Falstaff.
Fal.
Now, Hal, what time of day is it, lad?
-- 7 --
Pri.
Thou art so fat-witted, with drinking of old
sack, and unbuttoning thee after supper, and sleeping
upon benches after note noon, that thou hast forgotten to
demand that truly which thou would'st truly know.
What a devil hast thou to do with the time of the day?
unless hours were cups of sack, and minutes capons, and
clocks the tongues of bawds, and dials the signs of
leaping-houses, and the blessed sun himself a fair hot
wench in flame-colour'd taffeta; I see no reason, why
thou should'st be so note superfluous to demand the time of
the day.
Fal.
Indeed, you come note near me now, Hal: for we,
that take purses, go by the moon and seven note stars; and
not by Phœbus,—he, that wand'ring knight so fair. And,
I pray thee note, sweet wag, when thou art king,—as, God
save thy grace, (majesty, I should say; for grace thou
wilt have none.)
Pri.
What, none?
Fal.
No, by my troth note; not so much as will serve to
be prologue to an egg and butter.
Pri.
Well, how then? come, roundly, roundly.
Fal.
Marry, then, sweet wag, when thou art king,
let not us, that are 'squires of the night's body, be call'd
thieves of the day's beauty note;14Q0607 let us be—Diana's foresters,
gentlemen of the shade, minions of the moon: And let
men say, we be men of good government; being govern'd
as the sea is, by our noble and chast mistress the
moon, under whose countenance we—steal.
Pri.
Thou say'st well; and it holds well too: for the
fortune of us, that are the moon's men, doth ebb and
flow like the sea; being govern'd as the sea is, by the
moon. As, for proof: Now a purse of gold most resolutely
-- 8 --
snatch'd on monday night, and most dissolutely spent on
tuesday morning; got with swearing—lay note by, and spent
with crying—bring in: now, in as low an ebb as the
foot of the ladder; and, by and by, in as high a flow as
the ridge note of the gallows.
Fal.
By the lord note, thou say'st true, lad. And is not
my hostess of the tavern a most sweet wench?
Pri.
As the note honey of Hybla note, my old lad of the castle.14Q0608
And is not a buff jerkin a most sweet robe of durance?
Fal.
How now, how now, mad wag? what, in thy
quips, and thy quidities? what a plague have I to do
with a buff jerkin?
Pri.
Why, what a pox have I to do with my hostess
of the tavern?
Fal.
Well, thou hast call'd her to a reck'ning, many
a time and oft.
Pri.
Did I ever call for thee to pay thy part?
Fal.
No; I'll give thee thy due, thou hast pay'd all there.
Pri.
Yea, and elsewhere, so far as my coin would
stretch; and, where it would not, I have us'd my credit.
Fal.
Yea, and so us'd it, that, were it not note here apparent
that thou art heir apparent,—But, I pr'ythee,
sweet wag, shall there be gallows standing in England
when thou art king? and resolution thus snub'd note as it is,
with the rusty curb of old father antick the law? Do not
thou, when thou art king note, hang a thief.
Pri.
No, thou shalt.
Fal.
Shall I?14Q0609 O rare! By the lord note, I'll be a brave judge.
Pri.
Thou judgest false already: I mean, thou shalt
have the hanging of the thieves, and so become a rare
hangman.
Fal.
Well, Hal, well; and in some sort it jumps with
-- 9 --
my humour, as well as waiting in the court, I can tell
you.
Pri.
For obtaining of suits?
Fal.
Yea, for obtaining of suits; whereof the hangman
hath no lean wardrobe. 'Sblood note, I am as melancholy
as a gib cat, or a lug'd bear.
Pri.
Or an old lion; or a lover's lute.
Fal.
Yea, or the drone of a Lincolnshire bag-pipe.
Pri.
What say'st thou to a hare, or the melancholy
of Moor-ditch?
Fal.
Thou hast the most unsavoury similies note; and art,
indeed, the most comparative, rascalliest note, sweet young
prince,—But, Hal, I pr'ythee, trouble me no more
with vanity. I would to God note, thou and I knew where
a commodity of good names were to be bought: An old
lord of the council rated me the other day in the street
about you, sir note; but I mark'd him not: and yet he talk'd
very wisely; but I regarded him not: and yet he talk'd
wisely, and note in the street too.
Pri.
Thou didst well; for wisdom cries out in the
streets, and note no man regards it.
Fal.
O, thou hast damnable iteration; and art,
indeed, able to corrupt a saint. Thou hast done much
harm upon me, note Hal,—God forgive thee for it! Before
I knew thee, Hal, I knew nothing; and now am I note, if a
man should speak truly, little better than one of the
wicked. I must give over this life, and I will give it
over; by the lord note, an I do not, I am a villain; I'll be
damn'd for never a king's son in christendom.
Pri.
Where shall we take a purse to-morrow, Jack?
Fal.
Where note thou wilt, lad, I'll make one; an I do
not, call me villain, and baffle me.
-- 10 --
Enter Poins, at a Distance.
Pri.
I see a good amendment of life in thee; from
praying, to purse-taking.
Fal.
Why, Hal, 'tis my vocation, Hal; 'tis no sin,
for a man to labour in his vocation.—Poins! now note shall
we know if Gads-hill have set a match note. O, if men were
to be saved by merit, what hole in hell were hot enough
for him? this is the most omnipotent villain, that ever
cry'd, stand, to a true man.
Pri.
Good morrow, Ned.
Poi.
Good morrow, sweet Hal.—What says monsieur
Remorse? what says sir John Sack-and-sugar? Jack,
how agrees the devil and thee about thy soul, that thou
soldest him on good-friday last, for a cup of Madera,
and a cold capon's leg?
Pri.
Sir John stands to his word, the devil shall
have his bargain; for he was never yet note a breaker of
proverbs, He will give the devil his due.
Poi.
Then art thou damn'd for keeping thy word
with the devil.
Pri.
Else he had been note damn'd for cozening the devil.
Poi.
But my lads, my lads, to-morrow morning,
by four o'clock, early at Gads-hill: note There are pilgrims
going to Canterbury with rich offerings, and traders
riding to London with fat purses; I have vizards for you
all, you have horses for yourselves: Gads-hill lies to-night
in Rochester, I have bespoke supper to-morrow night note in
East-cheap; we may do it as secure as sleep: If you will
go, I will stuff your purses full of crowns; if you will
not, tarry at home, and be hang'd.
Fal.
Hear ye, Yedward; if I tarry at home, and go
not, I'll hang you for going.
-- 11 --
Poi.
You will, chops?
Fal.
Hal, wilt thou make one?
Pri.
Who, I rob? I a thief? Not I note.
Fal.
There's neither honesty, manhood, nor good
fellowship in thee, nor thou cam'st not of the blood royal,
if thou dar'st not cry, stand, for ten shillings.
Pri.
Well then, once in my days I'll be a mad-cap.
Fal.
Why, that's well said.
Pri.
Well, come what will, I'll tarry at home.
Fal.
I'll note be a traitor then, when thou art king.
Pri.
I care not.
Poi.
Sir John, I pr'ythee note, leave the prince and me
alone; I will lay him down such reasons for this
adventure, that he shall go.
Fal.
Well, may'st thou have the spirit of persuasion,
and he the note ears of profiting, that what thou speakest
may move, and what he hears may be believed, that the
true note prince may (for recreation sake) prove a false thief;
for the poor abuses of the time want countenance.
Farewel: You shall find me in East-cheap.
Pri.
Farewel, latter note spring; farewel, all-hallown
summer.
[Exit Falstaff.
Poi.
Now, my good sweet honey lord, ride with us to-morrow;
I have a jest to execute, that I cannot manage
alone. Falstaff,14Q0610 Bardolph, Peto, and Gads-hill, shall rob
those men that we have already way-lay'd; yourself,
and I, will not be there: and when they have the booty,
if you and I do not rob them, cut this head from note my
shoulders.
Pri.
But note how shall we part with them in setting forth?
Poi.
Why, we will set forth before or after them, and
appoint them a place of meeting, wherein it is at our
-- 12 --
pleasure to fail; and then will they adventure upon the
exploit themselves: which they shall note have no sooner
atchieved, but we'll set upon them.
Pri.
Ay, but note, 'tis like, that they will know us, by
our horses, by our habits, and by every other appointment,
to be ourselves.
Poi.
Tut! our horses they shall not see, I'll tie them
in the wood; our vizards note we will change, after we leave
them; and, sirrah, I have cases of buckram for the
nonce, to immask our noted outward garments.
Pri.
But, I doubt, they will be too hard for us.
Poi.
Well, for two of them, I know them to note be as
true-bred cowards as ever turn'd back; and for the third,
if he fight longer than he sees reason, I'll forswear arms.
The virtue of this jest will be, the incomprehensible lies
that this same note fat rogue will tell us, when we meet at
supper: how thirty, at least, he fought with; what
wards, what blows, what extremities note he endured; and
in the reproof of this, note lies note the jest.
Pri.
Well, I'll go with thee; provide us all things
necessary, and meet me to-night note in East-cheap, there I'll
sup. Farewel.
Poi.
Farewel, my lord.
[Exit Poins.
Pri.
I know you all, and will a while uphold
The unyok'd humour of your idleness:
Yet herein will I imitate the sun;
Who doth permit the base contagious clouds
To smother up his beauty from the world,
That, when he please again to be himself,
Being wanted, he may be more wonder'd at,
By breaking through the foul and ugly mists
Of vapours, that did seem to strangle him.
-- 13 --
If all the year were playing holidays,
To sport would be as tedious as to work;
But, when they seldom come, they wish'd-for come,
And nothing pleaseth but rare accidents.
So, when this loose behaviour I throw off,
And pay the debt I never promised,
By how much better than my word I am,
By so much shall I falsify men's hopes;
And, like bright metal on a sullen ground,
My reformation, glittering o'er my fault,
Shall shew more goodly, and attract more eyes,
Than that which hath no foil note to set it off.
I'll so offend, to make offence a skill;
Redeeming time, when men think least I will.
[Exit.
SCENE III.
The same. Another Room.
Enter King Henry, Northumberland, Worcester, Hotspur, Sir Walter Blunt, and Others.
K. H.
My blood hath been too cold and temperate,
Unapt to stir at these indignities,
And you have found me, for, accordingly,
You tread upon my patience: but, be sure,
I will from henceforth rather be myself,
Mighty, and to be fear'd, than my condition;14Q0611
Which hath been smooth as oil, soft as young down,
And therefore lost that title note of respect,
Which the proud soul note ne'er pays, but to the proud.
Wor.
Our house, my sovereign liege, little deserves
The scourge of greatness to be used on it;
And that same greatness too which our own hands
Have holp note to make so portly.
Nor.
My lord,—
[to the King.
-- 14 --
K. H.
Worcester, get thee gone, for I do see
Danger and disobedience in thine eye:
O, sir, your presence is too bold and peremptory,
And majesty might never yet endure
The moody frontier of a servant note brow,
You have good leave to leave us; when we need
Your use and counsel, we shall send for you.—
[Exit Worcester.
You were about to speak.
[to Nor.
Nor.
Yea, my good lord.
Those prisoners in your highness' name note demanded,
Which Harry Percy here at Holmedon note took,
Were note, as he says, not with such strength deny'd
As is deliver'd note to your majesty:
Either envy note, therefore, or misprision
Is guilty note of this fault, and not my son.
Hot.
My liege, I did deny no prisoners.
But, I remember, when the fight was done,
When I was dry with rage, and extream toil,
Breathless and faint, leaning upon my sword,
Came there a certain lord, neat, and trim drest note,
Fresh as a bride-groom; and his chin, new reap'd,
Shew'd like a stubble land at harvest-home:
He was perfumed like a milliner;
And 'twixt his finger and his thumb he held
A pouncet-box, which ever and anon
He gave his nose, and took't away again;—
Who, therewith angry, when it next came there,
Took it in snuff note:—and still he smil'd, and talk'd;
And, as the soldiers bore note dead bodies by,
He call'd them—untaught knaves, unmannerly,
To bring a slovenly unhandsome corse
-- 15 --
Betwixt the wind and his nobility.
With many holiday and lady terms note
He question'd me; among note the rest, demanded
My prisoners, in your majesty's behalf.
I then, all smarting, with my wounds being cold note,
Out of my grief14Q0612 and my impatience
To be so pester'd with a popin-jay,
Answer'd, neglectingly, I know not what,
He should,—he note should note not:—for he made me mad,
To see him shine so brisk, and smell so sweet,
And talk so like a waiting-gentlewoman,
Of guns, and drums, and wounds, (God save the mark!)
And telling me, the sovereign'st thing on earth
Was parmacity, for an inward bruise;
And that it was great pity, so it was,
That villainous note salt-petre should be dig'd
Out of the bowels of the harmless earth,
Which many a good tall fellow had destroy'd
So cowardly; and, but for these vile guns,
He would himself have been note a soldier.
This bald unjointed chat of his, my lord,
I answer'd indirectly note, as I said;
And, I beseech you, let not his note report
Come current for an accusation,
Betwixt my love and your high majesty.
Blu.
The circumstance consider'd, good my lord,
Whatever note Harry note Percy then had said,
To such a person, and in such a place,
At such a time, with all the rest retold,
May reasonably die, and never rise
To do him wrong, or any way impeach;
What then he said, so he unsay it now.
-- 16 --
K. H.
Why, yet he note doth deny his prisoners;
But with proviso, and exception,—
That we, at our own charge, shall ransom straight
His brother-in-law, the foolish Mortimer;
Who, on note my soul, hath wilfully betray'd
The lives of those, that he did lead to fight
Against the great note magician, damn'd Glendower;
Whose daughter, as we hear, that earl note of March
Hath lately marry'd. Shall our coffers then
Be empty'd, to redeem a traitor home?
Shall we buy treason? and indent with fears,
When they have lost and forfeited themselves?
No, on the barren mountains note let him starve:
For I shall never hold that man my friend,
Whose tongue shall ask me for one penny cost
To ransom home revolted Mortimer.
Hot.
Revolted Mortimer!
He never did fall off, my sovereign liege,
But by the chance of war;—14Q0613To prove that true,
Needs no more but one tongue, for all those wounds,
Those mouthed wounds, which valiantly he took,
When, on the gentle Severn's sedgy bank,
In single opposition, hand to hand,
He did confound the best part of an hour
In changing hardiment with great Glendower:
Three times they breath'd, and three times did they drink,
Upon agreement, of swift Severn's flood;
Who then, affrighted with their bloody looks,
Ran fearfully among the trembling reeds,
And hid his crisp head in the hollow note bank
Blood-stained with these valiant combatants.
Never did base and note rotten policy
-- 17 --
Colour her working with such deadly wounds;
Nor never could the noble Mortimer
Receive so many, and all willingly:
Then let him not note be slander'd with revolt.
K. H.
Thou dost bely him, Percy, thou dost bely him,
He never did encounter with Glendower;
He note durst as well have met the devil alone,
As Owen Glendower for an enemy:
Art not note asham'd to say't? But, sirrah, henceforth
Let me not hear you speak of Mortimer:
Send me your prisoners with the speediest means,
Or you shall hear in such a kind from me
As will displease you.—My lord Northumberland,
We license your departure with your son:—
Send us your prisoners, or you'll hear of it.
[Exeunt King, Blunt, and Train.
Hot.
An if the devil come and roar for them,
I will not send them:—I will after straight,
And tell him so; for I will ease my heart,
Although it be with hazard note of my head.
Nor.
What, drunk with choler? stay, and pause a while;
Here comes your uncle.
Re-enter Worcester.
Hot.
Speak of Mortimer?
'Zounds, I note will speak of him; and let my soul
Want mercy, if I do not join with him.
Yea, on his part, I'll note empty all these note veins note,
And shed my dear blood drop by drop i' the dust,
But I will lift the down-trod note Mortimer
As high i' the air as this unthankful king,
As this ingrate and canker'd Bolingbroke.
Nor.
Brother, the king hath made your nephew mad.
-- 18 --
Wor.
Who strook this heat up after I was gone?
Hot.
He will, forsooth, have all my prisoners:
And when I urg'd the ransom once again
Of my wife's brother, then his cheek look'd pale;
And on my face he turn'd an eye of death,
Trembling even at the name of Mortimer.
Wor.
I cannot blame him; Was he not note proclaim'd
By Richard, that dead is, the next of blood?
Nor.
He was; I heard the proclamation:
And then it was, when the unhappy king
(Whose wrongs in us God pardon!) did set forth
Upon his Irish expedition;
From whence he, intercepted, did return
To be depos'd, and (shortly) murthered.
Wor.
And for whose death, we in the world's wide mouth
Live scandaliz'd note, and foully spoken of.
Hot.
But, soft, I pray you; Did king Richard then
Proclaim my brother Edmond note Mortimer
Heir to the crown?
Nor.
He did; myself did hear it.
Hot.
Nay, then I cannot blame his cousin king,
That wish'd him on the barren mountains starv'd note.
But shall it be, that you,—that set the crown
Upon the head of this forgetful man;
And, for his sake, wear note the detested blot
Of murtherous subornation note,—shall it be,
That you a world of curses undergo;
Being the agents, or base second means,
The cords, the ladder, or the hangman rather?—
O, pardon me, that note I descend so low,
To shew the line, and the predicament,
Wherein you range under this subtle king.
-- 19 --
Shall it, for shame, be spoken in these days,
Or fill up chronicles in time to come,
That men of your nobility, and power,
Did 'gage them both in an unjust behalf,—
As both of you (God pardon it!) have done,—
To put down Richard, that sweet lovely rose,
And plant this thorn, this canker, Bolingbroke?
And shall it, in more shame, be further spoken,
That you are fool'd, discarded, and shook off
By him, for whom these shames ye underwent?
No; yet time serves, wherein you may redeem
Your banish'd honours, and restore yourselves
Into the good thoughts of the world again:
Revenge the jeering, and disdain'd contempt,
Of this proud king; who studies, day and night,
To answer all the debt he owes to you,
Even with the bloody payment note of your deaths. note
Therefore, I say,—
Wor.
Peace, cousin, say no more:
For now note I will unclasp a secret book,
And to your quick-conceiving discontents
I'll read you note matter, deep, and dangerous;
As full of peril, and advent'rous spirit,
As to o'er-walk a current, roaring loud,
On the unstedfast footing of a spear.
Hot.
If he fall in,14Q0614 good night:—or sink, or swim note:—
Send danger from the east unto the west,
So honour cross it from note the north to south,
And let them grapple;—O, note the blood more stirs,
To rouze a lion, than to start a hare.
Nor.
Imagination of some great exploit
Drives him beyond the bounds of patience.
-- 20 --
Hot. note
By heaven, methinks, it were an easy leap,
To pluck bright honour from the pale-fac'd moon;
Or dive into the bottom of the deep,
Where fathom-line could never touch the ground,
And pluck up drowned honour by the locks;
So he, that doth redeem her thence, might wear
Without corrival of her note dignities:
But out upon this half-fac'd fellowship!
Wor.
He apprehends a world of figures here,
But not the form of what he should attend:—
Good cousin, give me audience for a while note.
Hot.
I cry you mercy.
Wor.
Those same noble Scots,
That are your prisoners,—
Hot.
I'll keep them all,
By heaven note, he shall not have a Scot of them;
No, if a Scot would save his soul he shall not:
I'll keep them, by this hand.
Wor.
You start away,
And lend no ear unto my purposes.
Those prisoners you shall keep:
Hot.
Nay, I will; that's flat:—
He said, he would not ransom Mortimer;
Forbad my tongue to speak of Mortimer;
But I will find him when he lies asleep,
And in his ear I'll holla note—Mortimer:
Nay, I'll have a starling shall be taught to speak
Nothing but Mortimer, and give it him,
To keep his anger still in motion.
Wor.
Hear you, cousin; a word.
Hot.
All studies here I solemnly defy,
Save how to gall and pinch this Bolingbroke:
-- 21 --
And that same sword-and-buckler prince, of Wales,—
But that I think his father loves him not,
And would be glad he met with some mischance,
I'd have him poison'd note with a pot of ale.
Wor.
Fare you well, kinsman; I will talk to you,
When you are better temper'd to attend.
Nor.
Why, what a wasp-tongue note and impatient fool
Art thou, to break into this woman's mood;
Tying thine ear to no tongue but thine own?
Hot.
Why, look you, I am whip'd and scourg'd with rods,
Nettl'd, and stung with pismires, when I hear
Of this vile politician, Bolingbroke.
In Richard's time,—What do you note call the place?—
A plague upon't!—it is in Glostershire;—
'Twas where the mad-cap duke his uncle kept,
His uncle York;—where I first bow'd my knee
Unto this king of smiles, this Bolingbroke,—'Sblood note!
When you and he came back from Ravenspurg.
Nor.
At Berkley castle.
Hot.
You say true:—
Why, what a deal of candy'd note note courtesy
This fawning greyhound then did proffer me!
Look,—when his infant fortune came to age,—
And,—gentle Harry Percy,—and, kind cousin,—
O, the devil take such cozeners!—God forgive me!—
Good uncle, tell your tale, for note I have done.
Wor.
Nay, if you have not, sir, to it again,
We'll stay your leisure.
Hot.
I have done, i'faith note.
Wor.
Then once more to your Scottish prisoners.
Deliver them up without their ransom straight,
And make the Douglas' son your only mean
-- 22 --
For powers in Scotland; which,—for divers reasons,
Which I shall send you written,—be assur'd,
Will easily be granted.—You, my lord,—
Your son in Scotland being thus employ'd,—
Shall secretly into the bosom creep
Of that same noble prelate, well-belov'd,
The arch-bishop;
Hot.
Of York, is't not?
Wor.
True; who bears hard
His brother's death at Bristol, the lord Scroop.
I speak not this in estimation,
As what I think might be, but what I know
Is ruminated, plotted, and set down;
And only stays but to behold the face
Of that occasion that shall bring it on.
Hot.
I smell't; upon my life, it will do well. note
Nor.
Before the game's afoot, thou still let'st slip.
Hot.
Why, it cannot choose but be a noble plot:—
And then the power of Scotland, and of York,
To join with Mortimer, ha?
Wor.
And so they shall.
Hot.
In faith, it is exceedingly well aim'd.
Wor.
And 'tis no little reason bids us speed,
To save our heads by raising of a head:
For, bear ourselves as even as we can,
The king will always think him in our debt;
And think we think ourselves unsatisfy'd,
'Till he hath found a time to pay us home.
And see already, how he doth note begin
To make us strangers to his looks of love.
Hot.
He does, he does; we'll be reveng'd on him.
Wor.
Cousin, farewel: No further go in this,
-- 23 --
Than I by letters shall direct your course.
When time is ripe, (which will be suddenly)
I'll steal to Glendower, and lord Mortimer note:
Where you and Douglas, and our powers at once,
As I will fashion it, shall happily meet;
To bear our fortunes in our own strong arms,
Which now we hold at much uncertainty.
Nor.
Farewel, good brother: We shall thrive, I trust.
Hot.
Uncle, adieu:—O, let the note hours be short,
'Till fields, and blows, and groans note applaud our sport!
[Exeunt.
ACT II.
SCENE I.
Rochester. An Inn Yard.
Enter a Carrier, with a Lanthorn in his Hand.
Car.
Heigh ho! An't be not four by the day, I'll be
hang'd: Charles' wain is over the new chimney, and yet
our horse not pack'd. What, ostler!
Ost. [within.]
Anon, anon.
Car.
I pr'ythee, Tom, beat Cut's saddle, put a few
flocks in the point; the poor note jade is wrung in the withers
out of all cess.
Enter another Carrier.
2. C.
Pease and beans are as dank here as a dog, and
that is note the next way to give poor jades the bots: this
house is turn'd upside down, since Robin ostler note dy'd.
1 C.
Poor fellow! never joy'd since the price of oats
rose; it was the death of him.
2. C.
I think, this be note the most villainous house in all
London road for fleas: I am stung like a tench.
-- 24 --
1. C.
Like a tench? by the mass note, there is ne'er a king
christen note, could be better bit than I have been since the
first cock.
2. C.
Why, they will note allow us ne'er a jourden, and
then we leak in the chimney note; and your chamber-lie
breeds fleas like a loach.
1. C.
What, ostler! come away, and be hang'd, come
away.
2. C.
I have a gammon of bacon, and two razes of
ginger, to be deliver'd as far as Charing-cross.
1. C.
God's body note! the turkies in my panier note are quite
starv'd.—What, ostler!—A plague on thee! hast thou
never an eye in thy head? canst not hear? An 'twere not
as good a note deed as drink, to break the pate of thee note, I am
a very villain. Come, and be hang'd; Hast no faith in
thee?
Enter Gads-hill.
Gad.
Good morrow, carriers. What's o'clock?
1. C.
I think, it be two o'clock.
Gad.
I pr'ythee, lend me thy lanthorn, to see my
gelding in the stable.
1. C.
Nay, soft, I pray ye; I know note a trick worth two
of that, i'faith note.
Gad.
I pr'ythee note, lend me thine.
2. C.
Ay, when, canst tell?—Lend me thy lanthorn,
quoth a' note?—marry, I'll see thee hang'd first.
Gad.
Sirrah carrier, what time do you mean to come
to London?
2. C.
Time enough to go to bed with a candle, I
warrant thee.—Come, neighbour Mugs, we'll call up
the gentlemen; they will along with company, for they
have great charge.
[Exeunt Carriers.
-- 25 --
Gad.
What, ho! chamberlain!
Cha. [within.]
At hand, quoth pick-purse.
Gad.
That's e'en as fair, as—at hand, quoth the
chamberlain: for thou vary'st no more from picking of
purses, than giving direction doth from labouring; thou
lay'st the plot how.
Enter Chamberlain.
Cha.
Good morrow, master Gads-hill. It holds current,
that I told you yesternight: There's a franklin in
the wild of Kent, hath brought three hundred marks
with him in gold: I heard him tell it to one of his company,
last night at supper; a kind of auditor; one that
hath abundance of charge too, God knows what. They
are up already, and call for eggs and butter; they will
away presently.
Gad.
Sirrah, if they meet not with saint Nicholas'
clerks,14Q0615 I'll give thee this neck.
Cha.
No, I'll none of it: I pr'ythee note, keep that for
the hangman; for, I know, thou worship'st saint Nicholas
as truly as a man of falshood may.
Gad.
What talkest thou to me of the hangman? if I
hang, I'll make a fat pair of gallows: for, if I hang,
old sir John hangs with me; and, thou know'st note, he's no
starveling. Tut! there are other Trojans that thou dream'st
not of, the which, for sport sake, are content to do the
profession some grace; that would, if matters should be
look'd into, for their own note credit sake, make all whole.
I am join'd with no foot land-rakers; no long-staff, six-penny
strikers; none of these mad, mustachio, purple-hu'd
malt-worms: but with nobility, and tranquillity;
burgomasters, and great mynheers note note;14Q0616 such as can hold
in; such as will strike sooner than speak, and speak
-- 26 --
sooner than drink,14Q0617 and drink sooner than pray: And yet
I note lie; for they pray continually to their saint, the common-wealth:
or, rather, not pray to note her, but prey on
her; for they ride up and down on her, and make her
their boots.
Cha.
What, the common-wealth their boots? will
she hold out water in foul way?
Gad.
She will, she will; justice hath liquor'd her.
We steal as in a castle, cock-sure; we have the receipt
of fern-seed, we walk invisible.
Cha.
Nay, by my faith note; I think, you note are more beholding
to the night, than to fern note-seed, for your walking
invisible.
Gad.
Give me thy hand: thou shalt have a share in
our purchase, note as I am a true man.
Cha.
Nay, rather let me have it, as you are a false thief.
Gad.
Go to; Homo is a common name to all men.
Bid the ostler bring my gelding note out of the stable. Farewel,
you note muddy knave.
[Exeunt.
SCENE II.
Gad's-Hill. The Road down it.
Enter the Prince, and Poins.
Poi.
Come, shelter, shelter; I have remov'd Falstaff's
horse, and he frets like a gum'd velvet.
Pri.
Stand close.
[putting himself before him.
Enter Falstaff.
Fal.
Poins! Poins, and be hang'd! Poins!
Pri.
Peace, ye fat-kidney'd rascal; What a brawling note
dost thou keep?
Fal.
Where's Poins note, Hal?
Pri.
He is walk'd up to the top of the hill; I'll go
seek him.
[feigning to go.
-- 27 --
Fal.
I am accurst to rob in that thief's company:
the rascal hath removed my horse, and ty'd him I know
not where: If I travel but four foot by the square note further
afoot, I shall break my wind. Well note I doubt not
but to die a fair death for all this, if I 'scape hanging
for killing that rogue. I have forsworn his company
hourly any time this two and twenty year note, and yet I am
bewitch'd with the rogue's company. If the rascal have
not given me medicines to make me love him, I'll be
hang'd; it could not be else; I have drunk medicines.—
Poins!—Hal!—a plague upon you both!—Bardolph! note—
Peto!—I'll starve, ere I'll rob note a foot further. An 'twere
not as good a deed as drink note, to turn true man, and to
leave these note rogues, I am the veriest varlet that ever
chew'd with a tooth. Eight yards of uneven ground, is
threescore and ten miles afoot with me; and the stony-hearted
villains know it well enough: A plague upon't,
when thieves cannot be true one to another! [Whistle.]
Whew!—A plague light note upon you all! Give me note my
horse, you rogues; give me my horse, and be hang'd.
Pri.
Peace, ye fat-guts! lie down; lay thine ear
close to the ground, and list if thou canst note hear the
tread of travellers.
Fal.
Have you any leavers to lift me up again, being
down? 'Sblood note, I'll not bear mine own flesh so far afoot
again, for all the coin in thy father's exchequer.
What a plague mean ye, to colt me thus?
Pri.
Thou ly'st, thou art not colted, thou art uncolted.
Fal.
I pr'ythee, good prince Hal, help me to my
horse; good king's son.
Pri.
Out, you note rogue! shall I be your ostler?
Fal.
Go, note hang thyself in thine own heir-apparent
-- 28 --
garters! If I be ta'en, I'll peach for this. An I have not
ballads made on you note all, and sung to filthy tunes, let a
cup of sack be my poison: when a jest note is so forward,
and afoot too,—I hate it.
Enter Gads-hill; Bardolph, and Peto, with him.
Gad.
Stand.
Fal.
So I do, against my will.
Poi.
O, 'tis our setter;14Q0618 I know his voice.—Bardolph,
what news?
[coming forward, with the Prince.
Bar.
Case ye, case ye; on with your vizards; there's
money of the king's coming down the hill, 'tis going
to the king's exchequer.
Fal.
You lie, you rogue; 'tis going to the king's tavern.
Gad.
There's enough to make us all.
Fal.
To be hang'd.
Pri.
Sirs, note you four shall front them in the narrow
lane; Ned Poins note, and I, will walk lower: if they 'scape
from your encounter, then they light on us.
Pet.
How note many be there of them. note note
Gad.
Some eight, or ten.
Fal.
'Zounds note, will they not rob us?
Pri.
What, a coward, sir John Paunch?
Fal.
Indeed, I am not John of Gaunt, your note grandfather;
but yet no coward, Hal.
Pri.
Well note, we leave that to the proof.
Poi.
Sirrah Jack, thy horse stands behind the hedge;
when thou need'st him, there thou shalt note find him: Farewel,
and stand fast.
Fal.
Now cannot I strike him, if I should be hang'd.
Pri.
Ned, where are our disguises?
Poi.
Here, hard by; stand close.
[retiring, to put them on.
-- 29 --
Fal.
Now, my masters, happy man be his dole, say
I note; every man to his business.
Enter Travellers.
1. T.
Come, neighbour,
The boy shall lead our horses down the hill;
We'll walk afoot a while, and ease our legs.
Thi.
Stand note.
Tra.
Jesu note bless us!
Fal.
Strike; down with them, cut
The villains' throats:—
Ah, whoreson caterpillars! bacon-fed knaves!
They hate us youth: down with them, fleece them.
1. T.
O,
We are undone, both we and ours, for ever.
Fal.
Hang ye, gorbelly'd knaves; Are ye note undone?
No, ye fat chuffs; I would, your store were here!
On, bacons, on;—What, ye knaves!—on, I say;
Young men must live: You are grand-jurors, are ye note?
We'll jure ye, i'faith.
[Exeunt, driving them out.
Pri.
The thieves have bound the true men: [looking
out.] Now could thou and I rob the thieves, and go
merrily to London, it would be argument for a week,
laughter for a month, and a good jest for ever.
Poi.
Stand close, I hear them coming.
[retire again.
Enter the Thieves again.
Fal.
Come, my masters, let us share, [throwing down
the Booty.] and then to horse before day.
They all sit round about it.
An the prince and Poins be not two arrant cowards,
there's no equity stirring: there's no more note valour in that
Poins, than in a wild-duck.
Pri.
Your money.
[rushing out upon them.
-- 30 --
Poi.
Villains!
Falstaff, and the rest, scramble up: he makes
a Blow, or two, and they run; leaving their
Booty behind them.
Pri.
Got with much ease. Now merrily to horse:
The thieves are scatter'd note, and possess'd with fear
So strongly, that they dare not meet each other;
Each takes note his fellow for an officer.
Away, good Ned. Fat Falstaff sweats note to death,
And lards the lean earth as he walks along:
Wer't not for laughing, I should pity him.
Poi.
How the rogue roar'd!
[Exeunt.
SCENE III.
Warkworth. A Room in the Castle.
Enter Hotspur, with a Letter.
Hot.
—But, for mine own part, my lord, [reading.] I
could he well contented to be there, in respect of the love
I bear your house. He could be contented,—Why, is he
not then? In respect note 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, [reading again.] 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 note this flower, safety. The purpose you undertake,
[reading.] is dangerous; the friends you have note named, uncertain;
the time itself unsorted; and your whole plot too light,
for the counterpoize of so great an opposition. Say you so,
say you so? I say unto you again, you are a shallow
cowardly hind, and you lie. What a lack-brain is this?
By the lord, our plot is a good plot note, as ever was lay'd;
our friends note true and constant: a good plot, good friends,
-- 31 --
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. 'Zounds, an I note were now by this rascal, I
could brain him with his lady's fan. Is there not my
father, my uncle, and myself? lord Edmond Mortimer,
my lord of York, and Owen Glendower? is there not,
besides, the Douglas? Have I not all their letters, to
meet me in arms by the ninth of the next month? and
are they not note, some of them, set forward already? What
a pagan rascal is this, an infidel note? 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 myself, and go to buffets, for moving such a dish
of skim'd note milk with so honourable an action. Hang
him! let him tell the king, we are prepar'd: I will set
forward note to-night.—How now, Kate?
Enter Lady Percy.
I must leave you within these two note hours.
Lad.
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 stomack, pleasure, and thy golden sleep?
Why dost thou bend thine eyes upon the note earth;
And start so often, when thou sit'st alone?
Why hast thou lost the fresh blood in thy cheeks;
And given my treasures, and my rights of thee,
To thick-ey'd musing, and curst melancholy?
In thy note faint slumbers, I by thee have note watch'd,
And heard thee murmur tales of iron wars:
Speak terms of manage to thy bounding steed;
-- 32 --
Cry, Courage!—to the field! And thou hast talk'd
Of sallies, and retires; of note trenches, tents note,
Of palisadoes, frontiers note, parapets;
Of basilisks, of cannon, culverin;
Of prisoners' ransom note, and of soldiers slain,
And all the 'currents note of a heady fight.
Thy spirit within thee hath been so at war,
And thus hath note so bestir'd thee in thy sleep,
That beads note of sweat have stood note upon thy brow,
Like bubbles in a late-disturbed stream:
And in thy face strange motions have appear'd,
Such as we see when men restrain their breath
On some great sudden haste note. 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! [Enter a Servant.] is Gilliams with the packet gone?
Ser.
He is, my lord, an hour ago note.
Hot.
Hath Butler brought note those horses from the sheriff's note?
Ser.
One horse, my lord, he brought but even now.
Hot.
What horse? a roan note, a crop-ear, is it not?
Ser.
It is, my lord.
Hot.
That roan shall be my throne.
Well, I will back him straight: O note, esperance!—14Q0619
Bid Butler lead him forth into the park.
[Exit Servant.
Lad.
But hear you, my lord.
Hot.
What sayest thou, my lady?
Lad.
What is it carries you away?
Hot.
Why, my horse,
My love, my horse.
Lad.
Out, you mad-headed ape!
A weazle hath not such a deal of spleen;
-- 33 --
As you are tost with. Now, in sooth note, 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 enterprize: But if you go—
Hot.
So far afoot, I shall be weary, love.
Lad.
Come, come, you paraquito, answer me
Directly to note this question that I ask note.
In faith note, I'll break thy little finger, Harry,
An note if thou wilt not tell me true note.
Hot.
Away,
Away, you trifler! Love? I love thee not,
I care not for thee, Kate; this is no world,
To play with mammets, and to tilt with lips:
We must have bloody noses, and crack'd crowns,
And pass them current too.—God's me, my horse!—
What note say'st thou, Kate? what would'st thou have with me?
Lad.
Do you note not love me? do you note not, indeed?
Well, do not then; for, since you love me not,
I will not love myself. Do you not love me?
Nay, tell me, if you speak note in jest, or no.
Hot.
Come, wilt thou see me ride?
And when I am o' horse-back, I will swear,
I love thee infinitely. But hark you, Kate;
I must not have you henceforth question me
Whither note I go, nor reason whereabout:
Whither note I must, I must; and, to conclude,
This evening must I leave you, note gentle Kate.
I know you wise; but yet no farther note wise,
Than Harry Percy's wife: constant you are;
But yet a woman: and for secresy,
No lady closer; for I well note believe,
-- 34 --
Thou wilt not utter what thou dost not know;
And so far will note I trust thee, gentle Kate.
Lad.
So note far?
Hot.
Not an inch further. But hark you, Kate:
Whither I go, thither shall you go too;
To-day will I set forth, note to-morrow you.
Will this content you, Kate?
Lad.
It must, of force.
[Exeunt.
SCENE IV.
East-cheap. A Room in a Tavern.
Enter the Prince, and Poins.
Pri.
Ned, pr'ythee, come out of that fat room, and
lend me thy hand to laugh a little.
Poi.
Where hast been, Hal?
Pri.
With three or four logger-heads, amongst three
or four score hogs-heads. I have sounded note the very base
string of humility. Sirrah, I am sworn brother to a leash
of drawers; and can call them all by their christian
names note, as—Tom, Dick, and Francis. They take it already
upon their salvation, note that, though I be but note prince of
Wales, yet I am the king of courtesy: and note tell me note flatly,
I am no proud note Jack, like Falstaff; but a Corinthian, a
lad of mettle, a good boy,—by the lord, so they call
me; note and, when I am king of England, I shall command
all the good lads in East-cheap. They call—drinking
deep, dying scarlet: and when you breath note14Q0620 in your watering,
they note cry—hem! and bid you play it off. To
conclude, I am so good a proficient in one quarter of an
hour, that I can drink with any tinker in his own language
during my life. I tell note thee, Ned, thou hast lost
much honour, that thou wert not with me in this action.
But, sweet Ned,—To sweeten which name of Ned, I
-- 35 --
give thee this &dagger2; penny-worth of sugar, clapt even now
into my hand by an under-skinker: one that never spake
other English in his life, than—Eight shillings and sixpence,
and—You are welcome; with this shrill addition,—
Anon, anon, sir! Score a pint of bastard in the half-moon,
or so. But, Ned, to drive away the time note 'till Falstaff
come, I pr'ythee, do thou stand in some by-room, while
I question my puny drawer, to what end he gave me
the sugar; and do thou note never leave calling—Francis,
that his tale to me may be nothing but—anon. Step
aside, and I'll shew thee a precedent note.
Poi.
Francis!
Pri.
Thou art perfect.
Poi.
Francis!
[Exit Poins.
Enter Drawer.
Dra.
Anon, anon, sir.—Look down into the pomgranate,
Ralph.
Pri.
Come hither, Francis.
Dra.
My lord.
Pri.
How long hast thou to serve, Francis?
Dra.
Forsooth, five years, and as much as to—
Poi. [within.]
Francis!
Dra.
Anon, anon, sir.
Pri.
Five years note! by'r-lady, a long lease for the clinking note
of pewter. But, Francis, dar'st thou be so valiant, as
to play the coward with thy indenture, and shew it a
fair pair of heels note, and run from it.
Dra.
O Lord, sir! I'll be sworn upon all the note books
in England, I could find in my heart—
Poi. [within.]
Francis!
Dra.
Anon, anon, sir. note
Pri.
How old art thou, Francis?
-- 36 --
Dra.
Let me see,—About Michaelmas next, I shall be—
Poi. [within.]
Francis!
Dra.
Anon, sir:—Pray you note, stay a little, my lord.
Pri.
Nay, but hark you, Francis: For the sugar thou
gav'st me,—'twas a note penny-worth, was't not?
Dra.
O Lord, sir note! I would, it had been two.
Pri.
I will give thee for it a thousand pound: ask
me when thou wilt, and thou shalt have it.
Poi. [within.]
Francis!
Dra.
Anon, anon.
Pri.
Anon, Francis? No, Francis: but to-morrow,
Francis; or, Francis, on thursday note; or, indeed, Francis,
when thou wilt. But, Francis,—
Dra.
My lord?
Pri.
Wilt thou rob14Q0621 this leathern-jerkin, chrystal-button,
knot-pated note, agat-ring, puke-stocking note, caddice-garter,
smooth-tongue, Spanish-pouch,—
Dra.
O Lord, sir, who do you mean?
Pri.
Why then, your brown bastard is your only
drink: for, look you, Francis, your white canvas doublet
will sully: in Barbary, sir, it cannot come to so much.
Dra.
What, sir?
Poi. [within.]
Francis!
Pri.
Away, you rogue; Dost thou not note hear them
call?
[Here they both call him; the Drawer stands
amaz'd, not knowing which way to go.
Enter Vintner.
Vin.
What! stand'st thou still, and hear'st such a
calling? look to the guests within. [Exit Drawer.] My
lord, old sir John with half a dozen more are at the
door; Shall I let them in?
Pri.
Let them alone note a while, and then open the
-- 37 --
door.—[Exit Vintner.] Poins!
Re-enter Poins.
Poi.
Anon, anon, sir.
Pri.
Sirrah, Falstaff and the rest of the thieves are at
the door; Shall we be merry?
Poi.
As merry as crickets, my lad. But hark ye;
What cunning match have you made with this jest of
the drawer? come, what's the issue?
Pri.
I am now of all humours, that have shew'd themselves
humours, fince note the old days of goodman Adam, to
the pupil age of this present twelve o'clock note at midnight.
Re-enter Drawer, with Bottles.
What's o'clock, Francis?
Dra.
Anon, anon, sir.
Pri.
That ever this fellow should have fewer words
than a parrot, and yet the son of a woman! His industry
is—up-stairs, and down-stairs; his eloquence, the parcel
of a reck'ning. I am not yet of Percy's mind, the
Hot-spur of the north; he that kills me some six or seven
dozen of Scots at a breakfast, washes his hands, and says
to his wife,—Fie upon this quiet life! I want work. O my
sweet Harry, says she, how many hast thou kill'd to-day?
Give my roan horse a drench, says he; and answers, Some
fourteen, an hour after; A trifle, a trifle! I pr'ythee, call
in Falstaff; I'll play Percy, and that damn'd brawn shall
play dame Mortimer his wife. Rivo, says the drunkard.
Call in ribs, call in tallow.
Enter Falstaff, Gads-hill, Bardolph, and Peto.
Poi.
Welcome, Jack. Where hast thou been?
Fal.
A plague of all cowards, I say, and a vengeance
too! marry, and amen.—Give me a cup of sack, boy.—
Ere I lead this life long, I'll sow nether stocks,14Q0622 and
-- 38 --
mend them, and foot them note too. A plague of all cowards!
—Give me a cup of sack, rogue.—Is there no
virtue extant?
[drinks.
Pri.
Didst thou never see Titan [to Poins] kiss a dish
of butter; pitiful-hearted butter,14Q0623 that note melted at the
sweet tale of the sun note? if thou didst, then behold that
compound.
Fal.
You rogue, here's lime in this sack too:—There
is nothing but roguery to be found in villainous note man:
Yet a coward is worse than a cup of sack with lime in
it note; a villainous coward. Go thy ways, old Jack; die
when thou wilt, if manhood, good manhood, be not
forgot upon the face of the earth, then am I a shotten
herring. There lives note not three good men unhang'd in
England; and one of them is fat, and grows old: God
help the while! a bad world, I say! I would, I were a
weaver; I could sing psalms, or any thing. A plague note of
all cowards, I say still!
Pri.
How now, wool-sack? what mutter you?
Fal.
A king's son! If I do not beat thee out of thy
kingdom with a dagger of lath, and drive all thy subjects
afore thee like a flock of wild-geese, I'll never
wear hair on my face more. You prince of Wales!
Pri.
Why, you whoreson round man, what's the matter?
Fal.
Are you not note a coward? answer me to that;
And Poins there?
Poi.
'Zounds note, ye fat paunch, an ye call me coward,
by the Lord note, I'll stab thee.
Fal.
I call thee coward? I'll see thee damn'd, ere I
call thee coward: but I would give a thousand pound,
I could run as fast as thou canst. You are strait enough
in the shoulders, you care not who sees your back; Call
-- 39 --
you that, backing of your friends? A plague upon such
backing! give me them that will face me.—Give me a
cup of sack:—I am a rogue, if I drunk to-day.
Pri.
O villain! thy lips are scarce wip'd since thou
drunk'st last.
Fal.
All's one for that. [drinks again.] A plague of
all cowards, still say I!
Pri.
What's the matter?
Fal.
What's the matter? here be four of us note, have
ta'en a thousand pound this morning note.
Pri.
Where is it, Jack? where is it?
Fal.
Where is it? taken from us it is; a hundred
upon poor four of us.
Pri.
What, a hundred, man?
Fal.
I am a rogue, if I were not at half note-sword with
a dozen of them two hours together. I have 'scap'd by
miracle. I am eight times thrust through note the doublet;
four, through the hose; my buckler cut through note and
through; my sword hack'd like a hand-saw, ecce signum:
I never dealt better since I was a man: all would not
do. A plague of all cowards!—Let them speak: if they
speak more or less than truth, they are villains, and
the sons of darkness.
Pri.
Speak note, sirs; How was it?
Gad.
We note four set upon some dozen note,—
Fal.
Sixteen, at least, my lord.
Gad.
And note bound them:
Pet.
No, no, they were not bound.
Fal.
You rogue, they were bound, every man of
them; or I am a Jew else, an Hebrew note Jew.
Gad.
As note we were sharing, some six or seven fresh men
set upon us;
-- 40 --
Fal.
And unbound the rest, and then came note in the
other note.
Pri.
What, fought you note with them all?
Fal.
All? I know not what you note call, all; but if I
fought not with fifty of them, I am a bunch of radish note:
if there were not two or three and fifty upon poor old
Jack, then am I no two-leg'd creature.
Poi.
Pray note God note, you have not murther'd some of them.
Fal.
Nay, that's past praying for; I have pepper'd
two of them: two, I am sure, I have pay'd; two rogues
in buckrom suits. I tell thee what, Hal,—if I tell thee
a lie, spit in my face, call me horse: Thou know'st my
old ward note;—here I lay, and thus I bore my point. Four
rogues in buckrom let drive at me:
Pri.
What, four? thou said'st but two even now.
Fal.
Four, Hal; I told thee four.
Poi.
Ay, ay, he said four.
Fal.
These four came all afront, and mainly thrust
at me. I made me no note more ado, but took all their seven
points note in my target, thus.
Pri.
Seven? why, there were but four even now.
Fal.
In buckrom?
Poi.
Ay, four, in buckrom suits.
Fal.
Seven, by these hilts, or I am a villain else.
Pri.
Pr'ythee, let him alone; we shall have more anon.
Fal.
Dost thou hear me, Hal?
Pri.
Ay, and mark thee too, Jack.
Fal.
Do so, for it is worth the list'ning to. These
nine in buckrom, that I told thee of,—
Pri.
So, two more already.
Fal.
Their points being broken,—
Poi.
Down fell their hose note.
-- 41 --
Fal.
Began to give me ground: But I follow'd me
close, came in foot and hand; and, with a thought,
seven of the eleven I pay'd.
Pri.
O monstrous! eleven buckrom men grown out
of two!
Fal.
But, as the devil would have it, three misbegotten
knaves, in Kendal green, came at my back, and
let drive at me;—for it was so dark, Hal, that thou
could'st not see thy hand.
Pri.
These lies are like the father note that begets them;
gross as a mountain, open, palpable. Why, thou clay-brain'd
guts; thou knotty-pated fool; thou whoreson,
obscene, greasy tallow-catch note,—14Q0624
Fal.
What, art thou mad, art thou mad? is not the
truth the truth?
Pri.
Why, how could'st thou know these men in
Kendal green, when it was so dark thou could'st not see
thy hand? come, tell us your reason; What say'st thou
to this?
Poi.
Come, your reason, Jack, your reason.
Fal.
What, upon compulsion? No; were I note at the
strappado, or all the racks in the world, I would not
tell you on compulsion. Give you a reason on compulsion?
if reasons were as plenty as note black-berries, I would
give no man a reason upon compulsion, I.
Pri.
I'll be no longer guilty of this sin; this sanguine
coward, this bed-presser, this horse-back-breaker,
this huge hill of flesh:
Fal.
Away, you note starveling, you elf-skin note, you dry'd
neat's-tongue, bull's-pizzle, you stock-fish,—O, for
breath to utter what note is like thee!—you tailor's yard, you
sheath, you bow-case, you vile standing tuck;—
-- 42 --
Pri.
Well, breath a while, and then to it again:
and when thou hast tir'd note thyself in base comparisons,
hear me speak but this. note
Poi.
Mark, Jack.
Pri.
We two saw you four set on four; you bound note
them, and were masters of their wealth: mark now,
how plain a note tale shall put you down. Then did we two
set on you four; and, with a word, out-fac'd you from
your note prize, and have it; yea, and can shew it you here note
in the house:—and, Falstaff, you carry'd your guts away
as nimbly, with as quick dexterity, and roar'd for
mercy, and still ran note and roar'd, as ever I heard bull-calf.
What a slave art thou, to hack thy sword as thou hast
done; and then say, it was in fight? What trick, what
device, what starting-hole canst thou now find out, to
hide thee from this open and apparent shame?
Poi.
Come, let's hear, Jack; What trick hast thou now?
Fal.
I note knew ye as well as he that made ye. Why,
hear ye note, my masters; Was it for me, to kill the heir apparent?
should I turn upon the true prince? Why, thou
know'st, I am as valiant as Hercules: but beware instinct;
the lion will not touch the true prince: instinct is a great
matter; I was a note coward on instinct: I shall think the
better of myself, and thee, during my life; I for a
valiant lion, and thou for a true prince. But, lads note,
Enter Hostess.
I am glad, you have the money.—Hostess, clap to the
doors; watch to-night, pray to-morrow.—Gallants,
lads, boys, hearts of gold, All the titles of note good-fellowship
come to you! What, shall we be merry? shall we
have a play extempore?
Pri.
Content; and the argument shall be, thy running away.
-- 43 --
Fal.
Ah! no more of that, Hal, an thou lov'st me.
Hos.
My note lord the prince,—
Pri.
How now, my lady the hostess? wh at say'st
thou to me?
Hos.
Marry, my lord, there is a nobleman of the
court at door, would speak with you: he says, he comes
from your father.
Pri.
Give him as much14Q0625 as will make him a royal
man, and send him back again to my mother.
Fal.
What manner of man is he?
Hos.
An old man.
Fal.
What doth gravity out of his bed at midnight?
—Shall I give him his answer?
Pri.
Pr'ythee, do, Jack.
Fal.
'Faith, and I'll send him packing.
[Exit.
Pri.
Now, sirs; by'r-lady note, you fought fair;—so did
you, Peto;—so did you, Bardolph: you are lions too,
you ran away upon instinct; you will not touch the true
prince, no, fie!
Bar.
'Faith, I ran when I saw others run.
Pri.
Tell note me now in earnest, How came Falstaff's
sword so hack'd?
Pet.
Why, he hack'd it with his dagger; and said,
he would swear truth out of England, but he would
make you believe it was done in fight; and persuaded
us to do the like.
Bar.
Yea, and to tickle our noses with spear-grass,
to make them bleed; and then to beslubber note our garments
with it, and swear it was the blood of true men.
I did that I did not this seven year note before, I blush'd to
hear his monstrous devices.
Pri.
O villain, thou stol'st a cup of sack eighteen
-- 44 --
years ago, and wert taken with the manner, and ever
since thou hast blush'd extempore: Thou hadst fire and
sword on thy side, and yet thou ran'st away; What instinct
hadst thou for it?
Bar.
My lord, do you see these meteors?14Q0626 do you behold
these exhalations?
Pri.
I do.
Bar.
What think you they portend?
Pri.
Hot livers, and cold purses.
Bar.
Choler, my lord, if rightly taken.
Re-enter Falstaff.
Pri.
No, if rightly taken, halter.—Here comes lean
Jack, here comes bare-bone note.—How now, my note sweet
creature of bombast? How long is't ago, Jack, since
thou saw'st thine own knee?
Fal.
My own knee? when I was about thy years,
Hal, I was not an eagle's talon note in the waste; I could
have crept into any alderman's thumb-ring: A plague
of sighing and grief! it blows a man up like a bladder.
There's villainous news abroad: here was sir John Bracy note
from your father; you must to note the court in the morning.
That same note mad fellow of the north, Percy; and he
of Wales, that gave Amaimon the bastinado, and made
Lucifer cuckold, and swore the devil his true liege-man
upon the cross of a Welsh hook,—What, a plague, call
you him?
Poi.
O, Glendower.
Fal.
Owen, Owen; the note same;—and his son-in-law,
Mortimer; and old Northumberland; and the sprightly note
Scot of Scots, Douglas, that runs o'horseback up a hill
perpendicular:
Pri.
He that rides at high speed, and with his pistol note
-- 45 --
kills a sparrow flying.
Fal.
You have hit it.
Pri.
So did he never the sparrow.
Fal.
Well, that rascal hath good mettle in him; he
will not run.
Pri.
Why, what a rascal art thou then, to praise
him so for running?
Fal.
O' horse back, ye cuckoo: but, afoot note, he will
not budge a foot.
Pri.
Yes, Jack, upon instinct.
Fal.
I grant ye, upon instinct. Well, he is there too,
and one Mordake, and a thousand blew-caps more:
Worcester is stoln away to-night note; thy father's beard is
turn'd white with the news; you may buy land now as
cheap as stinking mackerel.
Pri.
Then, 'tis note like, if there come a hot June, note and
this civil buffetting hold, we shall buy maidenheads as
they buy hob-nails, by the hundreds.
Fal.
By the mass, lad, thou say'st true; it is like, we
shall have good trading that way. But, tell me, Hal,
art thou not note horribly afeard? thou being heir apparent,
could the world pick thee out three such enemies again,
as that fiend Douglas, that spirit Percy, and that devil
Glendower? Art thou not note horribly afraid? doth not thy
blood thrill at it?
Pri.
Not a whit; I note lack some of thy instinct.
Fal.
Well, thou wilt be horribly chid to-morrow,
when thou comest to thy father: if thou love note me,
practise an answer.
Pri.
Do thou stand for my father, and examine me
upon the particulars of my life.
Fal.
Shall I? content:—this chair shall be my
-- 46 --
state, [clapping himself down in it.] this dagger my
scepter, and this cushion my crown.
Pri.
Thy state is taken for a joint-stool, thy golden
scepter for a leaden dagger, and thy precious rich
crown for a pitiful bald crown.
Fal.
Well note, an the fire of grace be not quite out of
thee, now shalt thou be moved.—Give me a cup of sack
to make mine eyes note look red, that it may be thought I
have wept; for I must speak in passion, and I will do it
in king Cambyses' vein.14Q0627
[drinks.
Pri.
Well, here is my leg.
Fal.
And here is my speech: Stand aside, nobility.
Hos.
This note is excellent sport, i'faith.
Fal.
Weep not, sweet queen, for trickling tears are vain.
Hos.
O the father, how note he holds his countenance!
Fal.
For God's sake, lords, convey my tristful note queen,
For tears do stop the flood-gates of her eyes.
Hos.
O rare! he note doth it as like one of these harlotry
players as ever I see.
Fal.
Peace, good pint-pot: peace, good tickle-brain.—
Harry, I do not only marvel where thou spendest thy
time, but also how thou art accompany'd: for though
the camomile, the more it is troden on note, the faster it
grows; yet youth note, the more it is wasted, the sooner it
wears. That note thou art my son, I have partly thy mother's
word, partly my own note opinion; but chiefly, a villainous
trick of thine eye, and a foolish hanging of thy nether note
lip, that doth warrant me: If then thou be son to me,
here lies note the point;—Why, being son to me, art thou
so pointed at? Shall the blessed sun note of heaven prove a
micher, and eat black-berries? a question not to be
ask'd: Shall the son of England prove a thief, and take
-- 47 --
purses? a question to be ask'd. There is a thing, Harry,
which thou hast often heard of, and it is known to many
in our land by the name of pitch: this pitch, as ancient
writers do report, doth defile; so doth the company thou
keepest: for, Harry, now I do not speak to thee in drink,
but in tears; not in pleasure, but in passion; not in
words only, but in woes also: And yet there is a virtuous
man, whom I have often noted in thy company,
but I know not his name.
Pri.
What manner of man, an it like your majesty?
Fal.
A goodly portly man, i'faith, and a corpulent;
of a chearful look, a pleasing eye, and a most noble
carriage; and, as I think, his age some fifty, or, by'r-lady,
inclining to threescore; and now I remember me,
his name is Falstaff: if that man should be lewdly given,
he deceiveth note me; for, Harry, I see virtue in his looks:
If then the tree14Q0628 may be known by the fruit, as the fruit
by the tree, then, peremptorily I speak it, there is virtue
in that Falstaff: him keep with, the rest banish.
And tell me now, thou naughty varlet, tell me, where
hast thou been this month?
Pri.
Dost thou speak like a king? [plucking him out
of his Chair.] do thou stand for me, and I'll play my
father.
Fal.
Depose me? if thou dost it half so gravely, so
majestically, both in word and matter, note hang me up by
the heels for a rabbet-sucker, or a poulterer's note hare.
Pri.
Well, here I am set.
Fal.
And here I stand:—judge, my masters.
Pri.
Now, Harry? whence come you?
Fal.
My noble lord, from East-cheap.
Pri.
The complaints I hear of thee are grievous.
-- 48 --
Fal.
'Sblood, my note lord, they are false:—nay, I'll
tickle ye for a young prince, i'faith note.
Pri.
Swear'st thou, ungracious boy? henceforth
ne'er look on me: Thou art violently carry'd away
from grace: there is a devil haunts thee, in the likeness
of a fat old note man; a tun of man is thy companion. Why
dost thou converse with that trunk of humours, that
bolting-hutch of beastliness, that swoln parcel of dropsies,
that huge bombard of sack, that stuft cloak-bag of
guts, that roasted Manning-tree oxe with the pudding note in
his belly, that reverend note vice,14Q0629 that grey iniquity, that
father ruffian, that vanity in years? Wherein is he
good, but to taste sack and drink it? wherein neat and
cleanly, but to carve a capon and eat it? wherein cunning,
but in craft? wherein crafty, but in villany?
wherein villainous, but in all things? wherein worthy,
but in nothing?
Fal.
I would, your grace would take me with you;
Whom means your grace?
Pri.
That villainous abominable mis-leader of youth,
Falstaff, that old white-bearded Satan.
Fal.
My lord, the man I know:
Pri.
I know, thou dost.
Fal.
But to say, I know more harm in him than in
myself, were to say more than I know. That he is old,
(the more the pity) his white hairs do witness it: but
that he is (saving your reverence) a whore-master,
that I utterly deny. If sack and sugar be a fault, God
help note the wicked! if to be old and merry be a sin, then
many an old host that I know is damn'd: if to be
fat be to be hated, then Pharaoh's lean kine are to
be loved. No, my good lord; banish Peto, banish Bardolph,
-- 49 --
banish Poins: but for sweet Jack Falstaff, kind
Jack Falstaff, true Jack Falstaff, valiant Jack Falstaff,
[A great knocking heard: Exeunt Hostess, and Drawer; Bardolph follows.
and therefore more valiant being as he is old Jack Falstaff,
banish not him thy Harry's company, banish not
him thy Harry's company; banish plump Jack, and banish
all the world.
Pri.
I do, I will.
Re-enter Bardolph, running.
Bar.
O, my lord, my lord; the sheriff note, with a most
monstrous watch, is at the door.
Fal.
Out, you note rogue! play out the play: I have much
to say in the behalf of that Falstaff.
Re-enter Hostess, hastily.
Hos.
O Jesu note, my lord, my lord!—
Pri.
Heigh note, heigh! the devil rides upon a fiddle-stick:
—What's the matter?
Hos.
The sheriff and all the watch are at the door:
they are come to search the house; Shall I let them in?
Fal.
Dost thou hear,14Q0630 Hal? never call a true piece of
gold, a counterfeit: if thou dost, thou art essentially mad note,
without seeming so.
Pri.
And thou a note natural coward, without instinct.
Fal.
I deny your major: if you will deny the sheriff,
so; if not, let him enter: if I become not a cart as well
as another man, a plague on my bringing up! I hope,
I shall as soon be strangl'd with a halter, as another.
Pri.
Go, hide thee behind the arras;—the rest walk
up above. Now, my masters, for a true face, and good
conscience.
Fal.
Both which I have had: but their date is out,
-- 50 --
and therefore I'll hide me.
Pri.
Call in the sheriff.
[Exeunt All but the Prince.
Enter Sheriff, and Carrier.
Now, master sheriff; what's your will with me?
She.
First, pardon me, my lord. A hue and cry
Hath follow'd certain men unto this house.
Pri.
What men?
She.
One of them is well note known, my gracious lord;
A gross fat man.
Car.
As fat as butter, sir.
Pri.
The man, I do assure you, is not here;
For I myself at this time have employ'd him.
And, sheriff, I engage note my word to thee,
That I will, by to-morrow dinner-time,
Send him to answer thee, or any man,
For any thing he shall be charg'd withal:
And so let me entreat you leave the house.
She.
I will, my lord: There are two gentlemen
Have in this robbery lost three hundred note marks.
Pri.
It may be so: if he have rob'd these men,
He shall be answerable; and so, farewel.
She.
Good night, my noble lord.
Pri.
I think, it is good morrow; Is it not?
She.
Indeed, my lord, I think it be two note o'clock.
[Exeunt Sheriff, and Carrier.
Pri.
This oily rascal is known as well as Paul's:—
Re-enter Peto.
Go, call him forth.
Pet.
Falstaff!—fast asleep behind the arras, and
snorting like a horse.
Pri.
Hark how hard he fetches breath: Search his
pockets. [Peto searches.] What hast thou found?
-- 51 --
Pet.
Nothing but papers, my lord.
Pri.
Let's see what they be note; read them.
Pet. note [reads.]
Item, a capon; 2. s. 2. d. Item, sauce;
4. d. Item, sack, two gallons; 5. s. 8. d. Item, anchovies
and sack after supper; 2. s. 6. d. Item, bread; a
half-penny.
Pri. note
O monstrous! but one half-penniworth of bread
to this intolerable deal of sack!—What there is else,
keep close; we'll read it at more advantage: there let
him sleep 'till day. I'll to the court in the morning:
we must all to the wars, and thy place shall be honourable.
I'll procure this fat rogue a charge of foot; and,
I know, his death will be a march note of twelve-score. The
money shall be pay'd back again, with advantage. Be
with me betimes in the morning; and so good morrow,
Peto.
Pet.
Good morrow, good my lord.
[Exeunt.
ACT III.
SCENE I.
Bangor. A Room in the Arch-deacon's House: a Table, with Chairs about it.
Enter Worcester, Hot-spur, Mortimer, and Glendower.
Mor.
These promises are fair, the parties sure,
And our induction full of prosperous hope.
Hot.
Lord Mortimer,—and cousin Glendower,—will you
Sit down,—and uncle Worcester: A plague upon it!
I have forgot the map.
Gle.
No, here it is.
[laying it on the Table.
Sit, cousin Percy; sit, good cousin Hot-spur:
-- 52 --
For by that name as oft note as Lancaster
Doth speak of you, his cheek looks note pale; and, with
A rising sigh note, he wisheth you in heaven.
Hot.
And you in hell, as often note as he hears
Owen Glendower spoke of.
Gle.
I cannot blame him: at my nativity,
The front of heaven was full of fiery shapes,
Of burning cressets; ay, and, at my birth,
The frame and huge note foundation of the earth
Shak'd like a coward.
Hot.
Why, so it would have done
At the same season, if your mother's cat
Had kitten'd note, though yourself had ne'er been born.
Gle.
I say, the earth did shake when I was born.
Hot.
And I say, the earth was not of my mind,
If you suppose, as fearing you it shook.
Gle.
The heavens were all on fire, the earth did tremble.
Hot.
O, then the earth shook to see the heavens on fire,
And not in fear of your nativity.
Diseased nature14Q0631 oftentimes breaks forth
In strange eruptions: oft the note teeming earth
Is with a kind of cholic pinch'd and vex'd
By the imprisoning of unruly wind
Within her womb; which, for enlargement striving,
Shakes the old beldame earth, and topples note down
Steeples, and moss-grown towers. At your birth,
Our grandam earth, having this distemperature, note
In passion shook.
Gle.
Cousin, of many men
I do not bear these crossings note. Give me leave
To tell you once again,—that, at my birth,
The front of heaven was full of fiery shapes;
-- 53 --
The goats ran from the mountains, and the herds
Were strangely clamorous to the frighted fields:
These signs have mark'd me extraordinary;
And all the courses of my life do shew,
I am not in the roll of note common men.
Where is note he living,—clip'd in with the sea
That chides the banks of England, Scotland, Wales, note—
Which calls me pupil, or hath read to me?
And bring him out, that is but woman's son,
Can trace me in the tedious ways note of art,
And hold me pace in deep experiments.
Hot.
I think, there's no man that speaks better Welsh:
I will to dinner.
Mor.
Peace, brother Percy; you will make him mad.
Gle.
I can call spirits from the vasty deep.
Hot.
Why, so can I; or so can any man:
But will they come, when you do call for them?
Gle.
Why, I can teach thee, cousin note, to command
The devil.
Hot.
And I can teach thee, cousin note, to shame the devil,
By telling truth; Tell truth, and shame the devil:
If thou have power to raise him, bring him hither,
And I'll be sworn, I have power to shame him hence.
O, while you live, tell truth, and shame the devil.
Mor.
Come, come,
No more of this unprofitable chat.
Gle.
Three times hath Henry Bolingbroke made head
Against my power: thrice, from the banks note of Wye,
And sandy-bottom'd Severn, have I sent note him,
Bootless, and14Q0632 weather-beaten, home.
Hot.
Home without boots, and in foul weather too!
How scapes he agues, in the devil's name?
-- 54 --
Gle.
Come, here's the map; Shall we divide our right,
According to our threefold order ta'en?
Mor.
The arch-deacon hath divided it already
Into three limits, very equally.
England, from Trent and Severn hitherto,
[pointing to a Part of the Map.
By south and east, is to my part assign'd:
All westward, Wales beyond the Severn shore,
And all the fertile land within that bound,
To Owen Glendower:—and, dear brother, to you
The remnant northward, lying off from Trent.
And our indentures tripartite are drawn:
Which being sealed interchangeably,
(A business that this night may execute)
To-morrow, brother Percy, you, and I,
And my good lord of Worcester, will set forth,
To meet your father, and the Scottish power,
As is appointed us, at Shrewsbury.
My father Glendower is not ready yet,
Nor shall we need his help these fourteen days:—
Within that space, [to Gle.] you may have drawn together
Your tenants, friends, and neighb'ring gentlemen.
Gle.
A shorter time shall send me to you, lords,
And in my conduct shall your ladies come:
From whom you now must steal, and take no leave;
For there will be a world of waters shed,
Upon the parting of your wives and you.
Hot.
Methinks, my moiety,14Q0633 north from Burton here,
In quantity equals not one of yours:
See, how this river comes me cranking note in,
And cuts me, from the best of all my land,
A huge half-moon, a monstrous cantle note out.
-- 55 --
I'll have the current in this place dam'd up;
And here † the smug and silver Trent shall run,
In a new channel, fair and evenly:
It shall not wind with such a deep indent,
To rob me of so rich a bottom here.
Gle.
Not wind? it shall, it must; you see, it doth.
Mor.
Yea, but
Mark how he bears his course, and runs me up
With like advantage on the other side;
Gelding the opposed continent as much,
As on the other side it takes from you.
Wor.
Yea, but a little charge will trench him here,
And on this north side win this cape of land;
And then he runs straitly and evenly.
Hot.
I'll have it so; a little charge will do it.
Gle.
I will not have it alter'd.
Hot.
Will not you?
Gle.
No, nor you shall not.
Hot.
Who shall say me, nay?
Gle.
Why, that will I.
Hot.
Let me not understand you then,
Speak it in Welsh.
Gle.
I can speak English, lord, as well as you;
For I was train'd up in the English court:
Where, being but young, I framed to the harp
Many an English ditty, lovely well,
And gave the tongue a helpful ornament;
A virtue that was never seen in you.
Hot.
Marry, and I'm glad on't with all my heart;
I had rather be a kitten, and cry—mew,
Than one of these same metre note ballad-mongers:
I had rather hear a brazen candlestick note turn'd,
-- 56 --
Or a dry wheel grate on the axle-tree;
And that would set my teeth nothing note on edge,
Nothing so much as mincing poetry;
'Tis like the forc'd gait of a shuffling nag.
Gle.
Come, you shall have Trent turn'd.
Hot.
I do not care: note I'll give thrice so much land
To any well-deserving friend;
But, in the way of bargain, mark ye me,
I'll cavil on the ninth part of a hair.
Are the indentures drawn? shall we be gone?
Gle.
The moon shines fair, you may away by night:
I'll haste the writer forward; and, withal,
Break with your wives of your departure hence:
I am afraid, my daughter will run mad,
So much she doteth on her Mortimer.
[Exit.
Mor.
Fie, brother Percy! how you cross my father!
Hot.
I cannot choose: sometimes note he angers me,
With telling me of the moldwarp and the ant,
Of the dreamer Merlin, and his prophesies;
And of a dragon, and a finless fish,
A clip-wing'd griffin, and a moulten raven,
A couching lion, and note a ramping cat,
And such a deal of skimble-skamble stuff
As puts me from my faith. I tell you what,—
He held me, last night, at the least nine hours,
In reck'ning up the several devils' names,
That were his lackeys: I cry'd, hum, and, well; note
But mark'd him not a word. O, he's as tedious
As is a tired horse, a railing wife;
Worse than a smoky house: I had rather live,
With cheese and garlick, in a wind-mill, far;
Than feed on cates, and have him talk to me,
-- 57 --
In any summer-house in christendom.
Mor.
In faith, he is note a worthy gentleman;
Exceedingly note well read, and profited
In strange concealments; valiant as a lion,
And wond'rous affable; and as bountiful
As mines of India. Shall I tell you, brother?
He holds your temper in a high respect,
And curbs note himself even of his natural scope,
When you do cross note his humour; 'faith, he does:
I warrant you, that man is not alive,
Might so have tempted him, as you have done,
Without the taste of danger and reproof;
But do not use it oft, let me entreat you.
Wor.
In note faith, my lord, you are too wilful-blame;
And, since your coming hither, have done enough
To put him quite note beside his patience.
You must needs learn, lord, to amend this fault:
Though sometimes it shew greatness, courage, blood,
(And that's the dearest grace it renders you;)
Yet oftentimes it doth present harsh rage,
Defect of manners, want of government,
Pride, haughtiness, opinion, and disdain:
The least of which, haunting a nobleman,
Loseth men's hearts; and leaves behind a stain
Upon the beauty of all parts besides note,
Beguiling them of commendation.
Hot.
Well, I am school'd; Good manners be note your speed!
Here come our note wives, and let us take our leave note.
Re-enter Glendower, with the Ladies.
Mor.
This is the deadly spite that angers me,—
My wife can speak no English, I no Welsh.
Gle.
My daughter weeps; she will not part with you,
-- 58 --
She'll be a soldier too, she'll to the wars.
Mor.
Good father, tell her,—she, and my sister Percy,14Q0634
Shall follow in your conduct speedily.
Glendower speaks to his Daughter in Welsh, and she answers him in the same.
Gle.
She's desperate here; a peevish self-will'd harlotry,
One note that no persuasion can do good upon.
Daughter again in Welsh, to her Husband.
Mor.
I understand thy looks: that pretty Welsh14Q0635
Which thou pour'st down too from these swelling heavens,
I am too perfect in; and, but for shame,
In such a parly should I note answer thee.
Daughter again to her Husband; kissing, and embracing him.
I understand thy kisses, and thou mine,
And that's a feeling note disputation:
But I will never be a truant, love,
'Till I have learn'd thy language; for thy tongue
Makes Welsh as sweet as ditties highly pen'd,
Sung by a fair queen in a summer's bower,
With ravishing division, to her lute.
Gle.
Nay, if you note melt, then will she run quite mad.
Daughter again to her Husband.
Mor.
O, I am ignorance itself in this.
Gle.
She bids you note, on the rushes note lay you down,
And rest your gentle head upon her lap,
And she will sing the song note that pleaseth you,
And on your eye-lids crown the god of sleep,
Charming your blood with pleasing heaviness;
Making such difference 'twixt note wake and sleep,
-- 59 --
As is the difference betwixt day and night,
The hour before the heavenly-harness'd teem
Begins his note golden progress in the east.
Mor.
With all my heart I'll sit, and hear her sing:
By that time will our book, I think, be drawn.
Gle.
Do so; and those musicians that shall play to you,
Hang in the air a thousand leagues from hence note;
Yet straight note they shall be here: sit, and attend note.
Hot.
Come, Kate, thou art perfect in lying down:
Come, quick, quick; that I may lay my head in thy
lap.
Lad.
Go, ye giddy goose.
Glendower mutters some Incantations in Welsh, and a Musick plays.
Hot.
Now I perceive,14Q0636 the devil understands Welsh;
And 'tis no marvel, he's so humorous.
By'r-lady, he's a good musician.
Lad.
Then should note you be nothing but musical;
For you are altogether govern'd note by humours.
Lye still, ye thief, and hear the lady sing
In Welsh.
Hot.
I had rather hear Lady, my brach note, howl in Irish.
Lad.
Would'st have note thy head broken?
Hot.
No.
Lad.
Then be still.
Hot.
Neither; 'tis a woman's fault.
Lad.
Now God help thee!
Hot.
To the Welsh lady's bed.
Lad.
What's that?
Hot.
Peace! she sings.
A Welsh SONG.
Hot.
Come, Kate note, I'll have your song too.
-- 60 --
Lad.
Not mine, in good sooth.
Hot.
Not yours, in good sooth; 'Heart note, you swear
like a comfit-maker's wife! Not you, in good sooth;
and, As true as I live; and, As God shall mend me;
and, As sure as day;—
And giv'st such sarcenet surety for thy oaths,
As if thou never walk'dst note further than Finsbury.
Swear me, Kate, like a lady, as thou art,
A good mouth-filling oath; and leave in sooth,
And such protests note of pepper ginger-bread,
To velvet guards, and sunday citizens.
Come, sing.
Lad.
I will not sing.
Hot.
'Tis the next way,14Q0637 to turn tailor, or be red-breast
teacher. An the indentures be drawn, I'll away
within these two hours; and so come in when ye
will.
[Exit.
Gle.
Come, come, lord Mortimer; you are as slow,
As hot lord Percy is on fire to go.
By this, our book is drawn; we'll seal note, and then
To horse immediately.
Mor.
With all my heart.
[Exeunt.
SCENE II.
London. A Room in the Palace.
Enter King Henry, the Prince, and some Lords.
K. H.
Lords, give us leave; the prince of Wales, and I,
Must have some private conference: But be near
At hand, for we shall presently have need of you.
[Exeunt Lords.
I know not whether God will note have it so,
For some displeasing service I have done,
That, in his secret doom, out of my blood
-- 61 --
He'll breed revengement and a scourge for me:
But thou dost, in thy note passages of life,
Make me believe,—that thou art only mark'd
For the hot vengeance and the rod of heaven,
To punish my mistreadings. Tell me else,
Could such inordinate, and low desires,
Such poor, such bare, such lewd, such mean attaints note,14Q0638
Such barren pleasures, rude society,
As thou art match'd withal, and grafted to,
Accompany the greatness of thy blood,
And hold their level with thy princely heart?
Pri.
So please your majesty, I would, I note could
Quit all offences with as clear excuse,
As well as, I am doubtless, I can purge
Myself of many I am charg'd withal:
Yet such extenuation let me beg,
As, in reproof of many tales devis'd,—
Which oft the ear of greatness needs must hear,—
By smiling pick-thanks, and base news-mongers,
I may, for some things true, wherein my youth
Hath faulty wander'd and irregular,
Find pardon on my true submission.
K. H.
God pardon note thee!—yet let me wonder, Harry,
At thy affections, which do hold a wing
Quite from the flight of all thy ancestors.
Thy place in council thou hast rudely lost,
Which by thy younger brother is supply'd;
And art almost an alien to the hearts
Of all the court and princes of my blood:
The hope and expectation of thy time
Is ruin'd; and the soul of every man
Prophetically does note fore-think thy fall.
-- 62 --
Had I so lavish of my presence been,
So common-hackney'd in the eyes of men,
So stale and cheap to vulgar company;
Opinion, that did help me to the crown,
Had still kept loyal to possession;
And left me in reputeless banishment,
A fellow of no mark, nor likelihood.
By being seldom seen, I could not stir,
But, like a comet, I was wonder'd at:
That men would tell their children, This is he;
Others would say,—Where? which is Bolingbroke?
And then I stole14Q0639 all courtesy from heaven,
And dress'd myself in such humility,
That I did pluck allegiance from men's hearts,
Loud shouts and salutations from their mouths,
Even in the presence note of the crowned king.
Thus did I note keep my person fresh, and new;
My presence, like a robe pontifical,
Ne'er seen but wonder'd at: and so my state,
Seldom, but sumptuous, shewed like a feast;
And won note, by rareness, such solemnity.
The skipping king, he ambl'd up and down
With shallow jesters, and rash bavin wits,
Soon kindl'd, and soon burnt: 'scarded note his state;
Mingl'd his royalty with carping note fools;
Had his great name prophaned with their scorns;
And gave his countenance, against his name,
To laugh with gybing note boys, and stand the push
Of every beardless vain comparative:
Grew a companion to the common streets,
Enfeoff'd note himself to popularity:
That, being daily swallow'd by men's eyes,
-- 63 --
They surfeited with honey; and began
To loath the taste of sweets note, whereof a little
More than a little is by much too much.
So, when he had occasion to be seen,
He was but as the cuckoo is in June,
Heard, not regarded; seen, but with such eyes,
As, sick and blunted with community,
Afford no14Q0640 extraordinary gaze,
Such as is bent on sun-like majesty
When it shines seldom in admiring eyes:
But rather drowz'd, and hung their eye-lids down,
Slept in his face, and render'd note such aspect
As cloudy men use to note their adversaries;
Being with his presence glutted, gorg'd, and full.
And in that very line, Harry, stand'st thou:
For thou hast lost thy princely priviledge,
With vile participation; not an eye
But is aweary of thy common sight,
Save mine, which hath desir'd to see thee more;
Which now doth that I would not have it do note,
Make blind itself with foolish tenderness.
Pri.
I shall hereafter, my thrice gracious lord,
Be more myself.
K. H.
For all the world,
As thou art at this note hour, was Richard then
When I from France set foot at note Ravenspurg;
And even as I was then, is Percy now.
Now by my scepter, and my soul to boot,
He hath more worthy interest to the state,
Than thou, the shadow of succession:
For, of no right, nor colour like to right,
He doth fill fields with harness in the realm;
-- 64 --
Turns head against the lion's armed jaws;
And, being no more in debt to years than thou,
Leads ancient lords and reverend note bishops on,
To bloody battles, and to bruising arms.
What never-dying honour hath he got
Against renowned note Douglas; whose high deeds,
Whose hot incursions, and great name in arms,
Holds from all soldiers note chief majority,
And military title capital,
Through all the kingdoms that acknowledge Christ?
Thrice hath this Hot-spur note Mars in swathing note cloaths,
This infant warrior, in his enterprises
Discomfited great Douglas; ta'en him once,
Enlarged him, and made a friend of him,
To fill the mouth of deep note defiance up,
And shake the peace and safety of our throne.
And what say you to this? Percy, Northumberland,
The archbishop's grace of York, Douglas, and Mortimer,
Capitulate against us, and are up.
But wherefore do I tell these news to thee?
Why, Harry, do I tell thee of my foes,
Which art my near'st and dearest enemy?
Thou that note art like enough,—through vassal fear,
Base inclination, and the start of spleen,—
To fight against me under Percy's pay,
To dog his heels, and curt'sy at his frowns,
To shew how much degenerate thou art?
Pri.
Do not think so, you shall not find it so:
And God note forgive them, that so much have sway'd
Your majesty's good thoughts away from me!
I will redeem all this on Percy's head,
And, in the closing of some glorious day,
-- 65 --
Be bold to tell you, that I am your son;
When I will wear a garment all of blood,
And stain my favours14Q0641 in a bloody mask,
Which, wash'd away, shall scour my shame with it.
And that shall be the day, whene'er it lights,
That this same child of honour and renown,
This gallant Hot-spur, this all-praised knight,
And your unthought-of Harry, chance to meet:
For every honour sitting note on his helm,
'Would they were note multitudes; and on my head
My shames note redoubl'd! for the time will come,
That I shall make this northern youth exchange
His glorious deeds for my indignities:
Percy is but my factor, good my lord,
To engross up glorious note deeds on my behalf;
And I will call him to so strict account,
That he shall render every glory up,
Yea, even the slightest worship of his time,
Or I will tear the reck'ning from his heart.
This, in the name of God note, I promise here:
The which if he be pleas'd I shall perform, note
I do beseech your majesty, may salve
The long-grown wounds of my intemperance note:
If not, the end of life cancels all bonds;
And I will die a hundred note thousand note deaths,
Ere break the smallest parcel of this vow.
K. H.
A hundred thousand rebels die in this:—
Thou shalt have charge, and sovereign trust, herein.
Enter Blunt, hastily.
How now, good Blunt? thy looks are full of speed.
Blu.
So is the note business that I come to speak of.
Lord Mortimer of Scotland hath sent word,—
-- 66 --
That Douglas, and the English rebels, met,
The eleventh of this month, at Shrewsbury:
A mighty and a fearful head they are,
If promises be kept on every hand,
As ever offer'd foul play in a state.
K. H.
The earl of Westmoreland set forth note to-day;
With him my son, lord John of Lancaster;
For this advertisement is five days old:—
On wednesday next, son Harry, you shall note set
Forward; on thursday, we ourselves will march.
Our meeting is Bridgnorth: and, Harry, you
Shall march through Glocestershire; by which account,
Our business valued,14Q0642 some twelve days hence
Our general forces at Bridgnorth shall meet.
Our hands are full of business: let's away;
Advantage feeds him note fat, while men delay.
[Exeunt.
SCENE III.
East-cheap. A Room in the Tavern.
Enter Falstaff, and Bardolph.
Fal.
Bardolph, am I not fall'n away vilely since this
last action? do I not bate? do I not dwindle? why, my
skin hangs about me like an old lady's loose gown; I
am wither'd like an old apple-John. Well, I'll repent,
and that suddenly, while I am in some liking; I shall
be out of heart shortly, and then I shall have no strength
to repent. An I have not forgotten what the inside of
a church is made of, I am a pepper-corn, a brewer's
horse; the inside of a church: Company, villainous
company, hath been the spoil of me.
Bar.
Sir John, you are so fretful, you cannot live long.
Fal.
Why, there is it:—come, sing me a bawdy
song; make me merry. I was as virtuously given, as a
-- 67 --
gentleman need to be; virtuous enough: swore little;
dic'd, not above seven times a week; went to a bawdy note-house,
not above once in a quarter of an hour; pay'd
money that I borrow'd, three or four times; liv'd well,
and in good compass: and now I live out of all order,
out of all compass note.
Bar.
Why, you are so fat, sir John, that you must
needs be out of all compass; out of all reasonable compass,
sir John.
Fal.
Do thou amend thy face, and I'll amend my
life note: Thou art our admiral, thou bearest the lanthorn
in the poop,—but 'tis in the nose of thee; thou art the
knight of note the burning lamp.
Bar.
Why, sir John, my face does you no harm.
Fal.
No, I'll be sworn; I make as good use of it, as
many a man doth of a death's head, or a memento mori:
I never see thy face, but I think upon hell-fire, and
Dives that lived in purple; for there he is in his robes,
burning, burning. If thou wert any way given note to virtue,
I would swear by thy face; my oath should be, By
this note fire: but note thou art altogether given over; and wert
indeed, but for the light in thy face, the son of note utter
darkness. When thou ran'st note up Gads-hill note in the night to
catch my horse, if I did not think thou note hadst been an
ignis fatuus, or a ball of wild-fire, there's no purchase
in money. O, thou art a perpetual triumph, an everlasting note
bonefire-light! Thou hast saved me a thousand
marks in links and torches, walking with thee in the
night betwixt tavern and tavern: but the sack that
thou hast drunk me, would have bought me lights
as good cheap, at the note dearest chandler's in Europe. I
have maintained that salamander of yours with fire,
-- 68 --
any time this two and thirty years; God reward note me
for it!
Bar.
'Sblood note, I would my face were in your belly!
Enter Hostess note.
Fal.
God-a-mercy note so should I be sure to note be heart-burnt note.
—How now, dame Partlet the hen? have you enquir'd
yet, who pick'd my pocket?
Hos.
Why, sir John, what do you think, sir John?
do you think, I keep thieves in my house? I have
search'd, I have enquir'd, so has my husband, man by
man, boy by boy, servant by servant: the tithe of note a hair
was never lost in my house before.
Fal.
You lie, hostess; Bardolph was shav'd, and lost
many a hair note: and I'll be sworn, my pocket was pick'd:
Go to, you are a woman, go.
Hos.
Who I? I note defy thee: I was note never call'd so in
mine own house before.
Fal.
Go to, I know you well enough.
Hos.
No, sir John; you do not know me, sir John:
I know you, sir John: you owe me money, sir John,
and now you pick a quarrel to beguile me of it: I
bought you a dozen of shirts to your back.
Fal.
Dowlas, filthy dowlas: I have given them away
to bakers' wives, and note they have made boulters of them.
Hos.
Now, as I note am a true woman, holland of eight
shillings an ell. You owe money here besides, sir John,
for your diet, and by-drinkings; and money lent you,
four and twenty pounds note.
Fal.
He had his part of it; let him pay.
Hos.
He? alas, he is poor; he hath nothing.
Fal.
How! poor? look in his face; What call you
rich? let them coin his nose, let them coin his cheeks;
-- 69 --
I'll not pay a denier: What, will you make a younker
of me? shall I not14Q0643 take mine ease in mine inn, but I
shall have my pocket pick'd? I have lost a seal-ring of
my grandfather's, worth forty mark.
Hos.
O, Jesu note! I have heard the prince tell him, I
know not how oft, that that ring note was copper.
Fal.
How! the prince is a Jack, a sneak-cup note; and,
if he note were here, I would cudgel him like a dog, if he
would say so.
Enter the Prince, and Peto, marching:
Falstaff meets, and puts himself before them; playing
upon his Truncheon, like a Fife.
Fal.
How now, lad? is the wind in that door, i'faith note?
must we all march?
Bar.
Yea, two and two, Newgate-fashion.
Hos.
My lord, I pray you, hear me.
Pri.
What say'st thou, mistress Quickly? How does
thy husband? I love him well, he is an honest man.
Hos.
Good my lord, hear me.
Fal.
Pr'ythee, let her alone, and list to me.
Pri.
What say'st thou, Jack?
Fal.
The other night I fell asleep here behind the
arras, and had my pocket pick'd: this house is turn'd
bawdy-house, they pick pockets.
Pri.
What didst thou lose, Jack?
Fal.
Wilt thou believe me, Hal? three or four bonds
of a forty note pound note a-piece, and a seal-ring of my grandfather's.
Pri.
A trifle, some eight-penny matter.
Hos.
So I told him, my lord; and I said, I heard
your grace say so: And, my lord, he speaks most vilely
of you, like a foul-mouth'd man as note he is; and said, he
-- 70 --
would cudgel you.
Pri.
What! he did not?
Hos.
There's neither faith, truth, nor womanhood
in me else.
Fal.
There's no more faith in thee, than in a note stew'd
prune; nor no more truth in thee, than in a drawn fox;14Q0644
and for womanhood, maid-Marian may be the deputy's
wife of the ward to thee. Go, you thing note, go.
Hos.
Say, what thing? what thing?
Fal.
What thing? why, a thing to thank God on note.
Hos.
I am no thing note to thank God on note, I would thou
shouldst know it; I am an honest man's wife: and, setting
thy knighthood aside, thou art a knave to call me so.
Fal.
Setting thy womanhood aside, thou art a beast
to say otherwise.
Hos.
Say, what beast, thou knave thou?
Fal.
What beast? why, an otter.
Pri.
An otter, sir John? why an otter?
Fal.
Why? she's neither fish, nor flesh; a man knows
not where to have her.
Hos.
Thou art an note unjust man in saying so; thou or
any man knows where to have me, thou knave thou.
Pri.
Thou say'st true, hostess; and he slanders thee
most grossly.
Hos.
So he doth you, my lord; and said this other
day, you ought note him a thousand pound.
Pri.
Sirrah, do I owe you a thousand pound?
Fal.
A thousand pound, Hal? a million: thy love is
worth a million; thou ow'st me thy love.
Hos.
Nay, my lord, he call'd you Jack; and said, he
would cudgel you.
Fal.
Did I, Bardolph?
-- 71 --
Bar.
Indeed, sir John, you said so.
Fal.
Yea; if he said, my ring was copper.
Pri.
I say, 'tis copper; Dar'st thou be as good as thy
word now?
Fal.
Why, Hal, thou know'st, as thou art but man note,
I dare: but, as thou art prince note, I fear thee, as I fear the
roaring of the lion's whelp.
Pri.
And why not, as the lion?
Fal.
The king himself is to be feared as the lion:
Dost thou think, I'll fear thee as I fear thy father? nay,
an I do, I pray God my note girdle break!
Pri.
O, if it should, how would thy guts fall about
thy knees! But, sirrah, there's no room for faith, truth,
nor honesty, in this bosom of thine; it is all fill'd up
with guts, and midriff note. Charge an honest woman with
picking thy pocket! Why, thou whoreson, impudent,
imbost rascal, if there were any thing in thy pocket but
tavern-reck'nings, memorandums of bawdy-houses, and
one poor penny-worth of sugar-candy to make thee
long-winded; if thy pocket were enrich'd with any
other injuries but these, I am a villain. And yet you
will stand to it; you will not pocket up wrong: Art
thou not asham'd?
Fal.
Dost thou hear, Hal? thou know'st, in the state
of innocency, Adam fell; And what should note poor Jack
Falstaff do, in the days of villainy? Thou seest, note I have
more flesh than another man; and therefore more frailty.
You confess then, you pick'd my pocket?
Pri.
It appears so by the story.
Fal.
Hostess, I forgive thee: Go, make ready breakfast;
love thy husband, look to thy servants, cherish note thy
guests: note thou shall find me tractable to any honest reason;
-- 72 --
thou seest, note I am pacify'd still.14Q0645 Nay, pr'ythee note, be
gone. [Exit Hostess.] Now, Hal, to the news at court:
for the robbery, lad,—How is that answer'd?
Pri.
O my sweet beef, I must still be good angel to
thee:—The money is pay'd back again.
Fal.
O, I do not like that paying back, 'tis a double
labour.
Pri.
I am good friends with my father, and may do
any thing.
Fal.
Rob me the exchequer the first thing thou dost,
and do it with unwash'd hands too.
Bar.
Do, my lord.
Pri.
I have procur'd thee, Jack, a charge of foot.
Fal.
I would, it had been of horse. Where shall I
find one that can steal well? O for a fine thief, of note two
and twenty, or thereabouts note! I am heinously unprovided.
Well, God be thanked for these rebels, they offend
none but the virtuous; I laud them, I praise them.
Pri.
Bardolph,—
Bar.
My lord.
Pri.
Go bear this &dagger2; letter to lord John of Lancaster,
My brother John; this &dagger2; to my note lord of Westmoreland.—
Peto, note to horse, to horse; for note thou, and I,
Have thirty miles to ride note ere note dinner-time.—
Jack,
Meet me to-morrow in the Temple hall
At two o'clock i' the afternoon:
There shalt thou know thy charge; and there receive note
Money, and order for their furniture.
The land is burning; Percy stands on high;
And either they, or we note, must lower lye.
[Exeunt Prince, Peto, and Bar.
-- 73 --
Fal.
Rare words! brave world!—Hostess, my breakfast; come:—
O, I could wish, this tavern were my drum.
[Exit.
ACT IV.
SCENE I.
The rebel Camp before Shrewsbury.
Enter Hotspur, Worcester, Douglas, and Others.
Hot.
Well said, my noble Scot: If speaking truth,
In this fine age, were not thought flattery note,
Such attribution should the Douglas have,
As not a soldier of this season's stamp
Should go so general current through the world.
By heaven, note I cannot flatter; I defy
The tongues note of soothers; but a braver place
In my heart's love, hath no man than yourself:
Nay, task me to my word; approve me, lord.
Dou.
Thou art the king of honour:
No man so potent breaths upon the ground,
But I will beard him.
Enter a Messenger, with Letters.
Hot.
Do so, and 'tis well:—
What letters hast thou note there?—I can but thank you.
Mes.
These &dagger2; letters, my good lord, come from your father.
Hot.
Letters from him! why comes he not himself?
Mes.
He cannot come, my lord; he's grievous sick.
Hot.
'Zounds note! how has he the note leisure to be sick,
In such a justling time? Who leads his power?
Under whose government come they along?
Mes.
His letters bear note his mind, note note not I, my lord.14Q0646
[Hot-spur opens them, and reads.
-- 74 --
Wor.
I pr'ythee, tell me, doth he keep his bed?
Mes.
He did, my lord, four days ere I set forth;
And at the time of my departure thence,
He was much fear'd by his physicians note.
Wor.
I would, the state of time note had first been whole,
Ere he by sickness had been visited;
His health note was never better worth than now.
Hot.
Sick now! droop now! this sickness doth infect
The very life-blood of our enterprize;
'Tis catching hither, even to our camp.—
He writes me here,—that inward sickness holds him;
And that his friends by deputation could not
So soon be drawn; nor did he think it meet,
To lay so dangerous and dear a trust
On any soul remov'd, but on his own.
Yet doth he give us bold advertisement,—
That with our small conjunction we should on,
To see how fortune is dispos'd to us:
For, as he writes, there is no quailing now;
Because the king is certainly possest
Of all our purposes. What say you to it?
Wor.
Your father's sickness is a maim to us.
Hot.
A perilous gash, a very limb lopt off:—
And yet, in faith, it's not; his present want
Seems more than we shall find it: Were it good,
To set the exact wealth of all our states
All at one cast? to set so rich a main
On the nice hazard of one doubtful hour?
It were not good: for therein should we read
The very bottom and the soul of hope;
The very list, the very utmost bound
Of all our fortunes.
-- 75 --
Dou.
'Faith, and so we should;
Where now remains a sweet reversion;
And we may boldly spend, upon the hope
Of what is note to come in:
A comfort of retirement lives in this.
Hot.
A rendezvous, a home to fly unto,
If that the devil and mischance look big
Upon the maidenhead of our affairs.
Wor.
But yet, I would your father had been here.
The quality and hair note of our attempt
Brooks no division: It will note be thought
By some, that know not why he is away,
That wisdom, loyalty, and meer dislike
Of our proceedings, kept the earl from hence;
And think, how such an apprehension
May turn the tide of fearful faction,
And breed a kind of question in our cause:
For, well you know, we of the offending note side
Must keep aloof from strict arbitrement;
And stop all sight-holes, every loop, from whence
The eye of reason may pry in upon us:
This absence of your father's note draws a curtain,
That shews the ignorant a kind of fear
Before not dreamt of.
Hot.
Come, you strain too far.
I, rather, of his absence make this use;—
It lends a lustre, a more great opinion,
A larger dare to our note great enterprize,
Than if the earl were here: for men must think,
If we, without his help, can make a head
To push against the kingdom note; with his help,
We shall o'er-turn note it topsy-turvy down.
-- 76 --
Yet all goes well, yet all our joints are whole.
Dou.
As heart can think: there is not such a word
Spoke of in Scotland, as this term note of fear.
Enter Sir Richard Vernon.
Hot.
My cousin Vernon! welcome, by my soul.
Ver.
Pray God, my news be worth a welcome, lord.
The earl of Westmoreland, seven thousand strong,
Is marching hitherwards; with him note, prince John.
Hot.
No harm: What more?
Ver.
And further, I have learn'd,—
The king himself in person is set note forth note,
Or hitherwards intended speedily,
With strong and mighty preparation.
Hot.
He shall be welcome too. Where is his son,
The nimble-footed mad-cap prince of Wales,
And his comrádes, that daft the world aside,
And bid it pass?
Ver.
All furnish'd,14Q0647 all in arms,
All plum'd note like estridges; and with the wind
Bating, note like eagles having lately bath'd:
Glittering in golden coats, like images;
Wanton as youthful goats, wild as young bulls;
As full of spirit as the month of May,
And gorgeous as the sun at midsummer.14Q0648
I saw young Harry,—with his beaver up, note
His cuisses on his thighs, gallantly arm'd,—
Rise from the ground like feather'd Mercury,
And vault note with such an ease into his seat,
As if an angel dropt note down from the clouds,
To turn and wind a fiery Pegasus,
And witch the world with noble horsemanship.
Hot.
No more, no more; worse than the sun in March,
-- 77 --
This praise doth nourish agues. Let them come;
They come like sacrifices in their trim,
And to the fire-ey'd maid of smoaky war,
All hot, and bleeding, will we offer them:
The mailed Mars shall on his altar note sit,
Up to the ears in blood. I am on fire,
To hear this rich reprisal is so nigh,
And yet not ours:—Come, let me take my note horse,
Who is to bear me, like a thunder-bolt,
Against the bosom of the prince of Wales:
Harry to Harry shall note,14Q0649 hot horse to horse;
Meet, and ne'er part, 'till one drop down a corse.
O, that Glendower were come!
Ver.
There is more news:
I learn'd in Worcester, as I rode along,
He cannot draw note his power this fourteen days.
Dou.
That's the worst tidings that I hear of yet. note
Wor.
Ay, by my faith, that bears a frosty sound.
Hot.
What may the king's whole battle reach unto?
Ver.
To thirty thousand.
Hot.
Forty let it be;
My father and Glendower being both away,
The powers note of us may serve so great a day.
Come, let us take a note muster speedily:
Dooms-day is near; die all, die merrily.
Dou.
Talk not of dying; I am out of fear
Of death, or death's hand, for this one half year.
[Exeunt.
SCENE II.
A publick Road near Coventry.
Enter Falstaff, and Bardolph.
Fal.
Bardolph, get thee before to Coventry; fill me a
bottle of sack: our soldiers shall march through; we'll
-- 78 --
to Sutton-Colfield note to-night.
Bar.
Will you give me money, captain?
Fal.
Lay out, lay out.
Bar.
This bottle makes an angel.
Fal.
An it note do, take it for thy labour; and if it make
twenty, take them all, I'll answer the coinage. Bid my
lieutenant Peto meet me at the note town's end.
Bar.
I will, captain: farewel.
[Exit.
Fal.
If I be not note ashamed of my soldiers, I am a
souc'd gurnet. I have mis-us'd the king's press damnably:
I have got, in exchange of a hundred and fifty soldiers,
three hundred and odd pounds. I press me none but
good housholders, yeomen's sons: enquire me out contracted
batchelors, such as had been ask'd twice on the
banes; such a commodity of warm slaves, as had as
lief hear the devil as a drum; such as fear the report of
a caliver, worse than a struck deer, note14Q0650 or a hurt wild-fowl note.
I prest me none but such toasts and butter, with hearts
in their bellies no bigger than pins' heads, and they
have bought note out their services; and now my whole
charge consists of ancients, corporals, lieutenants, gentlemen
of companies, slaves as ragged as Lazarus in the
painted cloth, where the glutton's dogs licked his sores:
and such as, indeed, were never soldiers; but discarded
unjust servingmen, younger sons to younger brothers,
revolted tapsters, and ostlers trade-fall'n; the cankers of
a calm world, and a long note peace; ten note times more dishonourably note
ragged, than an old-fac'd note ancient: and such
have I, to fill up the rooms of them that have note bought
out their services; that you would think, I note had a hundred
and fifty tatter'd note prodigals, lately come from swine-keeping,
from eating draff and husks. A mad fellow
-- 79 --
met me on the way, and told me, I had unloaded all
the gibbets, and prest the dead bodies. No eye hath
seen such scare-crows. I'll not march through note Coventry
with them, that's flat:—Nay, and the villains march
wide betwixt note the legs, as if they had gyves on; for,
indeed, I had the most of them out of prison. There's
but a note shirt and a half in all my company: and the half-shirt
is two napkins, tack'd together, and thrown over
the shoulders like a herald's coat without sleeves; and
the shirt, to say the truth, stoln from my host at Saint note
Alban's, or the red-nose inn-keeper of Daintry note. But
that's all one; they'll find linnen enough on every
hedge.
Enter the Prince, and Lord Westmoreland.
Pri.
How now, blown Jack? how now, quilt?
Fal.
What, Hal? How now, mad wag? what a devil
dost thou in Warwickshire?—My good lord of Westmoreland,
I cry you mercy; I thought, your honour had
already been at Shrewsbury.
Wes.
'Faith, sir John, 'tis more than time that I were
there, and you too; but my powers are there already:
The king, I can tell you, looks for us all; we must away
all night note.
Fal.
Tut, never fear me note; I am as vigilant, as a cat
to steal cream.
Pri.
I think, to steal cream indeed; for thy theft
hath already made thee butter. But tell me, Jack;
Whose fellows are these that come after?
Fal.
Mine, Hal, mine.
Pri.
I did never see such pitiful rascals.
Fal.
Tut, tut, good enough to toss; food for powder,
food for powder; they'll fill a pit as well as better note:
-- 80 --
tush, man, mortal men, mortal men.
Wes.
Ay, but, sir John, methinks, they are exceeding
poor and bare; too beggarly.
Fal.
'Faith, for their poverty,—I know not where
they had that: and for their bareness,—I am sure, they
never learn'd note that of me.
Pri.
No, I'll be sworn; unless you call three fingers
on the note ribs, bare. But, sirrah, make haste; Percy is
already in the field.
[Exit.
Fal.
What, is the king encamp'd?
Wes.
He is, sir note John; I fear, we shall stay too long.
[Exit.
Fal.
Well,
To note the latter note end of a fray, and the beginning of a feast,
Fits a dull fighter, and a keen guest.
[Exit.
SCENE III.
Hot-spur's Camp near Shrewsbury.
Enter Hot-spur, Worcester, Douglas, and Vernon.
Hot.
We'll fight with him to-night.
Wor.
It may not be.
Dou.
You give him then advantage.
Ver.
Not a whit.
Hot.
Why say you so? looks he not for supply?
Ver.
So do we.
Hot.
His is certain, ours is doubtful.
Wor.
Good cousin, be advis'd; stir not to-night.
Ver.
Do not, my lord.
Dou.
You do not counsel well;
You speak note it out of fear, and from cold heart.
Ver.
Do me no slander note, Douglas: by my life,
(And I dare well maintain it with my life)
If well-respected honour bids note me on,
-- 81 --
I hold as little counsel with weak fear,
As you, or note any Scot that this day lives:—
Let it note be seen to-morrow in the battle,
Which of us fears.
Dou. note
Yea, or to-night.
Ver.
Content.14Q0651
Hot.
To-night, say I.
Ver.
Come, come, it may not be. I wonder much,
Being men of such great leading as you are,
That you foresee not what impediments
Drag back our expedition: Certain horse note of
My cousin Vernon's are not yet come up:
Your uncle Worcester's horse note came but to-day;
And now their pride and mettle is asleep,
Their courage with hard labour tame and dull,
That not a horse is half the half of himself note.
Hot.
So are the horses of the enemy
In general, journey-bated, and brought low;
The better part of ours are full of rest.
Wor.
The number of the king exceedeth ours note:
For God's sake, cousin, stay 'till all come in.
Trumpet sounds a Parley. Enter Sir Walter Blunt.
Blu.
I come with gracious offers note from the king,
If you vouchsafe me hearing, and respect.
Hot.
Welcome, sir Walter Blunt; And would to God,
You were of our determination!
Some of us love you well: and even those some
Envy your great deservings, and good name;
Because you are not of our quality,
But stand against us like an enemy.
Blu.
And God defend note but still I should stand so,
-- 82 --
So long as, out of limit and true rule,
You stand against anointed majesty!
But, to my charge. The king hath sent to know
The nature of your griefs note; and whereupon
You conjure from the breast note of civil peace
Such bold hostility, teaching his duteous land
Audacious cruelty: If that the king
Have note any way your good deserts forgot,—
Which he confesseth to be manifold,—
He bids you name your griefs note; and, with all speed,
You shall have your desires note, with interest;
And pardon absolute for yourself, and these,
Herein mis-led by your suggestion.
Hot.
The king is kind; and, well we know, the king
Knows at what time to promise, when to pay.
My father, and my note uncle, and myself,
Did give him that same royalty he wears:
And,—when he was not six and twenty strong,
Sick in the world's regard, wretched and low,
A poor unminded out-law sneaking home,—
My father gave him welcome to the shore:
And,—when he heard him swear, and vow to God, note
He came but to be duke note of Lancaster,
To sue his livery, and beg his peace;
With tears14Q0652 of innocency, and terms of zeal,—
My father, in kind heart and pity mov'd,
Swore him assistance note, and perform'd it too.
Now, when the lords and barons of the realm
Perceiv'd Northumberland did lean to him,
The more note and less came in with cap and knee;
Met him in boroughs, cities, villages;
Attended note him on bridges, stood in lanes,
-- 83 --
Lay'd gifts before him, proffer'd him their oaths,
Gave him their heirs; as pages follow'd him,
Even at the heels, in golden multitudes.
He presently,—as greatness knows itself,—
Steps me a little higher than his vow
Made to my father, while his blood was poor,
Upon the naked shore at Ravenspurg;
And now (forsooth) takes on him to reform
Some certain edicts, and some strait decrees,
That lye too note heavy on the commonwealth:
Cries out upon abuses, seems to weep
Over his country's note wrongs; and, by this face,
This seeming brow of justice, did he win
The hearts of all that he did angle for.
Proceeded further; cut me off the heads
Of all the favourites, that the absent king
In deputation left behind him here,
When he was personal in the Irish war.
Blu.
I note came not to hear this.
Hot.
Then, to the point.
In short time after, he depos'd the king;
Soon after that, depriv'd him of his life;
And, in the neck of that, task'd the whole state:
To make that worse, suffer'd his kinsman March
(Who is, if every owner were well note plac'd,
Indeed his king) to be encag'd note in Wales,
There without ransom to lye forfeited:
Disgrac'd me in my happy victories;
Sought to entrap me by intelligence;
Rated my uncle note from the council-board;
In rage dismiss'd my father from the court;
Broke oath on oath, committed note wrong on wrong:
-- 84 --
And, in conclusion, drove us to seek out
This head of safety; and, withal, to pry
Into his title too, the which we find
Too indirect for long continuance.
Blu.
Shall I return this answer to the king?
Hot.
Not so, sir Walter; we'll withdraw a while.
Go to the king; and let there be impawn'd
Some surety for a safe note return again,
And in the morning early shall my uncle note
Bring him our purposes note: and so farewel.
Blu.
I would, you would accept of grace and love.
Hot.
And note, may be, so we shall.
Blu.
Pray heaven note, you do.
[Exeunt.
SCENE IV.
York. A Room in the Archbishop's Palace.
Enter the Archbishop, and a Gentleman.
Arch.
Hie, good sir Michael note; bear this &dagger2; sealed brief,
With winged haste, to the lord mareshal;14Q0653
This &dagger2; to my cousin Scroop; and all the &dagger2; rest
To whom they are directed: if you knew
How much they do import, you would make haste.
Gen.
I note guess their tenor.
Arch.
Like enough, you do.
To-morrow, good sir Michael, is a day,
Wherein the fortune of ten thousand men
Must 'bide the touch: For, sir, at Shrewsbury,
As I am truly given to understand,
The king, with mighty and quick-raised power,
Meets with lord Harry: and I fear, sir Michael,—
What with the sickness of Northumberland,
(Whose power was in the first proportion)
And what with note Owen Glendower's absence thence,
-- 85 --
(Who with them was a note rated sinew too note,
And comes not in, o'er-rul'd by prophesies)—
I fear, the power of Percy is too weak
To wage an instant trial with the king.
Gen.
Why, my good lord, I think, you need not fear;
There is the Douglas, and lord Mortimer:—
Arch.
No,
Mortimer is not there.
Gen.
But there is Mordake, Vernon, Harry note note Percy,
And there's my lord of Worcester; and a head
Of gallant warriors, noble gentlemen.
Arch.
And so there is: but yet the king hath drawn
The special head of all the land together:—
The prince of Wales, lord John of Lancaster,
The noble Westmoreland, and warlike Blunt;
And many more corrivals, and dear men
Of estimation and command in arms.
Gen.
Doubt not, my lord, they shall note be well oppos'd.
Arch.
I hope no less, yet needful 'tis to fear;
And, to prevent the worst, sir Michael, speed:
For, if lord Percy thrive not, ere the king
Dismiss his power, he means to visit us,—
For he hath heard of our confederacy,— note
And 'tis but wisdom to make strong against him;
Therefore, make haste: I must go write again
To other friends; and so farewel, sir Michael.
[Exeunt, severally.
ACT V.
SCENE I.
The King's Camp, near Shrewsbury.
Enter the King, Prince of Wales, Lord John of Lancaster,
-- 86 --
Sir Walter Blunt, and Falstaff.
K. H.
How bloodily the sun begins to peer note
Above yon' busky note hill! the day looks pale
At his distemp'rature.
Pri.
The southern wind
Doth play the trumpet to his purposes;
And, by his hollow note whistling in the leaves,
Fore-tells a tempest, and a blust'ring day.
K. H.
Then with the losers let it sympathize;
For nothing can seem foul to note those that win.—
Trumpet. Enter Worcester, and Vernon.
How now, my lord of Worcester? 'tis not well,
That you and I should meet upon such terms
As now we meet: You have deceiv'd our trust;
And made us doff our easy robes of peace,
To crush our old limbs note in ungentle steel:
This is not well, my lord, this is not well.
What say you to't? will you again unknit
This churlish knot of all-abhorred war?
And move note in that obedient orb again,
Where you did give a fair and natural light;
And be no more an exhal'd meteor,
A prodigy of fear, and a portent
Of broached mischief to the unborn times?
Wor.
Hear me, my liege:
For mine own part, I could be well content
To entertain the lag-end of my life
With quiet hours; for, I do note protest,
I have not sought the day of this dislike.
K. H.
You have not sought it, sir: How comes it then?
Fal.
Rebellion lay in his way, and he found it.
-- 87 --
Pri.
Peace, chewet, peace.
Wor.
It pleas'd your majesty, to turn your looks
Of favour, from myself, and all our house;
And yet I must remember you, my lord,
We were the first and dearest of your friends.
For you, my staff of office did I break
In Richard's time; and posted day and night
To meet you on the way, and kiss your hand,
When yet you were in place and in account
Nothing so strong and fortunate as I.
It was myself, my brother, and his son,
That brought you home, and boldly did outdare note
The dangers note of the time: You swore to us,—
And you did swear note that oath at Doncaster,—
That you did nothing purpose note 'gainst the state;
Nor claim note no further than your new-fall'n right,
The seat of Gaunt, dukedom of Lancaster:
To this we swore note our aid. But, in short space,
It rain'd down fortune show'ring on your head;
And such a flood of greatness fell on you,—
What with our help; what with the absent king;
What with the injuries of a note wanton time;
The seeming sufferances that you had born;
And the contrarious winds, that held the king
So long in his unlucky note Irish wars,
That all in England did repute him dead,—
As, from note14Q0654 this swarm of fair advantages,
You took occasion to be quickly woo'd
To gripe the general sway into your hand:
Forgot your oath to us at Doncaster;
And, being fed by us, you us'd us so
As that ungentle gull, the cuckoo's bird,
-- 88 --
Useth the sparrow: did oppress our nest;
Grew by our feeding to so great a bulk,
That even our love durst not come near your sight,
For fear of swallowing; but with nimble wing
We were enforc'd, for safety sake, to fly
Out of your sight, and raise this present head:
Whereby you stand note14Q0655 opposed by such means
As you yourself have forg'd against yourself;
By unkind usage, dang'rous countenance,
And violation of all faith and troth
Sworn note to us in your note younger enterprize.
K. H.
These things, indeed, you have articulated note,
Proclaim'd at market-crosses, read in churches;
To face the garment of rebellion
With some fine colour, that may please the eye
Of fickle changelings, and poor discontents,
Which gape, and rub the elbow, at the news
Of hurly-burly innovation:
And never yet did insurrection want
Such water-colours, to impaint his cause;
Nor moody note beggars, starving for a time
Of pell-mell havock and confusion.
Pri.
In both our armies note, there is many a soul
Shall pay full dearly for this bold encounter,
If once they join in trial. Tell your nephew,
The prince of Wales doth join with all the world
In praise of Harry note Percy: By my hopes,—
This present enterprize set off his note head,—
I do not think, a braver gentleman,
More active-valiant, or more valiant note-young,
More daring, or more bold, is now alive,
To grace this latter age with noble deeds.
-- 89 --
For my part, I may speak it to my shame,
I have a truant been to chivalry;
And so, I hear, he doth account me too:
Yet this before my father's majesty,—
I am content, that he shall take the odds
Of his great name and estimation;
And will, to save the blood on either side,
Try fortune with him in a note single fight.
K. H.
And, prince of Wales, so dare we venture thee,
Albeit, considerations infinite
Do make against it:—No, good Worcester, no,
We love our people well; even those we love,
That are mis-led upon your cousin's part:
And, will they take the offer of our grace,
Both he, and they, and you, yea, every man
Shall be my friend again, and I'll be his:
So tell your cousin, and then bring me word
What he will do:—But if he will not yield note,
Rebuke and dread correction wait note on us,
And they shall do their office. So, be gone;
We will not now be troubl'd with reply:
We offer fair, take it advisedly.
[Exeunt Worcester, and Vernon.
Pri.
It will not be accepted, on my life:
The Douglas and the Hot-spur both together
Are confident against the world in arms.
K. H.
Hence, therefore, every leader to his charge;
For, on their answer, will we set on them:
And God befriend us, as our cause is just!
[Exeunt King, Blunt, and P. John.
Fal.
Hal, if thou see me down in the battle, and bestride
me, so; 'tis a point of friendship.
-- 90 --
Pri.
Nothing but a colossus can do thee that friendship.
Say thy prayers, and farewel.
Fal.
I would it were note bed-time, Hal, and all well.
Pri.
Why, thou ow'st God a death.
[Exit.
Fal.
'Tis not due yet; I would be loth to pay him
before his day: What need I be so forward with him
that calls not on me? Well, 'tis no matter; Honour
pricks me on. Yea note, but how if honour prick me off
when I come on? how then? Can honour set to a leg?
No. Or an arm? No. Or take away the grief of a wound?
No. Honour hath no skill in surgery then? No. What
is honour? A word. What is that word, honour? Air note.
A trim reck'ning!—Who hath it? He that dy'd o'wednesday.
Doth he feel it? No. Doth he hear it? No. Is it
insensible note then? Yea, to the dead. But will it note not live
with the living? No. Why? Detraction will not suffer
it:—therefore I'll none of it: Honour is a meer scutcheon,
and so ends my catechism.
[Exit.
SCENE II.
Hot-spur's Camp.
Enter Worcester, and Vernon.
Wor.
O no, my nephew must not know, sir Richard,
The liberal kind note offer of the king.
Ver.
'Twere best, he did.
Wor.
Then are we note all undone.
It is not possible, it cannot be,
The king should note keep his word in loving us;
He will suspect us still, and find a time
To punish this offence in other note faults:
Suspicion note, all our lives, shall be stuck full of eyes:
For treason note is but trusted like the fox;
Who, ne'er so tame, so cherish'd, and lock'd up,
-- 91 --
Will have a wild trick of his ancestors:
Look how we note can, or sad, or merrily,
Interpretation will misquote our looks;
And we shall feed like oxen at a stall,
The better cherish'd, still the nearer death.
My nephew's trespass may be well forgot,
It hath the excuse of youth, and heat of blood;
And an adopted name of priviledge,—
A hare-brain'd Hot-spur, govern'd by a spleen:
All his offences live upon my head,
And on his father's;—we did train him on;
And, his corruption being ta'en from us,
We, as the spring of all, shall pay for all.
Therefore, good cousin, let not Harry know,
In any case, the offer of the king.
Ver.
Deliver what you will, I'll say, 'tis so note.
Here comes your cousin.
Enter Hot-spur, and Douglas; Officers attending.
Hot.
My uncle is return'd;—Deliver up
My lord of Westmoreland.—Uncle, what news?
Wor.
The king will bid you battle presently.
Hot.
Defy him14Q0656 by the lord of Westmoreland:—
Lord Douglas, do you go note and tell him so.
Dou.
Marry, and shall, and very note willingly.
[Exit.
Wor.
There is no seeming mercy in the king.
Hot.
Did you beg any? God forbid!
Wor.
I told him gently of our note grievances,
Of his oath-breaking; which he mended thus,—
By now forswearing that he is forsworn:
He calls us, rebels, traitors; and will scourge
With haughty arms this hateful name in us.
-- 92 --
Re-enter Douglas.
Dou.
Arm, gentlemen, to arms! for I have thrown
A brave defiance in king Henry's teeth,
And Westmoreland, that was engag'd, did bear note it;
Which cannot choose but bring him quickly on.
Wor.
The prince of Wales stept forth before the king,
And, nephew, challeng'd you to single fight.
Hot.
O, would the quarrel lay upon our heads;
And that no man might draw short breath to-day,
But I, and Harry Monmouth! Tell me, tell me,
How shew'd his tasking note?14Q0657 seem'd it in contempt?
Ver.
No, by my soul; I never in my life
Did hear a challenge urg'd more modestly,
Unless a brother should a brother dare
To gentle exercise and proof of arms.
He gave you all the duties of a man;
Trim'd up your praises with a princely tongue;
Spoke your deservings like a chronicle;
Making you ever better than his praise,
By still dispraising praise, valu'd with you:
And, which became him like a prince indeed,
He made a blushing cital of himself;
And chid his truant youth with such note a grace,
As if he master'd there a double spirit,
Of teaching, and of learning, instantly.
There did he pause: But let me tell the world,—
If he out-live the envy of this day,
England did never owe so sweet a hope,
So much misconstru'd in his wantonness.
Hot.
Cousin, I think, thou art enamoured
Upon his note follies; never did I hear
Of any prince so wild a libertine note note:—
-- 93 --
But, be he as he will, yet once ere night
I will embrace him with a soldier's arm,
That he shall shrink under my courtesy.—
Arm, arm, with speed:—And, fellows note, soldiers, friends,
[turning to the Officers.
Better consider what you have to do,
Than I, that have not well the gift of tongue,
Can lift your blood up by persuasion.
Enter a Messenger.
Mes.
My lord,
Here are letters for you.
Hot.
I cannot read them now.—
O gentlemen, the time of life is short;
To spend14Q0658 that shortness basely, 'twere note too long;
If life did ride upon a dial's point,
Still ending note at the arrival of an hour.
An if we note live, we live to tread on kings;
If die, Brave death, when princes die with us!
Now, for our consciences,—the arms are fair note,
When the intent of bearing note them is just.
Enter another Messenger.
2. M.
My lord, prepare; the king comes on apace.
Hot.
I thank him, that he cuts me from my tale,
For I profess not talking; Only this—
Let each man do his best: and here draw I note
A † sword, whose temper note I intend to stain
With the best blood that I can meet withal
In the adventure of this perilous day.
Now,—Esperance!—Percy!—and set on.—
Sound all the lofty instruments of war,
And by that musick let us all embrace:
For, heaven to earth, some of us never shall
-- 94 --
A second time do such a courtesy.
[Flourish of Trumpets, &c. They embrace, and Exeunt.
SCENE III.
Plain between the Camps.
Alarums, as of a Battle join'd. Excursions, and Parties fighting.
Enter Douglas, and Blunt, meeting.
Blu.
What is thy name, that in the battle thus
Thou crossest me? what honour dost thou seek
Upon my head?
Dou.
Know then, my name is Douglas;
And I do haunt thee in the battle thus,
Because some tell me that thou art a king.
Blu.
They tell thee true.
Dou.
The lord of Stafford dear to note-day hath bought
Thy likeness; for, instead of thee, king Harry,
This sword hath ended him: so shall it thee,
Unless thou yield thee as my prisoner note.
Blu.
I was not born a yielder note, thou proud Scot note;
And thou shalt find a king, that will revenge
Lord note Stafford's death.
[fight, and Blunt is slain.
Enter Hotspur.
Hot.
O Douglas, hadst thou fought at Holmedon note thus,
I never had triúmph'd note upon note a Scot.
Dou.
All's done, all's won; here breathless lies the king.
Hot.
Where?
Dou.
Here.
Hot.
This, Douglas? no, I know this face full well;
A gallant knight he was, his name was Blunt,
Semblably furnish'd like the king himself.
Dou.
A fool14Q0659 go with thy soul, where'er note note it goes!
[to the Body.
A borrow'd title hast thou bought too dear.
-- 95 --
Why didst thou tell me that thou wert a king?
Hot.
The king hath many marching in his coats.
Dou.
Now by my sword, I will kill all his coats;
I'll murther all his wardrobe, piece by piece,
Until I meet the king.
Hot.
Up, and away;
Our soldiers stand full fairly for the day.
[Exeunt.
Other Alarums. Enter Falstaff.
Fal.
Though I could 'scape shot-free at London, I fear
the shot here; here's no scoring, but upon the pate.—
Soft! who art thou note? Sir Walter Blunt;—there's honour
for you: Here's no vanity.14Q0660 I am as hot as molten lead,
and as heavy too: God keep note lead out of me! I need no
more weight than mine own bowels. I have led my
ragamuffins where they are pepper'd: there's not three
of my hundred and fifty left alive; and they are note for the
town's end, to beg during life. But who comes here?
Enter the Prince.
Pri.
What, stand'st note thou idle here? lend me thy sword:
Many a nobleman note lies stark and stiff
Under the hoofs note of vaunting enemies,
Whose deaths are unreveng'd note: lend note me thy sword.
Fal.
O Hal,
I pr'ythee, give me leave to breath a while:—
Turk Gregory14Q0661 never did such deeds in arms,
As I have done this day:
I have pay'd Percy, I have made him sure.
Pri.
He is, indeed; and living to kill thee.
I pr'ythee now, lend me thy sword.
Fal.
Nay, Hal,
'Fore God note, note if Percy be alive, thou get'st note not
-- 96 --
My sword; but take my pistol, if thou wilt.
Pri.
Give it me: What, is't in the case?
Fal.
Ay, Hal;
[offering the Case to him.
'Tis hot note, 'tis hot; there's that will sack a city.
[Prince opens, and draws out a Bottle of Sack.
Pri.
What, is it a time to jest and dally now?
[throws it at him, and Exit.
Fal.
If note Percy be alive, I'll pierce him. If he do come
in my way, so: if he do not,—if I come in his willingly,
let him make a carbonado of me. I like not such grinning
honour as sir Walter hath: Give me life: which if
I can save, so; if not, honour comes unlook'd for, and
there's an end.
[Exit.
SCENE IV.
Another Part of it.
Alarums. Excursions. Enter the King, Prince of Wales, Prince John, and Westmoreland.
K. H.
Harry note, withdraw thyself; thou bleed'st too much:—
Lord John of Lancaster, go you with him.
P. Jo.
Not I, my lord, unless I did bleed too.
Pri.
I do beseech your Majesty, note make up,
Lest your retirement note do amaze your friends.
K. H.
I will do so:—My lord of Westmoreland,
Lead him to his tent.
Wes.
Come, my lord, I will lead you to your tent.
Pri.
Lead me, my lord? I do not need your help:
And heaven note forbid, a shallow scratch should drive
The prince of Wales from such a field as this;
Where stain'd nobility note lies trodden on,
And rebels' arms triumph in massacres!
P. Jo.
We breath too long:—Come, cousin Westmoreland,
-- 97 --
Our duty this way lies; for God's note sake, come.
[Exeunt P. John, and West.
Pri.
By heaven note, thou hast deceiv'd me, Lancaster,
I did not think thee lord of such a spirit:
Before, I lov'd thee as a brother, John;
But now, I do respect thee as my soul.
K. H.
I saw him hold lord Percy at the point,
With lustier maintenance than I did look for
Of such an ungrown warrior.
Pri.
O, this boy
Lends mettle to us all!
[Exit.
Alarums. Enter Douglas.
Dou.
Another king! they grow like Hydra's heads:
I am the Douglas, fatal to all those
That wear those colours on them.—What art thou,
That counterfeit'st the person of a king?
K. H.
The king himself; who, Douglas, grieves at heart,
So many of his shadows thou hast met,
And not the very king. I have two boys,
Seek Percy, and thyself, about the field:
But, seeing thou fall'st on me so luckily,
I will assay thee; so defend note thyself.
Dou.
I fear, thou art another counterfeit;
And yet, in faith, thou bear'st thee like a king:
But mine, I am sure, thou art, whoe'er thou be,
And thus I win thee.
[engaging him.
The King being in Danger, Enter the Prince of Wales.
Pri.
Hold up thy note head, vile Scot, or thou art like
Never to hold it up again! the spirits
Of Shirley note,14Q0662 Stafford, Blunt, are in my arms:
It is the prince of Wales, that threatens note thee;
-- 98 --
Who never promiseth, but he note means to pay.—
[fight; and Douglas flies.
Cheerly, my lord; How fares your grace?—
Sir Nicholas Gawsey hath for succour sent,
And so hath Clifton; I'll to Clifton straight.
K. H.
Stay, breath note a while:—
Thou hast redeem'd thy lost opinion;14Q0663
And shew'd, thou mak'st some tender of my life,
In this fair rescue thou hast brought to me.
Pri.
O God! note they did me too much injury,
That ever said, I hearken'd to your note death.
If it were so, I might have let alone
The insulting hand of Douglas over you;
Which would have been as speedy in your end,
As all the pois'nous potions in the world,
And sav'd the treacherous labour of your son.
K. H.
Make up to Clifton, I'll to sir Nicholas Gawsey.
[Exit King.
As the Prince is going out, Enter Hot-spur.
Hot.
If I mistake not, thou art Harry Monmouth.
Pri.
Thou speak'st as if I would deny my name.
Hot.
My name is Harry Percy.
Pri.
Then note I see
A very valiant rebel of that name note.
I am the prince of Wales; and think not, Percy,
To share with me in glory any more:
Two stars keep not their motion in one sphere;
Nor can one England brook a double reign,
Of Harry Percy, and the prince of Wales.
Hot.
Nor shall it, Harry, for the hour is come
To end the one of us; And would to God note,
Thy name in arms were now as great as mine!
-- 99 --
Pri.
I'll make it greater, ere I part from thee;
And all the budding note honours on thy crest
I'll crop, to make a garland for my head.
Hot.
I can no longer brook thy vanities.
[fight.
Enter Falstaff.
Fal.
Well said, Hal! to it, Hal! Nay, you shall find
no boy's play here, I can tell you.
Enter Douglas, and makes at Falstaff;
who receives a Blow, and falls down, making Shew
as he were dead, and Exit Douglas. Hot-spur receives
a Wound, and falls.
Hot.
O, Harry, thou hast rob'd me of my youth:
I better brook note the loss of brittle life,
Than those proud titles thou hast won of me;
They wound my thoughts, worse than thy sword note my flesh:—
But thought's the slave note of life, and life time's fool;
And time, that takes survey of all the world,
Must have a stop. O, I could prophesy,
But that the earthy and note cold hand of death
Lies on my tongue:—No, Percy, thou art dust,
And food for—
[sinks, and dies.
Pri.
For worms, brave Percy: Fare thee note well, great heart!—
Ill-weav'd ambition, how much art thou shrunk!
When that this body did contain a spirit,
A kingdom for it was too small a bound;
But now, two paces of the vilest earth
Is room enough:—This earth, that bears thee dead note,
Bears not alive so stout a gentleman.
If thou wert sensible of courtesy,
I should not make so dear a note shew of zeal:—
But let my favours &dagger2; hide thy mangl'd face:
-- 100 --
And, even in thy behalf, I'll thank myself
For doing these fair rites of tenderness.
Adieu, and take thy praise with thee to heaven!
Thy ignomy note sleep with thee in the grave,
Be not note remember'd14Q0664 in thy epitaph!—
[going, and sees Falstaff.
What! old acquaintance! could not all this flesh
Keep in a little life? Poor Jack, farewel!
I could have better spar'd a better man.
O, I should have a heavy miss of thee,
If I were much in love with vanity.
Death hath not struck so fat a note deer to-day,
Though many dearer, in this bloody fray:—
Imbowel'd will I see thee by and by;
'Till then, in blood by noble Percy lye.
[Exit.
Fal.
Imbowel'd! [rising up slowly.] if thou imbowel
me to-day, I'll give you leave to powder me, and eat
me too, to-morrow. 'Sblood note, 'twas time to counterfeit,
or that hot termagant Scot had pay'd me scot and lot
too. Counterfeit? I lie note, I am no counterfeit: To die, is
to be a counterfeit; for he is but the counterfeit of a
man, who hath not the life of a man: but to counterfeit
dying, when a man thereby liveth, is to be no counterfeit,
but the true and perfect image of life indeed. The
better part of valour is—discretion; in the which better
part, I have saved my life. 'Zounds note, I am afraid note of this
gun-powder Percy, though he be dead: How if he should
counterfeit too, and rise? I note am afraid, he would prove
the better counterfeit. Therefore I'll make him sure:
giving him a Stab.] yea, and I'll swear I kill'd him note;
Why may not he rise, as well as I? Nothing confutes
me but eyes, and nobody sees me:—Therefore, sirrah,
-- 101 --
with a new wound in your thigh, come you along with note
me.
[takes Hot-spur on his Back.
Re-enter the Prince, and Prince John.
Pri.
Come, brother John, full bravely hast thou flesh'd
Thy maiden sword.
P. Jo.
But, soft! who have note we here?
Did you not tell me, this fat man was dead?
Pri.
I did; I saw him dead, breathless and bleeding
Upon the note ground.—
Art thou alive? or is it fantasy,
That plays upon our eye-sight? I pr'ythee, speak;
We will not trust our eyes, without our ears:—
Thou art not what thou seem'st.
Fal.
No, that's certain; I am not a double man: but
if I am not note Jack Falstaff, then am I a Jack. There is
Percy: [throwing down his Load.] if your father will do
me any honour, so; if not, let him kill the note next Percy
himself. I look to be either earl or duke, I can assure you.
Pri.
Why, Percy I kill'd myself, and saw thee dead.
Fal.
Didst thou?—Lord, Lord, how this world note is
given to lying!—I grant you, I was down, and out of
breath; and so was he: but we rose both at an instant,
and fought a long hour by Shrewsbury clock. If I may be
believ'd, so; if not, let them, that should reward valour,
bear the sin upon their own heads. I'll take it upon note my
death, I gave him this wound in the thigh: if the man
were alive, and would deny it, I note would make note him eat a
piece of my sword.
P. Jo.
This is the strangest tale that e'er I heard.
Pri.
This is the strangest fellow, brother John.—
Come, bring your luggage nobly on your back:
For my part, if a lie may do thee grace,
-- 102 --
I'll gild it with the happiest terms I have.
[Retreat sounded.
The trumpet sounds note retreat, the day is ours:
Come, brother, let's to the highest of the field,
To see what friends are living, who are dead.
[Exeunt Princes.
Fal.
I'll follow, as they say, for reward. He that rewards
me, God reward note him! If I do grow great, I'll grow
less; for I'll purge, and leave sack, and live cleanly as
a nobleman should do.
[Exit, bearing off the Body.
SCENE V.
Another Part.
Flourish of Trumpets, &c. Enter the King,
Prince of Wales, Prince John, Westmoreland, and Others;
with Worcester, and Vernon, Prisoners.
K. H.
Thus ever did rebellion find rebuke.—
Ill-spirited Worcester! did we not note send grace,
Pardon, and terms of love to all of you?
And wouldst thou turn our offers contrary?
Misuse the tenor of thy kinsman's trust?
Three knights upon our party slain to-day,
A noble earl, and many a creature else,
Had been alive this hour,
If, like a christian, thou hadst truly born
Betwixt our armies true intelligence.
Wor.
What I have done, my safety urg'd me to;
And I embrace this fortune patiently,
Since not to be avoided it falls on me.
K. H.
Bear Worcester to the note death, and Vernon too:
Other offenders we will pause upon.—
[Exeunt Worcester, and Vernon, guarded.
How goes the field?
-- 103 --
Pri.
The noble Scot note, lord Douglas,—when he saw
The fortune of the day quite turn'd note from him,
The noble Percy slain, and all his men
Upon the foot of fear,—fled with the rest;
And, falling from a hill, he was so bruis'd,
That the pursuers took him: At my tent
The Douglas is; and I beseech your grace,
I may dispose of him.
K. H.
With all my heart.
Pri.
Then, brother John of Lancaster, to you
This honourable bounty shall belong:
Go to the Douglas, and deliver him
Up to his pleasure, ransomless, and free:
His valour note, shown upon our crests to-day,
Hath note taught us how to cherish such high deeds,
Even in the bosom of our adversaries.
P. Jo. note
I thank your grace for this high courtesy,
Which I shall give away immediately.
K. H.
Then this remains,—that we divide our power:
You, son John, and my cousin Westmoreland,
Towards note York shall bend you, with your dearest speed,
To meet Northumberland, and the prelate note Scroop,
Who, as we hear, are busily in arms;
Myself,—and you note, son Harry,—will towards Wales,
To fight with Glendower, and the earl of March.
Rebellion in this land shall lose his sway note,
Meeting the check of such another day:
And since this business is so fairly note done,14Q0665
Let us not leave 'till all our own be won.
Flourish.
Exeunt.
