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Re-enter DAVY.

Davy. There is a dish of leather-coats 1 for you.

Shal. Davy!

[setting them before Bardolph.

Davy. Your worship?-I'll be with you straight. [to Bardolph.] A cup of wine, sir?

Si. A cup of wine, that's brisk and fine,

And drink unto the leman 2 mine;

And a merry heart lives long-a.'

Fal. Well said, master Silence.

[singing.

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

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

I'll pledge you a mile to the bottom.'

Shal. Honest Bardolph, welcome: if thou wantest 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. Bar. An I might see you there, Davy,Shal. By the mass, you 'll crack a quart together. Ha! will you not, master Bardolph ?

Bar. Yes, sir, in a pottle pot.3

1 Apples commonly called russetines.

2 Sweetheart.

3 A measure containing two quarts.

Shul I thank thee. The knave will stick by thee; I can assure thee that: he will not ont; he is true bred.

Bar. And I'll stick by him, sir.

Shal. Why, there spoke a king. Lack nothing: 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.

Si. Do me right,

And dub me knight: 1

Samingo.'

Is 't not so?

Fal. 'Tis so.

[singing.

Si. 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?

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Enter PISTOL.

Pis. God save you, sir John!

Fal. What wind blew you hither, Pistol?

Pis. Not the ill wind which blows no man to

In Shakspeare's time, he who drank a bumper to the health of his mistress on his knees, was dubbed a knight for he remainder of the rening.

D

good. Sweet knight, thou art now one of the greatest men in the realm.

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

Pis. 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 pr'ythee now, deliver them like a man of this world.

Pis. 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.

Si.

And Robin Hood, Scarlet, and John.' [sings. Pis. Shall dunghill curs confront the Helicons? And shall good news be baffled ?

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

Si. Honest gentleman, I know not your breeding. Pis. 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.

Pis. Under which king, Bezonian?1 speak, or

die.

Low-born clown.

Shal. Under king Harry.

Dis.

Shal. Harry the fourth.

Pis.

Harry the fourth, or fifth?

A foutra for thine office!

Sir John, thy tender lambkin now is king;

Harry the fifth 's the man.

When Pistol lies, do this;

The bragging Spaniard.

I speak the truth. and fig me,1 like

Fal. What! is the old king dead?

Pis. 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.

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

Pis. What? I do bring good news?

Fal. Carry master Silence to bed. Master Shal

low, 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 Bar.] 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!

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Express your contempt of me.

Pis. Let vultures vile seise on his lungs also! Where is the life that late I led ? '1 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 hanged: thou hast drawn my shoulder out of joint.

1 Bea. The constables have delivered her over to me; and she shall have whipping-cheer enough, 1 warrant her. There hath been a man or two lately killed about her.

Doll. Nut-hook, nut-hook, you lie. Come on I'll tell thee what, thou damned tripe-visaged rascal; an the child I now go with, do miscarry, thou hadst better thou hadst struck thy mother, thou paperfaced 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 Bea. If it do, you shall have a dozen of cushions again; you have but eleven now.

Come, I charge

1 Words of an old ballad.

? A name of reproach for a catchpoll.

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