ACTISCENEI。London。Thepalace。EnterKINGHENRY,LORDJOHNOFLANCASTER,theEARLofWESTMORELAND,SIRWALTERBLUNT,andothersKINGHENRYIVSoshakenasweare,sowanwithcare,Findweatimeforfrightedpeacetopant,Andbreatheshort—windedaccentsofnewbroilsTobecommencedinstrandsafarremote。
  NomorethethirstyentranceofthissoilShalldaubherlipswithherownchildren’sblood;
  Normoreshalltrenchingwarchannelherfields,NorbruiseherfloweretswiththearmedhoofsOfhostilepaces:thoseopposedeyes,Which,likethemeteorsofatroubledheaven,Allofonenature,ofonesubstancebred,DidlatelymeetintheintestineshockAndfuriouscloseofcivilbutcheryShallnow,inmutualwell—beseemingranks,MarchallonewayandbenomoreopposedAgainstacquaintance,kindredandallies:
  Theedgeofwar,likeanill—sheathedknife,Nomoreshallcuthismaster。Therefore,friends,AsfarastothesepulchreofChrist,Whosesoldiernow,underwhoseblessedcrossWeareimpressedandengagedtofight,ForthwithapowerofEnglishshallwelevy;
  Whosearmsweremouldedintheirmothers’wombTochasethesepagansinthoseholyfieldsOverwhoseacreswalk’dthoseblessedfeetWhichfourteenhundredyearsagowerenail’dForouradvantageonthebittercross。
  Butthisourpurposenowistwelvemonthold,Andbootless’tistotellyouwewillgo:
  Thereforewemeetnotnow。ThenletmehearOfyou,mygentlecousinWestmoreland,WhatyesternightourcouncildiddecreeInforwardingthisdearexpedience。WESTMORELANDMyliege,thishastewashotinquestion,AndmanylimitsofthechargesetdownButyesternight:whenallathwarttherecameApostfromWalesloadenwithheavynews;
  Whoseworstwas,thatthenobleMortimer,LeadingthemenofHerefordshiretofightAgainsttheirregularandwildGlendower,WasbytherudehandsofthatWelshmantaken,Athousandofhispeoplebutchered;
  Uponwhosedeadcorpsetherewassuchmisuse,Suchbeastlyshamelesstransformation,BythoseWelshwomendoneasmaynotbeWithoutmuchshameretoldorspokenof。KINGHENRYIVItseemsthenthatthetidingsofthisbroilBrakeoffourbusinessfortheHolyLand。WESTMORELANDThismatch’dwithotherdid,mygraciouslord;
  FormoreunevenandunwelcomenewsCamefromthenorthandthusitdidimport:
  OnHoly—roodday,thegallantHotspurthere,YoungHarryPercyandbraveArchibald,Thatever—valiantandapprovedScot,AtHolmedonmet,Wheretheydidspendasadandbloodyhour,Asbydischargeoftheirartillery,Andshapeoflikelihood,thenewswastold;
  Forhethatbroughtthem,intheveryheatAndprideoftheircontentiondidtakehorse,Uncertainoftheissueanyway。KINGHENRYIVHereisadear,atrueindustriousfriend,SirWalterBlunt,newlightedfromhishorse。
  Stain’dwiththevariationofeachsoilBetwixtthatHolmedonandthisseatofours;
  Andhehathbroughtussmoothandwelcomenews。
  TheEarlofDouglasisdiscomfited:
  TenthousandboldScots,twoandtwentyknights,Balk’dintheirownblooddidSirWalterseeOnHolmedon’splains。Ofprisoners,HotspurtookMordaketheEarlofFife,andeldestsonTobeatenDouglas;andtheEarlofAthol,OfMurray,Angus,andMenteith:
  Andisnotthisanhonourablespoil?
  Agallantprize?ha,cousin,isitnot?WESTMORELANDInfaith,Itisaconquestforaprincetoboastof。KINGHENRYIVYea,therethoumakestmesadandmakestmesinInenvythatmyLordNorthumberlandShouldbethefathertosoblestason,Asonwhoisthethemeofhonour’stongue;
  Amongstagrove,theverystraightestplant;
  WhoissweetFortune’sminionandherpride:
  WhilstI,bylookingonthepraiseofhim,SeeriotanddishonourstainthebrowOfmyyoungHarry。OthatitcouldbeprovedThatsomenight—trippingfairyhadexchangedIncradle—clothesourchildrenwheretheylay,Andcall’dminePercy,hisPlantagenet!
  ThenwouldIhavehisHarry,andhemine。
  Butlethimfrommythoughts。Whatthinkyou,coz,OfthisyoungPercy’spride?theprisoners,Whichheinthisadventurehathsurprised,Tohisownusehekeeps;andsendsmeword,IshallhavenonebutMordakeEarlofFife。WESTMORELANDThisishisuncle’steaching;thisisWorcester,Malevolenttoyouinallaspects;
  Whichmakeshimprunehimself,andbristleupThecrestofyouthagainstyourdignity。KINGHENRYIVButIhavesentforhimtoanswerthis;
  AndforthiscauseawhilewemustneglectOurholypurposetoJerusalem。
  Cousin,onWednesdaynextourcouncilweWillholdatWindsor;soinformthelords:
  Butcomeyourselfwithspeedtousagain;
  FormoreistobesaidandtobedoneThanoutofangercanbeuttered。WESTMORELANDIwill,myliege。
  ExeuntSCENEII。London。AnapartmentofthePrince’s。EnterthePRINCEOFWALESandFALSTAFFFALSTAFFNow,Hal,whattimeofdayisit,lad?PRINCEHENRYThouartsofat—witted,withdrinkingofoldsackandunbuttoningtheeaftersupperandsleepinguponbenchesafternoon,thatthouhastforgottentodemandthattrulywhichthouwouldsttrulyknow。
  Whatadevilhastthoutodowiththetimeoftheday?Unlesshourswerecupsofsackandminutescaponsandclocksthetonguesofbawdsanddialsthesignsofleaping—housesandtheblessedsunhimselfafairhotwenchinflame—colouredtaffeta,I
  seenoreasonwhythoushouldstbesosuperfluoustodemandthetimeoftheday。FALSTAFFIndeed,youcomenearmenow,Hal;forwethattakepursesgobythemoonandthesevenstars,andnotbyPhoebus,he,’thatwanderingknightsofair。’
  And,Iprithee,sweetwag,whenthouartking,as,Godsavethygrace,——majestyIshouldsay,forgracethouwilthavenone,——PRINCEHENRYWhat,none?FALSTAFFNo,bymytroth,notsomuchaswillservetoprologuetoaneggandbutter。PRINCEHENRYWell,howthen?come,roundly,roundly。FALSTAFFMarry,then,sweetwag,whenthouartking,letnotusthataresquiresofthenight’sbodybecalledthievesoftheday’sbeauty:letusbeDiana’sforesters,gentlemenoftheshade,minionsofthemoon;andletmensaywebemenofgoodgovernment,beinggoverned,astheseais,byournobleandchastemistressthemoon,underwhosecountenancewesteal。PRINCEHENRYThousayestwell,anditholdswelltoo;
  forthefortuneofusthatarethemoon’smendothebbandflowlikethesea,beinggoverned,astheseais,bythemoon。As,forproof,now:apurseofgoldmostresolutelysnatchedonMondaynightandmostdissolutelyspentonTuesdaymorning;gotwithswearing’Layby’andspentwithcrying’Bringin;’
  nowinaslowanebbasthefootoftheladderandbyandbyinashighaflowastheridgeofthegallows。FALSTAFFBytheLord,thousayesttrue,lad。Andisnotmyhostessofthetavernamostsweetwench?PRINCEHENRYAsthehoneyofHybla,myoldladofthecastle。Andisnotabuffjerkinamostsweetrobeofdurance?FALSTAFFHownow,hownow,madwag!what,inthyquipsandthyquiddities?whataplaguehaveItodowithabuffjerkin?PRINCEHENRYWhy,whatapoxhaveItodowithmyhostessofthetavern?FALSTAFFWell,thouhastcalledhertoareckoningmanyatimeandoft。PRINCEHENRYDidIevercallfortheetopaythypart?FALSTAFFNo;I’llgivetheethydue,thouhastpaidallthere。PRINCEHENRYYea,andelsewhere,sofarasmycoinwouldstretch;
  andwhereitwouldnot,Ihaveusedmycredit。FALSTAFFYea,andsouseditthatwereitnothereapparentthatthouartheirapparent——But,Iprithee,sweetwag,shalltherebegallowsstandinginEnglandwhenthouartking?andresolutionthusfobbedasitiswiththerustycurbofoldfatheranticthelaw?
  Donotthou,whenthouartking,hangathief。PRINCEHENRYNo;thoushalt。FALSTAFFShallI?Orare!BytheLord,I’llbeabravejudge。PRINCEHENRYThoujudgestfalsealready:Imean,thoushalthavethehangingofthethievesandsobecomeararehangman。FALSTAFFWell,Hal,well;andinsomesortitjumpswithmyhumouraswellaswaitinginthecourt,Icantellyou。PRINCEHENRYForobtainingofsuits?FALSTAFFYea,forobtainingofsuits,whereofthehangmanhathnoleanwardrobe。’Sblood,Iamasmelancholyasagibcatoraluggedbear。PRINCEHENRYOranoldlion,oralover’slute。FALSTAFFYea,orthedroneofaLincolnshirebagpipe。PRINCEHENRYWhatsayestthoutoahare,orthemelancholyofMoor—ditch?FALSTAFFThouhastthemostunsavourysimilesandartindeedthemostcomparative,rascalliest,sweetyoungprince。But,Hal,Iprithee,troublemenomorewithvanity。IwouldtoGodthouandIknewwhereacommodityofgoodnamesweretobebought。Anoldlordofthecouncilratedmetheotherdayinthestreetaboutyou,sir,butImarkedhimnot;andyethetalkedverywisely,butIregardedhimnot;
  andyethetalkedwisely,andinthestreettoo。PRINCEHENRYThoudidstwell;forwisdomcriesoutinthestreets,andnomanregardsit。FALSTAFFO,thouhastdamnableiterationandartindeedabletocorruptasaint。Thouhastdonemuchharmuponme,Hal;Godforgivetheeforit!BeforeIknewthee,Hal,Iknewnothing;andnowamI,ifamanshouldspeaktruly,littlebetterthanoneofthewicked。Imustgiveoverthislife,andIwillgiveitover:bytheLord,andIdonot,Iamavillain:
  I’llbedamnedforneveraking’ssoninChristendom。PRINCEHENRYWhereshallwetakeapursetomorrow,Jack?FALSTAFF’Zounds,wherethouwilt,lad;I’llmakeone;anI
  donot,callmevillainandbaffleme。PRINCEHENRYIseeagoodamendmentoflifeinthee;
  fromprayingtopurse—taking。FALSTAFFWhy,Hal,’tismyvocation,Hal;’tisnosinforamantolabourinhisvocation。
  EnterPOINS
  Poins!NowshallweknowifGadshillhavesetamatch。O,ifmenweretobesavedbymerit,whatholeinhellwerehotenoughforhim?Thisisthemostomnipotentvillainthatevercried’Stand’
  toatrueman。PRINCEHENRYGoodmorrow,Ned。POINSGoodmorrow,sweetHal。WhatsaysMonsieurRemorse?
  whatsaysSirJohnSackandSugar?Jack!howagreesthedevilandtheeaboutthysoul,thatthousoldesthimonGood—FridaylastforacupofMadeiraandacoldcapon’sleg?PRINCEHENRYSirJohnstandstohisword,thedevilshallhavehisbargain;forhewasneveryetabreakerofproverbs:hewillgivethedevilhisdue。POINSThenartthoudamnedforkeepingthywordwiththedevil。PRINCEHENRYElsehehadbeendamnedforcozeningthedevil。POINSBut,mylads,mylads,to—morrowmorning,byfouro’clock,earlyatGadshill!therearepilgrimsgoingtoCanterburywithrichofferings,andtradersridingtoLondonwithfatpurses:Ihavevizardsforyouall;youhavehorsesforyourselves:
  Gadshillliesto—nightinRochester:Ihavebespokesupperto—morrownightinEastcheap:wemaydoitassecureassleep。Ifyouwillgo,Iwillstuffyourpursesfullofcrowns;ifyouwillnot,tarryathomeandbehanged。FALSTAFFHearye,Yedward;ifItarryathomeandgonot,I’llhangyouforgoing。POINSYouwill,chops?FALSTAFFHal,wiltthoumakeone?PRINCEHENRYWho,Irob?Iathief?notI,bymyfaith。FALSTAFFThere’sneitherhonesty,manhood,norgoodfellowshipinthee,northoucamestnotofthebloodroyal,ifthoudarestnotstandfortenshillings。PRINCEHENRYWellthen,onceinmydaysI’llbeamadcap。FALSTAFFWhy,that’swellsaid。PRINCEHENRYWell,comewhatwill,I’lltarryathome。FALSTAFFBytheLord,I’llbeatraitorthen,whenthouartking。PRINCEHENRYIcarenot。POINSSirJohn,Iprithee,leavetheprinceandmealone:
  Iwilllayhimdownsuchreasonsforthisadventurethatheshallgo。FALSTAFFWell,Godgivetheethespiritofpersuasionandhimtheearsofprofiting,thatwhatthouspeakestmaymoveandwhathehearsmaybebelieved,thatthetrueprincemay,forrecreationsake,proveafalsethief;forthepoorabusesofthetimewantcountenance。Farewell:youshallfindmeinEastcheap。PRINCEHENRYFarewell,thoulatterspring!farewell,All—hallownsummer!
  ExitFalstaffPOINSNow,mygoodsweethoneylord,ridewithusto—morrow:IhaveajesttoexecutethatIcannotmanagealone。Falstaff,Bardolph,PetoandGadshillshallrobthosementhatwehavealreadywaylaid:
  yourselfandIwillnotbethere;andwhentheyhavethebooty,ifyouandIdonotrobthem,cutthisheadofffrommyshoulders。PRINCEHENRYHowshallwepartwiththeminsettingforth?POINSWhy,wewillsetforthbeforeorafterthem,andappointthemaplaceofmeeting,whereinitisatourpleasuretofail,andthenwilltheyadventureupontheexploitthemselves;whichtheyshallhavenosoonerachieved,butwe’llsetuponthem。PRINCEHENRYYea,but’tislikethattheywillknowusbyourhorses,byourhabitsandbyeveryotherappointment,tobeourselves。POINSTut!ourhorsestheyshallnotsee:I’lltietheminthewood;ourvizardswewillchangeafterweleavethem:and,sirrah,Ihavecasesofbuckramforthenonce,toimmaskournotedoutwardgarments。PRINCEHENRYYea,butIdoubttheywillbetoohardforus。POINSWell,fortwoofthem,Iknowthemtobeastrue—bredcowardsaseverturnedback;andforthethird,ifhefightlongerthanheseesreason,I’llforsweararms。Thevirtueofthisjestwillbe,theincomprehensibleliesthatthissamefatroguewilltelluswhenwemeetatsupper:howthirty,atleast,hefoughtwith;whatwards,whatblows,whatextremitiesheendured;andinthereproofofthisliesthejest。PRINCEHENRYWell,I’llgowiththee:provideusallthingsnecessaryandmeetmeto—morrownightinEastcheap;
  thereI’llsup。Farewell。POINSFarewell,mylord。
  ExitPoinsPRINCEHENRYIknowyouall,andwillawhileupholdTheunyokedhumourofyouridleness:
  YethereinwillIimitatethesun,WhodothpermitthebasecontagiouscloudsTosmotheruphisbeautyfromtheworld,That,whenhepleaseagaintobehimself,Beingwanted,hemaybemorewonder’dat,BybreakingthroughthefoulanduglymistsOfvapoursthatdidseemtostranglehim。
  Ifalltheyearwereplayingholidays,Tosportwouldbeastediousastowork;
  Butwhentheyseldomcome,theywish’dforcome,Andnothingpleasethbutrareaccidents。
  So,whenthisloosebehaviorIthrowoffAndpaythedebtIneverpromised,ByhowmuchbetterthanmywordIam,BysomuchshallIfalsifymen’shopes;
  Andlikebrightmetalonasullenground,Myreformation,glitteringo’ermyfault,ShallshowmoregoodlyandattractmoreeyesThanthatwhichhathnofoiltosetitoff。
  I’llsooffend,tomakeoffenceaskill;
  RedeemingtimewhenmenthinkleastIwill。
  ExitSCENEIII。London。Thepalace。EntertheKING,NORTHUMBERLAND,WORCESTER,HOTSPUR,SIR
  WALTERBLUNT,withothersKINGHENRYIVMybloodhathbeentoocoldandtemperate,Unapttostirattheseindignities,Andyouhavefoundme;foraccordinglyYoutreaduponmypatience:butbesureIwillfromhenceforthratherbemyself,Mightyandtobefear’d,thanmycondition;
  Whichhathbeensmoothasoil,softasyoungdown,AndthereforelostthattitleofrespectWhichtheproudsoulne’erpaysbuttotheproud。EARLOFWORCESTEROurhouse,mysovereignliege,littledeservesThescourgeofgreatnesstobeusedonit;
  AndthatsamegreatnesstoowhichourownhandsHaveholptomakesoportly。NORTHUMBERLANDMylord。——KINGHENRYIVWorcester,gettheegone;forIdoseeDangeranddisobedienceinthineeye:
  O,sir,yourpresenceistooboldandperemptory,AndmajestymightneveryetendureThemoodyfrontierofaservantbrow。
  Youhavegoodleavetoleaveus:whenweneedYouruseandcounsel,weshallsendforyou。
  ExitWorcesterYouwereabouttospeak。
  ToNorthNORTHUMBERLANDYea,mygoodlord。
  Thoseprisonersinyourhighness’namedemanded,WhichHarryPercyhereatHolmedontook,Were,ashesays,notwithsuchstrengthdeniedAsisdeliver’dtoyourmajesty:
  Eitherenvy,therefore,ormisprisonIsguiltyofthisfaultandnotmyson。HOTSPURMyliege,Ididdenynoprisoners。
  ButIremember,whenthefightwasdone,WhenIwasdrywithrageandextremetoil,Breathlessandfaint,leaninguponmysword,Camethereacertainlord,neat,andtrimlydress’d,Freshasabridegroom;andhischinnewreap’dShow’dlikeastubble—landatharvest—home;
  Hewasperfumedlikeamilliner;
  And’twixthisfingerandhisthumbheheldApouncet—box,whicheverandanonHegavehisnoseandtook’tawayagain;
  Whotherewithangry,whenitnextcamethere,Tookitinsnuff;andstillhesmiledandtalk’d,Andasthesoldiersboredeadbodiesby,Hecall’dthemuntaughtknaves,unmannerly,TobringaslovenlyunhandsomecorseBetwixtthewindandhisnobility。
  WithmanyholidayandladytermsHequestion’dme;amongsttherest,demandedMyprisonersinyourmajesty’sbehalf。
  Ithen,allsmartingwithmywoundsbeingcold,Tobesopester’dwithapopinjay,Outofmygriefandmyimpatience,Answer’dneglectinglyIknownotwhat,Heshouldorheshouldnot;forhemadememadToseehimshinesobriskandsmellsosweetAndtalksolikeawaiting—gentlewomanOfgunsanddrumsandwounds,——Godsavethemark!——
  Andtellingmethesovereign’stthingonearthWasparmacetiforaninwardbruise;
  Andthatitwasgreatpity,soitwas,Thisvillanoussalt—petreshouldbedigg’dOutofthebowelsoftheharmlessearth,Whichmanyagoodtallfellowhaddestroy’dSocowardly;andbutforthesevileguns,Hewouldhimselfhavebeenasoldier。
  Thisbaldunjointedchatofhis,mylord,Ianswer’dindirectly,asIsaid;
  AndIbeseechyou,letnothisreportComecurrentforanaccusationBetwixtmyloveandyourhighmajesty。SIRWALTERBLUNTThecircumstanceconsider’d,goodmylord,Whate’erLordHarryPercythenhadsaidTosuchapersonandinsuchaplace,Atsuchatime,withalltherestretold,MayreasonablydieandneverriseTodohimwrongoranywayimpeachWhatthenhesaid,soheunsayitnow。KINGHENRYIVWhy,yethedothdenyhisprisoners,Butwithprovisoandexception,ThatweatourownchargeshallransomstraightHisbrother—in—law,thefoolishMortimer;
  Who,onmysoul,hathwilfullybetray’dThelivesofthosethathedidleadtofightAgainstthatgreatmagician,damn’dGlendower,Whosedaughter,aswehear,theEarlofMarchHathlatelymarried。Shallourcoffers,then,Beemptiedtoredeematraitorhome?
  Shallwebuttreason?andindentwithfears,Whentheyhavelostandforfeitedthemselves?
  No,onthebarrenmountainslethimstarve;
  ForIshallneverholdthatmanmyfriendWhosetongueshallaskmeforonepennycostToransomhomerevoltedMortimer。HOTSPURRevoltedMortimer!
  Heneverdidfalloff,mysovereignliege,Butbythechanceofwar;toprovethattrueNeedsnomorebutonetongueforallthosewounds,Thosemouthedwounds,whichvaliantlyhetookWhenonthegentleSevern’ssedgybank,Insingleopposition,handtohand,HedidconfoundthebestpartofanhourInchanginghardimentwithgreatGlendower:
  Threetimestheybreathedandthreetimesdidtheydrink,Uponagreement,ofswiftSevern’sflood;
  Whothen,affrightedwiththeirbloodylooks,Ranfearfullyamongthetremblingreeds,Andhidhiscrispheadinthehollowbank,Bloodstainedwiththesevaliantcombatants。
  NeverdidbaseandrottenpolicyColourherworkingwithsuchdeadlywounds;
  NorcouldthenobleMortimerReceivesomany,andallwillingly:
  Thenletnothimbeslander’dwithrevolt。KINGHENRYIVThoudostbeliehim,Percy,thoudostbeliehim;
  HeneverdidencounterwithGlendower:
  Itellthee,HedurstaswellhavemetthedevilaloneAsOwenGlendowerforanenemy。
  Artthounotashamed?But,sirrah,henceforthLetmenothearyouspeakofMortimer:
  Sendmeyourprisonerswiththespeediestmeans,OryoushallhearinsuchakindfrommeAswilldispleaseyou。MyLordNorthumberland,Welicenceyourdeparturewithyourson。
  Sendusyourprisoners,oryouwillhearofit。
  ExeuntKingHenry,Blunt,andtrainHOTSPURAnifthedevilcomeandroarforthem,Iwillnotsendthem:IwillafterstraightAndtellhimso;forIwilleasemyheart,AlbeitImakeahazardofmyhead。NORTHUMBERLANDWhat,drunkwithcholer?stayandpauseawhile:
  Herecomesyouruncle。
  Re—enterWORCESTERHOTSPURSpeakofMortimer!
  ’Zounds,Iwillspeakofhim;andletmysoulWantmercy,ifIdonotjoinwithhim:
  Yea,onhispartI’llemptyalltheseveins,Andshedmydearblooddropbydropinthedust,ButIwillliftthedown—trodMortimerAshighintheairasthisunthankfulking,Asthisingrateandcanker’dBolingbroke。NORTHUMBERLANDBrother,thekinghathmadeyournephewmad。EARLOFWORCESTERWhostruckthisheatupafterIwasgone?HOTSPURHewill,forsooth,haveallmyprisoners;
  AndwhenIurgedtheransomonceagainOfmywife’sbrother,thenhischeeklook’dpale,Andonmyfaceheturn’daneyeofdeath,TremblingevenatthenameofMortimer。EARLOFWORCESTERIcannotblamehim:wasnotheproclaim’dByRichardthatdeadisthenextofblood?NORTHUMBERLANDHewas;Iheardtheproclamation:
  Andthenitwaswhentheunhappyking,——WhosewrongsinusGodpardon!——didsetforthUponhisIrishexpedition;
  FromwhenceheintercepteddidreturnTobedeposedandshortlymurdered。EARLOFWORCESTERAndforwhosedeathweintheworld’swidemouthLivescandalizedandfoullyspokenof。HOTSPURButsoft,Iprayyou;didKingRichardthenProclaimmybrotherEdmundMortimerHeirtothecrown?NORTHUMBERLANDHedid;myselfdidhearit。HOTSPURNay,thenIcannotblamehiscousinking,Thatwishedhimonthebarrenmountainsstarve。
  Butshallitbethatyou,thatsetthecrownUpontheheadofthisforgetfulmanAndforhissakewearthedetestedblotOfmurderoussubornation,shallitbe,Thatyouaworldofcursesundergo,Beingtheagents,orbasesecondmeans,Thecords,theladder,orthehangmanrather?
  O,pardonmethatIdescendsolow,ToshowthelineandthepredicamentWhereinyourangeunderthissubtleking;
  Shallitforshamebespokeninthesedays,Orfillupchroniclesintimetocome,ThatmenofyournobilityandpowerDidgagethembothinanunjustbehalf,Asbothofyou——Godpardonit!——havedone,ToputdownRichard,thatsweetlovelyrose,Anplantthisthorn,thiscanker,Bolingbroke?
  Andshallitinmoreshamebefurtherspoken,Thatyouarefool’d,discardedandshookoffByhimforwhomtheseshamesyeunderwent?
  No;yettimeserveswhereinyoumayredeemYourbanish’dhonoursandrestoreyourselvesIntothegoodthoughtsoftheworldagain,Revengethejeeringanddisdain’dcontemptOfthisproudking,whostudiesdayandnightToanswerallthedebtheowestoyouEvenwiththebloodypaymentofyourdeaths:
  Therefore,Isay——EARLOFWORCESTERPeace,cousin,saynomore:
  AndnowIwillunclaspasecretbook,Andtoyourquick—conceivingdiscontentsI’llreadyoumatterdeepanddangerous,AsfullofperilandadventurousspiritAstoo’er—walkacurrentroaringloudOntheunsteadfastfootingofaspear。HOTSPURIfhefallin,goodnight!orsinkorswim:
  Senddangerfromtheeastuntothewest,Sohonourcrossitfromthenorthtosouth,Andletthemgrapple:O,thebloodmorestirsTorousealionthantostartahare!NORTHUMBERLANDImaginationofsomegreatexploitDriveshimbeyondtheboundsofpatience。HOTSPURByheaven,methinksitwereaneasyleap,Topluckbrighthonourfromthepale—facedmoon,Ordiveintothebottomofthedeep,Wherefathom—linecouldnevertouchtheground,Andpluckupdrownedhonourbythelocks;
  SohethatdothredeemherthencemightwearWithoutcorrival,allherdignities:
  Butoutuponthishalf—facedfellowship!EARLOFWORCESTERHeapprehendsaworldoffigureshere,Butnottheformofwhatheshouldattend。
  Goodcousin,givemeaudienceforawhile。HOTSPURIcryyoumercy。EARLOFWORCESTERThosesamenobleScotsThatareyourprisoners,——HOTSPURI’llkeepthemall;
  ByGod,heshallnothaveaScotofthem;
  No,ifaScotwouldsavehissoul,heshallnot:
  I’llkeepthem,bythishand。EARLOFWORCESTERYoustartawayAndlendnoearuntomypurposes。
  Thoseprisonersyoushallkeep。HOTSPURNay,Iwill;that’sflat:
  HesaidhewouldnotransomMortimer;
  ForbadmytonguetospeakofMortimer;
  ButIwillfindhimwhenheliesasleep,AndinhisearI’llholla’Mortimer!’
  Nay,I’llhaveastarlingshallbetaughttospeakNothingbut’Mortimer,’andgiveithimTokeephisangerstillinmotion。EARLOFWORCESTERHearyou,cousin;aword。HOTSPURAllstudieshereIsolemnlydefy,SavehowtogallandpinchthisBolingbroke:
  Andthatsamesword—and—bucklerPrinceofWales,ButthatIthinkhisfatherloveshimnotAndwouldbegladhemetwithsomemischance,Iwouldhavehimpoison’dwithapotofale。EARLOFWORCESTERFarewell,kinsman:I’lltalktoyouWhenyouarebettertemper’dtoattend。NORTHUMBERLANDWhy,whatawasp—stungandimpatientfoolArtthoutobreakintothiswoman’smood,Tyingthineeartonotonguebutthineown!HOTSPURWhy,lookyou,Iamwhipp’dandscourgedwithrods,Nettledandstungwithpismires,whenIhearOfthisvilepolitician,Bolingbroke。
  InRichard’stime,——whatdoyoucalltheplace?——
  Aplagueuponit,itisinGloucestershire;
  ’Twaswherethemadcapdukehisunclekept,HisuncleYork;whereIfirstbow’dmykneeUntothiskingofsmiles,thisBolingbroke,——
  ’Sblood!——
  WhenyouandhecamebackfromRavenspurgh。NORTHUMBERLANDAtBerkleycastle。HOTSPURYousaytrue:
  Why,whatacandydealofcourtesyThisfawninggreyhoundthendidprofferme!
  Look,’whenhisinfantfortunecametoage,’
  And’gentleHarryPercy,’and’kindcousin;’
  O,thedeviltakesuchcozeners!Godforgiveme!
  Gooduncle,tellyourtale;Ihavedone。EARLOFWORCESTERNay,ifyouhavenot,toitagain;
  Wewillstayyourleisure。HOTSPURIhavedone,i’faith。EARLOFWORCESTERThenoncemoretoyourScottishprisoners。
  Deliverthemupwithouttheirransomstraight,AndmaketheDouglas’sonyouronlymeanForpowersinScotland;which,fordiversreasonsWhichIshallsendyouwritten,beassured,Willeasilybegranted。You,mylord,ToNorthumberlandYoursoninScotlandbeingthusemploy’d,ShallsecretlyintothebosomcreepOfthatsamenobleprelate,wellbeloved,Thearchbishop。HOTSPUROfYork,isitnot?EARLOFWORCESTERTrue;whobearshardHisbrother’sdeathatBristol,theLordScroop。
  Ispeaknotthisinestimation,AswhatIthinkmightbe,butwhatIknowIsruminated,plottedandsetdown,AndonlystaysbuttobeholdthefaceOfthatoccasionthatshallbringiton。HOTSPURIsmellit:uponmylife,itwilldowell。NORTHUMBERLANDBeforethegameisafoot,thoustilllet’stslip。HOTSPURWhy,itcannotchoosebutbeanobleplot;
  AndthenthepowerofScotlandandofYork,TojoinwithMortimer,ha?EARLOFWORCESTERAndsotheyshall。HOTSPURInfaith,itisexceedinglywellaim’d。EARLOFWORCESTERAnd’tisnolittlereasonbidsusspeed,Tosaveourheadsbyraisingofahead;
  For,bearourselvesasevenaswecan,Thekingwillalwaysthinkhiminourdebt,Andthinkwethinkourselvesunsatisfied,Tillhehathfoundatimetopayushome:
  AndseealreadyhowhedothbeginTomakeusstrangerstohislooksoflove。HOTSPURHedoes,hedoes:we’llberevengedonhim。EARLOFWORCESTERCousin,farewell:nofurthergointhisThanIbylettersshalldirectyourcourse。
  Whentimeisripe,whichwillbesuddenly,I’llstealtoGlendowerandLordMortimer;
  WhereyouandDouglasandourpowersatonce,AsIwillfashionit,shallhappilymeet,Tobearourfortunesinourownstrongarms,Whichnowweholdatmuchuncertainty。NORTHUMBERLANDFarewell,goodbrother:weshallthrive,Itrust。HOTSPURUncle,Adieu:O,letthehoursbeshortTillfieldsandblowsandgroansapplaudoursport!
  ExeuntACTIISCENEI。Rochester。Aninnyard。EnteraCarrierwithalanterninhishandFirstCarrierHeigh—ho!anitbenotfourbytheday,I’llbehanged:Charles’wainisoverthenewchimney,andyetourhorsenotpacked。What,ostler!Ostler[Within]Anon,anon。FirstCarrierIprithee,Tom,beatCut’ssaddle,putafewflocksinthepoint;poorjade,iswrunginthewithersoutofallcess。
  EnteranotherCarrierSecondCarrierPeasandbeansareasdankhereasadog,andthatisthenextwaytogivepoorjadesthebots:thishouseisturnedupsidedownsinceRobinOstlerdied。FirstCarrierPoorfellow,neverjoyedsincethepriceofoatsrose;itwasthedeathofhim。SecondCarrierIthinkthisbethemostvillanoushouseinallLondonroadforfleas:Iamstunglikeatench。FirstCarrierLikeatench!bythemass,thereisne’erakingchristencouldbebetterbitthanIhavebeensincethefirstcock。SecondCarrierWhy,theywillallowusne’erajordan,andthenweleakinyourchimney;andyourchamber—liebreedsfleaslikealoach。FirstCarrierWhat,ostler!comeawayandbehanged!SecondCarrierIhaveagammonofbaconandtworazorsofginger,tobedeliveredasfarasCharing—cross。FirstCarrierGod’sbody!theturkeysinmypannierarequitestarved。What,ostler!Aplagueonthee!hastthouneveraneyeinthyhead?canstnothear?An’twerenotasgooddeedasdrink,tobreakthepateonthee,Iamaveryvillain。Come,andbehanged!
  hastthounofaithinthee?
  EnterGADSHILLGADSHILLGoodmorrow,carriers。What’so’clock?FirstCarrierIthinkitbetwoo’clock。GADSHILLIpraytheelendmethylantern,toseemygeldinginthestable。FirstCarrierNay,byGod,soft;Iknowatrickworthtwoofthat,i’faith。GADSHILLIpraythee,lendmethine。SecondCarrierAy,when?can’sttell?Lendmethylantern,quothhe?marry,I’llseetheehangedfirst。GADSHILLSirrahcarrier,whattimedoyoumeantocometoLondon?SecondCarrierTimeenoughtogotobedwithacandle,Iwarrantthee。Come,neighbourMugs,we’llcallupthegentleman:theywillalongwithcompany,fortheyhavegreatcharge。
  ExeuntcarriersGADSHILLWhat,ho!chamberlain!Chamberlain[Within]Athand,quothpick—purse。GADSHILLThat’sevenasfairas——athand,quoththechamberlain;forthouvariestnomorefrompickingofpursesthangivingdirectiondothfromlabouring;
  thoulayesttheplothow。
  EnterChamberlainChamberlainGoodmorrow,MasterGadshill。ItholdscurrentthatItoldyouyesternight:there’safranklininthewildofKenthathbroughtthreehundredmarkswithhimingold:Iheardhimtellittooneofhiscompanylastnightatsupper;akindofauditor;
  onethathathabundanceofchargetoo,Godknowswhat。
  Theyareupalready,andcallforeggsandbutter;
  theywillawaypresently。GADSHILLSirrah,iftheymeetnotwithSaintNicholas’
  clerks,I’llgivetheethisneck。ChamberlainNo,I’llnoneofit:Ipraytheekeepthatforthehangman;forIknowthouworshippestSt。Nicholasastrulyasamanoffalsehoodmay。GADSHILLWhattalkestthoutomeofthehangman?
  ifIhang,I’llmakeafatpairofgallows;forifIhang,oldSirJohnhangswithme,andthouknowestheisnostarveling。Tut!thereareotherTrojansthatthoudreamestnotof,thewhichforsportsakearecontenttodotheprofessionsomegrace;thatwould,ifmattersshouldbelookedinto,fortheirowncreditsake,makeallwhole。Iamjoinedwithnofoot—landrakers,nolong—staffsixpennystrikers,noneofthesemadmustachiopurple—huedmalt—worms;
  butwithnobilityandtranquillity,burgomastersandgreatoneyers,suchascanholdin,suchaswillstrikesoonerthanspeak,andspeaksoonerthandrink,anddrinksoonerthanpray:andyet,zounds,Ilie;fortheypraycontinuallytotheirsaint,thecommonwealth;orrather,notpraytoher,butpreyonher,fortheyrideupanddownonherandmakehertheirboots。ChamberlainWhat,thecommonwealththeirboots?willsheholdoutwaterinfoulway?GADSHILLShewill,shewill;justicehathliquoredher。Westealasinacastle,cocksure;wehavethereceiptoffern—seed,wewalkinvisible。ChamberlainNay,bymyfaith,Ithinkyouaremorebeholdingtothenightthantofern—seedforyourwalkinginvisible。GADSHILLGivemethyhand:thoushalthaveashareinourpurchase,asIamatrueman。ChamberlainNay,ratherletmehaveit,asyouareafalsethief。GADSHILLGoto;’homo’isacommonnametoallmen。Bidtheostlerbringmygeldingoutofthestable。Farewell,youmuddyknave。
  ExeuntSCENEII。Thehighway,nearGadshill。EnterPRINCEHENRYandPOINSPOINSCome,shelter,shelter:IhaveremovedFalstaff’shorse,andhefretslikeagummedvelvet。PRINCEHENRYStandclose。
  EnterFALSTAFFFALSTAFFPoins!Poins,andbehanged!Poins!PRINCEHENRYPeace,yefat—kidneyedrascal!whatabrawlingdostthoukeep!FALSTAFFWhere’sPoins,Hal?PRINCEHENRYHeiswalkeduptothetopofthehill:
  I’llgoseekhim。FALSTAFFIamaccursedtorobinthatthief’scompany:
  therascalhathremovedmyhorse,andtiedhimIknownotwhere。IfItravelbutfourfootbythesquierfurtherafoot,Ishallbreakmywind。Well,I
  doubtnotbuttodieafairdeathforallthis,ifI
  ’scapehangingforkillingthatrogue。Ihaveforswornhiscompanyhourlyanytimethistwoandtwentyyears,andyetIambewitchedwiththerogue’scompany。Iftherascalhathnotgivenmemedicinestomakemelovehim,I’llbehanged;
  itcouldnotbeelse:Ihavedrunkmedicines。Poins!
  Hal!aplagueuponyouboth!Bardolph!Peto!
  I’llstarveereI’llrobafootfurther。An’twerenotasgoodadeedasdrink,toturntruemanandtoleavetheserogues,Iamtheveriestvarletthateverchewedwithatooth。Eightyardsofunevengroundisthreescoreandtenmilesafootwithme;
  andthestony—heartedvillainsknowitwellenough:
  aplagueuponitwhenthievescannotbetrueonetoanother!
  TheywhistleWhew!Aplagueuponyouall!Givememyhorse,yourogues;givememyhorse,andbehanged!PRINCEHENRYPeace,yefat—guts!liedown;laythineearclosetothegroundandlistifthoucansthearthetreadoftravellers。FALSTAFFHaveyouanyleverstoliftmeupagain,beingdown?
  ’Sblood,I’llnotbearmineownfleshsofarafootagainforallthecoininthyfather’sexchequer。
  Whataplaguemeanyetocoltmethus?PRINCEHENRYThouliest;thouartnotcolted,thouartuncolted。FALSTAFFIprithee,goodPrinceHal,helpmetomyhorse,goodking’sson。PRINCEHENRYOut,yerogue!shallIbeyourostler?FALSTAFFGo,hangthyselfinthineownheir—apparentgarters!IfIbeta’en,I’llpeachforthis。AnI
  havenotballadsmadeonyouallandsungtofilthytunes,letacupofsackbemypoison:whenajestissoforward,andafoottoo!Ihateit。
  EnterGADSHILL,BARDOLPHandPETOGADSHILLStand。FALSTAFFSoIdo,againstmywill。POINSO,’tisoursetter:Iknowhisvoice。
  Bardolph,whatnews?BARDOLPHCaseye,caseye;onwithyourvizards:
  there’smoneyoftheking’scomingdownthehill;’tisgoingtotheking’sexchequer。FALSTAFFYoulie,yerogue;’tisgoingtotheking’stavern。GADSHILLThere’senoughtomakeusall。FALSTAFFTobehanged。PRINCEHENRYSirs,youfourshallfronttheminthenarrowlane;
  NedPoinsandIwillwalklower:ifthey’scapefromyourencounter,thentheylightonus。PETOHowmanybethereofthem?GADSHILLSomeeightorten。FALSTAFF’Zounds,willtheynotrobus?PRINCEHENRYWhat,acoward,SirJohnPaunch?FALSTAFFIndeed,IamnotJohnofGaunt,yourgrandfather;
  butyetnocoward,Hal。PRINCEHENRYWell,weleavethattotheproof。POINSSirrahJack,thyhorsestandsbehindthehedge:
  whenthouneedesthim,therethoushaltfindhim。
  Farewell,andstandfast。FALSTAFFNowcannotIstrikehim,ifIshouldbehanged。PRINCEHENRYNed,whereareourdisguises?POINSHere,hardby:standclose。
  ExeuntPRINCEHENRYandPOINSFALSTAFFNow,mymasters,happymanbehisdole,sayI:
  everymantohisbusiness。
  EntertheTravellersFirstTravellerCome,neighbour:theboyshallleadourhorsesdownthehill;we’llwalkafootawhile,andeaseourlegs。ThievesStand!TravellersJesusblessus!FALSTAFFStrike;downwiththem;cutthevillains’
  throats:
  ah!whoresoncaterpillars!bacon—fedknaves!theyhateusyouth:downwiththem:fleecethem。TravellersO,weareundone,bothweandoursforever!FALSTAFFHangye,gorbelliedknaves,areyeundone?
  No,yefatchuffs:Iwouldyourstorewerehere!On,bacons,on!What,yeknaves!youngmenmustlive。
  YouareGrand—jurors,areye?we’lljureye,’faith。
  Heretheyrobthemandbindthem。ExeuntRe—enterPRINCEHENRYandPOINSPRINCEHENRYThethieveshaveboundthetruemen。NowcouldthouandIrobthethievesandgomerrilytoLondon,itwouldbeargumentforaweek,laughterforamonthandagoodjestforever。POINSStandclose;Ihearthemcoming。
  EntertheThievesagainFALSTAFFCome,mymasters,letusshare,andthentohorsebeforeday。AnthePrinceandPoinsbenottwoarrantcowards,there’snoequitystirring:there’snomorevalourinthatPoinsthaninawild—duck。PRINCEHENRYYourmoney!POINSVillains!
  Astheyaresharing,thePrinceandPoinssetuponthem;theyallrunaway;andFalstaff,afterablowortwo,runsawaytoo,leavingthebootybehindthemPRINCEHENRYGotwithmuchease。Nowmerrilytohorse:
  Thethievesareallscatter’dandpossess’dwithfearSostronglythattheydarenotmeeteachother;
  Eachtakeshisfellowforanofficer。
  Away,goodNed。Falstaffsweatstodeath,Andlardstheleanearthashewalksalong:
  Were’tnotforlaughing,Ishouldpityhim。POINSHowtherogueroar’d!
  ExeuntSCENEIII。WarkworthcastleEnterHOTSPUR,solus,readingaletterHOTSPUR’Butformineownpart,mylord,Icouldbewellcontentedtobethere,inrespectoftheloveI
  bearyourhouse。’Hecouldbecontented:whyishenot,then?Inrespectofthelovehebearsourhouse:
  heshowsinthis,heloveshisownbarnbetterthanhelovesourhouse。Letmeseesomemore。’Thepurposeyouundertakeisdangerous;’——why,that’scertain:’tisdangeroustotakeacold,tosleep,todrink;butItellyou,mylordfool,outofthisnettle,danger,wepluckthisflower,safety。
  ’Thepurposeyouundertakeisdangerous;thefriendsyouhavenameduncertain;thetimeitselfunsorted;
  andyourwholeplottoolightforthecounterpoiseofsogreatanopposition。’Sayyouso,sayyouso?
  Isayuntoyouagain,youareashallowcowardlyhind,andyoulie。Whatalack—brainisthis!BytheLord,ourplotisagoodplotaseverwaslaid;ourfriendstrueandconstant:agoodplot,goodfriends,andfullofexpectation;anexcellentplot,verygoodfriends。Whatafrosty—spiritedrogueisthis!Why,mylordofYorkcommendstheplotandthegeneralcourseofaction。’Zounds,anIwerenowbythisrascal,Icouldbrainhimwithhislady’sfan。
  Istherenotmyfather,myuncleandmyself?lordEdmundMortimer,MylordofYorkandOwenGlendower?
  istherenotbesidestheDouglas?haveInotalltheirletterstomeetmeinarmsbytheninthofthenextmonth?andaretheynotsomeofthemsetforwardalready?Whatapaganrascalisthis!
  aninfidel!Ha!youshallseenowinverysincerityoffearandcoldheart,willhetothekingandlayopenallourproceedings。O,Icoulddividemyselfandgotobuffets,formovingsuchadishofskimmilkwithsohonourableanaction!Hanghim!
  lethimtelltheking:weareprepared。Iwillsetforwardto—night。
  EnterLADYPERCY
  Hownow,Kate!Imustleaveyouwithinthesetwohours。LADYPERCYO,mygoodlord,whyareyouthusalone?
  ForwhatoffencehaveIthisfortnightbeenAbanish’dwomanfrommyHarry’sbed?
  Tellme,sweetlord,whatis’tthattakesfromtheeThystomach,pleasureandthygoldensleep?
  Whydostthoubendthineeyesupontheearth,Andstartsooftenwhenthousit’stalone?
  Whyhastthoulostthefreshbloodinthycheeks;
  AndgivenmytreasuresandmyrightsoftheeTothick—eyedmusingandcursedmelancholy?
  InthyfaintslumbersIbytheehavewatch’d,Andheardtheemurmurtalesofironwars;
  Speaktermsofmanagetothyboundingsteed;
  Cry’Courage!tothefield!’Andthouhasttalk’dOfsalliesandretires,oftrenches,tents,Ofpalisadoes,frontiers,parapets,Ofbasilisks,ofcannon,culverin,Ofprisoners’ransomandofsoldiersslain,Andallthecurrentsofaheadyfight。
  ThyspiritwithintheehathbeensoatwarAndthushathsobestirr’dtheeinthysleep,ThatbeadsofsweathavestooduponthybrowLikebubblesinalate—disturbedstream;
  Andinthyfacestrangemotionshaveappear’d,SuchasweseewhenmenrestraintheirbreathOnsomegreatsuddenhest。O,whatportentsarethese?
  Someheavybusinesshathmylordinhand,AndImustknowit,elsehelovesmenot。HOTSPURWhat,ho!
  EnterServantIsGilliamswiththepacketgone?ServantHeis,mylord,anhourago。HOTSPURHathButlerbroughtthosehorsesfromthesheriff?ServantOnehorse,mylord,hebroughtevennow。HOTSPURWhathorse?aroan,acrop—ear,isitnot?ServantItis,mylord。HOTSPURThatroanshallbymythrone。
  Well,Iwillbackhimstraight:Oesperance!
  BidButlerleadhimforthintothepark。
  ExitServantLADYPERCYButhearyou,mylord。HOTSPURWhatsay’stthou,mylady?LADYPERCYWhatisitcarriesyouaway?HOTSPURWhy,myhorse,mylove,myhorse。LADYPERCYOut,youmad—headedape!
  AweaselhathnotsuchadealofspleenAsyouaretoss’dwith。Infaith,I’llknowyourbusiness,Harry,thatIwill。
  IfearmybrotherMortimerdothstirAbouthistitle,andhathsentforyouTolinehisenterprise:butifyougo,——HOTSPURSofarafoot,Ishallbeweary,love。LADYPERCYCome,come,youparaquito,answermeDirectlyuntothisquestionthatIask:
  Infaith,I’llbreakthylittlefinger,Harry,Anifthouwiltnottellmeallthingstrue。HOTSPURAway,Away,youtrifler!Love!Ilovetheenot,Icarenotforthee,Kate:thisisnoworldToplaywithmammetsandtotiltwithlips:
  Wemusthavebloodynosesandcrack’dcrowns,Andpassthemcurrenttoo。God’sme,myhorse!
  Whatsay’stthou,Kate?whatwould’stthouhavewithme?LADYPERCYDoyounotloveme?doyounot,indeed?
  Well,donotthen;forsinceyoulovemenot,Iwillnotlovemyself。Doyounotloveme?
  Nay,tellmeifyouspeakinjestorno。HOTSPURCome,wiltthouseemeride?
  AndwhenIamonhorseback,IwillswearIlovetheeinfinitely。Butharkyou,Kate;
  ImustnothaveyouhenceforthquestionmeWhitherIgo,norreasonwhereabout:
  WhitherImust,Imust;and,toconclude,ThiseveningmustIleaveyou,gentleKate。
  Iknowyouwise,butyetnofartherwiseThanHarryPercy’swife:constantyouare,Butyetawoman:andforsecrecy,Noladycloser;forIwellbelieveThouwiltnotutterwhatthoudostnotknow;
  AndsofarwillItrustthee,gentleKate。LADYPERCYHow!sofar?HOTSPURNotaninchfurther。Butharkyou,Kate:
  WhitherIgo,thithershallyougotoo;
  To—daywillIsetforth,to—morrowyou。
  Willthiscontentyou,Kate?LADYPERCYItmustofforce。
  ExeuntSCENEIV。TheBoar’s—HeadTavern,Eastcheap。EnterPRINCEHENRYandPOINSPRINCEHENRYNed,prithee,comeoutofthatfatroom,andlendmethyhandtolaughalittle。POINSWherehastbeen,Hal?PRINCEHENRYWiththreeorfourloggerheadsamongstthreeorfourscorehogsheads。Ihavesoundedtheverybase—stringofhumility。Sirrah,Iamswornbrothertoaleashofdrawers;andcancallthemallbytheirchristennames,asTom,Dick,andFrancis。
  Theytakeitalreadyupontheirsalvation,thatthoughIbebuttheprinceofWales,yetIamkingofcourtesy;andtellmeflatlyIamnoproudJack,likeFalstaff,butaCorinthian,aladofmettle,agoodboy,bytheLord,sotheycallme,andwhenI
  amkingofEngland,IshallcommandallthegoodladsinEastcheap。Theycalldrinkingdeep,dyeingscarlet;andwhenyoubreatheinyourwatering,theycry’hem!’andbidyouplayitoff。Toconclude,I
  amsogoodaproficientinonequarterofanhour,thatIcandrinkwithanytinkerinhisownlanguageduringmylife。Itellthee,Ned,thouhastlostmuchhonour,thatthouwertnotwithmeinthissweetaction。But,sweetNed,——tosweetenwhichnameofNed,Igivetheethispennyworthofsugar,clappedevennowintomyhandbyanunder—skinker,onethatneverspakeotherEnglishinhislifethan’Eightshillingsandsixpence’and’Youarewelcome,’
  withthisshrilladdition,’Anon,anon,sir!ScoreapintofbastardintheHalf—Moon,’orso。But,Ned,todriveawaythetimetillFalstaffcome,Iprithee,dothoustandinsomeby—room,whileIquestionmypunydrawertowhatendhegavemethesugar;
  anddothouneverleavecalling’Francis,’thathistaletomemaybenothingbut’Anon。’Stepaside,andI’llshowtheeaprecedent。POINSFrancis!PRINCEHENRYThouartperfect。POINSFrancis!
  ExitPOINS
  EnterFRANCISFRANCISAnon,anon,sir。LookdownintothePomgarnet,Ralph。PRINCEHENRYComehither,Francis。FRANCISMylord?PRINCEHENRYHowlonghastthoutoserve,Francis?FRANCISForsooth,fiveyears,andasmuchasto——POINS[Within]Francis!FRANCISAnon,anon,sir。PRINCEHENRYFiveyear!by’rlady,alongleasefortheclinkingofpewter。But,Francis,darestthoubesovaliantastoplaythecowardwiththyindentureandshowitafairpairofheelsandrunfromit?FRANCISOLord,sir,I’llbeswornuponallthebooksinEngland,Icouldfindinmyheart。POINS[Within]Francis!FRANCISAnon,sir。PRINCEHENRYHowoldartthou,Francis?FRANCISLetmesee——aboutMichaelmasnextIshallbe——POINS[Within]Francis!FRANCISAnon,sir。Praystayalittle,mylord。PRINCEHENRYNay,butharkyou,Francis:forthesugarthougavestme,’twasapennyworth,wast’tnot?FRANCISOLord,Iwouldithadbeentwo!PRINCEHENRYIwillgivetheeforitathousandpound:
  askmewhenthouwilt,andthoushalthaveit。POINS[Within]Francis!FRANCISAnon,anon。PRINCEHENRYAnon,Francis?No,Francis;butto—morrow,Francis;
  or,Francis,o’Thursday;orindeed,Francis,whenthouwilt。But,Francis!FRANCISMylord?PRINCEHENRYWiltthourobthisleathernjerkin,crystal—button,not—pated,agate—ring,puke—stocking,caddis—garter,smooth—tongue,Spanish—pouch,——FRANCISOLord,sir,whodoyoumean?PRINCEHENRYWhy,then,yourbrownbastardisyouronlydrink;
  forlookyou,Francis,yourwhitecanvasdoubletwillsully:inBarbary,sir,itcannotcometosomuch。FRANCISWhat,sir?POINS[Within]Francis!PRINCEHENRYAway,yourogue!dostthounothearthemcall?
  Heretheybothcallhim;thedrawerstandsamazed,notknowingwhichwaytogoEnterVintnerVintnerWhat,standestthoustill,andhearestsuchacalling?Looktotheguestswithin。
  ExitFrancisMylord,oldSirJohn,withhalf—a—dozenmore,areatthedoor:shallIletthemin?PRINCEHENRYLetthemaloneawhile,andthenopenthedoor。
  ExitVintnerPoins!
  Re—enterPOINSPOINSAnon,anon,sir。PRINCEHENRYSirrah,Falstaffandtherestofthethievesareatthedoor:shallwebemerry?POINSAsmerryascrickets,mylad。Butharkye;whatcunningmatchhaveyoumadewiththisjestofthedrawer?come,what’stheissue?PRINCEHENRYIamnowofallhumoursthathaveshowedthemselveshumourssincetheolddaysofgoodmanAdamtothepupilageofthispresenttwelveo’clockatmidnight。
  Re—enterFRANCIS
  What’so’clock,Francis?FRANCISAnon,anon,sir。
  ExitPRINCEHENRYThateverthisfellowshouldhavefewerwordsthanaparrot,andyetthesonofawoman!Hisindustryisupstairsanddownstairs;hiseloquencetheparcelofareckoning。IamnotyetofPercy’smind,theHotspurofthenorth;hethatkillsmesomesixorsevendozenofScotsatabreakfast,washeshishands,andsaystohiswife’Fieuponthisquietlife!Iwantwork。’’OmysweetHarry,’saysshe,’howmanyhastthoukilledto—day?’’Givemyroanhorseadrench,’sayshe;andanswers’Somefourteen,’anhourafter;’atrifle,atrifle。’
  I
  prithee,callinFalstaff:I’llplayPercy,andthatdamnedbrawnshallplayDameMortimerhiswife。’Rivo!’saysthedrunkard。Callinribs,callintallow。
  EnterFALSTAFF,GADSHILL,BARDOLPH,andPETO;FRANCISfollowingwithwinePOINSWelcome,Jack:wherehastthoubeen?FALSTAFFAplagueofallcowards,Isay,andavengeancetoo!
  marry,andamen!Givemeacupofsack,boy。
  EreI
  leadthislifelong,I’llsewnetherstocksandmendthemandfootthemtoo。Aplagueofallcowards!
  Givemeacupofsack,rogue。Istherenovirtueextant?
  HedrinksPRINCEHENRYDidstthouneverseeTitankissadishofbutter?
  pitiful—heartedTitan,thatmeltedatthesweettaleofthesun’s!ifthoudidst,thenbeholdthatcompound。FALSTAFFYourogue,here’slimeinthissacktoo:
  thereisnothingbutroguerytobefoundinvillanousman:
  yetacowardisworsethanacupofsackwithlimeinit。Avillanouscoward!Gothyways,oldJack;
  diewhenthouwilt,ifmanhood,goodmanhood,benotforgotuponthefaceoftheearth,thenamIashottenherring。TherelivenotthreegoodmenunhangedinEngland;andoneofthemisfatandgrowsold:Godhelpthewhile!abadworld,I
  say。
  IwouldIwereaweaver;Icouldsingpsalmsoranything。Aplagueofallcowards,Isaystill。PRINCEHENRYHownow,wool—sack!whatmutteryou?FALSTAFFAking’sson!IfIdonotbeattheeoutofthykingdomwithadaggeroflath,anddriveallthysubjectsaforetheelikeaflockofwild—geese,I’llneverwearhaironmyfacemore。YouPrinceofWales!PRINCEHENRYWhy,youwhoresonroundman,what’sthematter?FALSTAFFArenotyouacoward?answermetothat:
  andPoinsthere?POINS’Zounds,yefatpaunch,anyecallmecoward,bytheLord,I’llstabthee。FALSTAFFIcalltheecoward!I’llseetheedamnedereIcalltheecoward:butIwouldgiveathousandpoundI
  couldrunasfastasthoucanst。Youarestraightenoughintheshoulders,youcarenotwhoseesyourback:callyouthatbackingofyourfriends?
  A
  plagueuponsuchbacking!givemethemthatwillfaceme。Givemeacupofsack:Iamarogue,ifI
  drunkto—day。PRINCEHENRYOvillain!thylipsarescarcewipedsincethoudrunkestlast。FALSTAFFAll’soneforthat。
  HedrinksAplagueofallcowards,stillsayI。PRINCEHENRYWhat’sthematter?FALSTAFFWhat’sthematter!therebefourofusherehaveta’enathousandpoundthisdaymorning。PRINCEHENRYWhereisit,Jack?whereisit?FALSTAFFWhereisit!takenfromusitis:ahundreduponpoorfourofus。PRINCEHENRYWhat,ahundred,man?FALSTAFFIamarogue,ifIwerenotathalf—swordwithadozenofthemtwohourstogether。Ihave’scapedbymiracle。Iameighttimesthrustthroughthedoublet,fourthroughthehose;mybucklercutthroughandthrough;myswordhackedlikeahand—saw——eccesignum!IneverdealtbettersinceIwasaman:allwouldnotdo。Aplagueofallcowards!Letthemspeak:iftheyspeakmoreorlessthantruth,theyarevillainsandthesonsofdarkness。PRINCEHENRYSpeak,sirs;howwasit?GADSHILLWefoursetuponsomedozen——FALSTAFFSixteenatleast,mylord。GADSHILLAndboundthem。PETONo,no,theywerenotbound。FALSTAFFYourogue,theywerebound,everymanofthem;orI
  amaJewelse,anEbrewJew。GADSHILLAsweweresharing,somesixorsevenfreshmensetuponus——FALSTAFFAndunboundtherest,andthencomeintheother。PRINCEHENRYWhat,foughtyouwiththemall?FALSTAFFAll!Iknownotwhatyoucallall;butifIfoughtnotwithfiftyofthem,Iamabunchofradish:
  iftherewerenottwoorthreeandfiftyuponpooroldJack,thenamInotwo—leggedcreature。PRINCEHENRYPrayGodyouhavenotmurderedsomeofthem。FALSTAFFNay,that’spastprayingfor:Ihavepepperedtwoofthem;twoIamsureIhavepaid,tworoguesinbuckramsuits。Itelltheewhat,Hal,ifI
  telltheealie,spitinmyface,callmehorse。Thouknowestmyoldward;hereIlayandthusIboremypoint。Fourroguesinbuckramletdriveatme——PRINCEHENRYWhat,four?thousaidstbuttwoevennow。FALSTAFFFour,Hal;Itoldtheefour。POINSAy,ay,hesaidfour。FALSTAFFThesefourcamealla—front,andmainlythrustatme。Imademenomoreadobuttookalltheirsevenpointsinmytarget,thus。PRINCEHENRYSeven?why,therewerebutfourevennow。FALSTAFFInbuckram?POINSAy,four,inbuckramsuits。FALSTAFFSeven,bythesehilts,orIamavillainelse。PRINCEHENRYPrithee,lethimalone;weshallhavemoreanon。FALSTAFFDostthouhearme,Hal?PRINCEHENRYAy,andmarktheetoo,Jack。FALSTAFFDoso,foritisworththelisteningto。ThesenineinbuckramthatItoldtheeof——PRINCEHENRYSo,twomorealready。FALSTAFFTheirpointsbeingbroken,——POINSDownfelltheirhose。FALSTAFFBegantogivemeground:butIfollowedmeclose,cameinfootandhand;andwithathoughtsevenoftheelevenIpaid。PRINCEHENRYOmonstrous!elevenbuckrammengrownoutoftwo!FALSTAFFBut,asthedevilwouldhaveit,threemisbegottenknavesinKendalgreencameatmybackandletdriveatme;foritwassodark,Hal,thatthoucouldstnotseethyhand。PRINCEHENRYTheseliesareliketheirfatherthatbegetsthem;