Great Britain -- History -- Henry IV, 1399-1413 -- Drama; Henry IV, King of England, 1367-1413 -- Drama; Historical drama
Kendal green came at my back and let drive at me; for it was
so
dark, Hal, that thou couldst not see thy hand.
Prince. These lies are like their father that begets them-
gross as
a mountain, open, palpable. Why, thou clay-brain'd guts, thou
knotty-pated fool, thou whoreson obscene greasy tallow-catch-
Fal. What, art thou mad? art thou mad? Is not the truth the
truth?
Prince. Why, how couldst thou know these men in Kendal green
when
it was so dark thou couldst not see thy hand? Come, tell us
your
reason. What sayest thou to this?
Poins. Come, your reason, Jack, your reason.
Fal. What, upon compulsion? Zounds, an I were at the strappado
or
all the racks in the world, I would not tell you on
compulsion.
Give you a reason on compulsion? If reasons were as plentiful
as
blackberries, I would give no man a reason upon compulsion,
I.
Prince. I'll be no longer guilty, of this sin; this sanguine
coward, this bed-presser, this horseback-breaker, this huge
hill
of flesh-
Fal. 'Sblood, you starveling, you elf-skin, you dried
neat's-tongue, you bull's sizzle, you stockfish- O for breath
to
utter what is like thee!- you tailor's yard, you sheath, you
bowcase, you vile standing tuck!
Prince. Well, breathe awhile, and then to it again; and when
thou
hast tired thyself in base comparisons, hear me speak but
this.
Poins. Mark, Jack.
Prince. We two saw you four set on four, and 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 and, with a word,
outfac'd
you from your prize, and have it; yea, and can show it you
here
in the house. And, Falstaff, you carried your guts away as
nimbly, with as quick dexterity, and roar'd for mercy, and
still
run and roar'd, as ever I heard bullcalf. What a slave art
thou
to hack thy sword as thou hast done, and then say it was in
fight! What trick, what device, what starting hole canst thou
now
find out to hide thee from this open and apparent shame?
Poins. Come, let's hear, Jack. What trick hast thou now?
Fal. By the Lord, I knew ye as well as he that made ye. Why,
hear
you, my masters. Was it for me to kill the heir apparent?
Should
I turn upon the true prince? Why, thou 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 myself, and thee,
during my
life- I for a valiant lion, and thou for a true prince. But,
by
the Lord, lads, I am glad you have the money. Hostess, clap
to
the doors. Watch to-night, pray to-morrow. Gallants, lads,
boys,
hearts of gold, all the titles of good fellowship come to
you!
What, shall we be merry? Shall we have a play extempore?
Prince. Content- and the argument shall be thy running away.
Fal. Ah, no more of that, Hal, an thou lovest me!
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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