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Enter Justice SHALLOW and Justice SILENCE , with MOULDY , SHADOW , WART , FEEBLE , BULLCALF , and a servant or two
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Enter Justice SHALLOW and Justice SILENCE , with MOULDY , SHADOW , WART , FEEBLE , BULLCALF , and a servant or two
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SHALLOW Come on, come on, come on. Give me your hand, sir, give
me your hand, sir. An early stirrer, by the rood. And how
doth my good cousin Silence?
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SHALLOW Come on, come on, come on. Give me your hand, sir, give
me your hand, sir. An early stirrer, by the rood. And how
doth my good cousin Silence?
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SILENCE Good morrow, good cousin Shallow.
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SILENCE Good morrow, good cousin Shallow.
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SHALLOW 5 And how doth my cousin your bedfellow? And your fairest
daughter and mine, my goddaughter Ellen?
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SHALLOW And how doth my cousin your bedfellow? And your fairest
daughter and mine, my goddaughter Ellen?
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SILENCE Alas, a black ousel, cousin Shallow.
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SILENCE Alas, a black ousel, cousin Shallow.
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SHALLOW By yea and no, sir. I dare say my cousin William is become
a good scholar. He is at Oxford still, is he not?
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SHALLOW By yea and no, sir. I dare say my cousin William is become
a good scholar. He is at Oxford still, is he not?
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SILENCE 10 Indeed, sir, to my cost.
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SILENCE Indeed, sir, to my cost.
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SHALLOW He must then to the Inns o' Court shortly. I was once of
Clement’s Inn, where I think they will talk of mad Shallow
yet.
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SHALLOW He must then to the Inns o' Court shortly. I was once of
Clement’s Inn, where I think they will talk of mad Shallow
yet.
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SILENCE You were called “Lusty Shallow” then, cousin.
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SILENCE You were called “Lusty Shallow” then, cousin.
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SHALLOW 15 By the Mass, I was called anything, and I would have done
anything indeed too, and roundly too. There was I, and little
John Doit of Staffordshire, and black George Barnes, and
Francis Pickbone, and Will Squele, a Cotswold man. You
had not four such swinge-bucklers in all the Inns o' Court
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SHALLOW By the Mass, I was called anything, and I would have done
anything indeed too, and roundly too. There was I, and little
John Doit of Staffordshire, and black George Barnes, and
Francis Pickbone, and Will Squele, a Cotswold man. You
had not four such swinge-bucklers in all the Inns o' Court
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SHALLOW 20 again. And I may say to you, we knew where the bona robas
were and had the best of them all at commandment. Then
was Jack Falstaff, now Sir John, a boy, and page to Thomas
Mowbray, Duke of Norfolk.
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SHALLOW again. And I may say to you, we knew where the bona robas
were and had the best of them all at commandment. Then
was Jack Falstaff, now Sir John, a boy, and page to Thomas
Mowbray, Duke of Norfolk.
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SILENCE This Sir John, cousin, that comes hither anon about soldiers?
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SILENCE This Sir John, cousin, that comes hither anon about soldiers?
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SHALLOW 25 The same Sir John, the very same. I see him break Scoggin’s
head at the court gate, when he was a crack not thus high; and
the very same day did I fight with one Sampson Stockfish,
a fruiterer, behind Grey’s Inn. Jesu, Jesu, the mad days that
I have spent! And to see how many of my old acquaintance
30 are dead.
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SHALLOW The same Sir John, the very same. I see him break Scoggin’s
head at the court gate, when he was a crack not thus high; and
the very same day did I fight with one Sampson Stockfish,
a fruiterer, behind Grey’s Inn. Jesu, Jesu, the mad days that
I have spent! And to see how many of my old acquaintance
are dead.
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SILENCE We shall all follow, cousin.
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SILENCE We shall all follow, cousin.
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SHALLOW Certain, ’tis certain; very sure, very sure. Death, as the
Psalmist saith, is certain to all. All shall die. How a good
yoke of bullocks at Stamford Fair?
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SHALLOW Certain, ’tis certain; very sure, very sure. Death, as the
Psalmist saith, is certain to all. All shall die. How a good
yoke of bullocks at Stamford Fair?
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SILENCE 35 By my troth, cousin, I was not there.
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SILENCE By my troth, cousin, I was not there.
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SHALLOW Death is certain. Is old Dooble of your town living yet?
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SHALLOW Death is certain. Is old Dooble of your town living yet?
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SILENCE Dead, sir.
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SILENCE Dead, sir.
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SHALLOW Jesu, Jesu, dead! He drew a good bow, and dead? He shot a
fine shoot. John o' Gaunt loved him well, and betted much
40 money on his head. Dead! He would have clapped i' th'
clout at twelve score, and carried you a forehand shaft a
fourteen and fourteen and a half, that it would have done a
man’s heart good to see. How a score of ewes now?
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SHALLOW Jesu, Jesu, dead! He drew a good bow, and dead? He shot a
fine shoot. John o' Gaunt loved him well, and betted much
money on his head. Dead! He would have clapped i' th'
clout at twelve score, and carried you a forehand shaft a
fourteen and fourteen and a half, that it would have done a
man’s heart good to see. How a score of ewes now?
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SILENCE Thereafter as they be, a score of good ewes may be worth ten
45 pounds.
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SILENCE Thereafter as they be, a score of good ewes may be worth ten
pounds.
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SHALLOW And is old Dooble dead?
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SHALLOW And is old Dooble dead?
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SILENCE Here come two of Sir John Falstaff’s men, as I think.
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SILENCE Here come two of Sir John Falstaff’s men, as I think.
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Enter BARDOLPH and one with him
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Enter BARDOLPH and one with him
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SHALLOW Good morrow, honest gentlemen.
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SHALLOW Good morrow, honest gentlemen.
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BARDOLPH I beseech you, which is Justice Shallow?
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BARDOLPH I beseech you, which is Justice Shallow?
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SHALLOW 50 I am Robert Shallow, sir, a poor esquire of this county and
one of the King’s justices of the peace. What is your good
pleasure with me?
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SHALLOW I am Robert Shallow, sir, a poor esquire of this county and
one of the King’s justices of the peace. What is your good
pleasure with me?
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BARDOLPH My captain, sir, commends him to you, my captain, Sir John
Falstaff, a tall gentleman, by heaven, and a most gallant
55 leader.
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BARDOLPH My captain, sir, commends him to you, my captain, Sir John
Falstaff, a tall gentleman, by heaven, and a most gallant
leader.
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SHALLOW He greets me well, sir. I knew him a good backsword man.
How doth the good knight? May I ask how my lady his wife
doth?
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SHALLOW He greets me well, sir. I knew him a good backsword man.
How doth the good knight? May I ask how my lady his wife
doth?
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BARDOLPH Sir, pardon. A soldier is better accommodated than with a
60 wife.
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BARDOLPH Sir, pardon. A soldier is better accommodated than with a
wife.
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SHALLOW It is well said, in faith, sir, and it is well said indeed too.
“Better accommodated.” It is good, yea, indeed, is it. Good
phrases are surely, and ever were, very commendable.
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SHALLOW It is well said, in faith, sir, and it is well said indeed too.
“Better accommodated.” It is good, yea, indeed, is it. Good
phrases are surely, and ever were, very commendable.
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“Accommodated.” It comes of accommodo. Very good, a good phrase.
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“Accommodated.” It comes of accommodo. Very good, a good phrase.
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BARDOLPH 65 Pardon, sir; I have heard the word—“phrase” call you it? By
this day, I know not the phrase, but I will maintain the word
with my sword to be a soldierlike word, and a word of
exceeding good command, by heaven. “Accommodated,”
that is when a man is, as they say, accommodated, or when
70 a man is being whereby he may be thought to be
accommodated, which is an excellent thing.
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BARDOLPH Pardon, sir; I have heard the word—“phrase” call you it? By
this day, I know not the phrase, but I will maintain the word
with my sword to be a soldierlike word, and a word of
exceeding good command, by heaven. “Accommodated,”
that is when a man is, as they say, accommodated, or when
a man is being whereby he may be thought to be
accommodated, which is an excellent thing.
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Enter FALSTAFF
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Enter FALSTAFF
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SHALLOW It is very just. Look, here comes good Sir John.—Give me
your good hand, give me your Worship’s good hand. By my
troth, you like well and bear your years very well. Welcome,
75 good Sir John.
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SHALLOW It is very just. Look, here comes good Sir John.—Give me
your good hand, give me your Worship’s good hand. By my
troth, you like well and bear your years very well. Welcome,
good Sir John.
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FALSTAFF I am glad to see you well, good Master Robert Shallow.—
Master Sure-card, as I think?
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FALSTAFF I am glad to see you well, good Master Robert Shallow.—
Master Sure-card, as I think?
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SHALLOW No, Sir John. It is my cousin Silence, in commission with me.
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SHALLOW No, Sir John. It is my cousin Silence, in commission with me.
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FALSTAFF Good Master Silence, it well befits you should be of the
80 peace.
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FALSTAFF Good Master Silence, it well befits you should be of the
peace.
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SILENCE Your good Worship is welcome.
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SILENCE Your good Worship is welcome.
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FALSTAFF Fie, this is hot weather, gentlemen. Have you provided me
here half a dozen sufficient men?
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FALSTAFF Fie, this is hot weather, gentlemen. Have you provided me
here half a dozen sufficient men?
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SHALLOW Marry, have we, sir. Will you sit?
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SHALLOW Marry, have we, sir. Will you sit?
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FALSTAFF 85 Let me see them, I beseech you.
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FALSTAFF Let me see them, I beseech you.
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SHALLOW Where’s the roll? Where’s the roll? Where’s the roll? Let me
see, let me see, let me see. So, so, so, so, so. So, so. Yea,
marry, sir.—Rafe Mouldy!—Let them appear as I call, let
them do so, let them do so. Let me see, where is Mouldy?
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SHALLOW Where’s the roll? Where’s the roll? Where’s the roll? Let me
see, let me see, let me see. So, so, so, so, so. So, so. Yea,
marry, sir.—Rafe Mouldy!—Let them appear as I call, let
them do so, let them do so. Let me see, where is Mouldy?
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MOULDY 90 Here, an it please you.
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MOULDY Here, an it please you.
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SHALLOW What think you, Sir John? A good-limbed fellow; young,
strong, and of good friends.
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SHALLOW What think you, Sir John? A good-limbed fellow; young,
strong, and of good friends.
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FALSTAFF Is thy name Mouldy?
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FALSTAFF Is thy name Mouldy?
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MOULDY Yea, an ’t please you.
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MOULDY Yea, an ’t please you.
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FALSTAFF 95 'Tis the more time thou wert used.
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FALSTAFF 'Tis the more time thou wert used.
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SHALLOW Ha, ha, ha, most excellent, i' faith! Things that are mouldy
lack use. Very singular good, in faith. Well said, Sir John,
very well said.
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SHALLOW Ha, ha, ha, most excellent, i' faith! Things that are mouldy
lack use. Very singular good, in faith. Well said, Sir John,
very well said.
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FALSTAFF Prick him.
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FALSTAFF Prick him.
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MOULDY 100 I was pricked well enough before, an you could have let me
alone. My old dame will be undone now for one to do her
husbandry and her drudgery. You need not to have pricked
me. There are other men fitter to go out than I.
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MOULDY I was pricked well enough before, an you could have let me
alone. My old dame will be undone now for one to do her
husbandry and her drudgery. You need not to have pricked
me. There are other men fitter to go out than I.
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FALSTAFF Go to. Peace, Mouldy. You shall go. Mouldy, it is time you were
105 spent.
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FALSTAFF Go to. Peace, Mouldy. You shall go. Mouldy, it is time you were
spent.
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MOULDY Spent?
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MOULDY Spent?
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SHALLOW Peace, fellow, peace. Stand aside. Know you where you
are?—For th' other, Sir John. Let me see.—Simon Shadow!
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SHALLOW Peace, fellow, peace. Stand aside. Know you where you
are?—For th' other, Sir John. Let me see.—Simon Shadow!
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FALSTAFF Yea, marry, let me have him to sit under. He’s like to be a
110 cold soldier.
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FALSTAFF Yea, marry, let me have him to sit under. He’s like to be a
cold soldier.
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SHALLOW Where’s Shadow?
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SHALLOW Where’s Shadow?
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SHADOW Here, sir.
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SHADOW Here, sir.
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FALSTAFF Shadow, whose son art thou?
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FALSTAFF Shadow, whose son art thou?
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SHADOW My mother’s son, sir.
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SHADOW My mother’s son, sir.
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FALSTAFF 115 Thy mother’s son! Like enough, and thy father’s shadow. So
the son of the female is the shadow of the male. It is often
so, indeed, but much of the father’s substance.
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FALSTAFF Thy mother’s son! Like enough, and thy father’s shadow. So
the son of the female is the shadow of the male. It is often
so, indeed, but much of the father’s substance.
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SHALLOW Do you like him, Sir John?
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SHALLOW Do you like him, Sir John?
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FALSTAFF Shadow will serve for summer. Prick him, for we have a
120 number of shadows to fill up the muster book.
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FALSTAFF Shadow will serve for summer. Prick him, for we have a
number of shadows to fill up the muster book.
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SHALLOW Thomas Wart!
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SHALLOW Thomas Wart!
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FALSTAFF Where’s he?
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FALSTAFF Where’s he?
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WART Here, sir.
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WART Here, sir.
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FALSTAFF Is thy name Wart?
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FALSTAFF Is thy name Wart?
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WART 125 Yea, sir.
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WART Yea, sir.
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FALSTAFF Thou art a very ragged wart.
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FALSTAFF Thou art a very ragged wart.
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SHALLOW Shall I prick him down, Sir John?
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SHALLOW Shall I prick him down, Sir John?
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FALSTAFF It were superfluous, for his apparel is built upon his back,
and the whole frame stands upon pins. Prick him no more.
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FALSTAFF It were superfluous, for his apparel is built upon his back,
and the whole frame stands upon pins. Prick him no more.
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SHALLOW 130 Ha, ha, ha. You can do it, sir, you can do it. I commend you
well.—Francis Feeble!
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SHALLOW Ha, ha, ha. You can do it, sir, you can do it. I commend you
well.—Francis Feeble!
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FEEBLE Here, sir.
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FEEBLE Here, sir.
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FALSTAFF What trade art thou, Feeble?
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FALSTAFF What trade art thou, Feeble?
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FEEBLE A woman’s tailor, sir.
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FEEBLE A woman’s tailor, sir.
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SHALLOW 135 Shall I prick him, sir?
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SHALLOW Shall I prick him, sir?
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FALSTAFF You may, but if he had been a man’s tailor, he’d ha' pricked
you.—Wilt thou make as many holes in an enemy’s battle as
thou hast done in a woman’s petticoat?
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FALSTAFF You may, but if he had been a man’s tailor, he’d ha' pricked
you.—Wilt thou make as many holes in an enemy’s battle as
thou hast done in a woman’s petticoat?
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FEEBLE I will do my good will, sir. You can have no more.
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FEEBLE I will do my good will, sir. You can have no more.
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FALSTAFF 140 Well said, good woman’s tailor, well said, courageous
Feeble. Thou wilt be as valiant as the wrathful dove or most
magnanimous mouse.—Prick the woman’s tailor well,
Master Shallow, deep, Master Shallow.
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FALSTAFF Well said, good woman’s tailor, well said, courageous
Feeble. Thou wilt be as valiant as the wrathful dove or most
magnanimous mouse.—Prick the woman’s tailor well,
Master Shallow, deep, Master Shallow.
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FEEBLE I would Wart might have gone, sir.
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FEEBLE I would Wart might have gone, sir.
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FALSTAFF 145 I would thou wert a man’s tailor, that thou mightst mend him
and make him fit to go. I cannot put him to a private soldier
that is the leader of so many thousands. Let that suffice, most
forcible Feeble.
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FALSTAFF I would thou wert a man’s tailor, that thou mightst mend him
and make him fit to go. I cannot put him to a private soldier
that is the leader of so many thousands. Let that suffice, most
forcible Feeble.
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FEEBLE It shall suffice, sir.
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FEEBLE It shall suffice, sir.
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FALSTAFF 150 I am bound to thee, reverend Feeble.—Who is next?
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FALSTAFF I am bound to thee, reverend Feeble.—Who is next?
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SHALLOW Peter Bullcalf o' th' green.
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SHALLOW Peter Bullcalf o' th' green.
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FALSTAFF Yea, marry, let’s see Bullcalf.
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FALSTAFF Yea, marry, let’s see Bullcalf.
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BULLCALF Here, sir.
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BULLCALF Here, sir.
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FALSTAFF Fore God, a likely fellow. Come, prick me Bullcalf till he
155 roar again.
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FALSTAFF Fore God, a likely fellow. Come, prick me Bullcalf till he
roar again.
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BULLCALF O Lord, good my lord captain—
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BULLCALF O Lord, good my lord captain—
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FALSTAFF What, dost thou roar before thou art pricked?
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FALSTAFF What, dost thou roar before thou art pricked?
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BULLCALF O Lord, sir, I am a diseased man.
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BULLCALF O Lord, sir, I am a diseased man.
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FALSTAFF What disease hast thou?
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FALSTAFF What disease hast thou?
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BULLCALF 160 A whoreson cold, sir, a cough, sir, which I caught with
ringing in the King’s affairs upon his coronation day, sir.
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BULLCALF A whoreson cold, sir, a cough, sir, which I caught with
ringing in the King’s affairs upon his coronation day, sir.
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FALSTAFF Come, thou shalt go to the wars in a gown. We will have
away thy cold, and I will take such order that my friends
shall ring for thee.— (to SHALLOW) Is here all?
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FALSTAFF Come, thou shalt go to the wars in a gown. We will have
away thy cold, and I will take such order that my friends
shall ring for thee.— (to SHALLOW) Is here all?
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SHALLOW 165 Here is two more called than your number. You must have
but four here, sir, and so I pray you go in with me to dinner.
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SHALLOW Here is two more called than your number. You must have
but four here, sir, and so I pray you go in with me to dinner.
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FALSTAFF Come, I will go drink with you, but I cannot tarry dinner. I
am glad to see you, by my troth, Master Shallow.
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FALSTAFF Come, I will go drink with you, but I cannot tarry dinner. I
am glad to see you, by my troth, Master Shallow.
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SHALLOW O, Sir John, do you remember since we lay all night in the
170 windmill in Saint George’s Field?
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SHALLOW O, Sir John, do you remember since we lay all night in the
windmill in Saint George’s Field?
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FALSTAFF No more of that, good Master Shallow, no more of that.
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FALSTAFF No more of that, good Master Shallow, no more of that.
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SHALLOW Ha, ’twas a merry night. And is Jane Nightwork alive?
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SHALLOW Ha, ’twas a merry night. And is Jane Nightwork alive?
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FALSTAFF She lives, Master Shallow.
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FALSTAFF She lives, Master Shallow.
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SHALLOW She never could away with me.
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SHALLOW She never could away with me.
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FALSTAFF 175 Never, never; she would always say she could not abide
Master Shallow.
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FALSTAFF Never, never; she would always say she could not abide
Master Shallow.
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SHALLOW By the Mass, I could anger her to th' heart. She was then a
bona roba. Doth she hold her own well?
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SHALLOW By the Mass, I could anger her to th' heart. She was then a
bona roba. Doth she hold her own well?
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FALSTAFF Old, old, Master Shallow.
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FALSTAFF Old, old, Master Shallow.
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SHALLOW 180 Nay, she must be old. She cannot choose but be old. Certain,
she’s old, and had Robin Nightwork by old Nightwork
before I came to Clement’s Inn.
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SHALLOW Nay, she must be old. She cannot choose but be old. Certain,
she’s old, and had Robin Nightwork by old Nightwork
before I came to Clement’s Inn.
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SILENCE That’s fifty-five year ago.
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SILENCE That’s fifty-five year ago.
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SHALLOW Ha, cousin Silence, that thou hadst seen that that this knight
185 and I have seen!—Ha, Sir John, said I well?
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SHALLOW Ha, cousin Silence, that thou hadst seen that that this knight
and I have seen!—Ha, Sir John, said I well?
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FALSTAFF We have heard the chimes at midnight, Master Shallow.
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FALSTAFF We have heard the chimes at midnight, Master Shallow.
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SHALLOW That we have, that we have, that we have. In faith, Sir John,
we have. Our watchword was “Hem, boys.” Come, let’s to
dinner; come, let’s to dinner. Jesus, the days that we have
190 seen! Come, come.
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SHALLOW That we have, that we have, that we have. In faith, Sir John,
we have. Our watchword was “Hem, boys.” Come, let’s to
dinner; come, let’s to dinner. Jesus, the days that we have
seen! Come, come.
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Exeunt FALSTAFF , SHALLOW , and SILENCE
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Exeunt FALSTAFF , SHALLOW , and SILENCE
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BULLCALF Good Master Corporate Bardolph, stand my friend, and
here’s four Harry ten-shillings in French crowns for you. In
very truth, sir, I had as lief be hanged, sir, as go. And yet, for
mine own part, sir, I do not care, but rather because I am
195 unwilling, and, for mine own part, have a desire to stay with
my friends. Else, sir, I did not care, for mine own part, so much.
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BULLCALF Good Master Corporate Bardolph, stand my friend, and
here’s four Harry ten-shillings in French crowns for you. In
very truth, sir, I had as lief be hanged, sir, as go. And yet, for
mine own part, sir, I do not care, but rather because I am
unwilling, and, for mine own part, have a desire to stay with
my friends. Else, sir, I did not care, for mine own part, so much.
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BARDOLPH Go to. Stand aside.
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BARDOLPH Go to. Stand aside.
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MOULDY And, good Master Corporal Captain, for my old dame’s
sake, stand my friend. She has nobody to do anything about
200 her when I am gone, and she is old and cannot help herself:
You shall have forty, sir.
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MOULDY And, good Master Corporal Captain, for my old dame’s
sake, stand my friend. She has nobody to do anything about
her when I am gone, and she is old and cannot help herself:
You shall have forty, sir.
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BARDOLPH Go to. Stand aside.
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BARDOLPH Go to. Stand aside.
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FEEBLE By my troth, I care not. A man can die but once. We owe God
a death. I’ll ne'er bear a base mind. An ’t be my destiny, so;
205 an ’t be not, so. No man’s too good to serve ’s prince, and let
it go which way it will, he that dies this year is quit for the
next.
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FEEBLE By my troth, I care not. A man can die but once. We owe God
a death. I’ll ne'er bear a base mind. An ’t be my destiny, so;
an ’t be not, so. No man’s too good to serve ’s prince, and let
it go which way it will, he that dies this year is quit for the
next.
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BARDOLPH Well said. Th' art a good fellow.
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BARDOLPH Well said. Th' art a good fellow.
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FEEBLE Faith, I’ll bear no base mind.
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FEEBLE Faith, I’ll bear no base mind.
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Enter FALSTAFF , SHALLOW , and SILENCE
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Enter FALSTAFF , SHALLOW , and SILENCE
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FALSTAFF 210 Come, sir, which men shall I have?
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FALSTAFF Come, sir, which men shall I have?
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SHALLOW Four of which you please.
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SHALLOW Four of which you please.
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BARDOLPH Sir, a word with you. (aside to FALSTAFF) I have three pound
to free Mouldy and Bullcalf.
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BARDOLPH Sir, a word with you. (aside to FALSTAFF) I have three pound
to free Mouldy and Bullcalf.
|
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FALSTAFF Go to, well.
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FALSTAFF Go to, well.
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SHALLOW 215 Come, Sir John, which four will you have?
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SHALLOW Come, Sir John, which four will you have?
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FALSTAFF Do you choose for me.
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FALSTAFF Do you choose for me.
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SHALLOW Marry, then, Mouldy, Bullcalf, Feeble, and Shadow.
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SHALLOW Marry, then, Mouldy, Bullcalf, Feeble, and Shadow.
|
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FALSTAFF Mouldy and Bullcalf! For you, Mouldy, stay at home till you
are past service.—And for your part, Bullcalf, grow till you
220 come unto it. I will none of you.
|
FALSTAFF Mouldy and Bullcalf! For you, Mouldy, stay at home till you
are past service.—And for your part, Bullcalf, grow till you
come unto it. I will none of you.
|
|
Exeunt MOULDY and BULLCALF
|
Exeunt MOULDY and BULLCALF
|
|
SHALLOW Sir John, Sir John, do not yourself wrong. They are your
likeliest men, and I would have you served with the best.
|
SHALLOW Sir John, Sir John, do not yourself wrong. They are your
likeliest men, and I would have you served with the best.
|
|
FALSTAFF Will you tell me, Master Shallow, how to choose a man?
Care I for the limb, the thews, the stature, bulk, and big
225 assemblance of a man? Give me the spirit, Master Shallow.
Here’s Wart. You see what a ragged appearance it is. He shall
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FALSTAFF Will you tell me, Master Shallow, how to choose a man?
Care I for the limb, the thews, the stature, bulk, and big
assemblance of a man? Give me the spirit, Master Shallow.
Here’s Wart. You see what a ragged appearance it is. He shall
|
|
charge you and discharge you with the motion of a
pewterer’s hammer, come off and on swifter than he that
gibbets on the brewer’s bucket. And this same half-faced
230 fellow, Shadow, give me this man. He presents no mark to
the enemy. The foeman may with as great aim level at the
edge of a penknife. And for a retreat, how swiftly will this
Feeble the woman’s tailor, run off! O, give me the spare
men, and spare me the great ones.—Put me a caliver into
235 Wart’s hand, Bardolph.
|
charge you and discharge you with the motion of a
pewterer’s hammer, come off and on swifter than he that
gibbets on the brewer’s bucket. And this same half-faced
fellow, Shadow, give me this man. He presents no mark to
the enemy. The foeman may with as great aim level at the
edge of a penknife. And for a retreat, how swiftly will this
Feeble the woman’s tailor, run off! O, give me the spare
men, and spare me the great ones.—Put me a caliver into
Wart’s hand, Bardolph.
|
|
BARDOLPH Hold, Wart. Traverse. Thas, thas, thas.
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BARDOLPH Hold, Wart. Traverse. Thas, thas, thas.
|
|
FALSTAFF Come, manage me your caliver: so, very well, go to, very
good, exceeding good. O, give me always a little, lean, old,
chopped, bald shot. Well said, i' faith, Wart. Th' art a good
240 scab. Hold, there’s a tester for thee.
|
FALSTAFF Come, manage me your caliver: so, very well, go to, very
good, exceeding good. O, give me always a little, lean, old,
chopped, bald shot. Well said, i' faith, Wart. Th' art a good
scab. Hold, there’s a tester for thee.
|
|
SHALLOW He is not his craft’s master. He doth not do it right. I
remember at Mile End Green, when I lay at Clement’s Inn—
I was then Sir Dagonet in Arthur’s show—there was a little
quiver fellow, and he would manage you his piece thus. And
245 he would about and about, and come you in, and come you
in. “Rah, tah, tah,” would he say. “Bounce,” would he say,
and away again would he go, and again would he come. I
shall ne'er see such a fellow.
|
SHALLOW He is not his craft’s master. He doth not do it right. I
remember at Mile End Green, when I lay at Clement’s Inn—
I was then Sir Dagonet in Arthur’s show—there was a little
quiver fellow, and he would manage you his piece thus. And
he would about and about, and come you in, and come you
in. “Rah, tah, tah,” would he say. “Bounce,” would he say,
and away again would he go, and again would he come. I
shall ne'er see such a fellow.
|
|
FALSTAFF These fellows will do well, Master Shallow.—God keep
250 you, Master Silence. I will not use many words with you.
Fare you well, gentlemen both. I thank you. I must a dozen
mile to-night.—Bardolph, give the soldiers coats.
|
FALSTAFF These fellows will do well, Master Shallow.—God keep
you, Master Silence. I will not use many words with you.
Fare you well, gentlemen both. I thank you. I must a dozen
mile to-night.—Bardolph, give the soldiers coats.
|
|
SHALLOW Sir John, the Lord bless you. God prosper your affairs. God
send us peace. At your return, visit our house. Let our old
|
SHALLOW Sir John, the Lord bless you. God prosper your affairs. God
send us peace. At your return, visit our house. Let our old
|
|
255 acquaintance be renewed. Peradventure I will with you to
the court.
|
acquaintance be renewed. Peradventure I will with you to
the court.
|
|
FALSTAFF Fore God, would you would, Master Shallow.
|
FALSTAFF Fore God, would you would, Master Shallow.
|
|
SHALLOW Go to. I have spoke at a word. God keep you.
|
SHALLOW Go to. I have spoke at a word. God keep you.
|
|
FALSTAFF Fare you well, gentle gentlemen.
|
FALSTAFF Fare you well, gentle gentlemen.
|
|
Exeunt SHALLOW and SILENCE
|
Exeunt SHALLOW and SILENCE
|
|
260 On, Bardolph. Lead the men away.
|
On, Bardolph. Lead the men away.
|
|
Exeunt BARDOLPH and the recruits
|
Exeunt BARDOLPH and the recruits
|
|
As I return, I will fetch off these justices. I do see the bottom
of Justice Shallow. Lord, Lord, how subject we old men are
to this vice of lying. This same starved justice hath done
nothing but prate to me of the wildness of his youth and the
265 feats he hath done about Turnbull Street, and every third
word a lie, duer paid to the hearer than the Turk’s tribute. I
do remember him at Clement’s Inn, like a man made after
supper of a cheese paring. When he was naked, he was, for
all the world, like a forked radish with a head fantastically
270 carved upon it with a knife. He was so forlorn that his
dimensions to any thick sight were invincible. He was the
very genius of famine, yet lecherous as a monkey, and the
whores called him “mandrake.” He came ever in the
rearward of the fashion, and sung those tunes to the
275 overscutched huswives that he heard the carmen whistle,
and swore they were his fancies or his good-nights.
And now is this Vice’s dagger become a squire, and talks as
familiarly of John o' Gaunt as if he had been sworn brother
to him, and I’ll be sworn he ne'er saw him but once in the
|
As I return, I will fetch off these justices. I do see the bottom
of Justice Shallow. Lord, Lord, how subject we old men are
to this vice of lying. This same starved justice hath done
nothing but prate to me of the wildness of his youth and the
feats he hath done about Turnbull Street, and every third
word a lie, duer paid to the hearer than the Turk’s tribute. I
do remember him at Clement’s Inn, like a man made after
supper of a cheese paring. When he was naked, he was, for
all the world, like a forked radish with a head fantastically
carved upon it with a knife. He was so forlorn that his
dimensions to any thick sight were invincible. He was the
very genius of famine, yet lecherous as a monkey, and the
whores called him “mandrake.” He came ever in the
rearward of the fashion, and sung those tunes to the
overscutched huswives that he heard the carmen whistle,
and swore they were his fancies or his good-nights.
And now is this Vice’s dagger become a squire, and talks as
familiarly of John o' Gaunt as if he had been sworn brother
to him, and I’ll be sworn he ne'er saw him but once in the
|
|
280 tilt-yard, and then he burst his head for crowding among the
Marshal’s men. I saw it and told John o' Gaunt he beat his
own name, for you might have thrust him and all his apparel
into an eel-skin; the case of a treble hautboy was a mansion
for him, a court. And now has he land and beefs. Well, I’ll
285 be acquainted with him, if I return, and ’t shall go hard but
I’ll make him a philosopher’s two stones to me. If the young
dace be a bait for the old pike, I see no reason in the law of
nature but I may snap at him. Let time shape, and there an
end.
|
tilt-yard, and then he burst his head for crowding among the
Marshal’s men. I saw it and told John o' Gaunt he beat his
own name, for you might have thrust him and all his apparel
into an eel-skin; the case of a treble hautboy was a mansion
for him, a court. And now has he land and beefs. Well, I’ll
be acquainted with him, if I return, and ’t shall go hard but
I’ll make him a philosopher’s two stones to me. If the young
dace be a bait for the old pike, I see no reason in the law of
nature but I may snap at him. Let time shape, and there an
end.
|
|
Exit
|
Exit
|
Original Text |
Modern Text |
|
Enter Justice SHALLOW and Justice SILENCE , with MOULDY , SHADOW , WART , FEEBLE , BULLCALF , and a servant or two
|
Enter Justice SHALLOW and Justice SILENCE , with MOULDY , SHADOW , WART , FEEBLE , BULLCALF , and a servant or two
|
|
SHALLOW Come on, come on, come on. Give me your hand, sir, give
me your hand, sir. An early stirrer, by the rood. And how
doth my good cousin Silence?
|
SHALLOW Come on, come on, come on. Give me your hand, sir, give
me your hand, sir. An early stirrer, by the rood. And how
doth my good cousin Silence?
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|
SILENCE Good morrow, good cousin Shallow.
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SILENCE Good morrow, good cousin Shallow.
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|
SHALLOW 5 And how doth my cousin your bedfellow? And your fairest
daughter and mine, my goddaughter Ellen?
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SHALLOW And how doth my cousin your bedfellow? And your fairest
daughter and mine, my goddaughter Ellen?
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SILENCE Alas, a black ousel, cousin Shallow.
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SILENCE Alas, a black ousel, cousin Shallow.
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SHALLOW By yea and no, sir. I dare say my cousin William is become
a good scholar. He is at Oxford still, is he not?
|
SHALLOW By yea and no, sir. I dare say my cousin William is become
a good scholar. He is at Oxford still, is he not?
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SILENCE 10 Indeed, sir, to my cost.
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SILENCE Indeed, sir, to my cost.
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SHALLOW He must then to the Inns o' Court shortly. I was once of
Clement’s Inn, where I think they will talk of mad Shallow
yet.
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SHALLOW He must then to the Inns o' Court shortly. I was once of
Clement’s Inn, where I think they will talk of mad Shallow
yet.
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SILENCE You were called “Lusty Shallow” then, cousin.
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SILENCE You were called “Lusty Shallow” then, cousin.
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SHALLOW 15 By the Mass, I was called anything, and I would have done
anything indeed too, and roundly too. There was I, and little
John Doit of Staffordshire, and black George Barnes, and
Francis Pickbone, and Will Squele, a Cotswold man. You
had not four such swinge-bucklers in all the Inns o' Court
|
SHALLOW By the Mass, I was called anything, and I would have done
anything indeed too, and roundly too. There was I, and little
John Doit of Staffordshire, and black George Barnes, and
Francis Pickbone, and Will Squele, a Cotswold man. You
had not four such swinge-bucklers in all the Inns o' Court
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SHALLOW 20 again. And I may say to you, we knew where the bona robas
were and had the best of them all at commandment. Then
was Jack Falstaff, now Sir John, a boy, and page to Thomas
Mowbray, Duke of Norfolk.
|
SHALLOW again. And I may say to you, we knew where the bona robas
were and had the best of them all at commandment. Then
was Jack Falstaff, now Sir John, a boy, and page to Thomas
Mowbray, Duke of Norfolk.
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SILENCE This Sir John, cousin, that comes hither anon about soldiers?
|
SILENCE This Sir John, cousin, that comes hither anon about soldiers?
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SHALLOW 25 The same Sir John, the very same. I see him break Scoggin’s
head at the court gate, when he was a crack not thus high; and
the very same day did I fight with one Sampson Stockfish,
a fruiterer, behind Grey’s Inn. Jesu, Jesu, the mad days that
I have spent! And to see how many of my old acquaintance
30 are dead.
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SHALLOW The same Sir John, the very same. I see him break Scoggin’s
head at the court gate, when he was a crack not thus high; and
the very same day did I fight with one Sampson Stockfish,
a fruiterer, behind Grey’s Inn. Jesu, Jesu, the mad days that
I have spent! And to see how many of my old acquaintance
are dead.
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SILENCE We shall all follow, cousin.
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SILENCE We shall all follow, cousin.
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SHALLOW Certain, ’tis certain; very sure, very sure. Death, as the
Psalmist saith, is certain to all. All shall die. How a good
yoke of bullocks at Stamford Fair?
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SHALLOW Certain, ’tis certain; very sure, very sure. Death, as the
Psalmist saith, is certain to all. All shall die. How a good
yoke of bullocks at Stamford Fair?
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SILENCE 35 By my troth, cousin, I was not there.
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SILENCE By my troth, cousin, I was not there.
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SHALLOW Death is certain. Is old Dooble of your town living yet?
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SHALLOW Death is certain. Is old Dooble of your town living yet?
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SILENCE Dead, sir.
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SILENCE Dead, sir.
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SHALLOW Jesu, Jesu, dead! He drew a good bow, and dead? He shot a
fine shoot. John o' Gaunt loved him well, and betted much
40 money on his head. Dead! He would have clapped i' th'
clout at twelve score, and carried you a forehand shaft a
fourteen and fourteen and a half, that it would have done a
man’s heart good to see. How a score of ewes now?
|
SHALLOW Jesu, Jesu, dead! He drew a good bow, and dead? He shot a
fine shoot. John o' Gaunt loved him well, and betted much
money on his head. Dead! He would have clapped i' th'
clout at twelve score, and carried you a forehand shaft a
fourteen and fourteen and a half, that it would have done a
man’s heart good to see. How a score of ewes now?
|
|
SILENCE Thereafter as they be, a score of good ewes may be worth ten
45 pounds.
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SILENCE Thereafter as they be, a score of good ewes may be worth ten
pounds.
|
|
SHALLOW And is old Dooble dead?
|
SHALLOW And is old Dooble dead?
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SILENCE Here come two of Sir John Falstaff’s men, as I think.
|
SILENCE Here come two of Sir John Falstaff’s men, as I think.
|
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Enter BARDOLPH and one with him
|
Enter BARDOLPH and one with him
|
|
SHALLOW Good morrow, honest gentlemen.
|
SHALLOW Good morrow, honest gentlemen.
|
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BARDOLPH I beseech you, which is Justice Shallow?
|
BARDOLPH I beseech you, which is Justice Shallow?
|
|
SHALLOW 50 I am Robert Shallow, sir, a poor esquire of this county and
one of the King’s justices of the peace. What is your good
pleasure with me?
|
SHALLOW I am Robert Shallow, sir, a poor esquire of this county and
one of the King’s justices of the peace. What is your good
pleasure with me?
|
|
BARDOLPH My captain, sir, commends him to you, my captain, Sir John
Falstaff, a tall gentleman, by heaven, and a most gallant
55 leader.
|
BARDOLPH My captain, sir, commends him to you, my captain, Sir John
Falstaff, a tall gentleman, by heaven, and a most gallant
leader.
|
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SHALLOW He greets me well, sir. I knew him a good backsword man.
How doth the good knight? May I ask how my lady his wife
doth?
|
SHALLOW He greets me well, sir. I knew him a good backsword man.
How doth the good knight? May I ask how my lady his wife
doth?
|
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BARDOLPH Sir, pardon. A soldier is better accommodated than with a
60 wife.
|
BARDOLPH Sir, pardon. A soldier is better accommodated than with a
wife.
|
|
SHALLOW It is well said, in faith, sir, and it is well said indeed too.
“Better accommodated.” It is good, yea, indeed, is it. Good
phrases are surely, and ever were, very commendable.
|
SHALLOW It is well said, in faith, sir, and it is well said indeed too.
“Better accommodated.” It is good, yea, indeed, is it. Good
phrases are surely, and ever were, very commendable.
|
|
“Accommodated.” It comes of accommodo. Very good, a good phrase.
|
“Accommodated.” It comes of accommodo. Very good, a good phrase.
|
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BARDOLPH 65 Pardon, sir; I have heard the word—“phrase” call you it? By
this day, I know not the phrase, but I will maintain the word
with my sword to be a soldierlike word, and a word of
exceeding good command, by heaven. “Accommodated,”
that is when a man is, as they say, accommodated, or when
70 a man is being whereby he may be thought to be
accommodated, which is an excellent thing.
|
BARDOLPH Pardon, sir; I have heard the word—“phrase” call you it? By
this day, I know not the phrase, but I will maintain the word
with my sword to be a soldierlike word, and a word of
exceeding good command, by heaven. “Accommodated,”
that is when a man is, as they say, accommodated, or when
a man is being whereby he may be thought to be
accommodated, which is an excellent thing.
|
|
Enter FALSTAFF
|
Enter FALSTAFF
|
|
SHALLOW It is very just. Look, here comes good Sir John.—Give me
your good hand, give me your Worship’s good hand. By my
troth, you like well and bear your years very well. Welcome,
75 good Sir John.
|
SHALLOW It is very just. Look, here comes good Sir John.—Give me
your good hand, give me your Worship’s good hand. By my
troth, you like well and bear your years very well. Welcome,
good Sir John.
|
|
FALSTAFF I am glad to see you well, good Master Robert Shallow.—
Master Sure-card, as I think?
|
FALSTAFF I am glad to see you well, good Master Robert Shallow.—
Master Sure-card, as I think?
|
|
SHALLOW No, Sir John. It is my cousin Silence, in commission with me.
|
SHALLOW No, Sir John. It is my cousin Silence, in commission with me.
|
|
FALSTAFF Good Master Silence, it well befits you should be of the
80 peace.
|
FALSTAFF Good Master Silence, it well befits you should be of the
peace.
|
|
SILENCE Your good Worship is welcome.
|
SILENCE Your good Worship is welcome.
|
|
FALSTAFF Fie, this is hot weather, gentlemen. Have you provided me
here half a dozen sufficient men?
|
FALSTAFF Fie, this is hot weather, gentlemen. Have you provided me
here half a dozen sufficient men?
|
|
SHALLOW Marry, have we, sir. Will you sit?
|
SHALLOW Marry, have we, sir. Will you sit?
|
|
FALSTAFF 85 Let me see them, I beseech you.
|
FALSTAFF Let me see them, I beseech you.
|
|
SHALLOW Where’s the roll? Where’s the roll? Where’s the roll? Let me
see, let me see, let me see. So, so, so, so, so. So, so. Yea,
marry, sir.—Rafe Mouldy!—Let them appear as I call, let
them do so, let them do so. Let me see, where is Mouldy?
|
SHALLOW Where’s the roll? Where’s the roll? Where’s the roll? Let me
see, let me see, let me see. So, so, so, so, so. So, so. Yea,
marry, sir.—Rafe Mouldy!—Let them appear as I call, let
them do so, let them do so. Let me see, where is Mouldy?
|
|
MOULDY 90 Here, an it please you.
|
MOULDY Here, an it please you.
|
|
SHALLOW What think you, Sir John? A good-limbed fellow; young,
strong, and of good friends.
|
SHALLOW What think you, Sir John? A good-limbed fellow; young,
strong, and of good friends.
|
|
FALSTAFF Is thy name Mouldy?
|
FALSTAFF Is thy name Mouldy?
|
|
MOULDY Yea, an ’t please you.
|
MOULDY Yea, an ’t please you.
|
|
FALSTAFF 95 'Tis the more time thou wert used.
|
FALSTAFF 'Tis the more time thou wert used.
|
|
SHALLOW Ha, ha, ha, most excellent, i' faith! Things that are mouldy
lack use. Very singular good, in faith. Well said, Sir John,
very well said.
|
SHALLOW Ha, ha, ha, most excellent, i' faith! Things that are mouldy
lack use. Very singular good, in faith. Well said, Sir John,
very well said.
|
|
FALSTAFF Prick him.
|
FALSTAFF Prick him.
|
|
MOULDY 100 I was pricked well enough before, an you could have let me
alone. My old dame will be undone now for one to do her
husbandry and her drudgery. You need not to have pricked
me. There are other men fitter to go out than I.
|
MOULDY I was pricked well enough before, an you could have let me
alone. My old dame will be undone now for one to do her
husbandry and her drudgery. You need not to have pricked
me. There are other men fitter to go out than I.
|
|
FALSTAFF Go to. Peace, Mouldy. You shall go. Mouldy, it is time you were
105 spent.
|
FALSTAFF Go to. Peace, Mouldy. You shall go. Mouldy, it is time you were
spent.
|
|
MOULDY Spent?
|
MOULDY Spent?
|
|
SHALLOW Peace, fellow, peace. Stand aside. Know you where you
are?—For th' other, Sir John. Let me see.—Simon Shadow!
|
SHALLOW Peace, fellow, peace. Stand aside. Know you where you
are?—For th' other, Sir John. Let me see.—Simon Shadow!
|
|
FALSTAFF Yea, marry, let me have him to sit under. He’s like to be a
110 cold soldier.
|
FALSTAFF Yea, marry, let me have him to sit under. He’s like to be a
cold soldier.
|
|
SHALLOW Where’s Shadow?
|
SHALLOW Where’s Shadow?
|
|
SHADOW Here, sir.
|
SHADOW Here, sir.
|
|
FALSTAFF Shadow, whose son art thou?
|
FALSTAFF Shadow, whose son art thou?
|
|
SHADOW My mother’s son, sir.
|
SHADOW My mother’s son, sir.
|
|
FALSTAFF 115 Thy mother’s son! Like enough, and thy father’s shadow. So
the son of the female is the shadow of the male. It is often
so, indeed, but much of the father’s substance.
|
FALSTAFF Thy mother’s son! Like enough, and thy father’s shadow. So
the son of the female is the shadow of the male. It is often
so, indeed, but much of the father’s substance.
|
|
SHALLOW Do you like him, Sir John?
|
SHALLOW Do you like him, Sir John?
|
|
FALSTAFF Shadow will serve for summer. Prick him, for we have a
120 number of shadows to fill up the muster book.
|
FALSTAFF Shadow will serve for summer. Prick him, for we have a
number of shadows to fill up the muster book.
|
|
SHALLOW Thomas Wart!
|
SHALLOW Thomas Wart!
|
|
FALSTAFF Where’s he?
|
FALSTAFF Where’s he?
|
|
WART Here, sir.
|
WART Here, sir.
|
|
FALSTAFF Is thy name Wart?
|
FALSTAFF Is thy name Wart?
|
|
WART 125 Yea, sir.
|
WART Yea, sir.
|
|
FALSTAFF Thou art a very ragged wart.
|
FALSTAFF Thou art a very ragged wart.
|
|
SHALLOW Shall I prick him down, Sir John?
|
SHALLOW Shall I prick him down, Sir John?
|
|
FALSTAFF It were superfluous, for his apparel is built upon his back,
and the whole frame stands upon pins. Prick him no more.
|
FALSTAFF It were superfluous, for his apparel is built upon his back,
and the whole frame stands upon pins. Prick him no more.
|
|
SHALLOW 130 Ha, ha, ha. You can do it, sir, you can do it. I commend you
well.—Francis Feeble!
|
SHALLOW Ha, ha, ha. You can do it, sir, you can do it. I commend you
well.—Francis Feeble!
|
|
FEEBLE Here, sir.
|
FEEBLE Here, sir.
|
|
FALSTAFF What trade art thou, Feeble?
|
FALSTAFF What trade art thou, Feeble?
|
|
FEEBLE A woman’s tailor, sir.
|
FEEBLE A woman’s tailor, sir.
|
|
SHALLOW 135 Shall I prick him, sir?
|
SHALLOW Shall I prick him, sir?
|
|
FALSTAFF You may, but if he had been a man’s tailor, he’d ha' pricked
you.—Wilt thou make as many holes in an enemy’s battle as
thou hast done in a woman’s petticoat?
|
FALSTAFF You may, but if he had been a man’s tailor, he’d ha' pricked
you.—Wilt thou make as many holes in an enemy’s battle as
thou hast done in a woman’s petticoat?
|
|
FEEBLE I will do my good will, sir. You can have no more.
|
FEEBLE I will do my good will, sir. You can have no more.
|
|
FALSTAFF 140 Well said, good woman’s tailor, well said, courageous
Feeble. Thou wilt be as valiant as the wrathful dove or most
magnanimous mouse.—Prick the woman’s tailor well,
Master Shallow, deep, Master Shallow.
|
FALSTAFF Well said, good woman’s tailor, well said, courageous
Feeble. Thou wilt be as valiant as the wrathful dove or most
magnanimous mouse.—Prick the woman’s tailor well,
Master Shallow, deep, Master Shallow.
|
|
FEEBLE I would Wart might have gone, sir.
|
FEEBLE I would Wart might have gone, sir.
|
|
FALSTAFF 145 I would thou wert a man’s tailor, that thou mightst mend him
and make him fit to go. I cannot put him to a private soldier
that is the leader of so many thousands. Let that suffice, most
forcible Feeble.
|
FALSTAFF I would thou wert a man’s tailor, that thou mightst mend him
and make him fit to go. I cannot put him to a private soldier
that is the leader of so many thousands. Let that suffice, most
forcible Feeble.
|
|
FEEBLE It shall suffice, sir.
|
FEEBLE It shall suffice, sir.
|
|
FALSTAFF 150 I am bound to thee, reverend Feeble.—Who is next?
|
FALSTAFF I am bound to thee, reverend Feeble.—Who is next?
|
|
SHALLOW Peter Bullcalf o' th' green.
|
SHALLOW Peter Bullcalf o' th' green.
|
|
FALSTAFF Yea, marry, let’s see Bullcalf.
|
FALSTAFF Yea, marry, let’s see Bullcalf.
|
|
BULLCALF Here, sir.
|
BULLCALF Here, sir.
|
|
FALSTAFF Fore God, a likely fellow. Come, prick me Bullcalf till he
155 roar again.
|
FALSTAFF Fore God, a likely fellow. Come, prick me Bullcalf till he
roar again.
|
|
BULLCALF O Lord, good my lord captain—
|
BULLCALF O Lord, good my lord captain—
|
|
FALSTAFF What, dost thou roar before thou art pricked?
|
FALSTAFF What, dost thou roar before thou art pricked?
|
|
BULLCALF O Lord, sir, I am a diseased man.
|
BULLCALF O Lord, sir, I am a diseased man.
|
|
FALSTAFF What disease hast thou?
|
FALSTAFF What disease hast thou?
|
|
BULLCALF 160 A whoreson cold, sir, a cough, sir, which I caught with
ringing in the King’s affairs upon his coronation day, sir.
|
BULLCALF A whoreson cold, sir, a cough, sir, which I caught with
ringing in the King’s affairs upon his coronation day, sir.
|
|
FALSTAFF Come, thou shalt go to the wars in a gown. We will have
away thy cold, and I will take such order that my friends
shall ring for thee.— (to SHALLOW) Is here all?
|
FALSTAFF Come, thou shalt go to the wars in a gown. We will have
away thy cold, and I will take such order that my friends
shall ring for thee.— (to SHALLOW) Is here all?
|
|
SHALLOW 165 Here is two more called than your number. You must have
but four here, sir, and so I pray you go in with me to dinner.
|
SHALLOW Here is two more called than your number. You must have
but four here, sir, and so I pray you go in with me to dinner.
|
|
FALSTAFF Come, I will go drink with you, but I cannot tarry dinner. I
am glad to see you, by my troth, Master Shallow.
|
FALSTAFF Come, I will go drink with you, but I cannot tarry dinner. I
am glad to see you, by my troth, Master Shallow.
|
|
SHALLOW O, Sir John, do you remember since we lay all night in the
170 windmill in Saint George’s Field?
|
SHALLOW O, Sir John, do you remember since we lay all night in the
windmill in Saint George’s Field?
|
|
FALSTAFF No more of that, good Master Shallow, no more of that.
|
FALSTAFF No more of that, good Master Shallow, no more of that.
|
|
SHALLOW Ha, ’twas a merry night. And is Jane Nightwork alive?
|
SHALLOW Ha, ’twas a merry night. And is Jane Nightwork alive?
|
|
FALSTAFF She lives, Master Shallow.
|
FALSTAFF She lives, Master Shallow.
|
|
SHALLOW She never could away with me.
|
SHALLOW She never could away with me.
|
|
FALSTAFF 175 Never, never; she would always say she could not abide
Master Shallow.
|
FALSTAFF Never, never; she would always say she could not abide
Master Shallow.
|
|
SHALLOW By the Mass, I could anger her to th' heart. She was then a
bona roba. Doth she hold her own well?
|
SHALLOW By the Mass, I could anger her to th' heart. She was then a
bona roba. Doth she hold her own well?
|
|
FALSTAFF Old, old, Master Shallow.
|
FALSTAFF Old, old, Master Shallow.
|
|
SHALLOW 180 Nay, she must be old. She cannot choose but be old. Certain,
she’s old, and had Robin Nightwork by old Nightwork
before I came to Clement’s Inn.
|
SHALLOW Nay, she must be old. She cannot choose but be old. Certain,
she’s old, and had Robin Nightwork by old Nightwork
before I came to Clement’s Inn.
|
|
SILENCE That’s fifty-five year ago.
|
SILENCE That’s fifty-five year ago.
|
|
SHALLOW Ha, cousin Silence, that thou hadst seen that that this knight
185 and I have seen!—Ha, Sir John, said I well?
|
SHALLOW Ha, cousin Silence, that thou hadst seen that that this knight
and I have seen!—Ha, Sir John, said I well?
|
|
FALSTAFF We have heard the chimes at midnight, Master Shallow.
|
FALSTAFF We have heard the chimes at midnight, Master Shallow.
|
|
SHALLOW That we have, that we have, that we have. In faith, Sir John,
we have. Our watchword was “Hem, boys.” Come, let’s to
dinner; come, let’s to dinner. Jesus, the days that we have
190 seen! Come, come.
|
SHALLOW That we have, that we have, that we have. In faith, Sir John,
we have. Our watchword was “Hem, boys.” Come, let’s to
dinner; come, let’s to dinner. Jesus, the days that we have
seen! Come, come.
|
|
Exeunt FALSTAFF , SHALLOW , and SILENCE
|
Exeunt FALSTAFF , SHALLOW , and SILENCE
|
|
BULLCALF Good Master Corporate Bardolph, stand my friend, and
here’s four Harry ten-shillings in French crowns for you. In
very truth, sir, I had as lief be hanged, sir, as go. And yet, for
mine own part, sir, I do not care, but rather because I am
195 unwilling, and, for mine own part, have a desire to stay with
my friends. Else, sir, I did not care, for mine own part, so much.
|
BULLCALF Good Master Corporate Bardolph, stand my friend, and
here’s four Harry ten-shillings in French crowns for you. In
very truth, sir, I had as lief be hanged, sir, as go. And yet, for
mine own part, sir, I do not care, but rather because I am
unwilling, and, for mine own part, have a desire to stay with
my friends. Else, sir, I did not care, for mine own part, so much.
|
|
BARDOLPH Go to. Stand aside.
|
BARDOLPH Go to. Stand aside.
|
|
MOULDY And, good Master Corporal Captain, for my old dame’s
sake, stand my friend. She has nobody to do anything about
200 her when I am gone, and she is old and cannot help herself:
You shall have forty, sir.
|
MOULDY And, good Master Corporal Captain, for my old dame’s
sake, stand my friend. She has nobody to do anything about
her when I am gone, and she is old and cannot help herself:
You shall have forty, sir.
|
|
BARDOLPH Go to. Stand aside.
|
BARDOLPH Go to. Stand aside.
|
|
FEEBLE By my troth, I care not. A man can die but once. We owe God
a death. I’ll ne'er bear a base mind. An ’t be my destiny, so;
205 an ’t be not, so. No man’s too good to serve ’s prince, and let
it go which way it will, he that dies this year is quit for the
next.
|
FEEBLE By my troth, I care not. A man can die but once. We owe God
a death. I’ll ne'er bear a base mind. An ’t be my destiny, so;
an ’t be not, so. No man’s too good to serve ’s prince, and let
it go which way it will, he that dies this year is quit for the
next.
|
|
BARDOLPH Well said. Th' art a good fellow.
|
BARDOLPH Well said. Th' art a good fellow.
|
|
FEEBLE Faith, I’ll bear no base mind.
|
FEEBLE Faith, I’ll bear no base mind.
|
|
Enter FALSTAFF , SHALLOW , and SILENCE
|
Enter FALSTAFF , SHALLOW , and SILENCE
|
|
FALSTAFF 210 Come, sir, which men shall I have?
|
FALSTAFF Come, sir, which men shall I have?
|
|
SHALLOW Four of which you please.
|
SHALLOW Four of which you please.
|
|
BARDOLPH Sir, a word with you. (aside to FALSTAFF) I have three pound
to free Mouldy and Bullcalf.
|
BARDOLPH Sir, a word with you. (aside to FALSTAFF) I have three pound
to free Mouldy and Bullcalf.
|
|
FALSTAFF Go to, well.
|
FALSTAFF Go to, well.
|
|
SHALLOW 215 Come, Sir John, which four will you have?
|
SHALLOW Come, Sir John, which four will you have?
|
|
FALSTAFF Do you choose for me.
|
FALSTAFF Do you choose for me.
|
|
SHALLOW Marry, then, Mouldy, Bullcalf, Feeble, and Shadow.
|
SHALLOW Marry, then, Mouldy, Bullcalf, Feeble, and Shadow.
|
|
FALSTAFF Mouldy and Bullcalf! For you, Mouldy, stay at home till you
are past service.—And for your part, Bullcalf, grow till you
220 come unto it. I will none of you.
|
FALSTAFF Mouldy and Bullcalf! For you, Mouldy, stay at home till you
are past service.—And for your part, Bullcalf, grow till you
come unto it. I will none of you.
|
|
Exeunt MOULDY and BULLCALF
|
Exeunt MOULDY and BULLCALF
|
|
SHALLOW Sir John, Sir John, do not yourself wrong. They are your
likeliest men, and I would have you served with the best.
|
SHALLOW Sir John, Sir John, do not yourself wrong. They are your
likeliest men, and I would have you served with the best.
|
|
FALSTAFF Will you tell me, Master Shallow, how to choose a man?
Care I for the limb, the thews, the stature, bulk, and big
225 assemblance of a man? Give me the spirit, Master Shallow.
Here’s Wart. You see what a ragged appearance it is. He shall
|
FALSTAFF Will you tell me, Master Shallow, how to choose a man?
Care I for the limb, the thews, the stature, bulk, and big
assemblance of a man? Give me the spirit, Master Shallow.
Here’s Wart. You see what a ragged appearance it is. He shall
|
|
charge you and discharge you with the motion of a
pewterer’s hammer, come off and on swifter than he that
gibbets on the brewer’s bucket. And this same half-faced
230 fellow, Shadow, give me this man. He presents no mark to
the enemy. The foeman may with as great aim level at the
edge of a penknife. And for a retreat, how swiftly will this
Feeble the woman’s tailor, run off! O, give me the spare
men, and spare me the great ones.—Put me a caliver into
235 Wart’s hand, Bardolph.
|
charge you and discharge you with the motion of a
pewterer’s hammer, come off and on swifter than he that
gibbets on the brewer’s bucket. And this same half-faced
fellow, Shadow, give me this man. He presents no mark to
the enemy. The foeman may with as great aim level at the
edge of a penknife. And for a retreat, how swiftly will this
Feeble the woman’s tailor, run off! O, give me the spare
men, and spare me the great ones.—Put me a caliver into
Wart’s hand, Bardolph.
|
|
BARDOLPH Hold, Wart. Traverse. Thas, thas, thas.
|
BARDOLPH Hold, Wart. Traverse. Thas, thas, thas.
|
|
FALSTAFF Come, manage me your caliver: so, very well, go to, very
good, exceeding good. O, give me always a little, lean, old,
chopped, bald shot. Well said, i' faith, Wart. Th' art a good
240 scab. Hold, there’s a tester for thee.
|
FALSTAFF Come, manage me your caliver: so, very well, go to, very
good, exceeding good. O, give me always a little, lean, old,
chopped, bald shot. Well said, i' faith, Wart. Th' art a good
scab. Hold, there’s a tester for thee.
|
|
SHALLOW He is not his craft’s master. He doth not do it right. I
remember at Mile End Green, when I lay at Clement’s Inn—
I was then Sir Dagonet in Arthur’s show—there was a little
quiver fellow, and he would manage you his piece thus. And
245 he would about and about, and come you in, and come you
in. “Rah, tah, tah,” would he say. “Bounce,” would he say,
and away again would he go, and again would he come. I
shall ne'er see such a fellow.
|
SHALLOW He is not his craft’s master. He doth not do it right. I
remember at Mile End Green, when I lay at Clement’s Inn—
I was then Sir Dagonet in Arthur’s show—there was a little
quiver fellow, and he would manage you his piece thus. And
he would about and about, and come you in, and come you
in. “Rah, tah, tah,” would he say. “Bounce,” would he say,
and away again would he go, and again would he come. I
shall ne'er see such a fellow.
|
|
FALSTAFF These fellows will do well, Master Shallow.—God keep
250 you, Master Silence. I will not use many words with you.
Fare you well, gentlemen both. I thank you. I must a dozen
mile to-night.—Bardolph, give the soldiers coats.
|
FALSTAFF These fellows will do well, Master Shallow.—God keep
you, Master Silence. I will not use many words with you.
Fare you well, gentlemen both. I thank you. I must a dozen
mile to-night.—Bardolph, give the soldiers coats.
|
|
SHALLOW Sir John, the Lord bless you. God prosper your affairs. God
send us peace. At your return, visit our house. Let our old
|
SHALLOW Sir John, the Lord bless you. God prosper your affairs. God
send us peace. At your return, visit our house. Let our old
|
|
255 acquaintance be renewed. Peradventure I will with you to
the court.
|
acquaintance be renewed. Peradventure I will with you to
the court.
|
|
FALSTAFF Fore God, would you would, Master Shallow.
|
FALSTAFF Fore God, would you would, Master Shallow.
|
|
SHALLOW Go to. I have spoke at a word. God keep you.
|
SHALLOW Go to. I have spoke at a word. God keep you.
|
|
FALSTAFF Fare you well, gentle gentlemen.
|
FALSTAFF Fare you well, gentle gentlemen.
|
|
Exeunt SHALLOW and SILENCE
|
Exeunt SHALLOW and SILENCE
|
|
260 On, Bardolph. Lead the men away.
|
On, Bardolph. Lead the men away.
|
|
Exeunt BARDOLPH and the recruits
|
Exeunt BARDOLPH and the recruits
|
|
As I return, I will fetch off these justices. I do see the bottom
of Justice Shallow. Lord, Lord, how subject we old men are
to this vice of lying. This same starved justice hath done
nothing but prate to me of the wildness of his youth and the
265 feats he hath done about Turnbull Street, and every third
word a lie, duer paid to the hearer than the Turk’s tribute. I
do remember him at Clement’s Inn, like a man made after
supper of a cheese paring. When he was naked, he was, for
all the world, like a forked radish with a head fantastically
270 carved upon it with a knife. He was so forlorn that his
dimensions to any thick sight were invincible. He was the
very genius of famine, yet lecherous as a monkey, and the
whores called him “mandrake.” He came ever in the
rearward of the fashion, and sung those tunes to the
275 overscutched huswives that he heard the carmen whistle,
and swore they were his fancies or his good-nights.
And now is this Vice’s dagger become a squire, and talks as
familiarly of John o' Gaunt as if he had been sworn brother
to him, and I’ll be sworn he ne'er saw him but once in the
|
As I return, I will fetch off these justices. I do see the bottom
of Justice Shallow. Lord, Lord, how subject we old men are
to this vice of lying. This same starved justice hath done
nothing but prate to me of the wildness of his youth and the
feats he hath done about Turnbull Street, and every third
word a lie, duer paid to the hearer than the Turk’s tribute. I
do remember him at Clement’s Inn, like a man made after
supper of a cheese paring. When he was naked, he was, for
all the world, like a forked radish with a head fantastically
carved upon it with a knife. He was so forlorn that his
dimensions to any thick sight were invincible. He was the
very genius of famine, yet lecherous as a monkey, and the
whores called him “mandrake.” He came ever in the
rearward of the fashion, and sung those tunes to the
overscutched huswives that he heard the carmen whistle,
and swore they were his fancies or his good-nights.
And now is this Vice’s dagger become a squire, and talks as
familiarly of John o' Gaunt as if he had been sworn brother
to him, and I’ll be sworn he ne'er saw him but once in the
|
|
280 tilt-yard, and then he burst his head for crowding among the
Marshal’s men. I saw it and told John o' Gaunt he beat his
own name, for you might have thrust him and all his apparel
into an eel-skin; the case of a treble hautboy was a mansion
for him, a court. And now has he land and beefs. Well, I’ll
285 be acquainted with him, if I return, and ’t shall go hard but
I’ll make him a philosopher’s two stones to me. If the young
dace be a bait for the old pike, I see no reason in the law of
nature but I may snap at him. Let time shape, and there an
end.
|
tilt-yard, and then he burst his head for crowding among the
Marshal’s men. I saw it and told John o' Gaunt he beat his
own name, for you might have thrust him and all his apparel
into an eel-skin; the case of a treble hautboy was a mansion
for him, a court. And now has he land and beefs. Well, I’ll
be acquainted with him, if I return, and ’t shall go hard but
I’ll make him a philosopher’s two stones to me. If the young
dace be a bait for the old pike, I see no reason in the law of
nature but I may snap at him. Let time shape, and there an
end.
|
|
Exit
|
Exit
|
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