Butwhatofthat?hesawme,andyielded;thatI
mayjustlysay,withthehook—nosedfellowofRome,’Icame,saw,andovercame。’LANCASTERItwasmoreofhiscourtesythanyourdeserving。FALSTAFFIknownot:hereheis,andhereIyieldhim:andIbeseechyourgrace,letitbebookedwiththerestofthisday’sdeeds;or,bytheLord,Iwillhaveitinaparticularballadelse,withmineownpictureonthetopon’t,Colevilekissingmyfoot:
tothewhichcourseifIbeenforced,ifyoudonotallshowlikegilttwopencestome,andIintheclearskyoffameo’ershineyouasmuchasthefullmoondoththecindersoftheelement,whichshowlikepins’headstoher,believenotthewordofthenoble:thereforeletmehaveright,andletdesertmount。LANCASTERThine’stooheavytomount。FALSTAFFLetitshine,then。LANCASTERThine’stoothicktoshine。FALSTAFFLetitdosomething,mygoodlord,thatmaydomegood,andcallitwhatyouwill。LANCASTERIsthynameColevile?COLEVILEItis,mylord。LANCASTERAfamousrebelartthou,Colevile。FALSTAFFAndafamoustruesubjecttookhim。COLEVILEIam,mylord,butasmybettersareThatledmehither:hadtheybeenruledbyme,Youshouldhavewonthemdearerthanyouhave。FALSTAFFIknownothowtheysoldthemselves:butthou,likeakindfellow,gavestthyselfawaygratis;andI
thanktheeforthee。
Re—enterWESTMORELANDLANCASTERNow,haveyouleftpursuit?WESTMORELANDRetreatismadeandexecutionstay’d。LANCASTERSendColevilewithhisconfederatesToYork,topresentexecution:
Blunt,leadhimhence;andseeyouguardhimsure。
ExeuntBLUNTandotherswithCOLEVILE
Andnowdispatchwetowardthecourt,mylords:
Ihearthekingmyfatherissoresick:
Ournewsshallgobeforeustohismajesty,Which,cousin,youshallbeartocomforthim,Andwewithsoberspeedwillfollowyou。FALSTAFFMylord,Ibeseechyou,givemeleavetogoThroughGloucestershire:and,whenyoucometocourt,Standmygoodlord,pray,inyourgoodreport。LANCASTERFareyouwell,Falstaff:I,inmycondition,Shallbetterspeakofyouthanyoudeserve。
ExeuntallbutFalstaffFALSTAFFIwouldyouhadbutthewit:’twerebetterthanyourdukedom。Goodfaith,thissameyoungsober—
bloodedboydothnotloveme;noramancannotmakehimlaugh;butthat’snomarvel,hedrinksnowine。
There’snevernoneofthesedemureboyscometoanyproof;forthindrinkdothsoover—cooltheirblood,andmakingmanyfish—meals,thattheyfallintoakindofmalegreen—sickness;andthenwhentheymarry,theygetwenches:theyaregenerallyfoolsandcowards;whichsomeofusshouldbetoo,butforinflammation。Agoodsherrissackhathatwo—foldoperationinit。Itascendsmeintothebrain;
driesmethereallthefoolishanddullandcurdyvapourswhichenvironit;makesitapprehensive,quick,forgetive,fullofnimblefieryanddelectableshapes,which,deliveredo’ertothevoice,thetongue,whichisthebirth,becomesexcellentwit。Thesecondpropertyofyourexcellentsherrisis,thewarmingoftheblood;
which,beforecoldandsettled,lefttheliverwhiteandpale,whichisthebadgeofpusillanimityandcowardice;butthesherriswarmsitandmakesitcoursefromtheinwardstothepartsextreme:
itillumineththeface,whichasabeacongiveswarningtoalltherestofthislittlekingdom,man,toarm;andthenthevitalcommonersandinlandpettyspiritsmustermealltotheircaptain,theheart,who,greatandpuffedupwiththisretinue,dothanydeedofcourage;andthisvalourcomesofsherris。Sothatskillintheweaponisnothingwithoutsack,forthatsetsita—work;
andlearningamerehoardofgoldkeptbyadevil,tillsackcommencesitandsetsitinactanduse。
HereofcomesitthatPrinceHarryisvaliant;
forthecoldbloodhedidnaturallyinheritofhisfather,hehath,likelean,sterileandbareland,manured,husbandedandtilledwithexcellentendeavourofdrinkinggoodandgoodstoreoffertilesherris,thatheisbecomeveryhotandvaliant。
IfIhadathousandsons,thefirsthumaneprincipleI
wouldteachthemshouldbe,toforswearthinpotationsandtoaddictthemselvestosack。
EnterBARDOLPH
HownowBardolph?BARDOLPHThearmyisdischargedallandgone。FALSTAFFLetthemgo。I’llthroughGloucestershire;
andtherewillIvisitMasterRobertShallow,esquire:
Ihavehimalreadytemperingbetweenmyfingerandmythumb,andshortlywillIsealwithhim。Comeaway。
ExeuntSCENEIV。Westminster。TheJerusalemChamber。EnterKINGHENRYIV,thePrincesThomasofCLARENCEandHumphreyofGLOUCESTER,WARWICK,andothersKINGHENRYIVNow,lords,ifGoddothgivesuccessfulendTothisdebatethatbleedethatourdoors,WewillouryouthleadontohigherfieldsAnddrawnoswordsbutwhataresanctified。
Ournavyisaddress’d,ourpowercollected,Oursubstitutesinabsencewellinvested,Andeverythingliesleveltoourwish:
Only,wewantalittlepersonalstrength;
Andpauseus,tilltheserebels,nowafoot,Comeunderneaththeyokeofgovernment。WARWICKBothwhichwedoubtnotbutyourmajestyShallsoonenjoy。KINGHENRYIVHumphrey,mysonofGloucester,Whereistheprinceyourbrother?GLOUCESTERIthinkhe’sgonetohunt,mylord,atWindsor。KINGHENRYIVAndhowaccompanied?GLOUCESTERIdonotknow,mylord。KINGHENRYIVIsnothisbrother,ThomasofClarence,withhim?GLOUCESTERNo,mygoodlord;heisinpresencehere。CLARENCEWhatwouldmylordandfather?KINGHENRYIVNothingbutwelltothee,ThomasofClarence。
Howchancethouartnotwiththeprincethybrother?
Helovesthee,andthoudostneglecthim,Thomas;
ThouhastabetterplaceinhisaffectionThanallthybrothers:cherishit,myboy,AndnobleofficesthoumaysteffectOfmediation,afterIamdead,Betweenhisgreatnessandthyotherbrethren:
Thereforeomithimnot;bluntnothislove,NorlosethegoodadvantageofhisgraceByseemingcoldorcarelessofhiswill;
Forheisgracious,ifhebeobserved:
HehathatearforpityandahandOpenasdayformeltingcharity:
Yetnotwithstanding,beingincensed,he’sflint,AshumorousaswinterandassuddenAsflawscongealedinthespringofday。
Histemper,therefore,mustbewellobserved:
Chidehimforfaults,anddoitreverently,Whenthouperceivehisbloodinclinedtomirth;
But,beingmoody,givehimlineandscope,Tillthathispassions,likeawhaleonground,Confoundthemselveswithworking。Learnthis,Thomas,Andthoushaltproveasheltertothyfriends,Ahoopofgoldtobindthybrothersin,Thattheunitedvesseloftheirblood,Mingledwithvenomofsuggestion——
As,forceperforce,theagewillpouritin——
Shallneverleak,thoughitdoworkasstrongAsaconitumorrashgunpowder。CLARENCEIshallobservehimwithallcareandlove。KINGHENRYIVWhyartthounotatWindsorwithhim,Thomas?CLARENCEHeisnotthereto—day;hedinesinLondon。KINGHENRYIVAndhowaccompanied?canstthoutellthat?CLARENCEWithPoins,andotherhiscontinualfollowers。KINGHENRYIVMostsubjectisthefattestsoiltoweeds;
Andhe,thenobleimageofmyyouth,Isoverspreadwiththem:thereforemygriefStretchesitselfbeyondthehourofdeath:
ThebloodweepsfrommyheartwhenIdoshapeInformsimaginarytheunguideddaysAndrottentimesthatyoushalllookuponWhenIamsleepingwithmyancestors。
Forwhenhisheadstrongriothathnocurb,Whenrageandhotbloodarehiscounsellors,Whenmeansandlavishmannersmeettogether,O,withwhatwingsshallhisaffectionsflyTowardsfrontingperilandopposeddecay!WARWICKMygraciouslord,youlookbeyondhimquite:
TheprincebutstudieshiscompanionsLikeastrangetongue,wherein,togainthelanguage,’TisneedfulthatthemostimmodestwordBelook’duponandlearn’d;whichonceattain’d,Yourhighnessknows,comestonofurtheruseButtobeknownandhated。So,likegrossterms,TheprincewillintheperfectnessoftimeCastoffhisfollowers;andtheirmemoryShallasapatternorameasurelive,Bywhichhisgracemustmetethelivesofothers,Turningpastevilstoadvantages。KINGHENRYIV’TisseldomwhenthebeedothleavehercombInthedeadcarrion。
EnterWESTMORELAND
Who’shere?Westmoreland?WESTMORELANDHealthtomysovereign,andnewhappinessAddedtothatthatIamtodeliver!
PrinceJohnyoursondothkissyourgrace’shand:
Mowbray,theBishopScroop,HastingsandallArebroughttothecorrectionofyourlaw;
Thereisnotnowarebel’sswordunsheath’dButpeaceputsforthheroliveeverywhere。
ThemannerhowthisactionhathbeenborneHereatmoreleisuremayyourhighnessread,Witheverycourseinhisparticular。KINGHENRYIVOWestmoreland,thouartasummerbird,WhicheverinthehaunchofwintersingsTheliftingupofday。
EnterHARCOURT
Look,here’smorenews。HARCOURTFromenemiesheavenkeepyourmajesty;
And,whentheystandagainstyou,maytheyfallAsthosethatIamcometotellyouof!
TheEarlNorthumberlandandtheLordBardolph,WithagreatpowerofEnglishandofScotsArebythesheriffofYorkshireoverthrown:
ThemannerandtrueorderofthefightThispacket,pleaseityou,containsatlarge。KINGHENRYIVAndwhereforeshouldthesegoodnewsmakemesick?
Willfortunenevercomewithbothhandsfull,Butwriteherfairwordsstillinfoulestletters?
Sheeithergivesastomachandnofood;
Sucharethepoor,inhealth;orelseafeastAndtakesawaythestomach;sucharetherich,Thathaveabundanceandenjoyitnot。
Ishouldrejoicenowatthishappynews;
Andnowmysightfails,andmybrainisgiddy:
Ome!comenearme;nowIammuchill。GLOUCESTERComfort,yourmajesty!CLARENCEOmyroyalfather!WESTMORELANDMysovereignlord,cheerupyourself,lookup。WARWICKBepatient,princes;youdoknow,thesefitsArewithhishighnessveryordinary。
Standfromhim。Givehimair;he’llstraightbewell。CLARENCENo,no,hecannotlongholdoutthesepangs:
TheincessantcareandlabourofhismindHathwroughtthemurethatshouldconfineitinSothinthatlifelooksthroughandwillbreakout。GLOUCESTERThepeoplefearme;fortheydoobserveUnfather’dheirsandloathlybirthsofnature:
Theseasonschangetheirmanners,astheyearHadfoundsomemonthsasleepandleap’dthemover。CLARENCETheriverhaththriceflow’d,noebbbetween;
Andtheoldfolk,time’sdotingchronicles,SayitdidsoalittletimebeforeThatourgreat—grandsire,Edward,sick’danddied。WARWICKSpeaklower,princes,forthekingrecovers。GLOUCESTERThisapoplexywillcertainbehisend。KINGHENRYIVIprayyou,takemeup,andbearmehenceIntosomeotherchamber:softly,pray。SCENEV。Anotherchamber。KINGHENRYIVlyingonabed:CLARENCE,GLOUCESTER,WARWICK,andothersinattendanceKINGHENRYIVLettherebenonoisemade,mygentlefriends;
UnlesssomedullandfavourablehandWillwhispermusictomywearyspirit。WARWICKCallforthemusicintheotherroom。KINGHENRYIVSetmethecrownuponmypillowhere。CLARENCEHiseyeishollow,andhechangesmuch。WARWICKLessnoise,lessnoise!
EnterPRINCEHENRYPRINCEHENRYWhosawtheDukeofClarence?CLARENCEIamhere,brother,fullofheaviness。PRINCEHENRYHownow!rainwithindoors,andnoneabroad!
Howdoththeking?GLOUCESTERExceedingill。PRINCEHENRYHeardhethegoodnewsyet?
Tellithim。GLOUCESTERHealter’dmuchuponthehearingit。PRINCEHENRYIfhebesickwithjoy,he’llrecoverwithoutphysic。WARWICKNotsomuchnoise,mylords:sweetprince,speaklow;
Thekingyourfatherisdisposedtosleep。CLARENCELetuswithdrawintotheotherroom。WARWICKWill’tpleaseyourgracetogoalongwithus?PRINCEHENRYNo;Iwillsitandwatchherebytheking。
ExeuntallbutPRINCEHENRY
Whydoththecrownliethereuponhispillow,Beingsotroublesomeabedfellow?
Opolish’dperturbation!goldencare!
Thatkeep’sttheportsofslumberopenwideTomanyawatchfulnight!sleepwithitnow!
YetnotsosoundandhalfsodeeplysweetAshewhosebrowwithhomelybiggenboundSnoresoutthewatchofnight。Omajesty!
Whenthoudostpinchthybearer,thoudostsitLikearicharmourworninheatofday,Thatscaldswithsafety。ByhisgatesofbreathThereliesadownyfeatherwhichstirsnot:
Didhesuspire,thatlightandweightlessdownPerforcemustmove。Mygraciouslord!myfather!
Thissleepissoundindeed,thisisasleepThatfromthisgoldenrigolhathdivorcedSomanyEnglishkings。ThyduefrommeIstearsandheavysorrowsoftheblood,Whichnature,love,andfilialtenderness,Shall,Odearfather,paytheeplenteously:
Myduefromtheeisthisimperialcrown,Which,asimmediateasthyplaceandblood,Derivesitselftome。Lo,hereitsits,WhichGodshallguard:andputtheworld’swholestrengthIntoonegiantarm,itshallnotforceThislinealhonourfromme:thisfromtheeWillItomineleave,as’tislefttome。
ExitKINGHENRYIVWarwick!Gloucester!Clarence!
Re—enterWARWICK,GLOUCESTER,CLARENCE,andtherestCLARENCEDoththekingcall?WARWICKWhatwouldyourmajesty?Howfaresyourgrace?KINGHENRYIVWhydidyouleavemeherealone,mylords?CLARENCEWelefttheprincemybrotherhere,myliege,Whoundertooktositandwatchbyyou。KINGHENRYIVThePrinceofWales!Whereishe?letmeseehim:
Heisnothere。WARWICKThisdoorisopen;heisgonethisway。GLOUCESTERHecamenotthroughthechamberwherewestay’d。KINGHENRYIVWhereisthecrown?whotookitfrommypillow?WARWICKWhenwewithdrew,myliege,weleftithere。KINGHENRYIVTheprincehathta’enithence:go,seekhimout。
IshesohastythathedothsupposeMysleepmydeath?
Findhim,myLordofWarwick;chidehimhither。
ExitWARWICK
Thispartofhisconjoinswithmydisease,Andhelpstoendme。See,sons,whatthingsyouare!
HowquicklynaturefallsintorevoltWhengoldbecomesherobject!
Forthisthefoolishover—carefulfathersHavebroketheirsleepwiththoughts,theirbrainswithcare,Theirboneswithindustry;
ForthistheyhaveengrossedandpiledupThecanker’dheapsofstrange—achievedgold;
ForthistheyhavebeenthoughtfultoinvestTheirsonswithartsandmartialexercises:
When,likethebee,cullingfromeveryflowerThevirtuoussweets,Ourthighspack’dwithwax,ourmouthswithhoney,Webringittothehive,and,likethebees,Aremurderedforourpains。ThisbittertasteYieldhisengrossmentstotheendingfather。
Re—enterWARWICK
Now,whereishethatwillnotstaysolongTillhisfriendsicknesshathdeterminedme?WARWICKMylord,Ifoundtheprinceinthenextroom,Washingwithkindlytearshisgentlecheeks,WithsuchadeepdemeanoringreatsorrowThattyranny,whichneverquaff’dbutblood,Would,bybeholdinghim,havewash’dhisknifeWithgentleeye—drops。Heiscominghither。KINGHENRYIVButwhereforedidhetakeawaythecrown?
Re—enterPRINCEHENRY
Lo,wherehecomes。Comehithertome,Harry。
Departthechamber,leaveusherealone。
ExeuntWARWICKandtherestPRINCEHENRYIneverthoughttohearyouspeakagain。KINGHENRYIVThywishwasfather,Harry,tothatthought:
Istaytoolongbythee,Iwearythee。
DostthousohungerformineemptychairThatthouwiltneedsinvesttheewithmyhonoursBeforethyhourberipe?Ofoolishyouth!
Thouseek’stthegreatnessthatwillo’erwhelmthee。
Staybutalittle;formycloudofdignityIsheldfromfallingwithsoweakawindThatitwillquicklydrop:mydayisdim。
ThouhaststolenthatwhichaftersomefewhoursWerethinewithoutoffence;andatmydeathThouhastseal’dupmyexpectation:
Thylifedidmanifestthoulovedstmenot,Andthouwilthavemedieassuredofit。
Thouhidestathousanddaggersinthythoughts,Whichthouhastwhettedonthystonyheart,Tostabathalfanhourofmylife。
What!canstthounotforbearmehalfanhour?
Thengettheegoneanddigmygravethyself,AndbidthemerrybellsringtothineearThatthouartcrowned,notthatIamdead。
LetallthetearsthatshouldbedewmyhearseBedropsofbalmtosanctifythyhead:
OnlycompoundmewithforgottendustGivethatwhichgavetheelifeuntotheworms。
Pluckdownmyofficers,breakmydecrees;
Fornowatimeiscometomockatform:
HarrytheFifthiscrown’d:up,vanity!
Down,royalstate!allyousagecounsellors,hence!
AndtotheEnglishcourtassemblenow,Fromeveryregion,apesofidleness!
Now,neighbourconfines,purgeyouofyourscum:
Haveyouaruffianthatwillswear,drink,dance,Revelthenight,rob,murder,andcommitTheoldestsinsthenewestkindofways?
Behappy,hewilltroubleyounomore;
Englandshalldoublegildhistrebleguilt,Englandshallgivehimoffice,honour,might;
ForthefifthHarryfromcurb’dlicenceplucksThemuzzleofrestraint,andthewilddogShallfleshhistoothoneveryinnocent。
Omypoorkingdom,sickwithcivilblows!
Whenthatmycarecouldnotwithholdthyriots,Whatwiltthoudowhenriotisthycare?
O,thouwiltbeawildernessagain,Peopledwithwolves,thyoldinhabitants!PRINCEHENRYO,pardonme,myliege!butformytears,Themoistimpedimentsuntomyspeech,Ihadforestall’dthisdearanddeeprebukeEreyouwithgriefhadspokeandIhadheardThecourseofitsofar。Thereisyourcrown;
AndHethatwearsthecrownimmortallyLongguardityours!IfIaffectitmoreThanasyourhonourandasyourrenown,Letmenomorefromthisobediencerise,WhichmymostinwardtrueandduteousspiritTeacheth,thisprostrateandexteriorbending。
Godwitnesswithme,whenIherecamein,Andfoundnocourseofbreathwithinyourmajesty,Howcolditstruckmyheart!IfIdofeign,O,letmeinmypresentwildnessdieAndneverlivetoshowtheincredulousworldThenoblechangethatIhavepurposed!
Comingtolookonyou,thinkingyoudead,Anddeadalmost,myliege,tothinkyouwere,Ispakeuntothiscrownashavingsense,Andthusupbraidedit:’ThecareontheedependingHathfeduponthebodyofmyfather;
Therefore,thoubestofgoldartworstofgold:
Other,lessfineincarat,ismoreprecious,Preservinglifeinmedicinepotable;
Butthou,mostfine,mosthonour’d:mostrenown’d,Hasteatthybearerup。’Thus,mymostroyalliege,Accusingit,Iputitonmyhead,Totrywithit,aswithanenemyThathadbeforemyfacemurder’dmyfather,Thequarrelofatrueinheritor。
Butifitdidinfectmybloodwithjoy,Orswellmythoughtstoanystrainofpride;
IfanyrebelorvainspiritofmineDidwiththeleastaffectionofawelcomeGiveentertainmenttothemightofit,LetGodforeverkeepitfrommyheadAndmakemeasthepoorestvassalisThatdothwithaweandterrorkneeltoit!KINGHENRYIVOmyson,Godputitinthymindtotakeithence,Thatthoumightstwinthemorethyfather’slove,Pleadingsowiselyinexcuseofit!
Comehither,Harry,sitthoubymybed;
Andhear,Ithink,theverylatestcounselThateverIshallbreathe。Godknows,myson,Bywhatby—pathsandindirectcrook’dwaysImetthiscrown;andImyselfknowwellHowtroublesomeitsatuponmyhead。
Totheeitshalldescendwithbitterquiet,Betteropinion,betterconfirmation;
ForallthesoiloftheachievementgoesWithmeintotheearth。Itseem’dinmeButasanhonoursnatch’dwithboisteroushand,AndIhadmanylivingtoupbraidMygainofitbytheirassistances;
Whichdailygrewtoquarrelandtobloodshed,Woundingsupposedpeace:alltheseboldfearsThousee’stwithperilIhaveanswered;
ForallmyreignhathbeenbutasasceneActingthatargument:andnowmydeathChangesthemode;forwhatinmewaspurchased,Fallsupontheeinamorefairersort;
Sothouthegarlandwear’stsuccessively。
Yet,thoughthoustand’stmoresurethanIcoulddo,Thouartnotfirmenough,sincegriefsaregreen;
Andallmyfriends,whichthoumustmakethyfriends,Havebuttheirstingsandteethnewlyta’enout;
BywhosefellworkingIwasfirstadvancedAndbywhosepowerIwellmightlodgeafearTobeagaindisplaced:whichtoavoid,Icutthemoff;andhadapurposenowToleadoutmanytotheHolyLand,LestrestandlyingstillmightmakethemlookToonearuntomystate。Therefore,myHarry,BeitthycoursetobusygiddymindsWithforeignquarrels;thataction,henceborneout,Maywastethememoryoftheformerdays。
MorewouldI,butmylungsarewastedsoThatstrengthofspeechisutterlydeniedme。
HowIcamebythecrown,OGodforgive;
Andgrantitmaywiththeeintruepeacelive!PRINCEHENRYMygraciousliege,Youwonit,woreit,keptit,gaveitme;
Thenplainandrightmustmypossessionbe:
WhichIwithmorethanwithacommonpain’Gainstalltheworldwillrightfullymaintain。
EnterLordJohnofLANCASTERKINGHENRYIVLook,look,herecomesmyJohnofLancaster。LANCASTERHealth,peace,andhappinesstomyroyalfather!KINGHENRYIVThoubring’stmehappinessandpeace,sonJohn;
Buthealth,alack,withyouthfulwingsisflownFromthisbarewither’dtrunk:uponthysightMyworldlybusinessmakesaperiod。
WhereismyLordofWarwick?PRINCEHENRYMyLordofWarwick!
EnterWARWICK,andothersKINGHENRYIVDothanynameparticularbelongUntothelodgingwhereIfirstdidswoon?WARWICK’Tiscall’dJerusalem,mynoblelord。KINGHENRYIVLaudbetoGod!eventheremylifemustend。
Ithathbeenprophesiedtomemanyyears,IshouldnotdiebutinJerusalem;
WhichvainlyIsupposedtheHolyLand:
Butbearmetothatchamber;thereI’lllie;
InthatJerusalemshallHarrydie。
ExeuntACTVSCENEI。Gloucestershire。SHALLOW’Shouse。EnterSHALLOW,FALSTAFF,BARDOLPH,andPageSHALLOWBycockandpie,sir,youshallnotawayto—night。
What,Davy,Isay!FALSTAFFYoumustexcuseme,MasterRobertShallow。SHALLOWIwillnotexcuseyou;youshallnotbeexcused;
excusesshallnotbeadmitted;thereisnoexcuseshallserve;youshallnotbeexcused。Why,Davy!
EnterDAVYDAVYHere,sir。SHALLOWDavy,Davy,Davy,Davy,letmesee,Davy;
letmesee,Davy;letmesee:yea,marry,Williamcook,bidhimcomehither。SirJohn,youshallnotbeexcused。DAVYMarry,sir,thus;thosepreceptscannotbeserved:
and,again,sir,shallwesowtheheadlandwithwheat?SHALLOWWithredwheat,Davy。ButforWilliamcook:aretherenoyoungpigeons?DAVYYes,sir。Hereisnowthesmith’snoteforshoeingandplough—irons。SHALLOWLetitbecastandpaid。SirJohn,youshallnotbeexcused。DAVYNow,sir,anewlinktothebucketmustneedbehad:and,sir,doyoumeantostopanyofWilliam’swages,aboutthesackhelosttheotherdayatHinckleyfair?SHALLOWA’shallanswerit。Somepigeons,Davy,acoupleofshort—leggedhens,ajointofmutton,andanyprettylittletinykickshaws,tellWilliamcook。DAVYDoththemanofwarstayallnight,sir?SHALLOWYea,Davy。Iwillusehimwell:afriendi’thecourtisbetterthanapennyinpurse。Usehismenwell,Davy;fortheyarearrantknaves,andwillbackbite。DAVYNoworsethantheyarebackbitten,sir;
fortheyhavemarvellousfoullinen。SHALLOWWellconceited,Davy:aboutthybusiness,Davy。DAVYIbeseechyou,sir,tocountenanceWilliamVisorofWoncotagainstClementPerkesofthehill。SHALLOWThereismanycomplaints,Davy,againstthatVisor:
thatVisorisanarrantknave,onmyknowledge。DAVYIgrantyourworshipthatheisaknave,sir;butyet,Godforbid,sir,butaknaveshouldhavesomecountenanceathisfriend’srequest。Anhonestman,sir,isabletospeakforhimself,whenaknaveisnot。Ihaveservedyourworshiptruly,sir,thiseightyears;andifIcannotonceortwiceinaquarterbearoutaknaveagainstanhonestman,I
havebutaverylittlecreditwithyourworship。
Theknaveisminehonestfriend,sir;therefore,I
beseechyourworship,lethimbecountenanced。SHALLOWGoto;Isayheshallhavenowrong。Lookabout,Davy。
ExitDAVY
Whereareyou,SirJohn?Come,come,come,offwithyourboots。Givemeyourhand,MasterBardolph。BARDOLPHIamgladtoseeyourworship。SHALLOWIthanktheewithallmyheart,kindMasterBardolph:andwelcome,mytallfellow。
TothePageCome,SirJohn。FALSTAFFI’llfollowyou,goodMasterRobertShallow。
ExitSHALLOW
Bardolph,looktoourhorses。
ExeuntBARDOLPHandPageIfIweresawedintoquantities,Ishouldmakefourdozenofsuchbeardedhermits’stavesasMasterShallow。Itisawonderfulthingtoseethesemblablecoherenceofhismen’sspiritsandhis:
they,byobservingofhim,dobearthemselveslikefoolishjustices;he,byconversingwiththem,isturnedintoajustice—likeserving—man:theirspiritsaresomarriedinconjunctionwiththeparticipationofsocietythattheyflocktogetherinconsent,likesomanywild—geese。IfIhadasuittoMasterShallow,Iwouldhumourhismenwiththeimputationofbeingneartheirmaster:iftohismen,IwouldcurrywithMasterShallowthatnomancouldbettercommandhisservants。Itiscertainthateitherwisebearingorignorantcarriageiscaught,asmentakediseases,oneofanother:
thereforeletmentakeheedoftheircompany。
I
willdevisematterenoughoutofthisShallowtokeepPrinceHarryincontinuallaughterthewearingoutofsixfashions,whichisfourterms,ortwoactions,anda’shalllaughwithoutintervallums。
O,itismuchthataliewithaslightoathandajestwithasadbrowwilldowithafellowthatneverhadtheacheinhisshoulders!O,youshallseehimlaughtillhisfacebelikeawetcloakilllaidup!SHALLOW[Within]SirJohn!FALSTAFFIcome,MasterShallow;Icome,MasterShallow。
ExitSCENEII。Westminster。Thepalace。EnterWARWICKandtheLordChief—Justice,meetingWARWICKHownow,mylordchief—justice!whitheraway?
LordChief—JusticeHowdoththeking?WARWICKExceedingwell;hiscaresarenowallended。
LordChief—JusticeIhope,notdead。WARWICKHe’swalk’dthewayofnature;
Andtoourpurposeshelivesnomore。
LordChief—JusticeIwouldhismajestyhadcall’dmewithhim:
TheservicethatItrulydidhislifeHathleftmeopentoallinjuries。WARWICKIndeedIthinktheyoungkinglovesyounot。
LordChief—JusticeIknowhedothnot,anddoarmmyselfTowelcometheconditionofthetime,WhichcannotlookmorehideouslyuponmeThanIhavedrawnitinmyfantasy。
EnterLANCASTER,CLARENCE,GLOUCESTER,WESTMORELAND,andothersWARWICKHerecometheheavyissueofdeadHarry:
OthatthelivingHarryhadthetemperOfhim,theworstofthesethreegentlemen!
HowmanynoblesthenshouldholdtheirplacesThatmuststrikesailtospiritsofvilesort!
LordChief—JusticeOGod,Ifearallwillbeoverturn’d!LANCASTERGoodmorrow,cousinWarwick,goodmorrow。GLOUCESTERCLARENCEGoodmorrow,cousin。LANCASTERWemeetlikementhathadforgottospeak。WARWICKWedoremember;butourargumentIsalltooheavytoadmitmuchtalk。LANCASTERWell,peacebewithhimthathathmadeusheavy。
LordChief—JusticePeacebewithus,lestwebeheavier!GLOUCESTERO,goodmylord,youhavelostafriendindeed;
AndIdareswearyouborrownotthatfaceOfseemingsorrow,itissureyourown。LANCASTERThoughnomanbeassuredwhatgracetofind,Youstandincoldestexpectation:
Iamthesorrier;would’twereotherwise。CLARENCEWell,youmustnowspeakSirJohnFalstafffair;
Whichswimsagainstyourstreamofquality。
LordChief—JusticeSweetprinces,whatIdid,Ididinhonour,Ledbytheimpartialconductofmysoul:
AndnevershallyouseethatIwillbegAraggedandforestall’dremission。
Iftruthanduprightinnocencyfailme,I’lltothekingmymasterthatisdead,Andtellhimwhohathsentmeafterhim。WARWICKHerecomestheprince。
EnterKINGHENRYV,attendedLordChief—JusticeGoodmorrow;andGodsaveyourmajesty!KINGHENRYVThisnewandgorgeousgarment,majesty,Sitsnotsoeasyonmeasyouthink。
Brothers,youmixyoursadnesswithsomefear:
ThisistheEnglish,nottheTurkishcourt;
NotAmurathanAmurathsucceeds,ButHarryHarry。Yetbesad,goodbrothers,For,bymyfaith,itverywellbecomesyou:
SorrowsoroyallyinyouappearsThatIwilldeeplyputthefashiononAndwearitinmyheart:whythen,besad;
Butentertainnomoreofit,goodbrothers,Thanajointburdenlaiduponusall。
Forme,byheaven,Ibidyoubeassured,I’llbeyourfatherandyourbrothertoo;
Letmebutbearyourlove,I’llbearyourcares:
YetweepthatHarry’sdead;andsowillI;
ButHarrylives,thatshallconvertthosetearsBynumberintohoursofhappiness。PrincesWehopenootherfromyourmajesty。KINGHENRYVYoualllookstrangelyonme:andyoumost;
Youare,Ithink,assuredIloveyounot。
LordChief—JusticeIamassured,ifIbemeasuredrightly,Yourmajestyhathnojustcausetohateme。KINGHENRYVNo!
HowmightaprinceofmygreathopesforgetSogreatindignitiesyoulaiduponme?
What!rate,rebuke,androughlysendtoprisonTheimmediateheirofEngland!Wasthiseasy?
Maythisbewash’dinLethe,andforgotten?
LordChief—JusticeIthendidusethepersonofyourfather;
Theimageofhispowerlaytheninme:
And,intheadministrationofhislaw,WhilesIwasbusyforthecommonwealth,Yourhighnesspleasedtoforgetmyplace,Themajestyandpoweroflawandjustice,TheimageofthekingwhomIpresented,Andstruckmeinmyveryseatofjudgment;
Whereon,asanoffendertoyourfather,IgaveboldwaytomyauthorityAnddidcommityou。Ifthedeedwereill,Beyoucontented,wearingnowthegarland,Tohaveasonsetyourdecreesatnought,Topluckdownjusticefromyourawfulbench,TotripthecourseoflawandblunttheswordThatguardsthepeaceandsafetyofyourperson;
Nay,more,tospurnatyourmostroyalimageAndmockyourworkingsinasecondbody。
Questionyourroyalthoughts,makethecaseyours;
Benowthefatherandproposeason,Hearyourowndignitysomuchprofaned,Seeyourmostdreadfullawssolooselyslighted,Beholdyourselfsobyasondisdain’d;
AndthenimaginemetakingyourpartAndinyourpowersoftsilencingyourson:
Afterthiscoldconsiderance,sentenceme;
And,asyouareaking,speakinyourstateWhatIhavedonethatmisbecamemyplace,Myperson,ormyliege’ssovereignty。KINGHENRYVYouareright,justice,andyouweighthiswell;
Thereforestillbearthebalanceandthesword:
AndIdowishyourhonoursmayincrease,TillyoudolivetoseeasonofmineOffendyouandobeyyou,asIdid。
SoshallIlivetospeakmyfather’swords:
’HappyamI,thathaveamansobold,Thatdaresdojusticeonmyproperson;
Andnotlesshappy,havingsuchason,ThatwoulddeliveruphisgreatnesssoIntothehandsofjustice。’Youdidcommitme:
Forwhich,IdocommitintoyourhandTheunstainedswordthatyouhaveusedtobear;
Withthisremembrance,thatyouusethesameWiththelikebold,justandimpartialspiritAsyouhavedone’gainstme。Thereismyhand。
Youshallbeasafathertomyyouth:
Myvoiceshallsoundasyoudopromptmineear,AndIwillstoopandhumblemyintentsToyourwell—practisedwisedirections。
And,princesall,believeme,Ibeseechyou;
Myfatherisgonewildintohisgrave,Forinhistombliemyaffections;
AndwithhisspiritsadlyIsurvive,Tomocktheexpectationoftheworld,TofrustratepropheciesandtorazeoutRottenopinion,whohathwritmedownAftermyseeming。ThetideofbloodinmeHathproudlyflow’dinvanitytillnow:
Nowdothitturnandebbbacktothesea,WhereitshallminglewiththestateoffloodsAndflowhenceforthinformalmajesty。
Nowcallweourhighcourtofparliament:
Andletuschoosesuchlimbsofnoblecounsel,ThatthegreatbodyofourstatemaygoInequalrankwiththebestgovern’dnation;
Thatwar,orpeace,orbothatonce,maybeAsthingsacquaintedandfamiliartous;
Inwhichyou,father,shallhaveforemosthand。
Ourcoronationdone,wewillaccite,AsIbeforeremember’d,allourstate:
And,Godconsigningtomygoodintents,Noprincenorpeershallhavejustcausetosay,GodshortenHarry’shappylifeoneday!
ExeuntSCENEIII。Gloucestershire。SHALLOW’Sorchard。EnterFALSTAFF,SHALLOW,SILENCE,DAVY,BARDOLPH,andthePageSHALLOWNay,youshallseemyorchard,where,inanarbour,wewilleatalastyear’spippinofmyowngraffing,withadishofcaraways,andsoforth:come,cousinSilence:andthentobed。FALSTAFF’ForeGod,youhavehereagoodlydwellingandarich。SHALLOWBarren,barren,barren;beggarsall,beggarsall,SirJohn:marry,goodair。Spread,Davy;spread,Davy;wellsaid,Davy。FALSTAFFThisDavyservesyouforgooduses;heisyourserving—manandyourhusband。SHALLOWAgoodvarlet,agoodvarlet,averygoodvarlet,SirJohn:bythemass,Ihavedrunktoomuchsackatsupper:agoodvarlet。Nowsitdown,nowsitdown:come,cousin。SILENCEAh,sirrah!quoth—a,weshallDonothingbuteat,andmakegoodcheer,SingingAndpraiseGodforthemerryyear;
Whenfleshischeapandfemalesdear,AndlustyladsroamhereandthereSomerrily,Andeveramongsomerrily。FALSTAFFThere’samerryheart!GoodMasterSilence,I’llgiveyouahealthforthatanon。SHALLOWGiveMasterBardolphsomewine,Davy。DAVYSweetsir,sit;I’llbewithyouanon。
mostsweetsir,sit。Masterpage,goodmasterpage,sit。
Proface!Whatyouwantinmeat,we’llhaveindrink:
butyoumustbear;theheart’sall。
ExitSHALLOWBemerry,MasterBardolph;and,mylittlesoldierthere,bemerry。SILENCEBemerry,bemerry,mywifehasall;
SingingForwomenareshrews,bothshortandtall:
’Tismerryinhallwhenbeardswagall,AndwelcomemerryShrove—tide。
Bemerry,bemerry。FALSTAFFIdidnotthinkMasterSilencehadbeenamanofthismettle。SILENCEWho,I?Ihavebeenmerrytwiceandonceerenow。
Re—enterDAVYDAVYThere’sadishofleather—coatsforyou。
ToBARDOLPHSHALLOWDavy!DAVYYourworship!I’llbewithyoustraight。
ToBARDOLPH
Acupofwine,sir?SILENCEAcupofwinethat’sbriskandfine,SingingAnddrinkuntothelemanmine;
Andamerryheartliveslong—a。FALSTAFFWellsaid,MasterSilence。SILENCEAnweshallbemerry,nowcomesinthesweeto’thenight。FALSTAFFHealthandlonglifetoyou,MasterSilence。SILENCEFillthecup,andletitcome;
SingingI’llpledgeyouamiletothebottom。SHALLOWHonestBardolph,welcome:ifthouwantestanything,andwiltnotcall,beshrewthyheart。
Welcome,mylittletinythief。
TothePageAndwelcomeindeedtoo。I’lldrinktoMasterBardolph,andtoallthecavalerosaboutLondon。DAVYIhovetoseeLondononceereIdie。BARDOLPHAnImightseeyouthere,Davy,——SHALLOWBythemass,you’llcrackaquarttogether,ha!
Willyounot,MasterBardolph?BARDOLPHYea,sir,inapottle—pot。SHALLOWByGod’sliggens,Ithankthee:theknavewillstickbythee,Icanassuretheethat。A’willnotout;heistruebred。BARDOLPHAndI’llstickbyhim,sir。SHALLOWWhy,therespokeaking。Lacknothing:
bemerry。
KnockingwithinLookwho’satdoorthere,ho!whoknocks?
ExitDAVYFALSTAFFWhy,nowyouhavedonemeright。
ToSILENCE,seeinghimtakeoffabumperSILENCE[Singing]
Domeright,Anddubmeknight:Samingo。
Is’tnotso?FALSTAFF’Tisso。SILENCEIs’tso?Whythen,sayanoldmancandosomewhat。
Re—enterDAVYDAVYAn’tpleaseyourworship,there’sonePistolcomefromthecourtwithnews。FALSTAFFFromthecourt!lethimcomein。
EnterPISTOL
Hownow,Pistol!PISTOLSirJohn,Godsaveyou!FALSTAFFWhatwindblewyouhither,Pistol?PISTOLNottheillwindwhichblowsnomantogood。Sweetknight,thouartnowoneofthegreatestmeninthisrealm。SILENCEBy’rlady,Ithinka’be,butgoodmanPuffofBarson。PISTOLPuff!
Puffinthyteeth,mostrecreantcowardbase!
SirJohn,IamthyPistolandthyfriend,Andhelter—skelterhaveIrodetothee,AndtidingsdoIbringandluckyjoysAndgoldentimesandhappynewsofprice。FALSTAFFIpraytheenow,deliverthemlikeamanofthisworld。PISTOLAfoutrefortheworldandworldlingsbase!
IspeakofAfricaandgoldenjoys。FALSTAFFObaseAssyrianknight,whatisthynews?
LetKingCophetuaknowthetruththereof。SILENCEAndRobinHood,Scarlet,andJohn。
SingingPISTOLShalldunghillcursconfronttheHelicons?
Andshallgoodnewsbebaffled?
Then,Pistol,laythyheadinFuries’lap。SILENCEHonestgentleman,Iknownotyourbreeding。PISTOLWhythen,lamenttherefore。SHALLOWGivemepardon,sir:if,sir,youcomewithnewsfromthecourt,Itakeitthere’sbuttwoways,eithertoutterthem,ortoconcealthem。Iam,sir,undertheking,insomeauthority。PISTOLUnderwhichking,Besonian?speak,ordie。SHALLOWUnderKingHarry。PISTOLHarrytheFourth?orFifth?SHALLOWHarrytheFourth。PISTOLAfoutreforthineoffice!
SirJohn,thytenderlambkinnowisking;
HarrytheFifth’stheman。Ispeakthetruth:
WhenPistollies,dothis;andfigme,likeThebraggingSpaniard。FALSTAFFWhat,istheoldkingdead?PISTOLAsnailindoor:thethingsIspeakarejust。FALSTAFFAway,Bardolph!saddlemyhorse。MasterRobertShallow,choosewhatofficethouwiltintheland,’tisthine。Pistol,Iwilldouble—chargetheewithdignities。BARDOLPHOjoyfulday!
Iwouldnottakeaknighthoodformyfortune。PISTOLWhat!Idobringgoodnews。FALSTAFFCarryMasterSilencetobed。MasterShallow,myLordShallow,——bewhatthouwilt;Iamfortune’ssteward——getonthyboots:we’llrideallnight。
OsweetPistol!Away,Bardolph!
ExitBARDOLPH
Come,Pistol,uttermoretome;andwithaldevisesomethingtodothyselfgood。Boot,boot,MasterShallow:Iknowtheyoungkingissickforme。
Letustakeanyman’shorses;thelawsofEnglandareatmycommandment。Blessedaretheythathavebeenmyfriends;andwoetomylordchief—justice!PISTOLLetvulturesvileseizeonhislungsalso!
’WhereisthelifethatlateIled?’saythey:
Why,hereitis;welcomethesepleasantdays!
ExeuntSCENEIV。London。Astreet。EnterBeadles,dragginginHOSTESSQUICKLYandDOLLTEARSHEETMISTRESSQUICKLYNo,thouarrantknave;IwouldtoGodthatImightdie,thatImighthavetheehanged:thouhastdrawnmyshoulderoutofjoint。FirstBeadleTheconstableshavedeliveredherovertome;andsheshallhavewhipping—cheerenough,Iwarranther:therehathbeenamanortwolatelykilledabouther。DOLLTEARSHEETNut—hook,nut—hook,youlie。Comeon;I
’lltelltheewhat,thoudamnedtripe—visagedrascal,anthechildInowgowithdomiscarry,thouwertbetterthouhadststruckthymother,thoupaper—facedvillain。MISTRESSQUICKLYOtheLord,thatSirJohnwerecome!hewouldmakethisabloodydaytosomebody。ButIprayGodthefruitofherwombmiscarry!FirstBeadleIfitdo,youshallhaveadozenofcushionsagain;
youhavebutelevennow。Come,Ichargeyoubothgowithme;forthemanisdeadthatyouandPistolbeatamongstyou。DOLLTEARSHEETI’lltellyouwhat,youthinmaninacenser,I
willhaveyouassoundlyswingedforthis,——youblue—bottlerogue,youfilthyfamishedcorrectioner,ifyoubenotswinged,I’llforswearhalf—kirtles。FirstBeadleCome,come,yousheknight—errant,come。MISTRESSQUICKLYOGod,thatrightshouldthusovercomemight!
Well,ofsufferancecomesease。DOLLTEARSHEETCome,yourogue,come;bringmetoajustice。MISTRESSQUICKLYAy,come,youstarvedblood—hound。DOLLTEARSHEETGoodmandeath,goodmanbones!MISTRESSQUICKLYThouatomy,thou!DOLLTEARSHEETCome,youthinthing;comeyourascal。FirstBeadleVerywell。
ExeuntSCENEV。ApublicplacenearWestminsterAbbey。EntertwoGrooms,strewingrushesFirstGroomMorerushes,morerushes。SecondGroomThetrumpetshavesoundedtwice。FirstGroom’Twillbetwoo’clockeretheycomefromthecoronation:dispatch,dispatch。
ExeuntEnterFALSTAFF,SHALLOW,PISTOL,BARDOLPH,andPageFALSTAFFStandherebyme,MasterRobertShallow;
Iwillmakethekingdoyougrace:Iwillleeruponhimasa’comesby;anddobutmarkthecountenancethathewillgiveme。PISTOLGodblessthylungs,goodknight。FALSTAFFComehere,Pistol;standbehindme。O,ifIhadhadtimetohavemadenewliveries,IwouldhavebestowedthethousandpoundIborrowedofyou。
But’tisnomatter;thispoorshowdothbetter:thisdothinferthezealIhadtoseehim。SHALLOWItdothso。FALSTAFFItshowsmyearnestnessofaffection,——SHALLOWItdothso。FALSTAFFMydevotion,——SHALLOWItdoth,itdoth,itdoth。FALSTAFFAsitwere,toridedayandnight;andnottodeliberate,nottoremember,nottohavepatiencetoshiftme,——SHALLOWItisbest,certain。FALSTAFFButtostandstainedwithtravel,andsweatingwithdesiretoseehim;thinkingofnothingelse,puttingallaffairselseinoblivion,asiftherewerenothingelsetobedonebuttoseehim。PISTOL’Tis’semperidem,’for’obsquehocnihilest:’
’tisallineverypart。SHALLOW’Tisso,indeed。PISTOLMyknight,Iwillinflamethynobleliver,Andmaketheerage。
ThyDoll,andHelenofthynoblethoughts,Isinbaseduranceandcontagiousprison;
HaledthitherBymostmechanicalanddirtyhand:
RouseuprevengefromebondenwithfellAlecto’ssnake,ForDollisin。Pistolspeaksnoughtbuttruth。FALSTAFFIwilldeliverher。
Shoutswithin,andthetrumpetssoundPISTOLThereroar’dthesea,andtrumpet—clangorsounds。
EnterKINGHENRYVandhistrain,theLordChief—JusticeamongthemFALSTAFFGodsavethygrace,KingHal!myroyalHal!PISTOLTheheavenstheeguardandkeep,mostroyalimpoffame!FALSTAFFGodsavethee,mysweetboy!KINGHENRYIVMylordchief—justice,speaktothatvainman。
LordChief—JusticeHaveyouyourwits?knowyouwhat’tistospeak?FALSTAFFMyking!myJove!Ispeaktothee,myheart!KINGHENRYIVIknowtheenot,oldman:falltothyprayers;
Howillwhitehairsbecomeafoolandjester!
Ihavelongdream’dofsuchakindofman,Sosurfeit—swell’d,sooldandsoprofane;
But,beingawaked,Idodespisemydream。
Makelessthybodyhence,andmorethygrace;
Leavegormandizing;knowthegravedothgapeFortheethricewiderthanforothermen。
Replynottomewithafool—bornjest:
PresumenotthatIamthethingIwas;
ForGoddothknow,soshalltheworldperceive,ThatIhaveturn’dawaymyformerself;
SowillIthosethatkeptmecompany。
WhenthoudosthearIamasIhavebeen,Approachme,andthoushaltbeasthouwast,Thetutorandthefeederofmyriots:
Tillthen,Ibanishthee,onpainofdeath,AsIhavedonetherestofmymisleaders,Nottocomenearourpersonbytenmile。
ForcompetenceoflifeIwillallowyou,Thatlackofmeansenforceyounottoevil:
And,aswehearyoudoreformyourselves,Wewill,accordingtoyourstrengthsandqualities,Giveyouadvancement。Beityourcharge,mylord,Toseeperform’dthetenorofourword。Seton。
ExeuntKINGHENRYV,&cFALSTAFFMasterShallow,Ioweyouathousandpound。SHALLOWYea,marry,SirJohn;whichIbeseechyoutoletmehavehomewithme。FALSTAFFThatcanhardlybe,MasterShallow。Donotyougrieveatthis;Ishallbesentforinprivatetohim:lookyou,hemustseemthustotheworld:
fearnotyouradvancements;Iwillbethemanyetthatshallmakeyougreat。SHALLOWIcannotwellperceivehow,unlessyoushouldgivemeyourdoubletandstuffmeoutwithstraw。I
beseechyou,goodSirJohn,letmehavefivehundredofmythousand。FALSTAFFSir,Iwillbeasgoodasmyword:thisthatyouheardwasbutacolour。SHALLOWAcolourthatIfearyouwilldiein,SirJohn。FALSTAFFFearnocolours:gowithmetodinner:
come,LieutenantPistol;come,Bardolph:Ishallbesentforsoonatnight。
Re—enterPrinceJohnofLANCASTER,theLordChief—Justice;OfficerswiththemLordChief—JusticeGo,carrySirJohnFalstafftotheFleet:
Takeallhiscompanyalongwithhim。FALSTAFFMylord,mylord,——
LordChief—JusticeIcannotnowspeak:Iwillhearyousoon。
Takethemaway。PISTOLSifortunemetormenta,sperocontenta。
ExeuntallbutPRINCEJOHNandtheLordChief—JusticeLANCASTERIlikethisfairproceedingoftheking’s:
HehathintenthiswontedfollowersShallallbeverywellprovidedfor;
Butallarebanish’dtilltheirconversationsAppearmorewiseandmodesttotheworld。
LordChief—JusticeAndsotheyare。LANCASTERThekinghathcall’dhisparliament,mylord。
LordChief—JusticeHehath。LANCASTERIwilllayoddsthat,erethisyearexpire,WebearourcivilswordsandnativefireAsfarasFrance:Ibeardabirdsosing,Whosemusic,tomythinking,pleasedtheking。
Come,willyouhence?
ExeuntEPILOGUE
SpokenbyaDancerFirstmyfear;thenmycourtesy;lastmyspeech。
Myfearis,yourdispleasure;mycourtesy,myduty;
andmyspeech,tobegyourpardons。Ifyoulookforagoodspeechnow,youundome:forwhatIhavetosayisofmineownmaking;andwhatindeedI
shouldsaywill,Idoubt,provemineownmarring。
Buttothepurpose,andsototheventure。Beitknowntoyou,asitisverywell,Iwaslatelyhereintheendofadispleasingplay,toprayyourpatienceforitandtopromiseyouabetter。
I
meantindeedtopayyouwiththis;which,iflikeanillventureitcomeunluckilyhome,Ibreak,andyou,mygentlecreditors,lose。HereIpromisedyouIwouldbeandhereIcommitmybodytoyourmercies:batemesomeandIwillpayyousomeand,asmostdebtorsdo,promiseyouinfinitely。
Ifmytonguecannotentreatyoutoacquitme,willyoucommandmetousemylegs?andyetthatwerebutlightpayment,todanceoutofyourdebt。Butagoodconsciencewillmakeanypossiblesatisfaction,andsowouldI。Allthegentlewomenherehaveforgivenme:ifthegentlemenwillnot,thenthegentlemendonotagreewiththegentlewomen,whichwasneverseenbeforeinsuchanassembly。
Onewordmore,Ibeseechyou。Ifyoubenottoomuchcloyedwithfatmeat,ourhumbleauthorwillcontinuethestory,withSirJohninit,andmakeyoumerrywithfairKatharineofFrance:where,foranythingIknow,Falstaffshalldieofasweat,unlessalreadya’bekilledwithyourhardopinions;forOldcastlediedamartyr,andthisisnottheman。Mytongueisweary;whenmylegsaretoo,Iwillbidyougoodnight:andsokneeldownbeforeyou;but,indeed,toprayforthequeen。