第6章

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。