Henry IV, Part 2, Act 2 Scene 1 — Summary & Analysis

I am undone by his going; I warrant you, he’s an infinitive thing upon my score. Good Master Fang, hold him sure: good Master Snare, let him not ’scape. A’ comes continuantly to Pie-corner--saving your manhoods--to buy a saddle; and he is indited to dinner to the Lubber’s-head in Lumbert street, to Master Smooth’s the silkman: I pray ye, since my exion is entered and my case so openly known to the world, let him be brought in to his answer. A hundred mark is a long one for a poor lone woman to bear: and I have borne, and borne, and borne, and have been fubbed off, and fubbed off, and fubbed off, from this day to that day, that it is a shame to be thought on. There is no honesty in such dealing; unless a woman should be made an ass and a beast, to bear every knave’s wrong. Yonder he comes; and that errant malmsey-nose knave, Bardolph, with him. Do your offices, do your offices: Master Fang and Master Snare, do me, do me, do me your offices.

I’m ruined by him leaving; I swear, he’s a total burden on me. Good Master Fang, hold him tight: good Master Snare, don’t let him get away. He constantly comes to Pie-corner—excuse me, gentlemen— to buy a saddle; and he’s invited to dinner at the Lubber’s-head on Lumbert street, to Master Smooth’s, the silk merchant: I beg you, since my trouble is public and my case so well known, let him be brought to answer for it. A hundred marks is a huge amount for a poor, lonely woman to handle: and I’ve handled it, and handled it, and handled it, and I’ve been pushed aside, and pushed aside, and pushed aside, from one day to the next, to the point that it’s shameful to even think about. There’s no honesty in such treatment; unless a woman is meant to be a fool and a beast, bearing every scoundrel’s wrongs. There he comes; and that troublesome drunkard Bardolph with him. Do your jobs, do your jobs: Master Fang and Master Snare, do me, do me, do me your jobs.

Mistress Quickly · Act 2, Scene 1

Mistress Quickly is pursuing Falstaff through the streets with officers to collect a debt, and her speech tumbles with the urgency of a woman whose reputation and solvency hang on whether this man can be forced to answer for what he owes. The line resonates because it shows the machinery of justice—constables, lawsuits, public shaming—grinding slowly toward someone who has long escaped it. Her repeated word "fubbed off" captures the exhaustion of someone to whom promises have meant nothing.

It is more than for some, my lord; it is for all, all I have. He hath eaten me out of house and home; he hath put all my substance into that fat belly of his: but I will have some of it out again, or I will ride thee o’ nights like the mare.

It’s more than just some money, my lord; it’s everything I have. He’s eaten me out of house and home; he’s stuffed all my money into that fat belly of his: but I’ll get some of it back, or I’ll come after you at night like a wild horse.

Mistress Quickly · Act 2, Scene 1

Mistress Quickly is testifying about the debt Falstaff owes her, and she articulates it not as a matter of pounds but of her entire livelihood consumed. The line matters because it strips away comedy for a moment and shows the real cost of Falstaff's carelessly borrowed life on the people around him. Her threat to haunt him at night reveals not anger but desperation—she has nothing left to lose.

Sir John, I arrest you at the suit of Mistress Quickly.

Sir John, I arrest you on the complaint of Mistress Quickly.

Fang · Act 2, Scene 1

Fang the officer arrives at the Boar's Head to arrest Falstaff for debt, speaking the law's plain words in a world of tavern noise and bluster. The line matters because it is the law actually arriving, tangible and unglamorous, to collect what is owed. It shows that even Falstaff—who can talk his way out of anything—cannot escape the real consequences of his spending and borrowing.