War. Indeed I thinke the yong King loues you not. Ch. Iuft. I know he doth not, and do arme my felfe To welcome the condition of the Time, Which cannot looke more hideously vpon me, Then I haue drawne it in my fantasie.

Enter Iobn of Lancaster, Gloucester, and Clarence.

War. Heere come the heauy Iffue of dead Harrie: O, that the liuing Harrie had the temper Of him,the worst of these three Gentlemen: How many Nobles then, fhould hold their places, That muft ftrike faile, to Spirits of vilde fort? Cb.Iuft. Alas, I feare, all will be ouer-turn'd. Iobn. Good morrow Cofin Warwick, good morrow. Glou. Cla. Good morrow, Cofin.

Iobn. We meet, like men, that had forgot to speake. War. We do remember: but our Argument

Is all too heauy, to admit much talke.

Iob. Well: Peace be with him, that hath made vs heauy Cb.Iuft. Peace be with vs, leaft we be heauier. Glou. O, good my Lord, you haue loft a friend indeed: And I dare fweare, you borrow not that face

Of feeming forrow, it is fure your owne.

Lobn. Though no man be affur'd what grace to finde, You ftand in coldest expectation.

I am the forrier, would 'twere otherwife.

Cla. Wel, you must now fpeake Sir Iohn Falstaffe faire, Which fwimmes against your streame of Quality.

Cb.Iuft. Sweet Princes: what I did, I did in Honor,
Led by th'Imperiall Conduct of my Soule,
And neuer shall you fee, that I will begge
A ragged, and fore-ftall'd Remiffion.

If Troth, and vpright Innocency fayle me,
Ile to the King (my Master) that is dead,
And tell him, who hath fent me after him.
War. Heere comes the Prince.

Enter Prince Henrie.

Ch.Iuft. Good moi row: and heauen faue your Maiesty Prince. This new, and gorgeous Garment, Maiefty,

Sits not fo eafie on me, as you thinke.

Brothers, you mixe your Sadneffe with fome Feare:
This is the English, not the Turkish Court:

Not Amurah, an Amurab fucceeds,

But Harry, Harry: Yet be fad (good Brothers)
For (to fpeake truth) it very well becomes you:
Sorrow, fo Royally in you appeares,
That I will deeply put the Fashion on,
And weare it in my heart. Why then be fad,
But entertaine no more of it (good Brothers)
Then a joynt burthen, laid vpon vs all.
For me, by Heauen (I bid you be affur'd)
Ile be your Father, and your Brother too:

Let me but beare your Loue, Ile beare your Cares;
But weepe that Horrie's dead, and fo will I.
But Harry liues, that fhall conuert thofe Teares
By number, into houres of Happineffe.

Iobn,&c. We hope no other from your Maiefty. Prin. You all looke ftrangely on me : and you most, You are (I thinke) affur'd, I loue you not.

Ch. Iuft. I am affur'd (if I be meafur'd rightly) Your Maiefty hath no iuft caufe to hate mee.

Pr.No? How might a Prince of my great hopes forget So great Indignities you laid vpon me?

Father:

What? Rate? Rebuke? and roughly send to Prison
Th'immediate Heire of England? Was this eafie?
May this be wash'd in Lethe, and forgotten?
Ch. Iuft. I then did vfe the Person of your
The Image of his power, lay then in me,
And in th'administration of his Law,
Whiles I was bufie for the Commonwealth,
Your Highneffe pleafed to forget my place,
The Maiefty, and power of Law, and Iuftice,
The Image of the King, whom I prefented,
And ftrooke me in my very Seate of Iudgement:
Whereon (as an Offender to your Father)

I gaue bold way to my Authority,

And did commit you. If the deed were ill,
Be you contented, wearing now the Garland,
To haue a Sonne, fet your Decrees at naught?
To plucke downe Iuftice from your awefull Bench?
To trip the course of Law, and blunt the Sword
That guards the peace, and fafety of your Person?
Nay more, to spurne at your moft Royall Image,
And mocke your workings, in a Second body?
Question your Royall Thoughts, make the case yours:
Be now the Father, and propofe a Sonne :
Heare your owne dignity fo much prophan'd,
See your moft dreadfull Lawes, fo loofely flighted;
Behold your felfe, fo by a Sonne difdained:
And then imagine me, taking you part,
And in your power, foft filencing your Sonne:
After this cold confiderance, sentence me;
And, as you are a King, fpeake in your State,
What I haue done, that misbecame my place,
My perfon, or my Lieges Soueraigntie.

Prin. You are right Iuftice, and you weigh this well: Therefore ftill beare the Ballance, and the Sword:

And I do with your Honors may encrease,

Till you do liue, to fee a Sonne of mine
Offend you, and obey you, as I did.

Το

So fhall I liue, to speake my Fathers words:
Happy am I, that haue a man fo bold,
That dares do Iuftice, on my proper Sonne;
And no leffe happy, hauing fuch a Sonne,
That would deliuer vp his Greatnesse so,
Into the hands of Iuftice. You did commit me:
For which, I do commit into your hand,
Th'vnftained Sword that you haue vs'd to beare:
With this Remembrance; That you vse the same
With the like bold, iuft, and impartiall fpirit
As you haue done 'gainst me. There is my hand,
You shall be as a Father, to my Youth:
My voice fhall found, as you do prompt mine eare,
And I will stoope, and humble my Intents,
your well-practis'd, wife Directions.
And Princes all, beleeue me, I beseech you:
My Father is gone wilde into his Graue,
(For in his Tombe, lye my Affections)
And with his Spirits, fadly I furuiue,
To mocke the expectation of the World;
To frustrate Prophefies, and to race out
Rotten Opinion, who hath writ me downe
After my feeming. The Tide of Blood in me,
Hath prowdly flow'd in Vanity, till now.
Now doth it turne, and ebbe backe to the Sea,
Where it shall mingle with the state of Floods,
And flow henceforth in formall Maiefty.
Now call we our High Court of Parliament,
And let vs choose fuch Limbes of Noble Counfaile,

That

Shal. Nay, you shall see mine Orchard: where, in an Arbor we will eate a last yeares Pippin of my owne graffing, with a dish of Carrawayes, and fo forth (Come Cofin Silence, and then to bed.

Fal. You haue heere. a goodly dwelling, and a rich. Shal. Barren, barren, barren: Beggers all, beggers all Sir John: Marry, good ayre. Spread Dauy, spread Dauie : Well faid Dauie.

Falft. This Dauie ferues you for good vfes: he is your Seruingman, and your Husband.

Sbal. A good Varlet, a good Varlet, a very good Varlet, Sir Iobn: I haue drunke too much Sacke at Supper. A good Varlet. Now fit downe, now fit downe : Come Cofin.

Sil. Ah firra (quoth-a) we shall doe nothing but eate, and make good cheere, and praise heauen for the merrie yeere: when flesh is cheape, and Females deere, and lustie Lads rome heere, and there: fo merrily, and euer among fo merrily.

Fal. There's a merry heart, good M.Silence, Ile giue you a health for that anon.

Shal. Good M.Bardolfe: fome wine, Dauie.

Da. Sweet fir, fit: Ile be with you anon: most sweete fir, fit. Master Page, good M.Page, fit: Proface. What you want in meate, wee'l haue in drinke: but you beare, the heart's all.

Shal. Be merry M. Bardolfe, and my little Souldiour there, be merry.

Sil. Be merry, be merry, my wife ha's all. For women are Shrewes, both fhort, and tall: "Tis merry in Hall, when Beards wagge all;

And welcome merry Shrouetide. Be merry, be merry.

Fal. I did not thinke M.Silence had bin a man of this Mettle.

Sil. Who I? I haue beene merry twice and once, ere

now.

Dauy. There is a difh of Lether-coats for you.
Shal. Dauie.

Dau. Your Worship: Ile be with you straight. A cup of Wine, fir?

Sil. A Cup of Wine, that's briske and fine, & drinke vnto the Leman mine: and a merry heart liues long-a. Fal. Well faid, M.Silence.

Sil. If we shall be merry, now comes in the sweete of the night.

Fal. Health, and long life to you, M. Silence.

Shal. Honeft Bardolfe, welcome: If thou want'st any thing, and wilt not call, befhrew thy heart. Welcome my little tyne theefe, and welcome indeed too: Ile drinke to M.Bardolfe, and to all the Cauileroes about London. Dau. I hope to fee London, once ere I die.

Bar. IfI might fee you there, Dauie.

Shal. You'l cracke a quart together? Ha, will you not M. Bardolfe?

Bar. Yes Sir, in a pottle pot.

Shal. I thanke thee: the knaue will fticke by thee, I can affure thee that. He will not out, he is true bred. Bar. And Ile fticke by him, fir.

Shal. Why there spoke a King:lack nothing, be merry. Looke, who's at doore there, ho: who knockes?

Fal Why now you haue done me right.

Sil. Do me right, and dub me Knight, Samingo. Is't not fo?

Pift. Sir Iobn, 'faue you fir.

Fal. What winde blew you hither, Pistoll?

Pift. Not the ill winde which blowes none to good, fweet Knight: Thou art now one of the greatest men in the Realme.

Sil. Indeed, I thinke he bee, but Goodman Puffe of Barfon.

Pist. Puffe? puffe in thy teeth, moft recreant Coward bafe. Sir John, I am thy Piftoll, and thy Friend: helter skelter haue I rode to thee, and tydings do I bring, and luckie ioyes, and golden Times, and happie Newes of price.

Fal. I prethee now deliuer them, like a man of this World.

Pift. A footra for the World, and Worldlings base, I fpeake of Affrica, and Golden ioyes.

Fal. O base Affyrian Knight, what is thy newes? Let King Couitha know the truth thereof.

Sil. And Robin-hood, Scarlet, and Iohn.

Pift. Shall dunghill Curres confront the Hellicons? And fhall good newes be baffel'd?

Then Piftoll lay thy head in Furies lappe.

Shal. Honeft Gentleman,

I know not your breeding.

Pift. Why then Lament therefore.

Shal. Giue me pardon, Sir.

If fir, you come with news from the Court, I take it, there
is but two wayes, either to vtter them, or to conceale
them. I am Sir, vnder the King, in fome Authority.
Pift. Vnder which King?

Bezonian, fpeake, or dye.
Shal. Vnder King Harry.
Pift. Harry the Fourth? or Fift?
Shal. Harry the Fourth.

Pift. A footra for thine Office.

Sir John, thy tender Lamb-kinne, now is King,
Harry the Fift's the man, I fpeake the truth.
When Pistoll lyes, do this, and figge-me, like
The bragging Spaniard.

Fal.

Fal. What, is the old King dead?

Pift. As naile in doore.

The things I fpeake, are iust.

Fal. Away Bardolfe, Sadle my Horse,

Mafter Robert Shallow, choofe what Office thou wilt

In the Land, 'tis thine. Piftol, I will double charge thee With Dignities.

Bard. O ioyfull day :

I would not take a Knighthood for my Fortune.

Pift. What? I do bring good newes.

Fal. Carrie Mafter Silence to bed: Mafter Shallow, my Lord Shallow, be what thou wilt, I am Fortunes Steward. Get on thy Boots, wee'l ride all night. Oh fweet Pistoll : Away Bardolfe: Come Piftoll, vtter more to mee and withall deuife fomething to do thy felfe good. Boote, boote Mafter Shallow, I know the young King is fick for mee. Let vs take any mans Horffes: The Lawes of England are at my command'ment. Happie are they, which haue beene my Friendes: and woe vnto my Lord Chiefe Iuftice.

Pift. Let Vultures vil'de feize on his Lungs alfo :
Where is the life that late I led, say they?
Why heere it is, welcome thofe pleasant dayes.

Scena Quarta.

Enter Hofteffe Quickly, Dol Teare-sheete, and Beadles.

Exeunt

Hofteffe. No, thou arrant knaue: I would I might dy, that I might haue thee hang'd: Thou haft drawne my fhoulder out of ioynt.

Off. The Conftables haue deliuer'd her ouer to mee: and fhee fhall haue Whipping cheere enough, I warrant her. There hath beene a man or two (lately)kill'd about her.

Dol. Nut-hooke, nut-hooke, you Lye: Come on, Ile tell thee what, thou damn'd Tripe-vifag'd Rafcall, if the Childe I now go with, do mifcarrie, thou had'ft better thou had'ft ftrooke thy Mother, thou Paper-fac'd Villaine.

Hoft. O that Sir John were come, hee would make this a bloody day to fome body. But I would the Fruite of her Wombe might miscarry.

Officer. If it do, you fhall haue a dozen of Cushions againe, you haue but eleuen now. Come, I charge you both go with me: for the man is dead, that you and Piftoll beate among you.

Dol. Ile tell thee what, thou thin man in a Cenfor; I will haue you as foundly fwindg'd for this, you blewBottel'd Rogue: you filthy famish'd Correctioner, if you be not swing'd, Ile forfweare halfe Kirtles.

Off. Come, come, you shee-Knight-arrant, come.

Hoft. O, that right should thus o'recome might. Wel

of fufferance, comes ease.

Dol. Come you Rogue, come :

Bring me to a Iuftice.

Hoft. Yes, come you ftaru'd Blood-hound.

Dol. Goodman death, goodman Bones.

Hoft. Thou Anatomy, thou.

Dol. Come you thinne Thing:

Come you Rafcall.

Ch. Iuft. Haue you your wits?

Know you what 'tis you speake?

Falft. My King, my Ioue; I fpeake to thee, my heart. King. I know thee not, old man: Fall to thy Prayers: How ill white haires become a Foole, and Iefter?

I haue

I haue long dream'd of fuch a kinde of man,
So furfeit-fwell'd, fo old, and fo prophane:
But being awake, I do defpife my dreame.
Make leffe thy body (hence) and more thy Grace,
Leaue gourmandizing; Know the Graue doth gape.
For thee, thrice wider then for other men.
Reply not to me, with a Foole-borne Ieft,
Prefume not, that I am the thing I was,

For heauen doth know (fo fhall the world perceiue)
That I haue turn'd away my former Selfe,
So will I thofe that kept me Companie.
When thou dost heare I am, as I haue bin,
Approach me, and thou fhalt be as thou was't
The Tutor and the Feeder of my Riots :
Till then, I banish thee, on paine of death,
As I have done the rest of my Misleaders,
Not to come neere our Perfon, by ten mile.
For competence of life, I will allow you,
That lacke of meanes enforce you not to euill:
And as we heare you do reforme your felues,
We will according to your ftrength, and qualities,
Giue you aduancement. Be it your charge (my Lord)
To fee perform'd the tenure of our word.

Set on.

Exit King. Fal. Mafter Shallow, I owe you a thousand pound. Shal. I marry Sir Iobn, which I befeech you to let me haue home with me.

Fal. That can hardly be, M. Shallow, do not you grieue at this: I fhall be fent for in priuate to him: Looke you, he muft feeme thus to the world: feare not your aduancement: I will be the man yet, that fhall make you great.

Shal. I cannot well perceiue how, vnleffe you fhould giue me your Doublet, and ftuffe me out with Straw. I befeech you, good Sir Iobn, let mee haue fiue hundred of my thoufand.

Fal. Sir,I will be as good as my word. This that you heard, was but a colour.

Shall. A colour I feare, that you will dye, in Sir Iobn.

Fal. Feare no colours, go with me to dinner :

Come Lieutenant Pistol, come Bardolfe,

I fhall be fent for foone at night.

Ch. Iuft. Go carry Sir Iohn Falftaffe to the Fleete, Take all his Company along with him.

Fal. My Lord, my Lord.

Ch. Iuft. I cannot now fpeake, I will heare you foone: Take them away.

Pift. Si fortuna me tormento, pera me contento.

Exit. Manet Lancaster and Chiefe luftice.

Iobn. I like this faire proceeding of the Kings: He hath intent his wonted Followers

Shall all be very well prouided for:

But all are banifht, till their conuerfations
Appeare more wife, and modeft to the world.
Ch. Iuft. And fo they are.

Iobn. The King hath call'd his Parliament,
My Lord.

Ch. Iuft. He hath.

Iobn. I will lay oddes,that ere this yeere expire, We beare our Ciuill Swords, and Natiue fire As farre as France. I heare a Bird fo fing, Whofe Muficke (to my thinking) pleas'd the King. Come, will you hence?

Exeunt