第5章

Re—enterFirstDrawerFirstDrawerSir,AncientPistol’sbelow,andwouldspeakwithyou。DOLLTEARSHEETHanghim,swaggeringrascal!lethimnotcomehither:itisthefoul—mouthed’strogueinEngland。MISTRESSQUICKLYIfheswagger,lethimnotcomehere:

no,bymyfaith;Imustliveamongmyneighbours:I’llnoswaggerers:Iamingoodnameandfamewiththeverybest:shutthedoor;therecomesnoswaggerershere:Ihavenotlivedallthiswhile,tohaveswaggeringnow:shutthedoor,Iprayyou。FALSTAFFDostthouhear,hostess?MISTRESSQUICKLYPrayye,pacifyyourself,SirJohn:therecomesnoswaggerershere。FALSTAFFDostthouhear?itismineancient。MISTRESSQUICKLYTilly—fally,SirJohn,ne’ertellme:

yourancientswaggerercomesnotinmydoors。IwasbeforeMasterTisick,thedebuty,t’otherday;and,ashesaidtome,’twasnolongeragothanWednesdaylast,’I’

goodfaith,neighbourQuickly,’sayshe;MasterDumbe,ourminister,wasbythen;’neighbourQuickly,’sayshe,’receivethosethatarecivil;

for,’saidhe,’youareinanillname:’nowa’

saidso,Icantellwhereupon;’for,’sayshe,’youareanhonestwoman,andwellthoughton;thereforetakeheedwhatguestsyoureceive:receive,’sayshe,’noswaggeringcompanions。’Therecomesnonehere:youwouldblessyoutohearwhathesaid:

no,I’llnoswaggerers。FALSTAFFHe’snoswaggerer,hostess;atamecheater,i’

faith;youmaystrokehimasgentlyasapuppygreyhound:he’llnotswaggerwithaBarbaryhen,ifherfeathersturnbackinanyshowofresistance。

Callhimup,drawer。

ExitFirstDrawerMISTRESSQUICKLYCheater,callyouhim?Iwillbarnohonestmanmyhouse,nornocheater:butIdonotloveswaggering,bymytroth;Iamtheworse,whenonesaysswagger:feel,masters,howIshake;lookyou,Iwarrantyou。DOLLTEARSHEETSoyoudo,hostess。MISTRESSQUICKLYDoI?yea,inverytruth,doI,an’twereanaspenleaf:Icannotabideswaggerers。

EnterPISTOL,BARDOLPH,andPagePISTOLGodsaveyou,SirJohn!FALSTAFFWelcome,AncientPistol。Here,Pistol,Ichargeyouwithacupofsack:doyoudischargeuponminehostess。PISTOLIwilldischargeuponher,SirJohn,withtwobullets。FALSTAFFSheisPistol—proof,sir;youshallhardlyoffendher。MISTRESSQUICKLYCome,I’lldrinknoproofsnornobullets:

I’lldrinknomorethanwilldomegood,fornoman’spleasure,I。PISTOLThentoyou,MistressDorothy;Iwillchargeyou。DOLLTEARSHEETChargeme!Iscornyou,scurvycompanion。

What!

youpoor,base,rascally,cheating,lack—linenmate!Away,youmouldyrogue,away!Iammeatforyourmaster。PISTOLIknowyou,MistressDorothy。DOLLTEARSHEETAway,youcut—purserascal!youfilthybung,away!

bythiswine,I’llthrustmyknifeinyourmouldychaps,anyouplaythesaucycuttlewithme。

Away,youbottle—alerascal!youbasket—hiltstalejuggler,you!Sincewhen,Iprayyou,sir?God’slight,withtwopointsonyourshoulder?much!PISTOLGodletmenotlive,butIwillmurderyourruffforthis。FALSTAFFNomore,Pistol;Iwouldnothaveyougooffhere:

dischargeyourselfofourcompany,Pistol。MISTRESSQUICKLYNo,GoodCaptainPistol;nothere,sweetcaptain。DOLLTEARSHEETCaptain!thouabominabledamnedcheater,artthounotashamedtobecalledcaptain?Ancaptainswereofmymind,theywouldtruncheonyouout,fortakingtheirnamesuponyoubeforeyouhaveearnedthem。Youacaptain!youslave,forwhat?fortearingapoorwhore’sruffinabawdy—house?

Heacaptain!hanghim,rogue!helivesuponmouldystewedprunesanddriedcakes。Acaptain!God’slight,thesevillainswillmakethewordasodiousastheword’occupy;’whichwasanexcellentgoodwordbeforeitwasillsorted:thereforecaptainshadneedlookto’t。BARDOLPHPraythee,godown,goodancient。FALSTAFFHarktheehither,MistressDoll。PISTOLNotIItelltheewhat,CorporalBardolph,Icouldtearher:I’llberevengedofher。PagePraythee,godown。PISTOLI’llseeherdamnedfirst;toPluto’sdamnedlake,bythishand,totheinfernaldeep,withErebusandtorturesvilealso。Holdhookandline,sayI。

Down,down,dogs!down,faitors!HavewenotHirenhere?MISTRESSQUICKLYGoodCaptainPeesel,bequiet;’tisverylate,i’

faith:Ibeseekyounow,aggravateyourcholer。PISTOLThesebegoodhumours,indeed!Shallpack—horsesAndhollowpamper’djadesofAsia,Whichcannotgobutthirtymilea—day,ComparewithCaesars,andwithCannibals,AndTrojanGreeks?nay,ratherdamnthemwithKingCerberus;andletthewelkinroar。

Shallwefallfoulfortoys?MISTRESSQUICKLYBymytroth,captain,theseareverybitterwords。BARDOLPHBegone,goodancient:thiswillgrowtoabrawlanon。PISTOLDiemenlikedogs!givecrownslikepins!

HavewenotHerenhere?MISTRESSQUICKLYO’myword,captain,there’snonesuchhere。Whatthegood—year!doyouthinkIwoulddenyher?

ForGod’ssake,bequiet。PISTOLThenfeed,andbefat,myfairCalipolis。

Come,give’ssomesack。

’Sifortunemetormente,speratomecontento。’

Fearwebroadsides?no,letthefiendgivefire:

Givemesomesack:and,sweetheart,liethouthere。

LayingdownhisswordComewetofullpointshere;andareetceterasnothing?FALSTAFFPistol,Iwouldbequiet。PISTOLSweetknight,Ikissthyneaf:what!

wehaveseenthesevenstars。DOLLTEARSHEETForGod’ssake,thrusthimdownstairs:

Icannotenduresuchafustianrascal。PISTOLThrusthimdownstairs!knowwenotGallowaynags?FALSTAFFQuoithimdown,Bardolph,likeashove—groatshilling:nay,ana’donothingbutspeaknothing,a’shallbenothinghere。BARDOLPHCome,getyoudownstairs。PISTOLWhat!shallwehaveincision?shallweimbrue?

SnatchinguphisswordThendeathrockmeasleep,abridgemydolefuldays!

Why,then,letgrievous,ghastly,gapingwoundsUntwinetheSistersThree!Come,Atropos,Isay!MISTRESSQUICKLYHere’sgoodlystufftoward!FALSTAFFGivememyrapier,boy。DOLLTEARSHEETIpraythee,Jack,Ipraythee,donotdraw。FALSTAFFGetyoudownstairs。

Drawing,anddrivingPISTOLoutMISTRESSQUICKLYHere’sagoodlytumult!I’llforswearkeepinghouse,aforeI’llbeinthesetirritsandfrights。

So;murder,Iwarrantnow。Alas,alas!putupyournakedweapons,putupyournakedweapons。

ExeuntPISTOLandBARDOLPHDOLLTEARSHEETIpraythee,Jack,bequiet;therascal’sgone。

Ah,youwhoresonlittlevaliantvillain,you!MISTRESSQUICKLYHeyounothurti’thegroin?methoughta’madeashrewdthrustatyourbelly。

Re—enterBARDOLPHFALSTAFFHaveyouturnedhimouto’doors?BARDOLPHYea,sir。Therascal’sdrunk:youhavehurthim,sir,i’theshoulder。FALSTAFFArascal!tobraveme!DOLLTEARSHEETAh,yousweetlittlerogue,you!alas,poorape,howthousweatest!come,letmewipethyface;

comeon,youwhoresonchops:ah,rogue!i’faith,I

lovethee:thouartasvalorousasHectorofTroy,worthfiveofAgamemnon,andtentimesbetterthantheNineWorthies:ah,villain!FALSTAFFArascallyslave!Iwilltosstherogueinablanket。DOLLTEARSHEETDo,anthoudarestforthyheart:anthoudost,I’llcanvasstheebetweenapairofsheets。

EnterMusicPageThemusiciscome,sir。FALSTAFFLetthemplay。Play,sirs。Sitonmyknee,Doll。

Arascalbraggingslave!theroguefledfrommelikequicksilver。DOLLTEARSHEETI’faith,andthoufollowedsthimlikeachurch。

ThouwhoresonlittletidyBartholomewboar—pig,whenwiltthouleavefightingo’daysandfoiningo’nights,andbegintopatchupthineoldbodyforheaven?

Enter,behind,PRINCEHENRYandPOINS,disguisedFALSTAFFPeace,goodDoll!donotspeaklikeadeath’s—head;

donotbidmeremembermineend。DOLLTEARSHEETSirrah,whathumour’stheprinceof?FALSTAFFAgoodshallowyoungfellow:a’wouldhavemadeagoodpantler,a’wouldha’chipp’dbreadwell。DOLLTEARSHEETTheysayPoinshasagoodwit。FALSTAFFHeagoodwit?hanghim,baboon!hiswit’sasthickasTewksburymustard;there’snomoreconceitinhimthanisinamallet。DOLLTEARSHEETWhydoestheprincelovehimso,then?FALSTAFFBecausetheirlegsarebothofabigness,anda’

playsatquoitswell,andeatscongerandfennel,anddrinksoffcandles’endsforflap—dragons,andridesthewild—marewiththeboys,andjumpsuponjoined—stools,andswearswithagoodgrace,andwearshisbootsverysmooth,likeuntothesignoftheleg,andbreedsnobatewithtellingofdiscreetstories;andsuchothergambolfacultiesa’has,thatshowaweakmindandanablebody,forthewhichtheprinceadmitshim:fortheprincehimselfissuchanother;theweightofahairwillturnthescalesbetweentheiravoirdupois。PRINCEHENRYWouldnotthisnaveofawheelhavehisearscutoff?POINSLet’sbeathimbeforehiswhore。PRINCEHENRYLook,whetherthewitheredelderhathnothispollclawedlikeaparrot。POINSIsitnotstrangethatdesireshouldsomanyyearsoutliveperformance?FALSTAFFKissme,Doll。PRINCEHENRYSaturnandVenusthisyearinconjunction!

whatsaysthealmanactothat?POINSAndlook,whetherthefieryTrigon,hisman,benotlispingtohismaster’soldtables,hisnote—book,hiscounsel—keeper。FALSTAFFThoudostgivemeflatteringbusses。DOLLTEARSHEETBymytroth,Ikisstheewithamostconstantheart。FALSTAFFIamold,Iamold。DOLLTEARSHEETIlovetheebetterthanIlovee’erascurvyyoungboyofthemall。FALSTAFFWhatstuffwilthaveakirtleof?Ishallreceivemoneyo’Thursday:shalthaveacapto—morrow。

A

merrysong,come:itgrowslate;we’lltobed。

Thou’ltforgetmewhenIamgone。DOLLTEARSHEETBymytroth,thou’ltsetmea—weeping,anthousayestso:provethateverIdressmyselfhandsometillthyreturn:well,harkenattheend。FALSTAFFSomesack,Francis。PRINCEHENRYPOINSAnon,anon,sir。

ComingforwardFALSTAFFHa!abastardsonoftheking’s?AndartnotthouPoinshisbrother?PRINCEHENRYWhy,thouglobeofsinfulcontinents!

whatalifedostthoulead!FALSTAFFAbetterthanthou:Iamagentleman;

thouartadrawer。PRINCEHENRYVerytrue,sir;andIcometodrawyououtbytheears。MISTRESSQUICKLYO,theLordpreservethygoodgrace!

bymytroth,welcometoLondon。Now,theLordblessthatsweetfaceofthine!O,Jesu,areyoucomefromWales?FALSTAFFThouwhoresonmadcompoundofmajesty,bythislightfleshandcorruptblood,thouartwelcome。DOLLTEARSHEETHow,youfatfool!Iscornyou。POINSMylord,hewilldriveyououtofyourrevengeandturnalltoamerriment,ifyoutakenottheheat。PRINCEHENRYYouwhoresoncandle—mine,you,howvilelydidyouspeakofmeevennowbeforethishonest,virtuous,civilgentlewoman!MISTRESSQUICKLYGod’sblessingofyourgoodheart!andsosheis,bymytroth。FALSTAFFDidstthouhearme?PRINCEHENRYYea,andyouknewme,asyoudidwhenyouranawaybyGad’s—hill:youknewIwasatyourback,andspokeitonpurposetotrymypatience。FALSTAFFNo,no,no;notso;Ididnotthinkthouwastwithinhearing。PRINCEHENRYIshalldriveyouthentoconfessthewilfulabuse;

andthenIknowhowtohandleyou。FALSTAFFNoabuse,Hal,o’minehonour,noabuse。PRINCEHENRYNottodispraiseme,andcallmepantierandbread—chipperandIknownotwhat?FALSTAFFNoabuse,Hal。POINSNoabuse?FALSTAFFNoabuse,Ned,i’theworld;honestNed,none。I

dispraisedhimbeforethewicked,thatthewickedmightnotfallinlovewithhim;inwhichdoing,I

havedonethepartofacarefulfriendandatruesubject,andthyfatheristogivemethanksforit。

Noabuse,Hal:none,Ned,none:no,faith,boys,none。PRINCEHENRYSeenow,whetherpurefearandentirecowardicedothnotmaketheewrongthisvirtuousgentlewomantoclosewithus?issheofthewicked?isthinehostesshereofthewicked?oristhyboyofthewicked?orhonestBardolph,whosezealburnsinhisnose,ofthewicked?POINSAnswer,thoudeadelm,answer。FALSTAFFThefiendhathprickeddownBardolphirrecoverable;

andhisfaceisLucifer’sprivy—kitchen,wherehedothnothingbutroastmalt—worms。Fortheboy,thereisagoodangelabouthim;butthedeviloutbidshimtoo。PRINCEHENRYForthewomen?FALSTAFFForoneofthem,sheisinhellalready,andburnspoorsouls。Fortheother,Iowehermoney,andwhethershebedamnedforthat,Iknownot。MISTRESSQUICKLYNo,Iwarrantyou。FALSTAFFNo,Ithinkthouartnot;Ithinkthouartquitforthat。Marry,thereisanotherindictmentuponthee,forsufferingfleshtobeeateninthyhouse,contrarytothelaw;forthewhichIthinkthouwilthowl。MISTRESSQUICKLYAllvictuallersdoso;what’sajointofmuttonortwoinawholeLent?PRINCEHENRYYou,gentlewoman,—DOLLTEARSHEETWhatsaysyourgrace?FALSTAFFHisgracesaysthatwhichhisfleshrebelsagainst。

KnockingwithinMISTRESSQUICKLYWhoknockssoloudatdoor?Looktothedoorthere,Francis。

EnterPETOPRINCEHENRYPeto,hownow!whatnews?PETOThekingyourfatherisatWestminster:

AndtherearetwentyweakandweariedpostsComefromthenorth:and,asIcamealong,Imetandovertookadozencaptains,Bare—headed,sweating,knockingatthetaverns,AndaskingeveryoneforSirJohnFalstaff。PRINCEHENRYByheaven,Poins,Ifeelmemuchtoblame,Soidlytoprofanetheprecioustime,Whentempestofcommotion,likethesouthBornewithblackvapour,dothbegintomeltAnddropuponourbareunarmedheads。

Givememyswordandcloak。Falstaff,goodnight。

ExeuntPRINCEHENRY,POINS,PETOandBARDOLPHFALSTAFFNowcomesinthesweetestmorselofthenight,andwemusthenceandleaveitunpicked。

KnockingwithinMoreknockingatthedoor!

Re—enterBARDOLPH

Hownow!what’sthematter?BARDOLPHYoumustawaytocourt,sir,presently;

Adozencaptainsstayatdoorforyou。FALSTAFF[TothePage]Paythemusicians,sirrah。

Farewell,hostess;farewell,Doll。Yousee,mygoodwenches,howmenofmeritaresoughtafter:theundeservermaysleep,whenthemanofactioniscalledon。

Farewellgoodwenches:ifIbenotsentawaypost,IwillseeyouagainereIgo。DOLLTEARSHEETIcannotspeak;ifmyheartbenotreadtoburst,——

well,sweetJack,haveacareofthyself。FALSTAFFFarewell,farewell。

ExeuntFALSTAFFandBARDOLPHMISTRESSQUICKLYWell,faretheewell:Ihaveknowntheethesetwenty—nineyears,comepeascod—time;butanhonesterandtruer—heartedman,——well,faretheewell。BARDOLPH[Within]MistressTearsheet!MISTRESSQUICKLYWhat’sthematter?BARDOLPH[Within]GoodMistressTearsheet,cometomymaster。MISTRESSQUICKLYO,run,Doll,run;run,goodDoll:come。

ShecomesblubberedYea,willyoucome,Doll?

ExeuntACTIIISCENEI。Westminster。Thepalace。EnterKINGHENRYIVinhisnightgown,withaPageKINGHENRYIVGocalltheEarlsofSurreyandofWarwick;

But,eretheycome,bidthemo’er—readtheseletters,Andwellconsiderofthem;makegoodspeed。

ExitPageHowmanythousandofmypoorestsubjectsAreatthishourasleep!Osleep,Ogentlesleep,Nature’ssoftnurse,howhaveIfrightedthee,ThatthounomorewiltweighmyeyelidsdownAndsteepmysensesinforgetfulness?

Whyrather,sleep,liestthouinsmokycribs,UponuneasypalletsstretchingtheeAndhush’dwithbuzzingnight—fliestothyslumber,Thanintheperfumedchambersofthegreat,Underthecanopiesofcostlystate,Andlull’dwithsoundofsweetestmelody?

Othoudullgod,whyliestthouwiththevileInloathsomebeds,andleavestthekinglycouchAwatch—caseoracommon’larum—bell?

WiltthouuponthehighandgiddymastSealuptheship—boy’seyes,androckhisbrainsIncradleoftherudeimperioussurgeAndinthevisitationofthewinds,Whotaketheruffianbillowsbythetop,CurlingtheirmonstrousheadsandhangingthemWithdeafeningclamourintheslipperyclouds,That,withthehurly,deathitselfawakes?

Canstthou,Opartialsleep,givethyreposeTothewetsea—boyinanhoursorude,Andinthecalmestandmoststillestnight,Withallappliancesandmeanstoboot,Denyittoaking?Thenhappylow,liedown!

Uneasyliestheheadthatwearsacrown。

EnterWARWICKandSURREYWARWICKManygoodmorrowstoyourmajesty!KINGHENRYIVIsitgoodmorrow,lords?WARWICK’Tisoneo’clock,andpast。KINGHENRYIVWhy,then,goodmorrowtoyouall,mylords。

Haveyoureado’erthelettersthatIsentyou?WARWICKWehave,myliege。KINGHENRYIVThenyouperceivethebodyofourkingdomHowfoulitis;whatrankdiseasesgrowAndwithwhatdanger,neartheheartofit。WARWICKItisbutasabodyyetdistemper’d;

WhichtohisformerstrengthmayberestoredWithgoodadviceandlittlemedicine:

MyLordNorthumberlandwillsoonbecool’d。KINGHENRYIVOGod!thatonemightreadthebookoffate,AndseetherevolutionofthetimesMakemountainslevel,andthecontinent,Wearyofsolidfirmness,meltitselfIntothesea!and,othertimes,toseeThebeachygirdleoftheoceanToowideforNeptune’ships;howchancesmock,AndchangesfillthecupofalterationWithdiversliquors!O,ifthiswereseen,Thehappiestyouth,viewinghisprogressthrough,Whatperilspast,whatcrossestoensue,Wouldshutthebook,andsithimdownanddie。

’Tisnot’tenyearsgoneSinceRichardandNorthumberland,greatfriends,Didfeasttogether,andintwoyearsafterWeretheyatwars:itisbuteightyearssinceThisPercywasthemannearestmysoul,Wholikeabrothertoil’dinmyaffairsAndlaidhisloveandlifeundermyfoot,Yea,formysake,eventotheeyesofRichardGavehimdefiance。Butwhichofyouwasby——

You,cousinNevil,asImayremember——

ToWARWICK

WhenRichard,withhiseyebrimfuloftears,Thencheque’dandratedbyNorthumberland,Didspeakthesewords,nowprovedaprophecy?

’Northumberland,thouladderbythewhichMycousinBolingbrokeascendsmythrone;’

Thoughthen,Godknows,Ihadnosuchintent,Butthatnecessitysobow’dthestateThatIandgreatnesswerecompell’dtokiss:

’Thetimeshallcome,’thusdidhefollowit,’Thetimewillcome,thatfoulsin,gatheringhead,Shallbreakintocorruption:’sowenton,Foretellingthissametime’sconditionAndthedivisionofouramity。WARWICKThereisahistoryinallmen’slives,Figuringthenatureofthetimesdeceased;

Thewhichobserved,amanmayprophesy,Withanearaim,ofthemainchanceofthingsAsyetnotcometolife,whichintheirseedsAndweakbeginningslieintreasured。

Suchthingsbecomethehatchandbroodoftime;

AndbythenecessaryformofthisKingRichardmightcreateaperfectguessThatgreatNorthumberland,thenfalsetohim,Wouldofthatseedgrowtoagreaterfalseness;

Whichshouldnotfindagroundtorootupon,Unlessonyou。KINGHENRYIVArethesethingsthennecessities?

Thenletusmeetthemlikenecessities:

Andthatsamewordevennowcriesoutonus:

TheysaythebishopandNorthumberlandArefiftythousandstrong。WARWICKItcannotbe,mylord;

Rumourdothdouble,likethevoiceandecho,Thenumbersofthefear’d。PleaseityourgraceTogotobed。Uponmysoul,mylord,ThepowersthatyoualreadyhavesentforthShallbringthisprizeinveryeasily。

Tocomfortyouthemore,IhavereceivedAcertaininstancethatGlendowerisdead。

Yourmajestyhathbeenthisfortnightill,Andtheseunseason’dhoursperforcemustaddUntoyoursickness。KINGHENRYIVIwilltakeyourcounsel:

Andweretheseinwardwarsonceoutofhand,Wewould,dearlords,untotheHolyLand。

ExeuntSCENEII。Gloucestershire。BeforeSHALLOW’Shouse。EnterSHALLOWandSILENCE,meeting;MOULDY,SHADOW,WART,FEEBLE,BULLCALF,aServantortwowiththemSHALLOWComeon,comeon,comeon,sir;givemeyourhand,sir,givemeyourhand,sir:anearlystirrer,bytherood!AndhowdothmygoodcousinSilence?SILENCEGoodmorrow,goodcousinShallow。SHALLOWAndhowdothmycousin,yourbedfellow?

andyourfairestdaughterandmine,mygod—daughterEllen?SILENCEAlas,ablackousel,cousinShallow!SHALLOWByyeaandnay,sir,IdaresaymycousinWilliamisbecomeagoodscholar:heisatOxfordstill,ishenot?SILENCEIndeed,sir,tomycost。SHALLOWA’must,then,totheinnso’courtshortly。

IwasonceofClement’sInn,whereIthinktheywilltalkofmadShallowyet。SILENCEYouwerecalled’lustyShallow’then,cousin。SHALLOWBythemass,Iwascalledanything;andIwouldhavedoneanythingindeedtoo,androundlytoo。

TherewasI,andlittleJohnDoitofStaffordshire,andblackGeorgeBarnes,andFrancisPickbone,andWillSquele,aCotswoldman;youhadnotfoursuchswinge—bucklersinalltheinnso’courtagain:

andImaysaytoyou,weknewwherethebona—robaswereandhadthebestofthemallatcommandment。ThenwasJackFalstaff,nowSirJohn,aboy,andpagetoThomasMowbray,DukeofNorfolk。SILENCEThisSirJohn,cousin,thatcomeshitheranonaboutsoldiers?SHALLOWThesameSirJohn,theverysame。IseehimbreakSkogan’sheadatthecourt—gate,whena’wasacracknotthushigh:andtheverysamedaydidI

fightwithoneSampsonStockfish,afruiterer,behindGray’sInn。Jesu,Jesu,themaddaysthatI

havespent!andtoseehowmanyofmyoldacquaintancearedead!SILENCEWeshallallfollow,cousin。SHADOWCertain,’tiscertain;verysure,verysure:death,asthePsalmistsaith,iscertaintoall;allshalldie。HowagoodyokeofbullocksatStamfordfair?SILENCEBymytroth,Iwasnotthere。SHALLOWDeathiscertain。IsoldDoubleofyourtownlivingyet?SILENCEDead,sir。SHALLOWJesu,Jesu,dead!a’drewagoodbow;

anddead!a’

shotafineshoot:JohnaGauntlovedhimwell,andbettedmuchmoneyonhishead。Dead!a’wouldhaveclappedi’thecloutattwelvescore;andcarriedyouaforehandshaftafourteenandfourteenandahalf,thatitwouldhavedoneaman’sheartgoodtosee。Howascoreofewesnow?SILENCEThereafterastheybe:ascoreofgoodewesmaybeworthtenpounds。SHALLOWAndisoldDoubledead?SILENCEHerecometwoofSirJohnFalstaff’smen,asIthink。

EnterBARDOLPHandonewithhimBARDOLPHGoodmorrow,honestgentlemen:Ibeseechyou,whichisJusticeShallow?SHALLOWIamRobertShallow,sir;apooresquireofthiscounty,andoneoftheking’sjusticesofthepeace:

Whatisyourgoodpleasurewithme?BARDOLPHMycaptain,sir,commendshimtoyou;

mycaptain,SirJohnFalstaff,atallgentleman,byheaven,andamostgallantleader。SHALLOWHegreetsmewell,sir。Iknewhimagoodbackswordman。Howdoththegoodknight?mayIaskhowmyladyhiswifedoth?BARDOLPHSir,pardon;asoldierisbetteraccommodatedthanwithawife。SHALLOWItiswellsaid,infaith,sir;anditiswellsaidindeedtoo。Betteraccommodated!itisgood;yea,indeed,isit:goodphrasesaresurely,andeverwere,verycommendable。Accommodated!itcomesof’accommodo’verygood;agoodphrase。BARDOLPHPardonme,sir;Ihaveheardtheword。

Phrasecallyouit?bythisgoodday,Iknownotthephrase;

butIwillmaintainthewordwithmyswordtobeasoldier—likeword,andawordofexceedinggoodcommand,byheaven。Accommodated;thatis,whenamanis,astheysay,accommodated;orwhenamanis,being,wherebya’maybethoughttobeaccommodated;

whichisanexcellentthing。SHALLOWItisveryjust。

EnterFALSTAFF

Look,herecomesgoodSirJohn。Givemeyourgoodhand,givemeyourworship’sgoodhand:bymytroth,youlikewellandbearyouryearsverywell:

welcome,goodSirJohn。FALSTAFFIamgladtoseeyouwell,goodMasterRobertShallow:MasterSurecard,asIthink?SHALLOWNo,SirJohn;itismycousinSilence,incommissionwithme。FALSTAFFGoodMasterSilence,itwellbefitsyoushouldbeofthepeace。SILENCEYourgood—worshipiswelcome。FALSTAFFFie!thisishotweather,gentlemen。Haveyouprovidedmeherehalfadozensufficientmen?SHALLOWMarry,havewe,sir。Willyousit?FALSTAFFLetmeseethem,Ibeseechyou。SHALLOWWhere’stheroll?where’stheroll?where’stheroll?Letmesee,letmesee,letmesee。So,so:

yea,marry,sir:RalphMouldy!LetthemappearasIcall;letthemdoso,letthemdoso。Letmesee;whereisMouldy?MOULDYHere,an’tpleaseyou。SHALLOWWhatthinkyou,SirJohn?agood—limbedfellow;

young,strong,andofgoodfriends。FALSTAFFIsthynameMouldy?MOULDYYea,an’tpleaseyou。FALSTAFF’Tisthemoretimethouwertused。SHALLOWHa,ha,ha!mostexcellent,i’faith!

Thingsthataremouldylackuse:verysingulargood!infaith,wellsaid,SirJohn,verywellsaid。FALSTAFFPrickhim。MOULDYIwasprickedwellenoughbefore,anyoucouldhaveletmealone:myolddamewillbeundonenowforonetodoherhusbandryandherdrudgery:youneednottohaveprickedme;thereareothermenfittertogooutthanI。FALSTAFFGoto:peace,Mouldy;youshallgo。Mouldy,itistimeyouwerespent。MOULDYSpent!SHALLOWPeace,fellow,peace;standaside:knowyouwhereyouare?Fortheother,SirJohn:letmesee:

SimonShadow!FALSTAFFYea,marry,letmehavehimtositunder:

he’sliketobeacoldsoldier。SHALLOWWhere’sShadow?SHADOWHere,sir。FALSTAFFShadow,whosesonartthou?SHADOWMymother’sson,sir。FALSTAFFThymother’sson!likeenough,andthyfather’sshadow:sothesonofthefemaleistheshadowofthemale:itisoftenso,indeed;butmuchofthefather’ssubstance!SHALLOWDoyoulikehim,SirJohn?FALSTAFFShadowwillserveforsummer;prickhim,forwehaveanumberofshadowstofillupthemuster—book。SHALLOWThomasWart!FALSTAFFWhere’she?WARTHere,sir。FALSTAFFIsthynameWart?WARTYea,sir。FALSTAFFThouartaveryraggedwart。SHALLOWShallIprickhimdown,SirJohn?FALSTAFFItweresuperfluous;forhisapparelisbuiltuponhisbackandthewholeframestandsuponpins:

prickhimnomore。SHALLOWHa,ha,ha!youcandoit,sir;youcandoit:I

commendyouwell。FrancisFeeble!FEEBLEHere,sir。FALSTAFFWhattradeartthou,Feeble?FEEBLEAwoman’stailor,sir。SHALLOWShallIprickhim,sir?FALSTAFFYoumay:butifhehadbeenaman’stailor,he’ldha’prickedyou。Wiltthoumakeasmanyholesinanenemy’sbattleasthouhastdoneinawoman’spetticoat?FEEBLEIwilldomygoodwill,sir;youcanhavenomore。FALSTAFFWellsaid,goodwoman’stailor!wellsaid,courageousFeeble!thouwiltbeasvaliantasthewrathfuldoveormostmagnanimousmouse。Prickthewoman’stailor:well,MasterShallow;deep,MasterShallow。FEEBLEIwouldWartmighthavegone,sir。FALSTAFFIwouldthouwertaman’stailor,thatthoumightstmendhimandmakehimfittogo。Icannotputhimtoaprivatesoldierthatistheleaderofsomanythousands:letthatsuffice,mostforcibleFeeble。FEEBLEItshallsuffice,sir。FALSTAFFIamboundtothee,reverendFeeble。

Whoisnext?SHALLOWPeterBullcalfo’thegreen!FALSTAFFYea,marry,let’sseeBullcalf。BULLCALFHere,sir。FALSTAFF’ForeGod,alikelyfellow!Come,prickmeBullcalftillheroaragain。BULLCALFOLord!goodmylordcaptain,——FALSTAFFWhat,dostthouroarbeforethouartpricked?BULLCALFOLord,sir!Iamadiseasedman。FALSTAFFWhatdiseasehastthou?BULLCALFAwhoresoncold,sir,acough,sir,whichIcaughtwithringingintheking’saffairsuponhiscoronation—day,sir。FALSTAFFCome,thoushaltgotothewarsinagown;wewilthaveawaythycold;andIwilltakesuchorderthatmyfriendsshallringforthee。Ishereall?SHALLOWHereistwomorecalledthanyournumber,youmusthavebutfourhere,sir:andso,Iprayyou,goinwithmetodinner。FALSTAFFCome,Iwillgodrinkwithyou,butI

cannottarrydinner。Iamgladtoseeyou,bymytroth,MasterShallow。SHALLOWO,SirJohn,doyouremembersincewelayallnightinthewindmillinSaintGeorge’sfield?FALSTAFFNomoreofthat,goodMasterShallow,nomoreofthat。SHALLOWHa!’twasamerrynight。AndisJaneNightworkalive?FALSTAFFShelives,MasterShallow。SHALLOWShenevercouldawaywithme。FALSTAFFNever,never;shewouldalwayssayshecouldnotabideMasterShallow。SHALLOWBythemass,Icouldangerhertotheheart。Shewasthenabona—roba。Dothsheholdherownwell?FALSTAFFOld,old,MasterShallow。SHALLOWNay,shemustbeold;shecannotchoosebutbeold;

certainshe’sold;andhadRobinNightworkbyoldNightworkbeforeIcametoClement’sInn。SILENCEThat’sfifty—fiveyearago。SHALLOWHa,cousinSilence,thatthouhadstseenthatthatthisknightandIhaveseen!Ha,SirJohn,saidIwell?FALSTAFFWehaveheardthechimesatmidnight,MasterShallow。SHALLOWThatwehave,thatwehave,thatwehave;

infaith,SirJohn,wehave:ourwatch—wordwas’Hemboys!’

Come,let’stodinner;come,let’stodinner:

Jesus,thedaysthatwehaveseen!Come,come。

ExeuntFALSTAFFandJusticesBULLCALFGoodMasterCorporateBardolph,standmyfriend;

andhere’sfourHarrytenshillingsinFrenchcrownsforyou。Inverytruth,sir,Ihadasliefbehanged,sir,asgo:andyet,formineownpart,sir,Idonotcare;butrather,becauseIamunwilling,and,formineownpart,haveadesiretostaywithmyfriends;else,sir,Ididnotcare,formineownpart,somuch。BARDOLPHGoto;standaside。MOULDYAnd,goodmastercorporalcaptain,formyolddame’ssake,standmyfriend:shehasnobodytodoanythingaboutherwhenIamgone;andsheisold,andcannothelpherself:Youshallhaveforty,sir。BARDOLPHGoto;standaside。FEEBLEBymytroth,Icarenot;amancandiebutonce:weoweGodadeath:I’llne’erbearabasemind:

an’tbemydestiny,so;an’tbenot,so:nomanistoogoodtoserve’sprince;andletitgowhichwayitwill,hethatdiesthisyearisquitforthenext。BARDOLPHWellsaid;thou’rtagoodfellow。FEEBLEFaith,I’llbearnobasemind。

Re—enterFALSTAFFandtheJusticesFALSTAFFCome,sir,whichmenshallIhave?SHALLOWFourofwhichyouplease。BARDOLPHSir,awordwithyou:IhavethreepoundtofreeMouldyandBullcalf。FALSTAFFGoto;well。SHALLOWCome,SirJohn,whichfourwillyouhave?FALSTAFFDoyouchooseforme。SHALLOWMarry,then,Mouldy,Bullcalf,FeebleandShadow。FALSTAFFMouldyandBullcalf:foryou,Mouldy,stayathometillyouarepastservice:andforyourpart,Bullcalf,growtillyoucomeuntoit:Iwillnoneofyou。SHALLOWSirJohn,SirJohn,donotyourselfwrong:

theyareyourlikeliestmen,andIwouldhaveyouservedwiththebest。FALSTAFFWillyoutellme,MasterShallow,howtochooseaman?CareIforthelimb,thethewes,thestature,bulk,andbigassemblanceofaman!Givemethespirit,MasterShallow。Here’sWart;youseewhataraggedappearanceitis;a’shallchargeyouanddischargeyouwiththemotionofapewterer’shammer,comeoffandonswifterthanhethatgibbetsonthebrewer’sbucket。Andthissamehalf—facedfellow,Shadow;givemethisman:hepresentsnomarktotheenemy;thefoemanmaywithasgreataimlevelattheedgeofapenknife。Andforaretreat;

howswiftlywillthisFeeblethewoman’stailorrunoff!O,givemethesparemen,andsparemethegreatones。PutmeacaliverintoWart’shand,Bardolph。BARDOLPHHold,Wart,traverse;thus,thus,thus。FALSTAFFCome,managemeyourcaliver。So:verywell:goto:verygood,exceedinggood。O,givemealwaysalittle,lean,old,chapt,baldshot。Wellsaid,i’

faith,Wart;thou’rtagoodscab:hold,there’satesterforthee。SHALLOWHeisnothiscraft’smaster;hedothnotdoitright。IrememberatMile—endGreen,whenIlayatClement’sInn——IwasthenSirDagonetinArthur’sshow,——therewasalittlequiverfellow,anda’

wouldmanageyouhispiecethus;anda’wouldaboutandabout,andcomeyouinandcomeyouin:’rah,tah,tah,’woulda’say;’bounce’woulda’say;

andawayagainwoulda’go,andagainwoulda’come:

I

shallne’erseesuchafellow。FALSTAFFThesefellowswilldowell,MasterShallow。

Godkeepyou,MasterSilence:Iwillnotusemanywordswithyou。Fareyouwell,gentlemenboth:Ithankyou:Imustadozenmileto—night。Bardolph,givethesoldierscoats。SHALLOWSirJohn,theLordblessyou!Godprosperyouraffairs!Godsenduspeace!Atyourreturnvisitourhouse;letouroldacquaintanceberenewed;

peradventureIwillwithyetothecourt。FALSTAFF’ForeGod,Iwouldyouwould,MasterShallow。SHALLOWGoto;Ihavespokeataword。Godkeepyou。FALSTAFFFareyouwell,gentlegentlemen。

ExeuntJusticesOn,Bardolph;leadthemenaway。

ExeuntBARDOLPH,Recruits,&cAsIreturn,Iwillfetchoffthesejustices:

IdoseethebottomofJusticeShallow。Lord,Lord,howsubjectweoldmenaretothisviceoflying!

Thissamestarvedjusticehathdonenothingbutpratetomeofthewildnessofhisyouth,andthefeatshehathdoneaboutTurnbullStreet:andeverythirdwordalie,duerpaidtothehearerthantheTurk’stribute。IdorememberhimatClement’sInnlikeamanmadeaftersupperofacheese—paring:whena’

wasnaked,hewas,foralltheworld,likeaforkedradish,withaheadfantasticallycarveduponitwithaknife:a’wassoforlorn,thathisdimensionstoanythicksightwereinvincible:

a’

wastheverygeniusoffamine;yetlecherousasamonkey,andthewhorescalledhimmandrake:a’

cameeverintherearwardofthefashion,andsungthosetunestotheoverscutchedhuswivesthatheheardthecarmenwhistle,andsweartheywerehisfanciesorhisgood—nights。AndnowisthisVice’sdaggerbecomeasquire,andtalksasfamiliarlyofJohnaGauntasifhehadbeenswornbrothertohim;

andI’llbesworna’ne’ersawhimbutonceintheTilt—yard;andthenhebursthisheadforcrowdingamongthemarshal’smen。Isawit,andtoldJohnaGaunthebeathisownname;foryoumighthavethrusthimandallhisapparelintoaneel—skin;

thecaseofatreblehautboywasamansionforhim,acourt:andnowhashelandandbeefs。Well,I’llbeacquaintedwithhim,ifIreturn;anditshallgohardbutIwillmakehimaphilosopher’stwostonestome:iftheyoungdacebeabaitfortheoldpike,IseenoreasoninthelawofnaturebutI

maysnapathim。Lettimeshape,andthereanend。

ExitACTIVSCENEI。Yorkshire。GaultreeForest。EntertheARCHBISHOPOFYORK,MOWBRAY,LORDHASTINGS,andothersARCHBISHOPOFYORKWhatisthisforestcall’d?HASTINGS’TisGaultreeForest,an’tshallpleaseyourgrace。ARCHBISHOPOFYORKHerestand,mylords;andsenddiscoverersforthToknowthenumbersofourenemies。HASTINGSWehavesentforthalready。ARCHBISHOPOFYORK’Tiswelldone。

Myfriendsandbrethreninthesegreataffairs,ImustacquaintyouthatIhavereceivedNew—datedlettersfromNorthumberland;

Theircoldintent,tenorandsubstance,thus:

Heredothhewishhisperson,withsuchpowersAsmightholdsortancewithhisquality,Thewhichhecouldnotlevy;whereuponHeisretired,toripehisgrowingfortunes,ToScotland:andconcludesinheartyprayersThatyourattemptsmayoverlivethehazardAndfearfulmeltingoftheiropposite。MOWBRAYThusdothehopeswehaveinhimtouchgroundAnddashthemselvestopieces。

EnteraMessengerHASTINGSNow,whatnews?MessengerWestofthisforest,scarcelyoffamile,Ingoodlyformcomesontheenemy;

And,bythegroundtheyhide,IjudgetheirnumberUponorneartherateofthirtythousand。MOWBRAYThejustproportionthatwegavethemoutLetusswayonandfacetheminthefield。ARCHBISHOPOFYORKWhatwell—appointedleaderfrontsushere?

EnterWESTMORELANDMOWBRAYIthinkitismyLordofWestmoreland。WESTMORELANDHealthandfairgreetingfromourgeneral,Theprince,LordJohnandDukeofLancaster。ARCHBISHOPOFYORKSayon,myLordofWestmoreland,inpeace:

Whatdothconcernyourcoming?WESTMORELANDThen,mylord,UntoyourgracedoIinchiefaddressThesubstanceofmyspeech。IfthatrebellionCamelikeitself,inbaseandabjectrouts,Ledonbybloodyyouth,guardedwithrags,Andcountenancedbyboysandbeggary,Isay,ifdamn’dcommotionsoappear’d,Inhistrue,nativeandmostpropershape,You,reverendfather,andthesenoblelordsHadnotbeenhere,todresstheuglyformOfbaseandbloodyinsurrectionWithyourfairhonours。You,lordarchbishop,Whoseseeisbyacivilpeacemaintained,Whosebeardthesilverhandofpeacehathtouch’d,Whoselearningandgoodletterspeacehathtutor’d,Whosewhiteinvestmentsfigureinnocence,Thedoveandveryblessedspiritofpeace,WhereforedoyousoilltranslateourselfOutofthespeechofpeacethatbearssuchgrace,Intotheharshandboisteroustongueofwar;

Turningyourbookstograves,yourinktoblood,YourpenstolancesandyourtonguedivineToatrumpetandapointofwar?ARCHBISHOPOFYORKWhereforedoIthis?sothequestionstands。

Brieflytothisend:wearealldiseased,AndwithoursurfeitingandwantonhoursHavebroughtourselvesintoaburningfever,Andwemustbleedforit;ofwhichdiseaseOurlateking,Richard,beinginfected,died。

But,mymostnobleLordofWestmoreland,Itakenotonmehereasaphysician,NordoIasanenemytopeaceTroopinthethrongsofmilitarymen;

Butrathershowawhilelikefearfulwar,TodietrankmindssickofhappinessAndpurgetheobstructionswhichbegintostopOurveryveinsoflife。Hearmemoreplainly。

Ihaveinequalbalancejustlyweigh’dWhatwrongsourarmsmaydo,whatwrongswesuffer,Andfindourgriefsheavierthanouroffences。

Weseewhichwaythestreamoftimedothrun,AndareenforcedfromourmostquietthereBytheroughtorrentofoccasion;

Andhavethesummaryofallourgriefs,Whentimeshallserve,toshowinarticles;

Whichlongerethisweoffer’dtotheking,Andmightbynosuitgainouraudience:

Whenwearewrong’dandwouldunfoldourgriefs,WearedeniedaccessuntohispersonEvenbythosementhatmosthavedoneuswrong。

Thedangersofthedaysbutnewlygone,WhosememoryiswrittenontheearthWithyetappearingblood,andtheexamplesOfeveryminute’sinstance,presentnow,Hathputusintheseill—beseemingarms,Nottobreakpeaceoranybranchofit,Buttoestablishhereapeaceindeed,Concurringbothinnameandquality。WESTMORELANDWheneveryetwasyourappealdenied?

Whereinhaveyoubeengalledbytheking?

Whatpeerhathbeensuborn’dtograteonyou,ThatyoushouldsealthislawlessbloodybookOfforgedrebellionwithasealdivineAndconsecratecommotion’sbitteredge?ARCHBISHOPOFYORKMybrothergeneral,thecommonwealth,Tobrotherbornanhouseholdcruelty,Imakemyquarrelinparticular。WESTMORELANDThereisnoneedofanysuchredress;

Oriftherewere,itnotbelongstoyou。MOWBRAYWhynottohiminpart,andtousallThatfeelthebruisesofthedaysbefore,AndsuffertheconditionofthesetimesTolayaheavyandunequalhandUponourhonours?WESTMORELANDO,mygoodLordMowbray,Construethetimestotheirnecessities,Andyoushallsayindeed,itisthetime,Andnottheking,thatdothyouinjuries。

Yetforyourpart,itnotappearstomeEitherfromthekingorinthepresenttimeThatyoushouldhaveaninchofanygroundTobuildagriefon:wereyounotrestoredToalltheDukeofNorfolk’ssignories,Yournobleandrightwellremember’dfather’s?MOWBRAYWhatthing,inhonour,hadmyfatherlost,Thatneedtoberevivedandbreathedinme?

Thekingthatlovedhim,asthestatestoodthen,Wasforceperforcecompell’dtobanishhim:

AndthenthatHarryBolingbrokeandhe,Beingmountedandbothrousedintheirseats,Theirneighingcoursersdaringofthespur,Theirarmedstavesincharge,theirbeaversdown,TheireyesoffiresparkingthroughsightsofsteelAndtheloudtrumpetblowingthemtogether,Then,then,whentherewasnothingcouldhavestay’dMyfatherfromthebreastofBolingbroke,Owhenthekingdidthrowhiswarderdown,Hisownlifehunguponthestaffhethrew;

ThenthrewhedownhimselfandalltheirlivesThatbyindictmentandbydintofswordHavesincemiscarriedunderBolingbroke。WESTMORELANDYouspeak,LordMowbray,nowyouknownotwhat。

TheEarlofHerefordwasreputedthenInEnglandthemostvaliantgentlemen:

Whoknowsonwhomfortunewouldthenhavesmiled?

Butifyourfatherhadbeenvictorthere,Hene’erhadborneitoutofCoventry:

ForallthecountryinageneralvoiceCriedhateuponhim;andalltheirprayersandloveWeresetonHereford,whomtheydotedonAndbless’dandgracedindeed,morethantheking。

Butthisismeredigressionfrommypurpose。

HerecomeIfromourprincelygeneralToknowyourgriefs;totellyoufromhisgraceThathewillgiveyouaudience;andwhereinItshallappearthatyourdemandsarejust,Youshallenjoythem,everythingsetoffThatmightsomuchasthinkyouenemies。MOWBRAYButhehathforcedustocompelthisoffer;

Anditproceedsfrompolicy,notlove。WESTMORELANDMowbray,youoverweentotakeitso;

Thisoffercomesfrommercy,notfromfear:

For,lo!withinakenourarmylies,Uponminehonour,alltooconfidentTogiveadmittancetoathoughtoffear。

Ourbattleismorefullofnamesthanyours,Ourmenmoreperfectintheuseofarms,Ourarmourallasstrong,ourcausethebest;

ThenreasonwillourheartshouldbeasgoodSayyounotthenourofferiscompell’d。MOWBRAYWell,bymywillweshalladmitnoparley。WESTMORELANDThatarguesbuttheshameofyouroffence:

Arottencaseabidesnohandling。HASTINGSHaththePrinceJohnafullcommission,Inveryamplevirtueofhisfather,TohearandabsolutelytodetermineOfwhatconditionsweshallstandupon?WESTMORELANDThatisintendedinthegeneral’sname:

Imuseyoumakesoslightaquestion。ARCHBISHOPOFYORKThentake,myLordofWestmoreland,thisschedule,Forthiscontainsourgeneralgrievances:

Eachseveralarticlehereinredress’d,Allmembersofourcause,bothhereandhence,Thatareinsinew’dtothisaction,AcquittedbyatruesubstantialformAndpresentexecutionofourwillsTousandtoourpurposesconfined,WecomewithinourawfulbanksagainAndknitourpowerstothearmofpeace。WESTMORELANDThiswillIshowthegeneral。Pleaseyou,lords,Insightofbothourbattleswemaymeet;

Andeitherendinpeace,whichGodsoframe!

OrtotheplaceofdifferencecalltheswordsWhichmustdecideit。ARCHBISHOPOFYORKMylord,wewilldoso。

ExitWESTMORELANDMOWBRAYThereisathingwithinmybosomtellsmeThatnoconditionsofourpeacecanstand。HASTINGSFearyounotthat:ifwecanmakeourpeaceUponsuchlargetermsandsoabsoluteAsourconditionsshallconsistupon,Ourpeaceshallstandasfirmasrockymountains。MOWBRAYYea,butourvaluationshallbesuchThateveryslightandfalse—derivedcause,Yea,everyidle,niceandwantonreasonShalltothekingtasteofthisaction;

That,wereourroyalfaithsmartyrsinlove,Weshallbewinnow’dwithsoroughawindThatevenourcornshallseemaslightaschaffAndgoodfrombadfindnopartition。ARCHBISHOPOFYORKNo,no,mylord。Notethis;thekingiswearyOfdaintyandsuchpickinggrievances:

ForhehathfoundtoendonedoubtbydeathRevivestwogreaterintheheirsoflife,AndthereforewillhewipehistablescleanAndkeepnotell—taletohismemoryThatmayrepeatandhistoryhislossTonewremembrance;forfullwellheknowsHecannotsopreciselyweedthislandAshismisdoubtspresentoccasion:

HisfoesaresoenrootedwithhisfriendsThat,pluckingtounfixanenemy,Hedothunfastensoandshakeafriend:

Sothatthisland,likeanoffensivewifeThathathenragedhimontoofferstrokes,Asheisstriking,holdshisinfantupAndhangsresolvedcorrectioninthearmThatwasuprear’dtoexecution。HASTINGSBesides,thekinghathwastedallhisrodsOnlateoffenders,thathenowdothlackTheveryinstrumentsofchastisement:

Sothathispower,liketoafanglesslion,Mayoffer,butnothold。ARCHBISHOPOFYORK’Tisverytrue:

Andthereforebeassured,mygoodlordmarshal,Ifwedonowmakeouratonementwell,Ourpeacewill,likeabrokenlimbunited,Growstrongerforthebreaking。MOWBRAYBeitso。

Hereisreturn’dmyLordofWestmoreland。

Re—enterWESTMORELANDWESTMORELANDTheprinceishereathand:pleasethyourlordshipTomeethisgracejustdistance’tweenourarmies。MOWBRAYYourgraceofYork,inGod’snamethen,setforward。ARCHBISHOPOFYORKBefore,andgreethisgrace:mylord,wecome。

ExeuntSCENEII。Anotherpartoftheforest。Enter,fromoneside,MOWBRAY,attended;afterwardstheARCHBISHOPOFYORK,HASTINGS,andothers:fromtheotherside,PrinceJohnofLANCASTER,andWESTMORELAND;Officers,andotherswiththemLANCASTERYouarewellencounter’dhere,mycousinMowbray:

Gooddaytoyou,gentlelordarchbishop;

Andsotoyou,LordHastings,andtoall。

MyLordofYork,itbettershow’dwithyouWhenthatyourflock,assembledbythebell,EncircledyoutohearwithreverenceYourexpositionontheholytextThannowtoseeyouhereanironman,Cheeringaroutofrebelswithyourdrum,Turningthewordtoswordandlifetodeath。

Thatmanthatsitswithinamonarch’sheart,Andripensinthesunshineofhisfavour,Wouldheabusethecountenanceoftheking,Alack,whatmischiefsmighthesetabroochInshadowofsuchgreatness!Withyou,lordbishop,Itisevenso。WhohathnothearditspokenHowdeepyouwerewithinthebooksofGod?

Tousthespeakerinhisparliament;

ToustheimaginedvoiceofGodhimself;

TheveryopenerandintelligencerBetweenthegrace,thesanctitiesofheavenAndourdullworkings。O,whoshallbelieveButyoumisusethereverenceofyourplace,Employthecountenanceandgraceofheaven,Asafalsefavouritedothhisprince’sname,Indeedsdishonourable?Youhaveta’enup,UnderthecounterfeitedzealofGod,Thesubjectsofhissubstitute,myfather,AndbothagainstthepeaceofheavenandhimHavehereup—swarm’dthem。ARCHBISHOPOFYORKGoodmyLordofLancaster,Iamnothereagainstyourfather’speace;

But,asItoldmylordofWestmoreland,Thetimemisorder’ddoth,incommonsense,Crowdusandcrushustothismonstrousform,Toholdoursafetyup。IsentyourgraceTheparcelsandparticularsofourgrief,Thewhichhathbeenwithscornshovedfromthecourt,WhereonthisHydrasonofwarisborn;

Whosedangerouseyesmaywellbecharm’dasleepWithgrantofourmostjustandrightdesires,Andtrueobedience,ofthismadnesscured,Stooptamelytothefootofmajesty。MOWBRAYIfnot,wereadyaretotryourfortunesTothelastman。HASTINGSAndthoughweherefalldown,Wehavesuppliestosecondourattempt:

Iftheymiscarry,theirsshallsecondthem;

AndsosuccessofmischiefshallbebornAndheirfromheirshallholdthisquarrelupWhilesEnglandshallhavegeneration。LANCASTERYouaretooshallow,Hastings,muchtooshallow,Tosoundthebottomoftheafter—times。WESTMORELANDPleasethyourgracetoanswerthemdirectlyHowfarforthyoudoliketheirarticles。LANCASTERIlikethemall,anddoallowthemwell,Andswearhere,bythehonourofmyblood,Myfather’spurposeshavebeenmistook,AndsomeabouthimhavetoolavishlyWrestedhismeaningandauthority。

Mylord,thesegriefsshallbewithspeedredress’d;

Uponmysoul,theyshall。Ifthismaypleaseyou,Dischargeyourpowersuntotheirseveralcounties,Aswewillours:andherebetweenthearmiesLet’sdrinktogetherfriendlyandembrace,ThatalltheireyesmaybearthosetokenshomeOfourrestoredloveandamity。ARCHBISHOPOFYORKItakeyourprincelywordfortheseredresses。LANCASTERIgiveityou,andwillmaintainmyword:

AndthereuponIdrinkuntoyourgrace。HASTINGSGo,captain,anddelivertothearmyThisnewsofpeace:letthemhavepay,andpart:

Iknowitwillwellpleasethem。Hiethee,captain。

ExitOfficerARCHBISHOPOFYORKToyou,mynobleLordofWestmoreland。WESTMORELANDIpledgeyourgrace;and,ifyouknewwhatpainsIhavebestow’dtobreedthispresentpeace,Youwoulddrinkfreely:butmylovetoyeShallshowitselfmoreopenlyhereafter。ARCHBISHOPOFYORKIdonotdoubtyou。WESTMORELANDIamgladofit。

Healthtomylordandgentlecousin,Mowbray。MOWBRAYYouwishmehealthinveryhappyseason;

ForIam,onthesudden,somethingill。ARCHBISHOPOFYORKAgainstillchancesmenareevermerry;

Butheavinessforerunsthegoodevent。WESTMORELANDThereforebemerry,coz;sincesuddensorrowServestosaythus,’somegoodthingcomesto—morrow。’ARCHBISHOPOFYORKBelieveme,Iampassinglightinspirit。MOWBRAYSomuchtheworse,ifyourownrulebetrue。

ShoutswithinLANCASTERThewordofpeaceisrender’d:hark,howtheyshout!MOWBRAYThishadbeencheerfulaftervictory。ARCHBISHOPOFYORKApeaceisofthenatureofaconquest;

Forthenbothpartiesnoblyaresubdued,Andneitherpartyloser。LANCASTERGo,mylord,Andletourarmybedischargedtoo。

ExitWESTMORELAND

And,goodmylord,sopleaseyou,letourtrainsMarch,byus,thatwemayperusethemenWeshouldhavecopedwithal。ARCHBISHOPOFYORKGo,goodLordHastings,And,eretheybedismissed,letthemmarchby。

ExitHASTINGSLANCASTERItrust,lords,weshalllieto—nighttogether。

Re—enterWESTMORELAND

Now,cousin,whereforestandsourarmystill?WESTMORELANDTheleaders,havingchargefromyoutostand,Willnotgooffuntiltheyhearyouspeak。LANCASTERTheyknowtheirduties。

Re—enterHASTINGSHASTINGSMylord,ourarmyisdispersedalready;

Likeyouthfulsteersunyoked,theytaketheircoursesEast,west,north,south;or,likeaschoolbrokeup,Eachhurriestowardhishomeandsporting—place。WESTMORELANDGoodtidings,myLordHastings;forthewhichIdoarrestthee,traitor,ofhightreason:

Andyou,lordarchbishop,andyou,LordMowbray,OfcapitoltreasonIattachyouboth。MOWBRAYIsthisproceedingjustandhonourable?WESTMORELANDIsyourassemblyso?ARCHBISHOPOFYORKWillyouthusbreakyourfaith?LANCASTERIpawn’dtheenone:

IpromisedyouredressofthesesamegrievancesWhereofyoudidcomplain;which,byminehonour,IwillperformwithamostChristiancare。

Butforyou,rebels,looktotastethedueMeetforrebellionandsuchactsasyours。

Mostshallowlydidyouthesearmscommence,Fondlybroughthereandfoolishlysenthence。

Strikeupourdrums,pursuethescatter’dstray:

God,andnotwe,hathsafelyfoughtto—day。

Someguardthesetraitorstotheblockofdeath,Treason’struebedandyielderupofbreath。

ExeuntSCENEIII。Anotherpartoftheforest。Alarum。Excursions。EnterFALSTAFFandCOLEVILE,meetingFALSTAFFWhat’syourname,sir?ofwhatconditionareyou,andofwhatplace,Ipray?COLEVILEIamaknight,sir,andmynameisColevileofthedale。FALSTAFFWell,then,Colevileisyourname,aknightisyourdegree,andyourplacethedale:Colevileshallbestillyourname,atraitoryourdegree,andthedungeonyourplace,aplacedeepenough;soshallyoubestillColevileofthedale。COLEVILEArenotyouSirJohnFalstaff?FALSTAFFAsgoodamanashe,sir,whoe’erIam。

Doyeyield,sir?orshallIsweatforyou?ifIdosweat,theyarethedropsofthylovers,andtheyweepforthydeath:thereforerouseupfearandtrembling,anddoobservancetomymercy。COLEVILEIthinkyouareSirJohnFalstaff,andinthatthoughtyieldme。FALSTAFFIhaveawholeschooloftonguesinthisbellyofmine,andnotatongueofthemallspeaksanyotherwordbutmyname。AnIhadbutabellyofanyindifference,IweresimplythemostactivefellowinEurope:mywomb,mywomb,mywomb,undoesme。

Herecomesourgeneral。

EnterPRINCEJOHNOFLANCASTER,WESTMORELAND,BLUNT,andothersLANCASTERTheheatispast;follownofurthernow:

Callinthepowers,goodcousinWestmoreland。

ExitWESTMORELAND

Now,Falstaff,wherehaveyoubeenallthiswhile?

Wheneverythingisended,thenyoucome:

Thesetardytricksofyourswill,onmylife,Onetimeorotherbreaksomegallows’back。FALSTAFFIwouldbesorry,mylord,butitshouldbethus:I

neverknewyetbutrebukeandchequewastherewardofvalour。Doyouthinkmeaswallow,anarrow,orabullet?haveI,inmypoorandoldmotion,theexpeditionofthought?Ihavespeededhitherwiththeveryextremestinchofpossibility;Ihavefounderedninescoreandoddposts:andhere,travel—taintedasIam,haveinmypureandimmaculatevalour,takenSirJohnColevileofthedale,amostfuriousknightandvalorousenemy。