SCENE VI.
Enter at one door the armourer and his neighbours, drinking
to him so much, that he is drunk; and he enters
with a drum before him, and his staff 7 note
with a sand-bag
fastned to it; and at the other door his man, with
a drum and sand-bag, and prentices drinking to him.
1 Neigh.
Here, neighbour Horner, I drink to you
in a cup of sack; and fear not, neighbour, you shall
do well enough.
2 Neigh.
And here, neighbour, here's 8 notea cup of
charneco.
-- 38 --
3 Neigh.
And here's a pot of good double beer,
neighbour; drink, and fear not your man.
Arm.
Let it come, i'faith, and I'll pledge you all;
and a fig for Peter.
1 Prin.
Here, Peter, I drink to thee, and be not
afraid.
2 Pren.
Be merry, Peter, and fear not thy master;
fight for the credit of the prentices.
Peter.
I thank you all; drink and pray for me, I
pray you; for, I think, I have taken my last draught
in this world. Here, Robin: if I die, I give thee
my apron; and, Will, thou shalt have my hammer;
and here, Tom, take all the mony that I have. O
Lord, bless me I pray God; for I am never able to
deal with my master, he hath learn'd so much fence
already.
Sal.
Come, leave your drinking, and fall to blows.
Sirrah, what's thy name?
Peter.
Peter, forsooth.
Sal.
Peter? what more?
Peter.
Thump.
Sal.
Thump? Then see thou thump thy master well.
Arm.
Masters, I am come hither as it were upon
my man's instigation, to prove him a knave and myself
an honest man: and touching the Duke of York,
I will take my death I never meant him any ill, nor
the King, nor the Queen; and therefore, Peter, have
at thee with a downright blow, 9 noteas Bevis of Southampton
fell upon Ascapart.
York.
Dispatch: this knave's tongue begins to double.
-- 39 --
Sound trumpets; alarum to the combatants.
[They fight, and Peter strikes him down.
Arm.
Hold, Peter, hold; I confess, I confess treason.
[Dies.
York.
Take away his weapon: fellow, thank God,
and the good wine in thy master's way.
Peter.
O God, have I overcome mine enemy in this presence?
O Peter, thou hast prevail'd in right.
K. Henry.
Go, take hence that traitor from our sight.
1 noteFor by his death we do perceive his guilt.
And God in justice hath reveal'd to us
The truth and innocence of this poor fellow,
Which he had thought to murder wrongfully.
Come, fellow, follow us for thy reward.
[Exeunt.
Alexander Pope [1747], The works of Shakespear in eight volumes. The Genuine Text (collated with all the former Editions, and then corrected and emended) is here settled: Being restored from the Blunders of the first Editors, and the Interpolations of the two Last: with A Comment and Notes, Critical and Explanatory. By Mr. Pope and Mr. Warburton (Printed for J. and P. Knapton, [and] S. Birt [etc.], London) [word count] [S11301].
