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Sil. Be merry, be merry, my wife's as all; [Singing.
For women are shrews, both short and tall:

'Tis

merry

in hall, when beards wag all,

And welcome merry shrove-tide.

Be merry, be merry, &c.

Fal. I did not think, master Silence had been a

man of this mettle.

Sil. Who I? I have been merry twice and once,

ere now.

Re-enter Davy.

Davy. There is a dish of leather-coats for

you.

[Setting them before Bardolph.

Shal. Davy,

Davy. Your worship?—I'll be with

you straight.

[To Bard.]-A cup of wine, Sir?

Sil. A cup of wine, that's brisk and fine, [Singing. And drink unto the leman mine;

And a merry heart lives long-a.

Fal. Well said, master Silence.

Sil. And we shall be merry;—now comes in the sweet of the night.

Fal. Health and long life to you, master Silence! Sil. Fill the cup, and let it come;

I'll pledge you a mile to the bottom.

Shal. Honest Bardolph, welcome: If thou want'st any thing, and wilt not call, beshrew thy heart.Welcome, my little tiny thief; [To the Page.] and welcome, indeed, too.-I'll drink to master Bardolph, and to all the cavaleroes about London. Davy. I hope to see London once ere I die. Bard. An I might see you there, Davy,—

Shal. By the mass, you'll crack a quart together. Ha! will you not, master Bardolph?

Bard. Yes, sir, in a pottle pot.

Shal. I thank thee:-The knave will stick by thee, I can assure thee that: he will not out; he is true bred.

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be merry. [Knocking heard.] Look who's at door there: Ho! who knocks?

[Exit Davy.

Fal. Why, now you have done me right. [To Silence, who drinks a bumper.

Sil. Do me right,

[Singing.

And dub me knight:

Samingo.

Is't not so?

Fal. 'Tis so.

Sil. Is't so? Why, then say, an old man can do somewhat.

Re-enter Davy.

Davy. An it please your worship, there's one Pistol come from the court with news.

Fal. From the court? let him come in.

How now, Pistol?

Enter Pistol.

Pist. God save you, sir John!

Fal. What wind blew. you hither, Pistol?

Pist. Not the ill wind which blows no man to good. Sweet knight, thou art now one of the greatest men in the realm.

Sil. By'r lady, I think 'a be; but goodman Puff of Barson.

Pist. Puff?

Puff in thy teeth, most recreant coward base!

Sir John, I am thy Pistol, and thy friend,
And helter-skelter have I rode to thee;
And tidings do I bring, and lucky joys,

And golden times, and happy news of price..

Fal. I prythee now, deliver them like a man of this world.

Pist. A foutra for the world, and worldlings base!

I speak of Africa, and golden joys.

Fal. O base Assyrian knight, what is thy news? Let king Cophetua know the truth thereof.

Sil. And Robin Hood, Scarlet, and John. [Sings. Pist. Shall dunghill curs confront the Helicons? And shall good news be baffled?

Then, Pistol, lay thy head in Furies' lap.

Shal. Honest gentleman, I know not your breeding.

Pist. Why then, lament therefore.

Shal. Give me pardon, sir;-If, sir, you come with news from the court, I take it, there is but two ways; either to utter them, or to conceal them. I am, sir, under the king, in some authority. Pist. Under which king, Bezonian? speak, or die.

Shal. Under king Harry.

Pist.

Harry the fourth? or fifth?

A foutra for thine office!

Shal. Harry the fourth.
Pist.

Sir John, thy tender lambkin now is king;

Harry the fifth's the man.

I speak the truth: When Pistol lies, do this; and fig me, like

The bragging Spaniard.

Fal. What is the old king dead?

Pist. As nail in door: the things I speak, are

just.

Fal. Away, Bardolph; saddle my horse.-Master Robert Shallow, choose what office thou wilt in the land, 'tis thine.-Pistol, I will double-charge thee with dignities.

Bard. O joyful day!—I would not take a knighthood for my fortune.

Pist. What? I do bring good news?

Fal. Carry master Silence to bed.-Master Shallow, my lord Shallow, be what thou wilt, I am fortune's steward. Get on thy boots; we'll ride all night:-O, sweet Pistol:-Away, Bardolph. [Exit Bard.]-Come, Pistol, utter more to me; and, withal, devise something to do thyself good. — Boot, boot, master Shallow; I know, the young king is sick for me. Let us take any man's horses; the laws of England are at my commandment. Happy are they which have been my friends; and woe to my lord chief justice!

Pist. Let vultures vile seize on his lungs also! Where is the life that late I led, say they: Why, here it is; Welcome these pleasant days.

[Exeunt.

SCENE IV.

LONDON. A STREET.

Enter Beadles, dragging in Hostess Quickly, and Doll Tear-sheet.

Host. No, thou arrant knave; I would I might die, that I might have thee hang'd: thou hast drawn my shoulder out of joint.

1 Bead. The constables have deliver'd her over to me; and she shall have whipping-cheer enough, I warrant her: There hath been a man or two lately kill'd about her.

Doll. Nut-hook, nut-hook, you lie. Come on; I'll tell thee what, thou damn'd tripe-visaged rascal; an the child I now go with, do miscarry, thou hadst better thou hadst struck thy mother, thou paper-faced villain.

Host. O the Lord, that sir John were come! he would make this a bloody day to somebody. But I pray God, the fruit of her womb miscarry!

1 Bead. If it do, you shall have a dozen of cushions again; you have but eleven now. Come, I charge you both go with me; for the man is dead, that you and Pistol beat among you.

Doll. I'll tell thee what, thou thin man in a censer! I will have you as soundly swinged for this, you blue-bottle-rogue! you filthy famish'd correctioner! if you be not swinged, I'll forswear half-kirtles.

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