Henry IV, Part 2 · Act 2, Scene 4

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Enter two Drawers
Enter two Drawers
First Drawer

What the devil hast thou brought there? apple-johns? thou knowest Sir John cannot endure an apple-john.

First Drawer

What the hell have you brought here? Apple-johns? You know Sir John can’t stand apple-johns.

Second Drawer

Mass, thou sayest true. The prince once set a dish of apple-johns before him, and told him there were five more Sir Johns, and, putting off his hat, said ’I will now take my leave of these six dry, round, old, withered knights.’ It angered him to the heart: but he hath forgot that.

Second Drawer

Wow, you’re right. The prince once put a dish Of apple-johns in front of him, and said There were five more Sir Johns, and, taking off his hat, said ‘I will now say goodbye to these six dry, round, Old, withered knights.’ It really angered him, But he’s forgotten about it.

First Drawer

Why, then, cover, and set them down: and see if thou canst find out Sneak’s noise; Mistress Tearsheet would fain hear some music. Dispatch: the room where they supped is too hot; they’ll come in straight.

First Drawer

Well then, cover them and put them down: and see if You can find out Sneak’s noise; Mistress Tearsheet wants to hear some music. Hurry: the Room where they ate is too hot; they’ll come in soon.

Second Drawer

Sirrah, here will be the prince and Master Poins anon; and they will put on two of our jerkins and aprons; and Sir John must not know of it: Bardolph hath brought word.

Second Drawer

Hey, the prince and Master Poins Will be here soon; they’ll put on two of our jerkins and Aprons; and Sir John must not know about it: Bardolph Has brought word.

First Drawer

By the mass, here will be old Utis: it will be an excellent stratagem.

First Drawer

By the mass, here will be old Utis: it will be an Excellent plan.

Second Drawer

I’ll see if I can find out Sneak.

Second Drawer

I’ll see if I can find out where Sneak is.

Exit
Exit
Enter MISTRESS QUICKLY and DOLL TEARSHEET
Enter MISTRESS QUICKLY and DOLL TEARSHEET
Mistress Quickly

I’ faith, sweetheart, methinks now you are in an excellent good temperality: your pulsidge beats as extraordinarily as heart would desire; and your colour, I warrant you, is as red as any rose, in good truth, la! But, i’ faith, you have drunk too much canaries; and that’s a marvellous searching wine, and it perfumes the blood ere one can say ’What’s this?’ How do you now?

Mistress Quickly

Honestly, sweetheart, I think you’re in a really good mood now: your pulse is beating just the way a heart would want; and your face, I swear, is as red as any rose, really! But, honestly, you’ve drunk too much canary wine; and that’s a really strong wine, it warms the blood before you can even ask ‘What’s happening?’ How do you feel now?

Doll Tearsheet

Better than I was: hem!

Doll Tearsheet

Better than I was: cough!

Mistress Quickly

Why, that’s well said; a good heart’s worth gold. Lo, here comes Sir John.

Mistress Quickly

Well, that’s good to hear; a strong heart is worth gold. Look, here comes Sir John.

Enter FALSTAFF
Enter FALSTAFF
Falstaff

[Singing] ’When Arthur first in court,’ --Empty the jordan.

Falstaff

[Singing] ’When Arthur first in court,’ --Empty the chamber pot.

Exit First Drawer
Exit First Drawer
Singing
Singing
Falstaff

--’And was a worthy king.’ How now, Mistress Doll!

Falstaff

--’And was a worthy king.’ How’s it going, Mistress Doll?

Mistress Quickly

Sick of a calm; yea, good faith.

Mistress Quickly

Sick from resting too long; yes, really.

Falstaff

So is all her sect; an they be once in a calm, they are sick.

Falstaff

That’s how all women are; once they’re relaxed, they get sick.

Doll Tearsheet

You muddy rascal, is that all the comfort you give me?

Doll Tearsheet

You dirty scoundrel, is that all the comfort you give me?

Falstaff

You make fat rascals, Mistress Doll.

Falstaff

You make lazy people, Mistress Doll.

Doll Tearsheet

I make them! gluttony and diseases make them; I make them not.

Doll Tearsheet

I make lazy people! No, it’s gluttony and sickness that make them; I don’t do that.

Falstaff

If the cook help to make the gluttony, you help to make the diseases, Doll: we catch of you, Doll, we catch of you; grant that, my poor virtue grant that.

Falstaff

If the cook is responsible for making people gluttonous, you’re responsible for making them sick, Doll: we catch your bad habits, Doll, we catch them from you; admit it, my poor virtue, admit it.

Doll Tearsheet

Yea, joy, our chains and our jewels.

Doll Tearsheet

Yeah, sure, our chains and our jewels.

Falstaff

’Your broaches, pearls, and ouches:’ for to serve bravely is to come halting off, you know: to come off the breach with his pike bent bravely, and to surgery bravely; to venture upon the charged chambers bravely,--

Falstaff

’Your brooches, pearls, and pendants:’ because to serve with honor means to come off badly, you know: to come off the battlefield with your spear raised bravely, and to go to the doctor bravely; to face the cannons bravely,--

Doll Tearsheet

Hang yourself, you muddy conger, hang yourself!

Doll Tearsheet

Go hang yourself, you filthy eel, go hang yourself!

Mistress Quickly

By my troth, this is the old fashion; you two never meet but you fall to some discord: you are both, i’ good truth, as rheumatic as two dry toasts; you cannot one bear with another’s confirmities. What the good-year! one must bear, and that must be you: you are the weaker vessel, as they say, the emptier vessel.

Mistress Quickly

Honestly, this is the same old thing; you two never meet without arguing: you’re both, really, as stiff and grumpy as two dry slices of toast; you can’t stand each other’s habits. What the hell! one of you has to put up with the other’s nonsense, and that’s going to be you: you’re the weaker one, as they say, the emptier one.

Doll Tearsheet

Can a weak empty vessel bear such a huge full hogshead? there’s a whole merchant’s venture of Bourdeaux stuff in him; you have not seen a hulk better stuffed in the hold. Come, I’ll be friends with thee, Jack: thou art going to the wars; and whether I shall ever see thee again or no, there is nobody cares.

Doll Tearsheet

Can an empty weak thing handle such a full, heavy barrel? there’s enough wine in him for a whole shipment from Bordeaux; you haven’t seen a ship more packed with cargo. Come on, I’ll make up with you, Jack: you’re going off to war; and whether I ever see you again or not, no one really cares.

Re-enter First Drawer
Re-enter First Drawer
First Drawer

Sir, Ancient Pistol’s below, and would speak with you.

First Drawer

Sir, Ancient Pistol’s downstairs, and wants to speak to you.

Doll Tearsheet

Hang him, swaggering rascal! let him not come hither: it is the foul-mouthed’st rogue in England.

Doll Tearsheet

Go to hell, you arrogant fool! don’t let him come up here: he’s the most foul-mouthed scoundrel in England.

Mistress Quickly

If he swagger, let him not come here: no, by my faith; I must live among my neighbours: I’ll no swaggerers: I am in good name and fame with the very best: shut the door; there comes no swaggerers here: I have not lived all this while, to have swaggering now: shut the door, I pray you.

Mistress Quickly

If he’s going to act all tough, don’t let him come in: no, honestly; I have to live among my neighbors: I don’t want any troublemakers: I’m on good terms with the best people: shut the door; no troublemakers allowed here: I haven’t lived all this time to have troublemakers in here now: shut the door, please.

Falstaff

Dost thou hear, hostess?

Falstaff

Do you hear, hostess?

Mistress Quickly

Pray ye, pacify yourself, Sir John: there comes no swaggerers here.

Mistress Quickly

Please, calm down, Sir John: no troublemakers are coming in.

Falstaff

Dost thou hear? it is mine ancient.

Falstaff

Do you hear? it’s my old friend.

Mistress Quickly

Tilly-fally, Sir John, ne’er tell me: your ancient swaggerer comes not in my doors. I was before Master Tisick, the debuty, t’other day; and, as he said to me, ’twas no longer ago than Wednesday last, ’I’ good faith, neighbour Quickly,’ says he; Master Dumbe, our minister, was by then; ’neighbour Quickly,’ says he, ’receive those that are civil; for,’ said he, ’you are in an ill name:’ now a’ said so, I can tell whereupon; ’for,’ says he, ’you are an honest woman, and well thought on; therefore take heed what guests you receive: receive,’ says he, ’no swaggering companions.’ There comes none here: you would bless you to hear what he said: no, I’ll no swaggerers.

Mistress Quickly

Nonsense, Sir John, don’t talk to me like that: your old troublemaker is not coming through my door. I was talking to Master Tisick, the deputy, the other day; and, as he said to me, just last Wednesday, ‘In good faith, neighbour Quickly,’ says he; Master Dumbe, our minister, was there then; ‘neighbour Quickly,’ says he, ‘you should only take in guests who are civil; for,’ says he, ‘you have a good reputation:’ now I know why he said that; ‘for,’ says he, ‘you’re an honest woman, and well thought of; so be careful who you let in: don’t let in any loudmouthed types.’ There’s no one like that here: you’d be surprised to hear what he said: no, I don’t want any troublemakers.

Falstaff

He’s no swaggerer, hostess; a tame cheater, i’ faith; you may stroke him as gently as a puppy greyhound: he’ll not swagger with a Barbary hen, if her feathers turn back in any show of resistance. Call him up, drawer.

Falstaff

He’s not a troublemaker, hostess; just a harmless cheat, really; you can handle him gently like a little puppy greyhound: he won’t act tough with a woman, even if she puts up a little resistance. Call him up, drawer.

Exit First Drawer
Exit First Drawer
Mistress Quickly

Cheater, call you him? I will bar no honest man my house, nor no cheater: but I do not love swaggering, by my troth; I am the worse, when one says swagger: feel, masters, how I shake; look you, I warrant you.

Mistress Quickly

A cheat, you say? I’ll allow no honest man in my house, nor any cheat: but I really don’t like troublemakers, honestly; I get worse when someone calls them that: feel it, everyone, see how I tremble; look, I’m serious.

Doll Tearsheet

So you do, hostess.

Doll Tearsheet

You’re right, hostess.

Mistress Quickly

Do I? yea, in very truth, do I, an ’twere an aspen leaf: I cannot abide swaggerers.

Mistress Quickly

I am? yes, truly, I am, as if I were shaking like a leaf: I can’t stand troublemakers.

Enter PISTOL, BARDOLPH, and Page
Enter PISTOL, BARDOLPH, and Page
Pistol

God save you, Sir John!

Pistol

God bless you, Sir John!

Falstaff

Welcome, Ancient Pistol. Here, Pistol, I charge you with a cup of sack: do you discharge upon mine hostess.

Falstaff

Welcome, Old Pistol. Here, Pistol, I order you to have a drink of wine: now go and give it to my landlady.

Pistol

I will discharge upon her, Sir John, with two bullets.

Pistol

I’ll give it to her, Sir John, with two bullets.

Falstaff

She is Pistol-proof, sir; you shall hardly offend her.

Falstaff

She’s bulletproof, sir; you won’t be able to hurt her.

Mistress Quickly

Come, I’ll drink no proofs nor no bullets: I’ll drink no more than will do me good, for no man’s pleasure, I.

Mistress Quickly

Come, I won’t drink any poison or any bullets: I’ll drink only what’s good for me, not for anyone else’s enjoyment.

Pistol

Then to you, Mistress Dorothy; I will charge you.

Pistol

Then to you, Mistress Dorothy; I’ll challenge you.

Doll Tearsheet

Charge me! I scorn you, scurvy companion. What! you poor, base, rascally, cheating, lack-linen mate! Away, you mouldy rogue, away! I am meat for your master.

Doll Tearsheet

Challenge me! I spit on you, disgusting fool. What! you poor, low, cheating, dirty, worthless man! Get lost, you rotten scoundrel, get lost! I’m good for your master.

Pistol

I know you, Mistress Dorothy.

Pistol

I know you, Mistress Dorothy.

Doll Tearsheet

Away, you cut-purse rascal! you filthy bung, away! by this wine, I’ll thrust my knife in your mouldy chaps, an you play the saucy cuttle with me. Away, you bottle-ale rascal! you basket-hilt stale juggler, you! Since when, I pray you, sir? God’s light, with two points on your shoulder? much!

Doll Tearsheet

Get lost, you thief! you filthy drunk, get lost! by this wine, I’ll stab you in the face if you keep being rude to me. Get lost, you cheap beer-drinker! you half-wit trickster, you! Since when, I ask you, sir? By God’s light, with two points on your shoulder? Really?

Pistol

God let me not live, but I will murder your ruff for this.

Pistol

God let me not live if I don’t ruin your reputation for this.

Falstaff

No more, Pistol; I would not have you go off here: discharge yourself of our company, Pistol.

Falstaff

Enough, Pistol; I don’t want you to make a scene here: leave our company, Pistol.

Mistress Quickly

No, Good Captain Pistol; not here, sweet captain.

Mistress Quickly

No, Good Captain Pistol; not here, dear captain.

Doll Tearsheet

Captain! thou abominable damned cheater, art thou not ashamed to be called captain? An captains were of my mind, they would truncheon you out, for taking their names upon you before you have earned them. You a captain! you slave, for what? for tearing a poor whore’s ruff in a bawdy-house? He a captain! hang him, rogue! he lives upon mouldy stewed prunes and dried cakes. A captain! God’s light, these villains will make the word as odious as the word ’occupy;’ which was an excellent good word before it was ill sorted: therefore captains had need look to ’t.

Doll Tearsheet

Captain! you horrible, damned cheater, aren’t you embarrassed to be called captain? If captains were like me, they’d throw you out, for taking their titles before you’ve earned them. You a captain! You’re nothing but a slave, for what? for ripping a poor whore’s collar in a brothel? He a captain! hang him, scoundrel! he lives off rotten stewed prunes and stale cakes. A captain! God’s light, these criminals will make the word as disgusting as the word ’occupy;’ which was a fine word until it got corrupted: so captains better watch out.

Bardolph

Pray thee, go down, good ancient.

Bardolph

Please, go away, good old man.

Falstaff

Hark thee hither, Mistress Doll.

Falstaff

Listen here, Mistress Doll.

Pistol

Not I I tell thee what, Corporal Bardolph, I could tear her: I’ll be revenged of her.

Pistol

Not me, I tell you what, Corporal Bardolph, I could tear her apart: I’ll get revenge on her.

Page

Pray thee, go down.

Page

Please, go downstairs.

Pistol

I’ll see her damned first; to Pluto’s damned lake, by this hand, to the infernal deep, with Erebus and tortures vile also. Hold hook and line, say I. Down, down, dogs! down, faitors! Have we not Hiren here?

Pistol

I’ll see her damned first; to Pluto’s cursed lake, by this hand, to the hellish depths, with Erebus and horrible tortures too. Hold the hook and line, I say. Down, down, dogs! down, traitors! Don’t we have Hiren here?

Mistress Quickly

Good Captain Peesel, be quiet; ’tis very late, i’ faith: I beseek you now, aggravate your choler.

Mistress Quickly

Good Captain Peesel, be quiet; it’s very late, really: I beg you now, don’t make yourself angrier.

Pistol

These be good humours, indeed! Shall pack-horses And hollow pamper’d jades of Asia, Which cannot go but thirty mile a-day, Compare with Caesars, and with Cannibals, And Trojan Greeks? nay, rather damn them with King Cerberus; and let the welkin roar. Shall we fall foul for toys?

Pistol

These are good moods, indeed! Shall pack-horses And bloated, spoiled horses of Asia, Which can’t travel more than thirty miles a day, Be compared with Caesars, and with Cannibals, And Trojan Greeks? no, better to damn them with King Cerberus; and let the heavens roar. Shall we fight over silly things?

Mistress Quickly

By my troth, captain, these are very bitter words.

Mistress Quickly

By my word, captain, these are very harsh words.

Bardolph

Be gone, good ancient: this will grow to abrawl anon.

Bardolph

Go away, good old man: this will turn into a fight soon.

Pistol

Die men like dogs! give crowns like pins! Have we not Heren here?

Pistol

Die like dogs! give away crowns like pins! Don’t we have Heren here?

Mistress Quickly

O’ my word, captain, there’s none such here. What the good-year! do you think I would deny her? For God’s sake, be quiet.

Mistress Quickly

Oh my word, captain, there’s no one like that here. What the hell! do you think I’d refuse her? For God’s sake, be quiet.

Pistol

Then feed, and be fat, my fair Calipolis. Come, give’s some sack. ’Si fortune me tormente, sperato me contento.’ Fear we broadsides? no, let the fiend give fire: Give me some sack: and, sweetheart, lie thou there.

Pistol

Then eat, and get fat, my beautiful Calipolis. Come, let’s have some wine. ’If fortune torments me, I hope I’ll be content.’ Are we afraid of broadside attacks? no, let the devil give fire: Give me some wine: and, sweetheart, lie down there.

Laying down his sword
Laying down his sword
Pistol

Come we to full points here; and are etceteras nothing?

Pistol

Come, let’s get to the point here; and are all other things nothing?

Falstaff

Pistol, I would be quiet.

Falstaff

Pistol, I would like some peace.

Pistol

Sweet knight, I kiss thy neaf: what! we have seen the seven stars.

Pistol

Sweet knight, I kiss your hand: what! we’ve seen the seven stars.

Doll Tearsheet

For God’s sake, thrust him down stairs: I cannot endure such a fustian rascal.

Doll Tearsheet

For God’s sake, push him downstairs: I can’t stand such a pompous fool.

Pistol

Thrust him down stairs! know we not Galloway nags?

Pistol

Push him downstairs! don’t we know Galloway horses?

Falstaff

Quoit him down, Bardolph, like a shove-groat shilling: nay, an a’ do nothing but speak nothing, a’ shall be nothing here.

Falstaff

Throw him down, Bardolph, like a worthless coin: no, if he does nothing but talk nonsense, he’ll be useless here.

Bardolph

Come, get you down stairs.

Bardolph

Come on, get downstairs.

Pistol

What! shall we have incision? shall we imbrue?

Pistol

What! Are we going to fight? Are we going to bleed?

Snatching up his sword
Snatching up his sword
Pistol

Then death rock me asleep, abridge my doleful days! Why, then, let grievous, ghastly, gaping wounds Untwine the Sisters Three! Come, Atropos, I say!

Pistol

Then death, put me to sleep, shorten my sad days! Well then, let terrible, awful, bleeding wounds undo the Fates! Come on, Atropos, I say!

Mistress Quickly

Here’s goodly stuff toward!

Mistress Quickly

Here’s some fine mess!

Falstaff

Give me my rapier, boy.

Falstaff

Give me my sword, boy.

Doll Tearsheet

I pray thee, Jack, I pray thee, do not draw.

Doll Tearsheet

Please, Jack, please, don’t draw it.

Falstaff

Get you down stairs.

Falstaff

Get downstairs.

Drawing, and driving PISTOL out
Drawing, and driving PISTOL out
Mistress Quickly

Here’s a goodly tumult! I’ll forswear keeping house, afore I’ll be in these tirrits and frights. So; murder, I warrant now. Alas, alas! put up your naked weapons, put up your naked weapons.

Mistress Quickly

Here’s some fine chaos! I’ll swear off being a housekeeper before I deal with these fights and scares. Well, murder, I bet now. Oh, oh! Put away your weapons, put away your weapons.

Exeunt PISTOL and BARDOLPH
Exeunt PISTOL and BARDOLPH
Doll Tearsheet

I pray thee, Jack, be quiet; the rascal’s gone. Ah, you whoreson little valiant villain, you!

Doll Tearsheet

Please, Jack, be calm; the rascal’s gone. Ah, you good-for-nothing little brave fool, you!

Mistress Quickly

He you not hurt i’ the groin? methought a’ made a shrewd thrust at your belly.

Mistress Quickly

Didn’t he hurt you in the groin? I thought he made a sharp stab at your belly.

Re-enter BARDOLPH
Re-enter BARDOLPH
Falstaff

Have you turned him out o’ doors?

Falstaff

Did you throw him out?

Bardolph

Yea, sir. The rascal’s drunk: you have hurt him, sir, i’ the shoulder.

Bardolph

Yeah, sir. The idiot’s drunk: you’ve hurt him, sir, in the shoulder.

Falstaff

A rascal! to brave me!

Falstaff

An idiot! to challenge me!

Doll Tearsheet

Ah, you sweet little rogue, you! alas, poor ape, how thou sweatest! come, let me wipe thy face; come on, you whoreson chops: ah, rogue! i’faith, I love thee: thou art as valorous as Hector of Troy, worth five of Agamemnon, and ten times better than the Nine Worthies: ah, villain!

Doll Tearsheet

Ah, you sweet little rascal, you! poor fool, how you’re sweating! come, let me wipe your face; come on, you little bastard: ah, rogue! honestly, I love you: you’re as brave as Hector of Troy, worth five of Agamemnon, and ten times better than the Nine Worthies: ah, villain!

Falstaff

A rascally slave! I will toss the rogue in a blanket.

Falstaff

A lousy slave! I’ll throw the rascal in a blanket.

Doll Tearsheet

Do, an thou darest for thy heart: an thou dost, I’ll canvass thee between a pair of sheets.

Doll Tearsheet

Do it, if you dare: if you do, I’ll beat you between a pair of sheets.

Enter Music
Enter Music
Page

The music is come, sir.

Page

The music’s here, sir.

Falstaff

Let them play. Play, sirs. Sit on my knee, Doll. A rascal bragging slave! the rogue fled from me like quicksilver.

Falstaff

Let them play. Play, gentlemen. Sit on my lap, Doll. A bragging scoundrel! the rogue ran away from me like quicksilver.

Doll Tearsheet

I’ faith, and thou followedst him like a church. Thou whoreson little tidy Bartholomew boar-pig, when wilt thou leave fighting o’ days and foining o’ nights, and begin to patch up thine old body for heaven?

Doll Tearsheet

Honestly, and you followed him like a church. You little bastard Bartholomew pig, when will you stop fighting by day and fencing by night, and start fixing up your old body for heaven?

Enter, behind, PRINCE HENRY and POINS, disguised
Enter, behind, PRINCE HENRY and POINS, disguised
Falstaff

Peace, good Doll! do not speak like a death’s-head; do not bid me remember mine end.

Falstaff

Quiet, good Doll! don’t talk like a skeleton; don’t remind me of my end.

Doll Tearsheet

Sirrah, what humour’s the prince of?

Doll Tearsheet

What mood is the prince in?

Falstaff

A good shallow young fellow: a’ would have made a good pantler, a’ would ha’ chipp’d bread well.

Falstaff

A good, silly young man: he would’ve made a good pantry man, he would’ve sliced bread well.

Doll Tearsheet

They say Poins has a good wit.

Doll Tearsheet

They say Poins has a good sense of humor.

Falstaff

He a good wit? hang him, baboon! his wit’s as thick as Tewksbury mustard; there’s no more conceit in him than is in a mallet.

Falstaff

He, a good sense of humor? Hang him, monkey! His humor’s as thick as Tewksbury mustard; there’s no more cleverness in him than there is in a hammer.

Doll Tearsheet

Why does the prince love him so, then?

Doll Tearsheet

Why does the prince love him so, then?

Falstaff

Because their legs are both of a bigness, and a’ plays at quoits well, and eats conger and fennel, and drinks off candles’ ends for flap-dragons, and rides the wild-mare with the boys, and jumps upon joined-stools, and swears with a good grace, and wears his boots very smooth, like unto the sign of the leg, and breeds no bate with telling of discreet stories; and such other gambol faculties a’ has, that show a weak mind and an able body, for the which the prince admits him: for the prince himself is such another; the weight of a hair will turn the scales between their avoirdupois.

Falstaff

Because their legs are both the same size, and he plays at quoits well, and eats conger and fennel, and drinks candle stubs for flap-dragons, and rides the wild-mare with the boys, and jumps on joined-stools, and swears nicely, and wears his boots very smooth, like the sign of the leg, and doesn’t cause trouble by telling discreet stories; and has other playful skills that show a weak mind and a strong body, which is why the prince accepts him: for the prince himself is just the same; the weight of a hair could tip the balance between them.

Prince Henry

Would not this nave of a wheel have his ears cut off?

Prince Henry

Wouldn’t this fool of a man have his ears cut off?

Poins

Let’s beat him before his whore.

Poins

Let’s beat him before his prostitute.

Prince Henry

Look, whether the withered elder hath not his poll clawed like a parrot.

Prince Henry

Look, whether the old man’s head isn’t being clawed like a parrot’s.

Poins

Is it not strange that desire should so many years outlive performance?

Poins

Isn’t it strange that desire should last so many years without ever being fulfilled?

Falstaff

Kiss me, Doll.

Falstaff

Kiss me, Doll.

Prince Henry

Saturn and Venus this year in conjunction! what says the almanac to that?

Prince Henry

Saturn and Venus are in conjunction this year! What does the almanac say about that?

Poins

And look, whether the fiery Trigon, his man, be not lisping to his master’s old tables, his note-book, his counsel-keeper.

Poins

And see if the fiery Trigon, his man, isn’t whispering to his master’s old books, his notebook, his counsel-keeper.

Falstaff

Thou dost give me flattering busses.

Falstaff

You’re giving me flattering kisses.

Doll Tearsheet

By my troth, I kiss thee with a most constant heart.

Doll Tearsheet

I swear, I kiss you with a truly loyal heart.

Falstaff

I am old, I am old.

Falstaff

I’m old, I’m old.

Doll Tearsheet

I love thee better than I love e’er a scurvy young boy of them all.

Doll Tearsheet

I love you more than I love any of those nasty young boys of theirs.

Falstaff

What stuff wilt have a kirtle of? I shall receive money o’ Thursday: shalt have a cap to-morrow. A merry song, come: it grows late; we’ll to bed. Thou’lt forget me when I am gone.

Falstaff

What kind of stuff do you want for a dress? I’ll get money on Thursday; you’ll have a cap tomorrow. A merry song, come on: it’s getting late; let’s go to bed. You’ll forget me when I’m gone.

Doll Tearsheet

By my troth, thou’lt set me a-weeping, an thou sayest so: prove that ever I dress myself handsome till thy return: well, harken at the end.

Doll Tearsheet

I swear, you’ll make me cry if you say that: prove that I’ll ever dress myself nicely until you come back: well, listen at the end.

Falstaff

Some sack, Francis.

Falstaff

Some wine, Francis.

Poins

Anon, anon, sir.

Poins

Soon, soon, sir.

Coming forward
Coming forward
Falstaff

Ha! a bastard son of the king’s? And art not thou Poins his brother?

Falstaff

Ha! A bastard son of the king’s? And aren’t you Poins’s brother?

Prince Henry

Why, thou globe of sinful continents! what a life dost thou lead!

Prince Henry

Why, you big globe of sinful nations! What kind of life are you leading?

Falstaff

A better than thou: I am a gentleman; thou art a drawer.

Falstaff

A better one than yours: I’m a gentleman; you’re just a drawer.

Prince Henry

Very true, sir; and I come to draw you out by the ears.

Prince Henry

That’s true enough, sir; and I’ve come to drag you out by the ears.

Mistress Quickly

O, the Lord preserve thy good grace! by my troth, welcome to London. Now, the Lord bless that sweet face of thine! O, Jesu, are you come from Wales?

Mistress Quickly

Oh, may the Lord keep you in his good graces! By my word, welcome to London. Now, may the Lord bless that sweet face of yours! Oh, Jesus, have you come from Wales?

Falstaff

Thou whoreson mad compound of majesty, by this light flesh and corrupt blood, thou art welcome.

Falstaff

You bastardly mixture of nobility, by this light of flesh and corrupt blood, you’re welcome.

Doll Tearsheet

How, you fat fool! I scorn you.

Doll Tearsheet

What, you fat fool! I despise you.

Poins

My lord, he will drive you out of your revenge and turn all to a merriment, if you take not the heat.

Poins

My lord, he’ll take you out of your revenge and turn everything into a joke, if you don’t control your temper.

Prince Henry

You whoreson candle-mine, you, how vilely did you speak of me even now before this honest, virtuous, civil gentlewoman!

Prince Henry

You bastardly scoundrel, how dare you speak of me like that just now in front of this honest, virtuous, civil lady!

Mistress Quickly

God’s blessing of your good heart! and so she is, by my troth.

Mistress Quickly

God bless your kind heart! and she is, by my word.

Falstaff

Didst thou hear me?

Falstaff

Did you hear me?

Prince Henry

Yea, and you knew me, as you did when you ran away by Gad’s-hill: you knew I was at your back, and spoke it on purpose to try my patience.

Prince Henry

Yes, and you knew me, just like when you ran away at Gad’s Hill: you knew I was right behind you, and said it on purpose to test my patience.

Falstaff

No, no, no; not so; I did not think thou wast within hearing.

Falstaff

No, no, no; not at all; I didn’t think you were close enough to hear.

Prince Henry

I shall drive you then to confess the wilful abuse; and then I know how to handle you.

Prince Henry

I’ll make you confess your deliberate wrongdoings; and then I’ll know how to deal with you.

Falstaff

No abuse, Hal, o’ mine honour, no abuse.

Falstaff

No insult, Hal, I swear on my honor, no insult.

Prince Henry

Not to dispraise me, and call me pantier and bread-chipper and I know not what?

Prince Henry

Not calling me a panting dog, a bread-eater, and I don’t know what else?

Falstaff

No abuse, Hal.

Falstaff

No insult, Hal.

Poins

No abuse?

Poins

No insult?

Falstaff

No abuse, Ned, i’ the world; honest Ned, none. I dispraised him before the wicked, that the wicked might not fall in love with him; in which doing, I have done the part of a careful friend and a true subject, and thy father is to give me thanks for it. No abuse, Hal: none, Ned, none: no, faith, boys, none.

Falstaff

No insult, Ned, not in the world; honest Ned, none. I talked badly about him in front of bad people, so that the bad people wouldn’t like him; in doing that, I acted like a careful friend and a loyal subject, and your father should thank me for it. No insult, Hal: none, Ned, none: no, really, boys, none.

Prince Henry

See now, whether pure fear and entire cowardice doth not make thee wrong this virtuous gentlewoman to close with us? is she of the wicked? is thine hostess here of the wicked? or is thy boy of the wicked? or honest Bardolph, whose zeal burns in his nose, of the wicked?

Prince Henry

See now, whether pure fear and complete cowardice don’t make you misjudge this virtuous woman by siding with us? Is she one of the bad ones? Is your landlady one of the bad ones? Or is your boy one of the bad ones? Or honest Bardolph, whose passion is burning in his nose, is he one of the bad ones?

Poins

Answer, thou dead elm, answer.

Poins

Answer, you useless piece of wood, answer.

Falstaff

The fiend hath pricked down Bardolph irrecoverable; and his face is Lucifer’s privy-kitchen, where he doth nothing but roast malt-worms. For the boy, there is a good angel about him; but the devil outbids him too.

Falstaff

The devil has ruined Bardolph beyond repair; and his face is like Lucifer’s private kitchen, where he does nothing but roast little bugs. As for the boy, there’s a good angel around him; but the devil outbids him too.

Prince Henry

For the women?

Prince Henry

What about the women?

Falstaff

For one of them, she is in hell already, and burns poor souls. For the other, I owe her money, and whether she be damned for that, I know not.

Falstaff

As for one of them, she’s already in hell, burning poor souls. As for the other, I owe her money, and whether she’s damned for that, I don’t know.

Mistress Quickly

No, I warrant you.

Mistress Quickly

No, I swear you’re not.

Falstaff

No, I think thou art not; I think thou art quit for that. Marry, there is another indictment upon thee, for suffering flesh to be eaten in thy house, contrary to the law; for the which I think thou wilt howl.

Falstaff

No, I think you’re not; I think you’re safe from that. But there’s another charge against you, for letting meat be eaten in your house, which goes against the law; and for that, I think you’ll end up crying.

Mistress Quickly

All victuallers do so; what’s a joint of mutton or two in a whole Lent?

Mistress Quickly

All shopkeepers do that; what’s a bit of mutton or two during Lent?

Prince Henry

You, gentlewoman,-

Prince Henry

You, madam,-

Doll Tearsheet

What says your grace?

Doll Tearsheet

What is it, your grace?

Falstaff

His grace says that which his flesh rebels against.

Falstaff

His grace says what his body rebels against.

Knocking within
Knocking within
Mistress Quickly

Who knocks so loud at door? Look to the door there, Francis.

Mistress Quickly

Who’s knocking so loudly at the door? Francis, check the door.

Enter PETO
Enter PETO
Prince Henry

Peto, how now! what news?

Prince Henry

Peto, what’s going on? Any news?

Peto

The king your father is at Westminster: And there are twenty weak and wearied posts Come from the north: and, as I came along, I met and overtook a dozen captains, Bare-headed, sweating, knocking at the taverns, And asking every one for Sir John Falstaff.

Peto

The king, your father, is at Westminster: And there are twenty tired and worn-out messengers From the north. As I was coming here, I passed and caught up with a dozen captains, Bare-headed, sweating, knocking at the taverns, And asking everyone for Sir John Falstaff.

Prince Henry

By heaven, Poins, I feel me much to blame, So idly to profane the precious time, When tempest of commotion, like the south Borne with black vapour, doth begin to melt And drop upon our bare unarmed heads. Give me my sword and cloak. Falstaff, good night.

Prince Henry

By heaven, Poins, I feel guilty, Wasting precious time so carelessly, While a storm of trouble, like a southern wind, Rising with dark clouds, starts to gather And fall on our exposed, unprotected heads. Give me my sword and cloak. Good night, Falstaff.

Exeunt PRINCE HENRY, POINS, PETO and BARDOLPH
Exeunt PRINCE HENRY, POINS, PETO and BARDOLPH
Falstaff

Now comes in the sweetest morsel of the night, and we must hence and leave it unpicked.

Falstaff

Now comes the best part of the night, and we must leave it untouched.

Knocking within
Knocking within
Falstaff

More knocking at the door!

Falstaff

More knocking at the door!

Re-enter BARDOLPH
Re-enter BARDOLPH
Falstaff

How now! what’s the matter?

Falstaff

What’s going on? What’s the matter?

Bardolph

You must away to court, sir, presently; A dozen captains stay at door for you.

Bardolph

You must go to court, sir, right away; A dozen captains are waiting at the door for you.

Falstaff

[To the Page] Pay the musicians, sirrah. Farewell, hostess; farewell, Doll. You see, my good wenches, how men of merit are sought after: the undeserver may sleep, when the man of action is called on. Farewell good wenches: if I be not sent away post, I will see you again ere I go.

Falstaff

[To the Page] Pay the musicians, boy. Goodbye, hostess; goodbye, Doll. You see, my good girls, how men of worth are always in demand: the ones who don’t deserve it can sleep, while the active man is called on. Goodbye, good girls: if I’m not sent away quickly, I’ll see you again before I leave.

Doll Tearsheet

I cannot speak; if my heart be not read to burst,-- well, sweet Jack, have a care of thyself.

Doll Tearsheet

I can’t speak; if my heart isn’t about to burst,-- well, sweet Jack, take care of yourself.

Falstaff

Farewell, farewell.

Falstaff

Goodbye, goodbye.

Exeunt FALSTAFF and BARDOLPH
Exit FALSTAFF and BARDOLPH
Mistress Quickly

Well, fare thee well: I have known thee these twenty-nine years, come peascod-time; but an honester and truer-hearted man,--well, fare thee well.

Mistress Quickly

Well, goodbye: I’ve known you for twenty-nine years, since the time of peascods; but you’ve been a more honest and faithful man than anyone else,—well, goodbye.

Bardolph

[Within] Mistress Tearsheet!

Bardolph

[Offstage] Mistress Tearsheet!

Mistress Quickly

What’s the matter?

Mistress Quickly

What’s wrong?

Bardolph

[Within] Good Mistress Tearsheet, come to my master.

Bardolph

[Offstage] Good Mistress Tearsheet, come to my master.

Mistress Quickly

O, run, Doll, run; run, good Doll: come.

Mistress Quickly

Oh, hurry, Doll, hurry; come on, good Doll: hurry.

She comes blubbered
She comes crying
Mistress Quickly

Yea, will you come, Doll?

Mistress Quickly

Yes, are you coming, Doll?

Exuent
Exit

End of Act 2, Scene 4

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