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THE FIRST PART OF KING HENRY THE FOURTH

by William Shakespeare

Dramatis Personae

King Henry the Fourth.

HenryPrince of Walesson to the King.

Prince John of Lancasterson to the King.

Earl of Westmoreland.

Sir Walter Blunt.

Thomas PercyEarl of Worcester.

Henry PercyEarl of Northumberland.

Henry Percysurnamed Hotspurhis son.

Edmund MortimerEarl of March.

Richard ScroopArchbishop of York.

ArchibaldEarl of Douglas.

Owen Glendower.

Sir Richard Vernon.

Sir John Falstaff.

Sir Michaela friend to the Archbishop of York.

Poins.

Gadshill

Peto.

Bardolph.

Lady Percywife to Hotspurand sister to Mortimer.

Lady Mortimerdaughter to Glendowerand wife to Mortimer.

Mistress Quicklyhostess of the Boar's Head in Eastcheap.

LordsOfficersSheriffVintnerChamberlainDrawerstwo
CarriersTravellersand Attendants.

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SCENE.--England and Wales.

ACT I. Scene I.
London. The Palace.

Enter the KingLord John of LancasterEarl of Westmoreland
[Sir Walter Blunt] with others.


King. So shaken as we areso wan with care
Find we a time for frighted peace to pant
And breathe short-winded accents of new broils
To be commenc'd in stronds afar remote.
No more the thirsty entrance of this soil
Shall daub her lips with her own children's blood.
No more shall trenching war channel her fields
Nor Bruise her flow'rets with the armed hoofs
Of hostile paces. Those opposed eyes
Whichlike the meteors of a troubled heaven
All of one natureof one substance bred
Did lately meet in the intestine shock
And furious close of civil butchery
Shall now in mutual well-beseeming ranks
March all one way and be no more oppos'd
Against acquaintancekindredand allies.
The edge of warlike an ill-sheathed knife
No more shall cut his master. Thereforefriends
As far as to the sepulchre of ChristWhose
soldier nowunder whose blessed cross
We are impressed and engag'd to fightForthwith
a power of English shall we levy
Whose arms were moulded in their mother's womb
To chase these pagans in those holy fields
Over whose acres walk'd those blessed feet
Which fourteen hundred years ago were nail'd
For our advantage on the bitter cross.
But this our purpose now is twelvemonth old
And bootless 'tis to tell you we will go.
Therefore we meet not now. Then let me hear
Of youmy gentle cousin Westmoreland
What yesternight our Council did decree
In forwarding this dear expedience.

West. My liegethis haste was hot in question
And many limits of the charge set down
But yesternight; when all athwart there came
A post from Walesloaden with heavy news;
Whose worst was that the noble Mortimer
Leading the men of Herefordshire to fight
Against the irregular and wild Glendower
Was by the rude hands of that Welshman taken
A thousand of his people butchered;
Upon whose dead corpse there was such misuse
Such beastly shameless transformation
By those Welshwomen done as may not be
Without much shame retold or spoken of.

King. It seems then that the tidings of this broil
Brake off our business for the Holy Land.

West. Thismatch'd with otherdidmy gracious lord;
For more uneven and unwelcome news
Came from the Northand thus it did import:
On Holy-rood Day the gallant Hotspur there
Young Harry Percyand brave Archibald
That ever-valiant and approved Scot
At Holmedon met
Where they did spend a sad and bloody hour;
As by discharge of their artillery
And shape of likelihood the news was told;
For he that brought themin the very heat
And pride of their contention did take horse
Uncertain of the issue any way.

King. Here is a deara true-industrious friend
Sir Walter Bluntnew lighted from his horse
Stain'd with the variation of each soil


Betwixt that Holmedon and this seat of ours
And he hath brought us smooth and welcome news.
The Earl of Douglas is discomfited;
Ten thousand bold Scotstwo-and-twenty knights
Balk'd in their own blood did Sir Walter see
On Holmedon's plains. Of prisonersHotspur took
Mordake Earl of Fife and eldest son
To beaten Douglasand the Earl of Athol
Of MurrayAngusand Menteith.
And is not this an honourable spoil?
A gallant prize? Hacousinis it not?


West. In faith
It is a conquest for a prince to boast of.


King. Yeathere thou mak'st me sadand mak'st me sin
In envy that my Lord Northumberland
Should be the father to so blest a son-
A son who is the theme of honour's tongue
Amongst a grove the very straightest plant;
Who is sweet Fortune's minion and her pride;
Whilst Iby looking on the praise of him
See riot and dishonour stain the brow
Of my young Harry. O that it could be prov'd
That some night-tripping fairy had exchang'd
In cradle clothes our children where they lay
And call'd mine Percyhis Plantagenet!
Then would I have his Harryand he mine.
But let him from my thoughts. What think youcoz
Of this young Percy's pride? The prisoners
Which he in this adventure hath surpris'd
To his own use he keepsand sends me word
I shall have none but Mordake Earl of Fife.


West. This is his uncle's teachingthis Worcester
Malevolent to you In all aspects
Which makes him prune himself and bristle up
The crest of youth against your dignity.


King. But I have sent for him to answer this;
And for this cause awhile we must neglect
Our holy purpose to Jerusalem.
Cousinon Wednesday next our council we
Will hold at Windsor. So inform the lords;
But come yourself with speed to us again;
For more is to be said and to be done
Than out of anger can be uttered.


West. I will my liege. Exeunt.

Scene II.
London. An apartment of the Prince's.


Enter Prince of Wales and Sir John Falstaff.


Fal. NowHalwhat time of day is itlad?
Prince. Thou art so fat-witted with drinking of old sackand
unbuttoning thee after supperand sleeping upon benches
after
noonthat thou hast forgotten to demand that truly which
thou
wouldest truly know. What a devil hast thou to do with the
time
of the dayUnless hours were cups of sackand minutes
capons
and clocks the tongues of bawdsand dials the signs of


leaping

housesand the blessed sun himself a fair hot wench in

flame-coloured taffetaI see no reason why thou shouldst be
so

superfluous to demand the time of the day.

Fal. Indeed you come near me nowHal; for we that take purses
go

by the moon And the seven starsand not by Phoebushethat

wand'ring knight so fair. And I pritheesweet wagwhen thou
art

kingasGod save thy Grace-Majesty I should sayfor grace
thou

wilt have none


Prince. Whatnone?

Fal. Noby my troth; not so much as will serve to be prologue
to

an egg and butter.

Prince. Wellhow then? Comeroundlyroundly.

Fal. Marrythensweet wagwhen thou art kinglet not us
that
are squires of the night's body be called thieves of the

day's

beauty. Let us be Diana's ForestersGentlemen of the Shade

Minions of the Moon; and let men say we be men of good

governmentbeing governed as the sea isby our noble and

chaste
mistress the moonunder whose countenance we steal.
Prince. Thou sayest welland it holds well too; for the
fortune of
us that are the moon's men doth ebb and flow like the sea
being
governedas the sea isby the moon. Asfor proof now: a

purse

of gold most resolutely snatch'd on Monday night and most

dissolutely spent on Tuesday morning; got with swearing 'Lay

by'
and spent with crying 'Bring in'; now ill as low an ebb as
the
foot of the ladderand by-and-by in as high a flow as the
ridge
of the gallows.
Fal. By the Lordthou say'st truelad- and is not my hostess
of
the tavern a most sweet wench?
Prince. As the honey of Hyblamy old lad of the castle- and is
not
a buff jerkin a most sweet robe of durance?
Fal. How nowhow nowmad wag? Whatin thy quips and thy
quiddities? What a plague have I to do with a buff jerkin?
Prince. Whywhat a pox have I to do with my hostess of the
tavern?
Fal. Wellthou hast call'd her to a reckoning many a time and

oft.

Prince. Did I ever call for thee to pay thy part?

Fal. No; I'll give thee thy duethou hast paid all there.

Prince. Yeaand elsewhereso far as my coin would stretch;
and

where it would notI have used my credit.

Fal. Yeaand so us'd it thatwere it not here apparent that
thou

art heir apparent- But I pritheesweet wagshall there be

gallows standing in England when thou art king? and
resolution

thus fubb'd as it is with the rusty curb of old father antic


the

law? Do not thouwhen thou art kinghang a thief.

Prince. No; thou shalt.

Fal. Shall I? O rare! By the LordI'll be a brave judge.

Prince. Thou judgest false already. I meanthou shalt have the

hanging of the thieves and so become a rare hangman.
Fal. WellHalwell; and in some sort it jumps with my humour
as

well as waiting in the courtI can tell you.

Prince. For obtaining of suits?

Fal. Yeafor obtaining of suitswhereof the hangman hath no
lean

wardrobe. 'SbloodI am as melancholy as a gib-cat or a
lugg'd

bear.

Prince. Or an old lionor a lover's lute.

Fal. Yeaor the drone of a Lincolnshire bagpipe.

Prince. What sayest thou to a hareor the melancholy of Moor

Ditch?
Fal. Thou hast the most unsavoury similesand art indeed the
most
comparativerascalliestsweet young prince. ButHalI
prithee
trouble me no more with vanity. I would to God thou and I
knew
where a commodity of good names were to be bought. An old
lord of
the Council rated me the other day in the street about you

sir

but I mark'd him not; and yet he talked very wiselybut I

regarded him not; and yet he talk'd wiselyand in the street

too.

Prince. Thou didst well; for wisdom cries out in the streets
and
no man regards it.

Fal. Othou hast damnable iterationand art indeed able to

corrupt a saint. Thou hast done much harm upon meHal- God

forgive thee for it! Before I knew theeHalI knew nothing;
and

now am Iif a man should speak trulylittle better than one
of

the wicked. I must give over this lifeand I will give it
over!

By the Lordan I do notI am a villain! I'll be damn'd for

never a king's son in Christendom.

Prince. Where shall we take a purse tomorrowJack?
Fal. Zoundswhere thou wiltlad! I'll make one. An I do not
call
me villain and baffle me.
Prince. I see a good amendment of life in thee- from praying to
purse-taking.
Fal. WhyHal'tis my vocationHal. 'Tis no sin for a man to
labour in his vocation.

Enter Poins.

Poins! Now shall we know if Gadshill have set a match. Oif
men
were to be saved by meritwhat hole in hell were hot enough
for
him? This is the most omnipotent villain that ever cried
'Stand!'
to a true man.
Prince. Good morrowNed.


Poins. Good morrowsweet Hal. What says Monsieur Remorse? What

says Sir John Sack and Sugar? Jackhow agrees the devil and
thee
about thy soulthat thou soldest him on Good Friday last for
a
cup of Madeira and a cold capon's leg?
Prince. Sir John stands to his wordthe devil shall have his
bargain; for he was never yet a breaker of proverbs. He will
give
the devil his due.
Poins. Then art thou damn'd for keeping thy word with the

devil.

Prince. Else he had been damn'd for cozening the devil.

Poins. Butmy ladsmy ladsto-morrow morningby four
o'clock

earlyat Gadshill! There are pilgrims gong to Canterbury
with

rich offeringsand traders riding to London with fat purses.

have vizards for you all; you have horses for yourselves.

Gadshill lies to-night in Rochester. I have bespoke supper

to-morrow night in Eastcheap. We may do it as secure as

sleep. If
you will goI will stuff your purses full of crowns; if you
will
nottarry at home and be hang'd!
Fal. Hear yeYedward: if I tarry at home and go notI'll hang
you

for going.

Poins. You willchops?

Fal. Halwilt thou make one?

Prince. WhoI rob? I a thief? Not Iby my faith.

Fal. There's neither honestymanhoodnor good fellowship in
thee

nor thou cam'st not of the blood royal if thou darest not
stand

for ten shillings.

Prince. Well thenonce in my days I'll be a madcap.

Fal. Whythat's well said.

Prince. Wellcome what willI'll tarry at home.

Fal. By the LordI'll be a traitor thenwhen thou art king.

Prince. I care not.

Poins. Sir JohnI pritheeleave the Prince and me alone. I
will
lay him down such reasons for this adventure that he shall
go.
Fal. WellGod give thee the spirit of persuasion and him the
ears
of profitingthat what thou speakest may move and what he
hears
may be believedthat the true prince may (for recreation

sake)

prove a false thief; for the poor abuses of the time want

countenance. Farewell; you shall find me in Eastcheap.

Prince. Farewellthou latter spring! farewellAll-hallown
summer!
Exit Falstaff.
Poins. Nowmy good sweet honey lordride with us to-morrow. I
have a jest to execute that I cannot manage alone. Falstaff

BardolphPetoand Gadshill shall rob those men that we have
already waylaid; yourself and I will not be there; and when


they

have the bootyif you and I do not rob themcut this head
off

from my shoulders.

Prince. How shall we part with them in setting forth?

Poins. Whywe will set forth before or after them and appoint
them
a place of meetingwherein it is at our pleasure to fail;
and
then will they adventure upon the exploit themselves; which
they
shall have no sooner achievedbut we'll set upon them.
Prince. Yeabut 'tis like that they will know us by our
horsesby
our habitsand by every other appointmentto be ourselves.

Poins. Tut! our horses they shall not see- I'll tie them in the

wood; our wizards we will change after we leave them; and

sirrahI have cases of buckram for the nonceto immask our

noted outward garments.

Prince. Yeabut I doubt they will be too hard for us.

Poins. Wellfor two of themI know them to be as true-bred

cowards as ever turn'd back; and for the thirdif he fight

longer than he sees reasonI'll forswear arms. The virtue of

this jest will lie the incomprehensible lies that this same
fat

rogue will tell us when we meet at supper: how thirtyat
least

he fought with; what wardswhat blowswhat extremities he

endured; and in the reproof of this lies the jest.

Prince. WellI'll go with thee. Provide us all things
necessary

and meet me to-night in Eastcheap. There I'll sup. Farewell.

Poins. Farewellmy lord. Exit.

Prince. I know you alland will awhile uphold

The unyok'd humour of your idleness.

Yet herein will I imitate the sun

Who doth permit the base contagious clouds

To smother up his beauty from the world

Thatwhen he please again to lie himself

Being wantedhe may be more wond'red at

By breaking through the foul and ugly mists

Of vapours that did seem to strangle him.

If all the year were playing holidays

To sport would be as tedious as to work;

But when they seldom comethey wish'd-for come

And nothing pleaseth but rare accidents.

Sowhen this loose behaviour I throw off

And pay the debt I never promised

By how much better than my word I am

By so much shall I falsify men's hopes;

Andlike bright metal on a sullen ground

My reformationglitt'ring o'er my fault

Shall show more goodly and attract more eyes

Than that which hath no foil to set it off.

I'll so offend to make offence a skill

Redeeming time when men think least I will. Exit.

Scene III.
London. The Palace.


Enter the KingNorthumberlandWorcesterHotspurSir Walter



Blunt
with others.

King. My blood hath been too cold and temperate
Unapt to stir at these indignities
And you have found mefor accordingly
You tread upon my patience; but be sure
I will from henceforth rather be myself
Mighty and to be fear'dthan my condition
Which hath been smooth as oilsoft as young down
And therefore lost that title of respect
Which the proud soul ne'er pays but to the proud.


Wor. Our housemy sovereign liegelittle deserves
The scourge of greatness to be us'd on it-
And that same greatness too which our own hands
Have holp to make so portly.


North. My lord


King. Worcesterget thee gone; for I do see
Danger and disobedience in thine eye.
Osiryour presence is too bold and peremptory
And majesty might never yet endure
The moody frontier of a servant brow.
Tou have good leave to leave us. When we need
'Your use and counselwe shall send for you.


Exit Worcester.
You were about to speak.

North. Yeamy good lord.
Those prisoners in your Highness' name demanded
Which Harry Percy here at Holmedon took
Wereas he saysnot with such strength denied
As is delivered to your Majesty.
Either envythereforeor misprision
Is guilty of this faultand not my son.


Hot. My liegeI did deny no prisoners.
But I rememberwhen the fight was done
When I was dry with rage and extreme toll
Breathless and faintleaning upon my sword
Came there a certain lordneat and trimly dress'd
Fresh as a bridegroom; and his chin new reap'd
Show'd like a stubble land at harvest home.
He was perfumed like a milliner
And 'twixt his finger and his thumb he held
A pouncet boxwhich ever and anon
He gave his noseand took't away again;
Who therewith angrywhen it next came there
Took it in snuff; and still he smil'd and talk'd;
And as the soldiers bore dead bodies by
He call'd them untaught knavesunmannerly
To bring a slovenly unhandsome corse
Betwixt the wind and his nobility.
With many holiday and lady terms
He questioned meamongst the rest demanded
My prisoners in your Majesty's behalf.
I thenall smarting with my wounds being cold
To be so pest'red with a popingay
Out of my grief and my impatience
Answer'd neglectinglyI know not what-
He shouldor he should not; for he made me mad
To see him shine so briskand smell so sweet
And talk so like a waiting gentlewoman
Of guns and drums and wounds- God save the mark!-
And telling me the sovereignest thing on earth
Was parmacity for an inward bruise;
And that it was great pityso it was



This villanous saltpetre should be digg'd

Out of the bowels of the harmless earth

Which many a good tall fellow had destroy'd

So cowardly; and but for these vile 'guns

He would himself have been a soldier.

This bald unjointed chat of hismy lord

I answered indirectlyas I said

And I beseech youlet not his report

Come current for an accusation

Betwixt my love and your high majesty.
Blunt. The circumstance consideredgood my lord

Whate'er Lord Harry Percy then had said

To such a personand in such a place

At such a timewith all the rest retold

May reasonably dieand never rise

To do him wrongor any way impeach

What then he saidso he unsay it now.
King. Whyyet he doth deny his prisoners

But with proviso and exception

That we at our own charge shall ransom straight

His brother-in-lawthe foolish Mortimer;

Whoon my soulhath wilfully betray'd

The lives of those that he did lead to fight

Against that great magiciandamn'd Glendower

Whose daughteras we hearthe Earl of March

Hath lately married. Shall our coffersthen

Be emptied to redeem a traitor home?

Shall we buy treason? and indent with fears

When they have lost and forfeited themselves?

Noon the barren mountains let him starve!

For I shall never hold that man my friend

Whose tongue shall ask me for one penny cost

To ransom home revolted Mortimer.
Hot. Revolted Mortimer?

He never did fall offmy sovereign liege

But by the chance of war. To prove that true

Needs no more but one tongue for all those wounds

Those mouthed woundswhich valiantly he took

When on the gentle Severn's sedgy bank

In single opposition hand to hand

He did confound the best part of an hour

In changing hardiment with great Glendower.

Three times they breath'dand three times did they drink

Upon agreementof swift Severn's flood;

Who thenaffrighted with their bloody looks

Ran fearfully among the trembling reeds

And hid his crisp head in the hollow bank

Bloodstained with these valiant cohabitants.

Never did base and rotten policy

Colour her working with such deadly wounds;

Nor never could the noble Mortimer

Receive so manyand all willingly.

Then let not him be slandered with revolt.
King. Thou dost belie himPercythou dost belie him!

He never did encounter with Glendower.

I tell thee

He durst as well have met the devil alone

As Owen Glendower for an enemy.

Art thou not asham'd? Butsirrahhenceforth

Let me not hear you speak of Mortimer.

Send me your prisoners with the speediest means

Or you shall hear in such a kind from me

As will displease you. My Lord Northumberland

We license your departure with your son.



Send us your prisonersor you will hear of it.
Exeunt King[Bluntand Train]

Hot. An if the devil come and roar for them
I will not send them. I will after straight
And tell him so; for I will else my heart
Albeit I make a hazard of my head.

North. Whatdrunk with choler? Stayand pause awhile.
Here comes your uncle.

Enter Worcester.

Hot. Speak of Mortimer?
ZoundsI will speak of himand let my soul
Want mercy if I do not join with him!
Yeaon his part I'll empty all these veins
And shed my dear blood drop by drop in the dust
But I will lift the downtrod Mortimer
As high in the air as this unthankful king
As this ingrate and cank'red Bolingbroke.

North. Brotherthe King hath made your nephew mad.
Wor. Who struck this heat up after I was gone?
Hot. He will (forsooth) have all my prisoners;

And when I urg'd the ransom once again
Of my wive's brotherthen his cheek look'd pale
And on my face he turn'd an eye of death
Trembling even at the name of Mortimer.


Wor. I cannot blame him. Was not he proclaim'd
By Richard that dead isthe next of blood?

North. He was; I heard the proclamation.
And then it was when the unhappy King
(Whose wrongs in us God pardon!) did set forth
Upon his Irish expedition;
From whence he intercepted did return
To be depos'dand shortly murdered.

Wor. And for whose death we in the world's wide mouth
Live scandaliz'd and foully spoken of.

Hot. But softI pray you. Did King Richard then
Proclaim my brother Edmund Mortimer
Heir to the crown?

North. He did; myself did hear it.

Hot. Naythen I cannot blame his cousin king
That wish'd him on the barren mountains starve.
But shall it be that youthat set the crown
Upon the head of this forgetful man
And for his sake wear the detested blot
Of murtherous subornation- shall it be
That you a world of curses undergo
Being the agents or base second means
The cordsthe ladderor the hangman rather?
Opardon me that I descend so low
To show the line and the predicament
Wherein you range under this subtile king!
Shall it for shame be spoken in these days
Or fill up chronicles in time to come
That men of your nobility and power
Did gage them both in an unjust behalf
(As both of youGod pardon it! have done)
To put down Richardthat sweet lovely rose
And plant this thornthis cankerBolingbroke?
And shall it in more shame be further spoken
That you are fool'ddiscardedand shook off
By him for whom these shames ye underwent?
No! yet time serves wherein you may redeem
Your banish'd honours and restore yourselves


Into the good thoughts of the world again;
Revenge the jeering and disdain'd contempt
Of this proud kingwho studies day and night
To answer all the debt he owes to you
Even with the bloody payment of your deaths.
Therefore I say-


Wor. Peacecousinsay no more;
And nowI will unclasp a secret book
And to your quick-conceiving discontents
I'll read you matter deep and dangerous
As full of peril and adventurous spirit
As to o'erwalk a current roaring loud
On the unsteadfast footing of a spear.

Hot. If he fall ingood nightor sink or swim!
Send danger from the east unto the west
So honour cross it from the north to south
And let them grapple. Othe blood more stirs
To rouse a lion than to start a hare!

North. Imagination of some great exploit
Drives him beyond the bounds of patience.

Hot. By heavenmethinks it were an easy leap
To pluck bright honour from the pale-fac'd moon
Or dive into the bottom of the deep
Where fadom line could never touch the ground
And pluck up drowned honour by the locks
So he that doth redeem her thence might wear
Without corrival all her dignities;
But out upon this half-fac'd fellowship!

Wor. He apprehends a world of figures here
But not the form of what he should attend.
Good cousingive me audience for a while.

Hot. I cry you mercy.
Wor. Those same noble Scots
That are your prisoners


Hot. I'll keep them all.
By Godhe shall not have a Scot of them!
Noif a Scot would save his soulhe shall not.
I'll keep themby this hand!

Wor. You start away.
And lend no ear unto my purposes.
Those prisoners you shall keep.

Hot. NayI will! That is flat!
He said he would not ransom Mortimer
Forbade my tongue to speak of Mortimer
But I will find him when he lies asleep
And in his ear I'll holloa 'Mortimer.'
Nay;
I'll have a starling shall be taught to speak
Nothing but 'Mortimer' and give it him
To keep his anger still in motion.

Wor. Hear youcousina word.

Hot. All studies here I solemnly defy
Save how to gall and pinch this Bolingbroke;
And that same sword-and-buckler Prince of WalesBut
that I think his father loves him not
And would be glad he met with some mischance
I would have him poisoned with a pot of ale.

Wor. Farewellkinsman. I will talk to you
When you are better temper'd to attend.

North. Whywhat a wasp-stung and impatient fool
Art thou to break into this woman's mood
Tying thine ear to no tongue but thine own!

Hot. Whylook youI am whipp'd and scourg'd with rods
Nettledand stung with pismires when I hear


Of this vile politicianBolingbroke.
In Richard's time- what do you call the place-
A plague upon it! it is in GIoucestershire-
'Twas where the madcap Duke his uncle kept-
His uncle York- where I first bow'd my knee
Unto this king of smilesthis Bolingbroke-
'S blood!
When you and he came back from Ravenspurgh-


North. At Berkeley Castle.

Hot. You say true.
Whywhat a candy deal of courtesy
This fawning greyhound then did proffer me!
Look'when his infant fortune came to age'
And 'gentle Harry Percy' and 'kind cousin'O
the devil take such cozeners!- God forgive me!
Good uncletell your talefor I have done.

Wor. Nayif you have notto it again.

We will stay your leisure.
Hot. I have donei' faith.
Wor. Then once more to your Scottish prisoners.

Deliver them up without their ransom straight
And make the Douglas' son your only mean
For powers In Scotland; whichfor divers reasons
Which I shall send you writtenbe assur'd
Will easily be granted. [To Northumberland] Youmy lord
Your son in Scotland being thus employ'd
Shall secretly into the bosom creep
Of that same noble prelate well-belov'd
The Archbishop.


Hot. Of Yorkis it not?

Wor. True; who bears hard
His brother's death at Bristowthe Lord Scroop.
I speak not this in estimation
As what I think might bebut what I know
Is ruminatedplottedand set down
And only stays but to behold the face
Of that occasion that shall bring it on.

Hot. I smell it. Upon my lifeit will do well.
North. Before the game is afoot thou still let'st slip.
Hot. Whyit cannot choose but be a noble plot.

And then the power of Scotland and of York

To join with Mortimerha?
Wor. And so they shall.
Hot. In faithit is exceedingly well aim'd.
Wor. And 'tis no little reason bids us speed

To save our heads by raising of a head;
Forbear ourselves as even as we can
The King will always think him in our debt
And think we think ourselves unsatisfied
Till he hath found a time to pay us home.
And see already how he doth begin
To make us strangers to his looks of love.


Hot. He doeshe does! We'll be reveng'd on him.

Wor. Cousinfarewell. No further go in this
Than I by letters shall direct your course.
When time is ripewhich will be suddenly
I'll steal to Glendower and Lord Mortimer
Where you and Douglasand our pow'rs at once
As I will fashion itshall happily meet
To bear our fortunes in our own strong arms
Which now we hold at much uncertainty.

North. Farewellgood brother. We shall thriveI trust.
Hot. Uncleadieu. Olet the hours be short
Till fields and blows and groans applaud our sport!


Exeunt.

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ACT II. Scene I.
Rochester. An inn yard.

Enter a Carrier with a lantern in his hand.

1. Car. Heigh-ho! an it be not four by the dayI'll be hang'd.
Charles' wain is over the new chimneyand yet our horse not
pack'd.- Whatostler!
Ost. [within] Anonanon.

1. Car. I pritheeTombeat Cut's saddleput a few flocks in
the
point. Poor jade is wrung in the withers out of all cess.

Enter another Carrier.

2. Car. Peas and beans are as dank here as a dogand that is
the
next way to give poor jades the bots. This house is turned
upside
down since Robin Ostler died.

1. Car. Poor fellow never joyed since the price of oats rose.
It
was the death of him.

2. Car. I think this be the most villanous house in all London
road
for fleas. I am stung like a tench.

1. Car. Like a tench I By the massthere is ne'er a king
christen
could be better bit than I have been since the first cock.

2. Car. Whythey will allow us ne'er a jordanand then we
leak in
your chimneyand your chamber-lye breeds fleas like a loach.

1. Car. Whatostler! come away and be hang'd! come away!
2. Car. I have a gammon of bacon and two razes of gingerto be
delivered as far as Charing Cross.
1. Car. God's body! the turkeys in my pannier are quite
starved.

Whatostler! A plague on thee! hast thou never an eye in thy

head? Canst not hear? An 'twere not as good deed as drink to

break the pate on theeI am a very villain. Comeand be

hang'd!
Hast no faith in thee?

Enter Gadshill.

Gads. Good morrowcarriers. What's o'clock?

1. Car. I think it be two o'clock.
Gads. I prithee lend me this lantern to see my gelding in the

stable.

1. Car. Nayby Godsoft! I know a trick worth two of that
i' faith.
Gads. I pray thee lend me thine.


2. Car. Aywhen? canst tell? Lend me thy lanternquoth he?
Marry
I'll see thee hang'd first!
Gads. Sirrah carrierwhat time do you mean to come to London?

2. Car. Time enough to go to bed with a candleI warrant thee.
Comeneighbour Mugswe'll call up the gentlemen. They will
along with companyfor they have great charge.
Exeunt [Carriers].
Gads. Whatho! chamberlain!

Enter Chamberlain.

Cham. At handquoth pickpurse.
Gads. That's even as fair as- 'at handquoth the chamberlain';
for
thou variest no more from picking of purses than giving
direction
doth from labouring: thou layest the plot how.
Cham. Good morrowMaster Gadshill. It holds current that I

told

you yesternight. There's a franklin in the Wild of Kent hath

brought three hundred marks with him in gold. I heard him
tell it

to one of his company last night at supper- a kind of
auditor;

one that hath abundance of charge tooGod knows what. They
are

up already and call for eggs and butter. They will away

presently.

Gads. Sirrahif they meet not with Saint Nicholas' clerks
I'll
give thee this neck.
Cham. NoI'll none of it. I pray thee keep that for the
hangman;
for I know thou worshippest Saint Nicholas as truly as a man
of
falsehood may.
Gads. What talkest thou to me of the hangman? If I hangI'll
make
a fat pair of gallows; for if I hangold Sir John hangs with

me

and thou knowest he is no starveling. Tut! there are other

Troyans that thou dream'st not ofthe which for sport sake
are

content to do the profession some grace; that would (if
matters

should be look'd into) for their own credit sake make all
whole.

I am joined with no foot land-rakersno long-staff sixpenny

strikersnone of these mad mustachio purple-hued maltworms;
but

with nobilityand tranquillityburgomasters and great
oneyers

such as can hold insuch as will strike sooner than speak
and

speak sooner than drinkand drink sooner than pray; and yet

zoundsI lie; for they pray continually to their saintthe

commonwealthor rathernot pray to herbut prey on her
for


they ride up and down on her and make her their boots.
Cham. Whatthe commonwealth their boots? Will she hold out
water
in foul way?
Gads. She willshe will! Justice hath liquor'd her. We steal

as in
a castlecocksure. We have the receipt of fernseedwe walk
invisible.

Cham. Nayby my faithI think you are more beholding to the
night
than to fernseed for your walking invisible.
Gads. Give me thy hand. Thou shalt have a share in our
purchaseas

I and a true man.
Cham. Nayrather let me have itas you are a false thief.
Gads. Go to; 'homo' is a common name to all men. Bid the ostler

bring my gelding out of the stable. Farewellyou muddy
knave.
Exeunt.

Scene II.
The highway near Gadshill.


Enter Prince and Poins.


Poins. Comesheltershelter! I have remov'd Falstaff's horse
and
he frets like a gumm'd velvet.
Prince. Stand close. [They step aside.]

Enter Falstaff.

Fal. Poins! Poinsand be hang'd! Poins!
Prince. I comes forward i' peaceye fat-kidney'd rascal! What
a

brawling dost thou keep!
Fal. Where's PoinsHal?
Prince. He is walk'd up to the top of the hill. I'll go seek

him.
[Steps aside.]
Fal. I am accurs'd to rob in that thief's company. The rascal
hath
removed my horse and tied him I know not where. If I travel

but
four foot by the squire further afootI shall break my wind.
WellI doubt not but to die a fair death for all thisif I
scape hanging for killing that rogue. I have forsworn his

company
hourly any time this two-and-twenty yearsand yet I am

bewitch'd
with the rogue's company. If the rascal have not given me
medicines to make me love himI'll be hang'd. It could not

be
else. I have drunk medicines. Poins! Hal! A plague upon you

both!
Bardolph! Peto! I'll starve ere I'll rob a foot further. An
'twere not as good a deed as drink to turn true man and to

leave
these roguesI am the veriest varlet that ever chewed with a
tooth. Eight yards of uneven ground is threescore and ten

miles


afoot with meand the stony-hearted villains know it well
enough. A plague upon it when thieves cannot be true one to
another! (They whistle.) Whew! A plague upon you all! Give me

my
horseyou rogues! give me my horse and be hang'd!
Prince. [comes forward] Peaceye fat-guts! Lie downlay thine

ear
close to the groundand list if thou canst hear the tread of
travellers.

Fal. Have you any levers to lift me up againbeing down?
'Sblood
I'll not bear mine own flesh so far afoot again for all the
coin
in thy father's exchequer. What a plague mean ye to colt me

thus?
Prince. Thou liest; thou art not coltedthou art uncolted.
Fal. I pritheegood Prince Halhelp me to my horsegood

king's

son.
Prince. Outye rogue! Shall I be your ostler?
Fal. Go hang thyself in thine own heir-apparent garters! If I

be
ta'enI'll peach for this. An I have not ballads made on you
alland sung to filthy tuneslet a cup of sack be my

poison.
When a jest is so forward- and afoot too- I hate it.

Enter Gadshill[Bardolph and Peto with him].

Gads. Stand!
Fal. So I doagainst my will.
Poins. [comes fortward] O'tis our setter. I know his voice.


Bardolphwhat news?
Bar. Case yecase ye! On with your vizards! There's money of
the
King's coming down the hill; 'tis going to the King's

exchequer.
Fal. You lieye rogue! 'Tis going to the King's tavern.
Gads. There's enough to make us all.
Fal. To be hang'd.
Prince. Sirsyou four shall front them in the narrow lane; Ned

Poins and I will walk lower. If they scape from your
encounter

then they light on us.
Peto. How many be there of them?
Gads. Some eight or ten.
Fal. Zoundswill they not rob us?
Prince. Whata cowardSir John Paunch?
Fal. IndeedI am not John of Gauntyour grandfather; but yet

no

cowardHal.
Prince. Wellwe leave that to the proof.
Poins. Sirrah Jackthy horse stands behind the hedge. When


thou
need'st himthere thou shalt find him. Farewell and stand

fast.
Fal. Now cannot I strike himif I should be hang'd.
Prince. [aside to Poins] Nedwhere are our disguises?
Poins. [aside to Prince] Herehard by. Stand close.

[Exeunt Prince and Poins.]
Fal. Nowmy mastershappy man be his dolesay I. Every man
to
his business.


Enter the Travellers.

Traveller. Comeneighbour.
The boy shall lead our horses down the hill;
We'll walk afoot awhile and ease our legs.


Thieves. Stand!
Traveller. Jesus bless us!
Fal. Strike! down with them! cut the villains' throats! Ah


whoreson caterpillars! bacon-fed knaves! they hate us youth.
Down

with them! fleece them!
Traveller. Owe are undoneboth we and ours for ever!
Fal. Hang yegorbellied knavesare ye undone? Noye fat


chuffs;
I would your store were here! Onbacons on! Whatye knaves!
young men must live. You are grandjurorsare ye? We'll jure

ye
faith!
Here they rob and bind them. Exeunt.

Enter the Prince and Poins [in buckram suits].

Prince. The thieves have bound the true men. Now could thou and
I
rob the thieves and go merrily to Londonit would be
argument
for a weeklaughter for a monthand a good jest for ever.
Poins. Stand close! I hear them coming.
[They stand aside.]

Enter the Thieves again.

Fal. Comemy masterslet us shareand then to horse before

day.
An the Prince and Poins be not two arrant cowardsthere's no
equity stirring. There's no more valour in that Poins than in

a
wild duck.

[As they are sharingthe Prince and Poins set upon
them. They all run awayand Falstaffafter a blow or
tworuns away tooleaving the booty behind them.]

Prince. Your money!
Poins. Villains!


Prince. Got with much ease. Now merrily to horse.
The thieves are scatteredand possess'd with fear
So strongly that they dare not meet each other.
Each takes his fellow for an officer.
Awaygood Ned. Falstaff sweats to death
And lards the lean earth as he walks along.
Were't not for laughingI should pity him.


Poins. How the rogue roar'd! Exeunt.

Scene III.
Warkworth Castle.

Enter Hotspur solusreading a letter.

Hot. 'Butfor mine own partmy lordI could be well


contented to

be therein respect of the love I bear your house.' He could
be

contented- why is he not then? In respect of the love he
bears

our house! He shows in this he loves his own barn better than
he

loves our house. Let me see some more. 'The purpose you
undertake

is dangerous'- Whythat's certain! 'Tis dangerous to take a

coldto sleepto drink; but I tell youmy lord foolout
of

this nettledangerwe pluck this flowersafety. 'The
purpose

you undertake is dangerousthe friends you have named
uncertain

the time itself unsortedand your whole plot too light for
the

counterpoise of so great an opposition.' Say you sosay you
so?

I say unto you againyou are a shallowcowardly hindand
you

lie. What a lack-brain is this! By the Lordour plot is a
good

plot as ever was laid; our friends true and constant: a good

plotgood friendsand full of expectation; an excellent
plot

very good friends. What a frosty-spirited rogue is this! Why
my

Lord of York commends the plot and the general course of the

action. Zoundsan I were now by this rascalI could brain
him

with his lady's fan. Is there not my fathermy uncleand

myself; Lord Edmund Mortimermy Lord of Yorkand Owen

Glendower? Is there notbesidesthe Douglas? Have I not all

their letters to meet me in arms by the ninth of the next
month

and are they not some of them set forward already? What a
pagan

rascal is this! an infidel! Ha! you shall see nowin very

sincerity of fear and cold heart will he to the King and lay
open

all our proceedings. OI could divide myself and go to
buffets

for moving such a dish of skim milk with so honourable an
action!

Hang himlet him tell the King! we are prepared. I will set

forward to-night.

Enter his Lady.

How nowKate? I must leave you within these two hours.

Lady. O my good lordwhy are you thus alone?

For what offence have I this fortnight been

A banish'd woman from my Harry's bed

Tell mesweet lordwhat is't that takes from thee

Thy stomachpleasureand thy golden sleep?

Why dost thou bend thine eyes upon the earth

And start so often when thou sit'st alone?

Why hast thou lost the fresh blood in thy cheeks

And given my treasures and my rights of thee

To thick-ey'd musing and curs'd melancholy?

In thy faint slumbers I by thee have watch'd


And heard thee murmur tales of iron wars
Speak terms of manage to thy bounding steed
Cry 'Courage! to the field!' And thou hast talk'd
Of sallies and retiresof trenchestent
Of palisadoesfrontiersparapets
Of basilisksof cannonculverin
Of prisoners' ransomand of soldiers slain
And all the currents of a heady fight.
Thy spirit within thee hath been so at war
And thus hath so bestirr'd thee in thy sleep
That beads of sweat have stood upon thy brow
Like bubbles ill a late-disturbed stream
And in thy face strange motions have appear'd
Such as we see when men restrain their breath
On some great sudden hest. Owhat portents are these?
Some heavy business hath my lord in hand
And I must know itelse he loves me not.


Hot. Whatho!

[Enter a Servant.]

Is Gilliams with the packet gone?
Serv. He ismy lordan hour ago.
Hot. Hath Butler brought those horses from the sheriff?
Serv. One horsemy lordhe brought even now.
Hot. What horse? A roana crop-earis it not?
Serv. It ismy lord.
Hot. That roan shall be my throne.

WellI will back him straight. O esperance!
Bid Butler lead him forth into the park.


[Exit Servant.]
Lady. But hear youmy lord.
Hot. What say'st thoumy lady?
Lady. What is it carries you away?
Hot. Whymy horsemy love- my horse!
Lady. Outyou mad-headed ape!

A weasel hath not such a deal of spleen
As you are toss'd with. In faith
I'll know your businessHarry; that I will!
I fear my brother Mortimer doth stir
About his title and hath sent for you
To line his enterprise; but if you go-


Hot. So far afootI shall be wearylove.

Lady. Comecomeyou paraquitoanswer me
Directly unto this question that I ask.
I'll break thy little fingerHarry
An if thou wilt not tell my all things true.

Hot. Away.
Awayyou trifler! Love? I love thee not;
I care not for theeKate. This is no world
To play with mammets and to tilt with lips.
We must have bloody noses and crack'd crowns
And pass them current too. Gods memy horse!
What say'st thouKate? What wouldst thou have with me?

Lady. Do you not love me? do you not indeed?
Welldo not then; for since you love me not
I will not love myself. Do you not love me?
Naytell me if you speak in jest or no.

Hot. Comewilt thou see me ride?
And when I am a-horsebackI will swear
I love thee infinitely. But hark you. Kate:
I must not have you henceforth question me
Whither I gonor reason whereabout.
Whither I mustI must; and to conclude


This evening must I leave yougentle Kate.

I know you wise; but yet no farther wise

Than Harry Percy's wife; constant you are

But yet a woman; and for secrecy

No lady closerfor I well believe

Thou wilt not utter what thou dost not know

And so far will I trust theegentle Kate.

Lady. How? so far?

Hot. Not an inch further. But hark youKate:

Whither I gothither shall you go too;

To-day will I set forthto-morrow you.

Will this content youKate?

Lady. It must of force. Exeunt.

Scene IV.
Eastcheap. The Boar's Head Tavern.


Enter Prince and Poins.

Prince. Nedprithee come out of that fat-room and lend me thy
hand
to laugh a little.

Poins. Where hast beenHal?

Prince. With three or four loggerheads amongst three or

fourscore hogsheads. I have sounded the very bass-string of

humility. SirrahI am sworn brother to a leash of drawers
and

can call them all by their christen namesas TomDickand

Francis. They take it already upon their salvation that
though

I be but Prince of Walesyet I am the king of courtesy; and
tell

me flatly I am no proud Jack like Falstaffbut a Corinthian
a

lad of mettlea good boy (by the Lordso they call me!)
and

when I am King of England I shall command all the good lads

Eastcheap. They call drinking deepdying scarlet; and when

you breathe in your wateringthey cry 'hem!' and bid you
play it

off. To concludeI am so good a proficient in one quarter of
an

hour that I can drink with any tinker in his own language
during

my life. I tell theeNedthou hast lost much honour that
thou

wert not with me in this action. Butsweet Ned- to sweeten
which

name of NedI give thee this pennyworth of sugarclapp'd
even

now into my hand by an under-skinkerone that never spake
other

English in his life than 'Eight shillings and sixpence' and
'You

are welcome' with this shrill addition'Anonanonsir!
Score

a pint of bastard in the Half-moon' or so- butNedto
drive

away the time till Falstaff comeI prithee do thou stand in
some

by-room while I question my puny drawer to what end he gave


me

the sugar; and do thou never leave calling 'Francis!' that
his

tale to me may be nothing but 'Anon!' Step asideand I'll
show

thee a precedent.

Poins. Francis!

Prince. Thou art perfect.

Poins. Francis! [Exit Poins.]

Enter [Francisa] Drawer.

Fran. Anonanonsir.- Look down into the PomgarnetRalph.

Prince. Come hitherFrancis.

Fran. My lord?

Prince. How long hast thou to serveFrancis?

Fran. Forsoothfive yearsand as much as to


Poins. [within] Francis!

Fran. Anonanonsir.

Prince. Five year! by'r Ladya long lease for the clinking of

pewter. ButFrancisdarest thou be so valiant as to play
the
coward with thy indenture and show it a fair pair of heels
and
run from it?
Fran. O LordsirI'll be sworn upon all the books in England
I

could find in my heart


Poins. [within] Francis!

Fran. Anonsir.

Prince. How old art thouFrancis?

Fran. Let me see. About Michaelmas next I shall be


Poins. [within] Francis!

Fran. Anonsir. Pray stay a littlemy lord.

Prince. Naybut hark youFrancis. For the sugar thou gavest
me


'twas a pennyworthwast not?

Fran. O Lord! I would it had been two!

Prince. I will give thee for it a thousand pound. Ask me when
thou

wiltandthou shalt have it.

Poins. [within] Francis!

Fran. Anonanon.

Prince. AnonFrancis? NoFrancis; but to-morrowFrancis; or

Francisa Thursday; or indeedFranciswhen thou wilt. But

Francis


Fran. My lord?

Prince. Wilt thou rob this leathern-jerkincrystal-button

not-patedagate-ringpuke-stockingcaddis-garter

smooth-tongueSpanish-pouch


Fran. O Lordsirwho do you mean?

Prince. Why thenyour brown bastard is your only drink; for
look

youFrancisyour white canvas doublet will sully. In
Barbary

sirit cannot come to so much.

Fran. Whatsir?

Poins. [within] Francis!

Prince. Awayyou rogue! Dost thou not hear them call?

Here they both call him. The Drawer stands amazed

not knowing which way to go.

Enter Vintner.


Vint. Whatstand'st thou stilland hear'st such a calling?
Look
to the guests within. [Exit Francis.] My lordold Sir John
with
half-a-dozen moreare at the door. Shall I let them in?
Prince. Let them alone awhileand then open the door.
[Exit Vintner.]
Poins!
Poins. [within] Anonanonsir.

Enter Poins.

Prince. SirrahFalstaff and the rest of the thieves are at the
door. Shall we be merry?
Poins. As merry as cricketsmy lad. But hark ye; what cunning
match have you made with this jest of the drawer? Come
what's
the issue?
Prince. I am now of all humours that have showed themselves

humours

since the old days of goodman Adam to the pupil age of this

present this twelve o'clock at midnight.

[Enter Francis.]

What's o'clockFrancis?

Fran. Anonanonsir. [Exit.]

Prince. That ever this fellow should have fewer words than a

parrotand yet the son of a woman! His industry is upstairs
and

downstairshis eloquence the parcel of a reckoning. I am not
yet

of Percy's mindthe Hotspur of the North; he that kills me
some

six or seven dozen of Scots at a breakfastwashes his hands
and

says to his wife'Fie upon this quiet life! I want work.' 'O
my

sweet Harry' says she'how many hast thou kill'd to-day?'

'Give my roan horse a drench' says heand answers 'Some

fourteen' an hour after'a triflea trifle.' I prithee
call in

Falstaff. I'll play Percyand that damn'd brawn shall play
Dame

Mortimer his wife. 'Rivo!' says the drunkard. Call in ribs
call

in tallow.

Enter Falstaff[GadshillBardolphand Peto;
Francis follows with wine].

Poins. WelcomeJack. Where hast thou been?
Fal. A plague of all cowardsI sayand a vengeance too! Marry
and
amen! Give me a cup of sackboy. Ere I lead this life long
I'll
sew nether-stocksand mend them and foot them too. A plague

of

all cowards! Give me a cup of sackrogue. Is there no virtue

extant?

He drinketh.
Prince. Didst thou never see Titan kiss a dish of butter?
Pitiful-hearted butterthat melted at the sweet tale of the
sun!


If thou didstthen behold that compound.
Fal. You roguehere's lime in this sack too! There is nothing
but
roguery to be found in villanous man. Yet a coward is worse
than
a cup of sack with lime in it- a villanous coward! Go thy
ways
old Jackdie when thou wilt; if manhoodgood manhoodbe
not
forgot upon the face of the earththen am I a shotten
herring.
There lives not three good men unhang'd in England; and one
of
them is fatand grows old. God help the while! A bad world

say. I would I were a weaver; I could sing psalms or
anything. A

plague of all cowards I say still!

Prince. How nowwoolsack? What mutter you?

Fal. A king's son! If I do not beat thee out of thy kingdom
with a

dagger of lath and drive all thy subjects afore thee like a
flock

of wild geeseI'll never wear hair on my face more. You
Prince

of Wales?

Prince. Whyyou whoreson round manwhat's the matter?

Fal. Are not you a coward? Answer me to that- and Poins there?

Poins. Zoundsye fat paunchan ye call me cowardby the

LordI'll stab thee.
Fal. I call thee coward? I'll see thee damn'd ere I call thee
cowardbut I would give a thousand pound I could run as fast
as
thou canst. You are straight enough in the shoulders; you
care
not who sees Your back. Call you that backing of your
friends? A
plague upon such backing! Give me them that will face me.
Give me
a cup of sack. I am a rogue if I drunk to-day.
Prince. O villain! thy lips are scarce wip'd since thou
drunk'st
last.
Fal. All is one for that. (He drinketh.) A plague of all
cowards

still say I.

Prince. What's the matter?

Fal. What's the matter? There be four of us here have ta'en a

thousand pound this day morning.

Prince. Where is itJack? Where is it?

Fal. Where is itTaken from us it is. A hundred upon poor four
of

us!

Prince. Whata hundredman?

Fal. I am a rogue if I were not at half-sword with a dozen of
them

two hours together. I have scap'd by miracle. I am eight
times

thrust through the doubletfour through the hose; my buckler
cut

through and through; my sword hack'd like a handsaw- ecce
signum!

I never dealt better since I was a man. All would not do. A

plague of all cowards! Let them speakIf they speak more or


less

than truththey are villains and the sons of darkness.

Prince. Speaksirs. How was it?

Gads. We four set upon some dozen


Fal. Sixteen at leastmy lord.

Gads. And bound them.

Peto. Nonothey were not bound.

Fal. You roguethey were boundevery man of themor I am a
Jew
else- an Ebrew Jew.
Gads. As we were sharingsome six or seven fresh men sea upon

us-

Fal. And unbound the restand then come in the other.

Prince. Whatfought you with them all?

Fal. All? I know not what you call allbut if I fought not
with

fifty of themI am a bunch of radish! If there were not two
or

three and fifty upon poor old Jackthen am I no two-legg'd

creature.

Prince. Pray God you have not murd'red some of them.
Fal. Naythat's past praying for. I have pepper'd two of them.
Two
I am sure I have paidtwo rogues in buckram suits. I tell
thee
whatHal- if I tell thee a liespit in my facecall me
horse.
Thou knowest my old ward. Here I layand thus I bore my
point.

Four rogues in buckram let drive at me.

Prince. Whatfour? Thou saidst but two even now.

Fal. FourHal. I told thee four.

Poins. Ayayhe said four.

Fal. These four came all afront and mainly thrust at me. I made
me
no more ado but took all their seven points in my target

thus.

Prince. Seven? Whythere were but four even now.

Fal. In buckram?

Poins. Ayfourin buckram suits.

Fal. Sevenby these hiltsor I am a villain else.

Prince. [aside to Poins] Prithee let him alone. We shall have
more

anon.

Fal. Dost thou hear meHal?

Prince. Ayand mark thee tooJack.

Fal. Do sofor it is worth the list'ning to. These nine in
buckram

that I told thee of


Prince. Sotwo more already.

Fal. Their points being broken


Poins. Down fell their hose.

Fal. Began to give me ground; but I followed me closecame in

foot and handand with a thought seven of the eleven I paid.

Prince. O monstrous! Eleven buckram men grown out of two!

Fal. Butas the devil would have itthree misbegotten knaves
in
Kendal green came at my back and let drive at me; for it was
so
darkHalthat thou couldst not see thy hand.
Prince. These lies are like their father that begets them


gross as

a mountainopenpalpable. Whythou clay-brain'd gutsthou

knotty-pated foolthou whoreson obscene greasy tallow-catch



Fal. Whatart thou mad? art thou mad? Is not the truth the
truth?
Prince. Whyhow couldst thou know these men in Kendal green
when
it was so dark thou couldst not see thy hand? Cometell us
your

reason. What sayest thou to this?

Poins. Comeyour reasonJackyour reason.

Fal. Whatupon compulsion? Zoundsan I were at the strappado
or

all the racks in the worldI would not tell you on
compulsion.

Give you a reason on compulsion? If reasons were as plentiful
as

blackberriesI would give no man a reason upon compulsion

I.
Prince. I'll be no longer guiltyof this sin; this sanguine
cowardthis bed-presserthis horseback-breakerthis huge
hill
of fleshFal.
'Sbloodyou starvelingyou elf-skinyou dried
neat's-tongueyou bull's sizzleyou stockfish- O for breath
to

utter what is like thee!- you tailor's yardyou sheathyou

bowcaseyou vile standing tuck!

Prince. Wellbreathe awhileand then to it again; and when
thou
hast tired thyself in base comparisonshear me speak but

this.

Poins. MarkJack.

Prince. We two saw you four set on fourand bound them and
were

masters of their wealth. Mark now how a plain tale shall put
you

down. Then did we two set on you four andwith a word
outfac'd

you from your prizeand have it; yeaand can show it you
here

in the house. AndFalstaffyou carried your guts away as

nimblywith as quick dexterityand roar'd for mercyand
still

run and roar'das ever I heard bullcalf. What a slave art
thou

to hack thy sword as thou hast doneand then say it was in

fight! What trickwhat devicewhat starting hole canst thou
now

find out to hide thee from this open and apparent shame?

Poins. Comelet's hearJack. What trick hast thou now?

Fal. By the LordI knew ye as well as he that made ye. Why
hear

youmy masters. Was it for me to kill the heir apparent?
Should

I turn upon the true prince? Whythou knowest I am as
valiant as

Hercules; but beware instinct. The lion will not touch the
true

prince. Instinct is a great matter. I was now a coward on

instinct. I shall think the better of myselfand thee

during my
life- I for a valiant lionand thou for a true prince. But
by
the LordladsI am glad you have the money. Hostessclap
to
the doors. Watch to-nightpray to-morrow. Gallantslads


boys

hearts of goldall the titles of good fellowship come to
you!

Whatshall we be merry? Shall we have a play extempore?

Prince. Content- and the argument shall be thy running away.

Fal. Ahno more of thatHalan thou lovest me!

Enter Hostess.

Host. O Jesumy lord the Prince!

Prince. How nowmy lady the hostess? What say'st thou to me?

Host. Marrymy lordthere is a nobleman of the court at door

would speak with you. He says he comes from your father.
Prince. Give him as much as will make him a royal manand send
him

back again to my mother.

Fal. What manner of man is he?

Host. An old man.

Fal. What doth gravity out of his bed at midnight? Shall I give
him

his answer?

Prince. Prithee doJack.

Fal. Faithand I'll send him packing.
Exit.
Prince. Nowsirs. By'r Ladyyou fought fair; so did you
Peto; so
did youBardolph. You are lions tooyou ran away upon
instinct

you will not touch the true prince; no- fie!

Bard. FaithI ran when I saw others run.

Prince. Tell me now in earnesthow came Falstaff's sword so

hack'd?
Peto. Whyhe hack'd it with his daggerand said he would
swear
truth out of England but he would make you believe it was
done in
fightand persuaded us to do the like.
Bard. Yeaand to tickle our noses with speargrass to make them
bleedand then to beslubber our garments with it and swear
it
was the blood of true men. I did that I did not this seven
year
before- I blush'd to hear his monstrous devices.
Prince. O villain! thou stolest a cup of sack eighteen years
ago
and wert taken with the mannerand ever since thou hast
blush'd
extempore. Thou hadst fire and sword on thy sideand yet
thou
ran'st away. What instinct hadst thou for it?
Bard. My lorddo you see these meteors? Do you behold these

exhalations?

Prince. I do.

Bard. What think you they portend?

Prince. Hot livers and cold purses.

Bard. Cholermy lordif rightly taken.

Prince. Noif rightly takenhalter.

Enter Falstaff.

Here comes lean Jack; here comes bare-bone. How nowmy sweet

creature of bombast? How long is't agoJacksince thou
sawest

thine own knee?


Fal. My own knee? When I was about thy yearsHalI was not an

eagle's talent in the waist; I could have crept into any

alderman's thumb-ring. A plague of sighing and grief! It
blows a

man up like a bladder. There's villanous news abroad. Here
was

Sir John Bracy from your father. You must to the court in the

morning. That same mad fellow of the NorthPercyand he of

Wales that gave Amamon the bastinadoand made Lucifer
cuckold

and swore the devil his true liegeman upon the cross of a
Welsh

hook- what a plague call you him?

Poins. OGlendower.

Fal. OwenOwen- the same; and his son-in-law Mortimerand old

Northumberlandand that sprightly Scot of ScotsDouglas
that
runs a-horseback up a hill perpendicularPrince.
He that rides at high speed and with his pistol kills a

sparrow flying.

Fal. You have hit it.

Prince. So did he never the sparrow.

Fal. Wellthat rascal hath good metal in him; he will not run.

Prince. Whywhat a rascal art thou thento praise him so for

running!

Fal. A-horsebackye cuckoo! but afoot he will not budge a
foot.

Prince. YesJackupon instinct.

Fal. I grant yeupon instinct. Wellhe is there tooand one

Mordakeand a thousand bluecaps more. Worcester is stol'n
away
to-night; thy father's beard is turn'd white with the news;
you
may buy land now as cheap as stinking mack'rel.
Prince. Why thenit is likeif there come a hot Juneand

this

civil buffeting holdwe shall buy maidenheads as they buy

hobnailsby the hundreds.

Fal. By the massladthou sayest true; it is like we shall
have
good trading that way. But tell meHalart not thou
horrible
afeard? Thou being heir apparentcould the world pick thee

out

three such enemies again as that fiend Douglasthat spirit

Percyand that devil Glendower? Art thou not horribly
afraid?

Doth not thy blood thrill at it?

Prince. Not a whiti' faith. I lack some of thy instinct.

Fal. Wellthou wilt be horribly chid to-morrow when thou
comest to
thy father. If thou love filepractise an answer.
Prince. Do thou stand for my father and examine me upon the
particulars of my life.
Fal. Shall I? Content. This chair shall be my statethis
dagger my
sceptreand this cushion mycrown.
Prince. Thy state is taken for a join'd-stoolthy golden
sceptre
for a leaden daggerand thy precious rich crown for a
pitiful
bald crown.
Fal. Wellan the fire of grace be not quite out of theenow
shalt


thou be moved. Give me a cup of sack to make my eyes look
red

that it may be thought I have wept; for I must speak in
passion

and I will do it in King Cambyses' vein.

Prince. Wellhere is my leg.

Fal. And here is my speech. Stand asidenobility.

Host. O Jesuthis is excellent sporti' faith!

Fal. Weep notsweet queenfor trickling tears are vain.

Host. Othe Fatherhow he holds his countenance!

Fal. For God's sakelordsconvey my tristful queen!

For tears do stop the floodgates of her eyes.
Host. O Jesuhe doth it as like one of these harlotry players
as
ever I see!
Fal. Peacegood pintpot. Peacegood tickle-brain.- HarryI
do
not only marvel where thou spendest thy timebut also how
thou
art accompanied. For though the camomilethe more it is
trodden
onthe faster it growsyet youththe more it is wasted
the
sooner it wears. That thou art my son I have partly thy

mother's

wordpartly my own opinionbut chiefly a villanous trick of

thine eye and a foolish hanging of thy nether lip that doth

warrant me. If then thou be son to mehere lies the point:
why

being son to meart thou so pointed at? Shall the blessed
sun of

heaven prove a micher and eat blackberries? A question not to
be

ask'd. Shall the son of England prove a thief and take
purses? A

question to be ask'd. There is a thingHarrywhich thou
hast

often heard ofand it is known to many in our land by the
name

of pitch. This pitchas ancient writers do reportdoth
defile;

so doth the company thou keepest. ForHarrynow I do not
speak

to thee in drinkbut in tears; not in pleasurebut in
passion;

not in words onlybut in woes also: and yet there is a
virtuous

man whom I have often noted in thy companybut I know not
his

name.

Prince. What manner of manan it like your Majesty?

Fal. A goodly portly mani' faithand a corpulent; of a
cheerful

looka pleasing eyeand a most noble carriage; andas I
think

his age some fiftyorby'r Ladyinclining to threescore;
and

now I remember mehis name is Falstaff. If that man should
be

lewdlygivenhe deceiveth me; forHarryI see virtue in
his

looks. If then the tree may be known by the fruitas the
fruit

by the treethenperemptorily I speak itthere is virtue


in
that Falstaff. Him keep withthe rest banish. And tell me
now
thou naughty varlettell me where hast thou been this month?
Prince. Dost thou speak like a king? Do thou stand for meand
I'll
play my father.
Fal. Depose me? If thou dost it half so gravelyso

majestically

both in word and matterhang me up by the heels for a

rabbit-sucker or a poulter's hare.

Prince. Wellhere I am set.

Fal. And here I stand. Judgemy masters.

Prince. NowHarrywhence come you?

Fal. My noble lordfrom Eastcheap.

Prince. The complaints I hear of thee are grievous.

Fal. 'Sbloodmy lordthey are false! NayI'll tickle ye for
a

young princei' faith.

Prince. Swearest thouungracious boy? Henceforth ne'er look on
me.

Thou art violently carried away from grace. There is a devil

haunts thee in the likeness of an old fat man; a tun of man
is

thy companion. Why dost thou converse with that trunk of
humours

that bolting hutch of beastlinessthat swoll'n parcel of

dropsiesthat huge bombard of sackthat stuff'd cloakbag of

gutsthat roasted Manningtree ox with the pudding in his
belly

that reverend vicethat grey iniquitythat father ruffian
that

vanity in years? Wherein is he goodbut to taste sack and
drink

it? wherein neat and cleanlybut to carve a capon and eat
it?

wherein cunningbut in craft? wherein craftybut in
villany?

wherein villanousbut in all things? wherein worthybut in

nothing?

Fal. I would your Grace would take me with you. Whom means your

Grace?

Prince. That villanous abominable misleader of youthFalstaff

that old white-bearded Satan.

Fal. My lordthe man I know.

Prince. I know thou dost.

Fal. But to say I know more harm in him than in myself were to
say
more than I know. That he is old (the more the pity) his

white

hairs do witness it; but that he is (saving your reverence) a

whoremasterthat I utterly deny. If sack and sugar be a
fault

God help the wicked! If to be old and merry be a sinthen
many

an old host that I know is damn'd. If to be fat be to be
hated

then Pharaoh's lean kine are to be loved. Nomy good lord.

Banish Petobanish Bardolphbanish Poins; but for sweet
Jack

Falstaffkind Jack Falstafftrue Jack Falstaffvaliant
Jack

Falstaffand therefore more valiant beingas he isold
Jack


Falstaffbanish not him thy Harry's companybanish not him
thy
Harry's company. Banish plump Jackand banish all the world!
Prince. I doI will. [A knocking heard.]
[Exeunt HostessFrancisand Bardolph.]

Enter Bardolphrunning.

Bard. Omy lordmy lord! the sheriff with a most monstrous
watch
is at the door.
Fal. Outye rogue! Play out the play. I have much to say in
the
behalf of that Falstaff.

Enter the Hostess.

Host. O Jesumy lordmy lord!
Prince. Heighheighthe devil rides upon a fiddlestick!
What's the matter?
Host. The sheriff and all the watch are at the door. They are
come
to search the house. Shall I let them in?
Fal. Dost thou hearHal? Never call a true piece of gold a

counterfeit. Thou art essentially mad without seeming so.
Prince. And thou a natural coward without instinct.
Fal. I deny your major. If you will deny the sheriffso; if

not
let him enter. If I become not a cart as well as another man

a
plague on my bringing up! I hope I shall as soon be strangled
with a halter as another.

Prince. Go hide thee behind the arras. The rest walkup above.
Nowmy mastersfor a true face and good conscience.
Fal. Both which I have had; but their date is outand
therefore
I'll hide me. Exit.
Prince. Call in the sheriff.
[Exeunt Manent the Prince and Peto.]

Enter Sheriff and the Carrier.

NowMaster Sheriffwhat is your will with me?
Sher. Firstpardon memy lord. A hue and cry


Hath followed certain men unto this house.
Prince. What men?
Sher. One of them is well knownmy gracious lord-


A gross fat man.
Carrier. As fat as butter.
Prince. The manI do assure youis not here


For I myself at this time have employ'd him.
AndsheriffI will engage my word to thee
That I will by to-morrow dinner time
Send him to answer theeor any man
For anything he shall be charg'd withal;
And so let me entreat you leave the house.


Sher. I willmy lord. There are two gentlemen
Have in this robbery lost three hundred marks.
Prince. It may be so. If he have robb'd these men


He shall be answerable; and so farewell.
Sher. Good nightmy noble lord.
Prince. I think it is good morrowis it not?
Sher. Indeedmy lordI think it be two o'clock.



Exit [with Carrier].
Prince. This oily rascal is known as well as Paul's. Go call
him
forth.
Peto. Falstaff! Fast asleep behind the arrasand snorting like
a
horse.
Prince. Hark how hard he fetches breath. Search his pockets.
He searcheth his pockets and findeth certain papers.

What hast thou found?
Peto. Nothing but papersmy lord.
Prince. Let's see whit they be. Read them.

Peto. [reads] 'Item. A capon. . . . . . . . . . . . . ii s. ii

d.
ItemSauce. . . . . . . . . . . . . . iiii
d.
ItemSack two gallons . . . . . . . . v s. viii
d.
ItemAnchovies and sack after supper. ii s. vi
d.
ItemBread. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
ob.'

Prince. O monstrous! but one halfpennyworth of bread to this
intolerable deal of sack! What there is elsekeep close;
we'll
read it at more advantage. There let him sleep till day. I'll
to
the court in the morning. We must all to the wars. and thy

place

shall be honourable. I'll procure this fat rogue a charge of

foot; and I knowhis death will be a march of twelve score.

The
money shall be paid back again with advantage. Be with me
betimes
in the morningand so good morrowPeto.
Peto. Good morrowgood my lord.
Exeunt.

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ACT III. Scene I.
Bangor. The Archdeacon's house.


Enter HotspurWorcesterLord MortimerOwen Glendower.

Mort. These promises are fairthe parties sure

And our induction full of prosperous hope.
Hot. Lord Mortimerand cousin Glendower
Will you sit down?
And uncle Worcester. A plague upon it!


I have forgot the map.

Glend. Nohere it is.
Sitcousin Percy; sitgood cousin Hotspur
For by that name as oft as Lancaster
Doth speak of youhis cheek looks paleand with
A rising sigh he wisheth you in heaven.


Hot. And you in hellas oft as he hears
Owen Glendower spoke of.


Glend. I cannot blame him. At my nativity
The front of heaven was full of fiery shapes
Of burning cressetsand at my birth
The frame and huge foundation of the earth
Shak'd like a coward.


Hot. Whyso it would have done at the same seasonif your
mother's cat had but kitten'dthough yourself had never been
born.

Glend. I say the earth did shake when I was born.
Hot. And I say the earth was not of my mind


If you suppose as fearing you it shook.
Glend. The heavens were all on firethe earth did tremble.
Hot. Othen the earth shook to see the heavens on fire


And not in fear of your nativity.
Diseased nature oftentimes breaks forth
In strange eruptions; oft the teeming earth
Is with a kind of colic pinch'd and vex'd
By the imprisoning of unruly wind
Within her wombwhichfor enlargement striving
Shakes the old beldame earth and topples down
Steeples and mossgrown towers. At your birth
Our grandam earthhaving this distemp'rature
In passion shook.


Glend. Cousinof many men
I do not bear these crossings. Give me leave
To tell you once again that at my birth
The front of heaven was full of fiery shapes
The goats ran from the mountainsand the herds
Were strangely clamorous to the frighted fields.
These signs have mark'd me extraordinary
And all the courses of my life do show
I am not in the roll of common men.
Where is he livingclipp'd in with the sea
That chides the banks of EnglandScotlandWales
Which calls me pupil or hath read to me?
And bring him out that is but woman's son
Can trace me in the tedious ways of art
And hold me pace in deep experiments.


Hot. I think there's no man speaks better Welsh. I'll to

dinner.
Mort. Peacecousin Percy; you will make him mad.
Glend. I can call spirits from the vasty deep.
Hot. Whyso can Ior so can any man;

But will they come when you do call for them?
Glend. WhyI can teach youcousinto command the devil.
Hot. And I can teach theecozto shame the devil-


By telling truth. Tell truth and shame the devil.
If thou have power to raise himbring him hither
And I'll be sworn I have power to shame him hence.
Owhile you livetell truth and shame the devil!


Mort. Comecomeno more of this unprofitable chat.

Glend. Three times hath Henry Bolingbroke made head
Against my power; thrice from the banks of Wye
And sandy-bottom'd Severn have I sent him
Bootless home and weather-beaten back.


Hot. Home without bootsand in foul weather too?


How scapes he aguesin the devil's name
Glend. Comehere's the map. Shall we divide our right
According to our threefold order ta'en?

Mort. The Archdeacon hath divided it
Into three limits very equally.
Englandfrom Trent and Severn hitherto
By south and east is to my part assign'd;
All westwardWales beyond the Severn shore
And all the fertile land within that bound
To Owen Glendower; anddear cozto you
The remnant northward lying off from Trent.
And our indentures tripartite are drawn;
Which being sealed interchangeably
(A business that this night may execute)
To-morrowcousin Percyyou and I
And my good Lord of Worcester will set forth
To meet your father and the Scottish bower
As is appointed usat Shrewsbury.
My father Glendower is not ready yet
Nor shall we need his help these fourteen days.
[To Glend.] Within that space you may have drawn together
Your tenantsfriendsand neighbouring gentlemen.

Glend. A shorter time shall send me to youlords;
And in my conduct shall your ladies come
From whom you now must steal and take no leave
For there will be a world of water shed
Upon the parting of your wives and you.

Hot. Methinks my moietynorth from Burton here
In quantity equals not one of yours.
See how this river comes me cranking in
And cuts me from the best of all my land
A huge half-moona monstrous cantle out.
I'll have the current ill this place damm'd up
And here the smug and sliver Trent shall run
In a new channel fair and evenly.
It shall not wind with such a deep indent
To rob me of so rich a bottom here.

Glend. Not wind? It shallit must! You see it doth.

Mort. Yeabut
Mark how he bears his courseand runs me up
With like advantage on the other side
Gelding the opposed continent as much
As on the other side it takes from you.

Wor. Yeabut a little charge will trench him here
And on this north side win this cape of land;
And then he runs straight and even.

Hot. I'll have it so. A little charge will do it.
Glend. I will not have it alt'red.
Hot. Will not you?
Glend. Nonor you shall not.
Hot. Who shall say me nay?
Glend. Nothat will I.
Hot. Let me not understand you then; speak it in Welsh.
Glend. I can speak Englishlordas well as you;


For I was train'd up in the English court
Wherebeing but youngI framed to the harp
Many an English ditty lovely well
And gave the tongue a helpful ornament-
A virtue that was never seen in you.


Hot. Marry
And I am glad of it with all my heart!
I had rather be a kitten and cry mew
Than one of these same metre ballet-mongers.
I had rather hear a brazen canstick turn'd


Or a dry wheel grate on the axletree
And that would set my teeth nothing on edge
Nothing so much as mincing poetry.
'Tis like the forc'd gait of a shuffling nag


Glend. Comeyou shall have Trent turn'd.

Hot. I do not care. I'll give thrice so much land
To any well-deserving friend;
But in the way of bargainmark ye me
I'll cavil on the ninth part of a hair
Are the indentures drawn? Shall we be gone?

Glend. The moon shines fair; you may away by night.
I'll haste the writerand withal
Break with your wives of your departure hence.
I am afraid my daughter will run mad
So much she doteth on her Mortimer. Exit.

Mort. Fiecousin Percy! how you cross my father!

Hot. I cannot choose. Sometimes he angers me
With telling me of the moldwarp and the ant
Of the dreamer Merlin and his prophecies
And of a dragon and a finless fish
A clip-wing'd griffin and a moulten raven
A couching lion and a ramping cat
And such a deal of skimble-skamble stuff
As puts me from my faith. I tell you whatHe
held me last night at least nine hours
In reckoning up the several devils' names
That were his lackeys. I cried 'hum' and 'Wellgo to!'
But mark'd him not a word. Ohe is as tedious
As a tired horsea railing wife;
Worse than a smoky house. I had rather live
With cheese and garlic in a windmill far
Than feed on cates and have him talk to me
In any summer house in Christendom.

Mort. In faithhe is a worthy gentleman
Exceedingly well readand profited
In strange concealmentsvaliant as a lion
And wondrous affableand as bountiful
As mines of India. Shall I tell youcousin?
He holds your temper in a high respect
And curbs himself even of his natural scope
When you come 'cross his humour. Faithhe does.
I warrant you that man is not alive
Might so have tempted him as you have done
Without the taste of danger and reproof.
But do not use it oftlet me entreat you.

Wor. In faithmy lordyou are too wilful-blame
And since your coming hither have done enough
To put him quite besides his patience.
You must needs learnlordto amend this fault.
Though sometimes it show greatnesscouragebloodAnd
that's the dearest grace it renders youYet
oftentimes it doth present harsh rage
Defect of mannerswant of government
Pridehaughtinessopinionand disdain;
The least of which haunting a nobleman
Loseth men's heartsand leaves behind a stain
Upon the beauty of all parts besides
Beguiling them of commendation.

Hot. WellI am school'd. Good manners be your speed!
Here come our wivesand let us take our leave.

Enter Glendower with the Ladies.

Mort. This is the deadly spite that angers me



My wife can speak no EnglishI no Welsh.
Glend. My daughter weeps; she will not part with you;
She'll be a soldier tooshe'll to the wars.
Mort. Good fathertell her that she and my aunt Percy
Shall follow in your conduct speedily.
Glendower speaks to her in Welshand she answers
him in the same.
Glend. She is desperate here. A peevish self-will'd harlotry
One that no persuasion can do good upon.
The Lady speaks in Welsh.

Mort. I understand thy looks. That pretty Welsh
Which thou pourest down from these swelling heavens
I am too perfect in; andbut for shame
In such a Barley should I answer thee.


The Lady again in Welsh.
I understand thy kissesand thou mine
And that's a feeling disputation.
But I will never be a truantlove
Till I have learnt thy language: for thy tongue
Makes Welsh as sweet as ditties highly penn'd
Sung by a fair queen in a summer's bow'r
With ravishing divisionto her lute.

Glend. Nayif you meltthen will she run mad.

The Lady speaks again in Welsh.
Mort. OI am ignorance itself in this!
Glend. She bids you on the wanton rushes lay you down

And rest your gentle head upon her lap
And she will sing the song that pleaseth you
And on your eyelids crown the god of sleep
Charming your blood with pleasing heaviness
Making such difference 'twixt wake and sleep
As is the difference betwixt day and night
The hour before the heavenly-harness'd team
Begins his golden progress in the East.


Mort. With all my heart I'll sit and hear her sing.
By that time will our bookI thinkbe drawn.


Glend. Do so
And those musicians that shall play to you
Hang in the air a thousand leagues from hence
And straight they shall be here. Sitand attend.


Hot. ComeKatethou art perfect in lying down. Comequick
quickthat I may lay my head in thy lap.
Lady P. Goye giddy goose.
The music plays.

Hot. Now I perceive the devil understands Welsh;
And 'tis no marvelbe is so humorous.
By'r Ladyhe is a good musician.


Lady P. Then should you be nothing but musical; for you are
altogether govern'd by humours. Lie stillye thiefand hear
the

lady sing in Welsh.
Hot. I had rather hear Ladymy brachhowl in Irish.
Lady P. Wouldst thou have thy head broken?
Hot. No.
Lady P. Then be still.
Hot. Neither! 'Tis a woman's fault.
Lady P. Now God help thee!
Hot. To the Welsh lady's bed.
Lady P. What's that?
Hot. Peace! she sings.


Here the Lady sings a Welsh song.

ComeKateI'll have your song too.
Lady P. Not minein good sooth.
Hot. Not yoursin good sooth? Heart! you swear like a



comfit-maker's wife. 'Not youin good sooth!' and 'as true

as I
live!' and 'as God shall mend me!' and 'as sure as day!'
And givest such sarcenet surety for thy oaths
As if thou ne'er walk'st further than Finsbury.
Swear meKatelike a lady as thou art
A good mouth-filling oath; and leave 'in sooth'
And such protest of pepper gingerbread
To velvet guards and Sunday citizens. Comesing.

Lady P. I will not sing.
Hot. 'Tis the next way to turn tailor or be redbreast-teacher.
An
the indentures be drawnI'll away within these two hours;
and so
come in when ye will. Exit.

Glend. ComecomeLord Mortimer. You are as slow
As hot Lord Percy is on fire to go.
By this our book is drawn; we'll but seal
And then to horse immediately.


Mort. With all my heart.
Exeunt.

Scene II.
London. The Palace.


Enter the KingPrince of Walesand others.


King. Lordsgive us leave. The Prince of Wales and I
Must have some private conference; but be near at hand
For we shall presently have need of you.


Exeunt Lords.
I know not whether God will have it so
For some displeasing service I have done
Thatin his secret doomout of my blood
He'll breed revengement and a scourge for me;
But thou dost in thy passages of life
Make me believe that thou art only mark'd
For the hot vengeance and the rod of heaven
To punish my mistreadings. Tell me else
Could such inordinate and low desires
Such poorsuch baresuch lewdsuch mean attempts
Such barren pleasuresrude society
As thou art match'd withal and grafted to
Accompany the greatness of thy blood
And hold their level with thy princely heart?

Prince. So please your MajestyI would I could
Quit all offences with as clear excuse
As well as I am doubtless I can purge
Myself of many I am charged withal.
Yet such extenuation let me beg
Asin reproof of many tales devis'd
Which oft the ear of greatness needs must bear
Bysmiling pickthanks and base newsmongers
I mayfor some things true wherein my youth
Hath faulty wand'red and irregular
And pardon on lily true submission.


King. God pardon thee! Yet let me wonderHarry
At thy affectionswhich do hold a wing
Quite from the flight of all thy ancestors.
Thy place in Council thou hast rudely lost
Which by thy younger brother is supplied



And art almost an alien to the hearts
Of all the court and princes of my blood.
The hope and expectation of thy time
Is ruin'dand the soul of every man
Prophetically do forethink thy fall.
Had I so lavish of my presence been
So common-hackney'd in the eyes of men
So stale and cheap to vulgar company
Opinionthat did help me to the crown
Had still kept loyal to possession
And left me in reputeless banishment
A fellow of no mark nor likelihood.
By being seldom seenI could not stir
Butlike a cometI was wond'red at;
That men would tell their children'This is he!'
Others would say'Where? Which is Bolingbroke?'
And then I stole all courtesy from heaven
And dress'd myself in such humility
That I did pluck allegiance from men's hearts
Loud shouts and salutations from their mouths
Even in the presence of the crowned King.
Thus did I keep my person fresh and new
My presencelike a robe pontifical
Ne'er seen but wond'red at; and so my state
Seldom but sumptuousshow'd like a feast
And won by rareness such solemnity.
The skipping Kinghe ambled up and down
With shallow jesters and rash bavin wits
Soon kindled and soon burnt; carded his state;
Mingled his royalty with cap'ring fools;
Had his great name profaned with their scorns
And gave his countenanceagainst his name
To laugh at gibing boys and stand the push
Of every beardless vain comparative;
Grew a companion to the common streets
Enfeoff'd himself to popularity;
Thatbeing dally swallowed by men's eyes
They surfeited with honey and began
To loathe the taste of sweetnesswhereof a little
More than a little is by much too much.
Sowhen he had occasion to be seen
He was but as the cuckoo is in June
Heardnot regarded- seenbut with such eyes
Assick and blunted with community
Afford no extraordinary gaze
Such as is bent on unlike majesty
When it shines seldom in admiring eyes;
But rather drows'd and hung their eyelids down
Slept in his faceand rend'red such aspect
As cloudy men use to their adversaries
Being with his presence gluttedgorg'dand full.
And in that very lineHarrystandest thou;
For thou hast lost thy princely privilege
With vile participation. Not an eye
But is aweary of thy common sight
Save minewhich hath desir'd to see thee more;
Which now doth that I would not have it do-
Make blind itself with foolish tenderness.


Prince. I shall hereaftermy thrice-gracious lord
Be more myself.

King. For all the world
As thou art to this hourwas Richard then
When I from France set foot at Ravenspurgh;
And even as I was then is Percy now.


Nowby my sceptreand my soul to boot
He hath more worthy interest to the state
Than thouthe shadow of succession;
For of no rightnor colour like to right
He doth fill fields with harness in the realm
Turns head against the lion's armed jaws
AndBeing no more in debt to years than thou
Leads ancient lords and reverend Bishops on
To bloody battles and to bruising arms.
What never-dying honour hath he got
Against renowmed Douglas! whose high deeds
Whose hot incursions and great name in arms
Holds from all soldiers chief majority
And military title capital
Through all the kingdoms that acknowledge Christ.
Thrice hath this HotspurMars in swathling clothes
This infant warriorin his enterprises
Discomfited great Douglas; ta'en him once
Enlarged himand made a friend of him
To fill the mouth of deep defiance up
And shake the peace and safety of our throne.
And what say you to this? PercyNorthumberland
The Archbishop's Grace of YorkDouglasMortimer
Capitulate against us and are up.
But wherefore do I tell these news to thee
WhyHarrydo I tell thee of my foes
Which art my nearest and dearest enemy'
Thou that art like enoughthrough vassal fear
Base inclinationand the start of spleen
To fight against me under Percy's pay
To dog his heels and curtsy at his frowns
To show how much thou art degenerate.


Prince. Do not think so. You shall not find it so.
And God forgive them that so much have sway'd
Your Majesty's good thoughts away from me!
I will redeem all this on Percy's head
Andin the closing of some glorious day
Be bold to tell you that I am your son
When I will wear a garment all of blood
And stain my favours in a bloody mask
Whichwash'd awayshall scour my shame with it.
And that shall be the daywhene'er it lights
That this same child of honour and renown
This gallant Hotspurthis all-praised knight
And your unthought of Harry chance to meet.
For every honour sitting on his helm
Would they were multitudesand on my head
My shames redoubled! For the time will come
That I shall make this Northern youth exchange
His glorious deeds for my indignities.
Percy is but my factorgood my lord
To engross up glorious deeds on my behalf;
And I will call hall to so strict account
That he shall render every glory up
Yeaeven the slightest worship of his time
Or I will tear the reckoning from his heart.
This in the name of God I promise here;
The which if he be pleas'd I shall perform
I do beseech your Majesty may salve
The long-grown wounds of my intemperance.
If notthe end of life cancels all bands
And I will die a hundred thousand deaths
Ere break the smallest parcel of this vow.

King. A hundred thousand rebels die in this!


Thou shalt have charge and sovereign trust herein.

Enter Blunt.

How nowgood Blunt? Thy looks are full of speed.

Blunt. So hath the business that I come to speak of.

Lord Mortimer of Scotland hath sent word

That Douglas and the English rebels met

The eleventh of this month at Shrewsbury.

A mighty and a fearful head they are

If promises be kept oil every hand

As ever off'red foul play in a state.

King. The Earl of Westmoreland set forth to-day;

With him my sonLord John of Lancaster;

For this advertisement is five days old.

On Wednesday nextHarryyou shall set forward;

On Thursday we ourselves will march. Our meeting

Is Bridgenorth; andHarryyou shall march

Through Gloucestershire; by which account

Our business valuedsome twelve days hence

Our general forces at Bridgenorth shall meet.

Our hands are full of business. Let's away.

Advantage feeds him fat while men delay. Exeunt.

Scene III.
Eastcheap. The Boar's Head Tavern.


Enter Falstaff and Bardolph.


Fal. Bardolpham I not fall'n away vilely since this last
action?
Do I not bate? Do I not dwindle? Whymy skin hangs about me
like
an old lady's loose gown! I am withered like an old apple
John.
WellI'll repentand that suddenlywhile I am in some

liking.

I shall be out of heart shortlyand then I shall have no

strength to repent. An I have not forgotten what the inside
of a

church is made ofI am a peppercorna brewer's horse. The

inside of a church! Companyvillanous companyhath been the

spoil of me.

Bard. Sir Johnyou are so fretful you cannot live long.

Fal. Whythere is it! Comesing me a bawdy song; make me
merry. I

was as virtuously given as a gentleman need to bevirtuous

enough: swore littledic'd not above seven times a week
went to

a bawdy house not above once in a quarter- of an hourpaid
money

that I borrowed- three or four timeslived welland in good

compass; and now I live out of all orderout of all compass.

Bard. Whyyou are so fatSir Johnthat you must needs be out
of
all compass- out of all reasonable compassSir John.
Fal. Do thou amend thy faceand I'll amend my life. Thou art
our
admiralthou bearest the lantern in the poop- but 'tis in
the
nose of thee. Thou art the Knight of the Burning Lamp.


Bard. WhySir Johnmy face does you no harm.
Fal. NoI'll be sworn. I make as good use of it as many a man
doth
of a death's-head or a memento mori. I never see thy face but
I
think upon hellfire and Dives that lived in purple; for there
he
is in his robesburningburning. if thou wert any way given

to

virtueI would swear by thy face; my oath should be 'By this

firethat's God's angel.' But thou art altogether given
over

and wert indeedbut for the light in thy facethe son of
utter

darkness. When thou ran'st up Gadshill in the night to catch
my

horseif I did not think thou hadst been an ignis fatuus or
a

ball of wildfirethere's no purchase in money. Othou art a

perpetual triumphan everlasting bonfire-light! Thou hast
saved

me a thousand marks in links and torcheswalking with thee
in

the night betwixt tavern and tavern; but the sack that thou
hast

drunk me would have bought me lights as good cheap at the
dearest

chandler's in Europe. I have maintained that salamander of
yours

with fire any time this two-and-thirty years. God reward me
for

it!

Bard. 'SbloodI would my face were in your belly!

Fal. God-a-mercy! so should I be sure to be heart-burn'd.

Enter Hostess.

How nowDame Partlet the hen? Have you enquir'd yet who
pick'd
my pocket?
Host. WhySir Johnwhat do you thinkSir John? Do you think
I
keep thieves in my house? I have search'dI have enquired
so
has my husbandman by manboy by boyservant by servant.
The
tithe of a hair was never lost in my house before.
Fal. Ye liehostess. Bardolph was shav'd and lost many a hair
and
I'll be sworn my pocket was pick'd. Go toyou are a woman
go!
Host. WhoI? No; I defy thee! God's lightI was never call'd
so

in mine own house before!

Fal. Go toI know you well enough.

Host. NoSir John; you do not know meSir John. I know you
Sir
John. You owe me moneySir Johnand now you pick a quarrel
to
beguile me of it. I bought you a dozen of shirts to your
back.
Fal. Dowlasfilthy dowlas! I have given them away to bakers'
wives; they have made bolters of them.
Host. Nowas I am a true womanholland of eight shillings an


ell.

You owe money here besidesSir Johnfor your diet and

by-drinkingsand money lent youfour-and-twenty pound.

Fal. He had his part of it; let him pay.

Host. He? Alashe is poor; he hath nothing.

Fal. How? Poor? Look upon his face. What call you rich? Let
them

coin his noselet them coin his cheeks. I'll not pay a
denier.

Whatwill you make a younker of me? Shall I not take mine
ease

in mine inn but I shall have my pocket pick'd? I have lost a

seal-ring of my grandfather's worth forty mark.

Host. O JesuI have heard the Prince tell himI know not how
oft
that that ring was copper!
Fal. How? the Prince is a Jacka sneak-cup. 'Sbloodan he
were
hereI would cudgel him like a dog if he would say so.

Enter the Prince [and Poins]marching; and Falstaff meets
themplaying upon his truncheon like a fife.

How nowlad? Is the wind in that doori' faith? Must we all

march?

Bard. Yeatwo and twoNewgate fashion.

Host. My lordI pray you hear me.

Prince. What say'st thouMistress Quickly? How doth thy
husband?

I love him well; he is an honest man.

Host. Good my lordhear me.

Fal. Prithee let her alone and list to me.

Prince. What say'st thouJack?

Fal. The other night I fell asleep here behind the arras and
had my

pocket pick'd. This house is turn'd bawdy house; they pick

pockets.

Prince. What didst thou loseJack?

Fal. Wilt thou believe meHal? Three or four bonds of forty
pound

apiece and a seal-ring of my grandfather's.

Prince. A triflesome eightpenny matter.

Host. So I told himmy lordand I said I heard your Grace say
so;

andmy lordhe speaks most vilely of youlike a
foul-mouth'd

man as he isand said he would cudgel you.

Prince. What! he did not?

Host. There's neither faithtruthnor womanhood in me else.

Fal. There's no more faith in thee than in a stewed prunenor
no
more truth in thee than in a drawn fox; and for woman-hood

Maid

Marian may be the deputy's wife of the ward to thee. Goyou

thinggo!

Host. Saywhat thing? what thing?

Fal. What thing? Whya thing to thank God on.

Host. I am no thing to thank God onI would thou shouldst know
it!
I am an honest man's wifeandsetting thy knight-hood
aside
thou art a knave to call me so.
Fal. Setting thy womanhood asidethou art a beast to say
otherwise.


Host. Saywhat beastthou knavethou?

Fal. What beast? Whyan otter.

Prince. An otterSir John? Why an otter?

Fal. Whyshe's neither fish nor flesh; a man knows not where

to
have her.
Host. Thou art an unjust man in saying so. Thou or any man
knows
where to have methou knavethou!
Prince. Thou say'st truehostessand he slanders thee most
grossly.
Host. So he doth youmy lordand said this other day you
ought

him a thousand pound.

Prince. Sirrahdo I owe you a thousand pound?

Fal. A thousand poundHal? A million! Thy love is worth a
million;
thou owest me thy love.
Host. Naymy lordhe call'd you Jack and said he would cudgel

you.

Fal. Did IBardolph?

Bard. IndeedSir Johnyou said so.

Fal. Yea. if he said my ring was copper.

Prince. I say'tis copper. Darest thou be as good as thy word
now?
Fal. WhyHalthou knowestas thou art but manI dare; but
as
thou art PrinceI fear thee as I fear the roaring of the
lion's

whelp.

Prince. And why not as the lion?

Fal. The King himself is to be feared as the lion. Dost thou
think
I'll fear thee as I fear thy father? Nayan I doI pray God
my
girdle break.
Prince. Oif it shouldhow would thy guts fall about thy

knees!

Butsirrahthere's no room for faithtruthnor honesty in

this bosom of thine. It is all fill'd up with guts and
midriff.

Charge an honest woman with picking thy pocket? Whythou

whoresonimpudentemboss'd rascalif there were anything

in
thy pocket but tavern reckoningsmemorandums of bawdy
houses
and one poor pennyworth of sugar candy to make thee
long-windedif
thy pocket were enrich'd with any other injuries but
theseI
am a villain. And yet you will stand to it; you will not
pocket
up wrong. Art thou not ashamed?
Fal. Dost thou hearHal? Thou knowest in the state of
innocency
Adam fell; and what should poor Jack Falstaff do in the days

of

villany? Thou seest I have more flesh than another manand

therefore more frailty. You confess thenyou pick'd my
pocket?

Prince. It appears so by the story.

Fal. HostessI forgive thee. Go make ready breakfast. Love thy

husbandlook to thy servantscherish thy guests. Thou shalt

find me tractable to any honest reason. Thou seest I am


pacified.
-Still?- Nayprithee be gone. [Exit Hostess.] NowHalto
the
news at court. For the robberylad- how is that answered?
Prince. O my sweet beefI must still be good angel to thee.

The money is paid back again.
Fal. OI do not like that paying back! 'Tis a double labour.
Prince. I am good friends with my fatherand may do anything.
Fal. Rob me the exchequer the first thing thou doestand do it

with unwash'd hands too.
Bard. Domy lord.
Prince. I have procured theeJacka charge of foot.
Fal. I would it had been of horse. Where shall I find one that

can
steal well? O for a fine thief of the age of two-and-twenty
or
thereabouts! I am heinously unprovided. WellGod be thanked
for
these rebels. They offend none but the virtuous. I laud them

praise them.
Prince. Bardolph!
Bard. My lord?
Prince. Go bear this letter to Lord John of Lancaster


To my brother John; this to my Lord of Westmoreland.

[Exit Bardolph.]
GoPoinsto horseto horse; for thou and I
Have thirty miles to ride yet ere dinner time.

[Exit Poins.]
Jackmeet me to-morrow in the Temple Hall
At two o'clock in the afternoon.
There shalt thou know thy charge. and there receive
Money and order for their furniture.
The land is burning; Percy stands on high;
And either they or we must lower lie. [Exit.]

Fal. Rare words! brave world! Hostessmy breakfastcome.
OI could wish this tavern were my drum!
Exit.

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ACT IV. Scene I.
The rebel camp near Shrewsbury.


Enter Harry HotspurWorcesterand Douglas.


Hot. Well saidmy noble Scot. If speaking truth
In this fine age were not thought flattery
Such attribution should the Douglas have
As not a soldier of this season's stamp
Should go so general current through the world.
By GodI cannot flatterI defy



The tongues of soothers! but a braver place
In my heart's love hath no man than yourself.
Naytask me to my word; approve melord.


Doug. Thou art the king of honour.
No man so potent breathes upon the ground
But I will beard him.

Enter one with letters.

Hot. Do soand 'tis well.


What letters hast thou there?- I can but thank you.
Messenger. These letters come from your father.
Hot. Letters from him? Why comes he not himself?
Mess. He cannot comemy lord; he is grievous sick.
Hot. Zounds! how has he the leisure to be sick

In such a justling time? Who leads his power?

Under whose government come they along?
Mess. His letters bears his mindnot Imy lord.
Wor. I prithee tell medoth he keep his bed?
Mess. He didmy lordfour days ere I set forth

And at the time of my departure thence
He was much fear'd by his physicians.


Wor. I would the state of time had first been whole
Ere he by sickness had been visited.
His health was never better worth than now.

Hot. Sick now? droop now? This sickness doth infect
The very lifeblood of our enterprise.
'Tis catching hithereven to our camp.
He writes me here that inward sicknessAnd
that his friends by deputation could not
So soon be drawn; no did he think it meet
To lay so dangerous and dear a trust
On any soul remov'd but on his own.
Yet doth he give us bold advertisement
That with our small conjunction we should on
To see how fortune is dispos'd to us;
Foras he writesthere is no quailing now
Because the King is certainly possess'd
Of all our purposes. What say you to it?

Wor. Your father's sickness is a maim to us.

Hot. A perilous gasha very limb lopp'd off.
And yetin faithit is not! His present want
Seems more than we shall find it. Were it good
To set the exact wealth of all our states
All at one cast? to set so rich a man
On the nice hazard of one doubtful hour?
It were not good; for therein should we read
The very bottom and the soul of hope
The very listthe very utmost bound
Of all our fortunes.

Doug. Faithand so we should;
Where now remains a sweet reversion.
We may boldly spend upon the hope of what
Is to come in.
A comfort of retirement lives in this.

Hot. A rendezvousa home to fly unto
If that the devil and mischance look big
Upon the maidenhead of our affairs.

Wor. But yet I would your father had been here.
The quality and hair of our attempt
Brooks no division. It will be thought
By some that know not why he is away
That wisdomloyaltyand mere dislike
Of our proceedings kept the Earl from hence.


And think how such an apprehension
May turn the tide of fearful faction
And breed a kind of question in our cause.
For well you know we of the off'ring side
Must keep aloof from strict arbitrement
And stop all sight-holesevery loop from whence
The eye of reason may pry in upon us.
This absence of your father's draws a curtain
That shows the ignorant a kind of fear
Before not dreamt of.

Hot. You strain too far.
I rather of his absence make this use:
It lends a lustre and more great opinion
A larger dare to our great enterprise
Than if the Earl were here; for men must think
If wewithout his helpcan make a head
To push against a kingdomwith his help
We shall o'erturn it topsy-turvy down.
Yet all goes well; yet all our joints are whole.

Doug. As heart can think. There is not such a word
Spoke of in Scotland as this term of fear.

Enter Sir Richard Vernon.

Hot. My cousin Vernon! welcomeby my soul.

Ver. Pray God my news be worth a welcomelord.
The Earl of Westmorelandseven thousand strong
Is marching hitherwards; with him Prince John.

Hot. No harm. What more?

Ver. And furtherI have learn'd
The King himself in person is set forth
Or hitherwards intended speedily
With strong and mighty preparation.

Hot. He shall be welcome too. Where is his son
The nimble-footed madcap Prince of Wales
And his comradesthat daff'd the world aside
And bid it pass?

Ver. All furnish'dall in arms;
All plum'd like estridges that with the wind
Bated like eagles having lately bath'd;
Glittering in golden coats like images;
As full of spirit as the month of May
And gorgeous as the sun at midsummer;
Wanton as youthful goatswild as young bulls.
I saw young Harry with his beaver on
His cushes on his thighsgallantly arm'd
Rise from the ground like feathered Mercury
And vaulted with such ease into his seat
As if an angel dropp'd down from the clouds
To turn and wind a fiery Pegasus
And witch the world with noble horsemanship.

Hot. No moreno more! Worse than the sun in March
This praise doth nourish agues. Let them come.
They come like sacrifices in their trim
And to the fire-ey'd maid of smoky war
All hot and bleeding Will we offer them.
The mailed Mars Shall on his altar sit
Up to the ears in blood. I am on fire
To hear this rich reprisal is so nigh
And yet not ours. Comelet me taste my horse
Who is to bear me like a thunderbolt
Against the bosom of the Prince of Wales.
Harry to Harry shallhot horse to horse
Meetand ne'er part till one drop down a corse.


that Glendower were come!

Ver. There is more news.
I learn'd in Worcesteras I rode along
He cannot draw his power this fourteen days.


Doug. That's the worst tidings that I hear of yet.
Wor. Ayby my faiththat bears a frosty sound.
Hot. What may the King's whole battle reach unto?
Ver. To thirty thousand.
Hot. Forty let it be.


My father and Glendower being both away
The powers of us may serve so great a day.
Comelet us take a muster speedily.
Doomsday is near. Die alldie merrily.


Doug. Talk not of dying. I am out of fear
Of death or death's hand for this one half-year.
Exeunt.

Scene II.
A public road near Coventry.


Enter Falstaff and Bardolph.


Fal. Bardolphget thee before to Coventry; fill me a bottle of
sack. Our soldiers shall march through. We'll to Sutton
Co'fil'

to-night.
Bard. Will you give me moneyCaptain?
Fal. Lay outlay out.
Bard. This bottle makes an angel.
Fal. An if it dotake it for thy labour; an if it make twenty

take them all; I'll answer the coinage. Bid my lieutenant
Peto

meet me at town's end.
Bard. I willCaptain. Farewell. Exit.
Fal. If I be not ashamed of my soldiersI am a sous'd gurnet.

I
have misused the King's press damnably. I have got in

exchange of
a hundred and fifty soldiersthree hundred and odd pounds. I
press me none but good householdersyeomen's sons; inquire

me
out contracted bachelorssuch as had been ask'd twice on the
banes- such a commodity of warm slaves as had as lieve hear

the
devil as a drum; such as fear the report of a caliver worse

than
a struck fowl or a hurt wild duck. I press'd me none but such
toasts-and-butterwith hearts in their bellies no bigger

than
pins' headsand they have bought out their services; and now

my
whole charge consists of ancientscorporalslieutenants
gentlemen of companies- slaves as ragged as Lazarus in the
painted clothwhere the glutton's dogs licked his sores; and
such as indeed were never soldiersbut discarded unjust
serving-menyounger sons to Younger brothersrevolted

tapsters
and ostlers trade-fall'n; the cankers of a calm world and a

long
peace; ten times more dishonourable ragged than an old fac'd
ancient; and such have I to fill up the rooms of them that


have

bought out their services that you would think that I had a

hundred and fifty tattered Prodigals lately come from

swine-keepingfrom eating draff and husks. A mad fellow met
me

on the wayand told me I had unloaded all the gibbets and

press'd the dead bodies. No eye hath seen such scarecrows.
I'll

not march through Coventry with themthat's flat. Nayand
the

villains march wide betwixt the legsas if they had gyves
on;

for indeed I had the most of them out of prison. There's but
a

shirt and a half in all my company; and the half-shirt is two

napkins tack'd together and thrown over the shoulders like a

herald's coat without sleeves; and the shirtto say the
truth

stol'n from my host at Saint Alban'sor the red-nose
innkeeper

of Daventry. But that's all one; they'll find linen enough on

every hedge.

Enter the Prince and the Lord of Westmoreland.

Prince. How nowblown Jack? How nowquilt?
Fal. WhatHal? How nowmad wag? What a devil dost thou in
Warwickshire? My good Lord of WestmorelandI cry you mercy.

thought your honour had already been at Shrewsbury.
West. FaithSir John'tis more than time that I were there
and
you too; but my powers are there already. The KingI can
tell
youlooks for us all. We must away allto-night.
Fal. Tutnever fear me. I am as vigilant as a cat to steal
cream.
Prince. I thinkto steal cream indeedfor thy theft hath
already
made thee butter. But tell meJackwhose fellows are these
that

come after?

Fal. MineHalmine.

Prince. I did never see such pitiful rascals.

Fal. Tuttut! good enough to toss; food for powderfood for

powder. They'll fill a pit as well as better. Tushman
mortal
menmortal men.
West. AybutSir Johnmethinks they are exceeding poor and
baretoo
beggarly.
Fal. Faithfor their povertyI knownot where they had that;
and
for their barenessI am surd they never learn'd that of me.

Prince. NoI'll be swornunless you call three fingers on the

ribs bare. Butsirrahmake haste. Percy 's already in the

field.
Exit.

Fal. Whatis the King encamp'd?

West. He isSir John. I fear we shall stay too long.

[Exit.]

Fal. Well


To the latter end of a fray and the beginning of a feast
Fits a dull fighter and a keen guest. Exit.

Scene III.
The rebel camp near Shrewsbury.


Enter HotspurWorcesterDouglasVernon.


Hot. We'll fight with him to-night.
Wor. It may not be.
Doug. You give him then advantage.
Ver. Not a whit.
Hot. Why say you so? Looks he no for supply?
Ver. So do we.
Hot. His is certainours 's doubtful.
Wor. Good cousinbe advis'd; stir not to-night.
Ver. Do notmy lord.
Doug. You do not counsel well.


You speak it out of fear and cold heart.

Ver. Do me no slanderDouglas. By my life-
And I dare well maintain it with my life-
If well-respected honour bid me on
I hold as little counsel with weak fear
As youmy lordor any Scot that this day lives.
Let it be seen to-morrow in the battle
Which of us fears.


Doug. Yeaor to-night.
Ver. Content.
Hot. To-nightsay I.


Comecomeit may not be. I wonder much
Being men of such great leading as you are
That you foresee not what impediments
Drag back our expedition. Certain horse
Of my cousin Vernon's are not yet come up.
Your uncle Worcester's horse came but to-day;
And now their pride and mettle is asleep
Their courage with hard labour tame and dull
That not a horse is half the half of himself.


Hot. So are the horses of the enemy
In general journey-bated and brought low.
The better part of ours are full of rest.


Wor. The number of the King exceedeth ours.
For God's sakecousinstay till all come in.


The trumpet sounds a parley.

Enter Sir Walter Blunt.

Blunt. I come with gracious offers from the King
If you vouchsafe me hearing and respect.


Hot. WelcomeSir Walter Bluntand would to God
You were of our determination!
Some of us love you well; and even those some
Envy your great deservings and good name
Because you are not of our quality
But stand against us like an enemy.


Blunt. And God defend but still I should stand so
So long as out of limit and true rule
You stand against anointed majesty!
But to my charge. The King hath sent to know
The nature of your griefs; and whereupon



You conjure from the breast of civil peace
Such bold hostilityteaching his duteous land
Audacious cruelty. If that the King
Have any way your good deserts forgot
Which he confesseth to be manifold
He bids you name your griefsand with all speed
You shall have your desires with interest
And pardon absolute for yourself and these
Herein misled by your suggestion.

Hot. The King is kind; and well we know the King
Knows at what time to promisewhen to pay.
My father and my uncle and myself
Did give him that same royalty he wears;
And when he was not six-and-twenty strong
Sick in the world's regardwretched and low
A poor unminded outlaw sneaking home
My father gave him welcome to the shore;
And when he heard him swear and vow to God
He came but to be Duke of Lancaster
To sue his livery and beg his peace
With tears of innocency and terms of zeal
My fatherin kind heart and pity mov'd
Swore him assistanceand performed it too.
Nowwhen the lords and barons of the realm
Perceiv'd Northumberland did lean to him
The more and less came in with cap and knee;
Met him on boroughscitiesvillages
Attended him on bridgesstood in lanes
Laid gifts before himproffer'd him their oaths
Give him their heirs as pagesfollowed him
Even at the heels in golden multitudes.
He presentlyas greatness knows itself
Steps me a little higher than his vow
Made to my fatherwhile his blood was poor
Upon the naked shore at Ravenspurgh;
And nowforsoothtakes on him to reform
Some certain edicts and some strait decrees
That lie too heavy on the commonwealth;
Cries out upon abusesseems to weep
Over his country's wrongs; and by this face
This seeming brow of justicedid he win
The hearts of all that he did angle for;
Proceeded further- cut me off the heads
Of all the favourites that the absent King
In deputation left behind him here
When he was personal in the Irish war.
But. Tut! I came not to hear this.

Hot. Then to the point.
In short time after lie depos'd the King;
Soon after that depriv'd him of his life;
And in the neck of that task'd the whole state;
To make that worsesuff'red his kinsman March
(Who isif every owner were well placid
Indeed his king) to be engag'd in Wales
There without ransom to lie forfeited;
Disgrac'd me in my happy victories
Sought to entrap me by intelligence;
Rated mine uncle from the Council board;
In rage dismiss'd my father from the court;
Broke an oath on oathcommitted wrong on wrong;
And in conclusion drove us to seek out
This head of safetyand withal to pry
Into his titlethe which we find
Too indirect for long continuance.


Blunt. Shall I return this answer to the King?

Hot. Not soSir Walter. We'll withdraw awhile.
Go to the King; and let there be impawn'd
Some surety for a safe return again
And in the morning early shall mine uncle
Bring him our purposes; and so farewell.


Blunt. I would you would accept of grace and love.
Hot. And may be so we shall.
Blunt. Pray God you do.


Exeunt.

Scene IV.
York. The Archbishop's Palace.


Enter the Archbishop of York and Sir Michael.


Arch. Hiegood Sir Michael; bear this sealed brief
With winged haste to the Lord Marshal;
This to my cousin Scroop; and all the rest
To whom they are directed. If you knew
How much they do importyou would make haste.


Sir M. My good lord
I guess their tenour.


Arch. Like enough you do.
To-morrowgood Sir Michaelis a day
Wherein the fortune of ten thousand men
Must bide the touch; forsirat Shrewsbury
As I am truly given to understand
The King with mighty and quick-raised power
Meets with Lord Harry; and I fearSir Michael
What with the sickness of Northumberland
Whose power was in the first proportion
And what with Owen Glendower's absence thence
Who with them was a rated sinew too
And comes not inoverrul'd by prophecies-
I fear the power of Percy is too weak
To wage an instant trial with the King.


Sir M. Whymy good lordyou need not fear;

There is Douglas and Lord Mortimer.
Arch. NoMortimer is not there.
Sir M. But there is MordakeVernonLord Harry Percy


And there is my Lord of Worcesterand a head
Of gallant warriorsnoble gentlemen.


Arch. And so there is; but yet the King hath drawn
The special head of all the land together-
The Prince of WalesLord John of Lancaster
The noble Westmoreland and warlike Blunt
And many moe corrivals and dear men
Of estimation and command in arms.


Sir M. Doubt notmy lordthey shall be well oppos'd.

Arch. I hope no lessyet needful 'tis to fear;
Andto prevent the worstSir Michaelspeed.
For if Lord Percy thrive notere the King
Dismiss his powerhe means to visit us
For he hath heard of our confederacy
And 'tis but wisdom to make strong against him.
Therefore make haste. I must go write again
To other friends; and so farewellSir Michael.


Exeunt.


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ACT V. Scene I.
The King's camp near Shrewsbury.


Enter the KingPrince of WalesLord John of LancasterSir
Walter Blunt
Falstaff.


King. How bloodily the sun begins to peer
Above yon busky hill! The day looks pale
At his distemp'rature.


Prince. The southern wind
Doth play the trumpet to his purposes
And by his hollow whistling in the leaves
Foretells a tempest and a blust'ring day.


King. Theft with the losers let it sympathize
For nothing can seem foul to those that win.


The trumpet sounds. Enter Worcester [and Vernon].

Hownowmy Lord of Worcester? 'Tis not well
That you and I should meet upon such terms
As now we meet. You have deceiv'd our trust
And made us doff our easy robes of peace
To crush our old limbs in ungentle steel.
This is not wellmy lord; this is not well.
What say you to it? Will you again unknit
This churlish knot of all-abhorred war
And move in that obedient orb again
Where you did give a fair and natural light
And be no more an exhal'd meteor
A prodigy of fearand a portent
Of broached mischief to the unborn times?


Wor. Hear memy liege.
For mine own partI could be well content
To entertain the lag-end of my life
With quiet hours; for I do protest
I have not sought the day of this dislike.


King. You have not sought it! How comes it then
Fal. Rebellion lay in his wayand he found it.
Prince. Peacechewetpeace!
Wor. It pleas'd your Majesty to turn your looks


Of favour from myself and all our house;
And yet I must remember youmy lord
We were the first and dearest of your friends.
For you my staff of office did I break
In Richard's timeand posted day and night
To meet you on the way and kiss your hand
When yet you were in place and in account
Nothing so strong and fortunate as I.
It was myselfmy brotherand his son
That brought you home and boldly did outdare



The dangers of the time. You swore to us
And you did swear that oath at Doncaster
That you did nothing purpose 'gainst the state
Nor claim no further than your new-fall'n right
The seat of Gauntdukedom of Lancaster.
To this we swore our aid. But in short space
It it rain'd down fortune show'ring on your head
And such a flood of greatness fell on you-
What with our helpwhat with the absent King
What with the injuries of a wanton time
The seeming sufferances that you had borne
And the contrarious winds that held the King
So long in his unlucky Irish wars
That all in England did repute him dead-
And from this swarm of fair advantages
You took occasion to be quickly woo'd
To gripe the general sway into your hand;
Forgot your oath to us at Doncaster;
Andbeing fed by usyou us'd us so
As that ungentle gullthe cuckoo's bird
Useth the sparrow- did oppress our nest;
Grewby our feeding to so great a bulk
That even our love thirst not come near your sight
For fear of swallowing; but with nimble wing
We were enforc'd for safety sake to fly
Out of your sight and raise this present head;
Whereby we stand opposed by such means
As you yourself have forg'd against yourself
By unkind usagedangerous countenance
And violation of all faith and troth
Sworn to tis in your younger enterprise.


King. These thingsindeedyou have articulate
Proclaim'd at market crossesread in churches
To face the garment of rebellion
With some fine colour that may please the eye
Of fickle changelings and poor discontents
Which gape and rub the elbow at the news
Of hurlyburly innovation.
And never yet did insurrection want
Such water colours to impaint his cause
Nor moody beggarsstarving for a time
Of pell-mell havoc and confusion.

Prince. In both our armies there is many a soul
Shall pay full dearly for this encounter
If once they join in trial. Tell your nephew
The Prince of Wales doth join with all the world
In praise of Henry Percy. By my hopes
This present enterprise set off his head
I do not think a braver gentleman
More active-valiant or more valiant-young
More daring or more boldis now alive
To grace this latter age with noble deeds.
For my partI may speak it to my shame
I have a truant been to chivalry;
And so I hear he doth account me too.
Yet this before my father's MajestyI
am content that he shall take the odds
Of his great name and estimation
And will to save the blood on either side
Try fortune with him in a single fight.

King. AndPrince of Walesso dare we venture thee
Albeit considerations infinite
Do make against it. Nogood Worcesterno!
We love our people well; even those we love


That are misled upon your cousin's part;
Andwill they take the offer of our grace
Both heand theyand youyeaevery man
Shall be my friend againand I'll be his.
So tell your cousinand bring me word
What he will do. But if he will not yield
Rebuke and dread correction wait on us
And they shall do their office. So be gone.
We will not now be troubled with reply.
We offer fair; take it advisedly.


Exit Worcester [with Vernon]

Prince. It will not be acceptedon my life.
The Douglas and the Hotspur both together
Are confident against the world in arms.


King. Hencethereforeevery leader to his charge;
Foron their answerwill we set on them
And God befriend us as our cause is just!


Exeunt. Manent PrinceFalstaff.
Fal. Halif thou see me down in the battle and bestride me
so!
'Tis a point of friendship.
Prince. Nothing but a Colossus can do thee that friendship.

Say thy prayersand farewell.
Fal. I would 'twere bedtimeHaland all well.
Prince. Whythou owest God a death.


Exit.
Fal. 'Tis not due yet. I would be loath to pay him before his
day.
What need I be so forward with him that calls not on me?
Well
'tis no matter; honour pricks me on. Yeabut how if honour
prick
me off when I come on? How then? Can honor set to a leg? No.
Or
an arm? No. Or take away the grief of a wound? No. Honour
hath no
skill in surgery then? No. What is honour? A word. What is
that
word honour? Air. A trim reckoning! Who hath it? He that died

a
Wednesday. Doth he feel it? No. Doth be bear it? No. 'Tis
insensible then? Yeato the dead. But will it not live with

the
living? No. Why? Detraction will not suffer it. Therefore
I'll

none of it. Honour is a mere scutcheon- and so ends my
catechism.
Exit.

Scene II.
The rebel camp.


Enter Worcester and Sir Richard Vernon.


Wor. O nomy nephew must not knowSir Richard

The liberal and kind offer of the King.
Ver. 'Twere best he did.
Wor. Then are we all undone.


It is not possibleit cannot be
The King should keep his word in loving us.
He will suspect us still and find a time



To punish this offence in other faults.
Suspicion all our lives shall be stuck full of eyes;
For treason is but trusted like the fox
Whone'er so tameso cherish'd and lock'd up
Will have a wild trick of his ancestors.
Look how we canor sad or merrily
Interpretation will misquote our looks
And we shall feed like oxen at a stall
The better cherish'dstill the nearer death.
My nephew's trespass may be well forgot;
It hath the excuse of youth and heat of blood
And an adopted name of privilege-
A hare-brained Hotspur govern'd by a spleen.
All his offences live upon my head
And on his father's. We did train him on;
Andhis corruption being taken from us
Weas the spring of allshall pay for all.
Thereforegood cousinlet not Harry know
In any casethe offer of the King.


Enter Hotspur [and Douglas].

Ver. Deliver what you willI'll say 'tis so.
Here comes your cousin.


Hot. My uncle is return'd.
Deliver up my Lord of Westmoreland.
Unclewhat news?


Wor. The King will bid you battle presently.
Doug. Defy him by the Lord Of Westmoreland.
Hot. Lord Douglasgo you and tell him so.
Doug. Marryand shalland very willingly.


Exit.
Wor. There is no seeming mercy in the King.
Hot. Did you beg anyGod forbid!
Wor. I told him gently of our grievances

Of his oath-breaking; which he mended thus
By now forswearing that he is forsworn.
He calls us rebelstraitorsaid will scourge
With haughty arms this hateful name in us.


Enter Douglas.

Doug. Armgentlemen! to arms! for I have thrown
A brave defiance in King Henry's teeth
And Westmorelandthat was engag'ddid bear it;
Which cannot choose but bring him quickly on.


Wor. The Prince of Wales stepp'd forth before the King
Andnephewchalleng'd you to single fight.

Hot. Owould the quarrel lay upon our heads
And that no man might draw short breath to-day
But I and Harry Monmouth! Tell metell me
How show'd his tasking? Seem'd it in contempt?
Noby my soul. I never in my life
Did hear a challenge urg'd more modestly
Unless a brother should a brother dare
To gentle exercise and proof of arms.
He gave you all the duties of a man;
Trimm'd up your praises with a princely tongue;
Spoke your deservings like a chronicle;
Making you ever better than his praise
By still dispraising praise valued with you;
Andwhich became him like a prince indeed
He made a blushing cital of himself
And chid his truant youth with such a grace



As if lie mast'red there a double spirit
Of teaching and of learning instantly.
There did he pause; but let me tell the world
If he outlive the envy of this day
England did never owe so sweet a hope
So much misconstrued in his wantonness.


Hot. CousinI think thou art enamoured
Upon his follies. Never did I hear
Of any prince so wild a libertine.
But be he as he willyet once ere night
I will embrace him with a soldier's arm
That he shall shrink under my courtesy.
Armarm with speed! andfellowssoldiersfriends
Better consider what you have to do
Than Ithat have not well the gift of tongue
Can lift your blood up with persuasion.


Enter a Messenger.

Mess. My lordhere are letters for you.

Hot. I cannot read them now.-
O gentlementhe time of life is short!
To spend that shortness basely were too long
If life did ride upon a dial's point
Still ending at the arrival of an hour.
An if we livewe live to tread on kings;
If diebrave deathwhen princes die with us!
Now for our consciencesthe arms are fair
When the intent of bearing them is just.


Enter another Messenger.

Mess. My lordprepare. The King comes on apace.

Hot. I thank him that he cuts me from my tale
For I profess not talking. Only this-
Let each man do his best; and here draw I
A sword whose temper I intend to stain
With the best blood that I can meet withal
In the adventure of this perilous day.
NowEsperance! Percy! and set on.
Sound all the lofty instruments of war
And by that music let us all embrace;
Forheaven to earthsome of us never shall
A second time do such a courtesy.


Here they embrace. The trumpets sound.
[Exeunt.]

Scene III.
Plain between the camps.


The King enters with his Power. Alarum to the battle. Then
enter Douglas
and Sir Walter Blunt.


Blunt. What is thy namethat in the battle thus
Thou crossest me? What honour dost thou seek
Upon my head?


Doug. Know then my name is Douglas
And I do haunt thee in the battle thus
Because some tell me that thou art a king.


Blunt. They tell thee true.


Doug. The Lord of Stafford dear to-day hath bought
Thy likeness; for instead of theeKing Harry
This sword hath ended him. So shall it thee
Unless thou yield thee as my prisoner.


Blunt. I was not born a yielderthou proud Scot;
And thou shalt find a king that will revenge
Lord Stafford's death.


They fight. Douglas kills Blunt. Then enter Hotspur.

Hot. O Douglashadst thou fought at Holmedon thus

I never had triumph'd upon a Scot.
Doug. All's doneall's won. Here breathless lies the King.
Hot. Where?
Doug. Here.
Hot. ThisDouglas? No. I know this face full well.


A gallant knight he washis name was Blunt;
Semblably furnish'd like the King himself.


Doug. A fool go with thy soulwhither it goes!
A borrowed title hast thou bought too dear:
Why didst thou tell me that thou wert a king?


Hot. The King hath many marching in his coats.

Doug. Nowby my swordI will kill all his coats;
I'll murder all his wardroppiece by piece
Until I meet the King.


Hot. Up and away!
Our soldiers stand full fairly for the day.
Exeunt.

Alarum. Enter Falstaff solus.

Fal. Though I could scape shot-free at LondonI fear the shot
here. Here's no scoring but upon the pate. Soft! who are you?
Sir Walter Blunt. There's honour for you! Here's no vanity! I

am
as hot as molten leadand as heavy too. God keep lead out of

me!
I need no more weight than mine own bowels. I have led my
rag-of-muffins where they are pepper'd. There's not three of

my
hundred and fifty left alive; and they are for the town's
endto
beg during life. But who comes here?

Enter the Prince.

Prince. Whatstand'st thou idle here? Lend me thy sword.
Many a nobleman lies stark and stiff
Under the hoofs of vaunting enemies
Whose deaths are yet unreveng'd. I prithee
Rend me thy sword.


Fal. O HalI prithee give me leave to breathe awhile. Turk
Gregory
never did such deeds in arms as I have done this day. I have
paid
Percy; I have made him sure.
Prince. He is indeedand living to kill thee.
I prithee lend me thy sword.
Fal. Naybefore GodHalif Percy be alivethou get'st not
my

sword; but take my pistolif thou wilt.
Prince. Give it me. Whatis it in the case?
Fal. AyHal. 'Tis hot'tis hot. There's that will sack a


city.


The Prince draws it out and finds it to he a bottle of sack.

Whatis it a time to jest and dally now?
He throws the bottle at him. Exit.
Fal. Wellif Percy be aliveI'll pierce him. If he do come in
my
wayso; if he do notif I come in his willinglylet him
make a
carbonado of me. I like not such grinning honour as Sir
Walter
hath. Give me life; which if I can saveso; if nothonour
comes
unlook'd forand there's an end. Exit.

Scene IV.
Another part of the field.


Alarum. Excursions. Enter the Kingthe PrinceLord John of
Lancaster
Earl of Westmoreland


King. I prithee
Harrywithdraw thyself; thou bleedest too much.
Lord John of Lancastergo you unto him.


John. Not Imy lordunless I did bleed too.
Prince. I do beseech your Majesty make up
Lest your retirement do amaze your friends.
King. I will do so.


My Lord of Westmorelandlead him to his tent.
West. Comemy lordI'll lead you to your tent.
Prince. Lead memy lordI do not need your help;


And God forbid a shallow scratch should drive
The Prince of Wales from such a field as this
Where stain'd nobility lies trodden on
And rebels' arms triumph in massacres!


John. We breathe too long. Comecousin Westmoreland
Our duty this way lies. For God's sakecome.
[Exeunt Prince John and Westmoreland.]

Prince. By Godthou hast deceiv'd meLancaster!
I did not think thee lord of such a spirit.
BeforeI lov'd thee as a brotherJohn;
But nowI do respect thee as my soul.


King. I saw him hold Lord Percy at the point
With lustier maintenance than I did look for
Of such an ungrown warrior.


Prince. Othis boy
Lends mettle to us all! Exit.

Enter Douglas.

Doug. Another king? They grow like Hydra's heads.
I am the Douglasfatal to all those
That wear those colours on them. What art thou
That counterfeit'st the person of a king?


King. The King himselfwhoDouglasgrieves at heart
So many of his shadows thou hast met
And not the very King. I have two boys
Seek Percy and thyself about the field;
Butseeing thou fall'st on me so luckily
I will assay thee. So defend thyself.



Doug. I fear thou art another counterfeit;
And yetin faiththou bearest thee like a king.
But mine I am sure thou artwhoe'er thou be
And thus I win thee.


They fight. The King being in dangerenter Prince of Wales.

Prince. Hold up thy headvile Scotor thou art like
Never to hold it up again! The spirits
Of valiant ShirleyStaffordBlunt are in my arms.
It is the Prince of Wales that threatens thee
Who never promiseth but he means to pay.


They fight. Douglas flieth.
Cheerlymy lord. How fares your Grace?
Sir Nicholas Gawsey hath for succour sent
And so hath Clifton. I'll to Clifton straight.

King. Stay and breathe awhile.
Thou hast redeem'd thy lost opinion
And show'd thou mak'st some tender of my life
In this fair rescue thou hast brought to me.


Prince. O God! they did me too much injury
That ever said I heark'ned for your death.
If it were soI might have let alone
The insulting hand of Douglas over you
Which would have been as speedy in your end
As all the poisonous potions in the world
And sav'd the treacherous labour of your son.


King. Make up to Clifton; I'll to Sir Nicholas Gawsey.
Exit.

Enter Hotspur.

Hot. If I mistake notthou art Harry Monmouth.
Prince. Thou speak'st as if I would deny my name.
Hot. My name is Harry Percy.
Prince. Whythen I see


A very valiant rebel of the name.
I am the Prince of Wales; and think notPercy
To share with me in glory any more.
Two stars keep not their motion in one sphere
Nor can one England brook a double reign
Of Harry Percy and the Prince of Wales.


Hot. Nor shall itHarry; for the hour is come
To end the one of us and would to God
Thy name in arms were now as great as mine!


Prince. I'll make it greater ere I part from thee
And all the budding honours on thy crest
I'll crop to make a garland for my head.


Hot. I can no longer brook thy vanities.
They fight.

Enter Falstaff.

Fal. Well saidHal! to itHal! Nayyou shall find no boy's
play
hereI can tell you.

Enter Douglas. He fighteth with Falstaffwho falls down as if

he were dead. [Exit Douglas.] The Prince killeth Percy.

Hot. O Harrythou hast robb'd me of my youth!
I better brook the loss of brittle life



Than those proud titles thou hast won of me.

They wound my thoughts worse than thy sword my flesh.

But thoughts the slaveof lifeand life time's fool

And timethat takes survey of all the world

Must have a stop. OI could prophesy

But that the earthy and cold hand of death

Lies on my tongue. NoPercythou art dust

And food for-[Dies.]

Prince. For wormsbrave Percy. Fare thee wellgreat heart!

Ill-weav'd ambitionhow much art thou shrunk!

When that this body did contain a spirit

A kingdom for it was too small a bound;

But now two paces of the vilest earth

Is room enough. This earth that bears thee dead

Bears not alive so stout a gentleman.

If thou wert sensible of courtesy

I should not make so dear a show of zeal.

But let my favours hide thy mangled face;

Andeven in thy behalfI'll thank myself

For doing these fair rites of tenderness.

Adieuand take thy praise with thee to heaven!

Thy ignominy sleep with thee in the grave

But not rememb'red in thy epitaph!

He spieth Falstaff on the ground.

Whatold acquaintance? Could not all this flesh

Keep in a little life? Poor Jackfarewell!

I could have better spar'd a better man.

OI should have a heavy miss of thee

If I were much in love with vanity!

Death hath not struck so fat a deer to-day

Though many dearerin this bloody fray.

Embowell'd will I see thee by-and-by;

Till then in blood by noble Percy lie. Exit.

Falstaff riseth up.

Fal. Embowell'd? If thou embowel me to-dayI'll give you leave
to

powder me and eat me too to-morrow. 'Sblood'twas time to

counterfeitor that hot termagant Scot had paid me scot and
lot

too. Counterfeit? I lie; I am no counterfeit. To die is to be
a

counterfeit; for he is but the counterfeit of a man who hath
not

the life of a man; but to counterfeit dying when a man
thereby

livethis to be no counterfeitbut the true and perfect
image

of life indeed. The better part of valour is discretion; in
the

which better part I have saved my life. ZoundsI am afraid
of

this gunpowder Percythough he be dead. How if he should

counterfeit tooand rise? By my faithI am afraid he would

prove the better counterfeit. Therefore I'll make him sure;
yea

and I'll swear I kill'd him. Why may not he rise as well as
I?

Nothing confutes me but eyesand nobody sees me. Therefore

sirrah [stabs him]with a new wound in your thighcome you

along with me.

He takes up Hotspur on his back. [Enter Princeand John of


Lancaster.

Prince. Comebrother John; full bravely hast thou flesh'd
Thy maiden sword.
John. Butsoft! whom have we here?
Did you not tell me this fat man was dead?


Prince. I did; I saw him dead
Breathless and bleeding on the ground. Art thou alive
Or is it fantasy that plays upon our eyesight?
I prithee speak. We will not trust our eyes
Without our ears. Thou art not what thou seem'st.


Fal. Nothat's certain! I am not a double man; but if I be not
Jack Falstaffthen am I a Jack. There 's Percy. If your
father
will do me any honourso; if notlet him kill the next
Percy

himself. I look to be either earl or dukeI can assure you.
Prince. WhyPercy I kill'd myselfand saw thee dead!
Fal. Didst thou? LordLordhow this world is given to lying!

I
grant you I was downand out of breathand so was he; but

we
rose both at an instant and fought a long hour by Shrewsbury
clock. If I may be believ'dso; if notlet them that should
reward valour bear the sin upon their own heads. I'll take it
upon my deathI gave him this wound in the thigh. If the man

were alive and would deny itzounds! I would make him eat a

piece of my sword.
John. This is the strangest tale that ever I beard.
Prince. This is the strangest fellowbrother John.


Comebring your luggage nobly on your back.
For my partif a lie may do thee grace
I'll gild it with the happiest terms I have.


A retreat is sounded.
The trumpet sounds retreat; the day is ours.
Comebrotherlet's to the highest of the field
To see what friends are livingwho are dead.

Exeunt [Prince Henry and Prince John].
Fal. I'll followas they sayfor reward. He that rewards me
God
reward him! If I do grow greatI'll grow less; for I'll
purge
and leave sackand live cleanlyas a nobleman should do.
Exit [bearing off the body].

Scene V.
Another part of the field.


The trumpets sound. [Enter the KingPrince of WalesLord John
of Lancaster
Earl of Westmorelandwith Worcester and Vernon prisoners.


King. Thus ever did rebellion find rebuke.
Ill-spirited Worcester! did not we send grace
Pardonand terms of love to all of you?
And wouldst thou turn our offers contrary?
Misuse the tenour of thy kinsman's trust?
Three knights upon our party slain to-day
A noble earland many a creature else



Had been alive this hour
If like a Christian thou hadst truly borne
Betwixt our armies true intelligence.


Wor. What I have done my safety urg'd me to;
And I embrace this fortune patiently
Since not to be avoided it fails on me.


King. Bear Worcester to the deathand Vernon too;
Other offenders we will pause upon.
Exeunt Worcester and Vernon[guarded].
How goes the field?

Prince. The noble ScotLord Douglaswhen he saw
The fortune of the day quite turn'd from him
The Noble Percy slain and all his men
Upon the foot of fearfled with the rest;
And falling from a hillhe was so bruis'd
That the pursuers took him. At my tent
The Douglas isand I beseech Your Grace
I may dispose of him.


King. With all my heart.

Prince. Then brother John of Lancasterto you
This honourable bounty shall belong.
Go to the Douglas and deliver him
Up to his pleasureransomless and free.
His valour shown upon our crests today
Hath taught us how to cherish such high deeds
Even in the bosom of our adversaries.


John. I thank your Grace for this high courtesy
Which I shall give away immediately.


King. Then this remainsthat we divide our power.
Youson Johnand my cousin Westmoreland
Towards York shall bend you with your dearest speed
To meet Northumberland and the prelate Scroop
Whoas we hearare busily in arms.
Myself and youson Harrywill towards Wales
To fight with Glendower and the Earl of March.
Rebellion in this laud shall lose his sway
Meeting the check of such another day;
And since this business so fair is done
Let us not leave till all our own be won.


Exeunt.

THE END