第4章

EnterMORTONNORTHUMBERLANDYea,thisman’sbrow,liketoatitle—leaf,Foretellsthenatureofatragicvolume:

SolooksthestrandwhereontheimperiousfloodHathleftawitness’dusurpation。

Say,Morton,didstthoucomefromShrewsbury?MORTONIranfromShrewsbury,mynoblelord;

WherehatefuldeathputonhisugliestmaskTofrightourparty。NORTHUMBERLANDHowdothmysonandbrother?

Thoutremblest;andthewhitenessinthycheekIsapterthanthytonguetotellthyerrand。

Evensuchaman,sofaint,sospiritless,Sodull,sodeadinlook,sowoe—begone,DrewPriam’scurtaininthedeadofnight,AndwouldhavetoldhimhalfhisTroywasburnt;

ButPriamfoundthefireerehehistongue,AndImyPercy’sdeatherethoureport’stit。

Thisthouwouldstsay,’Yoursondidthusandthus;

Yourbrotherthus:sofoughtthenobleDouglas:’

Stoppingmygreedyearwiththeirbolddeeds:

Butintheend,tostopmyearindeed,Thouhastasightoblowawaythispraise,Endingwith’Brother,son,andallaredead。’MORTONDouglasisliving,andyourbrother,yet;

But,formylordyourson——NORTHUMBERLANDWhy,heisdead。

Seewhatareadytonguesuspicionhath!

HethatbutfearsthethinghewouldnotknowHathbyinstinctknowledgefromothers’eyesThatwhathefear’dischanced。Yetspeak,Morton;

Tellthouanearlhisdivinationlies,AndIwilltakeitasasweetdisgraceAndmaketheerichfordoingmesuchwrong。MORTONYouaretoogreattobebymegainsaid:

Yourspiritistootrue,yourfearstoocertain。NORTHUMBERLANDYet,forallthis,saynotthatPercy’sdead。

Iseeastrangeconfessioninthineeye:

Thoushakestthyheadandhold’stitfearorsinTospeakatruth。Ifhebeslain,sayso;

Thetongueoffendsnotthatreportshisdeath:

Andhedothsinthatdothbeliethedead,Nothewhichsaysthedeadisnotalive。

YetthefirstbringerofunwelcomenewsHathbutalosingoffice,andhistongueSoundseverafterasasullenbell,Remember’dtollingadepartingfriend。LORDBARDOLPHIcannotthink,mylord,yoursonisdead。MORTONIamsorryIshouldforceyoutobelieveThatwhichIwouldtoGodIhadnotseen;

Butthesemineeyessawhiminbloodystate,Renderingfaintquittance,weariedandout—breathed,ToHarryMonmouth;whoseswiftwrathbeatdownThenever—dauntedPercytotheearth,Fromwhencewithlifehenevermoresprungup。

Infew,hisdeath,whosespiritlentafireEventothedullestpeasantinhiscamp,Beingbruitedonce,tookfireandheatawayFromthebesttemper’dcourageinhistroops;

Forfromhismetalwashispartysteel’d;

Whichonceinhimabated,alltherestTurn’donthemselves,likedullandheavylead:

Andasthethingthat’sheavyinitself,Uponenforcementflieswithgreatestspeed,Sodidourmen,heavyinHotspur’sloss,LendtothisweightsuchlightnesswiththeirfearThatarrowsflednotswiftertowardtheiraimThandidoursoldiers,aimingattheirsafety,Flyfromthefield。ThenwasthenobleWorcesterToosoonta’enprisoner;andthatfuriousScot,ThebloodyDouglas,whosewell—labouringswordHadthreetimesslaintheappearanceoftheking,’GanvailhisstomachanddidgracetheshameOfthosethatturn’dtheirbacks,andinhisflight,Stumblinginfear,wastook。ThesumofallIsthatthekinghathwon,andhathsentoutAspeedypowertoencounteryou,mylord,UndertheconductofyoungLancasterAndWestmoreland。Thisisthenewsatfull。NORTHUMBERLANDForthisIshallhavetimeenoughtomourn。

Inpoisonthereisphysic;andthesenews,Havingbeenwell,thatwouldhavemademesick,Beingsick,haveinsomemeasuremademewell:

Andasthewretch,whosefever—weaken’djoints,Likestrengthlesshinges,buckleunderlife,Impatientofhisfit,breakslikeafireOutofhiskeeper’sarms,evensomylimbs,Weaken’dwithgrief,beingnowenragedwithgrief,Arethricethemselves。Hence,therefore,thounicecrutch!

AscalygauntletnowwithjointsofsteelMustglovethishand:andhence,thousicklyquoif!

ThouartaguardtoowantonfortheheadWhichprinces,flesh’dwithconquest,aimtohit。

Nowbindmybrowswithiron;andapproachTheragged’sthourthattimeandspitedarebringTofrownupontheenragedNorthumberland!

Letheavenkissearth!nowletnotNature’shandKeepthewildfloodconfined!letorderdie!

AndletthisworldnolongerbeastageTofeedcontentioninalingeringact;

Butletonespiritofthefirst—bornCainReigninallbosoms,that,eachheartbeingsetOnbloodycourses,therudescenemayend,Anddarknessbetheburierofthedead!TRAVERSThisstrainedpassiondothyouwrong,mylord。LORDBARDOLPHSweetearl,divorcenotwisdomfromyourhonour。MORTONThelivesofallyourlovingcomplicesLeanonyourhealth;thewhich,ifyougiveo’erTostormypassion,mustperforcedecay。

Youcasttheeventofwar,mynoblelord,Andsumm’dtheaccountofchance,beforeyousaid’Letusmakehead。’Itwasyourpresurmise,That,inthedoleofblows,yoursonmightdrop:

Youknewhewalk’do’erperils,onanedge,Morelikelytofallinthantogeto’er;

YouwereadvisedhisfleshwascapableOfwoundsandscarsandthathisforwardspiritWouldlifthimwheremosttradeofdangerranged:

Yetdidyousay’Goforth;’andnoneofthis,Thoughstronglyapprehended,couldrestrainThestiff—borneaction:whathaththenbefallen,Orwhathaththisboldenterprisebroughtforth,Morethanthatbeingwhichwasliketobe?LORDBARDOLPHWeallthatareengagedtothislossKnewthatweventuredonsuchdangerousseasThatifwewroughtourlife’twastentoone;

Andyetweventured,forthegainproposedChokedtherespectoflikelyperilfear’d;

Andsinceweareo’erset,ventureagain。

Come,wewillallputforth,bodyandgoods。MORTON’Tismorethantime:and,mymostnoblelord,Ihearforcertain,anddospeakthetruth,ThegentleArchbishopofYorkisupWithwell—appointedpowers:heisamanWhowithadoublesuretybindshisfollowers。

Mylordyoursonhadonlybutthecorpse,Butshadowsandtheshowsofmen,tofight;

Forthatsameword,rebellion,diddivideTheactionoftheirbodiesfromtheirsouls;

Andtheydidfightwithqueasiness,constrain’d,Asmendrinkpotions,thattheirweaponsonlySeem’donourside;but,fortheirspiritsandsouls,Thisword,rebellion,ithadfrozethemup,Asfishareinapond。ButnowthebishopTurnsinsurrectiontoreligion:

Supposedsincereandholyinhisthoughts,He’sfollowedbothwithbodyandwithmind;

AnddothenlargehisrisingwiththebloodOffairKingRichard,scrapedfromPomfretstones;

Derivesfromheavenhisquarrelandhiscause;

Tellsthemhedothbestrideableedingland,GaspingforlifeundergreatBolingbroke;

Andmoreandlessdoflocktofollowhim。NORTHUMBERLANDIknewofthisbefore;but,tospeaktruth,Thispresentgriefhadwipeditfrommymind。

Goinwithme;andcounseleverymanTheaptestwayforsafetyandrevenge:

Getpostsandletters,andmakefriendswithspeed:

Neversofew,andneveryetmoreneed。

ExeuntSCENEII。London。Astreet。EnterFALSTAFF,withhisPagebearinghisswordandbucklerFALSTAFFSirrah,yougiant,whatsaysthedoctortomywater?PageHesaid,sir,thewateritselfwasagoodhealthywater;but,forthepartythatowedit,hemighthavemorediseasesthanheknewfor。FALSTAFFMenofallsortstakeapridetogirdatme:thebrainofthisfoolish—compoundedclay,man,isnotabletoinventanythingthattendstolaughter,morethanIinventorisinventedonme:Iamnotonlywittyinmyself,butthecausethatwitisinothermen。Idoherewalkbeforetheelikeasowthathathoverwhelmedallherlitterbutone。Iftheprinceputtheeintomyserviceforanyotherreasonthantosetmeoff,whythenIhavenojudgment。

Thouwhoresonmandrake,thouartfittertobeworninmycapthantowaitatmyheels。Iwasnevermannedwithanagatetillnow:butIwillinsetyouneitheringoldnorsilver,butinvileapparel,andsendyoubackagaintoyourmaster,forajewel,——

thejuvenal,theprinceyourmaster,whosechinisnotyetfledged。Iwillsoonerhaveabeardgrowinthepalmofmyhandthanheshallgetoneonhischeek;andyethewillnotsticktosayhisfaceisaface—royal:Godmayfinishitwhenhewill,’tisnotahairamissyet:hemaykeepitstillataface—royal,forabarbershallneverearnsixpenceoutofit;andyethe’llbecrowingasifhehadwritmaneversincehisfatherwasabachelor。

Hemaykeephisowngrace,buthe’salmostoutofmine,Icanassurehim。WhatsaidMasterDombledonaboutthesatinformyshortcloakandmyslops?PageHesaid,sir,youshouldprocurehimbetterassurancethanBardolph:hewouldnottakehisbandandyours;helikednotthesecurity。FALSTAFFLethimbedamned,liketheglutton!prayGodhistonguebehotter!AwhoresonAchitophel!arascallyyea—forsoothknave!tobearagentlemaninhand,andthenstanduponsecurity!Thewhoresonsmooth—patesdonowwearnothingbuthighshoes,andbunchesofkeysattheirgirdles;andifamanisthroughwiththeminhonesttakingup,thentheymuststanduponsecurity。Ihadaslieftheywouldputratsbaneinmymouthasoffertostopitwithsecurity。Ilookeda’shouldhavesentmetwoandtwentyyardsofsatin,asIamatrueknight,andhesendsmesecurity。Well,hemaysleepinsecurity;

forhehaththehornofabundance,andthelightnessofhiswifeshinesthroughit:andyetcannothesee,thoughhehavehisownlanthorntolighthim。

Where’sBardolph?PageHe’sgoneintoSmithfieldtobuyyourworshipahorse。FALSTAFFIboughthiminPaul’s,andhe’llbuymeahorseinSmithfield:anIcouldgetmebutawifeinthestews,Iweremanned,horsed,andwived。

EntertheLordChief—JusticeandServantPageSir,herecomesthenoblemanthatcommittedthePrinceforstrikinghimaboutBardolph。FALSTAFFWait,close;Iwillnotseehim。

LordChief—JusticeWhat’shethatgoesthere?ServantFalstaff,an’tpleaseyourlordship。

LordChief—JusticeHethatwasinquestionfortherobbery?ServantHe,mylord:buthehathsincedonegoodserviceatShrewsbury;and,asIhear,isnowgoingwithsomechargetotheLordJohnofLancaster。

LordChief—JusticeWhat,toYork?Callhimbackagain。ServantSirJohnFalstaff!FALSTAFFBoy,tellhimIamdeaf。PageYoumustspeaklouder;mymasterisdeaf。

LordChief—JusticeIamsureheis,tothehearingofanythinggood。

Go,pluckhimbytheelbow;Imustspeakwithhim。ServantSirJohn!FALSTAFFWhat!ayoungknave,andbegging!Istherenotwars?istherenotemployment?dothnotthekinglacksubjects?donottherebelsneedsoldiers?

Thoughitbeashametobeonanysidebutone,itisworseshametobegthantobeontheworstside,wereitworsethanthenameofrebellioncantellhowtomakeit。ServantYoumistakeme,sir。FALSTAFFWhy,sir,didIsayyouwereanhonestman?settingmyknighthoodandmysoldiershipaside,Ihadliedinmythroat,ifIhadsaidso。ServantIprayyou,sir,thensetyourknighthoodandoursoldiershipaside;andgivemeleavetotellyou,youlieinyourthroat,ifyousayIamanyotherthananhonestman。FALSTAFFIgivetheeleavetotellmeso!Ilayasidethatwhichgrowstome!ifthougettestanyleaveofme,hangme;ifthoutakestleave,thouwertbetterbehanged。Youhuntcounter:hence!avaunt!ServantSir,mylordwouldspeakwithyou。

LordChief—JusticeSirJohnFalstaff,awordwithyou。FALSTAFFMygoodlord!Godgiveyourlordshipgoodtimeofday。Iamgladtoseeyourlordshipabroad:I

heardsayyourlordshipwassick:Ihopeyourlordshipgoesabroadbyadvice。Yourlordship,thoughnotcleanpastyouryouth,hathyetsomesmackofageinyou,somerelishofthesaltnessoftime;andImusthumblybeseechyourlordshiptohaveareverentcareofyourhealth。

LordChief—JusticeSirJohn,IsentforyoubeforeyourexpeditiontoShrewsbury。FALSTAFFAn’tpleaseyourlordship,IhearhismajestyisreturnedwithsomediscomfortfromWales。

LordChief—JusticeItalknotofhismajesty:

youwouldnotcomewhenIsentforyou。FALSTAFFAndIhear,moreover,hishighnessisfallenintothissamewhoresonapoplexy。

LordChief—JusticeWell,Godmendhim!Iprayyou,letmespeakwithyou。FALSTAFFThisapoplexyis,asItakeit,akindoflethargy,an’tpleaseyourlordship;akindofsleepingintheblood,awhoresontingling。

LordChief—JusticeWhattellyoumeofit?beitasitis。FALSTAFFIthathitsoriginalfrommuchgrief,fromstudyandperturbationofthebrain:IhavereadthecauseofhiseffectsinGalen:itisakindofdeafness。

LordChief—JusticeIthinkyouarefallenintothedisease;foryouhearnotwhatIsaytoyou。FALSTAFFVerywell,mylord,verywell:rather,an’tpleaseyou,itisthediseaseofnotlistening,themaladyofnotmarking,thatIamtroubledwithal。

LordChief—JusticeTopunishyoubytheheelswouldamendtheattentionofyourears;andIcarenotifIdobecomeyourphysician。FALSTAFFIamaspoorasJob,mylord,butnotsopatient:

yourlordshipmayministerthepotionofimprisonmenttomeinrespectofpoverty;buthowshouldIbeyourpatienttofollowyourprescriptions,thewisemaymakesomedramofascruple,orindeedascrupleitself。

LordChief—JusticeIsentforyou,whenthereweremattersagainstyouforyourlife,tocomespeakwithme。FALSTAFFAsIwasthenadvisedbymylearnedcounselinthelawsofthisland—service,Ididnotcome。

LordChief—JusticeWell,thetruthis,SirJohn,youliveingreatinfamy。FALSTAFFHethatbuckleshiminmybeltcannotliveinless。

LordChief—JusticeYourmeansareveryslender,andyourwasteisgreat。FALSTAFFIwoulditwereotherwise;Iwouldmymeansweregreater,andmywaistslenderer。

LordChief—JusticeYouhavemisledtheyouthfulprince。FALSTAFFTheyoungprincehathmisledme:Iamthefellowwiththegreatbelly,andhemydog。

LordChief—JusticeWell,Iamloathtogallanew—healedwound:yourday’sserviceatShrewsburyhathalittlegildedoveryournight’sexploitonGad’s—hill:youmaythanktheunquiettimeforyourquieto’er—postingthataction。FALSTAFFMylord?

LordChief—JusticeButsincealliswell,keepitso:wakenotasleepingwolf。FALSTAFFTowakeawolfisasbadastosmellafox。

LordChief—JusticeWhat!youareasacandle,thebetterpartburntout。FALSTAFFAwassailcandle,mylord,alltallow:

ifIdidsayofwax,mygrowthwouldapprovethetruth。

LordChief—JusticeThereisnotawhitehaironyourfacebutshouldhavehiseffectofgravity。FALSTAFFHiseffectofgravy,gravy,gravy。

LordChief—JusticeYoufollowtheyoungprinceupanddown,likehisillangel。FALSTAFFNotso,mylord;yourillangelislight;

butIhopehethatlooksuponmewilltakemewithoutweighing:

andyet,insomerespects,Igrant,Icannotgo:I

cannottell。Virtueisofsolittleregardinthesecostermongertimesthattruevalouristurnedbear—herd:pregnancyismadeatapster,andhathhisquickwitwastedingivingreckonings:alltheothergiftsappertinenttoman,asthemaliceofthisageshapesthem,arenotworthagooseberry。

Youthatareoldconsidernotthecapacitiesofusthatareyoung;youdomeasuretheheatofourliverswiththebitternessofyourgalls:andwethatareinthevawardofouryouth,Imustconfess,arewagstoo。

LordChief—JusticeDoyousetdownyournameinthescrollofyouth,thatarewrittendownoldwithallthecharactersofage?Haveyounotamoisteye?adryhand?ayellowcheek?awhitebeard?adecreasingleg?

anincreasingbelly?isnotyourvoicebroken?yourwindshort?yourchindouble?yourwitsingle?

andeverypartaboutyoublastedwithantiquity?

andwillyouyetcallyourselfyoung?Fie,fie,fie,SirJohn!FALSTAFFMylord,Iwasbornaboutthreeoftheclockintheafternoon,withawhiteheadandsomethingaroundbelly。Formyvoice,Ihavelostitwithhalloingandsingingofanthems。Toapprovemyyouthfurther,Iwillnot:thetruthis,Iamonlyoldinjudgmentandunderstanding;andhethatwillcaperwithmeforathousandmarks,lethimlendmethemoney,andhaveathim!Fortheboxoftheearthattheprincegaveyou,hegaveitlikearudeprince,andyoutookitlikeasensiblelord。Ihavechequedhimforit,andtheyounglionrepents;

marry,notinashesandsackcloth,butinnewsilkandoldsack。

LordChief—JusticeWell,Godsendtheprinceabettercompanion!FALSTAFFGodsendthecompanionabetterprince!

Icannotridmyhandsofhim。

LordChief—JusticeWell,thekinghathseveredyouandPrinceHarry:I

hearyouaregoingwithLordJohnofLancasteragainsttheArchbishopandtheEarlofNorthumberland。FALSTAFFYea;Ithankyourprettysweetwitforit。Butlookyoupray,allyouthatkissmyladyPeaceathome,thatourarmiesjoinnotinahotday;for,bytheLord,Itakebuttwoshirtsoutwithme,andImeannottosweatextraordinarily:ifitbeahotday,andIbrandishanythingbutabottle,IwouldI

mightneverspitwhiteagain。ThereisnotadangerousactioncanpeepouthisheadbutI

amthrustuponit:well,Icannotlastever:butitwasalwayyetthetrickofourEnglishnation,iftheyhaveagoodthing,tomakeittoocommon。

IfyewillneedssayIamanoldman,youshouldgivemerest。IwouldtoGodmynamewerenotsoterribletotheenemyasitis:Iwerebettertobeeatentodeathwitharustthantobescouredtonothingwithperpetualmotion。

LordChief—JusticeWell,behonest,behonest;

andGodblessyourexpedition!FALSTAFFWillyourlordshiplendmeathousandpoundtofurnishmeforth?

LordChief—JusticeNotapenny,notapenny;

youaretooimpatienttobearcrosses。Fareyouwell:commendmetomycousinWestmoreland。

ExeuntChief—JusticeandServantFALSTAFFIfIdo,fillipmewithathree—manbeetle。

Amancannomoreseparateageandcovetousnessthana’

canpartyounglimbsandlechery:butthegoutgallstheone,andthepoxpinchestheother;

andsoboththedegreespreventmycurses。Boy!PageSir?FALSTAFFWhatmoneyisinmypurse?PageSevengroatsandtwopence。FALSTAFFIcangetnoremedyagainstthisconsumptionofthepurse:borrowingonlylingersandlingersitout,butthediseaseisincurable。GobearthislettertomyLordofLancaster;thistotheprince;

thistotheEarlofWestmoreland;andthistooldMistressUrsula,whomIhaveweeklysworntomarrysinceIperceivedthefirstwhitehaironmychin。

Aboutit:youknowwheretofindme。

ExitPageApoxofthisgout!or,agoutofthispox!fortheoneortheotherplaystheroguewithmygreattoe。’TisnomatterifIdohalt;Ihavethewarsformycolour,andmypensionshallseemthemorereasonable。Agoodwitwillmakeuseofanything:

Iwillturndiseasestocommodity。

ExitSCENEIII。York。TheArchbishop’spalace。EntertheARCHBISHOPOFYORK,theLordsHASTINGS,MOWBRAY,andBARDOLPHARCHBISHOPOFYORKThushaveyouheardourcauseandknownourmeans;

And,mymostnoblefriends,Iprayyouall,Speakplainlyyouropinionsofourhopes:

Andfirst,lordmarshal,whatsayyoutoit?MOWBRAYIwellallowtheoccasionofourarms;

ButgladlywouldbebettersatisfiedHowinourmeansweshouldadvanceourselvesTolookwithforeheadboldandbigenoughUponthepowerandpuissanceoftheking。HASTINGSOurpresentmustersgrowuponthefileTofiveandtwentythousandmenofchoice;

AndoursupplieslivelargelyinthehopeOfgreatNorthumberland,whosebosomburnsWithanincensedfireofinjuries。LORDBARDOLPHThequestionthen,LordHastings,standeththus;

WhetherourpresentfiveandtwentythousandMayholdupheadwithoutNorthumberland?HASTINGSWithhim,wemay。LORDBARDOLPHYea,marry,there’sthepoint:

Butifwithouthimwebethoughttoofeeble,Myjudgmentis,weshouldnotsteptoofarTillwehadhisassistancebythehand;

Forinathemesobloody—facedasthisConjecture,expectation,andsurmiseOfaidsincertainshouldnotbeadmitted。ARCHBISHOPOFYORK’Tisverytrue,LordBardolph;forindeedItwasyoungHotspur’scaseatShrewsbury。LORDBARDOLPHItwas,mylord;wholinedhimselfwithhope,Eatingtheaironpromiseofsupply,FlatteringhimselfinprojectofapowerMuchsmallerthanthesmallestofhisthoughts:

Andso,withgreatimaginationPropertomadmen,ledhispowerstodeathAndwinkingleap’dintodestruction。HASTINGSBut,byyourleave,itneveryetdidhurtTolaydownlikelihoodsandformsofhope。LORDBARDOLPHYes,ifthispresentqualityofwar,Indeedtheinstantaction:acauseonfootLivessoinhopeasinanearlyspringWeseetheappearingbuds;whichtoprovefruit,HopegivesnotsomuchwarrantasdespairThatfrostswillbitethem。Whenwemeantobuild,Wefirstsurveytheplot,thendrawthemodel;

Andwhenweseethefigureofthehouse,Thenmustweratethecostoftheerection;

Whichifwefindoutweighsability,WhatdowethenbutdrawanewthemodelInfeweroffices,oratlastdesistTobuildatall?Muchmore,inthisgreatwork,WhichisalmosttopluckakingdomdownAndsetanotherup,shouldwesurveyTheplotofsituationandthemodel,Consentuponasurefoundation,Questionsurveyors,knowourownestate,Howablesuchaworktoundergo,Toweighagainsthisopposite;orelseWefortifyinpaperandinfigures,Usingthenamesofmeninsteadofmen:

LikeonethatdrawsthemodelofahouseBeyondhispowertobuildit;who,halfthrough,Giveso’erandleaveshispart—createdcostAnakedsubjecttotheweepingcloudsAndwasteforchurlishwinter’styranny。HASTINGSGrantthatourhopes,yetlikelyoffairbirth,Shouldbestill—born,andthatwenowpossess’dTheutmostmanofexpectation,Ithinkweareabodystrongenough,Evenasweare,toequalwiththeking。LORDBARDOLPHWhat,isthekingbutfiveandtwentythousand?HASTINGSTousnomore;nay,notsomuch,LordBardolph。

Forhisdivisions,asthetimesdobrawl,Areinthreeheads:onepoweragainsttheFrench,AndoneagainstGlendower;perforceathirdMusttakeupus:soistheunfirmkingInthreedivided;andhiscofferssoundWithhollowpovertyandemptiness。ARCHBISHOPOFYORKThatheshoulddrawhisseveralstrengthstogetherAndcomeagainstusinfullpuissance,Neednotbedreaded。HASTINGSIfheshoulddoso,Heleaveshisbackunarm’d,theFrenchandWelshBayinghimattheheels:neverfearthat。LORDBARDOLPHWhoisitlikeshouldleadhisforceshither?HASTINGSTheDukeofLancasterandWestmoreland;

AgainsttheWelsh,himselfandHarryMonmouth:

Butwhoissubstituted’gainsttheFrench,Ihavenocertainnotice。ARCHBISHOPOFYORKLetuson,Andpublishtheoccasionofourarms。

Thecommonwealthissickoftheirownchoice;

Theirover—greedylovehathsurfeited:

AnhabitationgiddyandunsureHathhethatbuildethonthevulgarheart。

Othoufondmany,withwhatloudapplauseDidstthoubeatheavenwithblessingBolingbroke,Beforehewaswhatthouwouldsthavehimbe!

Andbeingnowtrimm’dinthineowndesires,Thou,beastlyfeeder,artsofullofhim,Thatthouprovokestthyselftocasthimup。

So,so,thoucommondog,didstthoudisgorgeThygluttonbosomoftheroyalRichard;

Andnowthouwouldsteatthydeadvomitup,Andhowl’sttofindit。Whattrustisinthesetimes?

Theythat,whenRichardlived,wouldhavehimdie,Arenowbecomeenamour’donhisgrave:

Thou,thatthrew’stdustuponhisgoodlyheadWhenthroughproudLondonhecamesighingonAftertheadmiredheelsofBolingbroke,Criestnow’Oearth,yieldusthatkingagain,Andtakethouthis!’Othoughtsofmenaccursed!

Pastandtocomeseemsbest;thingspresentworst。MOWBRAYShallwegodrawournumbersandseton?HASTINGSWearetime’ssubjects,andtimebidsbegone。

ExeuntACTIISCENEI。London。Astreet。EnterMISTRESSQUICKLY,FANGandhisBoywithher,andSNARE

following。MISTRESSQUICKLYMasterFang,haveyouenteredtheaction?FANGItisentered。MISTRESSQUICKLYWhere’syouryeoman?Is’talustyyeoman?

willa’

standto’t?FANGSirrah,where’sSnare?MISTRESSQUICKLYOLord,ay!goodMasterSnare。SNAREHere,here。FANGSnare,wemustarrestSirJohnFalstaff。MISTRESSQUICKLYYea,goodMasterSnare;Ihaveenteredhimandall。SNAREItmaychancecostsomeofusourlives,forhewillstab。MISTRESSQUICKLYAlastheday!takeheedofhim;hestabbedmeinmineownhouse,andthatmostbeastly:ingoodfaith,hecaresnotwhatmischiefhedoes。Ifhisweaponbeout:hewillfoinlikeanydevil;hewillspareneitherman,woman,norchild。FANGIfIcanclosewithhim,Icarenotforhisthrust。MISTRESSQUICKLYNo,norIneither:I’llbeatyourelbow。FANGAnIbutfisthimonce;ana’comebutwithinmyvice,——MISTRESSQUICKLYIamundonebyhisgoing;Iwarrantyou,he’saninfinitivethinguponmyscore。GoodMasterFang,holdhimsure:goodMasterSnare,lethimnot’scape。A’comescontinuantlytoPie—corner——savingyourmanhoods——tobuyasaddle;andheisinditedtodinnertotheLubber’s—headinLumbertstreet,toMasterSmooth’sthesilkman:Iprayye,sincemyexionisenteredandmycasesoopenlyknowntotheworld,lethimbebroughtintohisanswer。A

hundredmarkisalongoneforapoorlonewomantobear:andIhaveborne,andborne,andborne,andhavebeenfubbedoff,andfubbedoff,andfubbedoff,fromthisdaytothatday,thatitisashametobethoughton。Thereisnohonestyinsuchdealing;unlessawomanshouldbemadeanassandabeast,tobeareveryknave’swrong。Yonderhecomes;andthaterrantmalmsey—noseknave,Bardolph,withhim。Doyouroffices,doyouroffices:MasterFangandMasterSnare,dome,dome,domeyouroffices。

EnterFALSTAFF,Page,andBARDOLPHFALSTAFFHownow!whosemare’sdead?what’sthematter?FANGSirJohn,IarrestyouatthesuitofMistressQuickly。FALSTAFFAway,varlets!Draw,Bardolph:cutmeoffthevillain’shead:throwthequeaninthechannel。MISTRESSQUICKLYThrowmeinthechannel!I’llthrowtheeinthechannel。Wiltthou?wiltthou?thoubastardlyrogue!Murder,murder!Ah,thouhoneysucklevillain!wiltthoukillGod’sofficersandtheking’s?Ah,thouhoney—seedrogue!thouartahoney—seed,aman—queller,andawoman—queller。FALSTAFFKeepthemoff,Bardolph。FANGArescue!arescue!MISTRESSQUICKLYGoodpeople,bringarescueortwo。Thouwo’t,wo’tthou?Thouwo’t,wo’tta?do,do,thourogue!

do,thouhemp—seed!FALSTAFFAway,youscullion!yourampallion!Youfustilarian!I’lltickleyourcatastrophe。

EntertheLordChief—Justice,andhismenLordChief—JusticeWhatisthematter?keepthepeacehere,ho!MISTRESSQUICKLYGoodmylord,begoodtome。Ibeseechyou,standtome。

LordChief—JusticeHownow,SirJohn!whatareyoubrawlinghere?

Doththisbecomeyourplace,yourtimeandbusiness?

YoushouldhavebeenwellonyourwaytoYork。

Standfromhim,fellow:whereforehang’stuponhim?MISTRESSQUICKLYOmostworshipfullord,an’tpleaseyourgrace,IamapoorwidowofEastcheap,andheisarrestedatmysuit。

LordChief—JusticeForwhatsum?MISTRESSQUICKLYItismorethanforsome,mylord;itisforall,allIhave。Hehatheatenmeoutofhouseandhome;

hehathputallmysubstanceintothatfatbellyofhis:butIwillhavesomeofitoutagain,orI

willridetheeo’nightslikethemare。FALSTAFFIthinkIamasliketoridethemare,ifIhaveanyvantageofgroundtogetup。

LordChief—JusticeHowcomesthis,SirJohn?Fie!

whatmanofgoodtemperwouldendurethistempestofexclamation?

Areyounotashamedtoenforceapoorwidowtosoroughacoursetocomebyherown?FALSTAFFWhatisthegrosssumthatIowethee?MISTRESSQUICKLYMarry,ifthouwertanhonestman,thyselfandthemoneytoo。Thoudidstsweartomeuponaparcel—giltgoblet,sittinginmyDolphin—chamber,attheroundtable,byasea—coalfire,uponWednesdayinWheesonweek,whentheprincebrokethyheadforlikinghisfathertoasinging—manofWindsor,thoudidstsweartomethen,asIwaswashingthywound,tomarrymeandmakememyladythywife。Canstthoudenyit?DidnotgoodwifeKeech,thebutcher’swife,comeinthenandcallmegossipQuickly?comingintoborrowamessofvinegar;tellingusshehadagooddishofprawns;

wherebythoudidstdesiretoeatsome;wherebyI

toldtheetheywereillforagreenwound?Anddidstthounot,whenshewasgonedownstairs,desiremetobenomoresofamiliaritywithsuchpoorpeople;sayingthaterelongtheyshouldcallmemadam?Anddidstthounotkissmeandbidmefetchtheethirtyshillings?Iputtheenowtothybook—oath:denyit,ifthoucanst。FALSTAFFMylord,thisisapoormadsoul;andshesaysupanddownthetownthattheeldestsonislikeyou:

shehathbeeningoodcase,andthetruthis,povertyhathdistractedher。Butforthesefoolishofficers,IbeseechyouImayhaveredressagainstthem。

LordChief—JusticeSirJohn,SirJohn,Iamwellacquaintedwithyourmannerofwrenchingthetruecausethefalseway。Itisnotaconfidentbrow,northethrongofwordsthatcomewithsuchmorethanimpudentsaucinessfromyou,canthrustmefromalevelconsideration:

youhave,asitappearstome,practisedupontheeasy—yieldingspiritofthiswoman,andmadeherserveyourusesbothinpurseandinperson。MISTRESSQUICKLYYea,intruth,mylord。

LordChief—JusticePraythee,peace。Payherthedebtyouoweher,andunpaythevillanyyouhavedoneher:theoneyoumaydowithsterlingmoney,andtheotherwithcurrentrepentance。FALSTAFFMylord,Iwillnotundergothissneapwithoutreply。Youcallhonourableboldnessimpudentsauciness:ifamanwillmakecourtesyandsaynothing,heisvirtuous:no,mylord,myhumbledutyremembered,Iwillnotbeyoursuitor。I

saytoyou,Idodesiredeliverancefromtheseofficers,beinguponhastyemploymentintheking’saffairs。

LordChief—JusticeYouspeakashavingpowertodowrong:butanswerintheeffectofyourreputation,andsatisfythispoorwoman。FALSTAFFComehither,hostess。

EnterGOWER

LordChief—JusticeNow,MasterGower,whatnews?GOWERTheking,mylord,andHarryPrinceofWalesArenearathand:therestthepapertells。FALSTAFFAsIamagentleman。MISTRESSQUICKLYFaith,yousaidsobefore。FALSTAFFAsIamagentleman。Come,nomorewordsofit。MISTRESSQUICKLYBythisheavenlygroundItreadon,I

mustbefaintopawnbothmyplateandthetapestryofmydining—chambers。FALSTAFFGlasses,glassesistheonlydrinking:

andforthywalls,aprettyslightdrollery,orthestoryoftheProdigal,ortheGermanhuntinginwater—work,isworthathousandofthesebed—hangingsandthesefly—bittentapestries。Letitbetenpound,ifthoucanst。Come,an’twerenotforthyhumours,there’snotabetterwenchinEngland。Go,washthyface,anddrawtheaction。Come,thoumustnotbeinthishumourwithme;dostnotknowme?come,come,I

knowthouwastsetontothis。MISTRESSQUICKLYPraythee,SirJohn,letitbebuttwentynobles:i’

faith,Iamloathtopawnmyplate,soGodsaveme,la!FALSTAFFLetitalone;I’llmakeothershift:

you’llbeafoolstill。MISTRESSQUICKLYWell,youshallhaveit,thoughIpawnmygown。I

hopeyou’llcometosupper。You’llpaymealltogether?FALSTAFFWillIlive?

ToBARDOLPH

Go,withher,withher;hookon,hookon。MISTRESSQUICKLYWillyouhaveDollTearsheetmeetyouatsupper?FALSTAFFNomorewords;let’shaveher。

ExeuntMISTRESSQUICKLY,BARDOLPH,OfficersandBoyLordChief—JusticeIhaveheardbetternews。FALSTAFFWhat’sthenews,mylord?

LordChief—JusticeWherelaythekinglastnight?GOWERAtBasingstoke,mylord。FALSTAFFIhope,mylord,all’swell:whatisthenews,mylord?

LordChief—JusticeComeallhisforcesback?GOWERNo;fifteenhundredfoot,fivehundredhorse,AremarcheduptomylordofLancaster,AgainstNorthumberlandandtheArchbishop。FALSTAFFComesthekingbackfromWales,mynoblelord?

LordChief—JusticeYoushallhavelettersofmepresently:

Come,goalongwithme,goodMasterGower。FALSTAFFMylord!

LordChief—JusticeWhat’sthematter?FALSTAFFMasterGower,shallIentreatyouwithmetodinner?GOWERImustwaituponmygoodlordhere;I

thankyou,goodSirJohn。

LordChief—JusticeSirJohn,youloiterheretoolong,beingyouaretotakesoldiersupincountiesasyougo。FALSTAFFWillyousupwithme,MasterGower?

LordChief—JusticeWhatfoolishmastertaughtyouthesemanners,SirJohn?FALSTAFFMasterGower,iftheybecomemenot,hewasafoolthattaughtthemme。Thisistherightfencinggrace,mylord;tapfortap,andsopartfair。

LordChief—JusticeNowtheLordlightenthee!

thouartagreatfool。

ExeuntSCENEII。London。Anotherstreet。EnterPRINCEHENRYandPOINSPRINCEHENRYBeforeGod,Iamexceedingweary。POINSIs’tcometothat?Ihadthoughtwearinessdurstnothaveattachedoneofsohighblood。PRINCEHENRYFaith,itdoesme;thoughitdiscoloursthecomplexionofmygreatnesstoacknowledgeit。Dothitnotshowvilelyinmetodesiresmallbeer?POINSWhy,aprinceshouldnotbesolooselystudiedastoremembersoweakacomposition。PRINCEHENRYBelikethenmyappetitewasnotprincelygot;for,bymytroth,Idonowrememberthepoorcreature,smallbeer。But,indeed,thesehumbleconsiderationsmakemeoutoflovewithmygreatness。Whatadisgraceisittometorememberthyname!ortoknowthyfaceto—morrow!ortotakenotehowmanypairofsilkstockingsthouhast,viz。these,andthosethatwerethypeach—colouredones!ortobeartheinventoryofthyshirts,as,oneforsuperfluity,andanotherforuse!Butthatthetennis—court—keeperknowsbetterthanI;foritisalowebboflinenwiththeewhenthoukeepestnotracketthere;asthouhastnotdoneagreatwhile,becausetherestofthylowcountrieshavemadeashifttoeatupthyholland:

andGodknows,whetherthosethatbawlouttheruinsofthylinenshallinherithiskingdom:butthemidwivessaythechildrenarenotinthefault;

whereupontheworldincreases,andkindredsaremightilystrengthened。POINSHowillitfollows,afteryouhavelabouredsohard,youshouldtalksoidly!Tellme,howmanygoodyoungprinceswoulddoso,theirfathersbeingsosickasyoursatthistimeis?PRINCEHENRYShallItelltheeonething,Poins?POINSYes,faith;andletitbeanexcellentgoodthing。PRINCEHENRYItshallserveamongwitsofnohigherbreedingthanthine。POINSGoto;Istandthepushofyouronethingthatyouwilltell。PRINCEHENRYMarry,Itellthee,itisnotmeetthatIshouldbesad,nowmyfatherissick:albeitIcouldtellthee,astooneitpleasesme,forfaultofabetter,tocallmyfriend,Icouldbesad,andsadindeedtoo。POINSVeryhardlyuponsuchasubject。PRINCEHENRYBythishandthouthinkestmeasfarinthedevil’sbookasthouandFalstaffforobduracyandpersistency:lettheendtrytheman。ButItellthee,myheartbleedsinwardlythatmyfatherissosick:andkeepingsuchvilecompanyasthouarthathinreasontakenfrommeallostentationofsorrow。POINSThereason?PRINCEHENRYWhatwouldstthouthinkofme,ifIshouldweep?POINSIwouldthinktheeamostprincelyhypocrite。PRINCEHENRYItwouldbeeveryman’sthought;andthouartablessedfellowtothinkaseverymanthinks:neveraman’sthoughtintheworldkeepstheroad—waybetterthanthine:everymanwouldthinkmeanhypocriteindeed。Andwhataccitesyourmostworshipfulthoughttothinkso?POINSWhy,becauseyouhavebeensolewdandsomuchengraffedtoFalstaff。PRINCEHENRYAndtothee。POINSBythislight,Iamwellspokeon;Icanhearitwithmyownears:theworstthattheycansayofmeisthatIamasecondbrotherandthatIamaproperfellowofmyhands;andthosetwothings,I

confess,Icannothelp。Bythemass,herecomesBardolph。

EnterBARDOLPHandPagePRINCEHENRYAndtheboythatIgaveFalstaff:a’hadhimfrommeChristian;andlook,ifthefatvillainhavenottransformedhimape。BARDOLPHGodsaveyourgrace!PRINCEHENRYAndyours,mostnobleBardolph!BARDOLPHCome,youvirtuousass,youbashfulfool,mustyoubeblushing?whereforeblushyounow?Whatamaidenlyman—at—armsareyoubecome!Is’tsuchamattertogetapottle—pot’smaidenhead?PageA’callsmee’ennow,mylord,througharedlattice,andIcoulddiscernnopartofhisfacefromthewindow:atlastIspiedhiseyes,andmethoughthehadmadetwoholesintheale—wife’snewpetticoatandsopeepedthrough。PRINCEHENRYHasnottheboyprofited?BARDOLPHAway,youwhoresonuprightrabbit,away!PageAway,yourascallyAlthaea’sdream,away!PRINCEHENRYInstructus,boy;whatdream,boy?PageMarry,mylord,Althaeadreamedshewasdeliveredofafire—brand;andthereforeIcallhimherdream。PRINCEHENRYAcrown’sworthofgoodinterpretation:

there’tis,boy。POINSO,thatthisgoodblossomcouldbekeptfromcankers!Well,thereissixpencetopreservethee。BARDOLPHAnyoudonotmakehimhangedamongyou,thegallowsshallhavewrong。PRINCEHENRYAndhowdoththymaster,Bardolph?BARDOLPHWell,mylord。Heheardofyourgrace’scomingtotown:there’saletterforyou。POINSDeliveredwithgoodrespect。Andhowdoththemartlemas,yourmaster?BARDOLPHInbodilyhealth,sir。POINSMarry,theimmortalpartneedsaphysician;

butthatmovesnothim:thoughthatbesick,itdiesnot。PRINCEHENRYIdoallowthiswentobeasfamiliarwithmeasmydog;andheholdshisplace;forlookyouhowbewrites。POINS[Reads]’JohnFalstaff,knight,’——everymanmustknowthat,asoftashehasoccasiontonamehimself:evenlikethosethatarekintotheking;

fortheyneverpricktheirfingerbuttheysay,’There’ssomeoftheking’sbloodspilt。’’Howcomesthat?’sayshe,thattakesuponhimnottoconceive。Theanswerisasreadyasaborrower’scap,’Iamtheking’spoorcousin,sir。’PRINCEHENRYNay,theywillbekintous,ortheywillfetchitfromJaphet。Buttotheletter。POINS[Reads]’SirJohnFalstaff,knight,tothesonoftheking,nearesthisfather,HarryPrinceofWales,greeting。’Why,thisisacertificate。PRINCEHENRYPeace!POINS[Reads]’IwillimitatethehonourableRomansinbrevity:’hesuremeansbrevityinbreath,short—winded。’Icommendmetothee,Icommendthee,andIleavethee。BenottoofamiliarwithPoins;forhemisusesthyfavourssomuch,thatheswearsthouarttomarryhissisterNell。Repentatidletimesasthoumayest;andso,farewell。

Thine,byyeaandno,whichisasmuchastosay,asthouusesthim,JACKFALSTAFFwithmyfamiliars,JOHNwithmybrothersandsisters,andSIRJOHNwithallEurope。’

Mylord,I’llsteepthisletterinsackandmakehimeatit。PRINCEHENRYThat’stomakehimeattwentyofhiswords。Butdoyouusemethus,Ned?mustImarryyoursister?POINSGodsendthewenchnoworsefortune!

ButIneversaidso。PRINCEHENRYWell,thusweplaythefoolswiththetime,andthespiritsofthewisesitinthecloudsandmockus。

IsyourmasterhereinLondon?BARDOLPHYea,mylord。PRINCEHENRYWheresupshe?doththeoldboarfeedintheoldfrank?BARDOLPHAttheoldplace,mylord,inEastcheap。PRINCEHENRYWhatcompany?PageEphesians,mylord,oftheoldchurch。PRINCEHENRYSupanywomenwithhim?PageNone,mylord,butoldMistressQuicklyandMistressDollTearsheet。PRINCEHENRYWhatpaganmaythatbe?PageApropergentlewoman,sir,andakinswomanofmymaster’s。PRINCEHENRYEvensuchkinastheparishheifersaretothetownbull。Shallwestealuponthem,Ned,atsupper?POINSIamyourshadow,mylord;I’llfollowyou。PRINCEHENRYSirrah,youboy,andBardolph,nowordtoyourmasterthatIamyetcometotown:there’sforyoursilence。BARDOLPHIhavenotongue,sir。PageAndformine,sir,Iwillgovernit。PRINCEHENRYFareyouwell;go。

ExeuntBARDOLPHandPageThisDollTearsheetshouldbesomeroad。POINSIwarrantyou,ascommonasthewaybetweenSaintAlban’sandLondon。PRINCEHENRYHowmightweseeFalstaffbestowhimselfto—nightinhistruecolours,andnotourselvesbeseen?POINSPutontwoleathernjerkinsandaprons,andwaituponhimathistableasdrawers。PRINCEHENRYFromaGodtoabull?aheavydecension!

itwasJove’scase。Fromaprincetoaprentice?alowtransformation!thatshallbemine;forineverythingthepurposemustweighwiththefolly。

Followme,Ned。

ExeuntSCENEIII。Warkworth。Beforethecastle。EnterNORTHUMBERLAND,LADYNORTHUMBERLAND,andLADYPERCYNORTHUMBERLANDIpraythee,lovingwife,andgentledaughter,Giveevenwayuntomyroughaffairs:

PutnotyouonthevisageofthetimesAndbelikethemtoPercytroublesome。

LADYNORTHUMBERLANDIhavegivenover,Iwillspeaknomore:

Dowhatyouwill;yourwisdombeyourguide。NORTHUMBERLANDAlas,sweetwife,myhonourisatpawn;

And,butmygoing,nothingcanredeemit。LADYPERCYOyet,forGod’ssake,gonottothesewars!

Thetimewas,father,thatyoubrokeyourword,Whenyouweremoreendearedtoitthannow;

WhenyourownPercy,whenmyheart’sdearHarry,ThrewmanyanorthwardlooktoseehisfatherBringuphispowers;buthedidlonginvain。

Whothenpersuadedyoutostayathome?

Thereweretwohonourslost,yoursandyourson’s。

Foryours,theGodofheavenbrightenit!

Forhis,itstuckuponhimasthesunInthegreyvaultofheaven,andbyhislightDidallthechivalryofEnglandmoveTodobraveacts:hewasindeedtheglassWhereinthenobleyouthdiddressthemselves:

Hehadnolegsthatpractisednothisgait;

Andspeakingthick,whichnaturemadehisblemish,Becametheaccentsofthevaliant;

ForthosethatcouldspeaklowandtardilyWouldturntheirownperfectiontoabuse,Toseemlikehim:sothatinspeech,ingait,Indiet,inaffectionsofdelight,Inmilitaryrules,humoursofblood,Hewasthemarkandglass,copyandbook,Thatfashion’dothers。Andhim,Owondroushim!

Omiracleofmen!himdidyouleave,Secondtonone,unsecondedbyyou,TolookuponthehideousgodofwarIndisadvantage;toabideafieldWherenothingbutthesoundofHotspur’snameDidseemdefensible:soyoulefthim。

Never,Onever,dohisghostthewrongToholdyourhonourmorepreciseandniceWithothersthanwithhim!letthemalone:

Themarshalandthearchbishoparestrong:

HadmysweetHarryhadbuthalftheirnumbers,To—daymightI,hangingonHotspur’sneck,Havetalk’dofMonmouth’sgrave。NORTHUMBERLANDBeshrewyourheart,Fairdaughter,youdodrawmyspiritsfrommeWithnewlamentingancientoversights。

ButImustgoandmeetwithdangerthere,OritwillseekmeinanotherplaceAndfindmeworseprovided。

LADYNORTHUMBERLANDO,flytoScotland,TillthatthenoblesandthearmedcommonsHaveoftheirpuissancemadealittletaste。LADYPERCYIftheygetgroundandvantageoftheking,Thenjoinyouwiththem,likearibofsteel,Tomakestrengthstronger;but,forallourloves,Firstletthemtrythemselves。Sodidyourson;

Hewassosuffer’d:socameIawidow;

AndnevershallhavelengthoflifeenoughTorainuponremembrancewithmineeyes,Thatitmaygrowandsproutashighasheaven,Forrecordationtomynoblehusband。NORTHUMBERLANDCome,come,goinwithme。’TiswithmymindAswiththetideswell’dupuntohisheight,Thatmakesastill—stand,runningneitherway:

FainwouldIgotomeetthearchbishop,Butmanythousandreasonsholdmeback。

IwillresolveforScotland:thereamI,Tilltimeandvantagecravemycompany。

ExeuntSCENEIV。London。TheBoar’s—headTaverninEastcheap。EntertwoDrawersFirstDrawerWhatthedevilhastthoubroughtthere?

apple—johns?

thouknowestSirJohncannotendureanapple—john。SecondDrawerMass,thousayesttrue。Theprinceoncesetadishofapple—johnsbeforehim,andtoldhimtherewerefivemoreSirJohns,and,puttingoffhishat,said’Iwillnowtakemyleaveofthesesixdry,round,old,witheredknights。’Itangeredhimtotheheart:buthehathforgotthat。FirstDrawerWhy,then,cover,andsetthemdown:andseeifthoucanstfindoutSneak’snoise;MistressTearsheetwouldfainhearsomemusic。Dispatch:

theroomwheretheysuppedistoohot;they’llcomeinstraight。SecondDrawerSirrah,herewillbetheprinceandMasterPoinsanon;andtheywillputontwoofourjerkinsandaprons;andSirJohnmustnotknowofit:Bardolphhathbroughtword。FirstDrawerBythemass,herewillbeoldUtis:itwillbeanexcellentstratagem。SecondDrawerI’llseeifIcanfindoutSneak。

ExitEnterMISTRESSQUICKLYandDOLLTEARSHEETMISTRESSQUICKLYI’faith,sweetheart,methinksnowyouareinanexcellentgoodtemperality:yourpulsidgebeatsasextraordinarilyasheartwoulddesire;andyourcolour,Iwarrantyou,isasredasanyrose,ingoodtruth,la!But,i’faith,youhavedrunktoomuchcanaries;andthat’samarvelloussearchingwine,anditperfumesthebloodereonecansay’What’sthis?’Howdoyounow?DOLLTEARSHEETBetterthanIwas:hem!MISTRESSQUICKLYWhy,that’swellsaid;agoodheart’sworthgold。

Lo,herecomesSirJohn。

EnterFALSTAFFFALSTAFF[Singing]’WhenArthurfirstincourt,’

——Emptythejordan。

ExitFirstDrawerSinging——’Andwasaworthyking。’Hownow,MistressDoll!MISTRESSQUICKLYSickofacalm;yea,goodfaith。FALSTAFFSoisallhersect;antheybeonceinacalm,theyaresick。DOLLTEARSHEETYoumuddyrascal,isthatallthecomfortyougiveme?FALSTAFFYoumakefatrascals,MistressDoll。DOLLTEARSHEETImakethem!gluttonyanddiseasesmakethem;I

makethemnot。FALSTAFFIfthecookhelptomakethegluttony,youhelptomakethediseases,Doll:wecatchofyou,Doll,wecatchofyou;grantthat,mypoorvirtuegrantthat。DOLLTEARSHEETYea,joy,ourchainsandourjewels。FALSTAFF’Yourbroaches,pearls,andouches:’fortoservebravelyistocomehaltingoff,youknow:tocomeoffthebreachwithhispikebentbravely,andtosurgerybravely;toventureuponthechargedchambersbravely,——DOLLTEARSHEETHangyourself,youmuddyconger,hangyourself!MISTRESSQUICKLYBymytroth,thisistheoldfashion;

youtwonevermeetbutyoufalltosomediscord:youareboth,i’goodtruth,asrheumaticastwodrytoasts;

youcannotonebearwithanother’sconfirmities。Whatthegood—year!onemustbear,andthatmustbeyou:youaretheweakervessel,astheysay,theemptiervessel。DOLLTEARSHEETCanaweakemptyvesselbearsuchahugefullhogshead?there’sawholemerchant’sventureofBourdeauxstuffinhim;youhavenotseenahulkbetterstuffedinthehold。Come,I’llbefriendswiththee,Jack:thouartgoingtothewars;andwhetherIshalleverseetheeagainorno,thereisnobodycares。