinking of nothing else, putting all affayres in obliuion, as if there were nothing els to bee done, but to see him.

Pist.

'Tis semper idem: for obsque hoc nihil est. 'Tis all in euery part.

Shal.

'Tis so indeed.

Pist.

My Knight, I will enflame thy Noble Liuer, and make thee rage. Thy Dol, and Helen of thy noble thoghts is in base Durance, and contagious prison: Hall'd thither by most Mechanicall and durty hand. Rowze vppe Reuenge from Ebon den, with fell Alecto's Snake, for Dol is in. Pistol, speakes nought but troth.

Fal.

I will deliuer her.

Pistol.

There roar'd the Sea: and Trumpet Clangour sounds.

The Trumpets sound. Enter King Henrie the Fift, Brothers, Lord Chiefe Iustice.

Falst.

Saue thy Grace, King Hall, my Royall Hall.

Pist.

The heauens thee guard, and keepe, most royall Impe of Fame.

Fal.

'Saue thee my sweet Boy.

King.

My Lord Chiefe Iustice, speake to that vaine man.

Ch. Iust.
Haue you your wits?
Know you what 'tis you speake?

Falst.
My King, my Ioue; I speake to thee, my heart.

King.
I know thee not, old man: Fall to thy Prayers:
How ill white haires become a Foole, and Iester?

-- 100 --


I haue long dream'd of such a kinde of man,
So surfeit-swell'd, so old, and so prophane:
But being awake, I do despise my dreame.
Make lesse thy body (hence) and more thy Grace,
Leaue gourmandizing; Know the Graue doth gape
For thee, thrice wider then for other men.
Reply not to me, with a Foole-borne Iest,
Presume not, that I am the thing I was,
For heauen doth know (so shall the world perceiue)
That I haue turn'd away my former Selfe,
So will I those that kept me Companie.
When thou dost heare I am, as I haue bin,
Approach me, and thou shalt be as thou was't
The Tutor and the Feeder of my Riots:
Till then, I banish thee, on paine of death,
As I haue done the rest of my Misleaders,
Not to come neere our Person, by ten mile.
For competence of life, I will allow you,
That lacke of meanes enforce you not to euill:
And as we heare you do reforme your selues,
We will according to your strength, and qualities,
Giue you aduancement. Be it your charge (my Lord)
To see perform'd the tenure of our word. Set on. Exit King.

Fal.

Master Shallow, I owe you a thousand pound.

Shal.

I marry Sir Iohn, which I beseech you to let me haue home with me.

Fal.

That can hardly be, M. Shallow, do not you grieue at this: I shall be sent for in priuate to him: Looke you, he must seeme thus to the world: feare not your aduancement: I will be the man yet, that shall make you great.

Shal.

I cannot well perceiue how, vnlesse you should giue me your Doublet, and stuffe me out with Straw. I beseech you, good Sir Iohn, let mee haue fiue hundred of my thousand.

Fal.

Sir, I will be as good as my word. This that you heard, was but a colour.

Shall.

A colour I feare, that you will dye, in Sir Iohn.

Fal.
Feare no colours, go with me to dinner:
Come Lieutenant Pistol, come Bardolfe,
I shall be sent for soone at night.

Ch. Iust.
Go carry Sir Iohn Falstaffe to the Fleete,
Take all his Company along with him.

Fal.
My Lord, my Lord.

Ch. Iust.
I cannot now speake, I will heare you soone:
Take them away.

Pist.
Si fortuna me tormento, spera me contento.
Exit. Manet Lancaster and Chiefe Iustice.

Iohn.
I like this faire proceeding of the Kings:
He hath intent his wonted Followers
Shall all be very well prouided for:
But all are banisht, till their conuersations
Appeare more wise, and modest to the world.

Ch. Iust.
And so they are.

Iohn.
The King hath call'd his Parliament,
My Lord.

Ch. Iust.
He hath.

Iohn.
I will lay oddes, that ere this yeere expire,
We beare our Ciuill Swords, and Natiue fire
As farre as France. I heare a Bird so sing,
Whose Musicke (to my thinking) pleas'd the King.
Come, will you hence?
Exeunt FINIS.

-- 101 --

EPILOGVE.

First, my Feare: then, my Curtsie: last, my Speech. My Feare, is your Displeasure: My Curtsie, my Dutie: And my speech, to Begge your Pardons. If you looke for a good speech now, you vndoe me: For what I haue to say, is of mine owne making: and what (indeed) I should say, will (I doubt) prooue mine owne marring. But to the Purpose, and so to the Venture. Be it knowne to you (as it is very well) I was lately heere in the end of a displeasing Play, to pray your Patience for it, and to promise you a Better: I did meane (indeede) to pay you with this, which if (like an ill Venture) it come vnluckily home, I breake; and you, my gentle Creditors lose. Heere I promist you I would be, and heere I commit my Bodie to your Mercies: Bate me some, and I will pay you some, and (as most Debtors do) promise you infinitely.

If my Tongue cannot entreate you to acquit me: will you command me to vse my Legges? And yet that were but light payment, to Dance out of your debt: But a good Conscience, will make any possible satisfaction, and so will I. All the Gentlewomen heere, haue forgiuen me, if the Gentlemen will not, then the Gentlemen do not agree with the Gentlewomen, which was neuer seene before, in such an Assembly.

One word more, I beseech you: if you be not too much cloid with Fat Meate, our humble Author will continue the Story (with Sir Iohn in it) and make you merry, with faire Katherine of France: where (for any thing I know) Falstaffe shall dye of a sweat, vnlesse already he be kill'd with your hard Opinions: For Old-Castle dyed a Martyr, and this is not the man. My Tongue is wearie, when my Legs are too, I will bid you good night; and so kneele downe before you: But (indeed) to pray for the Queene.

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William Shakespeare, 1564-1616 [1623], Mr. William Shakespeares comedies, histories, & tragedies. Published according to the True Originall Copies (Printed by Isaac Iaggard, and Ed. Blount, London) [word count] [S10801].
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