Folger Shakespeare Library

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Contents

Front Matter |
ACT 1 |
ACT 2 |
ACT 3 |
ACT 4 |
ACT 5 |

From the Director of the Folger Shakespeare Library

It is hard to imagine a world without Shakespeare. Since their composition four hundred years ago, Shakespeare’s plays and poems have traveled the globe, inviting those who see and read his works to make them their own.

Readers of the New Folger Editions are part of this ongoing process of “taking up Shakespeare,” finding our own thoughts and feelings in language that strikes us as old or unusual and, for that very reason, new. We still struggle to keep up with a writer who could think a mile a minute, whose words paint pictures that shift like clouds. These expertly edited texts are presented to the public as a resource for study, artistic adaptation, and enjoyment. By making the classic texts of the New Folger Editions available in electronic form as Folger Digital Texts, we place a trusted resource in the hands of anyone who wants them.

The New Folger Editions of Shakespeare’s plays, which are the basis for the texts realized here in digital form, are special because of their origin. The Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, DC, is the single greatest documentary source of Shakespeare’s works. An unparalleled collection of early modern books, manuscripts, and artwork connected to Shakespeare, the Folger’s holdings have been consulted extensively in the preparation of these texts. The Editions also reflect the expertise gained through the regular performance of Shakespeare’s works in the Folger’s Elizabethan Theater.

I want to express my deep thanks to editors Barbara Mowat and Paul Werstine for creating these indispensable editions of Shakespeare’s works, which incorporate the best of textual scholarship with a richness of commentary that is both inspired and engaging. Readers who want to know more about Shakespeare and his plays can follow the paths these distinguished scholars have tread by visiting the Folger either in-person or online, where a range of physical and digital resources exists to supplement the material in these texts. I commend to you these words, and hope that they inspire.

Michael Witmore
Director, Folger Shakespeare Library

Textual Introduction
By Barbara Mowat and Paul Werstine

Until now, with the release of the Folger Digital Texts, readers in search of a free online text of Shakespeare’s plays had to be content primarily with using the Moby™ Text, which reproduces a late-nineteenth century version of the plays. What is the difference? Many ordinary readers assume that there is a single text for the plays: what Shakespeare wrote. But Shakespeare’s plays were not published the way modern novels or plays are published today: as a single, authoritative text. In some cases, the plays have come down to us in multiple published versions, represented by various Quartos (Qq) and by the great collection put together by his colleagues in 1623, called the First Folio (F). There are, for example, three very different versions of Hamlet, two of King Lear, Henry V, Romeo and Juliet, and others. Editors choose which version to use as their base text, and then amend that text with words, lines or speech prefixes from the other versions that, in their judgment, make for a better or more accurate text.

Other editorial decisions involve choices about whether an unfamiliar word could be understood in light of other writings of the period or whether it should be changed; decisions about words that made it into Shakespeare’s text by accident through four hundred years of printings and misprinting; and even decisions based on cultural preference and taste. When the Moby™ Text was created, for example, it was deemed “improper” and “indecent” for Miranda to chastise Caliban for having attempted to rape her. (See The Tempest, 1.2: “Abhorred slave,/Which any print of goodness wilt not take,/Being capable of all ill! I pitied thee…”). All Shakespeare editors at the time took the speech away from her and gave it to her father, Prospero.

The editors of the Moby™ Shakespeare produced their text long before scholars fully understood the proper grounds on which to make the thousands of decisions that Shakespeare editors face. The Folger Library Shakespeare Editions, on which the Folger Digital Texts depend, make this editorial process as nearly transparent as is possible, in contrast to older texts, like the Moby™, which hide editorial interventions. The reader of the Folger Shakespeare knows where the text has been altered because editorial interventions are signaled by square brackets (for example, from Othello: “If she in chains of magic were not bound,”), half-square brackets (for example, from Henry V: “With blood and sword and fire to win your right,”), or angle brackets (for example, from Hamlet: “O farewell, honest soldier. Who hath relieved/you?”). At any point in the text, you can hover your cursor over a bracket for more information.

Because the Folger Digital Texts are edited in accord with twenty-first century knowledge about Shakespeare’s texts, the Folger here provides them to readers, scholars, teachers, actors, directors, and students, free of charge, confident of their quality as texts of the plays and pleased to be able to make this contribution to the study and enjoyment of Shakespeare.

Synopsis

Henry IV, Part 1, culminates in the battle of Shrewsbury between the king’s army and rebels seeking his crown. The dispute begins when Hotspur, the son of Northumberland, breaks with the king over the fate of his brother-in-law, Mortimer, a Welsh prisoner. Hotspur, Northumberland, and Hotspur’s uncle Worcester plan to take the throne, later allying with Mortimer and a Welsh leader, Glendower.

As that conflict develops, Prince Hal—Henry IV’s son and heir—carouses in a tavern and plots to trick the roguish Sir John Falstaff and his henchmen, who are planning a highway robbery. Hal and a companion will rob them of their loot—then wait for Falstaff’s lying boasts. The trick succeeds, but Prince Hal is summoned to war.

In the war, Hal saves his father’s life and then kills Hotspur, actions that help to redeem his bad reputation. Falstaff, meanwhile, cheats his soldiers, whom he leads to slaughter, and takes credit for Hotspur’s death.

Characters in the Play
King Henry IV, formerly Henry Bolingbroke
Prince Hal, Prince of Wales and heir to the throne (also
called Harry and Harry Monmouth)
Lord John of Lancaster, younger son of King Henry
Earl of Westmoreland
Sir Walter Blunt
Hotspur (Sir Henry, or Harry, Percy)
Lady Percy (also called Kate)
Earl of Northumberland, Henry Percy, Hotspur’s father
Earl of Worcester, Thomas Percy, Hotspur’s uncle
Edmund Mortimer, earl of March
Lady Mortimer (also called “the Welsh lady”)
Owen Glendower, a Welsh lord, father of Lady Mortimer
Douglas (Archibald, earl of Douglas)
Archbishop (Richard Scroop, archbishop of York)
Sir Michael, a priest or knight associated with the archbishop
Sir Richard Vernon, an English knight
Sir John Falstaff
Poins (also called Edward, Yedward, and Ned)
Bardolph
Peto
Gadshill, setter for the robbers
Hostess of the tavern (also called Mistress Quickly)
Vintner, or keeper of the tavern
Francis, an apprentice tapster
Carriers, Ostlers, Chamberlain, Travelers, Sheriff, Servants, Lords, Attendants, Messengers, Soldiers

ACT 1
Scene 1
Enter the King, Lord John of Lancaster, and the Earl
of Westmoreland, with others.
KING
FTLN 0001 So shaken as we are, so wan with care,
FTLN 0002 Find we a time for frighted peace to pant
FTLN 0003 And breathe short-winded accents of new broils
FTLN 0004 To be commenced in strands afar remote.
FTLN 0005 5 No more the thirsty entrance of this soil
FTLN 0006 Shall daub her lips with her own children’s blood.
FTLN 0007 No more shall trenching war channel her fields,
FTLN 0008 Nor bruise her flow’rets with the armèd hoofs
FTLN 0009 Of hostile paces. Those opposèd eyes,
FTLN 0010 10 Which, like the meteors of a troubled heaven,
FTLN 0011 All of one nature, of one substance bred,
FTLN 0012 Did lately meet in the intestine shock
FTLN 0013 And furious close of civil butchery,
FTLN 0014 Shall now, in mutual well-beseeming ranks,
FTLN 0015 15 March all one way and be no more opposed
FTLN 0016 Against acquaintance, kindred, and allies.
FTLN 0017 The edge of war, like an ill-sheathèd knife,
FTLN 0018 No more shall cut his master. Therefore, friends,
FTLN 0019 As far as to the sepulcher of Christ—
FTLN 0020 20 Whose soldier now, under whose blessèd cross
FTLN 0021 We are impressèd and engaged to fight—
7

9
Henry IV, Part I
ACT 1. SC. 1
FTLN 0022 Forthwith a power of English shall we levy,
FTLN 0023 Whose arms were molded in their mothers’ womb
FTLN 0024 To chase these pagans in those holy fields
FTLN 0025 25 Over whose acres walked those blessèd feet
FTLN 0026 Which fourteen hundred years ago were nailed
FTLN 0027 For our advantage on the bitter cross.
FTLN 0028 But this our purpose now is twelve month old,
FTLN 0029 And bootless ’tis to tell you we will go.
FTLN 0030 30 Therefor we meet not now. Then let me hear
FTLN 0031 Of you, my gentle cousin Westmoreland,
FTLN 0032 What yesternight our council did decree
FTLN 0033 In forwarding this dear expedience.
WESTMORELAND
FTLN 0034 My liege, this haste was hot in question,
FTLN 0035 35 And many limits of the charge set down
FTLN 0036 But yesternight, when all athwart there came
FTLN 0037 A post from Wales loaden with heavy news,
FTLN 0038 Whose worst was that the noble Mortimer,
FTLN 0039 Leading the men of Herefordshire to fight
FTLN 0040 40 Against the irregular and wild Glendower,
FTLN 0041 Was by the rude hands of that Welshman taken,
FTLN 0042 A thousand of his people butcherèd,
FTLN 0043 Upon whose dead corpse there was such misuse,
FTLN 0044 Such beastly shameless transformation
FTLN 0045 45 By those Welshwomen done, as may not be
FTLN 0046 Without much shame retold or spoken of.
KING
FTLN 0047 It seems then that the tidings of this broil
FTLN 0048 Brake off our business for the Holy Land.
WESTMORELAND
FTLN 0049 This matched with other did, my gracious lord.
FTLN 0050 50 For more uneven and unwelcome news
FTLN 0051 Came from the north, and thus it did import:
FTLN 0052 On Holy-rood Day the gallant Hotspur there,
FTLN 0053 Young Harry Percy, and brave Archibald,
FTLN 0054 That ever valiant and approvèd Scot,

11
Henry IV, Part I
ACT 1. SC. 1
FTLN 0055 55 At Holmedon met, where they did spend
FTLN 0056 A sad and bloody hour—
FTLN 0057 As by discharge of their artillery
FTLN 0058 And shape of likelihood the news was told,
FTLN 0059 For he that brought them, in the very heat
FTLN 0060 60 And pride of their contention did take horse,
FTLN 0061 Uncertain of the issue any way.
KING
FTLN 0062 Here is a dear, a true-industrious friend,
FTLN 0063 Sir Walter Blunt, new lighted from his horse,
FTLN 0064 Stained with the variation of each soil
FTLN 0065 65 Betwixt that Holmedon and this seat of ours,
FTLN 0066 And he hath brought us smooth and welcome news.
FTLN 0067 The Earl of Douglas is discomfited;
FTLN 0068 Ten thousand bold Scots, two-and-twenty knights,
FTLN 0069 Balked in their own blood, did Sir Walter see
FTLN 0070 70 On Holmedon’s plains. Of prisoners Hotspur took
FTLN 0071 Mordake, Earl of Fife and eldest son
FTLN 0072 To beaten Douglas, and the Earl of Atholl,
FTLN 0073 Of Murray, Angus, and Menteith.
FTLN 0074 And is not this an honorable spoil?
FTLN 0075 75 A gallant prize? Ha, cousin, is it not?
WESTMORELAND
FTLN 0076 In faith, it is a conquest for a prince to boast of.
KING
FTLN 0077 Yea, there thou mak’st me sad, and mak’st me sin
FTLN 0078 In envy that my Lord Northumberland
FTLN 0079 Should be the father to so blest a son,
FTLN 0080 80 A son who is the theme of Honor’s tongue,
FTLN 0081 Amongst a grove the very straightest plant,
FTLN 0082 Who is sweet Fortune’s minion and her pride;
FTLN 0083 Whilst I, by looking on the praise of him,
FTLN 0084 See riot and dishonor stain the brow
FTLN 0085 85 Of my young Harry. O, that it could be proved
FTLN 0086 That some night-tripping fairy had exchanged
FTLN 0087 In cradle-clothes our children where they lay,

13
Henry IV, Part I
ACT 1. SC. 2
FTLN 0088 And called mine “Percy,” his “Plantagenet”!
FTLN 0089 Then would I have his Harry, and he mine.
FTLN 0090 90 But let him from my thoughts. What think you, coz,
FTLN 0091 Of this young Percy’s pride? The prisoners
FTLN 0092 Which he in this adventure hath surprised
FTLN 0093 To his own use he keeps, and sends me word
FTLN 0094 I shall have none but Mordake, Earl of Fife.
WESTMORELAND
FTLN 0095 95 This is his uncle’s teaching. This is Worcester,
FTLN 0096 Malevolent to you in all aspects,
FTLN 0097 Which makes him prune himself, and bristle up
FTLN 0098 The crest of youth against your dignity.
KING
FTLN 0099 But I have sent for him to answer this.
FTLN 0100 100 And for this cause awhile we must neglect
FTLN 0101 Our holy purpose to Jerusalem.
FTLN 0102 Cousin, on Wednesday next our council we
FTLN 0103 Will hold at Windsor. So inform the lords.
FTLN 0104 But come yourself with speed to us again,
FTLN 0105 105 For more is to be said and to be done
FTLN 0106 Than out of anger can be utterèd.
WESTMORELAND FTLN 0107 I will, my liege.
They exit.
Scene 2
Enter Prince of Wales, and Sir John Falstaff.
FALSTAFF FTLN 0108 Now, Hal, what time of day is it, lad?
PRINCE FTLN 0109 Thou art so fat-witted with drinking of old
FTLN 0110 sack, and unbuttoning thee after supper, and
FTLN 0111 sleeping upon benches after noon, that thou hast
FTLN 0112 5 forgotten to demand that truly which thou wouldst
FTLN 0113 truly know. What a devil hast thou to do with
FTLN 0114 the time of the day? Unless hours were cups of
FTLN 0115 sack, and minutes capons, and clocks the tongues

15
Henry IV, Part I
ACT 1. SC. 2
FTLN 0116 of bawds, and dials the signs of leaping-houses,
FTLN 0117 10 and the blessed sun himself a fair hot wench in
FTLN 0118 flame-colored taffeta, I see no reason why thou
FTLN 0119 shouldst be so superfluous to demand the time
FTLN 0120 of the day.
FALSTAFF FTLN 0121 Indeed, you come near me now, Hal, for we
FTLN 0122 15 that take purses go by the moon and the seven
FTLN 0123 stars, and not by Phoebus, he, that wand’ring
FTLN 0124 knight so fair. And I prithee, sweet wag, when thou
FTLN 0125 art king, as God save thy Grace—Majesty, I should
FTLN 0126 say, for grace thou wilt have none—
PRINCE FTLN 0127 20 What, none?
FALSTAFF FTLN 0128 No, by my troth, not so much as will serve to
FTLN 0129 be prologue to an egg and butter.
PRINCE FTLN 0130 Well, how then? Come, roundly, roundly.
FALSTAFF FTLN 0131 Marry then, sweet wag, when thou art king,
FTLN 0132 25 let not us that are squires of the night’s body be
FTLN 0133 called thieves of the day’s beauty. Let us be Diana’s
FTLN 0134 foresters, gentlemen of the shade, minions of the
FTLN 0135 moon, and let men say we be men of good government,
FTLN 0136 being governed, as the sea is, by our noble
FTLN 0137 30 and chaste mistress the moon, under whose countenance
FTLN 0138 we steal.
PRINCE FTLN 0139 Thou sayest well, and it holds well too, for the
FTLN 0140 fortune of us that are the moon’s men doth ebb and
FTLN 0141 flow like the sea, being governed, as the sea is, by
FTLN 0142 35 the moon. As for proof now: a purse of gold most
FTLN 0143 resolutely snatched on Monday night and most
FTLN 0144 dissolutely spent on Tuesday morning, got with
FTLN 0145 swearing “Lay by” and spent with crying “Bring
FTLN 0146 in”; now in as low an ebb as the foot of the ladder,
FTLN 0147 40 and by and by in as high a flow as the ridge of the
FTLN 0148 gallows.
FALSTAFF FTLN 0149 By the Lord, thou sayst true, lad. And is not
FTLN 0150 my hostess of the tavern a most sweet wench?

17
Henry IV, Part I
ACT 1. SC. 2
PRINCE FTLN 0151 As the honey of Hybla, my old lad of the castle.
FTLN 0152 45 And is not a buff jerkin a most sweet robe of
FTLN 0153 durance?
FALSTAFF FTLN 0154 How now, how now, mad wag? What, in thy
FTLN 0155 quips and thy quiddities? What a plague have I to
FTLN 0156 do with a buff jerkin?
PRINCE FTLN 0157 50 Why, what a pox have I to do with my hostess
FTLN 0158 of the tavern?
FALSTAFF FTLN 0159 Well, thou hast called her to a reckoning
FTLN 0160 many a time and oft.
PRINCE FTLN 0161 Did I ever call for thee to pay thy part?
FALSTAFF FTLN 0162 55 No, I’ll give thee thy due. Thou hast paid all
FTLN 0163 there.
PRINCE FTLN 0164 Yea, and elsewhere, so far as my coin would
FTLN 0165 stretch, and where it would not, I have used my
FTLN 0166 credit.
FALSTAFF FTLN 0167 60 Yea, and so used it that were it not here
FTLN 0168 apparent that thou art heir apparent—But I prithee,
FTLN 0169 sweet wag, shall there be gallows standing in
FTLN 0170 England when thou art king? And resolution thus
FTLN 0171 fubbed as it is with the rusty curb of old father Antic
FTLN 0172 65 the law? Do not thou, when thou art king, hang a
FTLN 0173 thief.
PRINCE FTLN 0174 No, thou shalt.
FALSTAFF FTLN 0175 Shall I? O rare! By the Lord, I’ll be a brave
FTLN 0176 judge.
PRINCE FTLN 0177 70 Thou judgest false already. I mean thou shalt
FTLN 0178 have the hanging of the thieves, and so become a
FTLN 0179 rare hangman.
FALSTAFF FTLN 0180 Well, Hal, well, and in some sort it jumps
FTLN 0181 with my humor as well as waiting in the court, I
FTLN 0182 75 can tell you.
PRINCE FTLN 0183 For obtaining of suits?
FALSTAFF FTLN 0184 Yea, for obtaining of suits, whereof the hangman
FTLN 0185 hath no lean wardrobe. ’Sblood, I am as
FTLN 0186 melancholy as a gib cat or a lugged bear.

19
Henry IV, Part I
ACT 1. SC. 2
PRINCE FTLN 0187 80 Or an old lion, or a lover’s lute.
FALSTAFF FTLN 0188 Yea, or the drone of a Lincolnshire bagpipe.
PRINCE FTLN 0189 What sayest thou to a hare, or the melancholy
FTLN 0190 of Moorditch?
FALSTAFF FTLN 0191 Thou hast the most unsavory similes, and
FTLN 0192 85 art indeed the most comparative, rascaliest, sweet
FTLN 0193 young prince. But, Hal, I prithee trouble me no
FTLN 0194 more with vanity. I would to God thou and I knew
FTLN 0195 where a commodity of good names were to be
FTLN 0196 bought. An old lord of the council rated me the
FTLN 0197 90 other day in the street about you, sir, but I marked
FTLN 0198 him not, and yet he talked very wisely, but I
FTLN 0199 regarded him not, and yet he talked wisely, and in
FTLN 0200 the street, too.
PRINCE FTLN 0201 Thou didst well, for wisdom cries out in the
FTLN 0202 95 streets and no man regards it.
FALSTAFF FTLN 0203 O, thou hast damnable iteration, and art
FTLN 0204 indeed able to corrupt a saint. Thou hast done
FTLN 0205 much harm upon me, Hal, God forgive thee for it.
FTLN 0206 Before I knew thee, Hal, I knew nothing, and now
FTLN 0207 100 am I, if a man should speak truly, little better than
FTLN 0208 one of the wicked. I must give over this life, and I
FTLN 0209 will give it over. By the Lord, an I do not, I am a
FTLN 0210 villain. I’ll be damned for never a king’s son in
FTLN 0211 Christendom.
PRINCE FTLN 0212 105 Where shall we take a purse tomorrow, Jack?
FALSTAFF FTLN 0213 Zounds, where thou wilt, lad. I’ll make one.
FTLN 0214 An I do not, call me villain and baffle me.
PRINCE FTLN 0215 I see a good amendment of life in thee, from
FTLN 0216 praying to purse-taking.
FALSTAFF FTLN 0217 110 Why, Hal, ’tis my vocation, Hal. ’Tis no sin
FTLN 0218 for a man to labor in his vocation.
Enter Poins.
FTLN 0219 Poins!—Now shall we know if Gadshill have set a
FTLN 0220 match. O, if men were to be saved by merit, what

21
Henry IV, Part I
ACT 1. SC. 2
FTLN 0221 hole in hell were hot enough for him? This is the
FTLN 0222 115 most omnipotent villain that ever cried “Stand!” to
FTLN 0223 a true man.
PRINCE FTLN 0224 Good morrow, Ned.
POINS FTLN 0225 Good morrow, sweet Hal.—What says Monsieur
FTLN 0226 Remorse? What says Sir John Sack-and-Sugar?
FTLN 0227 120 Jack, how agrees the devil and thee about
FTLN 0228 thy soul that thou soldest him on Good Friday last
FTLN 0229 for a cup of Madeira and a cold capon’s leg?
PRINCE FTLN 0230 Sir John stands to his word. The devil shall
FTLN 0231 have his bargain, for he was never yet a breaker of
FTLN 0232 125 proverbs. He will give the devil his due.
POINS , to Falstaff FTLN 0233 Then art thou damned for keeping
FTLN 0234 thy word with the devil.
PRINCE FTLN 0235 Else he had been damned for cozening the
FTLN 0236 devil.
POINS FTLN 0237 130 But, my lads, my lads, tomorrow morning, by
FTLN 0238 four o’clock early at Gad’s Hill, there are pilgrims
FTLN 0239 going to Canterbury with rich offerings, and traders
FTLN 0240 riding to London with fat purses. I have vizards for
FTLN 0241 you all. You have horses for yourselves. Gadshill lies
FTLN 0242 135 tonight in Rochester. I have bespoke supper tomorrow
FTLN 0243 night in Eastcheap. We may do it as secure as
FTLN 0244 sleep. If you will go, I will stuff your purses full of
FTLN 0245 crowns. If you will not, tarry at home and be
FTLN 0246 hanged.
FALSTAFF FTLN 0247 140 Hear you, Yedward, if I tarry at home and
FTLN 0248 go not, I’ll hang you for going.
POINS FTLN 0249 You will, chops?
FALSTAFF FTLN 0250 Hal, wilt thou make one?
PRINCE FTLN 0251 Who, I rob? I a thief? Not I, by my faith.
FALSTAFF FTLN 0252 145 There’s neither honesty, manhood, nor
FTLN 0253 good fellowship in thee, nor thou cam’st not of
FTLN 0254 the blood royal, if thou darest not stand for ten
FTLN 0255 shillings.
PRINCE FTLN 0256 Well then, once in my days I’ll be a madcap.
FALSTAFF FTLN 0257 150 Why, that’s well said.

23
Henry IV, Part I
ACT 1. SC. 2
PRINCE FTLN 0258 Well, come what will, I’ll tarry at home.
FALSTAFF FTLN 0259 By the Lord, I’ll be a traitor then when thou
FTLN 0260 art king.
PRINCE FTLN 0261 I care not.
POINS FTLN 0262 155 Sir John, I prithee leave the Prince and me
FTLN 0263 alone. I will lay him down such reasons for this
FTLN 0264 adventure that he shall go.
FALSTAFF FTLN 0265 Well, God give thee the spirit of persuasion,
FTLN 0266 and him the ears of profiting, that what thou
FTLN 0267 160 speakest may move, and what he hears may be
FTLN 0268 believed, that the true prince may, for recreation
FTLN 0269 sake, prove a false thief, for the poor abuses of the
FTLN 0270 time want countenance. Farewell. You shall find me
FTLN 0271 in Eastcheap.
PRINCE FTLN 0272 165 Farewell, thou latter spring. Farewell, Allhallown
FTLN 0273 summer. Falstaff exits.
POINS FTLN 0274 Now, my good sweet honey lord, ride with us
FTLN 0275 tomorrow. I have a jest to execute that I cannot
FTLN 0276 manage alone. Falstaff, Peto, Bardolph, and Gadshill
FTLN 0277 170 shall rob those men that we have already
FTLN 0278 waylaid. Yourself and I will not be there. And when
FTLN 0279 they have the booty, if you and I do not rob them,
FTLN 0280 cut this head off from my shoulders.
PRINCE FTLN 0281 How shall we part with them in setting forth?
POINS FTLN 0282 175 Why, we will set forth before or after them, and
FTLN 0283 appoint them a place of meeting, wherein it is at our
FTLN 0284 pleasure to fail; and then will they adventure upon
FTLN 0285 the exploit themselves, which they shall have no
FTLN 0286 sooner achieved but we’ll set upon them.
PRINCE FTLN 0287 180 Yea, but ’tis like that they will know us by our
FTLN 0288 horses, by our habits, and by every other appointment
FTLN 0289 to be ourselves.
POINS FTLN 0290 Tut, our horses they shall not see; I’ll tie them
FTLN 0291 in the wood. Our vizards we will change after we
FTLN 0292 185 leave them. And, sirrah, I have cases of buckram
FTLN 0293 for the nonce, to immask our noted outward
FTLN 0294 garments.

25
Henry IV, Part I
ACT 1. SC. 2
PRINCE FTLN 0295 Yea, but I doubt they will be too hard for us.
POINS FTLN 0296 Well, for two of them, I know them to be as
FTLN 0297 190 true-bred cowards as ever turned back; and for the
FTLN 0298 third, if he fight longer than he sees reason, I’ll
FTLN 0299 forswear arms. The virtue of this jest will be the
FTLN 0300 incomprehensible lies that this same fat rogue will
FTLN 0301 tell us when we meet at supper: how thirty at least
FTLN 0302 195 he fought with, what wards, what blows, what
FTLN 0303 extremities he endured; and in the reproof of this
FTLN 0304 lives the jest.
PRINCE FTLN 0305 Well, I’ll go with thee. Provide us all things
FTLN 0306 necessary and meet me tomorrow night in Eastcheap.
FTLN 0307 200 There I’ll sup. Farewell.
POINS FTLN 0308 Farewell, my lord. Poins exits.
PRINCE
FTLN 0309 I know you all, and will awhile uphold
FTLN 0310 The unyoked humor of your idleness.
FTLN 0311 Yet herein will I imitate the sun,
FTLN 0312 205 Who doth permit the base contagious clouds
FTLN 0313 To smother up his beauty from the world,
FTLN 0314 That, when he please again to be himself,
FTLN 0315 Being wanted, he may be more wondered at
FTLN 0316 By breaking through the foul and ugly mists
FTLN 0317 210 Of vapors that did seem to strangle him.
FTLN 0318 If all the year were playing holidays,
FTLN 0319 To sport would be as tedious as to work,
FTLN 0320 But when they seldom come, they wished-for come,
FTLN 0321 And nothing pleaseth but rare accidents.
FTLN 0322 215 So when this loose behavior I throw off
FTLN 0323 And pay the debt I never promisèd,
FTLN 0324 By how much better than my word I am,
FTLN 0325 By so much shall I falsify men’s hopes;
FTLN 0326 And, like bright metal on a sullen ground,
FTLN 0327 220 My reformation, glitt’ring o’er my fault,
FTLN 0328 Shall show more goodly and attract more eyes
FTLN 0329 Than that which hath no foil to set it off.

27
Henry IV, Part I
ACT 1. SC. 3
FTLN 0330 I’ll so offend to make offense a skill,
FTLN 0331 Redeeming time when men think least I will.
He exits.
Scene 3
Enter the King, Northumberland, Worcester, Hotspur,
and Sir Walter Blunt, with others.
KING , to Northumberland, Worcester, and Hotspur
FTLN 0332 My blood hath been too cold and temperate,
FTLN 0333 Unapt to stir at these indignities,
FTLN 0334 And you have found me, for accordingly
FTLN 0335 You tread upon my patience. But be sure
FTLN 0336 5 I will from henceforth rather be myself,
FTLN 0337 Mighty and to be feared, than my condition,
FTLN 0338 Which hath been smooth as oil, soft as young down,
FTLN 0339 And therefore lost that title of respect
FTLN 0340 Which the proud soul ne’er pays but to the proud.
WORCESTER
FTLN 0341 10 Our house, my sovereign liege, little deserves
FTLN 0342 The scourge of greatness to be used on it,
FTLN 0343 And that same greatness too which our own hands
FTLN 0344 Have holp to make so portly.
NORTHUMBERLAND FTLN 0345 My lord—
KING
FTLN 0346 15 Worcester, get thee gone, for I do see
FTLN 0347 Danger and disobedience in thine eye.
FTLN 0348 O sir, your presence is too bold and peremptory,
FTLN 0349 And majesty might never yet endure
FTLN 0350 The moody frontier of a servant brow.
FTLN 0351 20 You have good leave to leave us. When we need
FTLN 0352 Your use and counsel, we shall send for you.
Worcester exits.
FTLN 0353 You were about to speak.
NORTHUMBERLAND FTLN 0354 Yea, my good lord.

29
Henry IV, Part I
ACT 1. SC. 3
FTLN 0355 Those prisoners in your Highness’ name demanded,
FTLN 0356 25 Which Harry Percy here at Holmedon took,
FTLN 0357 Were, as he says, not with such strength denied
FTLN 0358 As is delivered to your Majesty.
FTLN 0359 Either envy, therefore, or misprision
FTLN 0360 Is guilty of this fault, and not my son.
HOTSPUR
FTLN 0361 30 My liege, I did deny no prisoners.
FTLN 0362 But I remember, when the fight was done,
FTLN 0363 When I was dry with rage and extreme toil,
FTLN 0364 Breathless and faint, leaning upon my sword,
FTLN 0365 Came there a certain lord, neat and trimly dressed,
FTLN 0366 35 Fresh as a bridegroom, and his chin new reaped
FTLN 0367 Showed like a stubble land at harvest home.
FTLN 0368 He was perfumèd like a milliner,
FTLN 0369 And ’twixt his finger and his thumb he held
FTLN 0370 A pouncet box, which ever and anon
FTLN 0371 40 He gave his nose and took ’t away again,
FTLN 0372 Who therewith angry, when it next came there,
FTLN 0373 Took it in snuff; and still he smiled and talked.
FTLN 0374 And as the soldiers bore dead bodies by,
FTLN 0375 He called them untaught knaves, unmannerly,
FTLN 0376 45 To bring a slovenly unhandsome corse
FTLN 0377 Betwixt the wind and his nobility.
FTLN 0378 With many holiday and lady terms
FTLN 0379 He questioned me, amongst the rest demanded
FTLN 0380 My prisoners in your Majesty’s behalf.
FTLN 0381 50 I then, all smarting with my wounds being cold,
FTLN 0382 To be so pestered with a popinjay,
FTLN 0383 Out of my grief and my impatience
FTLN 0384 Answered neglectingly I know not what—
FTLN 0385 He should, or he should not; for he made me mad
FTLN 0386 55 To see him shine so brisk and smell so sweet
FTLN 0387 And talk so like a waiting-gentlewoman
FTLN 0388 Of guns, and drums, and wounds—God save the
FTLN 0389 mark!—

31
Henry IV, Part I
ACT 1. SC. 3
FTLN 0390 And telling me the sovereignest thing on Earth
FTLN 0391 60 Was parmacety for an inward bruise,
FTLN 0392 And that it was great pity, so it was,
FTLN 0393 This villainous saltpeter should be digged
FTLN 0394 Out of the bowels of the harmless Earth,
FTLN 0395 Which many a good tall fellow had destroyed
FTLN 0396 65 So cowardly, and but for these vile guns
FTLN 0397 He would himself have been a soldier.
FTLN 0398 This bald unjointed chat of his, my lord,
FTLN 0399 I answered indirectly, as I said,
FTLN 0400 And I beseech you, let not his report
FTLN 0401 70 Come current for an accusation
FTLN 0402 Betwixt my love and your high Majesty.
BLUNT
FTLN 0403 The circumstance considered, good my lord,
FTLN 0404 Whate’er Lord Harry Percy then had said
FTLN 0405 To such a person and in such a place,
FTLN 0406 75 At such a time, with all the rest retold,
FTLN 0407 May reasonably die and never rise
FTLN 0408 To do him wrong or any way impeach
FTLN 0409 What then he said, so he unsay it now.
KING
FTLN 0410 Why, yet he doth deny his prisoners,
FTLN 0411 80 But with proviso and exception
FTLN 0412 That we at our own charge shall ransom straight
FTLN 0413 His brother-in-law, the foolish Mortimer,
FTLN 0414 Who, on my soul, hath willfully betrayed
FTLN 0415 The lives of those that he did lead to fight
FTLN 0416 85 Against that great magician, damned Glendower,
FTLN 0417 Whose daughter, as we hear, that Earl of March
FTLN 0418 Hath lately married. Shall our coffers then
FTLN 0419 Be emptied to redeem a traitor home?
FTLN 0420 Shall we buy treason and indent with fears
FTLN 0421 90 When they have lost and forfeited themselves?
FTLN 0422 No, on the barren mountains let him starve,
FTLN 0423 For I shall never hold that man my friend

33
Henry IV, Part I
ACT 1. SC. 3
FTLN 0424 Whose tongue shall ask me for one penny cost
FTLN 0425 To ransom home revolted Mortimer.
HOTSPUR FTLN 0426 95 Revolted Mortimer!
FTLN 0427 He never did fall off, my sovereign liege,
FTLN 0428 But by the chance of war. To prove that true
FTLN 0429 Needs no more but one tongue for all those wounds,
FTLN 0430 Those mouthèd wounds, which valiantly he took
FTLN 0431 100 When on the gentle Severn’s sedgy bank
FTLN 0432 In single opposition hand to hand
FTLN 0433 He did confound the best part of an hour
FTLN 0434 In changing hardiment with great Glendower.
FTLN 0435 Three times they breathed, and three times did they
FTLN 0436 105 drink,
FTLN 0437 Upon agreement, of swift Severn’s flood,
FTLN 0438 Who then, affrighted with their bloody looks,
FTLN 0439 Ran fearfully among the trembling reeds
FTLN 0440 And hid his crisp head in the hollow bank,
FTLN 0441 110 Blood-stainèd with these valiant combatants.
FTLN 0442 Never did bare and rotten policy
FTLN 0443 Color her working with such deadly wounds,
FTLN 0444 Nor never could the noble Mortimer
FTLN 0445 Receive so many, and all willingly.
FTLN 0446 115 Then let not him be slandered with revolt.
KING
FTLN 0447 Thou dost belie him, Percy; thou dost belie him.
FTLN 0448 He never did encounter with Glendower.
FTLN 0449 I tell thee, he durst as well have met the devil alone
FTLN 0450 As Owen Glendower for an enemy.
FTLN 0451 120 Art thou not ashamed? But, sirrah, henceforth
FTLN 0452 Let me not hear you speak of Mortimer.
FTLN 0453 Send me your prisoners with the speediest means,
FTLN 0454 Or you shall hear in such a kind from me
FTLN 0455 As will displease you.—My lord Northumberland,
FTLN 0456 125 We license your departure with your son.—
FTLN 0457 Send us your prisoners, or you will hear of it.
King exits with Blunt and others.

35
Henry IV, Part I
ACT 1. SC. 3
HOTSPUR
FTLN 0458 An if the devil come and roar for them,
FTLN 0459 I will not send them. I will after straight
FTLN 0460 And tell him so, for I will ease my heart,
FTLN 0461 130 Albeit I make a hazard of my head.
NORTHUMBERLAND
FTLN 0462 What, drunk with choler? Stay and pause awhile.
FTLN 0463 Here comes your uncle.
Enter Worcester.
HOTSPUR FTLN 0464 Speak of Mortimer?
FTLN 0465 Zounds, I will speak of him, and let my soul
FTLN 0466 135 Want mercy if I do not join with him.
FTLN 0467 Yea, on his part I’ll empty all these veins
FTLN 0468 And shed my dear blood drop by drop in the dust,
FTLN 0469 But I will lift the downtrod Mortimer
FTLN 0470 As high in the air as this unthankful king,
FTLN 0471 140 As this ingrate and cankered Bolingbroke.
NORTHUMBERLAND
FTLN 0472 Brother, the King hath made your nephew mad.
WORCESTER
FTLN 0473 Who struck this heat up after I was gone?
HOTSPUR
FTLN 0474 He will forsooth have all my prisoners,
FTLN 0475 And when I urged the ransom once again
FTLN 0476 145 Of my wife’s brother, then his cheek looked pale,
FTLN 0477 And on my face he turned an eye of death,
FTLN 0478 Trembling even at the name of Mortimer.
WORCESTER
FTLN 0479 I cannot blame him. Was not he proclaimed
FTLN 0480 By Richard, that dead is, the next of blood?
NORTHUMBERLAND
FTLN 0481 150 He was; I heard the proclamation.
FTLN 0482 And then it was when the unhappy king—
FTLN 0483 Whose wrongs in us God pardon!—did set forth
FTLN 0484 Upon his Irish expedition;

37
Henry IV, Part I
ACT 1. SC. 3
FTLN 0485 From whence he, intercepted, did return
FTLN 0486 155 To be deposed and shortly murderèd.
WORCESTER
FTLN 0487 And for whose death we in the world’s wide mouth
FTLN 0488 Live scandalized and foully spoken of.
HOTSPUR
FTLN 0489 But soft, I pray you. Did King Richard then
FTLN 0490 Proclaim my brother Edmund Mortimer
FTLN 0491 160 Heir to the crown?
NORTHUMBERLAND FTLN 0492 He did; myself did hear it.
HOTSPUR
FTLN 0493 Nay then, I cannot blame his cousin king
FTLN 0494 That wished him on the barren mountains starve.
FTLN 0495 But shall it be that you that set the crown
FTLN 0496 165 Upon the head of this forgetful man
FTLN 0497 And for his sake wear the detested blot
FTLN 0498 Of murderous subornation—shall it be
FTLN 0499 That you a world of curses undergo,
FTLN 0500 Being the agents or base second means,
FTLN 0501 170 The cords, the ladder, or the hangman rather?
FTLN 0502 O, pardon me that I descend so low
FTLN 0503 To show the line and the predicament
FTLN 0504 Wherein you range under this subtle king.
FTLN 0505 Shall it for shame be spoken in these days,
FTLN 0506 175 Or fill up chronicles in time to come,
FTLN 0507 That men of your nobility and power
FTLN 0508 Did gage them both in an unjust behalf
FTLN 0509 (As both of you, God pardon it, have done)
FTLN 0510 To put down Richard, that sweet lovely rose,
FTLN 0511 180 And plant this thorn, this canker, Bolingbroke?
FTLN 0512 And shall it in more shame be further spoken
FTLN 0513 That you are fooled, discarded, and shook off
FTLN 0514 By him for whom these shames you underwent?
FTLN 0515 No, yet time serves wherein you may redeem
FTLN 0516 185 Your banished honors and restore yourselves
FTLN 0517 Into the good thoughts of the world again,

39
Henry IV, Part I
ACT 1. SC. 3
FTLN 0518 Revenge the jeering and disdained contempt
FTLN 0519 Of this proud king, who studies day and night
FTLN 0520 To answer all the debt he owes to you
FTLN 0521 190 Even with the bloody payment of your deaths.
FTLN 0522 Therefore I say—
WORCESTER FTLN 0523 Peace, cousin, say no more.
FTLN 0524 And now I will unclasp a secret book,
FTLN 0525 And to your quick-conceiving discontents
FTLN 0526 195 I’ll read you matter deep and dangerous,
FTLN 0527 As full of peril and adventurous spirit
FTLN 0528 As to o’erwalk a current roaring loud
FTLN 0529 On the unsteadfast footing of a spear.
HOTSPUR
FTLN 0530 If he fall in, good night, or sink or swim!
FTLN 0531 200 Send danger from the east unto the west,
FTLN 0532 So honor cross it from the north to south,
FTLN 0533 And let them grapple. O, the blood more stirs
FTLN 0534 To rouse a lion than to start a hare!
NORTHUMBERLAND , to Worcester
FTLN 0535 Imagination of some great exploit
FTLN 0536 205 Drives him beyond the bounds of patience.
HOTSPUR
FTLN 0537 By heaven, methinks it were an easy leap
FTLN 0538 To pluck bright honor from the pale-faced moon,
FTLN 0539 Or dive into the bottom of the deep,
FTLN 0540 Where fathom line could never touch the ground,
FTLN 0541 210 And pluck up drownèd honor by the locks,
FTLN 0542 So he that doth redeem her thence might wear
FTLN 0543 Without corrival all her dignities.
FTLN 0544 But out upon this half-faced fellowship!
WORCESTER
FTLN 0545 He apprehends a world of figures here,
FTLN 0546 215 But not the form of what he should attend.—
FTLN 0547 Good cousin, give me audience for a while.
HOTSPUR
FTLN 0548 I cry you mercy.

41
Henry IV, Part I
ACT 1. SC. 3
WORCESTER FTLN 0549 Those same noble Scots
FTLN 0550 That are your prisoners—
HOTSPUR FTLN 0551 220 I’ll keep them all.
FTLN 0552 By God, he shall not have a Scot of them.
FTLN 0553 No, if a Scot would save his soul, he shall not.
FTLN 0554 I’ll keep them, by this hand!
WORCESTER FTLN 0555 You start away
FTLN 0556 225 And lend no ear unto my purposes:
FTLN 0557 Those prisoners you shall keep—
HOTSPUR FTLN 0558 Nay, I will. That’s flat!
FTLN 0559 He said he would not ransom Mortimer,
FTLN 0560 Forbade my tongue to speak of Mortimer.
FTLN 0561 230 But I will find him when he lies asleep,
FTLN 0562 And in his ear I’ll hollo “Mortimer.”
FTLN 0563 Nay, I’ll have a starling shall be taught to speak
FTLN 0564 Nothing but “Mortimer,” and give it him
FTLN 0565 To keep his anger still in motion.
WORCESTER FTLN 0566 235 Hear you, cousin, a word.
HOTSPUR
FTLN 0567 All studies here I solemnly defy,
FTLN 0568 Save how to gall and pinch this Bolingbroke.
FTLN 0569 And that same sword-and-buckler Prince of Wales—
FTLN 0570 But that I think his father loves him not
FTLN 0571 240 And would be glad he met with some mischance—
FTLN 0572 I would have him poisoned with a pot of ale.
WORCESTER
FTLN 0573 Farewell, kinsman. I’ll talk to you
FTLN 0574 When you are better tempered to attend.
NORTHUMBERLAND , to Hotspur
FTLN 0575 Why, what a wasp-stung and impatient fool
FTLN 0576 245 Art thou to break into this woman’s mood,
FTLN 0577 Tying thine ear to no tongue but thine own!
HOTSPUR
FTLN 0578 Why, look you, I am whipped and scourged with
FTLN 0579 rods,
FTLN 0580 Nettled and stung with pismires, when I hear

43
Henry IV, Part I
ACT 1. SC. 3
FTLN 0581 250 Of this vile politician, Bolingbroke.
FTLN 0582 In Richard’s time—what do you call the place?
FTLN 0583 A plague upon it! It is in Gloucestershire.
FTLN 0584 ’Twas where the madcap duke his uncle kept,
FTLN 0585 His uncle York, where I first bowed my knee
FTLN 0586 255 Unto this king of smiles, this Bolingbroke.
FTLN 0587 ’Sblood, when you and he came back from
FTLN 0588 Ravenspurgh.
NORTHUMBERLAND FTLN 0589 At Berkeley Castle.
HOTSPUR FTLN 0590 You say true.
FTLN 0591 260 Why, what a candy deal of courtesy
FTLN 0592 This fawning greyhound then did proffer me:
FTLN 0593 “Look when his infant fortune came to age,”
FTLN 0594 And “gentle Harry Percy,” and “kind cousin.”
FTLN 0595 O, the devil take such cozeners!—God forgive me!
FTLN 0596 265 Good uncle, tell your tale. I have done.
WORCESTER
FTLN 0597 Nay, if you have not, to it again.
FTLN 0598 We will stay your leisure.
HOTSPUR FTLN 0599 I have done, i’ faith.
WORCESTER
FTLN 0600 Then once more to your Scottish prisoners:
FTLN 0601 270 Deliver them up without their ransom straight,
FTLN 0602 And make the Douglas’ son your only mean
FTLN 0603 For powers in Scotland, which, for divers reasons
FTLN 0604 Which I shall send you written, be assured
FTLN 0605 Will easily be granted.—You, my lord,
FTLN 0606 275 Your son in Scotland being thus employed,
FTLN 0607 Shall secretly into the bosom creep
FTLN 0608 Of that same noble prelate well beloved,
FTLN 0609 The Archbishop.
HOTSPUR FTLN 0610 Of York, is it not?
WORCESTER FTLN 0611 280 True, who bears hard
FTLN 0612 His brother’s death at Bristol, the Lord Scroop.
FTLN 0613 I speak not this in estimation,

45
Henry IV, Part I
ACT 1. SC. 3
FTLN 0614 As what I think might be, but what I know
FTLN 0615 Is ruminated, plotted, and set down,
FTLN 0616 285 And only stays but to behold the face
FTLN 0617 Of that occasion that shall bring it on.
HOTSPUR
FTLN 0618 I smell it. Upon my life it will do well.
NORTHUMBERLAND
FTLN 0619 Before the game is afoot thou still let’st slip.
HOTSPUR
FTLN 0620 Why, it cannot choose but be a noble plot.
FTLN 0621 290 And then the power of Scotland and of York
FTLN 0622 To join with Mortimer, ha?
WORCESTER FTLN 0623 And so they shall.
HOTSPUR
FTLN 0624 In faith, it is exceedingly well aimed.
WORCESTER
FTLN 0625 And ’tis no little reason bids us speed
FTLN 0626 295 To save our heads by raising of a head,
FTLN 0627 For bear ourselves as even as we can,
FTLN 0628 The King will always think him in our debt,
FTLN 0629 And think we think ourselves unsatisfied,
FTLN 0630 Till he hath found a time to pay us home.
FTLN 0631 300 And see already how he doth begin
FTLN 0632 To make us strangers to his looks of love.
HOTSPUR
FTLN 0633 He does, he does. We’ll be revenged on him.
WORCESTER
FTLN 0634 Cousin, farewell. No further go in this
FTLN 0635 Than I by letters shall direct your course.
FTLN 0636 305 When time is ripe, which will be suddenly,
FTLN 0637 I’ll steal to Glendower and Lord Mortimer,
FTLN 0638 Where you and Douglas and our powers at once,
FTLN 0639 As I will fashion it, shall happily meet
FTLN 0640 To bear our fortunes in our own strong arms,
FTLN 0641 310 Which now we hold at much uncertainty.

47
Henry IV, Part I
ACT 1. SC. 3
NORTHUMBERLAND
FTLN 0642 Farewell, good brother. We shall thrive, I trust.
HOTSPUR
FTLN 0643 Uncle, adieu. O, let the hours be short
FTLN 0644 Till fields and blows and groans applaud our sport.
They exit.

ACT 2
Scene 1
Enter a Carrier with a lantern in his hand.
FIRST CARRIER FTLN 0645 Heigh-ho! An it be not four by the day,
FTLN 0646 I’ll be hanged. Charles’s Wain is over the new
FTLN 0647 chimney, and yet our horse not packed.—What,
FTLN 0648 ostler!
OSTLER , within FTLN 0649 5 Anon, anon.
FIRST CARRIER FTLN 0650 I prithee, Tom, beat Cut’s saddle. Put a
FTLN 0651 few flocks in the point. Poor jade is wrung in the
FTLN 0652 withers out of all cess.
Enter another Carrier, with a lantern.
SECOND CARRIER FTLN 0653 Peas and beans are as dank here as a
FTLN 0654 10 dog, and that is the next way to give poor jades the
FTLN 0655 bots. This house is turned upside down since Robin
FTLN 0656 ostler died.
FIRST CARRIER FTLN 0657 Poor fellow never joyed since the price
FTLN 0658 of oats rose. It was the death of him.
SECOND CARRIER FTLN 0659 15 I think this be the most villainous
FTLN 0660 house in all London road for fleas. I am stung like a
FTLN 0661 tench.
FIRST CARRIER FTLN 0662 Like a tench? By the Mass, there is
FTLN 0663 ne’er a king christen could be better bit than I have
FTLN 0664 20 been since the first cock.
SECOND CARRIER FTLN 0665 Why, they will allow us ne’er a jordan,
51

53
Henry IV, Part I
ACT 2. SC. 1
FTLN 0666 and then we leak in your chimney, and your
FTLN 0667 chamber-lye breeds fleas like a loach.
FIRST CARRIER FTLN 0668 What, ostler, come away and be
FTLN 0669 25 hanged. Come away.
SECOND CARRIER FTLN 0670 I have a gammon of bacon and two
FTLN 0671 races of ginger to be delivered as far as Charing
FTLN 0672 Cross.
FIRST CARRIER FTLN 0673 God’s body, the turkeys in my pannier
FTLN 0674 30 are quite starved.—What, ostler! A plague on thee!
FTLN 0675 Hast thou never an eye in thy head? Canst not hear?
FTLN 0676 An ’twere not as good deed as drink to break the
FTLN 0677 pate on thee, I am a very villain. Come, and be
FTLN 0678 hanged. Hast no faith in thee?
Enter Gadshill.
GADSHILL FTLN 0679 35 Good morrow, carriers. What’s o’clock?
FIRST CARRIER FTLN 0680 I think it be two o’clock.
GADSHILL FTLN 0681 I prithee, lend me thy lantern to see my
FTLN 0682 gelding in the stable.
FIRST CARRIER FTLN 0683 Nay, by God, soft. I know a trick worth
FTLN 0684 40 two of that, i’ faith.
GADSHILL , to Second Carrier FTLN 0685 I pray thee, lend me
FTLN 0686 thine.
SECOND CARRIER FTLN 0687 Ay, when, canst tell? “Lend me thy
FTLN 0688 lantern,” quoth he. Marry, I’ll see thee hanged
FTLN 0689 45 first.
GADSHILL FTLN 0690 Sirrah carrier, what time do you mean to
FTLN 0691 come to London?
SECOND CARRIER FTLN 0692 Time enough to go to bed with a
FTLN 0693 candle, I warrant thee. Come, neighbor Mugs,
FTLN 0694 50 we’ll call up the gentlemen. They will along with
FTLN 0695 company, for they have great charge.
Carriers exit.
GADSHILL FTLN 0696 What ho, chamberlain!
Enter Chamberlain.

55
Henry IV, Part I
ACT 2. SC. 1
CHAMBERLAIN FTLN 0697 At hand, quoth pickpurse.
GADSHILL FTLN 0698 That’s even as fair as “at hand, quoth the
FTLN 0699 55 Chamberlain,” for thou variest no more from
FTLN 0700 picking of purses than giving direction doth from
FTLN 0701 laboring: thou layest the plot how.
CHAMBERLAIN FTLN 0702 Good morrow, Master Gadshill. It holds
FTLN 0703 current that I told you yesternight: there’s a franklin
FTLN 0704 60 in the Wild of Kent hath brought three hundred
FTLN 0705 marks with him in gold. I heard him tell it to one of
FTLN 0706 his company last night at supper—a kind of auditor,
FTLN 0707 one that hath abundance of charge too, God knows
FTLN 0708 what. They are up already and call for eggs and
FTLN 0709 65 butter. They will away presently.
GADSHILL FTLN 0710 Sirrah, if they meet not with Saint Nicholas’
FTLN 0711 clerks, I’ll give thee this neck.
CHAMBERLAIN FTLN 0712 No, I’ll none of it. I pray thee, keep that
FTLN 0713 for the hangman, for I know thou worshipest Saint
FTLN 0714 70 Nicholas as truly as a man of falsehood may.
GADSHILL FTLN 0715 What talkest thou to me of the hangman? If
FTLN 0716 I hang, I’ll make a fat pair of gallows, for if I hang,
FTLN 0717 old Sir John hangs with me, and thou knowest he is
FTLN 0718 no starveling. Tut, there are other Troyans that
FTLN 0719 75 thou dream’st not of, the which for sport sake are
FTLN 0720 content to do the profession some grace, that
FTLN 0721 would, if matters should be looked into, for their
FTLN 0722 own credit sake make all whole. I am joined with no
FTLN 0723 foot-land-rakers, no long-staff sixpenny strikers,
FTLN 0724 80 none of these mad mustachio purple-hued malt-worms,
FTLN 0725 but with nobility and tranquillity, burgomasters
FTLN 0726 and great oneyers, such as can hold in, such
FTLN 0727 as will strike sooner than speak, and speak sooner
FTLN 0728 than drink, and drink sooner than pray, and yet,
FTLN 0729 85 zounds, I lie, for they pray continually to their saint
FTLN 0730 the commonwealth, or rather not pray to her but
FTLN 0731 prey on her, for they ride up and down on her and
FTLN 0732 make her their boots.

57
Henry IV, Part I
ACT 2. SC. 2
CHAMBERLAIN FTLN 0733 What, the commonwealth their boots?
FTLN 0734 90 Will she hold out water in foul way?
GADSHILL FTLN 0735 She will, she will. Justice hath liquored her.
FTLN 0736 We steal as in a castle, cocksure. We have the
FTLN 0737 receipt of fern seed; we walk invisible.
CHAMBERLAIN FTLN 0738 Nay, by my faith, I think you are more
FTLN 0739 95 beholding to the night than to fern seed for your
FTLN 0740 walking invisible.
GADSHILL FTLN 0741 Give me thy hand. Thou shalt have a share in
FTLN 0742 our purchase, as I am a true man.
CHAMBERLAIN FTLN 0743 Nay, rather let me have it as you are a
FTLN 0744 100 false thief.
GADSHILL FTLN 0745 Go to. Homo is a common name to all men.
FTLN 0746 Bid the ostler bring my gelding out of the stable.
FTLN 0747 Farewell, you muddy knave.
They exit.
Scene 2
Enter Prince, Poins, Bardolph, and Peto.
POINS FTLN 0748 Come, shelter, shelter! I have removed Falstaff’s
FTLN 0749 horse, and he frets like a gummed velvet.
PRINCE FTLN 0750 Stand close. Poins, Bardolph, and Peto exit.
Enter Falstaff.
FALSTAFF FTLN 0751 Poins! Poins, and be hanged! Poins!
PRINCE FTLN 0752 5 Peace, you fat-kidneyed rascal. What a brawling
FTLN 0753 dost thou keep!
FALSTAFF FTLN 0754 Where’s Poins, Hal?
PRINCE FTLN 0755 He is walked up to the top of the hill. I’ll go
FTLN 0756 seek him. Prince exits.
FALSTAFF FTLN 0757 10 I am accursed to rob in that thief’s company.
FTLN 0758 The rascal hath removed my horse and tied him I
FTLN 0759 know not where. If I travel but four foot by the
FTLN 0760 square further afoot, I shall break my wind. Well, I

59
Henry IV, Part I
ACT 2. SC. 2
FTLN 0761 doubt not but to die a fair death for all this, if I
FTLN 0762 15 ’scape hanging for killing that rogue. I have forsworn
FTLN 0763 his company hourly any time this two-and-twenty
FTLN 0764 years, and yet I am bewitched with the
FTLN 0765 rogue’s company. If the rascal have not given me
FTLN 0766 medicines to make me love him, I’ll be hanged. It
FTLN 0767 20 could not be else: I have drunk medicines.—Poins!
FTLN 0768 Hal! A plague upon you both.—Bardolph! Peto!—
FTLN 0769 I’ll starve ere I’ll rob a foot further. An ’twere not as
FTLN 0770 good a deed as drink to turn true man and to leave
FTLN 0771 these rogues, I am the veriest varlet that ever
FTLN 0772 25 chewed with a tooth. Eight yards of uneven ground
FTLN 0773 is threescore and ten miles afoot with me, and the
FTLN 0774 stony-hearted villains know it well enough. A plague
FTLN 0775 upon it when thieves cannot be true one to another!
FTLN 0776 (They whistle, within.) Whew! A plague upon you
FTLN 0777 30 all!
Enter the Prince, Poins, Peto, and Bardolph.
FTLN 0778 Give me my horse, you rogues. Give me my horse
FTLN 0779 and be hanged!
PRINCE FTLN 0780 Peace, you fat guts! Lie down, lay thine ear
FTLN 0781 close to the ground, and list if thou canst hear the
FTLN 0782 35 tread of travelers.
FALSTAFF FTLN 0783 Have you any levers to lift me up again being
FTLN 0784 down? ’Sblood, I’ll not bear my own flesh so
FTLN 0785 far afoot again for all the coin in thy father’s Exchequer.
FTLN 0786 What a plague mean you to colt me
FTLN 0787 40 thus?
PRINCE FTLN 0788 Thou liest. Thou art not colted; thou art
FTLN 0789 uncolted.
FALSTAFF FTLN 0790 I prithee, good Prince Hal, help me to my
FTLN 0791 horse, good king’s son.
PRINCE FTLN 0792 45 Out, you rogue! Shall I be your ostler?
FALSTAFF FTLN 0793 Hang thyself in thine own heir-apparent
FTLN 0794 garters! If I be ta’en, I’ll peach for this. An I have

61
Henry IV, Part I
ACT 2. SC. 2
FTLN 0795 not ballads made on you all and sung to filthy
FTLN 0796 tunes, let a cup of sack be my poison—when a jest
FTLN 0797 50 is so forward, and afoot too! I hate it.
Enter Gadshill.
GADSHILL FTLN 0798 Stand.
FALSTAFF FTLN 0799 So I do, against my will.
POINS FTLN 0800 O, ’tis our setter. I know his voice.
BARDOLPH FTLN 0801 What news?
GADSHILL FTLN 0802 55 Case you, case you. On with your vizards.
FTLN 0803 There’s money of the King’s coming down the hill.
FTLN 0804 ’Tis going to the King’s Exchequer.
FALSTAFF FTLN 0805 You lie, you rogue. ’Tis going to the King’s
FTLN 0806 Tavern.
GADSHILL FTLN 0807 60 There’s enough to make us all.
FALSTAFF FTLN 0808 To be hanged.
PRINCE FTLN 0809 Sirs, you four shall front them in the narrow
FTLN 0810 lane. Ned Poins and I will walk lower. If they ’scape
FTLN 0811 from your encounter, then they light on us.
PETO FTLN 0812 65 How many be there of them?
GADSHILL FTLN 0813 Some eight or ten.
FALSTAFF FTLN 0814 Zounds, will they not rob us?
PRINCE FTLN 0815 What, a coward, Sir John Paunch?
FALSTAFF FTLN 0816 Indeed, I am not John of Gaunt, your grandfather,
FTLN 0817 70 but yet no coward, Hal.
PRINCE FTLN 0818 Well, we leave that to the proof.
POINS FTLN 0819 Sirrah Jack, thy horse stands behind the hedge.
FTLN 0820 When thou need’st him, there thou shalt find him.
FTLN 0821 Farewell and stand fast.
FALSTAFF FTLN 0822 75 Now cannot I strike him, if I should be
FTLN 0823 hanged.
PRINCE , aside to Poins FTLN 0824 Ned, where are our disguises?
POINS , aside to Prince FTLN 0825 Here, hard by. Stand close.
The Prince and Poins exit.
FALSTAFF FTLN 0826 Now, my masters, happy man be his dole,
FTLN 0827 80 say I. Every man to his business.
They step aside.

63
Henry IV, Part I
ACT 2. SC. 2
Enter the Travelers.
FIRST TRAVELER FTLN 0828 Come, neighbor, the boy shall lead
FTLN 0829 our horses down the hill. We’ll walk afoot awhile
FTLN 0830 and ease our legs.
THIEVES , advancing FTLN 0831 Stand!
TRAVELERS FTLN 0832 85 Jesus bless us!
FALSTAFF FTLN 0833 Strike! Down with them! Cut the villains’
FTLN 0834 throats! Ah, whoreson caterpillars, bacon-fed
FTLN 0835 knaves, they hate us youth. Down with them!
FTLN 0836 Fleece them!
TRAVELERS FTLN 0837 90 O, we are undone, both we and ours
FTLN 0838 forever!
FALSTAFF FTLN 0839 Hang, you gorbellied knaves! Are you undone?
FTLN 0840 No, you fat chuffs. I would your store were
FTLN 0841 here. On, bacons, on! What, you knaves, young men
FTLN 0842 95 must live. You are grandjurors, are you? We’ll jure
FTLN 0843 you, faith.
Here they rob them and bind them. They all exit.
Enter the Prince and Poins, disguised.
PRINCE FTLN 0844 The thieves have bound the true men. Now
FTLN 0845 could thou and I rob the thieves and go merrily to
FTLN 0846 London, it would be argument for a week, laughter
FTLN 0847 100 for a month, and a good jest forever.
POINS FTLN 0848 Stand close, I hear them coming.
They step aside.
Enter the Thieves again.
FALSTAFF FTLN 0849 Come, my masters, let us share, and then to
FTLN 0850 horse before day. An the Prince and Poins be not
FTLN 0851 two arrant cowards, there’s no equity stirring.
FTLN 0852 105 There’s no more valor in that Poins than in a wild
FTLN 0853 duck.
As they are sharing, the Prince
and Poins set upon them.

65
Henry IV, Part I
ACT 2. SC. 3
PRINCE FTLN 0854 Your money!
POINS FTLN 0855 Villains!
They all run away, and Falstaff, after a blow or two,
runs away too, leaving the booty behind them.
PRINCE
FTLN 0856 Got with much ease. Now merrily to horse.
FTLN 0857 110 The thieves are all scattered, and possessed with
FTLN 0858 fear
FTLN 0859 So strongly that they dare not meet each other.
FTLN 0860 Each takes his fellow for an officer.
FTLN 0861 Away, good Ned. Falstaff sweats to death,
FTLN 0862 115 And lards the lean earth as he walks along.
FTLN 0863 Were ’t not for laughing, I should pity him.
POINS FTLN 0864 How the fat rogue roared!
They exit.
Scene 3
Enter Hotspur alone, reading a letter.
HOTSPUR FTLN 0865 But, for mine own part, my lord, I could be
FTLN 0866 well contented to be there, in respect of the love I
FTLN 0867 bear your house. He could be contented; why is he
FTLN 0868 not, then? In respect of the love he bears our
FTLN 0869 5 house—he shows in this he loves his own barn
FTLN 0870 better than he loves our house. Let me see some
FTLN 0871 more. The purpose you undertake is dangerous.
FTLN 0872 Why, that’s certain. ’Tis dangerous to take a cold,
FTLN 0873 to sleep, to drink; but I tell you, my Lord Fool, out
FTLN 0874 10 of this nettle, danger, we pluck this flower, safety.
FTLN 0875 The purpose you undertake is dangerous, the friends
FTLN 0876 you have named uncertain, the time itself unsorted,
FTLN 0877 and your whole plot too light for the counterpoise
FTLN 0878 of so great an opposition. Say you so, say you so?
FTLN 0879 15 I say unto you again, you are a shallow, cowardly
FTLN 0880 hind, and you lie. What a lack-brain is this! By

67
Henry IV, Part I
ACT 2. SC. 3
FTLN 0881 the Lord, our plot is a good plot as ever was laid,
FTLN 0882 our friends true and constant—a good plot,
FTLN 0883 good friends, and full of expectation; an excellent
FTLN 0884 20 plot, very good friends. What a frosty-spirited
FTLN 0885 rogue is this! Why, my Lord of York commends
FTLN 0886 the plot and the general course of the action.
FTLN 0887 Zounds, an I were now by this rascal, I could brain
FTLN 0888 him with his lady’s fan. Is there not my father, my
FTLN 0889 25 uncle, and myself, Lord Edmund Mortimer, my
FTLN 0890 Lord of York, and Owen Glendower? Is there not
FTLN 0891 besides the Douglas? Have I not all their letters to
FTLN 0892 meet me in arms by the ninth of the next month,
FTLN 0893 and are they not some of them set forward already?
FTLN 0894 30 What a pagan rascal is this—an infidel! Ha, you
FTLN 0895 shall see now, in very sincerity of fear and cold
FTLN 0896 heart, will he to the King and lay open all our
FTLN 0897 proceedings. O, I could divide myself and go to
FTLN 0898 buffets for moving such a dish of skim milk with so
FTLN 0899 35 honorable an action! Hang him, let him tell the
FTLN 0900 King. We are prepared. I will set forward tonight.
Enter his Lady.
FTLN 0901 How now, Kate? I must leave you within these two
FTLN 0902 hours.
LADY PERCY
FTLN 0903 O my good lord, why are you thus alone?
FTLN 0904 40 For what offense have I this fortnight been
FTLN 0905 A banished woman from my Harry’s bed?
FTLN 0906 Tell me, sweet lord, what is ’t that takes from thee
FTLN 0907 Thy stomach, pleasure, and thy golden sleep?
FTLN 0908 Why dost thou bend thine eyes upon the earth
FTLN 0909 45 And start so often when thou sit’st alone?
FTLN 0910 Why hast thou lost the fresh blood in thy cheeks
FTLN 0911 And given my treasures and my rights of thee
FTLN 0912 To thick-eyed musing and curst melancholy?
FTLN 0913 In thy faint slumbers I by thee have watched,

69
Henry IV, Part I
ACT 2. SC. 3
FTLN 0914 50 And heard thee murmur tales of iron wars,
FTLN 0915 Speak terms of manage to thy bounding steed,
FTLN 0916 Cry “Courage! To the field!” And thou hast talked
FTLN 0917 Of sallies and retires, of trenches, tents,
FTLN 0918 Of palisadoes, frontiers, parapets,
FTLN 0919 55 Of basilisks, of cannon, culverin,
FTLN 0920 Of prisoners’ ransom, and of soldiers slain,
FTLN 0921 And all the currents of a heady fight.
FTLN 0922 Thy spirit within thee hath been so at war,
FTLN 0923 And thus hath so bestirred thee in thy sleep,
FTLN 0924 60 That beads of sweat have stood upon thy brow
FTLN 0925 Like bubbles in a late-disturbèd stream,
FTLN 0926 And in thy face strange motions have appeared,
FTLN 0927 Such as we see when men restrain their breath
FTLN 0928 On some great sudden hest. O, what portents are
FTLN 0929 65 these?
FTLN 0930 Some heavy business hath my lord in hand,
FTLN 0931 And I must know it, else he loves me not.
HOTSPUR
FTLN 0932 What, ho!
Enter a Servant.
FTLN 0933 Is Gilliams with the packet gone?
SERVANT FTLN 0934 70 He is, my lord, an hour ago.
HOTSPUR
FTLN 0935 Hath Butler brought those horses from the sheriff?
SERVANT
FTLN 0936 One horse, my lord, he brought even now.
HOTSPUR
FTLN 0937 What horse? A roan, a crop-ear, is it not?
SERVANT
FTLN 0938 It is, my lord.
HOTSPUR FTLN 0939 75 That roan shall be my throne.
FTLN 0940 Well, I will back him straight. O, Esperance!
FTLN 0941 Bid Butler lead him forth into the park.
Servant exits.

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Henry IV, Part I
ACT 2. SC. 3
LADY PERCY FTLN 0942 But hear you, my lord.
HOTSPUR FTLN 0943 What say’st thou, my lady?
LADY PERCY FTLN 0944 80 What is it carries you away?
HOTSPUR FTLN 0945 Why, my horse, my love, my horse.
LADY PERCY FTLN 0946 Out, you mad-headed ape!
FTLN 0947 A weasel hath not such a deal of spleen
FTLN 0948 As you are tossed with. In faith,
FTLN 0949 85 I’ll know your business, Harry, that I will.
FTLN 0950 I fear my brother Mortimer doth stir
FTLN 0951 About his title, and hath sent for you
FTLN 0952 To line his enterprise; but if you go—
HOTSPUR
FTLN 0953 So far afoot, I shall be weary, love.
LADY PERCY
FTLN 0954 90 Come, come, you paraquito, answer me
FTLN 0955 Directly unto this question that I ask.
FTLN 0956 In faith, I’ll break thy little finger, Harry,
FTLN 0957 An if thou wilt not tell me all things true.
HOTSPUR FTLN 0958 Away!
FTLN 0959 95 Away, you trifler. Love, I love thee not.
FTLN 0960 I care not for thee, Kate. This is no world
FTLN 0961 To play with mammets and to tilt with lips.
FTLN 0962 We must have bloody noses and cracked crowns,
FTLN 0963 And pass them current too.—Gods me, my horse!—
FTLN 0964 100 What say’st thou, Kate? What wouldst thou have
FTLN 0965 with me?
LADY PERCY
FTLN 0966 Do you not love me? Do you not indeed?
FTLN 0967 Well, do not then, for since you love me not,
FTLN 0968 I will not love myself. Do you not love me?
FTLN 0969 105 Nay, tell me if you speak in jest or no.
HOTSPUR FTLN 0970 Come, wilt thou see me ride?
FTLN 0971 And when I am a-horseback I will swear
FTLN 0972 I love thee infinitely. But hark you, Kate,
FTLN 0973 I must not have you henceforth question me
FTLN 0974 110 Whither I go, nor reason whereabout.

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FTLN 0975 Whither I must, I must; and to conclude
FTLN 0976 This evening must I leave you, gentle Kate.
FTLN 0977 I know you wise, but yet no farther wise
FTLN 0978 Than Harry Percy’s wife; constant you are,
FTLN 0979 115 But yet a woman; and for secrecy
FTLN 0980 No lady closer, for I well believe
FTLN 0981 Thou wilt not utter what thou dost not know,
FTLN 0982 And so far will I trust thee, gentle Kate.
LADY PERCY FTLN 0983 How? So far?
HOTSPUR
FTLN 0984 120 Not an inch further. But hark you, Kate,
FTLN 0985 Whither I go, thither shall you go too.
FTLN 0986 Today will I set forth, tomorrow you.
FTLN 0987 Will this content you, Kate?
LADY PERCY FTLN 0988 It must, of force.
They exit.
Scene 4
Enter Prince and Poins.
PRINCE FTLN 0989 Ned, prithee, come out of that fat room and
FTLN 0990 lend me thy hand to laugh a little.
POINS FTLN 0991 Where hast been, Hal?
PRINCE FTLN 0992 With three or four loggerheads amongst three
FTLN 0993 5 or fourscore hogsheads. I have sounded the very
FTLN 0994 bass string of humility. Sirrah, I am sworn brother
FTLN 0995 to a leash of drawers, and can call them all by their
FTLN 0996 Christian names, as Tom, Dick, and Francis. They
FTLN 0997 take it already upon their salvation that though I be
FTLN 0998 10 but Prince of Wales, yet I am the king of courtesy,
FTLN 0999 and tell me flatly I am no proud jack, like Falstaff,
FTLN 1000 but a Corinthian, a lad of mettle, a good boy—by
FTLN 1001 the Lord, so they call me—and when I am king of
FTLN 1002 England, I shall command all the good lads in
FTLN 1003 15 Eastcheap. They call drinking deep “dyeing scarlet,”

75
Henry IV, Part I
ACT 2. SC. 4
FTLN 1004 and when you breathe in your watering, they
FTLN 1005 cry “Hem!” and bid you “Play it off!” To conclude, I
FTLN 1006 am so good a proficient in one quarter of an hour
FTLN 1007 that I can drink with any tinker in his own language
FTLN 1008 20 during my life. I tell thee, Ned, thou hast lost much
FTLN 1009 honor that thou wert not with me in this action; but,
FTLN 1010 sweet Ned—to sweeten which name of Ned, I give
FTLN 1011 thee this pennyworth of sugar, clapped even now
FTLN 1012 into my hand by an underskinker, one that never
FTLN 1013 25 spake other English in his life than “Eight shillings
FTLN 1014 and sixpence,” and “You are welcome,” with this
FTLN 1015 shrill addition, “Anon, anon, sir.—Score a pint of
FTLN 1016 bastard in the Half-moon,” or so. But, Ned, to
FTLN 1017 drive away the time till Falstaff come, I prithee, do
FTLN 1018 30 thou stand in some by-room while I question my
FTLN 1019 puny drawer to what end he gave me the sugar, and
FTLN 1020 do thou never leave calling “Francis,” that his tale
FTLN 1021 to me may be nothing but “Anon.” Step aside, and
FTLN 1022 I’ll show thee a precedent. Poins exits.
POINS , within FTLN 1023 35 Francis!
PRINCE FTLN 1024 Thou art perfect.
POINS , within FTLN 1025 Francis!
Enter Francis, the Drawer.
FRANCIS FTLN 1026 Anon, anon, sir.—Look down into the Pomgarnet,
FTLN 1027 Ralph.
PRINCE FTLN 1028 40 Come hither, Francis.
FRANCIS FTLN 1029 My lord?
PRINCE FTLN 1030 How long hast thou to serve, Francis?
FRANCIS FTLN 1031 Forsooth, five years, and as much as to—
POINS , within FTLN 1032 Francis!
FRANCIS FTLN 1033 45 Anon, anon, sir.
PRINCE FTLN 1034 Five year! By ’r Lady, a long lease for the
FTLN 1035 clinking of pewter! But, Francis, darest thou be
FTLN 1036 so valiant as to play the coward with thy indenture,
FTLN 1037 and show it a fair pair of heels, and run
FTLN 1038 50 from it?

77
Henry IV, Part I
ACT 2. SC. 4
FRANCIS FTLN 1039 O Lord, sir, I’ll be sworn upon all the books
FTLN 1040 in England, I could find in my heart—
POINS , within FTLN 1041 Francis!
FRANCIS FTLN 1042 Anon, sir.
PRINCE FTLN 1043 55 How old art thou, Francis?
FRANCIS FTLN 1044 Let me see. About Michaelmas next, I shall
FTLN 1045 be—
POINS , within FTLN 1046 Francis!
FRANCIS FTLN 1047 Anon, sir.—Pray, stay a little, my lord.
PRINCE FTLN 1048 60 Nay, but hark you, Francis, for the sugar thou
FTLN 1049 gavest me—’twas a pennyworth, was ’t not?
FRANCIS FTLN 1050 O Lord, I would it had been two!
PRINCE FTLN 1051 I will give thee for it a thousand pound. Ask
FTLN 1052 me when thou wilt, and thou shalt have it.
POINS , within FTLN 1053 65 Francis!
FRANCIS FTLN 1054 Anon, anon.
PRINCE FTLN 1055 Anon, Francis? No, Francis. But tomorrow,
FTLN 1056 Francis; or, Francis, o’ Thursday; or indeed, Francis,
FTLN 1057 when thou wilt. But, Francis—
FRANCIS FTLN 1058 70 My lord?
PRINCE FTLN 1059 Wilt thou rob this leathern-jerkin, crystal-button,
FTLN 1060 not-pated, agate-ring, puke-stocking, caddis-garter,
FTLN 1061 smooth-tongue, Spanish-pouch—
FRANCIS FTLN 1062 O Lord, sir, who do you mean?
PRINCE FTLN 1063 75 Why then, your brown bastard is your only
FTLN 1064 drink, for look you, Francis, your white canvas
FTLN 1065 doublet will sully. In Barbary, sir, it cannot come to
FTLN 1066 so much.
FRANCIS FTLN 1067 What, sir?
POINS , within FTLN 1068 80 Francis!
PRINCE FTLN 1069 Away, you rogue! Dost thou not hear them
FTLN 1070 call?
Here they both call him. The Drawer stands amazed,
not knowing which way to go.
Enter Vintner.

79
Henry IV, Part I
ACT 2. SC. 4
VINTNER FTLN 1071 What, stand’st thou still and hear’st such a
FTLN 1072 calling? Look to the guests within. Francis exits.
FTLN 1073 85 My lord, old Sir John with half a dozen more are at
FTLN 1074 the door. Shall I let them in?
PRINCE FTLN 1075 Let them alone awhile, and then open the
FTLN 1076 door. Vintner exits. Poins!
Enter Poins.
POINS FTLN 1077 Anon, anon, sir.
PRINCE FTLN 1078 90 Sirrah, Falstaff and the rest of the thieves are
FTLN 1079 at the door. Shall we be merry?
POINS FTLN 1080 As merry as crickets, my lad. But hark you,
FTLN 1081 what cunning match have you made with this jest
FTLN 1082 of the drawer. Come, what’s the issue?
PRINCE FTLN 1083 95 I am now of all humors that have showed
FTLN 1084 themselves humors since the old days of Goodman
FTLN 1085 Adam to the pupil age of this present twelve
FTLN 1086 o’clock at midnight.
Enter Francis, in haste.
FTLN 1087 What’s o’clock, Francis?
FRANCIS FTLN 1088 100 Anon, anon, sir. Francis exits.
PRINCE FTLN 1089 That ever this fellow should have fewer words
FTLN 1090 than a parrot, and yet the son of a woman! His
FTLN 1091 industry is upstairs and downstairs, his eloquence
FTLN 1092 the parcel of a reckoning. I am not yet of Percy’s
FTLN 1093 105 mind, the Hotspur of the north, he that kills me
FTLN 1094 some six or seven dozen of Scots at a breakfast,
FTLN 1095 washes his hands, and says to his wife “Fie upon
FTLN 1096 this quiet life! I want work.” “O my sweet Harry,”
FTLN 1097 says she, “how many hast thou killed today?”
FTLN 1098 110 “Give my roan horse a drench,” says he, and answers
FTLN 1099 “Some fourteen,” an hour after. “A trifle, a
FTLN 1100 trifle.” I prithee, call in Falstaff. I’ll play Percy,
FTLN 1101 and that damned brawn shall play Dame Mortimer
FTLN 1102 his wife. “Rivo!” says the drunkard. Call in
FTLN 1103 115 Ribs, call in Tallow.

81
Henry IV, Part I
ACT 2. SC. 4
Enter Falstaff, Gadshill, Peto, Bardolph;
and Francis, with wine.
POINS FTLN 1104 Welcome, Jack. Where hast thou been?
FALSTAFF FTLN 1105 A plague of all cowards, I say, and a vengeance
FTLN 1106 too! Marry and amen!—Give me a cup of
FTLN 1107 sack, boy.—Ere I lead this life long, I’ll sew netherstocks
FTLN 1108 120 and mend them, and foot them too. A plague
FTLN 1109 of all cowards!—Give me a cup of sack, rogue!—Is
FTLN 1110 there no virtue extant? He drinketh.
PRINCE FTLN 1111 Didst thou never see Titan kiss a dish of
FTLN 1112 butter—pitiful-hearted Titan!—that melted at the
FTLN 1113 125 sweet tale of the sun’s? If thou didst, then behold
FTLN 1114 that compound.
FALSTAFF , to Francis FTLN 1115 You rogue, here’s lime in this
FTLN 1116 sack too.—There is nothing but roguery to be
FTLN 1117 found in villainous man, yet a coward is worse than
FTLN 1118 130 a cup of sack with lime in it. A villainous coward! Go
FTLN 1119 thy ways, old Jack. Die when thou wilt. If manhood,
FTLN 1120 good manhood, be not forgot upon the face of the
FTLN 1121 Earth, then am I a shotten herring. There lives not
FTLN 1122 three good men unhanged in England, and one of
FTLN 1123 135 them is fat and grows old, God help the while. A bad
FTLN 1124 world, I say. I would I were a weaver. I could sing
FTLN 1125 psalms, or anything. A plague of all cowards, I say
FTLN 1126 still.
PRINCE FTLN 1127 How now, woolsack, what mutter you?
FALSTAFF FTLN 1128 140 A king’s son! If I do not beat thee out of thy
FTLN 1129 kingdom with a dagger of lath, and drive all thy
FTLN 1130 subjects afore thee like a flock of wild geese, I’ll
FTLN 1131 never wear hair on my face more. You, Prince of
FTLN 1132 Wales!
PRINCE FTLN 1133 145 Why, you whoreson round man, what’s the
FTLN 1134 matter?
FALSTAFF FTLN 1135 Are not you a coward? Answer me to that—
FTLN 1136 and Poins there?

83
Henry IV, Part I
ACT 2. SC. 4
POINS FTLN 1137 Zounds, you fat paunch, an you call me coward,
FTLN 1138 150 by the Lord, I’ll stab thee.
FALSTAFF FTLN 1139 I call thee coward? I’ll see thee damned ere
FTLN 1140 I call thee coward, but I would give a thousand
FTLN 1141 pound I could run as fast as thou canst. You are
FTLN 1142 straight enough in the shoulders you care not who
FTLN 1143 155 sees your back. Call you that backing of your
FTLN 1144 friends? A plague upon such backing! Give me them
FTLN 1145 that will face me.—Give me a cup of sack.—I am a
FTLN 1146 rogue if I drunk today.
PRINCE FTLN 1147 O villain, thy lips are scarce wiped since thou
FTLN 1148 160 drunk’st last.
FALSTAFF FTLN 1149 All is one for that. (He drinketh.) A plague of
FTLN 1150 all cowards, still say I.
PRINCE FTLN 1151 What’s the matter?
FALSTAFF FTLN 1152 What’s the matter? There be four of us here
FTLN 1153 165 have ta’en a thousand pound this day morning.
PRINCE FTLN 1154 Where is it, Jack, where is it?
FALSTAFF FTLN 1155 Where is it? Taken from us it is. A hundred
FTLN 1156 upon poor four of us.
PRINCE FTLN 1157 What, a hundred, man?
FALSTAFF FTLN 1158 170 I am a rogue if I were not at half-sword
FTLN 1159 with a dozen of them two hours together. I have
FTLN 1160 ’scaped by miracle. I am eight times thrust through
FTLN 1161 the doublet, four through the hose, my buckler
FTLN 1162 cut through and through, my sword hacked like
FTLN 1163 175 a handsaw. Ecce signum! I never dealt better since
FTLN 1164 I was a man. All would not do. A plague of
FTLN 1165 all cowards! Let them speak. Pointing to Gadshill,
Bardolph, and Peto. FTLN 1166 If they speak more or
FTLN 1167 less than truth, they are villains, and the sons of
FTLN 1168 180 darkness.
PRINCE FTLN 1169 Speak, sirs, how was it?
BARDOLPH FTLN 1170 We four set upon some dozen.
FALSTAFF FTLN 1171 Sixteen at least, my lord.
BARDOLPH FTLN 1172 And bound them.

85
Henry IV, Part I
ACT 2. SC. 4
PETO FTLN 1173 185 No, no, they were not bound.
FALSTAFF FTLN 1174 You rogue, they were bound, every man of
FTLN 1175 them, or I am a Jew else, an Ebrew Jew.
BARDOLPH FTLN 1176 As we were sharing, some six or seven
FTLN 1177 fresh men set upon us.
FALSTAFF FTLN 1178 190 And unbound the rest, and then come in the
FTLN 1179 other.
PRINCE FTLN 1180 What, fought you with them all?
FALSTAFF FTLN 1181 All? I know not what you call all, but if I
FTLN 1182 fought not with fifty of them I am a bunch of
FTLN 1183 195 radish. If there were not two- or three-and-fifty
FTLN 1184 upon poor old Jack, then am I no two-legged
FTLN 1185 creature.
PRINCE FTLN 1186 Pray God you have not murdered some of
FTLN 1187 them.
FALSTAFF FTLN 1188 200 Nay, that’s past praying for. I have peppered
FTLN 1189 two of them. Two I am sure I have paid, two rogues
FTLN 1190 in buckram suits. I tell thee what, Hal, if I tell thee a
FTLN 1191 lie, spit in my face, call me horse. Thou knowest my
FTLN 1192 old ward. Here I lay, and thus I bore my point. Four
FTLN 1193 205 rogues in buckram let drive at me.
PRINCE FTLN 1194 What, four? Thou said’st but two even now.
FALSTAFF FTLN 1195 Four, Hal, I told thee four.
POINS FTLN 1196 Ay, ay, he said four.
FALSTAFF FTLN 1197 These four came all afront, and mainly
FTLN 1198 210 thrust at me. I made me no more ado, but took all
FTLN 1199 their seven points in my target, thus.
PRINCE FTLN 1200 Seven? Why there were but four even now.
FALSTAFF FTLN 1201 In buckram?
POINS FTLN 1202 Ay, four in buckram suits.
FALSTAFF FTLN 1203 215 Seven by these hilts, or I am a villain else.
PRINCE , to Poins FTLN 1204 Prithee, let him alone. We shall have
FTLN 1205 more anon.
FALSTAFF FTLN 1206 Dost thou hear me, Hal?
PRINCE FTLN 1207 Ay, and mark thee too, Jack.

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Henry IV, Part I
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FALSTAFF FTLN 1208 220 Do so, for it is worth the listening to. These
FTLN 1209 nine in buckram that I told thee of—
PRINCE FTLN 1210 So, two more already.
FALSTAFF FTLN 1211 Their points being broken—
POINS FTLN 1212 Down fell their hose.
FALSTAFF FTLN 1213 225 Began to give me ground, but I followed me
FTLN 1214 close, came in foot and hand, and, with a thought,
FTLN 1215 seven of the eleven I paid.
PRINCE FTLN 1216 O monstrous! Eleven buckram men grown out
FTLN 1217 of two!
FALSTAFF FTLN 1218 230 But as the devil would have it, three misbegotten
FTLN 1219 knaves in Kendal green came at my back,
FTLN 1220 and let drive at me, for it was so dark, Hal, that thou
FTLN 1221 couldst not see thy hand.
PRINCE FTLN 1222 These lies are like their father that begets
FTLN 1223 235 them, gross as a mountain, open, palpable. Why,
FTLN 1224 thou claybrained guts, thou knotty-pated fool, thou
FTLN 1225 whoreson, obscene, greasy tallow-catch—
FALSTAFF FTLN 1226 What, art thou mad? Art thou mad? Is not
FTLN 1227 the truth the truth?
PRINCE FTLN 1228 240 Why, how couldst thou know these men in
FTLN 1229 Kendal green when it was so dark thou couldst not
FTLN 1230 see thy hand? Come, tell us your reason. What sayest
FTLN 1231 thou to this?
POINS FTLN 1232 Come, your reason, Jack, your reason.
FALSTAFF FTLN 1233 245 What, upon compulsion? Zounds, an I were
FTLN 1234 at the strappado or all the racks in the world, I
FTLN 1235 would not tell you on compulsion. Give you a
FTLN 1236 reason on compulsion? If reasons were as plentiful
FTLN 1237 as blackberries, I would give no man a reason upon
FTLN 1238 250 compulsion, I.
PRINCE FTLN 1239 I’ll be no longer guilty of this sin. This sanguine
FTLN 1240 coward, this bed-presser, this horse-backbreaker,
FTLN 1241 this huge hill of flesh—
FALSTAFF FTLN 1242’Sblood, you starveling, you elfskin, you
FTLN 1243 255 dried neat’s tongue, you bull’s pizzle, you stockfish!

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ACT 2. SC. 4
FTLN 1244 O, for breath to utter what is like thee! You tailor’s
FTLN 1245 yard, you sheath, you bowcase, you vile standing
FTLN 1246 tuck—
PRINCE FTLN 1247 Well, breathe awhile, and then to it again, and
FTLN 1248 260 when thou hast tired thyself in base comparisons,
FTLN 1249 hear me speak but this.
POINS FTLN 1250 Mark, Jack.
PRINCE FTLN 1251 We two saw you four set on four, and bound
FTLN 1252 them and were masters of their wealth. Mark now
FTLN 1253 265 how a plain tale shall put you down. Then did we
FTLN 1254 two set on you four and, with a word, outfaced you
FTLN 1255 from your prize, and have it, yea, and can show it
FTLN 1256 you here in the house. And, Falstaff, you carried
FTLN 1257 your guts away as nimbly, with as quick dexterity,
FTLN 1258 270 and roared for mercy, and still run and roared, as
FTLN 1259 ever I heard bull-calf. What a slave art thou to hack
FTLN 1260 thy sword as thou hast done, and then say it was in
FTLN 1261 fight! What trick, what device, what starting-hole
FTLN 1262 canst thou now find out to hide thee from this open
FTLN 1263 275 and apparent shame?
POINS FTLN 1264 Come, let’s hear, Jack. What trick hast thou
FTLN 1265 now?
FALSTAFF FTLN 1266 By the Lord, I knew you as well as he that
FTLN 1267 made you. Why, hear you, my masters, was it for
FTLN 1268 280 me to kill the heir apparent? Should I turn upon the
FTLN 1269 true prince? Why, thou knowest I am as valiant as
FTLN 1270 Hercules, but beware instinct. The lion will not
FTLN 1271 touch the true prince. Instinct is a great matter.
FTLN 1272 I was now a coward on instinct. I shall think
FTLN 1273 285 the better of myself, and thee, during my life—
FTLN 1274 I for a valiant lion, and thou for a true prince.
FTLN 1275 But, by the Lord, lads, I am glad you have the
FTLN 1276 money.—Hostess, clap to the doors.—Watch tonight,
FTLN 1277 pray tomorrow. Gallants, lads, boys, hearts
FTLN 1278 290 of gold, all the titles of good fellowship come to
FTLN 1279 you. What, shall we be merry? Shall we have a play
FTLN 1280 extempore?

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PRINCE FTLN 1281 Content, and the argument shall be thy running
FTLN 1282 away.
FALSTAFF FTLN 1283 295 Ah, no more of that, Hal, an thou lovest me.
Enter Hostess.
HOSTESS FTLN 1284 O Jesu, my lord the Prince—
PRINCE FTLN 1285 How now, my lady the hostess, what sayst thou
FTLN 1286 to me?
HOSTESS FTLN 1287 Marry, my lord, there is a nobleman of the
FTLN 1288 300 court at door would speak with you. He says he
FTLN 1289 comes from your father.
PRINCE FTLN 1290 Give him as much as will make him a royal
FTLN 1291 man and send him back again to my mother.
FALSTAFF FTLN 1292 What manner of man is he?
HOSTESS FTLN 1293 305 An old man.
FALSTAFF FTLN 1294 What doth Gravity out of his bed at midnight?
FTLN 1295 Shall I give him his answer?
PRINCE FTLN 1296 Prithee do, Jack.
FALSTAFF FTLN 1297 Faith, and I’ll send him packing. He exits.
PRINCE FTLN 1298 310 Now, sirs. To Gadshill. By ’r Lady, you fought
FTLN 1299 fair.—So did you, Peto.—So did you, Bardolph.—
FTLN 1300 You are lions too. You ran away upon instinct. You
FTLN 1301 will not touch the true prince. No, fie!
BARDOLPH FTLN 1302 Faith, I ran when I saw others run.
PRINCE FTLN 1303 315 Faith, tell me now in earnest, how came Falstaff’s
FTLN 1304 sword so hacked?
PETO FTLN 1305 Why, he hacked it with his dagger and said he
FTLN 1306 would swear truth out of England but he would
FTLN 1307 make you believe it was done in fight, and persuaded
FTLN 1308 320 us to do the like.
BARDOLPH FTLN 1309 Yea, and to tickle our noses with speargrass
FTLN 1310 to make them bleed, and then to beslubber our
FTLN 1311 garments with it, and swear it was the blood of true
FTLN 1312 men. I did that I did not this seven year before: I
FTLN 1313 325 blushed to hear his monstrous devices.
PRINCE FTLN 1314 O villain, thou stolest a cup of sack eighteen

93
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ACT 2. SC. 4
FTLN 1315 years ago, and wert taken with the manner, and ever
FTLN 1316 since thou hast blushed extempore. Thou hadst fire
FTLN 1317 and sword on thy side, and yet thou ran’st away.
FTLN 1318 330 What instinct hadst thou for it?
BARDOLPH FTLN 1319 My lord, do you see these meteors? Do you
FTLN 1320 behold these exhalations?
PRINCE FTLN 1321 I do.
BARDOLPH FTLN 1322 What think you they portend?
PRINCE FTLN 1323 335 Hot livers and cold purses.
BARDOLPH FTLN 1324 Choler, my lord, if rightly taken.
PRINCE FTLN 1325 No. If rightly taken, halter.
Enter Falstaff.
FTLN 1326 Here comes lean Jack. Here comes bare-bone.—
FTLN 1327 How now, my sweet creature of bombast? How long
FTLN 1328 340 is ’t ago, Jack, since thou sawest thine own knee?
FALSTAFF FTLN 1329 My own knee? When I was about thy years,
FTLN 1330 Hal, I was not an eagle’s talon in the waist. I could
FTLN 1331 have crept into any alderman’s thumb-ring. A
FTLN 1332 plague of sighing and grief! It blows a man up like a
FTLN 1333 345 bladder. There’s villainous news abroad. Here was
FTLN 1334 Sir John Bracy from your father. You must to the
FTLN 1335 court in the morning. That same mad fellow of the
FTLN 1336 north, Percy, and he of Wales that gave Amamon the
FTLN 1337 bastinado, and made Lucifer cuckold, and swore
FTLN 1338 350 the devil his true liegeman upon the cross of a
FTLN 1339 Welsh hook—what a plague call you him?
POINS FTLN 1340 Owen Glendower.
FALSTAFF FTLN 1341 Owen, Owen, the same, and his son-in-law
FTLN 1342 Mortimer, and old Northumberland, and that
FTLN 1343 355 sprightly Scot of Scots, Douglas, that runs a-horseback
FTLN 1344 up a hill perpendicular—
PRINCE FTLN 1345 He that rides at high speed, and with his pistol
FTLN 1346 kills a sparrow flying.
FALSTAFF FTLN 1347 You have hit it.
PRINCE FTLN 1348 360 So did he never the sparrow.

95
Henry IV, Part I
ACT 2. SC. 4
FALSTAFF FTLN 1349 Well, that rascal hath good mettle in him. He
FTLN 1350 will not run.
PRINCE FTLN 1351 Why, what a rascal art thou then to praise him
FTLN 1352 so for running?
FALSTAFF FTLN 1353 365 A-horseback, you cuckoo, but afoot he will
FTLN 1354 not budge a foot.
PRINCE FTLN 1355 Yes, Jack, upon instinct.
FALSTAFF FTLN 1356 I grant you, upon instinct. Well, he is there
FTLN 1357 too, and one Mordake, and a thousand blue-caps
FTLN 1358 370 more. Worcester is stolen away tonight. Thy father’s
FTLN 1359 beard is turned white with the news. You may buy
FTLN 1360 land now as cheap as stinking mackerel.
PRINCE FTLN 1361 Why then, it is like if there come a hot June,
FTLN 1362 and this civil buffeting hold, we shall buy maidenheads
FTLN 1363 375 as they buy hobnails, by the hundreds.
FALSTAFF FTLN 1364 By the Mass, thou sayest true. It is like we
FTLN 1365 shall have good trading that way. But tell me, Hal,
FTLN 1366 art not thou horrible afeard? Thou being heir
FTLN 1367 apparent, could the world pick thee out three such
FTLN 1368 380 enemies again as that fiend Douglas, that spirit
FTLN 1369 Percy, and that devil Glendower? Art thou not
FTLN 1370 horribly afraid? Doth not thy blood thrill at it?
PRINCE FTLN 1371 Not a whit, i’ faith. I lack some of thy instinct.
FALSTAFF FTLN 1372 Well, thou wilt be horribly chid tomorrow
FTLN 1373 385 when thou comest to thy father. If thou love me,
FTLN 1374 practice an answer.
PRINCE FTLN 1375 Do thou stand for my father and examine me
FTLN 1376 upon the particulars of my life.
FALSTAFF FTLN 1377 Shall I? Content. He sits down. This chair
FTLN 1378 390 shall be my state, this dagger my scepter, and this
FTLN 1379 cushion my crown.
PRINCE FTLN 1380 Thy state is taken for a joined stool, thy golden
FTLN 1381 scepter for a leaden dagger, and thy precious rich
FTLN 1382 crown for a pitiful bald crown.
FALSTAFF FTLN 1383 395 Well, an the fire of grace be not quite out of
FTLN 1384 thee, now shalt thou be moved.—Give me a cup of

97
Henry IV, Part I
ACT 2. SC. 4
FTLN 1385 sack to make my eyes look red, that it may be
FTLN 1386 thought I have wept, for I must speak in passion,
FTLN 1387 and I will do it in King Cambyses’ vein.
PRINCE , bowing FTLN 1388 400 Well, here is my leg.
FALSTAFF FTLN 1389 And here is my speech. As King. Stand
FTLN 1390 aside, nobility.
HOSTESS FTLN 1391 O Jesu, this is excellent sport, i’ faith!
FALSTAFF , as King
FTLN 1392 Weep not, sweet queen, for trickling tears are vain.
HOSTESS FTLN 1393 405 O the Father, how he holds his countenance!
FALSTAFF , as King
FTLN 1394 For God’s sake, lords, convey my tristful queen,
FTLN 1395 For tears do stop the floodgates of her eyes.
HOSTESS FTLN 1396 O Jesu, he doth it as like one of these harlotry
FTLN 1397 players as ever I see.
FALSTAFF FTLN 1398 410 Peace, good pint-pot. Peace, good tickle-brain.—
FTLN 1399 As King. Harry, I do not only marvel
FTLN 1400 where thou spendest thy time, but also how thou
FTLN 1401 art accompanied. For though the camomile, the
FTLN 1402 more it is trodden on, the faster it grows, so youth,
FTLN 1403 415 the more it is wasted, the sooner it wears. That
FTLN 1404 thou art my son I have partly thy mother’s word,
FTLN 1405 partly my own opinion, but chiefly a villainous
FTLN 1406 trick of thine eye and a foolish hanging of thy
FTLN 1407 nether lip that doth warrant me. If then thou be
FTLN 1408 420 son to me, here lies the point: why, being son to
FTLN 1409 me, art thou so pointed at? Shall the blessed sun of
FTLN 1410 heaven prove a micher and eat blackberries? A
FTLN 1411 question not to be asked. Shall the son of England
FTLN 1412 prove a thief and take purses? A question to be
FTLN 1413 425 asked. There is a thing, Harry, which thou hast
FTLN 1414 often heard of, and it is known to many in our land
FTLN 1415 by the name of pitch. This pitch, as ancient writers
FTLN 1416 do report, doth defile; so doth the company thou
FTLN 1417 keepest. For, Harry, now I do not speak to thee in
FTLN 1418 430 drink, but in tears; not in pleasure, but in passion;

99
Henry IV, Part I
ACT 2. SC. 4
FTLN 1419 not in words only, but in woes also. And yet there is
FTLN 1420 a virtuous man whom I have often noted in thy
FTLN 1421 company, but I know not his name.
PRINCE FTLN 1422 What manner of man, an it like your Majesty?
FALSTAFF , as King FTLN 1423 435 A goodly portly man, i’ faith, and a
FTLN 1424 corpulent; of a cheerful look, a pleasing eye, and a
FTLN 1425 most noble carriage, and, as I think, his age some
FTLN 1426 fifty, or, by ’r Lady, inclining to threescore; and now
FTLN 1427 I remember me, his name is Falstaff. If that man
FTLN 1428 440 should be lewdly given, he deceiveth me, for, Harry,
FTLN 1429 I see virtue in his looks. If then the tree may be
FTLN 1430 known by the fruit, as the fruit by the tree, then
FTLN 1431 peremptorily I speak it: there is virtue in that
FTLN 1432 Falstaff; him keep with, the rest banish. And tell me
FTLN 1433 445 now, thou naughty varlet, tell me where hast thou
FTLN 1434 been this month?
PRINCE FTLN 1435 Dost thou speak like a king? Do thou stand for
FTLN 1436 me, and I’ll play my father.
FALSTAFF , rising FTLN 1437 Depose me? If thou dost it half so
FTLN 1438 450 gravely, so majestically, both in word and matter,
FTLN 1439 hang me up by the heels for a rabbit-sucker or a
FTLN 1440 poulter’s hare.
PRINCE , sitting down FTLN 1441 Well, here I am set.
FALSTAFF FTLN 1442 And here I stand.—Judge, my masters.
PRINCE , as King FTLN 1443 455 Now, Harry, whence come you?
FALSTAFF , as Prince FTLN 1444 My noble lord, from Eastcheap.
PRINCE , as King FTLN 1445 The complaints I hear of thee are
FTLN 1446 grievous.
FALSTAFF , as Prince FTLN 1447’Sblood, my lord, they are false.
FTLN 1448 460 —Nay, I’ll tickle you for a young prince, i’ faith.
PRINCE , as King FTLN 1449 Swearest thou? Ungracious boy,
FTLN 1450 henceforth ne’er look on me. Thou art violently
FTLN 1451 carried away from grace. There is a devil haunts
FTLN 1452 thee in the likeness of an old fat man. A tun of man
FTLN 1453 465 is thy companion. Why dost thou converse with that
FTLN 1454 trunk of humors, that bolting-hutch of beastliness,

101
Henry IV, Part I
ACT 2. SC. 4
FTLN 1455 that swollen parcel of dropsies, that huge bombard
FTLN 1456 of sack, that stuffed cloakbag of guts, that roasted
FTLN 1457 Manningtree ox with the pudding in his belly, that
FTLN 1458 470 reverend Vice, that gray iniquity, that father ruffian,
FTLN 1459 that vanity in years? Wherein is he good, but to taste
FTLN 1460 sack and drink it? Wherein neat and cleanly but to
FTLN 1461 carve a capon and eat it? Wherein cunning but in
FTLN 1462 craft? Wherein crafty but in villainy? Wherein villainous
FTLN 1463 475 but in all things? Wherein worthy but in
FTLN 1464 nothing?
FALSTAFF , as Prince FTLN 1465 I would your Grace would take
FTLN 1466 me with you. Whom means your Grace?
PRINCE , as King FTLN 1467 That villainous abominable misleader
FTLN 1468 480 of youth, Falstaff, that old white-bearded Satan.
FALSTAFF , as Prince FTLN 1469 My lord, the man I know.
PRINCE , as King FTLN 1470 I know thou dost.
FALSTAFF , as Prince FTLN 1471 But to say I know more harm in
FTLN 1472 him than in myself were to say more than I know.
FTLN 1473 485 That he is old, the more the pity; his white hairs do
FTLN 1474 witness it. But that he is, saving your reverence, a
FTLN 1475 whoremaster, that I utterly deny. If sack and sugar
FTLN 1476 be a fault, God help the wicked. If to be old and
FTLN 1477 merry be a sin, then many an old host that I know is
FTLN 1478 490 damned. If to be fat be to be hated, then Pharaoh’s
FTLN 1479 lean kine are to be loved. No, my good lord,
FTLN 1480 banish Peto, banish Bardolph, banish Poins, but for
FTLN 1481 sweet Jack Falstaff, kind Jack Falstaff, true Jack
FTLN 1482 Falstaff, valiant Jack Falstaff, and therefore more
FTLN 1483 495 valiant being as he is old Jack Falstaff, banish not
FTLN 1484 him thy Harry’s company, banish not him thy
FTLN 1485 Harry’s company. Banish plump Jack, and banish
FTLN 1486 all the world.
PRINCE FTLN 1487 I do, I will.
A loud knocking, and Bardolph, Hostess, and
Francis exit.

103
Henry IV, Part I
ACT 2. SC. 4
Enter Bardolph running.
BARDOLPH FTLN 1488 500 O my lord, my lord, the Sheriff with a most
FTLN 1489 monstrous watch is at the door.
FALSTAFF FTLN 1490 Out, you rogue.—Play out the play. I have
FTLN 1491 much to say in the behalf of that Falstaff.
Enter the Hostess.
HOSTESS FTLN 1492 O Jesu, my lord, my lord—
PRINCE FTLN 1493 505 Heigh, heigh, the devil rides upon a fiddlestick.
FTLN 1494 What’s the matter?
HOSTESS FTLN 1495 The Sheriff and all the watch are at the door.
FTLN 1496 They are come to search the house. Shall I let them
FTLN 1497 in?
FALSTAFF FTLN 1498 510 Dost thou hear, Hal? Never call a true piece
FTLN 1499 of gold a counterfeit. Thou art essentially made
FTLN 1500 without seeming so.
PRINCE FTLN 1501 And thou a natural coward without instinct.
FALSTAFF FTLN 1502 I deny your major. If you will deny the
FTLN 1503 515 Sheriff, so; if not, let him enter. If I become not a
FTLN 1504 cart as well as another man, a plague on my
FTLN 1505 bringing up. I hope I shall as soon be strangled with
FTLN 1506 a halter as another.
PRINCE , standing FTLN 1507 Go hide thee behind the arras. The
FTLN 1508 520 rest walk up above.—Now, my masters, for a true
FTLN 1509 face and good conscience.
FALSTAFF FTLN 1510 Both which I have had, but their date is out;
FTLN 1511 and therefore I’ll hide me. He hides.
PRINCE FTLN 1512 Call in the Sheriff.
All but the Prince and Peto exit.
Enter Sheriff and the Carrier.
PRINCE
FTLN 1513 525 Now, Master Sheriff, what is your will with me?
SHERIFF
FTLN 1514 First pardon me, my lord. A hue and cry
FTLN 1515 Hath followed certain men unto this house.

105
Henry IV, Part I
ACT 2. SC. 4
PRINCE FTLN 1516 What men?
SHERIFF
FTLN 1517 One of them is well known, my gracious lord.
FTLN 1518 530 A gross fat man.
CARRIER FTLN 1519 As fat as butter.
PRINCE
FTLN 1520 The man I do assure you is not here,
FTLN 1521 For I myself at this time have employed him.
FTLN 1522 And, sheriff, I will engage my word to thee
FTLN 1523 535 That I will by tomorrow dinner time
FTLN 1524 Send him to answer thee or any man
FTLN 1525 For anything he shall be charged withal.
FTLN 1526 And so let me entreat you leave the house.
SHERIFF
FTLN 1527 I will, my lord. There are two gentlemen
FTLN 1528 540 Have in this robbery lost three hundred marks.
PRINCE
FTLN 1529 It may be so. If he have robbed these men,
FTLN 1530 He shall be answerable; and so farewell.
SHERIFF FTLN 1531 Good night, my noble lord.
PRINCE
FTLN 1532 I think it is good morrow, is it not?
SHERIFF
FTLN 1533 545 Indeed, my lord, I think it be two o’clock.
He exits with the Carrier.
PRINCE FTLN 1534 This oily rascal is known as well as Paul’s. Go
FTLN 1535 call him forth.
PETO FTLN 1536 Falstaff!—Fast asleep behind the arras, and
FTLN 1537 snorting like a horse.
PRINCE FTLN 1538 550 Hark, how hard he fetches breath. Search his
FTLN 1539 pockets. (He searcheth his pocket, and findeth certain
papers.) FTLN 1540 What hast thou found?
PETO FTLN 1541 Nothing but papers, my lord.
PRINCE FTLN 1542 Let’s see what they be. Read them.
PETO reads
FTLN 1543 555 Item, a capon,…2s. 2d.

107
Henry IV, Part I
ACT 2. SC. 4
FTLN 1544 Item, sauce,…4d.
FTLN 1545 Item, sack, two gallons,…5s. 8d.
FTLN 1546 Item, anchovies and sack after supper,…2s. 6d.
FTLN 1547 Item, bread,…ob.
PRINCE FTLN 1548 560 O monstrous! But one halfpennyworth of
FTLN 1549 bread to this intolerable deal of sack? What there is
FTLN 1550 else, keep close. We’ll read it at more advantage.
FTLN 1551 There let him sleep till day. I’ll to the court in the
FTLN 1552 morning. We must all to the wars, and thy place
FTLN 1553 565 shall be honorable. I’ll procure this fat rogue a
FTLN 1554 charge of foot, and I know his death will be a march
FTLN 1555 of twelve score. The money shall be paid back again
FTLN 1556 with advantage. Be with me betimes in the morning,
FTLN 1557 and so good morrow, Peto.
PETO FTLN 1558 570 Good morrow, good my lord.
They exit.

ACT 3
Scene 1
Enter Hotspur, Worcester, Lord Mortimer, and Owen
Glendower.
MORTIMER
FTLN 1559 These promises are fair, the parties sure,
FTLN 1560 And our induction full of prosperous hope.
HOTSPUR
FTLN 1561 Lord Mortimer and cousin Glendower,
FTLN 1562 Will you sit down? And uncle Worcester—
FTLN 1563 5 A plague upon it, I have forgot the map.
GLENDOWER
FTLN 1564 No, here it is. Sit, cousin Percy,
FTLN 1565 Sit, good cousin Hotspur, for by that name
FTLN 1566 As oft as Lancaster doth speak of you
FTLN 1567 His cheek looks pale, and with a rising sigh
FTLN 1568 10 He wisheth you in heaven.
HOTSPUR FTLN 1569 And you in hell,
FTLN 1570 As oft as he hears Owen Glendower spoke of.
GLENDOWER
FTLN 1571 I cannot blame him. At my nativity
FTLN 1572 The front of heaven was full of fiery shapes,
FTLN 1573 15 Of burning cressets, and at my birth
FTLN 1574 The frame and huge foundation of the Earth
FTLN 1575 Shaked like a coward.
HOTSPUR FTLN 1576 Why, so it would have done
111

113
Henry IV, Part I
ACT 3. SC. 1
FTLN 1577 At the same season if your mother’s cat
FTLN 1578 20 Had but kittened, though yourself had never been
FTLN 1579 born.
GLENDOWER
FTLN 1580 I say the Earth did shake when I was born.
HOTSPUR
FTLN 1581 And I say the Earth was not of my mind,
FTLN 1582 If you suppose as fearing you it shook.
GLENDOWER
FTLN 1583 25 The heavens were all on fire; the Earth did tremble.
HOTSPUR
FTLN 1584 O, then the Earth shook to see the heavens on fire,
FTLN 1585 And not in fear of your nativity.
FTLN 1586 Diseasèd nature oftentimes breaks forth
FTLN 1587 In strange eruptions; oft the teeming Earth
FTLN 1588 30 Is with a kind of colic pinched and vexed
FTLN 1589 By the imprisoning of unruly wind
FTLN 1590 Within her womb, which, for enlargement striving,
FTLN 1591 Shakes the old beldam Earth and topples down
FTLN 1592 Steeples and moss-grown towers. At your birth
FTLN 1593 35 Our grandam Earth, having this distemp’rature,
FTLN 1594 In passion shook.
GLENDOWER FTLN 1595 Cousin, of many men
FTLN 1596 I do not bear these crossings. Give me leave
FTLN 1597 To tell you once again that at my birth
FTLN 1598 40 The front of heaven was full of fiery shapes,
FTLN 1599 The goats ran from the mountains, and the herds
FTLN 1600 Were strangely clamorous to the frighted fields.
FTLN 1601 These signs have marked me extraordinary,
FTLN 1602 And all the courses of my life do show
FTLN 1603 45 I am not in the roll of common men.
FTLN 1604 Where is he living, clipped in with the sea
FTLN 1605 That chides the banks of England, Scotland, Wales,
FTLN 1606 Which calls me pupil or hath read to me?
FTLN 1607 And bring him out that is but woman’s son
FTLN 1608 50 Can trace me in the tedious ways of art
FTLN 1609 And hold me pace in deep experiments.

115
Henry IV, Part I
ACT 3. SC. 1
HOTSPUR
FTLN 1610 I think there’s no man speaks better Welsh.
FTLN 1611 I’ll to dinner.
MORTIMER
FTLN 1612 Peace, cousin Percy. You will make him mad.
GLENDOWER
FTLN 1613 55 I can call spirits from the vasty deep.
HOTSPUR
FTLN 1614 Why, so can I, or so can any man,
FTLN 1615 But will they come when you do call for them?
GLENDOWER
FTLN 1616 Why, I can teach you, cousin, to command the
FTLN 1617 devil.
HOTSPUR
FTLN 1618 60 And I can teach thee, coz, to shame the devil
FTLN 1619 By telling truth. Tell truth and shame the devil.
FTLN 1620 If thou have power to raise him, bring him hither,
FTLN 1621 And I’ll be sworn I have power to shame him
FTLN 1622 hence.
FTLN 1623 65 O, while you live, tell truth and shame the devil!
MORTIMER
FTLN 1624 Come, come, no more of this unprofitable chat.
GLENDOWER
FTLN 1625 Three times hath Henry Bolingbroke made head
FTLN 1626 Against my power; thrice from the banks of Wye
FTLN 1627 And sandy-bottomed Severn have I sent him
FTLN 1628 70 Bootless home and weather-beaten back.
HOTSPUR
FTLN 1629 Home without boots, and in foul weather too!
FTLN 1630 How ’scapes he agues, in the devil’s name?
GLENDOWER
FTLN 1631 Come, here is the map. Shall we divide our right
FTLN 1632 According to our threefold order ta’en?
MORTIMER
FTLN 1633 75 The Archdeacon hath divided it
FTLN 1634 Into three limits very equally:

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ACT 3. SC. 1
FTLN 1635 England, from Trent and Severn hitherto,
FTLN 1636 By south and east is to my part assigned;
FTLN 1637 All westward, Wales beyond the Severn shore,
FTLN 1638 80 And all the fertile land within that bound
FTLN 1639 To Owen Glendower; and, dear coz, to you
FTLN 1640 The remnant northward lying off from Trent.
FTLN 1641 And our indentures tripartite are drawn,
FTLN 1642 Which being sealèd interchangeably—
FTLN 1643 85 A business that this night may execute—
FTLN 1644 Tomorrow, cousin Percy, you and I
FTLN 1645 And my good Lord of Worcester will set forth
FTLN 1646 To meet your father and the Scottish power,
FTLN 1647 As is appointed us, at Shrewsbury.
FTLN 1648 90 My father Glendower is not ready yet,
FTLN 1649 Nor shall we need his help these fourteen days.
FTLN 1650 To Glendower. Within that space you may have
FTLN 1651 drawn together
FTLN 1652 Your tenants, friends, and neighboring gentlemen.
GLENDOWER
FTLN 1653 95 A shorter time shall send me to you, lords,
FTLN 1654 And in my conduct shall your ladies come,
FTLN 1655 From whom you now must steal and take no leave,
FTLN 1656 For there will be a world of water shed
FTLN 1657 Upon the parting of your wives and you.
HOTSPUR , looking at the map
FTLN 1658 100 Methinks my moiety, north from Burton here,
FTLN 1659 In quantity equals not one of yours.
FTLN 1660 See how this river comes me cranking in
FTLN 1661 And cuts me from the best of all my land
FTLN 1662 A huge half-moon, a monstrous cantle out.
FTLN 1663 105 I’ll have the current in this place dammed up,
FTLN 1664 And here the smug and silver Trent shall run
FTLN 1665 In a new channel, fair and evenly.
FTLN 1666 It shall not wind with such a deep indent
FTLN 1667 To rob me of so rich a bottom here.

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ACT 3. SC. 1
GLENDOWER
FTLN 1668 110 Not wind? It shall, it must. You see it doth.
MORTIMER , to Hotspur
FTLN 1669 Yea, but mark how he bears his course, and runs
FTLN 1670 me up
FTLN 1671 With like advantage on the other side,
FTLN 1672 Gelding the opposèd continent as much
FTLN 1673 115 As on the other side it takes from you.
WORCESTER
FTLN 1674 Yea, but a little charge will trench him here
FTLN 1675 And on this north side win this cape of land,
FTLN 1676 And then he runs straight and even.
HOTSPUR
FTLN 1677 I’ll have it so. A little charge will do it.
GLENDOWER FTLN 1678 120 I’ll not have it altered.
HOTSPUR FTLN 1679 Will not you?
GLENDOWER FTLN 1680 No, nor you shall not.
HOTSPUR FTLN 1681 Who shall say me nay?
GLENDOWER FTLN 1682 Why, that will I.
HOTSPUR
FTLN 1683 125 Let me not understand you, then; speak it in Welsh.
GLENDOWER
FTLN 1684 I can speak English, lord, as well as you,
FTLN 1685 For I was trained up in the English court,
FTLN 1686 Where being but young I framèd to the harp
FTLN 1687 Many an English ditty lovely well
FTLN 1688 130 And gave the tongue a helpful ornament—
FTLN 1689 A virtue that was never seen in you.
HOTSPUR
FTLN 1690 Marry, and I am glad of it with all my heart.
FTLN 1691 I had rather be a kitten and cry “mew”
FTLN 1692 Than one of these same meter balladmongers.
FTLN 1693 135 I had rather hear a brazen can’stick turned,
FTLN 1694 Or a dry wheel grate on the axletree,
FTLN 1695 And that would set my teeth nothing an edge,
FTLN 1696 Nothing so much as mincing poetry.
FTLN 1697 ’Tis like the forced gait of a shuffling nag.

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ACT 3. SC. 1
GLENDOWER FTLN 1698 140 Come, you shall have Trent turned.
HOTSPUR
FTLN 1699 I do not care. I’ll give thrice so much land
FTLN 1700 To any well-deserving friend;
FTLN 1701 But in the way of bargain, mark you me,
FTLN 1702 I’ll cavil on the ninth part of a hair.
FTLN 1703 145 Are the indentures drawn? Shall we be gone?
GLENDOWER
FTLN 1704 The moon shines fair. You may away by night.
FTLN 1705 I’ll haste the writer, and withal
FTLN 1706 Break with your wives of your departure hence.
FTLN 1707 I am afraid my daughter will run mad,
FTLN 1708 150 So much she doteth on her Mortimer. He exits.
MORTIMER
FTLN 1709 Fie, cousin Percy, how you cross my father!
HOTSPUR
FTLN 1710 I cannot choose. Sometime he angers me
FTLN 1711 With telling me of the moldwarp and the ant,
FTLN 1712 Of the dreamer Merlin and his prophecies,
FTLN 1713 155 And of a dragon and a finless fish,
FTLN 1714 A clip-winged griffin and a moulten raven,
FTLN 1715 A couching lion and a ramping cat,
FTLN 1716 And such a deal of skimble-skamble stuff
FTLN 1717 As puts me from my faith. I tell you what—
FTLN 1718 160 He held me last night at least nine hours
FTLN 1719 In reckoning up the several devils’ names
FTLN 1720 That were his lackeys. I cried “Hum,” and “Well, go
FTLN 1721 to,”
FTLN 1722 But marked him not a word. O, he is as tedious
FTLN 1723 165 As a tired horse, a railing wife,
FTLN 1724 Worse than a smoky house. I had rather live
FTLN 1725 With cheese and garlic in a windmill, far,
FTLN 1726 Than feed on cates and have him talk to me
FTLN 1727 In any summer house in Christendom.
MORTIMER
FTLN 1728 170 In faith, he is a worthy gentleman,

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ACT 3. SC. 1
FTLN 1729 Exceedingly well read and profited
FTLN 1730 In strange concealments, valiant as a lion,
FTLN 1731 And wondrous affable, and as bountiful
FTLN 1732 As mines of India. Shall I tell you, cousin?
FTLN 1733 175 He holds your temper in a high respect
FTLN 1734 And curbs himself even of his natural scope
FTLN 1735 When you come cross his humor. Faith, he does.
FTLN 1736 I warrant you that man is not alive
FTLN 1737 Might so have tempted him as you have done
FTLN 1738 180 Without the taste of danger and reproof.
FTLN 1739 But do not use it oft, let me entreat you.
WORCESTER , to Hotspur
FTLN 1740 In faith, my lord, you are too willful-blame,
FTLN 1741 And, since your coming hither, have done enough
FTLN 1742 To put him quite besides his patience.
FTLN 1743 185 You must needs learn, lord, to amend this fault.
FTLN 1744 Though sometimes it show greatness, courage,
FTLN 1745 blood—
FTLN 1746 And that’s the dearest grace it renders you—
FTLN 1747 Yet oftentimes it doth present harsh rage,
FTLN 1748 190 Defect of manners, want of government,
FTLN 1749 Pride, haughtiness, opinion, and disdain,
FTLN 1750 The least of which, haunting a nobleman,
FTLN 1751 Loseth men’s hearts and leaves behind a stain
FTLN 1752 Upon the beauty of all parts besides,
FTLN 1753 195 Beguiling them of commendation.
HOTSPUR
FTLN 1754 Well, I am schooled. Good manners be your speed!
FTLN 1755 Here come our wives, and let us take our leave.
Enter Glendower with the Ladies.
MORTIMER
FTLN 1756 This is the deadly spite that angers me:
FTLN 1757 My wife can speak no English, I no Welsh.
GLENDOWER
FTLN 1758 200 My daughter weeps; she’ll not part with you.
FTLN 1759 She’ll be a soldier too, she’ll to the wars.

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ACT 3. SC. 1
MORTIMER
FTLN 1760 Good father, tell her that she and my aunt Percy
FTLN 1761 Shall follow in your conduct speedily.
Glendower speaks to her in Welsh,
and she answers him in the same.
GLENDOWER
FTLN 1762 She is desperate here, a peevish self-willed harlotry,
FTLN 1763 205 One that no persuasion can do good upon.
The Lady speaks in Welsh.
MORTIMER
FTLN 1764 I understand thy looks. That pretty Welsh
FTLN 1765 Which thou pourest down from these swelling
FTLN 1766 heavens
FTLN 1767 I am too perfect in, and but for shame
FTLN 1768 210 In such a parley should I answer thee.
The Lady speaks again in Welsh. They kiss.
FTLN 1769 I understand thy kisses, and thou mine,
FTLN 1770 And that’s a feeling disputation;
FTLN 1771 But I will never be a truant, love,
FTLN 1772 Till I have learned thy language; for thy tongue
FTLN 1773 215 Makes Welsh as sweet as ditties highly penned,
FTLN 1774 Sung by a fair queen in a summer’s bower,
FTLN 1775 With ravishing division, to her lute.
GLENDOWER
FTLN 1776 Nay, if you melt, then will she run mad.
The Lady speaks again in Welsh.
MORTIMER
FTLN 1777 O, I am ignorance itself in this!
GLENDOWER
FTLN 1778 220 She bids you on the wanton rushes lay you down
FTLN 1779 And rest your gentle head upon her lap,
FTLN 1780 And she will sing the song that pleaseth you,
FTLN 1781 And on your eyelids crown the god of sleep,
FTLN 1782 Charming your blood with pleasing heaviness,
FTLN 1783 225 Making such difference ’twixt wake and sleep
FTLN 1784 As is the difference betwixt day and night

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ACT 3. SC. 1
FTLN 1785 The hour before the heavenly harnessed team
FTLN 1786 Begins his golden progress in the east.
MORTIMER
FTLN 1787 With all my heart I’ll sit and hear her sing.
FTLN 1788 230 By that time will our book, I think, be drawn.
GLENDOWER
FTLN 1789 Do so, and those musicians that shall play to you
FTLN 1790 Hang in the air a thousand leagues from hence,
FTLN 1791 And straight they shall be here. Sit and attend.
HOTSPUR
FTLN 1792 Come, Kate, thou art perfect in lying down.
FTLN 1793 235 Come, quick, quick, that I may lay my head in thy
FTLN 1794 lap.
LADY PERCY FTLN 1795 Go, you giddy goose.
The music plays.
HOTSPUR
FTLN 1796 Now I perceive the devil understands Welsh,
FTLN 1797 And ’tis no marvel he is so humorous.
FTLN 1798 240 By ’r Lady, he is a good musician.
LADY PERCY FTLN 1799 Then should you be nothing but musical,
FTLN 1800 for you are altogether governed by humors. Lie
FTLN 1801 still, you thief, and hear the lady sing in Welsh.
HOTSPUR FTLN 1802 I had rather hear Lady, my brach, howl in
FTLN 1803 245 Irish.
LADY PERCY FTLN 1804 Wouldst thou have thy head broken?
HOTSPUR FTLN 1805 No.
LADY PERCY FTLN 1806 Then be still.
HOTSPUR FTLN 1807 Neither; ’tis a woman’s fault.
LADY PERCY FTLN 1808 250 Now God help thee!
HOTSPUR FTLN 1809 To the Welsh lady’s bed.
LADY PERCY FTLN 1810 What’s that?
HOTSPUR FTLN 1811 Peace, she sings.
Here the Lady sings a Welsh song.
HOTSPUR FTLN 1812 Come, Kate, I’ll have your song too.
LADY PERCY FTLN 1813 255 Not mine, in good sooth.
HOTSPUR FTLN 1814 Not yours, in good sooth! Heart, you swear

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ACT 3. SC. 2
FTLN 1815 like a comfit-maker’s wife! “Not you, in good
FTLN 1816 sooth,” and “as true as I live,” and “as God shall
FTLN 1817 mend me,” and “as sure as day”—
FTLN 1818 260 And givest such sarcenet surety for thy oaths
FTLN 1819 As if thou never walk’st further than Finsbury.
FTLN 1820 Swear me, Kate, like a lady as thou art,
FTLN 1821 A good mouth-filling oath, and leave “in sooth,”
FTLN 1822 And such protest of pepper-gingerbread
FTLN 1823 265 To velvet-guards and Sunday citizens.
FTLN 1824 Come, sing.
LADY PERCY FTLN 1825 I will not sing.
HOTSPUR FTLN 1826’Tis the next way to turn tailor, or be redbreast
FTLN 1827 teacher. An the indentures be drawn, I’ll
FTLN 1828 270 away within these two hours, and so come in when
FTLN 1829 you will. He exits.
GLENDOWER
FTLN 1830 Come, come, Lord Mortimer, you are as slow
FTLN 1831 As hot Lord Percy is on fire to go.
FTLN 1832 By this our book is drawn. We’ll but seal,
FTLN 1833 275 And then to horse immediately.
MORTIMER FTLN 1834 With all my heart.
They exit.
Scene 2
Enter the King, Prince of Wales, and others.
KING
FTLN 1835 Lords, give us leave; the Prince of Wales and I
FTLN 1836 Must have some private conference, but be near at
FTLN 1837 hand,
FTLN 1838 For we shall presently have need of you.
Lords exit.
FTLN 1839 5 I know not whether God will have it so
FTLN 1840 For some displeasing service I have done,
FTLN 1841 That, in His secret doom, out of my blood

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FTLN 1842 He’ll breed revengement and a scourge for me.
FTLN 1843 But thou dost in thy passages of life
FTLN 1844 10 Make me believe that thou art only marked
FTLN 1845 For the hot vengeance and the rod of heaven
FTLN 1846 To punish my mistreadings. Tell me else,
FTLN 1847 Could such inordinate and low desires,
FTLN 1848 Such poor, such bare, such lewd, such mean
FTLN 1849 15 attempts,
FTLN 1850 Such barren pleasures, rude society
FTLN 1851 As thou art matched withal, and grafted to,
FTLN 1852 Accompany the greatness of thy blood,
FTLN 1853 And hold their level with thy princely heart?
PRINCE
FTLN 1854 20 So please your Majesty, I would I could
FTLN 1855 Quit all offenses with as clear excuse
FTLN 1856 As well as I am doubtless I can purge
FTLN 1857 Myself of many I am charged withal.
FTLN 1858 Yet such extenuation let me beg
FTLN 1859 25 As, in reproof of many tales devised,
FTLN 1860 Which oft the ear of greatness needs must hear,
FTLN 1861 By smiling pickthanks and base newsmongers,
FTLN 1862 I may for some things true, wherein my youth
FTLN 1863 Hath faulty wandered and irregular,
FTLN 1864 30 Find pardon on my true submission.
KING
FTLN 1865 God pardon thee. Yet let me wonder, Harry,
FTLN 1866 At thy affections, which do hold a wing
FTLN 1867 Quite from the flight of all thy ancestors.
FTLN 1868 Thy place in council thou hast rudely lost,
FTLN 1869 35 Which by thy younger brother is supplied,
FTLN 1870 And art almost an alien to the hearts
FTLN 1871 Of all the court and princes of my blood.
FTLN 1872 The hope and expectation of thy time
FTLN 1873 Is ruined, and the soul of every man
FTLN 1874 40 Prophetically do forethink thy fall.
FTLN 1875 Had I so lavish of my presence been,

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ACT 3. SC. 2
FTLN 1876 So common-hackneyed in the eyes of men,
FTLN 1877 So stale and cheap to vulgar company,
FTLN 1878 Opinion, that did help me to the crown,
FTLN 1879 45 Had still kept loyal to possession
FTLN 1880 And left me in reputeless banishment,
FTLN 1881 A fellow of no mark nor likelihood.
FTLN 1882 By being seldom seen, I could not stir
FTLN 1883 But like a comet I was wondered at,
FTLN 1884 50 That men would tell their children “This is he.”
FTLN 1885 Others would say “Where? Which is Bolingbroke?”
FTLN 1886 And then I stole all courtesy from heaven,
FTLN 1887 And dressed myself in such humility
FTLN 1888 That I did pluck allegiance from men’s hearts,
FTLN 1889 55 Loud shouts and salutations from their mouths,
FTLN 1890 Even in the presence of the crownèd king.
FTLN 1891 Thus did I keep my person fresh and new,
FTLN 1892 My presence, like a robe pontifical,
FTLN 1893 Ne’er seen but wondered at, and so my state,
FTLN 1894 60 Seldom but sumptuous, showed like a feast
FTLN 1895 And won by rareness such solemnity.
FTLN 1896 The skipping king, he ambled up and down
FTLN 1897 With shallow jesters and rash bavin wits,
FTLN 1898 Soon kindled and soon burnt; carded his state,
FTLN 1899 65 Mingled his royalty with cap’ring fools,
FTLN 1900 Had his great name profanèd with their scorns,
FTLN 1901 And gave his countenance, against his name,
FTLN 1902 To laugh at gibing boys and stand the push
FTLN 1903 Of every beardless vain comparative;
FTLN 1904 70 Grew a companion to the common streets,
FTLN 1905 Enfeoffed himself to popularity,
FTLN 1906 That, being daily swallowed by men’s eyes,
FTLN 1907 They surfeited with honey and began
FTLN 1908 To loathe the taste of sweetness, whereof a little
FTLN 1909 75 More than a little is by much too much.
FTLN 1910 So, when he had occasion to be seen,

135
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ACT 3. SC. 2
FTLN 1911 He was but as the cuckoo is in June,
FTLN 1912 Heard, not regarded; seen, but with such eyes
FTLN 1913 As, sick and blunted with community,
FTLN 1914 80 Afford no extraordinary gaze
FTLN 1915 Such as is bent on sunlike majesty
FTLN 1916 When it shines seldom in admiring eyes,
FTLN 1917 But rather drowsed and hung their eyelids down,
FTLN 1918 Slept in his face, and rendered such aspect
FTLN 1919 85 As cloudy men use to their adversaries,
FTLN 1920 Being with his presence glutted, gorged, and full.
FTLN 1921 And in that very line, Harry, standest thou,
FTLN 1922 For thou hast lost thy princely privilege
FTLN 1923 With vile participation. Not an eye
FTLN 1924 90 But is aweary of thy common sight,
FTLN 1925 Save mine, which hath desired to see thee more,
FTLN 1926 Which now doth that I would not have it do,
FTLN 1927 Make blind itself with foolish tenderness.
PRINCE
FTLN 1928 I shall hereafter, my thrice gracious lord,
FTLN 1929 95 Be more myself.
KING FTLN 1930 For all the world
FTLN 1931 As thou art to this hour was Richard then
FTLN 1932 When I from France set foot at Ravenspurgh,
FTLN 1933 And even as I was then is Percy now.
FTLN 1934 100 Now, by my scepter, and my soul to boot,
FTLN 1935 He hath more worthy interest to the state
FTLN 1936 Than thou, the shadow of succession.
FTLN 1937 For of no right, nor color like to right,
FTLN 1938 He doth fill fields with harness in the realm,
FTLN 1939 105 Turns head against the lion’s armèd jaws,
FTLN 1940 And, being no more in debt to years than thou,
FTLN 1941 Leads ancient lords and reverend bishops on
FTLN 1942 To bloody battles and to bruising arms.
FTLN 1943 What never-dying honor hath he got
FTLN 1944 110 Against renownèd Douglas, whose high deeds,
FTLN 1945 Whose hot incursions and great name in arms,

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ACT 3. SC. 2
FTLN 1946 Holds from all soldiers chief majority
FTLN 1947 And military title capital
FTLN 1948 Through all the kingdoms that acknowledge Christ.
FTLN 1949 115 Thrice hath this Hotspur, Mars in swaddling
FTLN 1950 clothes,
FTLN 1951 This infant warrior, in his enterprises
FTLN 1952 Discomfited great Douglas, ta’en him once,
FTLN 1953 Enlargèd him, and made a friend of him,
FTLN 1954 120 To fill the mouth of deep defiance up
FTLN 1955 And shake the peace and safety of our throne.
FTLN 1956 And what say you to this? Percy, Northumberland,
FTLN 1957 The Archbishop’s Grace of York, Douglas,
FTLN 1958 Mortimer,
FTLN 1959 125 Capitulate against us and are up.
FTLN 1960 But wherefore do I tell these news to thee?
FTLN 1961 Why, Harry, do I tell thee of my foes,
FTLN 1962 Which art my nearest and dearest enemy?
FTLN 1963 Thou that art like enough, through vassal fear,
FTLN 1964 130 Base inclination, and the start of spleen,
FTLN 1965 To fight against me under Percy’s pay,
FTLN 1966 To dog his heels, and curtsy at his frowns,
FTLN 1967 To show how much thou art degenerate.
PRINCE
FTLN 1968 Do not think so. You shall not find it so.
FTLN 1969 135 And God forgive them that so much have swayed
FTLN 1970 Your Majesty’s good thoughts away from me.
FTLN 1971 I will redeem all this on Percy’s head,
FTLN 1972 And, in the closing of some glorious day,
FTLN 1973 Be bold to tell you that I am your son,
FTLN 1974 140 When I will wear a garment all of blood
FTLN 1975 And stain my favors in a bloody mask,
FTLN 1976 Which, washed away, shall scour my shame with it.
FTLN 1977 And that shall be the day, whene’er it lights,
FTLN 1978 That this same child of honor and renown,
FTLN 1979 145 This gallant Hotspur, this all-praisèd knight,
FTLN 1980 And your unthought-of Harry chance to meet.

139
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ACT 3. SC. 2
FTLN 1981 For every honor sitting on his helm,
FTLN 1982 Would they were multitudes, and on my head
FTLN 1983 My shames redoubled! For the time will come
FTLN 1984 150 That I shall make this northern youth exchange
FTLN 1985 His glorious deeds for my indignities.
FTLN 1986 Percy is but my factor, good my lord,
FTLN 1987 To engross up glorious deeds on my behalf.
FTLN 1988 And I will call him to so strict account
FTLN 1989 155 That he shall render every glory up,
FTLN 1990 Yea, even the slightest worship of his time,
FTLN 1991 Or I will tear the reckoning from his heart.
FTLN 1992 This in the name of God I promise here,
FTLN 1993 The which if He be pleased I shall perform,
FTLN 1994 160 I do beseech your Majesty may salve
FTLN 1995 The long-grown wounds of my intemperance.
FTLN 1996 If not, the end of life cancels all bands,
FTLN 1997 And I will die a hundred thousand deaths
FTLN 1998 Ere break the smallest parcel of this vow.
KING
FTLN 1999 165 A hundred thousand rebels die in this.
FTLN 2000 Thou shalt have charge and sovereign trust herein.
Enter Blunt.
FTLN 2001 How now, good Blunt? Thy looks are full of speed.
BLUNT
FTLN 2002 So hath the business that I come to speak of.
FTLN 2003 Lord Mortimer of Scotland hath sent word
FTLN 2004 170 That Douglas and the English rebels met
FTLN 2005 The eleventh of this month at Shrewsbury.
FTLN 2006 A mighty and a fearful head they are,
FTLN 2007 If promises be kept on every hand,
FTLN 2008 As ever offered foul play in a state.
KING
FTLN 2009 175 The Earl of Westmoreland set forth today,
FTLN 2010 With him my son, Lord John of Lancaster,
FTLN 2011 For this advertisement is five days old.—

141
Henry IV, Part I
ACT 3. SC. 3
FTLN 2012 On Wednesday next, Harry, you shall set forward.
FTLN 2013 On Thursday we ourselves will march. Our meeting
FTLN 2014 180 Is Bridgenorth. And, Harry, you shall march
FTLN 2015 Through Gloucestershire; by which account,
FTLN 2016 Our business valuèd, some twelve days hence
FTLN 2017 Our general forces at Bridgenorth shall meet.
FTLN 2018 Our hands are full of business. Let’s away.
FTLN 2019 185 Advantage feeds him fat while men delay.
They exit.
Scene 3
Enter Falstaff and Bardolph.
FALSTAFF FTLN 2020 Bardolph, am I not fallen away vilely since
FTLN 2021 this last action? Do I not bate? Do I not dwindle?
FTLN 2022 Why, my skin hangs about me like an old lady’s
FTLN 2023 loose gown. I am withered like an old applejohn.
FTLN 2024 5 Well, I’ll repent, and that suddenly, while I am in
FTLN 2025 some liking. I shall be out of heart shortly, and then
FTLN 2026 I shall have no strength to repent. An I have not
FTLN 2027 forgotten what the inside of a church is made of, I
FTLN 2028 am a peppercorn, a brewer’s horse. The inside of a
FTLN 2029 10 church! Company, villainous company, hath been
FTLN 2030 the spoil of me.
BARDOLPH FTLN 2031 Sir John, you are so fretful you cannot live
FTLN 2032 long.
FALSTAFF FTLN 2033 Why, there is it. Come, sing me a bawdy
FTLN 2034 15 song, make me merry. I was as virtuously given as a
FTLN 2035 gentleman need to be, virtuous enough: swore
FTLN 2036 little; diced not above seven times—a week; went to
FTLN 2037 a bawdy house not above once in a quarter—of an
FTLN 2038 hour; paid money that I borrowed—three or four
FTLN 2039 20 times; lived well and in good compass; and now I
FTLN 2040 live out of all order, out of all compass.
BARDOLPH FTLN 2041 Why, you are so fat, Sir John, that you must

143
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ACT 3. SC. 3
FTLN 2042 needs be out of all compass, out of all reasonable
FTLN 2043 compass, Sir John.
FALSTAFF FTLN 2044 25 Do thou amend thy face, and I’ll amend my
FTLN 2045 life. Thou art our admiral, thou bearest the lantern
FTLN 2046 in the poop, but ’tis in the nose of thee. Thou art the
FTLN 2047 Knight of the Burning Lamp.
BARDOLPH FTLN 2048 Why, Sir John, my face does you no harm.
FALSTAFF FTLN 2049 30 No, I’ll be sworn, I make as good use of it as
FTLN 2050 many a man doth of a death’s-head or a memento
FTLN 2051 mori. I never see thy face but I think upon hellfire
FTLN 2052 and Dives that lived in purple, for there he is in his
FTLN 2053 robes, burning, burning. If thou wert any way given
FTLN 2054 35 to virtue, I would swear by thy face. My oath should
FTLN 2055 be “By this fire, that’s God’s angel.” But thou art
FTLN 2056 altogether given over, and wert indeed, but for the
FTLN 2057 light in thy face, the son of utter darkness. When
FTLN 2058 thou ran’st up Gad’s Hill in the night to catch my
FTLN 2059 40 horse, if I did not think thou hadst been an ignis
FTLN 2060 fatuus, or a ball of wildfire, there’s no purchase in
FTLN 2061 money. O, thou art a perpetual triumph, an everlasting
FTLN 2062 bonfire-light. Thou hast saved me a thousand
FTLN 2063 marks in links and torches, walking with thee in the
FTLN 2064 45 night betwixt tavern and tavern, but the sack that
FTLN 2065 thou hast drunk me would have bought me lights as
FTLN 2066 good cheap at the dearest chandler’s in Europe. I
FTLN 2067 have maintained that salamander of yours with fire
FTLN 2068 any time this two-and-thirty years, God reward me
FTLN 2069 50 for it.
BARDOLPH FTLN 2070’Sblood, I would my face were in your
FTLN 2071 belly!
FALSTAFF FTLN 2072 Godamercy, so should I be sure to be
FTLN 2073 heartburned!
Enter Hostess.
FTLN 2074 55 How now, Dame Partlet the hen, have you enquired
FTLN 2075 yet who picked my pocket?

145
Henry IV, Part I
ACT 3. SC. 3
HOSTESS FTLN 2076 Why, Sir John, what do you think, Sir John,
FTLN 2077 do you think I keep thieves in my house? I have
FTLN 2078 searched, I have enquired, so has my husband,
FTLN 2079 60 man by man, boy by boy, servant by servant.
FTLN 2080 The tithe of a hair was never lost in my house
FTLN 2081 before.
FALSTAFF FTLN 2082 You lie, hostess. Bardolph was shaved and
FTLN 2083 lost many a hair, and I’ll be sworn my pocket was
FTLN 2084 65 picked. Go to, you are a woman, go.
HOSTESS FTLN 2085 Who, I? No, I defy thee! God’s light, I was
FTLN 2086 never called so in mine own house before.
FALSTAFF FTLN 2087 Go to, I know you well enough.
HOSTESS FTLN 2088 No, Sir John, you do not know me, Sir John. I
FTLN 2089 70 know you, Sir John. You owe me money, Sir John,
FTLN 2090 and now you pick a quarrel to beguile me of it. I
FTLN 2091 bought you a dozen of shirts to your back.
FALSTAFF FTLN 2092 Dowlas, filthy dowlas. I have given them
FTLN 2093 away to bakers’ wives; they have made bolters of
FTLN 2094 75 them.
HOSTESS FTLN 2095 Now, as I am a true woman, holland of eight
FTLN 2096 shillings an ell. You owe money here besides, Sir
FTLN 2097 John, for your diet and by-drinkings and money
FTLN 2098 lent you, four-and-twenty pound.
FALSTAFF , pointing to Bardolph FTLN 2099 80 He had his part of it.
FTLN 2100 Let him pay.
HOSTESS FTLN 2101 He? Alas, he is poor. He hath nothing.
FALSTAFF FTLN 2102 How, poor? Look upon his face. What call
FTLN 2103 you rich? Let them coin his nose. Let them coin his
FTLN 2104 85 cheeks. I’ll not pay a denier. What, will you make a
FTLN 2105 younker of me? Shall I not take mine ease in mine
FTLN 2106 inn but I shall have my pocket picked? I have lost a
FTLN 2107 seal ring of my grandfather’s worth forty mark.
HOSTESS , to Bardolph FTLN 2108 O Jesu, I have heard the Prince
FTLN 2109 90 tell him, I know not how oft, that that ring was
FTLN 2110 copper.
FALSTAFF FTLN 2111 How? The Prince is a jack, a sneak-up.

147
Henry IV, Part I
ACT 3. SC. 3
FTLN 2112 ’Sblood, an he were here, I would cudgel him like a
FTLN 2113 dog if he would say so.
Enter the Prince marching, with Peto, and Falstaff
meets him playing upon his truncheon like a fife.
FTLN 2114 95 How now, lad, is the wind in that door, i’ faith? Must
FTLN 2115 we all march?
BARDOLPH FTLN 2116 Yea, two and two, Newgate fashion.
HOSTESS , to Prince FTLN 2117 My lord, I pray you, hear me.
PRINCE FTLN 2118 What say’st thou, Mistress Quickly? How doth
FTLN 2119 100 thy husband? I love him well; he is an honest man.
HOSTESS FTLN 2120 Good my lord, hear me.
FALSTAFF FTLN 2121 Prithee, let her alone, and list to me.
PRINCE FTLN 2122 What say’st thou, Jack?
FALSTAFF FTLN 2123 The other night I fell asleep here, behind the
FTLN 2124 105 arras, and had my pocket picked. This house is
FTLN 2125 turned bawdy house; they pick pockets.
PRINCE FTLN 2126 What didst thou lose, Jack?
FALSTAFF FTLN 2127 Wilt thou believe me, Hal, three or four
FTLN 2128 bonds of forty pound apiece, and a seal ring of my
FTLN 2129 110 grandfather’s.
PRINCE FTLN 2130 A trifle, some eightpenny matter.
HOSTESS FTLN 2131 So I told him, my lord, and I said I heard
FTLN 2132 your Grace say so. And, my lord, he speaks most
FTLN 2133 vilely of you, like a foul-mouthed man, as he is, and
FTLN 2134 115 said he would cudgel you.
PRINCE FTLN 2135 What, he did not!
HOSTESS FTLN 2136 There’s neither faith, truth, nor womanhood
FTLN 2137 in me else.
FALSTAFF FTLN 2138 There’s no more faith in thee than in a
FTLN 2139 120 stewed prune, nor no more truth in thee than in a
FTLN 2140 drawn fox, and for womanhood, Maid Marian may
FTLN 2141 be the deputy’s wife of the ward to thee. Go, you
FTLN 2142 thing, go.
HOSTESS FTLN 2143 Say, what thing, what thing?
FALSTAFF FTLN 2144 125 What thing? Why, a thing to thank God on.

149
Henry IV, Part I
ACT 3. SC. 3
HOSTESS FTLN 2145 I am no thing to thank God on, I would thou
FTLN 2146 shouldst know it! I am an honest man’s wife, and,
FTLN 2147 setting thy knighthood aside, thou art a knave to
FTLN 2148 call me so.
FALSTAFF FTLN 2149 130 Setting thy womanhood aside, thou art a
FTLN 2150 beast to say otherwise.
HOSTESS FTLN 2151 Say, what beast, thou knave, thou?
FALSTAFF FTLN 2152 What beast? Why, an otter.
PRINCE FTLN 2153 An otter, Sir John. Why an otter?
FALSTAFF FTLN 2154 135 Why, she’s neither fish nor flesh; a man
FTLN 2155 knows not where to have her.
HOSTESS FTLN 2156 Thou art an unjust man in saying so. Thou or
FTLN 2157 any man knows where to have me, thou knave,
FTLN 2158 thou.
PRINCE FTLN 2159 140 Thou sayst true, hostess, and he slanders thee
FTLN 2160 most grossly.
HOSTESS FTLN 2161 So he doth you, my lord, and said this other
FTLN 2162 day you owed him a thousand pound.
PRINCE FTLN 2163 Sirrah, do I owe you a thousand pound?
FALSTAFF FTLN 2164 145 A thousand pound, Hal? A million. Thy love is
FTLN 2165 worth a million; thou owest me thy love.
HOSTESS FTLN 2166 Nay, my lord, he called you “jack,” and said
FTLN 2167 he would cudgel you.
FALSTAFF FTLN 2168 Did I, Bardolph?
BARDOLPH FTLN 2169 150 Indeed, Sir John, you said so.
FALSTAFF FTLN 2170 Yea, if he said my ring was copper.
PRINCE FTLN 2171 I say ’tis copper. Darest thou be as good as thy
FTLN 2172 word now?
FALSTAFF FTLN 2173 Why, Hal, thou knowest, as thou art but
FTLN 2174 155 man, I dare, but as thou art prince, I fear thee as I
FTLN 2175 fear the roaring of the lion’s whelp.
PRINCE FTLN 2176 And why not as the lion?
FALSTAFF FTLN 2177 The King himself is to be feared as the lion.
FTLN 2178 Dost thou think I’ll fear thee as I fear thy father?
FTLN 2179 160 Nay, an I do, I pray God my girdle break.
PRINCE FTLN 2180 O, if it should, how would thy guts fall about

151
Henry IV, Part I
ACT 3. SC. 3
FTLN 2181 thy knees! But, sirrah, there’s no room for faith,
FTLN 2182 truth, nor honesty in this bosom of thine. It is all
FTLN 2183 filled up with guts and midriff. Charge an honest
FTLN 2184 165 woman with picking thy pocket? Why, thou whoreson,
FTLN 2185 impudent, embossed rascal, if there were
FTLN 2186 anything in thy pocket but tavern reckonings,
FTLN 2187 memorandums of bawdy houses, and one poor
FTLN 2188 pennyworth of sugar candy to make thee long-winded,
FTLN 2189 170 if thy pocket were enriched with any other
FTLN 2190 injuries but these, I am a villain. And yet you will
FTLN 2191 stand to it! You will not pocket up wrong! Art thou
FTLN 2192 not ashamed?
FALSTAFF FTLN 2193 Dost thou hear, Hal? Thou knowest in the
FTLN 2194 175 state of innocency Adam fell, and what should poor
FTLN 2195 Jack Falstaff do in the days of villainy? Thou seest I
FTLN 2196 have more flesh than another man and therefore
FTLN 2197 more frailty. You confess, then, you picked my
FTLN 2198 pocket.
PRINCE FTLN 2199 180 It appears so by the story.
FALSTAFF FTLN 2200 Hostess, I forgive thee. Go make ready
FTLN 2201 breakfast, love thy husband, look to thy servants,
FTLN 2202 cherish thy guests. Thou shalt find me tractable
FTLN 2203 to any honest reason. Thou seest I am pacified still.
FTLN 2204 185 Nay, prithee, begone. (Hostess exits.) Now, Hal, to
FTLN 2205 the news at court. For the robbery, lad, how is that
FTLN 2206 answered?
PRINCE FTLN 2207 O, my sweet beef, I must still be good angel to
FTLN 2208 thee. The money is paid back again.
FALSTAFF FTLN 2209 190 O, I do not like that paying back. ’Tis a double
FTLN 2210 labor.
PRINCE FTLN 2211 I am good friends with my father and may do
FTLN 2212 anything.
FALSTAFF FTLN 2213 Rob me the Exchequer the first thing thou
FTLN 2214 195 dost, and do it with unwashed hands too.
BARDOLPH FTLN 2215 Do, my lord.
PRINCE FTLN 2216 I have procured thee, Jack, a charge of foot.

153
Henry IV, Part I
ACT 3. SC. 3
FALSTAFF FTLN 2217 I would it had been of horse. Where shall I
FTLN 2218 find one that can steal well? O, for a fine thief of
FTLN 2219 200 the age of two-and-twenty or thereabouts! I am heinously
FTLN 2220 unprovided. Well, God be thanked for these
FTLN 2221 rebels. They offend none but the virtuous. I laud
FTLN 2222 them; I praise them.
PRINCE FTLN 2223 Bardolph.
BARDOLPH FTLN 2224 205 My lord.
PRINCE , handing Bardolph papers
FTLN 2225 Go, bear this letter to Lord John of Lancaster,
FTLN 2226 To my brother John; this to my Lord of
FTLN 2227 Westmoreland. Bardolph exits.
FTLN 2228 Go, Peto, to horse, to horse, for thou and I
FTLN 2229 210 Have thirty miles to ride yet ere dinner time.
Peto exits.
FTLN 2230 Jack, meet me tomorrow in the Temple hall
FTLN 2231 At two o’clock in the afternoon;
FTLN 2232 There shalt thou know thy charge, and there receive
FTLN 2233 Money and order for their furniture.
FTLN 2234 215 The land is burning. Percy stands on high,
FTLN 2235 And either we or they must lower lie. He exits.
FALSTAFF
FTLN 2236 Rare words, brave world!—Hostess, my breakfast,
FTLN 2237 come.—
FTLN 2238 O, I could wish this tavern were my drum.
He exits.

ACT 4
Scene 1
Enter Hotspur, Worcester, and Douglas.
HOTSPUR
FTLN 2239 Well said, my noble Scot. If speaking truth
FTLN 2240 In this fine age were not thought flattery,
FTLN 2241 Such attribution should the Douglas have
FTLN 2242 As not a soldier of this season’s stamp
FTLN 2243 5 Should go so general current through the world.
FTLN 2244 By God, I cannot flatter. I do defy
FTLN 2245 The tongues of soothers. But a braver place
FTLN 2246 In my heart’s love hath no man than yourself.
FTLN 2247 Nay, task me to my word; approve me, lord.
DOUGLAS FTLN 2248 10 Thou art the king of honor.
FTLN 2249 No man so potent breathes upon the ground
FTLN 2250 But I will beard him.
HOTSPUR FTLN 2251 Do so, and ’tis well.
Enter a Messenger with letters.
FTLN 2252 What letters hast thou there? To Douglas. I can but
FTLN 2253 15 thank you.
MESSENGER FTLN 2254 These letters come from your father.
HOTSPUR
FTLN 2255 Letters from him! Why comes he not himself?
MESSENGER
FTLN 2256 He cannot come, my lord. He is grievous sick.
157

159
Henry IV, Part I
ACT 4. SC. 1
HOTSPUR
FTLN 2257 Zounds, how has he the leisure to be sick
FTLN 2258 20 In such a justling time? Who leads his power?
FTLN 2259 Under whose government come they along?
MESSENGER , handing letter to Hotspur, who begins
reading it
FTLN 2260 His letters bears his mind, not I, my lord.
WORCESTER
FTLN 2261 I prithee, tell me, doth he keep his bed?
MESSENGER
FTLN 2262 He did, my lord, four days ere I set forth,
FTLN 2263 25 And, at the time of my departure thence,
FTLN 2264 He was much feared by his physicians.
WORCESTER
FTLN 2265 I would the state of time had first been whole
FTLN 2266 Ere he by sickness had been visited.
FTLN 2267 His health was never better worth than now.
HOTSPUR
FTLN 2268 30 Sick now? Droop now? This sickness doth infect
FTLN 2269 The very lifeblood of our enterprise.
FTLN 2270 ’Tis catching hither, even to our camp.
FTLN 2271 He writes me here that inward sickness—
FTLN 2272 And that his friends by deputation
FTLN 2273 35 Could not so soon be drawn, nor did he think it
FTLN 2274 meet
FTLN 2275 To lay so dangerous and dear a trust
FTLN 2276 On any soul removed but on his own;
FTLN 2277 Yet doth he give us bold advertisement
FTLN 2278 40 That with our small conjunction we should on
FTLN 2279 To see how fortune is disposed to us,
FTLN 2280 For, as he writes, there is no quailing now,
FTLN 2281 Because the King is certainly possessed
FTLN 2282 Of all our purposes. What say you to it?
WORCESTER
FTLN 2283 45 Your father’s sickness is a maim to us.

161
Henry IV, Part I
ACT 4. SC. 1
HOTSPUR
FTLN 2284 A perilous gash, a very limb lopped off!
FTLN 2285 And yet, in faith, it is not. His present want
FTLN 2286 Seems more than we shall find it. Were it good
FTLN 2287 To set the exact wealth of all our states
FTLN 2288 50 All at one cast? To set so rich a main
FTLN 2289 On the nice hazard of one doubtful hour?
FTLN 2290 It were not good, for therein should we read
FTLN 2291 The very bottom and the soul of hope,
FTLN 2292 The very list, the very utmost bound
FTLN 2293 55 Of all our fortunes.
DOUGLAS
FTLN 2294 Faith, and so we should, where now remains
FTLN 2295 A sweet reversion. We may boldly spend
FTLN 2296 Upon the hope of what is to come in.
FTLN 2297 A comfort of retirement lives in this.
HOTSPUR
FTLN 2298 60 A rendezvous, a home to fly unto,
FTLN 2299 If that the devil and mischance look big
FTLN 2300 Upon the maidenhead of our affairs.
WORCESTER
FTLN 2301 But yet I would your father had been here.
FTLN 2302 The quality and hair of our attempt
FTLN 2303 65 Brooks no division. It will be thought
FTLN 2304 By some that know not why he is away
FTLN 2305 That wisdom, loyalty, and mere dislike
FTLN 2306 Of our proceedings kept the Earl from hence.
FTLN 2307 And think how such an apprehension
FTLN 2308 70 May turn the tide of fearful faction
FTLN 2309 And breed a kind of question in our cause.
FTLN 2310 For well you know, we of the off’ring side
FTLN 2311 Must keep aloof from strict arbitrament,
FTLN 2312 And stop all sight-holes, every loop from whence
FTLN 2313 75 The eye of reason may pry in upon us.
FTLN 2314 This absence of your father’s draws a curtain

163
Henry IV, Part I
ACT 4. SC. 1
FTLN 2315 That shows the ignorant a kind of fear
FTLN 2316 Before not dreamt of.
HOTSPUR FTLN 2317 You strain too far.
FTLN 2318 80 I rather of his absence make this use:
FTLN 2319 It lends a luster and more great opinion,
FTLN 2320 A larger dare, to our great enterprise
FTLN 2321 Than if the Earl were here, for men must think
FTLN 2322 If we without his help can make a head
FTLN 2323 85 To push against a kingdom, with his help
FTLN 2324 We shall o’erturn it topsy-turvy down.
FTLN 2325 Yet all goes well; yet all our joints are whole.
DOUGLAS
FTLN 2326 As heart can think. There is not such a word
FTLN 2327 Spoke of in Scotland as this term of fear.
Enter Sir Richard Vernon.
HOTSPUR
FTLN 2328 90 My cousin Vernon, welcome, by my soul.
VERNON
FTLN 2329 Pray God my news be worth a welcome, lord.
FTLN 2330 The Earl of Westmoreland, seven thousand strong,
FTLN 2331 Is marching hitherwards, with him Prince John.
HOTSPUR
FTLN 2332 No harm, what more?
VERNON FTLN 2333 95 And further I have learned
FTLN 2334 The King himself in person is set forth,
FTLN 2335 Or hitherwards intended speedily,
FTLN 2336 With strong and mighty preparation.
HOTSPUR
FTLN 2337 He shall be welcome too. Where is his son,
FTLN 2338 100 The nimble-footed madcap Prince of Wales,
FTLN 2339 And his comrades, that daffed the world aside
FTLN 2340 And bid it pass?
VERNON FTLN 2341 All furnished, all in arms,
FTLN 2342 All plumed like estridges that with the wind
FTLN 2343 105 Bated like eagles having lately bathed,

165
Henry IV, Part I
ACT 4. SC. 1
FTLN 2344 Glittering in golden coats like images,
FTLN 2345 As full of spirit as the month of May,
FTLN 2346 And gorgeous as the sun at midsummer,
FTLN 2347 Wanton as youthful goats, wild as young bulls.
FTLN 2348 110 I saw young Harry with his beaver on,
FTLN 2349 His cuisses on his thighs, gallantly armed,
FTLN 2350 Rise from the ground like feathered Mercury
FTLN 2351 And vaulted with such ease into his seat
FTLN 2352 As if an angel dropped down from the clouds,
FTLN 2353 115 To turn and wind a fiery Pegasus
FTLN 2354 And witch the world with noble horsemanship.
HOTSPUR
FTLN 2355 No more, no more! Worse than the sun in March
FTLN 2356 This praise doth nourish agues. Let them come.
FTLN 2357 They come like sacrifices in their trim,
FTLN 2358 120 And to the fire-eyed maid of smoky war
FTLN 2359 All hot and bleeding will we offer them.
FTLN 2360 The mailèd Mars shall on his altar sit
FTLN 2361 Up to the ears in blood. I am on fire
FTLN 2362 To hear this rich reprisal is so nigh
FTLN 2363 125 And yet not ours. Come, let me taste my horse,
FTLN 2364 Who is to bear me like a thunderbolt
FTLN 2365 Against the bosom of the Prince of Wales.
FTLN 2366 Harry to Harry shall, hot horse to horse,
FTLN 2367 Meet and ne’er part till one drop down a corse.
FTLN 2368 130 O, that Glendower were come!
VERNON FTLN 2369 There is more news.
FTLN 2370 I learned in Worcester, as I rode along,
FTLN 2371 He cannot draw his power this fourteen days.
DOUGLAS
FTLN 2372 That’s the worst tidings that I hear of yet.
WORCESTER
FTLN 2373 135 Ay, by my faith, that bears a frosty sound.
HOTSPUR
FTLN 2374 What may the King’s whole battle reach unto?

167
Henry IV, Part I
ACT 4. SC. 2
VERNON
FTLN 2375 To thirty thousand.
HOTSPUR FTLN 2376 Forty let it be.
FTLN 2377 My father and Glendower being both away,
FTLN 2378 140 The powers of us may serve so great a day.
FTLN 2379 Come, let us take a muster speedily.
FTLN 2380 Doomsday is near. Die all, die merrily.
DOUGLAS
FTLN 2381 Talk not of dying. I am out of fear
FTLN 2382 Of death or death’s hand for this one half year.
They exit.
Scene 2
Enter Falstaff and Bardolph.
FALSTAFF FTLN 2383 Bardolph, get thee before to Coventry. Fill
FTLN 2384 me a bottle of sack. Our soldiers shall march
FTLN 2385 through. We’ll to Sutton Coldfield tonight.
BARDOLPH FTLN 2386 Will you give me money, captain?
FALSTAFF FTLN 2387 5 Lay out, lay out.
BARDOLPH FTLN 2388 This bottle makes an angel.
FALSTAFF FTLN 2389 An if it do, take it for thy labor. An if it make
FTLN 2390 twenty, take them all. I’ll answer the coinage. Bid
FTLN 2391 my lieutenant Peto meet me at town’s end.
BARDOLPH FTLN 2392 10 I will, captain. Farewell. He exits.
FALSTAFF FTLN 2393 If I be not ashamed of my soldiers, I am a
FTLN 2394 soused gurnet. I have misused the King’s press
FTLN 2395 damnably. I have got, in exchange of a hundred
FTLN 2396 and fifty soldiers, three hundred and odd pounds. I
FTLN 2397 15 press me none but good householders, yeomen’s
FTLN 2398 sons, inquire me out contracted bachelors, such as
FTLN 2399 had been asked twice on the banns—such a commodity
FTLN 2400 of warm slaves as had as lief hear the devil
FTLN 2401 as a drum, such as fear the report of a caliver worse

169
Henry IV, Part I
ACT 4. SC. 2
FTLN 2402 20 than a struck fowl or a hurt wild duck. I pressed me
FTLN 2403 none but such toasts-and-butter, with hearts in their
FTLN 2404 bellies no bigger than pins’ heads, and they have
FTLN 2405 bought out their services, and now my whole
FTLN 2406 charge consists of ancients, corporals, lieutenants,
FTLN 2407 25 gentlemen of companies—slaves as ragged as Lazarus
FTLN 2408 in the painted cloth, where the glutton’s dogs
FTLN 2409 licked his sores; and such as indeed were never
FTLN 2410 soldiers, but discarded, unjust servingmen, younger
FTLN 2411 sons to younger brothers, revolted tapsters, and
FTLN 2412 30 ostlers tradefallen, the cankers of a calm world and
FTLN 2413 a long peace, ten times more dishonorable-ragged
FTLN 2414 than an old feazed ancient; and such have I to fill up
FTLN 2415 the rooms of them as have bought out their services,
FTLN 2416 that you would think that I had a hundred and fifty
FTLN 2417 35 tattered prodigals lately come from swine-keeping,
FTLN 2418 from eating draff and husks. A mad fellow met me
FTLN 2419 on the way and told me I had unloaded all the
FTLN 2420 gibbets and pressed the dead bodies. No eye hath
FTLN 2421 seen such scarecrows. I’ll not march through Coventry
FTLN 2422 40 with them, that’s flat. Nay, and the villains
FTLN 2423 march wide betwixt the legs as if they had gyves on,
FTLN 2424 for indeed I had the most of them out of prison.
FTLN 2425 There’s not a shirt and a half in all my company,
FTLN 2426 and the half shirt is two napkins tacked together
FTLN 2427 45 and thrown over the shoulders like a herald’s coat
FTLN 2428 without sleeves; and the shirt, to say the truth,
FTLN 2429 stolen from my host at Saint Albans or the red-nose
FTLN 2430 innkeeper of Daventry. But that’s all one; they’ll find
FTLN 2431 linen enough on every hedge.
Enter the Prince and the Lord of Westmoreland.
PRINCE FTLN 2432 50 How now, blown Jack? How now, quilt?
FALSTAFF FTLN 2433 What, Hal, how now, mad wag? What a devil
FTLN 2434 dost thou in Warwickshire?—My good Lord of

171
Henry IV, Part I
ACT 4. SC. 2
FTLN 2435 Westmoreland, I cry you mercy. I thought your
FTLN 2436 Honor had already been at Shrewsbury.
WESTMORELAND FTLN 2437 55 Faith, Sir John, ’tis more than time
FTLN 2438 that I were there and you too, but my powers are
FTLN 2439 there already. The King, I can tell you, looks for us
FTLN 2440 all. We must away all night.
FALSTAFF FTLN 2441 Tut, never fear me. I am as vigilant as a cat to
FTLN 2442 60 steal cream.
PRINCE FTLN 2443 I think to steal cream indeed, for thy theft hath
FTLN 2444 already made thee butter. But tell me, Jack, whose
FTLN 2445 fellows are these that come after?
FALSTAFF FTLN 2446 Mine, Hal, mine.
PRINCE FTLN 2447 65 I did never see such pitiful rascals.
FALSTAFF FTLN 2448 Tut, tut, good enough to toss; food for powder,
FTLN 2449 food for powder. They’ll fill a pit as well as
FTLN 2450 better. Tush, man, mortal men, mortal men.
WESTMORELAND FTLN 2451 Ay, but, Sir John, methinks they are
FTLN 2452 70 exceeding poor and bare, too beggarly.
FALSTAFF FTLN 2453 Faith, for their poverty, I know not where
FTLN 2454 they had that, and for their bareness, I am sure they
FTLN 2455 never learned that of me.
PRINCE FTLN 2456 No, I’ll be sworn, unless you call three fingers
FTLN 2457 75 in the ribs bare. But, sirrah, make haste. Percy is
FTLN 2458 already in the field. He exits.
FALSTAFF FTLN 2459 What, is the King encamped?
WESTMORELAND FTLN 2460 He is, Sir John. I fear we shall stay too
FTLN 2461 long. He exits.
FALSTAFF FTLN 2462 80 Well,
FTLN 2463 To the latter end of a fray and the beginning of a
FTLN 2464 feast
FTLN 2465 Fits a dull fighter and a keen guest.
He exits.

173
Henry IV, Part I
ACT 4. SC. 3
Scene 3
Enter Hotspur, Worcester, Douglas, and Vernon.
HOTSPUR
FTLN 2466 We’ll fight with him tonight.
WORCESTER FTLN 2467 It may not be.
DOUGLAS
FTLN 2468 You give him then advantage.
VERNON FTLN 2469 Not a whit.
HOTSPUR
FTLN 2470 5 Why say you so? Looks he not for supply?
VERNON FTLN 2471 So do we.
HOTSPUR FTLN 2472 His is certain; ours is doubtful.
WORCESTER
FTLN 2473 Good cousin, be advised. Stir not tonight.
VERNON , to Hotspur
FTLN 2474 Do not, my lord.
DOUGLAS FTLN 2475 10 You do not counsel well.
FTLN 2476 You speak it out of fear and cold heart.
VERNON
FTLN 2477 Do me no slander, Douglas. By my life
FTLN 2478 (And I dare well maintain it with my life),
FTLN 2479 If well-respected honor bid me on,
FTLN 2480 15 I hold as little counsel with weak fear
FTLN 2481 As you, my lord, or any Scot that this day lives.
FTLN 2482 Let it be seen tomorrow in the battle
FTLN 2483 Which of us fears.
DOUGLAS FTLN 2484 Yea, or tonight.
VERNON FTLN 2485 20 Content.
HOTSPUR FTLN 2486 Tonight, say I.
VERNON
FTLN 2487 Come, come, it may not be. I wonder much,
FTLN 2488 Being men of such great leading as you are,
FTLN 2489 That you foresee not what impediments
FTLN 2490 25 Drag back our expedition. Certain horse
FTLN 2491 Of my cousin Vernon’s are not yet come up.

175
Henry IV, Part I
ACT 4. SC. 3
FTLN 2492 Your uncle Worcester’s horse came but today,
FTLN 2493 And now their pride and mettle is asleep,
FTLN 2494 Their courage with hard labor tame and dull,
FTLN 2495 30 That not a horse is half the half of himself.
HOTSPUR
FTLN 2496 So are the horses of the enemy
FTLN 2497 In general journey-bated and brought low.
FTLN 2498 The better part of ours are full of rest.
WORCESTER
FTLN 2499 The number of the King exceedeth ours.
FTLN 2500 35 For God’s sake, cousin, stay till all come in.
The trumpet sounds a parley.
Enter Sir Walter Blunt.
BLUNT
FTLN 2501 I come with gracious offers from the King,
FTLN 2502 If you vouchsafe me hearing and respect.
HOTSPUR
FTLN 2503 Welcome, Sir Walter Blunt, and would to God
FTLN 2504 You were of our determination.
FTLN 2505 40 Some of us love you well, and even those some
FTLN 2506 Envy your great deservings and good name
FTLN 2507 Because you are not of our quality
FTLN 2508 But stand against us like an enemy.
BLUNT
FTLN 2509 And God defend but still I should stand so,
FTLN 2510 45 So long as out of limit and true rule
FTLN 2511 You stand against anointed majesty.
FTLN 2512 But to my charge. The King hath sent to know
FTLN 2513 The nature of your griefs, and whereupon
FTLN 2514 You conjure from the breast of civil peace
FTLN 2515 50 Such bold hostility, teaching his duteous land
FTLN 2516 Audacious cruelty. If that the King
FTLN 2517 Have any way your good deserts forgot,
FTLN 2518 Which he confesseth to be manifold,
FTLN 2519 He bids you name your griefs, and with all speed

177
Henry IV, Part I
ACT 4. SC. 3
FTLN 2520 55 You shall have your desires with interest
FTLN 2521 And pardon absolute for yourself and these
FTLN 2522 Herein misled by your suggestion.
HOTSPUR
FTLN 2523 The King is kind, and well we know the King
FTLN 2524 Knows at what time to promise, when to pay.
FTLN 2525 60 My father and my uncle and myself
FTLN 2526 Did give him that same royalty he wears,
FTLN 2527 And when he was not six-and-twenty strong,
FTLN 2528 Sick in the world’s regard, wretched and low,
FTLN 2529 A poor unminded outlaw sneaking home,
FTLN 2530 65 My father gave him welcome to the shore;
FTLN 2531 And when he heard him swear and vow to God
FTLN 2532 He came but to be Duke of Lancaster,
FTLN 2533 To sue his livery, and beg his peace
FTLN 2534 With tears of innocency and terms of zeal,
FTLN 2535 70 My father, in kind heart and pity moved,
FTLN 2536 Swore him assistance and performed it too.
FTLN 2537 Now when the lords and barons of the realm
FTLN 2538 Perceived Northumberland did lean to him,
FTLN 2539 The more and less came in with cap and knee,
FTLN 2540 75 Met him in boroughs, cities, villages,
FTLN 2541 Attended him on bridges, stood in lanes,
FTLN 2542 Laid gifts before him, proffered him their oaths,
FTLN 2543 Gave him their heirs as pages, followed him
FTLN 2544 Even at the heels in golden multitudes.
FTLN 2545 80 He presently, as greatness knows itself,
FTLN 2546 Steps me a little higher than his vow
FTLN 2547 Made to my father while his blood was poor
FTLN 2548 Upon the naked shore at Ravenspurgh,
FTLN 2549 And now forsooth takes on him to reform
FTLN 2550 85 Some certain edicts and some strait decrees
FTLN 2551 That lie too heavy on the commonwealth,
FTLN 2552 Cries out upon abuses, seems to weep
FTLN 2553 Over his country’s wrongs, and by this face,
FTLN 2554 This seeming brow of justice, did he win
FTLN 2555 90 The hearts of all that he did angle for,

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ACT 4. SC. 3
FTLN 2556 Proceeded further—cut me off the heads
FTLN 2557 Of all the favorites that the absent king
FTLN 2558 In deputation left behind him here
FTLN 2559 When he was personal in the Irish war.
BLUNT
FTLN 2560 95 Tut, I came not to hear this.
HOTSPUR FTLN 2561 Then to the point.
FTLN 2562 In short time after, he deposed the King,
FTLN 2563 Soon after that deprived him of his life
FTLN 2564 And, in the neck of that, tasked the whole state.
FTLN 2565 100 To make that worse, suffered his kinsman March
FTLN 2566 (Who is, if every owner were well placed,
FTLN 2567 Indeed his king) to be engaged in Wales,
FTLN 2568 There without ransom to lie forfeited,
FTLN 2569 Disgraced me in my happy victories,
FTLN 2570 105 Sought to entrap me by intelligence,
FTLN 2571 Rated mine uncle from the council board,
FTLN 2572 In rage dismissed my father from the court,
FTLN 2573 Broke oath on oath, committed wrong on wrong,
FTLN 2574 And in conclusion drove us to seek out
FTLN 2575 110 This head of safety, and withal to pry
FTLN 2576 Into his title, the which we find
FTLN 2577 Too indirect for long continuance.
BLUNT
FTLN 2578 Shall I return this answer to the King?
HOTSPUR
FTLN 2579 Not so, Sir Walter. We’ll withdraw awhile.
FTLN 2580 115 Go to the King, and let there be impawned
FTLN 2581 Some surety for a safe return again,
FTLN 2582 And in the morning early shall mine uncle
FTLN 2583 Bring him our purposes. And so farewell.
BLUNT
FTLN 2584 I would you would accept of grace and love.
HOTSPUR
FTLN 2585 120 And maybe so we shall.
BLUNT FTLN 2586 Pray God you do.
They exit.

181
Henry IV, Part I
ACT 4. SC. 4
Scene 4
Enter Archbishop of York and Sir Michael.
ARCHBISHOP , handing papers
FTLN 2587 Hie, good Sir Michael, bear this sealèd brief
FTLN 2588 With wingèd haste to the Lord Marshal,
FTLN 2589 This to my cousin Scroop, and all the rest
FTLN 2590 To whom they are directed. If you knew
FTLN 2591 5 How much they do import, you would make haste.
SIR MICHAEL
FTLN 2592 My good lord, I guess their tenor.
ARCHBISHOP FTLN 2593 Like enough you do.
FTLN 2594 Tomorrow, good Sir Michael, is a day
FTLN 2595 Wherein the fortune of ten thousand men
FTLN 2596 10 Must bide the touch. For, sir, at Shrewsbury,
FTLN 2597 As I am truly given to understand,
FTLN 2598 The King with mighty and quick-raisèd power
FTLN 2599 Meets with Lord Harry. And I fear, Sir Michael,
FTLN 2600 What with the sickness of Northumberland,
FTLN 2601 15 Whose power was in the first proportion,
FTLN 2602 And what with Owen Glendower’s absence thence,
FTLN 2603 Who with them was a rated sinew too
FTLN 2604 And comes not in, o’erruled by prophecies,
FTLN 2605 I fear the power of Percy is too weak
FTLN 2606 20 To wage an instant trial with the King.
SIR MICHAEL
FTLN 2607 Why, my good lord, you need not fear.
FTLN 2608 There is Douglas and Lord Mortimer.
ARCHBISHOP FTLN 2609 No, Mortimer is not there.
SIR MICHAEL
FTLN 2610 But there is Mordake, Vernon, Lord Harry Percy,
FTLN 2611 25 And there is my Lord of Worcester, and a head
FTLN 2612 Of gallant warriors, noble gentlemen.
ARCHBISHOP
FTLN 2613 And so there is. But yet the King hath drawn
FTLN 2614 The special head of all the land together:

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Henry IV, Part I
ACT 4. SC. 4
FTLN 2615 The Prince of Wales, Lord John of Lancaster,
FTLN 2616 30 The noble Westmoreland, and warlike Blunt,
FTLN 2617 And many more corrivals and dear men
FTLN 2618 Of estimation and command in arms.
SIR MICHAEL
FTLN 2619 Doubt not, my lord, they shall be well opposed.
ARCHBISHOP
FTLN 2620 I hope no less, yet needful ’tis to fear;
FTLN 2621 35 And to prevent the worst, Sir Michael, speed.
FTLN 2622 For if Lord Percy thrive not, ere the King
FTLN 2623 Dismiss his power he means to visit us,
FTLN 2624 For he hath heard of our confederacy,
FTLN 2625 And ’tis but wisdom to make strong against him.
FTLN 2626 40 Therefore make haste. I must go write again
FTLN 2627 To other friends. And so farewell, Sir Michael.
They exit.

ACT 5
Scene 1
Enter the King, Prince of Wales, Lord John of Lancaster,
Sir Walter Blunt, and Falstaff.
KING
FTLN 2628 How bloodily the sun begins to peer
FTLN 2629 Above yon bulky hill. The day looks pale
FTLN 2630 At his distemp’rature.
PRINCE FTLN 2631 The southern wind
FTLN 2632 5 Doth play the trumpet to his purposes,
FTLN 2633 And by his hollow whistling in the leaves
FTLN 2634 Foretells a tempest and a blust’ring day.
KING
FTLN 2635 Then with the losers let it sympathize,
FTLN 2636 For nothing can seem foul to those that win.
The trumpet sounds.
Enter Worcester and Vernon.
FTLN 2637 10 How now, my Lord of Worcester? ’Tis not well
FTLN 2638 That you and I should meet upon such terms
FTLN 2639 As now we meet. You have deceived our trust
FTLN 2640 And made us doff our easy robes of peace
FTLN 2641 To crush our old limbs in ungentle steel.
FTLN 2642 15 This is not well, my lord; this is not well.
FTLN 2643 What say you to it? Will you again unknit
FTLN 2644 This churlish knot of all-abhorrèd war
187

189
Henry IV, Part I
ACT 5. SC. 1
FTLN 2645 And move in that obedient orb again
FTLN 2646 Where you did give a fair and natural light,
FTLN 2647 20 And be no more an exhaled meteor,
FTLN 2648 A prodigy of fear, and a portent
FTLN 2649 Of broachèd mischief to the unborn times?
WORCESTER FTLN 2650 Hear me, my liege:
FTLN 2651 For mine own part I could be well content
FTLN 2652 25 To entertain the lag end of my life
FTLN 2653 With quiet hours. For I protest
FTLN 2654 I have not sought the day of this dislike.
KING
FTLN 2655 You have not sought it. How comes it then?
FALSTAFF FTLN 2656 Rebellion lay in his way, and he found it.
PRINCE FTLN 2657 30 Peace, chewet, peace.
WORCESTER
FTLN 2658 It pleased your Majesty to turn your looks
FTLN 2659 Of favor from myself and all our house;
FTLN 2660 And yet I must remember you, my lord,
FTLN 2661 We were the first and dearest of your friends.
FTLN 2662 35 For you my staff of office did I break
FTLN 2663 In Richard’s time, and posted day and night
FTLN 2664 To meet you on the way and kiss your hand
FTLN 2665 When yet you were in place and in account
FTLN 2666 Nothing so strong and fortunate as I.
FTLN 2667 40 It was myself, my brother, and his son
FTLN 2668 That brought you home and boldly did outdare
FTLN 2669 The dangers of the time. You swore to us,
FTLN 2670 And you did swear that oath at Doncaster,
FTLN 2671 That you did nothing purpose ’gainst the state,
FTLN 2672 45 Nor claim no further than your new-fall’n right,
FTLN 2673 The seat of Gaunt, dukedom of Lancaster.
FTLN 2674 To this we swore our aid. But in short space
FTLN 2675 It rained down fortune show’ring on your head,
FTLN 2676 And such a flood of greatness fell on you—
FTLN 2677 50 What with our help, what with the absent king,
FTLN 2678 What with the injuries of a wanton time,

191
Henry IV, Part I
ACT 5. SC. 1
FTLN 2679 The seeming sufferances that you had borne,
FTLN 2680 And the contrarious winds that held the King
FTLN 2681 So long in his unlucky Irish wars
FTLN 2682 55 That all in England did repute him dead—
FTLN 2683 And from this swarm of fair advantages
FTLN 2684 You took occasion to be quickly wooed
FTLN 2685 To gripe the general sway into your hand,
FTLN 2686 Forgot your oath to us at Doncaster;
FTLN 2687 60 And being fed by us, you used us so
FTLN 2688 As that ungentle gull, the cuckoo’s bird,
FTLN 2689 Useth the sparrow—did oppress our nest,
FTLN 2690 Grew by our feeding to so great a bulk
FTLN 2691 That even our love durst not come near your sight
FTLN 2692 65 For fear of swallowing; but with nimble wing
FTLN 2693 We were enforced for safety sake to fly
FTLN 2694 Out of your sight and raise this present head,
FTLN 2695 Whereby we stand opposèd by such means
FTLN 2696 As you yourself have forged against yourself
FTLN 2697 70 By unkind usage, dangerous countenance,
FTLN 2698 And violation of all faith and troth
FTLN 2699 Sworn to us in your younger enterprise.
KING
FTLN 2700 These things indeed you have articulate,
FTLN 2701 Proclaimed at market crosses, read in churches,
FTLN 2702 75 To face the garment of rebellion
FTLN 2703 With some fine color that may please the eye
FTLN 2704 Of fickle changelings and poor discontents,
FTLN 2705 Which gape and rub the elbow at the news
FTLN 2706 Of hurlyburly innovation.
FTLN 2707 80 And never yet did insurrection want
FTLN 2708 Such water colors to impaint his cause,
FTLN 2709 Nor moody beggars starving for a time
FTLN 2710 Of pellmell havoc and confusion.
PRINCE
FTLN 2711 In both your armies there is many a soul
FTLN 2712 85 Shall pay full dearly for this encounter

193
Henry IV, Part I
ACT 5. SC. 1
FTLN 2713 If once they join in trial. Tell your nephew,
FTLN 2714 The Prince of Wales doth join with all the world
FTLN 2715 In praise of Henry Percy. By my hopes,
FTLN 2716 This present enterprise set off his head,
FTLN 2717 90 I do not think a braver gentleman,
FTLN 2718 More active-valiant, or more valiant-young,
FTLN 2719 More daring or more bold, is now alive
FTLN 2720 To grace this latter age with noble deeds.
FTLN 2721 For my part, I may speak it to my shame,
FTLN 2722 95 I have a truant been to chivalry,
FTLN 2723 And so I hear he doth account me too.
FTLN 2724 Yet this before my father’s majesty:
FTLN 2725 I am content that he shall take the odds
FTLN 2726 Of his great name and estimation,
FTLN 2727 100 And will, to save the blood on either side,
FTLN 2728 Try fortune with him in a single fight.
KING
FTLN 2729 And, Prince of Wales, so dare we venture thee,
FTLN 2730 Albeit considerations infinite
FTLN 2731 Do make against it.—No, good Worcester, no.
FTLN 2732 105 We love our people well, even those we love
FTLN 2733 That are misled upon your cousin’s part.
FTLN 2734 And, will they take the offer of our grace,
FTLN 2735 Both he and they and you, yea, every man
FTLN 2736 Shall be my friend again, and I’ll be his.
FTLN 2737 110 So tell your cousin, and bring me word
FTLN 2738 What he will do. But if he will not yield,
FTLN 2739 Rebuke and dread correction wait on us,
FTLN 2740 And they shall do their office. So begone.
FTLN 2741 We will not now be troubled with reply.
FTLN 2742 115 We offer fair. Take it advisedly.
Worcester exits with Vernon.
PRINCE
FTLN 2743 It will not be accepted, on my life.
FTLN 2744 The Douglas and the Hotspur both together
FTLN 2745 Are confident against the world in arms.

195
Henry IV, Part I
ACT 5. SC. 2
KING
FTLN 2746 Hence, therefore, every leader to his charge,
FTLN 2747 120 For on their answer will we set on them,
FTLN 2748 And God befriend us as our cause is just.
They exit. Prince and Falstaff remain.
FALSTAFF FTLN 2749 Hal, if thou see me down in the battle and
FTLN 2750 bestride me, so; ’tis a point of friendship.
PRINCE FTLN 2751 Nothing but a colossus can do thee that friendship.
FTLN 2752 125 Say thy prayers, and farewell.
FALSTAFF FTLN 2753 I would ’twere bedtime, Hal, and all well.
PRINCE FTLN 2754 Why, thou owest God a death. He exits.
FALSTAFF FTLN 2755’Tis not due yet. I would be loath to pay Him
FTLN 2756 before His day. What need I be so forward with
FTLN 2757 130 Him that calls not on me? Well, ’tis no matter.
FTLN 2758 Honor pricks me on. Yea, but how if honor prick me
FTLN 2759 off when I come on? How then? Can honor set to a
FTLN 2760 leg? No. Or an arm? No. Or take away the grief of a
FTLN 2761 wound? No. Honor hath no skill in surgery, then?
FTLN 2762 135 No. What is honor? A word. What is in that word
FTLN 2763 “honor”? What is that “honor”? Air. A trim reckoning.
FTLN 2764 Who hath it? He that died o’ Wednesday. Doth
FTLN 2765 he feel it? No. Doth he hear it? No. ’Tis insensible,
FTLN 2766 then? Yea, to the dead. But will it not live with the
FTLN 2767 140 living? No. Why? Detraction will not suffer it. Therefore,
FTLN 2768 I’ll none of it. Honor is a mere scutcheon. And
FTLN 2769 so ends my catechism.
He exits.
Scene 2
Enter Worcester and Sir Richard Vernon.
WORCESTER
FTLN 2770 O no, my nephew must not know, Sir Richard,
FTLN 2771 The liberal and kind offer of the King.

197
Henry IV, Part I
ACT 5. SC. 2
VERNON
FTLN 2772 ’Twere best he did.
WORCESTER FTLN 2773 Then are we all undone.
FTLN 2774 5 It is not possible, it cannot be
FTLN 2775 The King should keep his word in loving us.
FTLN 2776 He will suspect us still and find a time
FTLN 2777 To punish this offense in other faults.
FTLN 2778 Suspicion all our lives shall be stuck full of
FTLN 2779 10 eyes,
FTLN 2780 For treason is but trusted like the fox,
FTLN 2781 Who, never so tame, so cherished and locked up,
FTLN 2782 Will have a wild trick of his ancestors.
FTLN 2783 Look how we can, or sad or merrily,
FTLN 2784 15 Interpretation will misquote our looks,
FTLN 2785 And we shall feed like oxen at a stall,
FTLN 2786 The better cherished still the nearer death.
FTLN 2787 My nephew’s trespass may be well forgot;
FTLN 2788 It hath the excuse of youth and heat of blood,
FTLN 2789 20 And an adopted name of privilege—
FTLN 2790 A harebrained Hotspur governed by a spleen.
FTLN 2791 All his offenses live upon my head
FTLN 2792 And on his father’s. We did train him on,
FTLN 2793 And his corruption being ta’en from us,
FTLN 2794 25 We as the spring of all shall pay for all.
FTLN 2795 Therefore, good cousin, let not Harry know
FTLN 2796 In any case the offer of the King.
VERNON
FTLN 2797 Deliver what you will; I’ll say ’tis so.
Enter Hotspur, Douglas, and their army.
FTLN 2798 Here comes your cousin.
HOTSPUR , to Douglas FTLN 2799 30 My uncle is returned.
FTLN 2800 Deliver up my Lord of Westmoreland.—
FTLN 2801 Uncle, what news?
WORCESTER
FTLN 2802 The King will bid you battle presently.

199
Henry IV, Part I
ACT 5. SC. 2
DOUGLAS , to Hotspur
FTLN 2803 Defy him by the Lord of Westmoreland.
HOTSPUR
FTLN 2804 35 Lord Douglas, go you and tell him so.
DOUGLAS
FTLN 2805 Marry, and shall, and very willingly. Douglas exits.
WORCESTER
FTLN 2806 There is no seeming mercy in the King.
HOTSPUR
FTLN 2807 Did you beg any? God forbid!
WORCESTER
FTLN 2808 I told him gently of our grievances,
FTLN 2809 40 Of his oath-breaking, which he mended thus
FTLN 2810 By now forswearing that he is forsworn.
FTLN 2811 He calls us “rebels,” “traitors,” and will scourge
FTLN 2812 With haughty arms this hateful name in us.
Enter Douglas.
DOUGLAS
FTLN 2813 Arm, gentlemen, to arms. For I have thrown
FTLN 2814 45 A brave defiance in King Henry’s teeth,
FTLN 2815 And Westmoreland, that was engaged, did bear it,
FTLN 2816 Which cannot choose but bring him quickly on.
WORCESTER
FTLN 2817 The Prince of Wales stepped forth before the King,
FTLN 2818 And, nephew, challenged you to single fight.
HOTSPUR
FTLN 2819 50 O, would the quarrel lay upon our heads,
FTLN 2820 And that no man might draw short breath today
FTLN 2821 But I and Harry Monmouth! Tell me, tell me,
FTLN 2822 How showed his tasking? Seemed it in contempt?
VERNON
FTLN 2823 No, by my soul. I never in my life
FTLN 2824 55 Did hear a challenge urged more modestly,
FTLN 2825 Unless a brother should a brother dare
FTLN 2826 To gentle exercise and proof of arms.

201
Henry IV, Part I
ACT 5. SC. 2
FTLN 2827 He gave you all the duties of a man,
FTLN 2828 Trimmed up your praises with a princely tongue,
FTLN 2829 60 Spoke your deservings like a chronicle,
FTLN 2830 Making you ever better than his praise
FTLN 2831 By still dispraising praise valued with you,
FTLN 2832 And, which became him like a prince indeed,
FTLN 2833 He made a blushing cital of himself,
FTLN 2834 65 And chid his truant youth with such a grace
FTLN 2835 As if he mastered there a double spirit
FTLN 2836 Of teaching and of learning instantly.
FTLN 2837 There did he pause, but let me tell the world:
FTLN 2838 If he outlive the envy of this day,
FTLN 2839 70 England did never owe so sweet a hope
FTLN 2840 So much misconstrued in his wantonness.
HOTSPUR
FTLN 2841 Cousin, I think thou art enamorèd
FTLN 2842 On his follies. Never did I hear
FTLN 2843 Of any prince so wild a liberty.
FTLN 2844 75 But be he as he will, yet once ere night
FTLN 2845 I will embrace him with a soldier’s arm
FTLN 2846 That he shall shrink under my courtesy.—
FTLN 2847 Arm, arm with speed, and, fellows, soldiers,
FTLN 2848 friends,
FTLN 2849 80 Better consider what you have to do
FTLN 2850 Than I that have not well the gift of tongue
FTLN 2851 Can lift your blood up with persuasion.
Enter a Messenger.
MESSENGER FTLN 2852 My lord, here are letters for you.
HOTSPUR FTLN 2853 I cannot read them now.—
FTLN 2854 85 O gentlemen, the time of life is short;
FTLN 2855 To spend that shortness basely were too long
FTLN 2856 If life did ride upon a dial’s point,
FTLN 2857 Still ending at the arrival of an hour.
FTLN 2858 An if we live, we live to tread on kings;
FTLN 2859 90 If die, brave death, when princes die with us.

203
Henry IV, Part I
ACT 5. SC. 3
FTLN 2860 Now, for our consciences, the arms are fair
FTLN 2861 When the intent of bearing them is just.
Enter another Messenger.
SECOND MESSENGER
FTLN 2862 My lord, prepare. The King comes on apace.
HOTSPUR
FTLN 2863 I thank him that he cuts me from my tale,
FTLN 2864 95 For I profess not talking. Only this:
FTLN 2865 Let each man do his best. And here draw I a sword,
FTLN 2866 Whose temper I intend to stain
FTLN 2867 With the best blood that I can meet withal
FTLN 2868 In the adventure of this perilous day.
FTLN 2869 100 Now, Esperance! Percy! And set on.
FTLN 2870 Sound all the lofty instruments of war,
FTLN 2871 And by that music let us all embrace,
FTLN 2872 For, heaven to Earth, some of us never shall
FTLN 2873 A second time do such a courtesy.
Here they embrace. The trumpets sound.
They exit.
Scene 3
The King enters with his power, crosses the stage and
exits. Alarum to the battle. Then enter Douglas, and Sir
Walter Blunt, disguised as the King.
BLUNT , as King
FTLN 2874 What is thy name that in the battle thus
FTLN 2875 Thou crossest me? What honor dost thou seek
FTLN 2876 Upon my head?
DOUGLAS FTLN 2877 Know then my name is Douglas,
FTLN 2878 5 And I do haunt thee in the battle thus
FTLN 2879 Because some tell me that thou art a king.
BLUNT , as King FTLN 2880 They tell thee true.

205
Henry IV, Part I
ACT 5. SC. 3
DOUGLAS
FTLN 2881 The Lord of Stafford dear today hath bought
FTLN 2882 Thy likeness, for instead of thee, King Harry,
FTLN 2883 10 This sword hath ended him. So shall it thee,
FTLN 2884 Unless thou yield thee as my prisoner.
BLUNT , as King
FTLN 2885 I was not born a yielder, thou proud Scot,
FTLN 2886 And thou shalt find a king that will revenge
FTLN 2887 Lord Stafford’s death.
They fight. Douglas kills Blunt.
Then enter Hotspur.
HOTSPUR
FTLN 2888 15 O Douglas, hadst thou fought at Holmedon thus,
FTLN 2889 I never had triumphed upon a Scot.
DOUGLAS
FTLN 2890 All’s done, all’s won; here breathless lies the King.
HOTSPUR FTLN 2891 Where?
DOUGLAS FTLN 2892 Here.
HOTSPUR
FTLN 2893 20 This, Douglas? No, I know this face full well.
FTLN 2894 A gallant knight he was; his name was Blunt,
FTLN 2895 Semblably furnished like the King himself.
DOUGLAS , addressing Blunt’s corpse
FTLN 2896 A fool go with thy soul whither it goes!
FTLN 2897 A borrowed title hast thou bought too dear.
FTLN 2898 25 Why didst thou tell me that thou wert a king?
HOTSPUR
FTLN 2899 The King hath many marching in his coats.
DOUGLAS
FTLN 2900 Now, by my sword, I will kill all his coats.
FTLN 2901 I’ll murder all his wardrobe, piece by piece,
FTLN 2902 Until I meet the King.
HOTSPUR FTLN 2903 30 Up and away!
FTLN 2904 Our soldiers stand full fairly for the day.
They exit.

207
Henry IV, Part I
ACT 5. SC. 3
Alarm. Enter Falstaff alone.
FALSTAFF FTLN 2905 Though I could ’scape shot-free at London,
FTLN 2906 I fear the shot here. Here’s no scoring but upon
FTLN 2907 the pate.—Soft, who are you? Sir Walter Blunt.
FTLN 2908 35 There’s honor for you. Here’s no vanity. I am as hot
FTLN 2909 as molten lead, and as heavy too. God keep lead out
FTLN 2910 of me; I need no more weight than mine own
FTLN 2911 bowels. I have led my ragamuffins where they are
FTLN 2912 peppered. There’s not three of my hundred and fifty
FTLN 2913 40 left alive, and they are for the town’s end, to beg
FTLN 2914 during life. But who comes here?
Enter the Prince.
PRINCE
FTLN 2915 What, stand’st thou idle here? Lend me thy sword.
FTLN 2916 Many a nobleman lies stark and stiff
FTLN 2917 Under the hoofs of vaunting enemies,
FTLN 2918 45 Whose deaths are yet unrevenged. I prithee
FTLN 2919 Lend me thy sword.
FALSTAFF FTLN 2920 O Hal, I prithee give me leave to breathe
FTLN 2921 awhile. Turk Gregory never did such deeds in arms
FTLN 2922 as I have done this day. I have paid Percy; I have
FTLN 2923 50 made him sure.
PRINCE
FTLN 2924 He is indeed, and living to kill thee.
FTLN 2925 I prithee, lend me thy sword.
FALSTAFF FTLN 2926 Nay, before God, Hal, if Percy be alive, thou
FTLN 2927 gett’st not my sword; but take my pistol, if thou
FTLN 2928 55 wilt.
PRINCE
FTLN 2929 Give it me. What, is it in the case?
FALSTAFF FTLN 2930 Ay, Hal, ’tis hot, ’tis hot. There’s that will
FTLN 2931 sack a city.
The Prince draws it out, and finds it
to be a bottle of sack.

209
Henry IV, Part I
ACT 5. SC. 4
PRINCE
FTLN 2932 What, is it a time to jest and dally now?
He throws the bottle at him and exits.
FALSTAFF FTLN 2933 60 Well, if Percy be alive, I’ll pierce him. If he do
FTLN 2934 come in my way, so; if he do not, if I come in his
FTLN 2935 willingly, let him make a carbonado of me. I like not
FTLN 2936 such grinning honor as Sir Walter hath. Give me
FTLN 2937 life, which, if I can save, so: if not, honor comes
FTLN 2938 65 unlooked for, and there’s an end.
He exits. Blunt’s body is carried off.
Scene 4
Alarm, excursions. Enter the King, the Prince, Lord John
of Lancaster, and the Earl of Westmoreland.
KING
FTLN 2939 I prithee, Harry, withdraw thyself. Thou bleedest
FTLN 2940 too much.
FTLN 2941 Lord John of Lancaster, go you with him.
LANCASTER
FTLN 2942 Not I, my lord, unless I did bleed too.
PRINCE
FTLN 2943 5 I beseech your Majesty, make up,
FTLN 2944 Lest your retirement do amaze your friends.
KING
FTLN 2945 I will do so.—My Lord of Westmoreland,
FTLN 2946 Lead him to his tent.
WESTMORELAND
FTLN 2947 Come, my lord, I’ll lead you to your tent.
PRINCE
FTLN 2948 10 Lead me, my lord? I do not need your help,
FTLN 2949 And God forbid a shallow scratch should drive
FTLN 2950 The Prince of Wales from such a field as this,
FTLN 2951 Where stained nobility lies trodden on,
FTLN 2952 And rebels’ arms triumph in massacres.

211
Henry IV, Part I
ACT 5. SC. 4
LANCASTER
FTLN 2953 15 We breathe too long. Come, cousin Westmoreland,
FTLN 2954 Our duty this way lies. For God’s sake, come.
Lancaster and Westmoreland exit.
PRINCE
FTLN 2955 By God, thou hast deceived me, Lancaster.
FTLN 2956 I did not think thee lord of such a spirit.
FTLN 2957 Before, I loved thee as a brother, John,
FTLN 2958 20 But now I do respect thee as my soul.
KING
FTLN 2959 I saw him hold Lord Percy at the point
FTLN 2960 With lustier maintenance than I did look for
FTLN 2961 Of such an ungrown warrior.
PRINCE
FTLN 2962 O, this boy lends mettle to us all. He exits.
Enter Douglas.
DOUGLAS
FTLN 2963 25 Another king! They grow like Hydra’s heads.—
FTLN 2964 I am the Douglas, fatal to all those
FTLN 2965 That wear those colors on them. What art thou
FTLN 2966 That counterfeit’st the person of a king?
KING
FTLN 2967 The King himself, who, Douglas, grieves at heart,
FTLN 2968 30 So many of his shadows thou hast met
FTLN 2969 And not the very king. I have two boys
FTLN 2970 Seek Percy and thyself about the field,
FTLN 2971 But, seeing thou fall’st on me so luckily,
FTLN 2972 I will assay thee. And defend thyself.
DOUGLAS
FTLN 2973 35 I fear thou art another counterfeit,
FTLN 2974 And yet, in faith, thou bearest thee like a king.
FTLN 2975 But mine I am sure thou art, whoe’er thou be,
FTLN 2976 And thus I win thee.
They fight. The King being in danger,
enter Prince of Wales.

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PRINCE
FTLN 2977 Hold up thy head, vile Scot, or thou art like
FTLN 2978 40 Never to hold it up again. The spirits
FTLN 2979 Of valiant Shirley, Stafford, Blunt are in my arms.
FTLN 2980 It is the Prince of Wales that threatens thee,
FTLN 2981 Who never promiseth but he means to pay.
They fight. Douglas flieth.
FTLN 2982 To King. Cheerly, my lord. How fares your Grace?
FTLN 2983 45 Sir Nicholas Gawsey hath for succor sent,
FTLN 2984 And so hath Clifton. I’ll to Clifton straight.
KING FTLN 2985 Stay and breathe awhile.
FTLN 2986 Thou hast redeemed thy lost opinion
FTLN 2987 And showed thou mak’st some tender of my life
FTLN 2988 50 In this fair rescue thou hast brought to me.
PRINCE
FTLN 2989 O God, they did me too much injury
FTLN 2990 That ever said I hearkened for your death.
FTLN 2991 If it were so, I might have let alone
FTLN 2992 The insulting hand of Douglas over you,
FTLN 2993 55 Which would have been as speedy in your end
FTLN 2994 As all the poisonous potions in the world,
FTLN 2995 And saved the treacherous labor of your son.
KING
FTLN 2996 Make up to Clifton. I’ll to Sir Nicholas Gawsey.
King exits.
Enter Hotspur.
HOTSPUR
FTLN 2997 If I mistake not, thou art Harry Monmouth.
PRINCE
FTLN 2998 60 Thou speak’st as if I would deny my name.
HOTSPUR
FTLN 2999 My name is Harry Percy.
PRINCE FTLN 3000 Why then I see
FTLN 3001 A very valiant rebel of the name.
FTLN 3002 I am the Prince of Wales; and think not, Percy,

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ACT 5. SC. 4
FTLN 3003 65 To share with me in glory any more.
FTLN 3004 Two stars keep not their motion in one sphere,
FTLN 3005 Nor can one England brook a double reign
FTLN 3006 Of Harry Percy and the Prince of Wales.
HOTSPUR
FTLN 3007 Nor shall it, Harry, for the hour is come
FTLN 3008 70 To end the one of us, and would to God
FTLN 3009 Thy name in arms were now as great as mine.
PRINCE
FTLN 3010 I’ll make it greater ere I part from thee,
FTLN 3011 And all the budding honors on thy crest
FTLN 3012 I’ll crop to make a garland for my head.
HOTSPUR
FTLN 3013 75 I can no longer brook thy vanities. They fight.
Enter Falstaff.
FALSTAFF FTLN 3014 Well said, Hal! To it, Hal! Nay, you shall find
FTLN 3015 no boys’ play here, I can tell you.
Enter Douglas. He fighteth with Falstaff, who falls
down as if he were dead. Douglas exits. The Prince
killeth Percy.
HOTSPUR
FTLN 3016 O Harry, thou hast robbed me of my youth.
FTLN 3017 I better brook the loss of brittle life
FTLN 3018 80 Than those proud titles thou hast won of me.
FTLN 3019 They wound my thoughts worse than thy sword my
FTLN 3020 flesh.
FTLN 3021 But thoughts, the slaves of life, and life, time’s fool,
FTLN 3022 And time, that takes survey of all the world,
FTLN 3023 85 Must have a stop. O, I could prophesy,
FTLN 3024 But that the earthy and cold hand of death
FTLN 3025 Lies on my tongue. No, Percy, thou art dust,
FTLN 3026 And food for— He dies.
PRINCE
FTLN 3027 For worms, brave Percy. Fare thee well, great heart.

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ACT 5. SC. 4
FTLN 3028 90 Ill-weaved ambition, how much art thou shrunk!
FTLN 3029 When that this body did contain a spirit,
FTLN 3030 A kingdom for it was too small a bound,
FTLN 3031 But now two paces of the vilest earth
FTLN 3032 Is room enough. This earth that bears thee dead
FTLN 3033 95 Bears not alive so stout a gentleman.
FTLN 3034 If thou wert sensible of courtesy,
FTLN 3035 I should not make so dear a show of zeal.
FTLN 3036 But let my favors hide thy mangled face;
He covers Hotspur’s face.
FTLN 3037 And even in thy behalf I’ll thank myself
FTLN 3038 100 For doing these fair rites of tenderness.
FTLN 3039 Adieu, and take thy praise with thee to heaven.
FTLN 3040 Thy ignominy sleep with thee in the grave,
FTLN 3041 But not remembered in thy epitaph.
He spieth Falstaff on the ground.
FTLN 3042 What, old acquaintance, could not all this flesh
FTLN 3043 105 Keep in a little life? Poor Jack, farewell.
FTLN 3044 I could have better spared a better man.
FTLN 3045 O, I should have a heavy miss of thee
FTLN 3046 If I were much in love with vanity.
FTLN 3047 Death hath not struck so fat a deer today,
FTLN 3048 110 Though many dearer in this bloody fray.
FTLN 3049 Emboweled will I see thee by and by;
FTLN 3050 Till then in blood by noble Percy lie. He exits.
Falstaff riseth up.
FALSTAFF FTLN 3051 Emboweled? If thou embowel me today, I’ll
FTLN 3052 give you leave to powder me and eat me too
FTLN 3053 115 tomorrow. ’Sblood, ’twas time to counterfeit, or
FTLN 3054 that hot termagant Scot had paid me scot and lot
FTLN 3055 too. Counterfeit? I lie. I am no counterfeit. To die is
FTLN 3056 to be a counterfeit, for he is but the counterfeit of a
FTLN 3057 man who hath not the life of a man; but to counterfeit
FTLN 3058 120 dying when a man thereby liveth is to be no
FTLN 3059 counterfeit, but the true and perfect image of life
FTLN 3060 indeed. The better part of valor is discretion, in the

219
Henry IV, Part I
ACT 5. SC. 4
FTLN 3061 which better part I have saved my life. Zounds, I am
FTLN 3062 afraid of this gunpowder Percy, though he be dead.
FTLN 3063 125 How if he should counterfeit too, and rise? By my
FTLN 3064 faith, I am afraid he would prove the better counterfeit.
FTLN 3065 Therefore I’ll make him sure, yea, and I’ll swear
FTLN 3066 I killed him. Why may not he rise as well as I?
FTLN 3067 Nothing confutes me but eyes, and nobody sees me.
FTLN 3068 130 Therefore, sirrah, stabbing him with a new wound
FTLN 3069 in your thigh, come you along with me.
He takes up Hotspur on his back.
Enter Prince and John of Lancaster.
PRINCE
FTLN 3070 Come, brother John. Full bravely hast thou fleshed
FTLN 3071 Thy maiden sword.
LANCASTER FTLN 3072 But soft, whom have we here?
FTLN 3073 135 Did you not tell me this fat man was dead?
PRINCE FTLN 3074 I did; I saw him dead,
FTLN 3075 Breathless and bleeding on the ground.—Art thou
FTLN 3076 alive?
FTLN 3077 Or is it fantasy that plays upon our eyesight?
FTLN 3078 140 I prithee, speak. We will not trust our eyes
FTLN 3079 Without our ears. Thou art not what thou seem’st.
FALSTAFF FTLN 3080 No, that’s certain. I am not a double man.
FTLN 3081 But if I be not Jack Falstaff, then am I a jack. There
FTLN 3082 is Percy. If your father will do me any honor, so; if
FTLN 3083 145 not, let him kill the next Percy himself. I look to be
FTLN 3084 either earl or duke, I can assure you.
PRINCE
FTLN 3085 Why, Percy I killed myself, and saw thee dead.
FALSTAFF FTLN 3086 Didst thou? Lord, Lord, how this world is
FTLN 3087 given to lying. I grant you, I was down and out of
FTLN 3088 150 breath, and so was he, but we rose both at an instant
FTLN 3089 and fought a long hour by Shrewsbury clock. If I
FTLN 3090 may be believed, so; if not, let them that should
FTLN 3091 reward valor bear the sin upon their own heads. I’ll

221
Henry IV, Part I
ACT 5. SC. 5
FTLN 3092 take it upon my death, I gave him this wound in
FTLN 3093 155 the thigh. If the man were alive and would deny
FTLN 3094 it, zounds, I would make him eat a piece of my
FTLN 3095 sword.
LANCASTER
FTLN 3096 This is the strangest tale that ever I heard.
PRINCE
FTLN 3097 This is the strangest fellow, brother John.—
FTLN 3098 160 Come bring your luggage nobly on your back.
FTLN 3099 For my part, if a lie may do thee grace,
FTLN 3100 I’ll gild it with the happiest terms I have.
A retreat is sounded.
FTLN 3101 The trumpet sounds retreat; the day is ours.
FTLN 3102 Come, brother, let us to the highest of the field
FTLN 3103 165 To see what friends are living, who are dead.
They exit.
FALSTAFF FTLN 3104 I’ll follow, as they say, for reward. He that
FTLN 3105 rewards me, God reward him. If I do grow great,
FTLN 3106 I’ll grow less, for I’ll purge and leave sack and live
FTLN 3107 cleanly as a nobleman should do.
He exits carrying Hotspur’s body.
Scene 5
The trumpets sound. Enter the King, Prince of Wales,
Lord John of Lancaster, Earl of Westmoreland, with
Worcester and Vernon prisoners, and Soldiers.
KING
FTLN 3108 Thus ever did rebellion find rebuke.—
FTLN 3109 Ill-spirited Worcester, did not we send grace,
FTLN 3110 Pardon, and terms of love to all of you?
FTLN 3111 And wouldst thou turn our offers contrary,
FTLN 3112 5 Misuse the tenor of thy kinsman’s trust?
FTLN 3113 Three knights upon our party slain today,
FTLN 3114 A noble earl, and many a creature else

223
Henry IV, Part I
ACT 5. SC. 5
FTLN 3115 Had been alive this hour
FTLN 3116 If, like a Christian, thou hadst truly borne
FTLN 3117 10 Betwixt our armies true intelligence.
WORCESTER
FTLN 3118 What I have done my safety urged me to.
FTLN 3119 And I embrace this fortune patiently,
FTLN 3120 Since not to be avoided it falls on me.
KING
FTLN 3121 Bear Worcester to the death, and Vernon too.
FTLN 3122 15 Other offenders we will pause upon.
Worcester and Vernon exit, under guard.
FTLN 3123 How goes the field?
PRINCE
FTLN 3124 The noble Scot, Lord Douglas, when he saw
FTLN 3125 The fortune of the day quite turned from him,
FTLN 3126 The noble Percy slain, and all his men
FTLN 3127 20 Upon the foot of fear, fled with the rest,
FTLN 3128 And, falling from a hill, he was so bruised
FTLN 3129 That the pursuers took him. At my tent
FTLN 3130 The Douglas is, and I beseech your Grace
FTLN 3131 I may dispose of him.
KING FTLN 3132 25 With all my heart.
PRINCE
FTLN 3133 Then, brother John of Lancaster, to you
FTLN 3134 This honorable bounty shall belong.
FTLN 3135 Go to the Douglas and deliver him
FTLN 3136 Up to his pleasure, ransomless and free.
FTLN 3137 30 His valors shown upon our crests today
FTLN 3138 Have taught us how to cherish such high deeds,
FTLN 3139 Even in the bosom of our adversaries.
LANCASTER
FTLN 3140 I thank your Grace for this high courtesy,
FTLN 3141 Which I shall give away immediately.
KING
FTLN 3142 35 Then this remains, that we divide our power.
FTLN 3143 You, son John, and my cousin Westmoreland,

225
Henry IV, Part I
ACT 5. SC. 5
FTLN 3144 Towards York shall bend you with your dearest
FTLN 3145 speed
FTLN 3146 To meet Northumberland and the prelate Scroop,
FTLN 3147 40 Who, as we hear, are busily in arms.
FTLN 3148 Myself and you, son Harry, will towards Wales
FTLN 3149 To fight with Glendower and the Earl of March.
FTLN 3150 Rebellion in this land shall lose his sway,
FTLN 3151 Meeting the check of such another day.
FTLN 3152 45 And since this business so fair is done,
FTLN 3153 Let us not leave till all our own be won.
They exit.