The Historie of

Which 1400.yeares agoe were nailde,
For our aduantage on the bitter Croſſe:
But this our purpose is twelue month old,
And bootles tis to tell you we will go.
Therefore we meete not now: then let me heare
Of you my gentle Coofen Westmerland,
What yesternight our Counſell did decree,
In forwarding this deere expedience.

West. My liege, this haſte was not in queſtion,
And many limits of the charge let downe
But yesternight, when all athwart there came
A Poſt from Wales, loaden with heauy newes;
Whose worſt was, that the noble Mortimer,
Leading the men of Herdſord ſhire to fight
Against the irregular and wilde Glendower,
Was by the rude handles of that Welchman taken,
A thousand of his people butchered:
Vpon whose dead corps there was ſuch miſſe,
Such beaſtly ſhameles transformation
By whose Welchwomen done, as may not be
(Without much ſhame) retold or ſpoken of.

King. It seemes then, that the tidings of this broile,
Brake off our busines for the Holy land.

West. This matcht with other like, my gracious L.
Far more vneuen and vnwelcome newes,
Came from the North, and thus it did report:
On Holy-roode day, the gallant Horſpur there
Young Harry Percy, and braue Archibald,
That euer valiant and approued Scot,
At Holmedon met, where they did ſpend
A ſad and bloody houre:
As by discharge of their Artillerie,
And shape of likelihood the newes was told:
For he that brought them, in the very heate
And pride of their contention, did take Horſe,
Vncertaine of the illue any way.

King. Here is a deare, and true induſtrious friend,
Sit Walter Blunt, new lighted from his Horſe,

Strainde

Henry the fourth.

Stainge with the variation of each ſoyle,
Betwixt that Holmedon, and this ſeat of ours;
And he hath brought vs ſmooth and welcome newes,
The Earle of Dowglas is diſcomſted,
Ten thousand bold Scots, two and twentie Knights
Balkt in their owne blood did Sir Walter ſee
On Holmedons plaines; of prisoners Horſpur tooke
Mordake Earle of Fife, and eldeſt ſonne

To beaten Dowglas and the Earle of Atholl
Of Murrey, Angus, and Menteith:

And is not this an honourable ſpoyle?

A gallant prize? Ha, Coofen is it not? In ſayth it is.

West. A Conqueſt for a Prince to boaſt of.

King. Yea, there thou mak'st me ſad, and mak'st me ſinne
In enuy, that my Lord Northumberland,

Should be the Father of so bleſt a Sonne :

A Sonne, who is the Theame of Honours tongue,
Amongſt a Groue, the very ſtraightest Plant,
Who is ſweete Fortunes Minion and her pride,
Whilſt I by looking on the prauſe of him,
See Ryot and Difhonour ſtaine the brow

Of my young Harry. O that it could be prou'd,
That ſome night-tripping Fairy had exchang'd
In Cradle clothes, our Children where they lay,
And cal'd mine Percy, his Plantagenet;

Then would I haue his Harry, and he mine,
But let him from my thoughtes: What thinke you Coofe
Of this young Percies pride? The Prisoners
Which he in this aduenture hath ſunprifde,

To his owne vſe he keepes, and ſendes me word
I ſhall haue none but Mordake Earle of Fife.

West. This is his Vnckles teaching; This is Worcester,
Malcuolent to you in all aſpectes:
Which makes him prune himſelfe, and bristle vp
The creſt of Youth againſt your dignitie.

King. But I haue ſent for him to anſwere this:
And for this cauſe a while we must negleſt
Our holy purpose to Ierusalem.

A 3

Coofen

The Historie of

Coofen, on Wednesday next, our countell we will hold

At Winfor, so informer the Lords :

But come your selfe with speed to vs againe,

For more is to be sayd. and to be done.

Then out of anger can be vittered.

West. I will my Liege.

Exeunt.

Enter Prince of Wales and Sir John Falstaffe.

Falf. Now Hal, what time of day is it lad?

Prince. Thou art so fat-witted with drinking of old Sacke, and vnbuttoning thee after supper, & sleeping vpon Benches after noone, that thou haft forgotten to demaund that truely, which thou wouldest truely know. What a deuill haft thou to doe with the time of the day? vnllesse houres were cups of Sacke, and minutes Capons, & Clocks the tongues of Bawdes, and Dials the signes of Leaping houfes, and the bleffed Sunne himselve a faire hot Wench in flame-coulered Taffata; I see no reason why thou shouldest be superfluous to demaund the time of the day.

Falf. Indeed you come neere me now Hal, for we that take Purfes, goe by the Moone and seuen Starres, and not by Phaebus, he, that wandring knight so faire: and I prethee sweete wagge, when thou art King, as God faue thy Grace; Maiesty I should say, for Grace thou wilthauenone.

Princec. VWhat none?

Falf. No by my troth, not so much as will ferue to be prologue to an Egge and Butter.

Princec. VWell, how then? come roundly, roundly.

Falf. Mary then, sweet wag, when thou art King, let not vs that are Squires of the nights body, be called Theeues of the dayes beauty: let vs be Dianaes Forresters, Gentlemen of the shade, minions of the Moone; and let men say, we be men of good gouernment, being gouerned as the Sea is, by our noble and chaft Mistris the Moone; vnder whose countenaunce we steale.

Prince. Thou sayest well, and it holdes well too, for the fortune of vs that are the Moones men, doth ebbe and flow like the Sea, being gouerned as the Sea is by the Moone; as for proofe

of the

Henry the fourth.

prove. Now a Purse of gold most resolutely snatcht on Monday night, and most diffolutly spent on Tuesday morning; got with swearing lay by, and spent with crying bring in: now in as low an ebbe as the foote of the Ladder, and by & by in as high a flow as the ridge of the Gallowes.

Falf. By the Lord thou faiest true lad: and is not my Hositelle of the Tauerne a most sweet wench?

Prince. As the hony of Hylta, my old lad of the Castle; and is not a Buffe Ierkin a most sweet robe of durance?

Falf. How now, how now mad wagge, what in thy quips and thy quiddities? What a plague haue I to doe with a Buffe Ierkin?

Prince. Why what a poxe haue I to doe with my Hositelle of the Tauerne?

Falf. Well, thou haft cald her to a reckoning many a time and oft.

Prince. Did I euer call for thee to pay thy part?

Falf. No, Ile give thee thy due, thou haft payd all there.

Prin. Yea and else where, so far as my coyne would stretch, and where it would not, I have vsed my credit.

Falf. Yea, and so vsed it, that were it not heere apparant that thou art Heire apparant. But I prethee sweet wag, shall there be Gallows standing in England when thou art King? & resolitio on thus subd as it is with the rusty curb of old father antick the Law: does not thou when thou art a King, hang a Theefe.

Prin. No, thou shall.

Falf. Shall I? Or rare: by the Lord Ile be a braue Iudge.

Prin. Thou judgest false already. I meane thou shall haue the hanging of the Theeues, and so become a rare Hangman.

Falf. VWell Hal, well, and in some fort it jumpes with my humor, as well as waiting in the Court, I can tell you.

Prin. For obtaining of futes?

Falf. Yea, for obtaining of futes, whereof the Hangman hath no leane Wardrop. Zblood I am as malancholy as a gyb Cat, or a lugd Beare.

Prin. Or an old Lion, or a Louers Lute.

Falf. Yea, or the Drone of a Lincolnshire Bagpipe.

Prin. VWhat sayst thou to a Hare, or the malancholy of Moore-

The Historie of

Moore-ditch?

Falf. Thou haſt the moſt vnſaury ſimiles, and art indeede the moſt comparatiueraſcalleſt ſweete yong Prince. But Hall, I prethee trouble me no more with vanity, I would to God thou and I knew where a commodity of good names were to be bought: an old Lord of the Counſell rated me the other day in the streete about you ſir; but I markt him not, and yet he talkt very wifely; but I regarded him not, and yet he talkt wifely, and in the street too.

Prince. Thou didſt well : for Wifedome cries out in the streetes, and no man regardes it.

Falf. O, thou haſt damnable iteration, and art indeed able to corrupt a Saint: thou haſt done much harme vnto mee, Hall; God forgive thee for it: Before I knew thee Hall, I knew no-thing, and now am I, if a man should ſpeake truly, little better than one of the wicked: I muſt giue ouer this life; and I will giue it ouer: By the Lord and I do not, I am a villaine: Ile be damned for neuer a Kings ſonne in Chriftendome.

Prince. Where ſhall we take a Purſe to morrow, Iacke?

Falf. Zounds, where thou wilt lad, Ile make one: and I do not, call me Villaine, and Baffell me.

Prince. I fee a good amendment of life in thee; from Praying, to Purſe taking.

Falf. Why, Hall; tis my vocation Hall: tis no finne for a man to labour in his vocation.

Enter Poines.

Poines. Now ſhall we know if Gads hill haue ſet a match: O, if men were to be faued by merit, what hole in Hell were hot enough for him? this is the moſt omnipotent Villaine that euer cryed, Stand, to a true man.

Prince. Good morrow Ned.

Poines. Good morrow ſweet Hall. What ſayes Monsieur Remorſe? What ſayes ſir John Sacks and Sugar, Iacke? How agrees the Diuell and thee about thy ſoule, that thou ſouldeſt him on Good-friday laſt, for a cup of Madera and a cold Cations legge?

Prin. Sir Iohn ſtands to his word, the Diuell ſhall haue his bargaine, for he was neuer yet a breaker of Prouerbes: he will giue the Diuell his due.

Poines.

Henry, the fourth.

Poines. Then art thou damnd for keeping thy word, with the diuell.

Prince. Elſe he had bin damnd for Cofening the diuell.

Poy. But my lads, my lads, to morrow morning, by foure a clocke early at Gads hil, there are pilgrims going to Canterbury with rich offrings, and traders riding to London with fat purſes. I haue vizards for you all; you haue horſes for your ſelues: Gads-hil lies to night in Rochefoster, I haue beſpoke ſupper to morrow night in Eaſtcheap; we may do it as ſecure as ſleepe: if you will go, I will ſtuffe your purſes full of crownes: if you will not, tarry at home and be hangd.

Falf. Heare ye Yedward, if I tarry at home and go not, Ile hang you for going.

Poy. You will chops.

Falf. Hal, wilt thou make one?

Prince. Who, I rob? I a theeſe? not I by my faith.

Falf. Thers neither honesty, manhood, nor good fellowship in thee, nor thou camſt not of the bloud royall, if thou dareſt not ſtand for ten ſhillings.

Prince. Well then once in my dayes Ile be a madcap.

Falf. Why that's well ſaid.

Prin. Well, come what will, Ile tarry at home.

Falf. By the Lord Ile be a traitour then, when thou art King.

Prin. I care not.

Poin. Sir Iohn, I prethee leaue the Prince & me alone, I will lay him downe ſuch reaſons for this aduenture, that he ſhal go.

Falf. Wel, God giue thee the ſpirit of perſwafion, & him the eares of profiting, that what thou ſpeakeſt, may moue, & what he heares may be beleeued, that the true Prince, may (for recreaſion ſake) proue a falſe theſe; for the poore abuſes of the time, want countenance: farewell, you ſhall find me in Eaſtcheap.

Prin. Farewel the latter ſpring, farewel Alhollowne ſummer.

Poy. Now my good ſweet hony Lord, ride with vs to morrow. I haue a ieſt to execute, that I cannot mannage alone. Falſtalſſe, Haruey, Rofſill, and Gads-hil, ſhall rob those men that we haue already way-laid; your ſelſe and I, will not be there: and when they haue the booty, if you and I do not rob them, cut this head from my shoulders.

B.

Prince.

The Historie of

Prin. How shall we part with them in setting forth?

Po. Why, we will set forth before or after them, and appoint them a place of meeting, wherein it is at our pleasure to fail; & then will they adventure upon the exploit themselves, which they shall have no sooner attached, but we see set upon them.

Prin. Yea, but this like that they will know vs by our horses, by our habits, and by every other appointment to be our felues.

Po. But, our horses they shall not see, I tie them in the wood, our wizards we will change after we leave them: & firra, I have cafes of buckorum for the nonce, to immaske our noted out-ward garments.

Prin. Yea, but I doubt they will be too hard for vs.

Po. Well, for two of them I know the to be as true bred cowardes as ever turned back: & for the third, if he fight longer than he sees reason I let them wear arms. The vertue of this ieft will be, the incomprehensible lies that this fatte rogue will tell us when we meete at supper, how thirty at least hee fought with, what wards, what blows, what extremities he induced, and in the reproofe of this lies the ieft.

Prin. Well, Ile go with thee, provide vs all things necessary, and meete me to morrow night in Eastcheape, there Ile suppe: farewell.

Poy. Farewell my Lord.

Exit Poyne.

Prin. I know you all, and will a while vphold
The vnyokt humor of your Idlenesse
Yet herein will I immitate the Sunne,
Who doth permit the base contagious clouds
To smother vp his beauty from the world,
That when he please againe to be himselfe,
Being wanted, he may be more wonderd at
By breaking through the foule and ugly misfits
Of vapours that did seeme to strangle him.
If all the yeere were playing holy daies,
To sport would be as tedious as to worke;
But when they feldome come, they wist for come,
And nothing pleaseeth but rare accidents:
So when this loose behaviour I throw off,
And pay the debt I neuer promised,

By

Henry the fourth.

By how much better then my word I am,
By so much shall I falsifie mens hopes,
And like bright mettell on a fullin ground,
My reformation glittering or'emy fault,
Shall show more goodly, and attract more eyes,
Then that which hath no foile to set it off.
Ile so offend, to make offence a skill,
Redeeming time, when men thinke least I will.

Exis.

Enter the King, Northumberland, Worcester, Hotspur,
Sir Walter Blunt with others.

King. My blood hath beene too colde and temperate,
Vnapt to stirre at these indignities,
And you haue found me; for accordingly,
You tread vpon my patience : but be sure
I will from henceforth rather be my selfe,
Mighty, and to be feard, then my condition
Which hath beene smooth as oyle; soft as yong downe,
And therefore loft that Title of respect,
Which the proud foule nere payes but to the proud.

Wor. Our house (my soueraigne Leige) little deferues
The scourge of greatnesse to be vfed on it,
And that I am greatnesse too, which our owne hands
Haue holpe to make so portly.

Nor. My Lord

King. Worcester get thee gone, for I do see
Danger and disobedience in thine eye,
O fir your preference is too bold and peremptory,
And Maiestie might neuer yet endure
The moody frontier of a feruant brow,
You haue good leaue to leaue vs : when we need
Your vfe and counsel, we shall send for you.
You were about to speake.

Exit Wor.

Nort. Yea my good Lord.
Thofe prisoners in your Highnesse name demanded,
Which Harry Percy here at Holmedon tooke,
Were as he sayes, not with such strength denied,
As he delivered to your Maiestie.
Either enuy therefore, or misprifion
Is guilty of this fault, and not my sonne.

B 2.

Hot.

The Historie of

Hot. My Liege, I did deny no prisoners,
But I remember when the fight was done,
When I was drie with rage and extreame toyle,
Breathles and faint, leaning vpon my sword,
Came there a certaine Lord, neat and trimly drest,
Fresh as a Bridgroome, and his chin new reapt,
Shewd like a flubble land at harueft home:
He was perfumed like a Milliner,
And twix his finger and his thum he helde,
A pouncet boxe, which euer and anon
He gaue his nose, and tookt away againe,
Who therewith angry, when it next came there,
Tookt it in snuffe, and still he snilde and talkte,
And as the souldiers bore dead bodies by,
He calde them vntaught knattes, vnmannerly,
To bring a slouenly vnhand-fome coarse,
Betwixt the wind and his nobility,
With many holyday and lady tearmes.
Hequeftioned me : among the rest demanded,
My prisoners in your Maiesties behalfe,
I then, all smarting with my wounds being cold,
To be so pestered with a Popingay,
Out of my griefe and my impatience,
Answered neglectingly, I know not what,
He should, or he should not, for he made me mad,
To see him shine so briske, and smell so sweet,
And talke so like a waiting gentlewoman,
Of guns and drums, and wounds, God save the marke:
And telling me, the foueraigne thing on earth;
Was Parmacity for an inward bruche,
And that it was great pitty, so it was,
This villanous Saltpeter should be digd
Out of the bowels of the harmeles Earth;
Which many a good tall fellow had destroyed
So cowardly: and but for these vile Guns,
He would haue been himselfe a Souldiour.
This bald vnioynted chat of his (my Lord)
I anfswered indiretely (as I fayd)

And

Henry the fourth.

And I beſeech you, let not this report
Come currant for an accufation,
Betwixt my loue, and your high Maiety.

Blunt. The circumſtance considered, good my Lord
What er e Harrie Piercie then had faid
To ſuch a perſon, and in ſuch a place,
At ſuch a time, with all the reſt reſtold,
May reſonable die, and neuer rife,
To doe him wrong, or any way impeach
What then he faid, ſo he vnſay it now,

King. Why yet he doth deny his prisoners,
But with prouifo and exception,
That we at our owne charge ſhall ransome ſtraight
His brother in law, the ſolifh Mortimer,
Who in my ſoule hath wilfully betraide,
The lives of thofe, that he did lead to fight,
Againſt the great Magitian, damned Glendower,
Whose daughter as we heare, the Earle of March,
Hath lately married ? ſhall our coſſers then,
Be emptied to redeeme a traitor home?
Shall we buy treaſon ? and indent with feares,
When they haue loſt and forfeited them ſelues.
No, on the barren mountaine let him ſterue,
For I ſhall neuer hold that man my friend,
Whose tongue ſhall aske me for one penny coſ,
To ransome home reuolted Mortimer.

Hot. Reuolted Mortimer ?
He neuer did fall off, my Soueraigne Liege,
But by the chance of warre it to proue that true,
Needs no more but one tongue: for all thofe wounds,
Thofe mouthed woundes which valianly he tooke
When on the gentle Suerns ſiedgie banke
In ſingle oppofition hand to hand,
He did confound the best part of an houre
In changing hardiment with great Glendower,
Three times they breath'd, and three times did they drinke,
Upon agreement of ſwift Suerns ſloud
Who then affrighted with their bloody lookes,

B 3.

The Historie of

Ran fearfully among the trembling reedes,
And hid his crispe-head in the hollow banke,
Bloud-stained with these valiant combatans,
Neuer did bare and rotten policy.

Colour her working with such deadly wounds,
Nor neuer could the noble Mortimer

Receiue so many, and all willignly

Then let not him be flandered with renolt.

King. Thou dost bely him Percy, thou dost bely him,
Heneuer did encounter with Glendower,
I tell thee, he durst as well haue met the Diuell alone,
As Owen Glendower for an enemy.

Art thou not asham'd? but firra, henceforth

Let me not heare you speake of Mortimer,
Send me your prisoners with the speediest meanes,
Or you shall heare in such a kind from me,

As will displease you. My Lord Northumberland,

We licence your departure with your Sonne,

Send vs your prisoners, or you will heare of it. Exit King.

Hot. And if the diuell come and roare for them,
I will not fend them; I will after straight.
And tell him so, for I will ease my heart,
Albeit I make a hazard of my head.

Nor. What? drunke with choler? flay and pause a while,
Here comes your uncle.

Hot. Speake of Mortimer?
Zounds I will speake of him, and let my foule
Want mercy if I do not ioyne with him:

Yea on his part, Ile empty all these veines, I

And fhead my deare bloud, drop by drop i'th' duft,

But I will lift the downe-trod Mortimer,

As high in 'th ayre as this vnthankfull king,

As this ingrate and cankred Bullingbrooke.

Nor. Brother the King hath made your Nephew mad.

Wor. Who ftrooke this heate vp after I was gone?

Hot. He will forfooth haue all my prisoners:
And when I vrg'd the ransome once againe.

Of my wives brother, then his checke lookt pale,

Henry the fourth.

And on my face he turnd an eye of death,
Trembling even at the name of Mortimer.

Wor. I cannot blame him, was not he procliamd
By Richard that dead is, the next of bloud?

Nor. He was; I heard the proclamation,
And then it was, when the vnhappy King,
(Whof wrongs in vs God pardon) did let forth
Vpon his Irish expedition;
From whence he intercepted, did returne
To be depos'd and shortly murdered.

Wor. And for whose death, we in the worlds wide-mouth,
Lie fscandaliz'd and fouly spoken off.

Hot. But soft I pray you, did King Richard then
Proclame my brother Mortimer,
Heire to the crowne?

Nor. He did, my selfe did heare it.

Hot. Nay then I cannot blame his coofin King,
That wif't him on the barren mountaines starue.

But shall it be that you that fet the crowne
Vpon the head of this forgetfull-man,
And for his fake weare the detefted blot
Of murtherous subornation? shall it be
That you a world of curses vndergo,
Being the agents, or bafe second meanes,

The cordes, the laddar, or the hangman rather?

O pardon if that I descend so low,
To fhow the line and the predicament,
Wherein you range vnder this subtil King.

Shall it for shame be spoken in the seidayes,
Or fill vp cronicles in time to come,
That men of your nobility and power

Did gag them both in an vniuft behalfe,
(As both of you God pardon it, hane done)

To put downe Richard that sweet louely Rofe,
And plant this thorne, this canker Bullingbrooke?

And shall it in more shame be further spoken,
That you are fool'd, discarded, and ftrooke off
By him, for whom these shames ye vnder-went?

No

The Historie of

No, yet time serves, wherein you may redeem
Your banisht honors, and restore your felues,
Into the good thoughts of the world againe :
Reueng the ieering and disdain'd contempt
Of this proud King, who studies day and night.
To answere all the debt he owes you,
Euen with the bloudie payment of your deaths :
Therefore I fay.

Wor. Peace Coofin, fay no more.
And now I will vnclafpe a secret booke,
And to your quicke conceiuing discontents
Ile read your matter deepe and dangerous,
As full of perill and aduenterous ſpirit,
As to o're walke a Current roring lowd,
On the vnstead aſt footing of a ſpeare.

Hot. If he fall in, good night, or finke or fwimd,
Send danger from the East vnto the west,
So honor croſſe it, from the North to South,
And let them grapple: the bloud more stirres
To rowſe a Lion then to ſtart a Hare.

North. Immagination of some great exploit
Driues him beyond the boundes of patience,
Hot. By heauen me thinkes it weare an easie leape,
To pluck bright honor from the pale-fac'd Moone.
Or diue into the bottome of the deepe,
Where fadome-line could neuer touch the ground,
And pluck vp drowned honor by the lockes,
So hee that doth redeem her thence might weare
Without corriuall all her dignities :
But out vpon this halfe fac't fellowship.

Wor. He apprehendes a world of figures here,
But not the forme of what he ſhould attend,
Good Coofen give me audience for a while.

Hot. I cry you mercy.

Wor. Those fame noble Scots that are your prisoners.

Hot. Ile keefe them all.

By God he shall not haue a Scot of them.

No, if a Scot would faue his ſoule, he shall not.

lle

Henry the fourth.

Ile keefe them, by this hand.

Wor. You ſtart away,

And lend no care vnto my purposes :

Thofe Prisoners you ſhall keefe.

Hot. Nay, I will; that's flat :

He faid he would not ransome Mortimer,
Forbade my tongue to ſpeake of Mortimer,
But I will finde him when he lies a fleepe,

And in his care Ile hallow, Mortimer :
Nay, Ile haue a Starling ſhall be taught to ſpeake

Nothing but Mortimer, and giue it him,

To keefe his anger ſtill in motion.

Wor. Heare you Coofin a word.

Hot. All studies heere I solemnly deſe,
Saue how to gall and pinch this Bullingbrooke,

And that fame Sword and Buckler Prince of Wales.

But that I thinke his Father loues him not,

And would be glad he met with ſome miſchance :

I would haue him poyſoned with a pot of Ale.

Wor. Farewell Kinſman, I let alke to you

When you are better tempered to attend.

Nor. Why what a Wafpe-tongue and impatient ſoole
Art thou, to breake into this womans moode,

Tying thine eare to no tongue but thine owned?

Hot. Why looke you, I am whipt and ſcourg'd with Rods,
Netled, and ſtung with Pismires, when I heare

Of this vile Politian Bullingbrooke.

In Richards time, what doe you call the places;
A Plague vpon it, it is in Gloceſtſure,

Twas where the mad-cap Duke his vnkle kept,
His vnkle Yorke, where I firſt bowed my knee

Vnto this King of Smiles, this Bullingbrooke:

Zbloud, when you and he came backe from Rauenſpurgh,

Nor. At Barkly Castle.

Hot. You ſay true,

Why what a candie deale of curteſie,
This fawning Grey-hound then did proffer me,
Looke when his infant Fortune came to age,

And gentle Harry Percy, and kind Coofin:

C.

O,

The Historie of

O, the Diuell take such cooseners, God forgive me,
Good Vncle tell your tale, I haue done

Wor. Nay, if you haue not, to it againe,
We will stay your leyfure.

Hot. I haue done yfayth

Wor. Then once more to your Scottish Prisoners.
Deliuer them vp without their ransome straight,

And make the Dowglas fonne your onely meane
For powers in Scotland, which for divers reafons

Which I shall send you written, be aflur'd,
Will easily be granted you, my Lord.

Your fonne in Scotland being thus employed,
Shall secretly into the bosonie creepe

Of that fame noble Prelate, we belou'd,
The Archbishop.

Hot. Of Yorke, is it not?

Wor. True, who beares hard.

His Brothers death at Brristow the Lord Scroope:
I speake not this in estimation,

As what I thinke'might be, but what I know
Is ruminated, plotted, and set downe,

And onely stayes but to behold the face

Of that occasion that shall bring it on.

Hot. Ifmell it: Vpon my life it will doe well.

Nor. Before the game's afoote, thou still letst slip.

Hot. Why, it cannot choose but be a noble plot,

And then the power of Scotland and of Yorke,
To ioyne with Mortimer, ha.

Wor. And so they shall.

Hot. In fayth it is exceedingly well aymd.

Wor. And tis no little reafon bids vs vspeedo,
To faue our heades, by rayling of a Head:

For, beare our felues as euen, as we can,

The King will alwayes thinke him in our debt,
And thinke we thinke our felues vnſatisfied,
Till he hath found a time to pay vs home.

And see already, how he doth begin

To make vs ſtrangers to his lookes of loue.

Hot.

Henry the fourth.

Hot. He does, he does; weele be reueng'd on him.

Wor. Coofin, farewell. No further goe in this.

Then I by Letters shall dire & your course

When time is ripe, which will be suddenly :

Ile ſteale to Glendower, and loe, Mortimer,

Where you and Dowglas, and our powers at once,

As I will fashion it, ſhall happily meete,

To beare our fortunes in our owne ſtrong armes,

Which now we hold at much vncertaintie.

Nor,. Farewell good Brother, we ſhall thrive, I trust,

Hot. Vncle, adue: O let the houres be ſhort,

Till Fieldes, & Blowes, & Grones, applaud our ſport.

Exeunt.

Enter a Carrier with a Lanterne in his hand.

1. Car. Heigh ho, an it be not foure by the day, Ile be hangd,
Charles-waine is ouer the new Chimny, and yet our Horſe not
packt. What Oſtler?

Oſt. Anon, anon.

1. Car. I prethee Tom, beat Cuts Saddle, put a few Flocks in
the point, poore iade is wrung in the Withers, out of all ceſſe.

Enter another Carrier.

2. Car. Peaſe and Beanes are as danke heere as a Dog, and
that is the next way to give poore Iades the Bots : this house is
turned vpſide downe ſince Robin Oſtler died.

1. Car. Poore ſellow neuer ioyed ſince the price of Oates
roſe, it was the death of him.

2. Car. I thinke this to be the moſt villanous house in all
London road for Fleas, I am ſtung like a Tench.

1. Car. Like a Tench? by the Maſſe there is neare a King
chriften, could be better bit, the I haue bin ſince the firſt cooke.

2. Car. Why, you will allow vs nere a Iordaine, and then
we leake in your Chimny, and your Chamber-lie breedes
Fleas like a Loach.

1. Car. What Oſtler, come away, and be hangd, come away.

2. Car. I haue a Gammon of Bacon, & two razes of Ginger,
to be deliuered as farre as Charing-croſſe.

1. Car. God's body, the Turkies in my Panier are quite star-
ued: what Oſtler's a plague on thee, haſt thou neuer an eye in thy
head? canst not heare, & t'were not as good a deed as drinke,

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to

The History of

to break the pace of thee, I am a very villaine; come and be
hang'd, haſt no fayth in thee:

Enter Gads-bill.

Gads-bill. Good-morrow Carriers, What's a clocke?

Car. I thinke it be two a clocke.

Gad. I prethee lend me thy Lantherne, to see my Gelding in the Stable.

1. Car. Nay, by God, soft, I know a tricke worth two of that I fayth.

Gad. I prethee lend me methine.

2. Car. I, when, canst tell me Lend me thy Lantherne (quoth he) Marty I, I fee thee hanged first.

Gad. Sirra Carriee, What time doe you meane to come to London?

2. Car. Time enough to go to bed with a Candle, I warrant thee. Come neighbour Muges, weele call vp the Gentlemen, they will along with company, for they haue great charge.

Enter Chamberlaine. Exeunt.

Gad. What ho, Chamberlaine.

Cham. At hand quoth Pick-purse.

Gad. That's even as faire, as at hand quoth the Chamberlaine, for thou vaniest no more from picking of Purseſes, then giuing direction doth from laboring: thou layeſt the plot how.

Cham. Good morrow Maſter Gads-bill, it holds currant that I told you yefter night, thereſ a Franklin in the wild of Kent, hath brought three hundred Marks with him in Gold, I heard him tell it to one of his company laſt night at ſupper, a kind of Auditor, one that hath abundaṇa of charge too, God knowes what; they are vp already, and call for Egges and Butter: they will away prefently.

Gad. Siria, if they meet not with Saint Nicholas Clarkes, I lie gie thee this necke.

Cham. No, Ile none of it; I pray thee keepe that for the Hangman, for I know thou worſhipſt Saint Nicholas, as truly as a man of falſehood may.

Gad. What talkeſt thou to me of the Hangman? if I hang, Ile make a fat paire of Gallowes: for if I hang, old Sir John hangs with me, & thou knowes he is no starueling: tut, there are other

Troians.

Henry the fourth.

Troians that thus dreamt not of, the which for sport fake are content to do the profession some grace, that would (if matters should be look'd into) for their owne credit fake, make a whole: I am ioyned with no foot-land rakers, no long-flaſſe ſixpenny strikers, none of these madde muſtachio purple hewd malt-worms, but with nobility, and tranquillity, Purgomaſters and great Oneyers, ſuch as can hold in (uch as wil ſtrike sooner the ſpeake, & ſpeak sooner then drinke, & drinke sooner the pray; and yet (Zounds) I lie, for they pray continually to their Saint the Comon-wealth, or rather not pray to her, but prey on her, for they ride vp & downe on her, and make her their Bootes.

Cham. What, the Common-wealth their Bootes? will ſhee hold out Water in foule way?

Gad. She will, she will, Iuſtice hath liquord her: we ſteale as in a Caſtle, cockſure; we haue the receit of Fern: feed, we walke inuſible.

Cham. Nay, by my fayth, I thinke you are more beholding to the night then to Fernefeed, for your walking inuſible.

Gad. Giue me thy hand, thou ſhalt haue a share in our pur-chaſe, as I am a true man.

Cham. Nay, rather let me haue it, as you are a falſe theſe.

Gad. Go to, homo is a common name to all men: bid the Oſtler bring my Gelding out of the stable; farewell ye muddy knaue.

Enter Prince, Poines, and Peto, &c.

Poines. Come ſhelter, ſhelter, I haue remooued Falſtalfſſe Horſe, and he frets like a gum'd Velvet.

Prince. Stand cloſe. Enter Falſtalfſſe.

Falſ. Poinſ, Poinſ, and be hang'd Poinſ.

Prince. Peace ye fat-kidney'd rafſcall, what a brawling doſt thou keepe?

Falſ. What Poinſ, Hal?

Prim. He is walkt vp to the top of the hill, Ile goe feeke him.

Fal. I am accurſt to rob in that theeuſ company, the rafſcall hath remoued my Horſe, and tyed him I know not where, if I trauel but ſoure ſoſte by the ſquire further a ſoſte, I ſhal break my winde: Well, I doubt not but to die a faire death for all this, if I ſcape hanging for killing that rogue, I haue forsworne his company hourly ſe time this 22. yeare, and yet I am be-

C 3

witcht

## The Historie of

witcht with the rogues company. If the rascall haue not giuen me medicines to make me loue him, Ile be hangd: it could not be else, I haue drunke medicines, Paines, Hal, a plague vpon you both. Bardoll, Peto, Ile farue ere Ile rob a foote further: and t'were not as good a deed as drinke, to turne true man, and to leauethe se Rogues, I am the verie st Varlet that euer chewed with a tooth: eight yeardes of vneuen ground, is threescore and ten miles a foot with me: and the stony hearted Villaines know it well enough, a plague vpon it when theeues cannot be true one to another.
They whistle,

Whew, a plague vpon you all, giue me my Horfe, you rogues, Giue me my Horfe, and be hangd.

Prince. Peace ye fat guts, lie downe, lay thine eare close to the ground, and lift if thou can heare the tread of Trauellers.

Fal. Hane you any leauers to lift me vp againe being downe? Zbloud, Ile not beare mine owne flesh so far a foot againe for all the Coyne in thy Fathers Exchequer: What a plague meane ye to colt me thus?

Prince. Thou lyest, thou art not colted, thou art vncolted.

Fal. I prethee good Prince Hal, helpe mee to my Horfe, Good Kings sonne.

Prince. Out you Rogue, shall I be your Offer?

Fal. Go hang thy selfe in thine owne Haire apparant Garters: if I be tane, Ile peach for this: and I haue not Ballades made on all, and fung to filthy tunes, let a cup of Sacke be my poyson: when ie aft is so forward, and a foot too, I hate it.

### Enter Gads-hill.

Gad. Stand.

Fal. So I doe against my will.

Poin. O tis our fetter, I know his voyce: Bardoll what newes?

Bar. Cafe yee, cafe yee; on with your Vizards, ther's mony of the Kings comming downe the Hill, tis going to the Kings Exchequer.

Fal. You lie you rogue, tis going to the Kings Tauerne.

Gad. There's enough to make vs all.

Fal. To be hanged.

Prince. You soure shall front them in the narrow Lane: Ned Paines and I, will walke lower; if they scape from your encounter, then they light on vs.

Peto.

## Henry the fourth.

Peto. But how many be they of them?

Gad. Some eight or ten.

Fal. Zounds, will they not rob vs?

Prin. What! a coward Sir John Pawnch?

Fal. Indeed I am not John of Gant our Grandfather, but yet no coward, Hal.

Prince. Well, weele leaueth that to the proofe.

Poynt. Sitra Lacke, thy horse stands behind the hedge, when thou needest him, there thou shalt finde him. farewell & stand

Fal. Now cannot I strike him if I should be hangd. (faft.

Prince. Ned, where are our disguises?

Poynt. Here hard by, stand close.

Fal. Now my maisters, happy man be his dole, say, euery man to his businesse.

### Enter the Traversellers.

Tra. Come neighbour, the boy shall lead our horses downe the hil, weele walke a foote a while, and eafe our leggs.

Theeues. Stay.

Tra. Iefus blefse vs.

Fal. Strike, downe with them, cut the villaines throats: a horelon caterpillars! Bacon-fed knaues, they hate vs youth, downe with them, fleece them.

Tra. O, we are vndone, both we and ours for euer.

Fal. Hang ye gorbellied knaues, are ye vndone? no yee fat chuffes, I would your store were here: on bacons, on, what yee knaues? young men must lie, you are grand Iurers, are yee? weele iure yee yfaith.

Here they rob them and binde them: Enter.

### the Prince and Poynt

Prince. The theeues haue bound the true men: now could I thou and I rob the theeues, and go merrily to London, it would be argument for a weeke, laughter for a month, and a good ieft for euer.

Poynt. Stand close, I heare them comming.

### Enter the Theeues againe.

Fal. Come my maisters, let vs share, and then to horfe before day: and the Prince & Poynt be not two arrant cowardes, there's no equity stirring, there's no more valour in that Poynt, than in a wild Duck.

Prince

## The Historie of

Prin. Your money.

Poin. Villaines.

As they are sharing, the Prince and Paines
fet upon them, they all runne away, and Fal-
ſtalſſe after a blow or two runs away too, lea-
uing the booty behind them.

Trin. Got with much care. Now merrily to horſe, the theuees are ſcattered, and poſſed with ſeare ſo ſtrongly, that they dare not meete other, each takes his fellow for an officer away good Ned, Falſtalſſe ſweares to death, and lards the leane earth as he walkes along : wert not for laughing, I should pitty him.

Poines. How the rogue roard

Exeunt.

Enter Hotſiur ſolus, reading a Letter.

Tut for mine owne part, my Lord, I could be well contented to be there, in reſpect of the lone I beare your houſe.

He could be cotented, why is he not then? in the reſpect of the loue he beares our houſe : he ſhowes in this, he loues his owne barne better then he loues our houſe. Let me ſee ſome more.

The purpose you undertake is dangerous.

Why thatſt certaine, this dangerous to take a cold, to ſleepe, to drinke but I tell you (my Lord foole) out of this nettle danger, we plucke this flower ſafety.

The purpose you undertake is dangerous, the friendes you have named vncertaine, the time it ſelfe vnſorted, and your whole plot too light, for the counterpoife of ſo great an oppofition.

Say you ſo, ſay you ſo, I ſay vnto you againe, you are a ſhal-
low cowardly hinde, & you lie: what a lack-braine is this? by
the Lord our plot is a good plot as euer was laid, our frind true
& conſtant: a good plot, good friends, & ful of expeſation: an
excellent plot, very good friends; what a froſty ſpirited rogue
is this? Why, my Lord of Torke commends the plot, & the gene-
rall course of the action Zounds & I were now by this rafcall,
I could braine him with his Ladies Fanne. Is there not my fa-
ther, my vncle, & my ſelfe, Lord Edmund Mortimer, my Lord of
Torke, and Owen Glendower? Is there not befides the Dowglas?
have I not all their letters to meete me in Armes by the ninth
of the next month ? and are they not ſome of them ſet forward
alread? What a pagan rafcall is this, and inſidell? Ha, you shall
ſee now in very lincerity of ſeare and cold heart, will he to the
King, and lay open all our proceedings. O, I could diuide my
ſelfe,

## Henrie the fourth.

ſelfe, and goe to buffets, for mouing ſuch a diſh of skim Milke
with ſoHonorable an action. Hang him, let him tell the King,
we are prepared. I will ſet forward to night. Enter his Lady.
How now Kate, I muſt leaue you within theſe two houres.

Lady. O my good Lord, why are you thus alone?

For what offence haue I this fortnight bin
A banifht woman from my Harries bed?
Tell mee, ſweet Lord, what is't that takes from thee
Thy ſtomacke, pleaſure, and thy golden ſleepe?
Why doſt thou bend thine eyes vpon the earth,
And ſtart ſo often when thou ſitſt alone?

Why haſt thou loft the fresh blood in thy cheekes,
And giuen my treaſures and my rights of thee,
To thick-eyd muſing, and curſt melancholy?

In my faint slumbers, I by thee watcht,
And heard thee murmure tales of yron Warres,
Speake tearmes of manage to thy bounding Steed,
Cry courage to the field: And thou haſt talkt
Of fallies; and retires, trenches, tents,
Of pallizadoes, frontiers, parapets,
Of baſilisks, of canon, culuerin,

Of prifoners ransome, and of ſouldeirs ſlaine,
And all the current, of a heddy fight,

Thy ſpirit within thee hath bin ſo at war,
And thus hath ſo beſtird thee in thy ſleepe,
That beds of ſweat hath ſtood vpon thy brow,
Like bubbles in a late diſturbed ſtreame,
And in thy face ſtrange motions haue apeared,
Such as we ſee when men reſtraine their breath,
On ſome great ſodaine haſt. O what portents are theſe?
Some heauy buſines hath my Lord in hand,
And I muſt know it, eſſe he loues me not.

Hot. What ho, is Gilliams with the Packet gone?

Ser. He is, my Lord, an houre agoe.

Hot. Hath Butler brought thate Horſes from the Sheriffe?

Ser. One Horſe, my Lord, he brought euen now.

Hot. What Horſe? a roane, a crop eare, is it not?

Ser. It is, my Lord.

D.

Her.

## The Historie of

Hot. That Roane shal be my throne. Well, I will backe him straight. Esperance, bid *Butler* lead him foorth into the parke.

La. But heare you my Lord.

Hot. What faiest thou my Lady?

La. What is it carries you away?

Hot. Why, my horfe (my loue) my horfe.

La. Out you mad-headed ape, a weazel hath not such a deale of spleene, as you are tost with. In faith Ile know your busines Harry, that I will: I feare, my brother Mortimer doth stir about his title, & hath sent for you to line his enterprise, but if you go

Hot. So far afoote, I shall be weary, loue.

La. Come, come, you Paraquito, anfwere me directly, vnto this question that I shal aske: in faith Ile break thy little finger Harry, and if thou wilt not tell me all things true.

Hot. Away, away you trifler, loue; I loue thee not, I care not for thee Kate, this is no world.

To play with mambets, and to tilt with lips,
We muſt haue bloudie noſes, and crackt crownes,
And paſſe them currant too: gods me my horſe.

What faſſt thou Kate; what wouldſt thou haue with me?

La. Do you not loue me? do you not indeede?

Wel, do not then? for ſince you loue me not,
I will not loue my ſelfe. Do you not loue me?

Nay, tel me, if you ſpeake in icaſt, or no?

Hot. Come wilt thou ſee me ride ?

And when I am a horſe backe, I will ſweare,
I loue thee infinitely. But harke you Kate,

I muſt not haue you henceforth, question me?

Whither I go: nor reaſon where about.

Whither I muſt, I muſt: and to conclude,
This euening muſt I leaue you Gentle Kate.

I know you wife, but yet no farther wife,
Then Harry Percys wife. conſtant you are,
But yeta woman, and for ſecrecy,

No Lady cloſer, for I will believe,
Thou wilt not vtter what thou doſt not know:

And so farewill I truſt thee, gentle Kate.

La. How, so far ?

Hot.

## Henrie the fourth.

Hot. Not an inch further : but harke you Kate,
Whither I goe, thither shall you goe too:

To day will I fet foorth, to morrow you :

Will this content you Kate?

Lady. It muſt of force.

Exeunt.

Enter Prince and Poines.

Prince. Ned, prethee come out of that fat roome, and lend mee thy hand to laugh a little.

Poines. Where haſt been Hal?

Prin. With three or ſoure Logger-heads, amongſt three or ſoure ſcore Hogs-heads. I haue founded the very base ſtring of Humilitie. Sirra, I am ſworne Brother to a leaſh of Drawers, & can call them all by their Christian names, as Tom, Dicke, and Francis: they take it already vpon their ſaluation, that though I be but Prince of Wales, yet I am the King of Curteſie; and tell mee flatly, I am not proud Jack, like Falſtalſſe; but a Corinthian, a lad of mettall, a good Boy, (by the Lord so they call me) and when I am King of England, I ſhall command all the good Lads in Eaſtcheape. They call drinking deepe, dying Scarlet; and when you breathe in your watring, they cry hem, and bid you play it off. To conclude, I am so good a proficient in one quarter of an houre, that I can drinke with any Tinker in his owne language during my life. I tell thee Ned, thou haſt loft much honour, that thou wert not with me in this action : but ſweet Ned; to swoeten which name of Ned, I giue thee this peniworth of Sugar, clapt euen now into my hand by an vader Skinker, one that neuer ſpake other English in his life, then Eight ſhillinges and ſixe pence; and, You are welcome, with this ſhrill addition, Anon, anon fir ſkore a Pint of Baſtard in the Halſe moone, or so. But Ned, to driue away time till Falſtalſſe come, I prethee doe thou ſtand in ſome by roome, while I question my pny Drawer, to what end he gaue me the Sugar, and doe neuer leaue calling Francis, that his tale to me may be nothing but, Anon : ſteppe aſide, and Ile shew thee a preſent.

Poines. Francis.

Prince. Thou art perfect.

Poines. Francis.

Enter Drawer.

Fra. Anon, anon fir; looke downe into the Pomgarnet, Ralſe.

D 2

Prince.

## The Historie of

Prince. Come hither Francis.

Francis. My Lord.

Prince. How long haſt thou to ſerue, Francis?

Francis. For ſooth ſiue yeares, and as much as to

Paines. Francis.

Francis. Anone, anone fir.

Prince. Fiue yeares; berlady a long leafe for the clincking of
Pewter: But Francis, dareſt thou be so valiant, as to play the
coward with thy Indenture, and ſhew it a faire paire of heeles,
and runne from it?

Francis. O Lord fir, Ile be ſworne vpon all Bookes in Eng-
land, I could find in my heart.

Paines. Francis.

Francis. Anone fir.

Prince. How old art thou, Francis?

Francis. Let me see, about Michaelmas next I shall be

Paines. Francis.

Francis. Anone fir, pray you stay a little, my Lord.

Prince. Nay but harke you Francis, for the Sugar thou ga-
ueſt me, t'was a penny worth, waſt not?

Francis. O Lord, I would it had been two.

Prince. I will giue thee for it a thousand pound, aske mee
when thou wilt, and thou haſt haue it.

Paines. Francis.

Francis. Anone, anone.

Prince. Anone Francis? No Francis, but to morrow Francis:
or Francis, on thurseday: or indeed Francis, when thou wilt:
But Francis.

Francis. My Lord.

Prince. Wilt thou rob this Leatherneierkin, Christall but-
ton, Not-pated, Agat ring, Puke Stocking, Caddice garter,
Smooth tongue, Spanish pouch?

Francis. O Lord fir, who do you meane?

Prince. Why then your Browne baſtarde is your only
drinke: for looke you Francis, your White canuaffe doublet
will fulley. In Barbary fir, it cannot come to so much.

Francis. What fir;

Paines. Francis.

Prince. Away you rogue, doſt thou not heare them call?

¶ Heere they both call him, the Drawer ſtandes amazed, not
knowing which way to goe.

Enter Vintner.

Vint.

## Henry the fourth.

Vint. VVhat, ſtandſt thou ſtill, and hearſt ſuch a calling?
looke to the Gheſtes within. My Lord, old fir Iohn with haſte
a dozen more, are at the doore, ſhall I let them in?

Prin. Let them alone awhile, & then open the doore: Paines.

Paines. Anone, anone fir.

Enter Paines.

Prince. Sirra, Falſtaffe and the reſt of the Theeues, are at the
doore, ſhall we be merry?

Poin. As merry as Crickets, my lad: but harke yee, what
cunning match haue you made with this ieſt of the Drawer;
come, what's the iſſue?

Princ. I am now of all humors, that haue ſhewed themſelues
humors, ſince the old daies of goodman Adam, to the pupill
age of this preſent twelue a clocke at midnight. What's a
clocke Francis?

Francis. Anone, anone fir.

Princ. That euer this fellow ſhould haue fewer words then
a Parret, & yet the ſon of a Woman. His industry is vp ſtaires
and downe ſtaires, his eloquence the parcell of a reckoning. I
am not yet of Percys mind, the Hotſpur of the North, he that kils
me ſome ſixe or ſeuven dozen of Scots at a breakfaſt, waſhes his
handes, and ſayes to his wife, Fie vpon this quiet life, I want
worke. O my sweet Harry, ſayes he! how many haſt thou kild
to day? Giue my Roane horſe a drench (fayes he) and anſweres,
ſome forteene, an houre after: a trifle, a trifle. I prethee call in
Falſtaffe, Ile play Percy, and that damnde Browne ſhall play
Dame Mortimer his wife. Rino, ſaies the drunkard: cal in Ribs,
call in Tallow.

Enter Falſtaffe.

Paines. Welcome Iacke, where haſt thou beene?

Fal. A plague of all cowards I ſay, and a vengeance to, mar-
ry and Amen: giue me a cup of ſacke boy. Ere I lead this life
long, Ile ſowe neather ſtocks, and mend them, and foote them
too. A plague of all cowards, Giue me a cup of ſacke, rogue, is
there no vertue extant?

Prin. Didſt thou neuer see Titan kiffle a diſh of butter, pittifull
harted Titan that melted at the fweete tale of the Sunne? if thou
didſt, then behold that compound.

D 3.

Falſt.

The Historie of

Fal. You rogue, heres Lime in this Sack too, there is nothing but rogery to be found in villanous man; yet a coward is worfe the a cup of Sack with Lime in it. A villanous Coward, go thy wayes old Iacke, die when thou wilt, if manhood, good manhood be not forgot vp the face of the earth, then am I a shoten Herring : there liues not three good men vnhangd in England, and one of them is fatte, and growes old ; God helpe the while, a bad world I say: I would I were a Weauer, I could sing Psalmes, or any thing. A plague of all Cowards, I say still.

Prin. How now Wolfacke, what mutter you?

Fal. A Kings sonne? if I doe not beat thee out of thy Kingdome with a dagger of Lath, and drive all thy Subiectes afore thee like a flocke of Wild-geese, Ile neuer weare haire on my face more, you Prince of Wales.

Prin. Why you horson round man, what's the matter?

Fal. Are you not a Coward? answere me to that, and Paines there.

Prin. Zounds ye fat paunch, and ye call me Coward, by the Lord Ile stab thee.

Fal. I call thee Coward? Ile see thee damnde eare I call thee Coward, but I would giue a thousand pound I could run as fast as thou canst. You are straight enough in the shoulders, you care not who sees your backe: call you that backing of your friendes? a plague vpon such backing: giue me them that will face me. Giue me a cup of Sack, I am a rogue if I drunke to day.

Pri. O villaine, thy lips are scarfe wip'd since thou drunket last.
Fal. All's one for that.
He drinkes.

A plague of all Cowards still say I.

Prin. What's the matter?

Fal. What's the matter? there be foure of vs, haue tane a thousand pound this morning.

Prin. Where is it? Iacke, where is it?

Fal. Where is it? taken from vs it is : a hundred vpon poore foure of vs.

Prin. What, a hundred man?

Fal. I am a rogue, if I were not at halfe sword, with a dozen of them two houres together. I haue scaped by myracle. I am eight times thrust through the Doublet, foure through the Hole,

Henry the fourth.

Hose, my Buckler cut through and through, my Sword hacket like a hand-saw, ecce signum. I neuer dealt better since I was a man, al would not doe. A plague of all cowards, let them spake; if they speake more or leffe then truth, they are villaines, and the sonnes of darknefle.

Gud. Speake, firs, how was it :

Ras. We foure set vpon some dozen.

Falst. Sixteene, at least, my Lord.

Resi. And bound them.

Peto. No, no, they were not bound.

Fal. You rogue they were bound, euery man of them, or I am a Iew else, an Hebrew Iew.

Res. As we were sharing, some fixe or feuen fresh men set vpon vs.

Fal. And vnbound the rest, and then come in the other.

Prin. What, fought yee with them all ?

Fal. All? I know not what yee call all : but if I fought not with fifty of them, I am a bunch of radish : if there were not two or three and fifty vpon poore old Iacke, then am I no two leg'd creature.

Paines. Pray God, you have not murthered some of them.

Fal. Nay, that's past praying for, I haue pepper'd two of them. Two I am sure I haue payed, two rogues in buckront futes: I tel thee what, Hal, if I tell thee a lie, I'pit in my face; cal me Horfe : thou knowest my old word : here I lay, and thus I bore my point; foure rogues in Buckront let drive at me.

Prin. What, foure? thou faid'st but two, euen now.

Fal. Foure Hal, I told thee foure.

Poin. I, I, he faid foure.

Fal. These foure came all a front, and mainly thrust at me; I made no more adoe, but tooke all their feuen points in my Target, thus.

Prin. Seven why there were but foure, euen now.

Fal. In Buckront.

Poin. I, foure, in Buckront futes.

Frls. Seven, by these Hiltes, or I am a Villaine else.

Prin. Prethee, let him alone, we shall haue more anon.

Fal. Doest thou heare me Hal?

Prin. I and marke thee too, Iacke.

Fal.

The Historie of

Fal. Do so, for it is worth the listening to, these nine in Buc.
krom, that I told thee of.

Prin. So, two more already.

Fal. Their points being broken,
Poyns. Downe fell his hove.

Fal. Began to giue me ground, but I followed me close, came
in foote and hand, & with a thought, seuen of the eleuen I paid,

Prin. O monstrous eleuen buckrom men growne out of two?

Fal. But as the duel would haue it, three mif-begottē knaues,
in Kendall greene, came at my backe and let drue at me, for it
was so darke, Hal, that thou couldst not fee thy hand.

Prin. Thefelyes are like the father that begets them, groſſe
as a moútaine, opē palpable. Why thou clay-braind guts, thou
knotty-pated foole, thou horſon obſcene greaſie tallow catch.

Fal. What? art thou mad? art thou mad; is not the truth the
truth?

Prin. Why, how couldſt thou know these men in Kendall,
greene, when it was so darke thou couldſt not fee thy hand?
cometell vs your reaſon, What faſt thou to this?

Poy. Come, your reaſon Iacke, your reaſon.

Fal. What, vpon compulſion? Zoundes, and I were at the
ſtrappado, or at the racks in the world, I would not tel you on
compulſion. Giue you a reaſon on compulſiō? if reaſons were
as plenty as blackeberries, I would giue no man a reaſon vpon
compulſion, I.

Prin. Ile beno longer guiltie of this finne. This ſanguine
coward, this bed-preſſer, this horſe-back-breaker, this huge
hil of ſelsh.

Fal. Zbloud you ſtarueling, you elfskin, you dried neats tong,
buls-pizzel, you ſtockefiſh : O for breath to vtter! what is like
thee? you taylers yard, you ſheath, you bowcaſe, you vile stan-
ding tucke.

Prin. Wel, breath a while, and then to it againe, & when thou
haft tried thy ſelſe in bafe compariſos, heare me ſpeak but thus

Poy. Marke, Iacke.

Prin. We two, ſaw you foure, ſet on foure & bound them,&
were maſters of their welth: marke now how a plaine tale ſhall
put you downe : then did wee two ſet on you foure, and with a

word,

Henry the fourth.

word, outſac'd you from your prize, & haue it, yea, & can ſhow
it you here in the houſe : and Falſalſſe, you carried your guts a-
way as nimbly, with as quick dexterity, & roared for mercy, &
ſtill run & roare, as euer I heard Bul-caſe. What aſlaue art thou
to hack thy ſword as thou haſt done, & then ſay it was in fight?
What tricke? what deuice ? what ſtarting hole canſt thou now
find out, to hide thee from this open and apparant ſhame?

Poin. Come lets heare Iacke, what tricke haſt thou now?

Fal. By the Lord, I knew yee as well as hee that made yee.
Why heare you my maſters, was it for mee, to kill the Heire
apparant ? Should I turne vpon the true Prince ? Why, thou
knoweſt I am as valiant as Hercules: but beware inſtinct, the Li-
on will not touch the true Prince, inſtinct is a great matter. I
was a Coward on inſtinct, I ſhall thinke the better of my ſelſe,
and thee, during my life; I, for a valiant Lion, and thou for a true
Prince: but, by the Lord, Lads, I am glad you haue the Money.
Hoſſeſſe, clap to the doores, watch to night, pray to morrow :
Gallants, Lads, Boyes, Hearts of gold, all the titles of good fel-
lowſhip come to you. What, ſhall we be merry? ſhall we haue
a Play extempore?

Prin. Content, and the argument ſhal be, thy running away.

Fal. A, no more of that Hal, & thou loueſt me. Enter Hoſſeſſe.

Hoſt. O leſu, my Lord the Prince!

Prin. How now my Lady the Hoſſeſſe, what ſaſt thou to me?

Hoſ. Marry, my L. there is a Noble man of the court, at doore
would ſpeake with you : he ſayes, he comes from your father.

Prin. Giue him as much as will make him a Royall man, and
ſend him backe againe to my mother.

Fal. What manner of man is he?

Hoſ. An old man.

Fal. What doth grauitie out of his Bed at midnight? Shall I
giue him his anſwere?

Prin. Prethee doe Iacke.

Fal. Fayth, and I leſend him packing.

Exit.

Prin. Now firſs: birlady you tought ſaire, so did you Peto, so
did you Bardol; you are Lions too, you ran away vpon inſtinct,
you will not touch the true Prince, no ſie.

Bar. Fayth, I ran when I ſaw others runne.

E.

Prince.

The Historie of

Prince. Fayth, tell me now in earneſt, how came Falſtalſſes
Sword ſo hackt?

Peto. Why, he hackt it with his Dagger, and ſaid he would
ſweare truth out of England but he would make you belecue it
was done in fight, and perſwaded vs to do the like.

Car. Yea, and to tickle our noſes with ſpeare-graſſe, to make them bleede, and then to beſlubber our garments with it, and ſweare it was the blood of true men. I did that I did not this ſea-uen yeares before, I bluſht to heare his monſtrous deuſes.

Prin. O villaine, thou toſleft a cup of Sacke eighteene yeeres ago, and wert taken with the manner, and euer ſince thou haſt bluſht extempore, thou hadſt fire and ſword on thy ſide, & yet thou ranſt away: what inſtinſt hadſt thou for it?

Bar. My Lord, doe you ſee these meteors? doe you behold these exhalations?

Prin. I doe.

Bar. What thinke you they portend?

Prin. Hot Liuers, and cold Purſes.

Bar. Choler, my Lord, if rightly taken.

Enter Falſtalſſe.

Prin. No, if rightly taken, Halter. Here comes leane Iacke, here comes bare-bone. How now my ſweete creature of Bombaſt, how long is't ago, Iacke, ſince thou ſaweſt thine owne Knee?

Fal. My owne Knee? when I was about thy yeares (Hal) I was not an Eagles talent in the wall: I could haue crept into any Aldermas thumbe-ring: a plague of ſhining and grieſe, it blows a man vp like a bladder. Ther's villanous newes abroad, here was fit John Braby from your Father: you muſt goo to the Court in the morning. The fame mad fellow of the North, Percy; and hee of Wales, that gaue Amamon the Baſtinado, and made Lucifer cuckold, and ſwore the Diuell his true liegeman vpon the croſſe of a Welch hooke; what a plague call you him?

Poin. O, Glendower.

Falſ. Owen, Owen, the fame, and his Sonne in law Mortimer, and old Northumberland, and the ſprightly Scot of Scottes Dowglas, that runnes a horſe-back vp a hill perpendicular,

Prin. Hee that rides at high ſpeed, and with a Piftoll killes a Sparrow flying.

Fal.

Henrie the fourth.

Falſ. You haue hit it.

Prin. So did he neuer the Sparrow.

Falſ. Well, that raſcall hath good mettall in him, he will not
rune.

Prince. Why what a raſcall art thou then, to prayſe him ſo
for running?

Falſ. A horſe-backe (ye cuckoe) but a foote hee will not budge a foote.

Prin. Yes Iacke, vpon inſtinſt.

Falſ. I grant ye, vpon inſtinſt: well, he is there too, and one Mordake, and a thousand blew Caps more. Worcester is ſtolne away by night, thy fathers beard is turn'd white with the newes, you may buy Land now as cheape as stinking Mackrell.

Prin. Then tis like, if there come a hot Sunne, and this ciuill buffeting hold, we shall buy Mayden-heads as they buy Hobnailes, by the hundreds.

Fal. By the Maſſe lad, thou ſaſt true, it is like we shall haue good trading that way. But tell me Hal, art not thou horrible a-feard? thou being Heire apparant, could the world picke thee out three ſuch Enemies againe, as that fiend Dowglas, that ſpirit Percy, and that diuell Glendower? Art not thou horrible aſtraide? doth not thy blood thrill at it?

Prin. Not awhit yfayth: I haſſe ſome of thy inſtinſt.

Falſ. Well, thou wilt be horrible chidde to morrow when thou commeſt to thy Father: if thou doe loue me, practise an anſwere.

Prin. Doe thou ſtand for my Father, and examine me vpon the particulars of my life.

Fal. Shall I? content: this Chaire ſhall be my State, this Dager my Scepter, and this Cufhin my Crowne.

Prin. Thy State is taken for a ioynd Stole, thy golden Scepter for a leaden Dagger, and thy precious rich Crowne, for a pittifull bald Crowne.

Fal. Well, and the fire of Grace be not quite out of thee, now ſhalt thou be moued. Giue mee a cuppe of Sacke to make mine eyes looke redde, that it may be thought I haue wept. for I muſt ſpeake in pafſion, and I will do it in King Cumbſes vaine.

E 2

Prin.

The Historie of

Prince. Well, here is my legge.

Fal. And here is my speech: stand aside Nobilitie.

Ho. O Iefu, this is excellent sport, yfayth.

Fal. Weepe not sweet Queene, for trickling teares are vaine.

Ho. O the father, how he holdes his countenance?

Fal. For Gods fake Lords, convey my truſtfull Queene :

For teares do ſtop the ſloud-gates of her eyes.

Ho. O Iefu, he doth it as like one of these harlotry Players,
as euer I see.

Fal. Peace good Pint-pot, peace good tickle braine.

Harry, I doe not onely maruell where thou ſpendest thy time,
but also, how thou art accompanied : For though the Cammo-
mile the more it is troden, the faster it growes ; yet youth, the
more it is waſted, the sooner it weares: thou art my ſonne, I haue
partly thy mothers word, partly my opinion ; but chiefly, a vil-
lanous tricke of thine eye, and a foolish hanging of thy neather
lip, that doth warrant me. If then thou be ſonne to me, here lieth
the point; why, being ſonne to me, art thou ſo poynted at ? ſhall
the bleſſed ſonne of heauen proue a micher, and eate Black-ber-
ries? a queſtion not to be askt. Shall the Sonne of England proue
a thieſe, and take purſes? a queſtion to be askt. There is a thing,
Harry, which thou haſt often heard of, and it is knowne to ma-
ny in our land, by the name of Pitch ; this Pitch (as ancient wri-
ters do report) doth deſile? so doth the company thou keepeſt:
For Harry, now I do not ſpeake to thee in drinke, but in teares?
not in pleaſure, but in paſsion; not in wordes onely, but in woes
also: and yet there is a vertuous man, whom I haue often noted
in thy company, but I know not his name.

Prin. What manner of man, and it like your Maieſtie?

Fal. A goodly portly man y faith, & a corpulent, of a cheer-
full looke, a pleasing eye, & a most noble cariage, & as I thinke,
his age some fifty, or birlady, inclining to three core, and now
I rememb me, his name is Falſtalſſe: if that man ſhold be lewd-
ly giuen, he deceines me. For Harry, I see vertue in his lookes; if
then the tree may be knowne by the fruite, as the fruite by the
tree, then peremptorily I ſpeake it, there is vertue in that Fal-
ſtalſſe, him keepe with, the reſt banifh : and tell mee now, thou
naughty varlet, tell mee, where haſt thou been this month?

Prince,

Henry the fourth.

Prin. Doſt thou ſpeake like a King ? doe thou ſtand for mee,
and Ile play my father.

Fal. Depofe me, if thou doſt it half; so graueously, so maieſt-
cally both in word and matter, hang mee vp by the heeles for a
Rabbet-fucker, or a Poulters Hare.

Prin. Well, heere I am set.

Fal. And heere I stand, judge my maſters.

Prin. Now Harry, whence come you?

Fal. My noble Lord, from Eastcheape.

Prin. The complaints I heare of thee, are gricuous.

Fal. Zbloud my Lord, they are false: nay, Ile tickle ye for a
young Prince yfaith.

Prin. Sweareſt thou, vngracious Boy? henceforth nere looke
on me, thou art violently carried away from grace, there is a Di-
uell hauntes thee in the likenſe of a fat old Man, a tun of man
is thy companion: why doſt thou conuerſe with that trunke of
humors, that boulting-hutch of beaſtlineſe, that (wolne parcel
of) Dropſies, that huge bombard of Sacke, that luſt Cloke-bag
of guttes, that roſted Manning tree Oxen with the Pudding in
his belly, that teuerent Vice, that gray Iniquitie, that father
Ruffian, that vanity in yeares: wherein is he good, but to taſte
Sacke and drinke it? wherein neate and clenly, but to carue a
Capon & eate it? wherein cunning, but in Craft? wherein craf-
tie, but in Villanie? wherein villanous, but in all things? where-
in worthy, but in nothing?

Fal. I would your Grace would take mee with you: whom
meanes your Grace?

Prin. That villanous abhominable mifleader of youth, Fal-
ſtalſſe, that old white-bearded Sathan.

Fal. My Lord, the man I know.

Prin. I know thou doſt.

Fal. But to ſay, I know more harme in him then in my ſelfe,
were to ſay more then I know : that he is old (the more the pit-
tie) his white haires do witneſſe it; but that he is (ſauing your re-
uerence) a whoremaster, that I vutterly deny : if Sacke & Sugar
be a fault, God helpe the wicked : if to be old and merry be a
finne, then many an old Hoſt that I know, is damn'd : if to be
fatte, be to be hated, then Pharaos leane Kine are to be loued.
No, my good Lord, baniſh Peto, baniſh Bardol, baniſh Poines; but

for

E 3

## The Historie of

for sweet Iacke Falstalffe, kind Iacke Falstalffe, true Iacke Falstalffe, valiant Iacke Falstalffe, and therefore more valiant, being as hee is old Iacke Falstalffe, banish not him thy Harries company, banish not him thy Harries company; banish plumpe Iacke, and banish all the world.

Prin. I doe, I will.

Enter Bardoll running.

Bar. O, my Lord, my Lord, the Shrieſe, with a most monſtrous Watch is at the dore.

Fal. Out you Rogue, play out the Play : I haue much to ſay in the behalfe of that Falſtalſſe.

Enter the Hozſeſſe.

Hof, O Iefu, my Lord, my Lord!

Fal. Heigh, heigh, the Diuell rides vpon a Fiddle-sticke, what's the matter?

Hof. The Sheriſe and all the Watch are at the dore, they are come to ſearch the Housc shall I let them in?

Fal. Doeſt thou heare Hal? neuer call a true peeece of Gold a Counterfeit, thou art eſſentially made, without ſeeming ſo.

Prin. And thou a naturall Coward, without inſtinct.

Fal. I deny your Maior; if you will deny the Sheriſe, ſo, if not, let him enter. If I become not a Cart as well as another man, a plague on my bringing vp: I hope I shall as ſoon be ſtrangled with a Halter as an other.

Prin. Goe hide thee behinde the Arras, the reſt walke vp a boue. Now my Maiſters, for a true Face and good Conſcience.

Fal. Both which I haue had; but their date is out, and therefore ile hide me.

Prin. Call in the Sheriſe.

Enter Sheriſe and the Carrier.

Prin. Now Maiſter Sheriſe, what is your will with me?

Sher. Firſt, pardon me, my Lord. A hue & cry hath followed certaine men vnto this houſe.

Prin. What men?

Sher. One of them is well knowne, my gracious Lord, a grosse fatte man.

Car. As fatte as Butter.

Prin. The man, I doe affure you is not heere, For I my ſelfe at this time haue employed him:

And

## Henry the fourth.

And Sheriſſe I will ingage my word to thee, That I will by to morrow dinner time, Send him to anſwere thee or any man, For any thing he ſhall be charg'd withall, And to let me intreat you leaue the houſe,

SHER. I will my Lord, there are two Gentlemen Hauſe in this robbery loft 300. markes.

Prin. It may be ſo : if he haue rob'd theſe men He ſhall be anſwerable : and ſo farewell.

SHER. Good night my noble Lord.

Prin. I thinke it is good morrow, is it not?

SHER. Indeed my Lord, I thinke it be two a clock.

Emt.

Prin. This oyly rafcall is knowne as well as Poules: goe call him forth.

Peto. Falſtalſſe? faſt a ſleepe behind the Arras, and ſnorting like a horſe.

Prin. Hark, how hard he fetches breath, ſearch his pockets He ſearcheth his Pockets, and ſindeth certaine papers.

Prin. What haſt thou found ?

Peto. Nothing but Papers my Lord,

Prin. Lets ſee what be they : reade them.

Item a Capon

ii.s. ii.d.

Item ſawce

iii.d,

Item, Sacke, two gallons.

v.s. viii.d.

Item Anchoues and Sacke after ſupper.

ii.s.vi.d.

Item bread.

ob

O monſtrous but one halſe peniworth of bread to this intolerable deale of Sacke? what there is eſſe, keepe close, weele read it at more aduantage: there let him ſleep till day; ile to the court in the morning, We muſt all to the wars, and thy place ſhalbee honorable. Ile procure this fat rogue a charge of ſoote, and I know his death will be a match of twelue ſcore; the mony ſhall be paide backe againe with aduantage ? be with me betimes in the morning, and ſo good morrow Peto.

Peto. Good morrow, good my Lord

Exeunt.

Enter Hotſpur, Worcester, Lord Mortimer

Owen Glendower.

For These promises are faire, the parties ſure,

And

The Historie of

And our industion full of prosperous hope.

Hot. Lord Mortimer, & coofin Glendower, will you fit downe?
And vncle Worcester, a plague vpon it, I haue forgot the Map.

Glen. No, here it is; fit Coofin Percy, fit good Coofin Hotfury,
for by that name, as oft as Lancaster doth speake of you, his
Cheeke lookes pale, and with a rising figh he wisheth you in
Heauen.

Hot. And you in Hell, as oft as he heares Owen Glendower,
spoke of.

Glen. I can not blame him; at my natiuitie,
The front of Heauen was full of firie shapes,
Of burning Crefflets: and at my birth,
The frame and foundation of the Earth.
Shak'd like a Coward.

Hot. Why so it would haue done at the fame seafon, if your
Mothers Cat had but kitened, though your selfe had neuer bin
borne.

Glen. I fay the Earth did shake when I was borne.

Hot. And I fay the Earth was not of my minde,
If you fuppofe, as fearing you, it fhooke.

Glen. The Heauens were all on fire, the Earth did tremble.

Hot. Oh! then the Earth fhooke to see the Heauens on fire,
And not in feare of your Natiuitie :

Difeased Nature oftentimes breaks foorth
In strange eruptions, and the teeming Earth,
Is with a kind of Collicke pincht and vext,
By the imprifoning of vnruly Winde
Within her wombe, which for inlargement striuing,
Shakes the old Beldame Earth, and toples downe
Steeples, and mof-growne Towers. At your Birth
Our Grandam Earth, hauing this diftemperature,
In pafson fhooke.

Glen. Coofin, of many men
I do not beare these crofsings: give me leaue
To tell you once againe, that at my Birth,
The front of Heauen was full of fierie shapes,
The Goates ran from the Mountaines; and the Heardes
Were strangely clamorous to the frighted Fieldes,

These

Henry the fourth,

These fignes haue markt me extraordinarie,
And all the courses of my life do ſhow,

I am not in the roll of common men :
Where is the liuing, clipt in with the Sea,
That chides the Bankes of England, Scotland, and Wales,
Which cals me Pupill, or hath read to me,
And bring him out, that is but Womans ſonne,
Can trace me in the tedious wayes of Art,
And hold me pace in deepe experiments.

Hot. I thinke there's no man ſpeakes better Welfth;
Ile to dinner.

Mor. Peace coofen Percy, you will make him mad,

Glen. I can call Spirits from the vafty deepe.

Hot. Why, so can I, or so can any man :
But will they come, when you do call for them?

Glen. Why, I can teach thee coofen, to command the Diuell.

Hot. And I can teach thee coofen, to ſhame the Diuell,
By telling truth. Tell truth, and ſhame the Diuell.

If thou haue power to raiſe him, bring him hither,
And Ile be ſworne, I haue power to ſhame him hence.

Oh while you lie, tell truth, and ſhame the Diuell.

Mor. Come, come no more of this vnprofitable chat.

Glen. Three times hath Henry Bulling brooke made head
Against my power, thrice from the banks of Wye,
And Sandy bottom'd Seuerne haue I hent him
Bootles home, and weather-beaten backe.

Hot. Home without bootes, and in fewle weather too?
How ſcapes he agues in the duels name?

Glen. Come, here is the Map, shall we deuide our right,
According to our threefold order tane?

Mor. The Arch-deacon hath deuided it
Into three limits, very equally :
England from Trent, and Seuerne hitherto,
By South and East, is to my part affigne.
All Westward, Wales beyond the Seuerne shore,
And all the fertile land within that bound.

To Owen Glendower: and deare coofe, to you
The remnant Northward, lying off from Trent,

F.

And

The Hiftorie of

And our indentures tripartite are drawne
Which being fealed enterchangeably,
(A busines that this night may execute :)
To morrow coofen Percy you and I
And my good Lord of Worcester will fet forth,
To meet your father and the Scottish power,
As is appointed vs at Shrewsbury.
My father Glendower is not ready et,
Nor shall we eeneed his helpe these fourteene dayes ;
Within that space, you may haue drawne together.
Your tenants, friendes and neighbouring gentlemen.

Glen. A shorter time shall fend me to you, Lords
And in my conduct shall your Ladies come,
From whome you now muſt ſteale and take no leaue,
For there will be a world of water ſhed,
Vpon the parting of your wiues and you.

Hot. Me thinkes my moity North from Burton here
In quantity equals not one of yours :
See, how this muer comes me cranking in,
And cuts me from the beſt of all my land,
A huge halfe Moone, a moſtrous ſcantle out :
Ile haue the currant in this place damd vp,
And here the ſmug and filuer Trem shall run,
In a new channell, faire and euenly,
It shall not wind with ſuch a deep e indent :
To rob me of ſo rich a bottome here.

Glen. Not wind it shall, it muſt, you ſee it doth.

Mor. Yea, but marke how he beares his course, and runs me
vp, with like aduantage on the other ſide, gelding the oppoſed
continent, as much, as on the other ſide, it takes from you.

Wor. Yea, but a little charge will trench him here,
And on this Northſide, win this cape of land
And then he runs ſtraight and even,

Hot. Ile haue it ſo, a little charge will do it.

Glen. Ile not haue it altred.

Hot. Will not you?

Glen. No, nor you ſhall not.

Hot. Who ſhall ſay me nay?

Glen.

Henry the fourth.

Glen. Why, that Will I,

Hot. Let me not vnderstand you then, ſpeake it in well.

Glen. I can ſpeake English, Lord, as well as you,
For I was traind vp in the English Court,
Where, being but yong, I framed to the harpe
Many an English dittie, louly well,
And gave the tongue a helpefull ornament :
A vertue that was neuer ſene in you,
Hot. Marry, and I am glad of it with all my heart,
I had rather be a kitten and cry mew,
Then one of these fame miter ballet-mongers :
I had rather heare a braſen canſtick turnd,
Or a dry wheelc grat on the axle-tree,
And that would fet my teeth nothing an edge,
Nothing so much as minſing Poetry :
T'is like the fore't gate of a ſhuffling nag.

Glen. Come you ſhall haue Trent turnd.

Hot. I do not care, Ile giue thrice so much land
To any well deferuing friend :

But in the way of bargaine, marke yeme :
Ile cauill on the ninth part of a haire.

Are the indentures drawne? ſhall we be gone ?

Glen. The Moone ſhines faire, you may away by night:
Ile haſt the writer, and withall,

Breake with your wiues, of your departurchence,
I am a fraide my daughter will run mad,

So much ſhe doteth on her Mortimer,

Mor. Fie, coſen Percy, how you croſſe my father.

Hot. I cannot chuse, sometime he angers me
With telling me of the Moldwarp and the Ant,
Of the dreamer Merlin and his prophecies :

And, of a dragon and a finleſſe ſith,
A clip-wing'd Griffin and a moulten Rauen,
A couching Lion, and a ramping Cat,
And ſuch a deale of Skimble skamble fluffe,
As puts me from my faith. I tell you what,
He held me laſt night, at least, nine hours,
In reckning vp the ſeverall diuels names.

F 2.

Exit.

That

The Historie of

That were his Lackies: I cried hum, and well, go to,
But markt him not a word; O, he is as tedious
As a tyred Horfe, a rayling Wife,
Worfe then a smokie Houfe. I had rather liue
With Cheefe and Garlicke in a Windmill farre,
Then feed on cates, and haue him talke to me,
In any Summer-houfe in Christendome.

Mor. In fayth he was a worthy Gentleman,
Exceeding well read and profited
In ſtrange concealements, valiant as a Lion,
And wondrous affable, and as bountifull
As Mines of India : ſhall I tell you, Coofen,
He holdes your temper in a high ſpeect,
And curbs him ſelfe, euen of his naturall ſcope,
When you come croſſe his humour, fayth he does:
I warrant you, that man is not aliume.
Might ſo haue tempted him, as you haue done,
With outthe taſte of danger and reproofe :
But doe not vſe it oft, let me intreat you.

Wor. In fayth, my Lord, you are too wilfull blame,
And ſince your comming hither, haue done enough
To put him quite befides his patience:
You muſt needes learne, Lord, to amend this fault,
Though ſometimes it ſhew greatneſſe, courage, blood,
And that's the deareſt grace it renders you :
Yet often times it doth preſent harſh rage,
Deſeſt of manners, want of government,
Pride, hautineſſe, opinion, and diſdaine;
The leaſt of which, haunting a Nobleman,
Loſeth mens heartes, and leaues behind a ſtaine
Vpon the beautie of all partes befides,
Beguiling them of commendation.

Hot. Well, I am ſchoold, Good-manners be your ſpeed,
Heere come your Wives, and let vs take our leaue.

Enter Glendower, with the Ladies.

Mor. This is the deadly ſpight that angers me,
My Wifc can ſpeake no English, I no WELſO.

Glen. My Daughter weepes, ſheele not part with you,

Sheele

Henry the fourth.

Sheele be a ſouldier too, ſheele to the warres.

Mor. Good father tell her, that ſhe, and my Aunt Percy,
Shall follow in your conduct ſpeedily.

Glendower ſpeakes to her in welb, and ſhe anſweres
him in the fame.

Glen. She is desperat heere,
A peeuifh ſelfe-wild harlotry, one that no perſwasion can doe
good vpon.

The Lady ſpeakes in Welb.

Mor. I vnderstand thy lookes, that prety welſh,
Which thou powreſt downe from theſe ſwelling heauens,
I am to perſect in, and but for ſhame
In ſuch a parley ſhould I anſwere thee.

The Lady againe in welb.

Mor. I vnderstand thy kiffes, and thou mine,
And that's a feeling disputation :
But I will neuer be a truant loue,
Till I haue learnt thy language, for thy tongue
Makes welſh as sweets as ditties highly pend,
Sung by a faire Queene in a Summers bowre,
With rauifhing diuſion to her lute.

Glen. Nay, if thou melt, then will ſhe runnemad.

The Lady ſpeakes againe in welb.

Mor. O, I am ingnorance it ſelfe in this.

Glen. She bids you on the wanton ruffes lay you downe,
And reſt your gentle head vpon her lap,
And ſhe will ſing the ſong that pleafeth you,
And on your eyelids crowne the God of sleepe,
Charming your bloud with pleafing heauinſſe
Making ſuch difference betwixt wake and sleepe,
As is the difference betwixt day and night,
The houre before the heauenly harneſt teeme
Begins his golden progrefſe in the East.

Mor. With all my heart Ile fit and heare her ſing,
By that time will ourbooke I thinke be drawne.

Glen. Do ſo, and thofe Mufitions that ſhall play to you,
Hang in the ayre a thouſand leagues from thence,
And Itraight they ſhall be here, ſit and attend.

E 3.

Hot.

The Historie of

Hot. Come Kate, thou art perfect in lying downe:
Come, quicke, quicke, that I may lay my head in thy lap,
La. Go, ye giddy goose.

The musicke Players.

Hot. Now I perceive the diuell vnderstands Welfo,
And t's no maruell he is so humorous,
Birlady he is a good musification.

La. Then would you be nothing but musically,
For you are altogether governed by humors :
Lie still ye thiefe, and heare the Lady sing in Welfo.

Hot. I had rather heare Laddy, my brach howle in Irisa.

La. Wouldst haue thy head broken ?

Hot. No.

La. Then be still.

Hot. Neither, t's a womans fault.

La. Now God helpe thee.

Hot. To the Welfh Ladies bed.

La. What's that?

Hot. Peace, she sings.

Here the Lady sings a Welfo song.

Hot. Come, Ile haue your song too.

La. Not mine in good footh.

Hot. Not yours in good footh? Hart you fweare like a com-
fitmakers wife, not you in good footh, and as true as I lie, and
as God shall mend me, and as sure as day:
And giueft such farcenet surety for thy others,
As if thou neuer walkt further then Finsburie:
Sweare me Kate, like a Lady as thou art,
A good mouth-filling oath, and leane in footh,
And such protest of pepper ginger-bread,
To veluet gards, and Sunday-Citizens.
Come, sing,

La. I will not sing.

Hot. Tis the next way to turne tayler, or be red-breft teacher,
and the indentures be drawne, Ile away within thefe 2. hours,
and so come in when ye will.

Glen. Come, come, Lord Mortimer, you are flow,
As Hot Lord Percy is on fire to go.

By

Henry the fourth.

By this our Booke is drawne, weele but feale,
And then to Horse immediatly.

Mor. With all my heart.

Excount.

Enter the King, Prince of Wales, and other.

King. Lords, giue vs leaue, the Prince of Wales and I,
Must haue some priuate conference, but be neere at hand,
For we shall prefently haue need of you.
Excount Lords,
I know not whether God will haue it so,
For some difpleasing seruice I haue done,
That in his secret doome, out of my blood,
Hee'le breed revengement and a scourge for me:
But thou doft in the passages of life,

Make me beleeue, that thou art onely mark'd
For the hot vengeance, and the rod of heauen,
To punish my mistreadinges. Tell me else
Could such inordinate and low desires,
Such poore, such bare, such lewd, such meane attempts,
Such barren pleasures, rude societie,
As thou art matcht withall, and grafted to,
Accompany the greatnes of thy blood,
And hold their leuell with thy Princely heart?

Prim. So please your Maiestie, I would I could
Quit all offences with as cleare excuse,
As well as I am doubtlesse I can purge
My selfe of many I am charg'd withall :
Yet such extenuation let me beg,
As in reproofe of many tales deuifde,
Which oft the care of greatnes needs must haue
By smiling Pick-thankes, and bafe newes-mongers,
I may for some things true, wherein my youth
Hath faulty wandred, and irregular
Finde pardon on my true submission.

King. God pardon thee; yet let me wonder, Harry,
At thy affections, which doe hold a wing
Quite from the flight of all thy auceftors:
Thy place in Counsell thou haft rudely lost,
Which by thy younger Brother is supplide;
And art almost an alien to the heartes

OR

The Historie of

Of all the Court and Princes of my bloud,
The hope and expectation of thy time,
Is ruin'd, and the foule of euery man
Prophetically do fore-thinke thy fall :
Had I so lauifh of my prefence beene,
So common hackneid in the eyes of men,
So flate and cheap to vulgar company,
Opinion that did helpe me to the Crowne
Had still kept loyall to poffeffion,
And left me in reputeles banifhment.
A fellow of no marke nor likelihood,
By beeing feldome feene, I could not flir
But like a Comet I was wondred at,
That men would tel their children, This is he :
Others would fay, where, which is *Bulling brooke*
And then I flole all curſe from heaven,
And drest my ſelſe in ſuch humility,
That I did plucke allegiance from mens harts :
Loud ſhoutes and salutations from their mouthes.
Euen in the prefence of the crowned king.
Thus I did keepe my perſon fresh and new,
My prefence like a robe pontificall,
Ne're ſeene, but wondred at, and to my ſtate
Seldome, but ſumptuous, ſhewed like a feast
And wan by rarenes ſuch ſolemnity.
The skipping king, he ambled vp and downe,
With shallow lefters, and rath bauin wits,
Soone kindled, and soone burnt, carded his ſtate,
Mingled his royalty with Carping fooles;
Had his great name prophaned with their ſcornes,
And gaue his countenance againſt his name,
To laugh at gybing Boyes, and ſtand the pufh
Of euery beardles vaine comparatue
Grew a companion to the common ſtreetes,
Enſeofthimſelſe to popularity,
That being dayly ſwallowed by mens eyes,
They ſurfetted with hony, and began to loath,
The taſt of ſweetnes, whereof a little.

More

Henrie the fourth.

More then a little, is by much too much.
So when he had occasion to bee ſeene,
He was, but as the Cuckow is in Iune,
Heard, not regarded : ſeene but with ſuch eyes
As ſicke and an blunted with community,
Aſſoord no extraordinary gaze.
Such as is bent on ſun-like Maiesty,
When it thines ſeldome in admiring eyes,
But rather drowzd, and hung their eye-lids downe
Slept in his face, and rendred ſuch aspect
As cloudy men vſe to do to their aduerſaries,
Being with his prefence, guilted, gorgde and full.
And in that very line, *Harry ſlandeſt thou*
For, thou haſt loſt thy Princely priuilege,
With vile participation, Not an eye
But is awery of thy common fight,
Sauemine, which hath deſired to ſee thee more,
Which now doth that I would not haue it doe
Make blind it ſelſe with ſooliſh tendernes,

Prim. I ſhall hereafter, my thrice gratious Lord,
Be more my ſelſe. King. For all the world
As thou art to this howre, was *Richard* then,
When I from France fet foot at Rauenſpurgh,
And euen as I was then is *Peropy* now :
Now by my ſcepter and my ſoule to boote,
He hath more worthy interest to the ſtate,
Then thou, the ſhadow of ſucceſſion,
For of no right nor colour like to right,
He doth fill fieldes with Harnes in the Realme,
Turns head againſt the Lions armed Iawes,
And being no more indebt to yeares, then thou
Leades ancient Lords, and reuerent Bifhops on,
To bloody battels, and to brufing armes,
What neuer dying honor hath he got,
Againſt renowned *Douglas*? whose high deedeſ,
Whose hot incursions, and great name in Armes,
Helds from all Souldiers chieſe majority,
And military title capitall.

G.

Through

The Historie of

Through all the king domes that acknowledge Christ,
Thrice hath the Hotspur Mars in swathing clothes,
This infant warriour, in his enterprises,
Discomfited great Douglas, tane him once,
Enlarged him, and made a friend of him,
To fill the mouth of deepe defiance vp,
And shake the peace and safety of our throne.
And what say you to this? Percy, Northumberland,
The Archbishops Grace of Yorke, Douglas, Mortimer,
Capitulate against vs, and are vp.
But, wherefore do I tell these newes to thee ?
Why, Harry do I tell thee of my foes,
Which art my neer'st and deereft enemy ?
Thou that art like enough through vassall feare,
Bafe inclination, and the start of spleene,
To fight against me vnder Percyes pay,
To dog his heeles, and curtsie at his frownes,
To shew how much thou art degenerate.

Prin. Do not thinke so, you shall not finde it so,
And God forgive them, that so much haue fwayde
Your Maiesties good thoughts away from me:
I will redeeme all this on Percyes head:
And in the closing of some glorious day
Be bold to tell you that I am your Sonne,
When I will weare a garment all of cloud,
And Staine my fauours in a bloudy maske,
Which waft away, shall scoure my shame with it.
And that shall be the day, when ere it lights
That this fame child of honour and renowne,
This gallant Hotspur, this all-prayred knight,
And your vnthought of Harry chance to meet,
For euery honor fitting on his helme,
Would they were multitudes, and on my head
My shames redoubled. For the time will come
That I shall make this Northerne youth exchange
His glorious deedes for my indignities,
Percy is but my Factor, good my Lord
To engroſſe my glorious deedes on my behalfe.

And

Henrie the fourth.

And I will call him to so strict account,
That he shall render euery glory vp,
Yea, even the fleightest worfip of his time,
Or I will teare the reckoning from his heart.
This in the name of God I promife here,
The which if he be pleaf'd I shall performe
I do beſeech your Maiety may falue,
The long growne wounds of my intemperance:
If not, the end of life cancels all bands,
And I will die a hundred thousand deaths,
Ere breake the smallest parcell of this vow.

King. A hundred thousand rebels die in this,
Thou thalt haue charge, and ſoueraigne trust herein.
How now good Blunt? thy looks are full of ſpeed.

Enter Blunt.

Blunt. So hath the buſines that I come to ſpeake of.
Lord Mortimer of Scotland hath ſent word,
That Douglas and the English rebels met
The eleuenth of this month, at Shrewsburie :
A mighty and a ſearefull head they are,
(If promifes be kept on euery hand)
As euery offered foule play in a ſtate.

King. The Earle of Westmerland ſet forth to day,
With him my ſooner Lord John of Lancaſter,
For this aduertisement is ſive daies old,
On wednesday next Harry thou ſhalt ſet forward:
On Thursday, we our ſelues will march. Our meeting
Is Bridgenorth, and Harry you shall march
Through Gloceſter-shire, by which account
Our buſines valued some twelue daies hence
Our generall forces at Bridgenorth shall meet.
Our hands are full of buſines, let's away,
Aduantage feedes him fat, while men delay.

Enter Fallstalffe and Bardoll.

Escurans.

Fal, Bardell, am I not falne away vilely ſince this laſt action?
do I not bate? doe I not dwindle? Why my skin hangs about
me like an old Ladies looke gowne. I am withered like an olde
apple tohn. Well, ile repent, and that ſodainely, while I am in
some
G 2.

## The Historie of

some liking, I shall be out of heart shortly, & then I shall haue no strength to repent. And I haue not forgotten what the Inside of a Church is made of, I am a Peppercorne, a Brewers horfe, the inside of a Church. Company, villanous company hath been the spoyle of me.

Bar. Sir John, you are so fretfull, you can not lieue long.

Fal. Why there is it, come, sing me a bawdy Song, make me merry: I was as vertuoufly giuen, as a Gentleman need to be, vertuous enough, I wore little, dic'd not aboue seuen times a weeke, went to a Bawdy house not aboue once in a quarter of an houre, paide money that I borrowed three or foure times, liued well, and in good compasse: and now I lieue out of all order, out of compasse.

Bar. Why, you are so fatte, Sir John, that you must needes be out of all compasse: out of all reasonable compasse, Sir John.

Fal. Do thou amend thy face, & Ile amend my life: thou art our Admiall, thou bearest the Lanterne in the Poope, but 'tis in the Nose of thee: thou art the Knight of the burning lampe.

Bar. Why, Sir John, my face does you no harme.

Fal. No, Ile be fworne, I make as good vfe of it, as many a man doth of a Deaths head, or a memento mori. I neuer see thy face, but I thinke vpon hell fire, and Diues that liued in Purple: for there he is in his Robes burning, burning. If thou wert any way giue to vertue, I would fweare by thy face: my oth should be, By this fire that's Gods Angel: But thou art altogether giuenouer; and wert indeed, but for the light in thy face, the Sunneof vitter darkneſſe. When thou ranſt vp Gads-hill in the night, to catch my Horſe, if I did not thinke that thou hadt been an ignis fatuus, or a ball of Wild-fire: there's no purchase in Money. O thou art a perpetuall Triumph, an euerlaſting Bone-fire-light, thou haſt faued me a thousand Markes in Linkes and Torches, walking with thee in the night betwixt Tauerne and Tauerne: But the Sacke that thou haſt drunke me, would haue bought me Lights as good cheape, as the deareſt Chandlers in Europe. I haue maintained that Salamander of yours, with fire, any time this two and thirtie yeares: God reward me for it.

Bar. Zloud, I would my face were in your belly.

Fal. God amercy, so should I be sure to be heart-burnd.

How

## Henry the fourth.

How now, dame Portlet the Hen, haue you enquire yet who pickt my Pocket?

Enter Hoft.

Hof. Why Sir John, what do you thinke, Sir John? do you thinke I keepe theeues in my house? I haue fearet, I haue enquired, so haz my husband, man by man, boy by boy, feruant by feruant: the tight of a haire was neuer loft in my house before.

Fal. Yelie Hofteſſe, Bardol was ſhou'd, and loft many a haire: and Ile be ſworne my Pocket was pickt: goe to, you are a man, goe.

Hof. Who I? I defie thee: Gods light, I was neuer cald so in mine owne house before.

Fal. Goeto, I know you well enough.

Hof. No, Sir John, you do not know me, Sir John; I know you Sir John, you owe me money: Sir John, & now you picke a quarrell to beguile me of it: I bought you a dozen of Shirts to your backe.

Fal. Doulas, filthy Doulas: I haue giuen them away to Bakers wiuues, they haue made Boulters of them.

Aſſ. Now at I am a true Woman, Holland of viij. s. an ell: you owe money heere besides, Sir John, for your diet, and by-drinkings, and money lent you, xxiiij. pound.

Fal. Hee had his part of it, let him pay.

Hof. Hee? alas he is poore, he hath nothing.

Fal. How; poore? looke vpon his face: What call you rich? let them coine his Nose, let them coine his cheekes, Ile not pay a denyer: what, will you make a younker of me? shall I not take mine ease in mine Inne, but I shall haue my pocket pickt? I haue loft a feale Ring of my Grandfathers worth fourty marke.

Hof. O Iefu, I haue heard the Prince tell him, I know not how oft, that that Ring was Copper.

Fal. How? the Prince is a lacke, a sneak-cup: Zbloud and he were here, I would cudgel him like a Dog, if he would say so.

Enter the Prince marching, and Falſtalſſe meetes him playing on his Trunchion like a Fife.

Fal. How now Lad, is the wind in that doore y faith; Muſt we all march?

Bar. Yea, two and two; Newgate fashion.

Hof. My Lord, I pray you heare me.

G 3

Prin.

The Historie of

Prin. What faist thou, Mistris quickly? how dow thy hus-
band? I loue him well, he is an honest man.

Hoft. Good my Lord heare me.

Fal. Prethee let her alone and lift to me.

Prin. What faist thou Iacke?

Fal. The other night I fell a fleepe here behind the Arras,
and had my pocket pickt, this house is turnde bawdy-houſe,
they pick pockets.

Prin. What didst thou lose, Iacke?

Falf. Wilt thou beleeue me, Hal? three or foure bonds of for-
ty pound a peace, and a feale Ring of my grandfathers.

Prin. A trifle, some eight penny matter.

Hoft. So I told him my Lord, and I said, I heard your Grace
ſay so : and my Lord he ſpeakes moſt vilely of you, like a ſoule
mouth'd man, as he is, and ſaid, he would cudgell you.

Prin. What he did not?

Hoft. Ther's neither faith, truth, nor womanhood in me, els

Fal. There's no more faith in thee, then a flued Prune ; nor
no more truth in thee, then in a drawne Foxe: and for Woman-
hood, Mayd-marian may be the Deputies wife of the ward to
thee. Goe you thing, goe.

Hoft. Say, What thing, what thing?

Fal. What thing? why, a thing to thanke God on.

Hof. I am no thing to thanke God on, I would thou shouldst
know it; I am an honest man's wife, and fetting thy Knight-
hood aſide, thou art a knaue to call me so.

Fal. Setting thy woman-hood aſide, thou art a beaſt, to ſay
other wife.

Hoft. Say, What beaſt, thou knaue thou?

Falf. What Beaſt? why an Otter.

Prin. An Otter, Sir John? Why an Otter?

Falf. Why? ſhee's neither filth nor fleſh; a man knowes not
where to haue her.

Hof. I thou art an vnfluſt man in ſaying so; thou, or any man
knowes where to haue me, thou knaue thou.

Prin. Thou ſayſt true Hofſeſſe, and hee flaunders thee moſt
groſely.

Hoft. So hee doth you, my Lord, and ſayd this other day.

You

Henry the fourth.

You ouſeth him a thousand pound.

Prin. Sirra, doc I owe you a thousand pound?

Fal. A thousand pound Hal? a Million: thy loue is worth a
Million: thou oweſt me thy loue.

Hoft. Nay, my Lord, hee cald you Iacke, and ſaid hee would
cudgell you.

Fal. Did I, Bardol?

Bar. Indeed, Sir John, you ſayd so.

Fal. Yea, if he ſayd my Ring was Copper.

Pri. I ſay this Copper: darſt thou be as good as thy word now?

Fal. Why Hal? thou knoweſt, as thou art but a man, I dare,
but as thou art Prince, I feare thee, as I feare the roaring of the
Lyons whelpe.

Prin. And why not as the Lion?

Fal. The King himselfe, is to be feared as the Lyon: doeſt
thou thinke Ille feare thee, as I feare thy Father? nay, and I doe, I
pray God my Girdle breake.

Prin. O, if it should, how would thy guts fall about thy knees?
But ſirra, there's no roome for Faith, Truth, nor Honesty, in this
boſome of thine; it is all ſilde vp with Guttes, and Midriffe :
Charge an honest woman with picking thy pocket? Why thou
horeſon impudent imboſt raſcal, if there were any thing in thy
pocket, but tauerne reckonings, memorandums of Bawdy hou-
fes, and one poore peniworth of Sugar-candie to make thee
long-winded : if thy pocket were inricht with any other iniu-
ries but theſe, I am a villaine; and yet you will ſtand to it, you
will not pocket vp wrong : art thou not aſhamed?

Fal. Doeſt thou heare Hal? thou knowſt in the ſtate of inno-
cencie, Adam ſell: & what should poore Iacke Falſtalſſe do in the
daies of villany? thou ſeeſt, I haue more fleſh then another man,
& theſore more frailty You confefſe then you pickt my pocket.

Prin. It appears so by the ſtory.

Fal. Hofſeſſe, I forgiue thee: goe make ready breakfast, loue
thy Husband, looke to thy Seruants, cheſiſh thy Gheſſes, thou
ſhalt find me traſcable to any honest reason : thou ſeeſt I am
paciſed ſtill: nay, I prethee be gone.

Exit Hofſeſſe.

Now Hal, to the newes at Court for the robbery, lad: how is
that anſwered?

Prin.

The History of

Prin. O my sweet beeffe, I muſt still be good Angell to thee,
the mony is paid backe againe.

Fal. O, I do not like that paying backe, tis a double labour.

Prin. I am good friends with my father, & may do any thing

Fal. Rob me the Exchequer the first thing thou doſt, and
do it with vnwaſht hands too.

Bar. Do my Lord.

Prin. I haue procured thee Iacke a charge of foot.

Fal. I would it had beene of horfe. Where shall I finde one
that can steale well: O, for a fine theſe of the age of xxii. or ther
about, I am hainouſly vnprouided. Well, God be thanked for
theſe rebels, they offend none but the vertuous; I laud them, I
praise them.

Prince Bardoll.

Bar. My Lord.

Prin. Go beare this letter to Lord John of Lancaster,
To my brother John : this to my Lord of Westmerland,
Go, Peto, to horfe for thou and I
Haue thirty miles yet to ride ere dinner time :
Iacke meete me to morrow in the Temple hall,
At two a clocke in the afternoone,

There shall thou know thy charge, and there receiue,
Money and order for their furniture.

The land is burning, Percy stands on high,
And ey ther they or we muſt lower lie.

Fal. Rare words ! braue world. Hoster, my breakeſaft come
Oh, I could with this Tauerne were my drum.

Enter Hotpur, Worcester and Dowglas.

Hot. Well faid, my noble Scot, if speaking truth
In this fine age were not thought flattery,
Such attribution should the Dowglas haue,
As not a Souldier of this ſeafons ſtampe,

Should go fo generall currant through the world :

By God I cannot flatter, I defie

The tongues of soothers, but a brauer place

In my hart's love hath no man then your ſelfe.

Nay, taske me to my word, approue me Lord.

Dom. Thou art the king of honour,

No man so potent breathes vpon the ground,

But I will beard him.

Enter one with letters.

Hot.

Henry the fourth.

Hot. Do so, and t's well: What letters haſt thou there I can
but thanke you.

Mess. These letters come from your father.

Hot. Letters from him? why comes he not himſelfe?

Mess. He cannot come, my Lord, he is grieuous ſick.

Hot. Zounds, how haz he the leifure to be ſieke.

In ſuch ajuſtling time? who leads his power?

Vnder whose government come they along?

Mess. His letters heares his mind, not I his mind.

Hot. I prethee tell me, doth he keepe his bed?

Mess. He did, my Lord, foure dayes ere I ſet forth.

And at the time of my departure thence,

He was much feard by his Philifion.

Hot. I would the ſtate of time had first bin whole,
Ere he by fickneſſe had bin visited:

His health was neuer better worth then now.

Hot. Sicke now, drooping now, this ficknes doth inſect

The very life-bloud of our enterprifse,

Tis catching hither, euen to our campe;

He writes me here, that inwary fickneſſe,

And that his friends by deputation

Could not ſoone be drawne, nor did he thinke it meets,

To lay ſo dangerous and deare a truſt

On any ſouler emou'd, but on his owne,

Yet doth he giue vs bold aduertisement,

That with our ſmall conjunction, we should on,

To ſee how fortune is dispos'd to vs :

For, as he writes, there is no quailing now,

Becaufe the king is certainly poſſeſt

Of all our purpofes: what ſay you to it?

Hot. Your fathers ſickneſſe is a maime to vs.

Hot. A perilous gash, a very limme lept off,
And yet, in faith, it is not his prefent want
Seemes more then we shall find it. Were it good,
To ſet the exaſt wealth of all our states,

All at one caſt? to ſet ſo rich a maine,

On thene nice hazzard of one doubtfull houre,
It were not good, for therein should we read

H.

The

The Historie of

The very bottome and the soule of Hope,
The very lift, the very vtmost bound
Of all our Fortunes.

Dowg. Fayth, and so we should,
Where now remaines a sweet reuerʃion.
We may boldely ſpend vpon the hope of what tis to come in
A comfort of retirement liues in this.

Hot. A randeuous, a home to fly vnto,
If that the Diuell and Mischance looke big
Vpon themaydenhead of our aſfaires.

Wor. But yet I would your Father had been here:
The qualitie and heire of our attempt
Brookes no deuision, it will be thought
By ſome, that know not why he is away;
That wifiedome, loyalty, and meere diſlike
Of our proceedings, kept the Earle from hence.

And thinke, how ſuch an apprehenſion
May turne the tide of ſearefull ſaction,
And breed a kind of queſtion in our cauſe:
For, well you know, we of the offring ſide,
Muff keepe aloofe from ſtrict arbitrement,
And ſtop all fight-holes, euery loope, from whence
The eye of reaſon may prie in vpon vs:
This abſence of your Father drawes a curtaíne,
That ſhewes the ignorant, a kind of ſeare
Before not dreamt of.

Hot. You ſtraine too farre.
I rather of his abſence make this vſe,
It lendeſ a luſtire and more great opinion,
A larger dare to your great enterprize,
Then if the Earle were here: for men muſt thinke,
If we without his helpe, can make a head
To push againſt the Kingdome, with his helpe,
We ſhall, or turne it top the turvy downe:

Yet all goes well, yet all our ioynts are whole.

Dowg. As heart can thinke, there is not ſuch a word
Spoke of in Scotland, at this deame of ſeare.

Enter Sir Rih. Vernon.

Henrie, the fourth.

Hot. My coſen Vernon, welcome by my ſoule.

Ver. Pray God my newes be worth a welcome, Lord.
The Earle of Wefimerland, ſeauen thousand ſtrong,
Is marching hitherwards, with Prince John.

Hot. No harme, what more?

Ver. And further, I have learned,
The King himselfe in person hath let ſoorth,
Or hitherwards intended ſpedily.
With ſtrong and mightie preparation.

Hot. He shall be welcome too; Where is his Sonne,
The nimble footed madcap, Prince of Wales,
And his Cumrades, that daſt the world aſide,
And bid it palle?

Ver. All furniſht? all in Armes?
All plumde like Eſtriges, that with the winde,
Bayted like Eagles, having lately bath'd,
Glittering in golden Coates like Images,
As full of ſpirit as the month of May,
And gorgeous as the Sunne at Midſommer;
Wanton as yo uthfull Goates, wilde as young Buls:
I ſaw young Harry with his Beuer on,
His Cúches on his thighes, gallantiy armde,
Rife from the ground like feathered Mercury,
And vaulted with ſuch eafe into his ſeate,
As if an Angell dropt downe from the Cloudes,
To turne and winde a ſicy Pegasus,
And witch the world with noble Horſe-manſhip.

Hot. No more, no more; worse then the Sunne in March,
This prayſe doth nouriſh Aques; let them come,
They come like Sacrifices in their trim,
And to the fire-cyde may de of ſmokie Warre,
All hot and bleeding, will we offer them:
The mayled Ma's ſhall on his Altar ſit
Vp to the eares in Blood. I am on fire
To heare this rich reprizall is ſo nigh:
And yet not ours. Come, let me take my Horſe,
Who is to beare me like a thunder-bolt,
Against the boſome of the Prince of Wales,

H 2

Hary.

The Historie of

Harry to Harry, shall not Horse to Horse

Meete, and ne're part, till one drop downe a coarse:

Oh, that Glendower were come.

Ver- There is more newes,

I learned in Worcester, as I rode along,

He cannot draw his power this fourteene dayes.

Dang. That's the work tydinges, that I heare of yet.

Wor. I by my feayth, that beares a frofty found.

Hot. What may the Kinges whole Battell reach vnto?

Ver. To thirteenth thousand.

Hot. Fourtie let it be.

My Father and Glendower being both away,

The powers of vs, may serve so great a day.

Come, let vs take a Musler speedily,

Doomes day is neere, die all, die merrily.

Dong. Talk not of dying, I am out of feare.

Of death or deaths hand, for this one halfe ycere.

Excuse.

Enter Falstaffe and Bardoll.

Fal. Bardoll, get thee before to Country, fill me a bottle of
Sacke, our Souldiers shall march through; Weele to Sutton-cop-
hill to night.

Bar. Will you giue me money Captaine?

Fal. Lay out, lay out.

Bar. This Bottle makes an Angell.

Fal. And if it do, take it for thy labour, and if it make twen-
tie, take them all PLEANSWERE the coynage; bid my Lieutenant
Peto meete me a Townes end.

Bar. I will Captaine: farewell,

Euit.

Fal. If I be aghamed of my Souldiers, I am a fewft Gurnet; I haue misfused the Kinges Presse damnably. I haue got in ex-
change of 150 Souldiers, 300 & odde pounds. I prefle me none
but good Houholders, Yeomen Sonnes, inquire me out con-
traected Batchelers, fuck as had been askt twice on the Banes,
such a commoditie of warme flanes, as had as leiuie heare the
Diuell as a Drumme, such as feare the report of a Caliner, worfe
then a lgrook-foole, or a hurt Wild-ducke: I, preft me none but
such Tofts and Butter, with heartes in their bellies no bigger
then Pins heads, and they haue bought out their feruifes: and
now

Henry the fourth.

now, my whole charge confiftes of Ancients, Corporals, Lieu-
tenants, Gentlemen of companies, Slaues as ragged as Lazarus
in the painted Cloth where the Gluttons Dogs licked his fores:
and such as indeed were neuer Souldiers, but discarded vnliuſt
Seruingmen, yonger Sonnes to yonger Brothers, revolted Tap-
ſters and Oſtlers trade-falne, the Cankers of a calme world, and
long peace, ten times more diſhonorable ragged, then an old
faczde Ancient; and such haue I to fill vp the roomes of them
as haue bought out their ſeruices, that you would thinke, that I
had a hundred and fiftie tottered Prodigals, lately come from
Swine-keeping, from eating draffe and huskes. A madd fellow
met me on the way, and told me I had unloaded all the gibbets,
and preſt the dead bodies. No eye haſt ſeene such Skar-crowes.
Ile not march through Country with them, that's flat : nay, and
the villaines march wide betwixt the legs, as if they had gyues
on, for indeed, I had the moſt of them out of Prifon; there's not
a Shirt and a halfe in all my company, and the halfe Shirt is
two Napkins taekt togeather, and throwne ouer the shoulders
like a Hearalds coate without ſleues; and the Shirt to ſay the
truth, ſtolne from my Hoſt of S. Albones, or the Red-nose In-
keeper of Country : but that's all one, they'll finde Linnen
enough on every Hedge,

Enter the Prince, and the Lord of Westmerland.

Prin. How now blowne Iacke? how now Quilt?

Fal. What Hal? How now mad wag, what a diuell doſt thou
in Warwick-shire? My good L. of Westmerland, I cry you mercy, I
thought your honour had already bin at Shrewesburie.

West. Fayth, Sir John, this more then time that I were there,
and you too; but my powers are there already: the King I can
tell you, lookes for vs all; we must away all night.

Fal. Tut, neuer feare tell me, I am as vigilant as a Cat, to ſteale
Creme.

Prin. I thinke to ſteale Creme indeed, for thy theft hath al-
ready made thee butter: but tell me, Iacke, whose fellowes are
these that come after?

Fal. Mine Hal, mine.

Prin. I did neuer ſee such pittifull rascals.

Fal. Tut, tut, good enough to toſſe, food for powder, food

H 3

The Historie of

for Powder, they'll fill a pit as well as better: thus man, mortall men, mortall men.

West. I, but, Sir John, meek-thinkes they are exceeding poore and bare, too beggarly.

Fal. Faith, for their pouerty, I know not where they had that, And for their barenes, I am sure they neuer learnt that of me. "Pri. No, Ile be sworne, valeſſe you cal three fingers on the ribs bare: But firra, make haſt, Percy, is already in the field." Exit.

Fal. What, is the King incamp'd?

West. He is, Sir John, I feare we shall stay too long.

Fal. Well, to the latter end of a fray, and the beginning of a Feast, fits a dull fighter, and a keene guest. Exeunt.

Enter Hotspur, Wurcefter, Douglas, and Vernon.

Hot. Weele fight with him to night,

Wor. It may not be.

Dow. You giue him then aduantage.

Ver. Not a whit.

Hot. Why say you so? looks he not for supply?

Ver. So doe wee.

Hot. His is certaine, ours is doubtfull.

Wor. Good Coofen be aduifde, fir not to night.

Ver. Doe not, my Lord.

Dom. You do not counſell well:

You speake it out of ſeare, and cold heart.

Ver. Doe me no ſlander, Douglas, by my life, And I dare well maintaine it with my life;

If well reſpected Honour bid me on,

I hold as little counſell with weake ſeare,

As you, my Lord, or any Scot that this day liues:

Let it be ſeene to morrow in the Battell, which of vs ſeares.

Dow. Yea or to night.

Ver. Content.

Hot. To night ſay I.

Ver. Come, come, it may not be.

I wonder much being men of ſuch great leading as you are, That you foresee not what impediments

Drag backe our expedition: certaine Horſe

Of my coofen Vernons are not yet come vp,

Yours,

Henry the fourth.

Your Uncle Woreſters Horſe came but to day,
And now their pride and mettall is asleepe,
Their courage with hard labour tame and dull,
That not a Horſe is halfe the halfe of himſelfe.

Hot. So are the Horſes of the Enemie,
In general journey bated and brought low:
The better part of ours are full of reſt.

Wor. The number of the King exceedeth our:
For Gods sake, Coofen, stay till all come in.

The Trumpet ſoundes a Parley. Enter Sir Walter Blunt.

Blunt. I come with gracious offers from the King,
If you vouchsafe me hearing, and reſpect.

Hot. Welcome, Sir Walter Blunt: and would to God
You were of our determination;
Some of vs loue you well, and euen those some
Enuie your great deferuinges and good name,
Because you are not of our quality,
But stand againſt vs like an Enemie.

Blunt. And God defend, but still I should stand so.
So long as out of limit and true rule
You stand againſt anoynted Maieſtice:
But to my charge, The King hath ſent to know
The nature of your griefes, and wherevpon
You coniure from the breast of ciuill Peace,
Such bold Hoftilitie, teaching his dutious Land
Audacious crueltie. If that the King
Have any way your good defertes forgot,
Which he confesseth to be manifold,
He bids you name your griefes, and with all ſpeed,
You shall haue your defures with interest,
And Pardon absolute for your ſelſe, and the ſe,
Herein miſled by your ſuggession.

Hot. The King is kind: and well we know, the King
Knowes at what time to promife, when to pay:
My Father, my Uncle, and my ſelſe,
Did give him that fame Royaltie he weares,
And when he was not fixe and twenty ſtrong,
Sicke in the worldes regard, wretched, and low,

A

The Historie of

A poore vn-minded outlaw sneaking home,
My father gaue him welcome to the shore :
And when he heard him fweare and vow to God,
He came but to be Duke of Lancafter,
To fue his liuery and beg his peace,
With teares of innocency, and tearmes of zeale :
My father in kind heart and pity mou'd,
Swore him affiistance and perform'd it too.
Now, when the Lords and Barrons of the realme,
Perceu'd Northumberland did leane to him,,
The more and leffe came in with cap and knee,
Met him in Boroughs, Cities, Villages,
Attend him on bridges, ftoode in lanes,
Laid gifts before him, proffer'd him their othes,
Gaue him their heirs, as pages followed him,
Euen at the heeles, in golden multitudes,
He prefently as greatneſſe knowes it ſelſe,
Steps me a little higher then his vow
Made to my father, while his bloud was poore,
Vpon the naked shore at Rauenpurgh
And now forfooth takes on him to reforme
Some certaine edicts, and some ſtraight decrees
That lay to heauie on the common wealth,
Cries out vpon abuses, ſeemes to weepe
Ouer his Countries wrongs, and by this face,
This ſeeming brow of iſtice, did he winne
The hearts of all that he did angle for ?
Proceeded further, cut me off the heads
Of all the favourites that the absent king
In deputation left behind him here,
When he was perſonall in the Irish warre.

**Blunt.** Tut, I came not to heare this.

**Hot.** Then to the point.

In ſhort time after, he depos'd the King,
Soone after that, depriu'd him of his life,
And in the neck of that, task't the whole ſtate:
To make that worſe, ſuffered his kinsman March,
Who is, if every owner were pla'd,

Indecede

Henry the fourth.

Indeed his King, to be ingag'd in Wales,
There without ran ſome to lie forfeited,
Difgrac'd me in my happy victeries,
Sought to intrap me by intelligence,
Rated my Vncle from the Counſell boord,
In rage diſmſe my Father from the Court,
Broke othe on oth, committed wrong on wrong,
And in conclusion, dreue vs to feeke out
This head of ſaſetie, and withall to prie
Into his title, the which we finde
Too indirect for long continuance.

Blunt. Shall I rerurne this anſwere to the King?

Hot. Not so, Sir Walter. Weele withdraw a while:
Goe to the King, and let there be impaund
Some ſuretie for a ſafer returne againe,
And in the morning early ſhall my Vncle
Bring him our purpose; and so farewell.

Blunt. I would you would accept of grace and loue.

Hot. And may be, so we ſhall.

Blunt. Pray God you doe.

Enter Archbishop of Yorke, and Sir Michell.

Arch. Hie, good Sir Michell, beare this ſealed Briefe
With winged haſte to the Lord Marshall,
This to my coofen Scroope, and all the reſt
To whom they are direſed. If you knew
How much they doe import, you would make haſte.

Sir Mi. My good Lord, I geſſe their tenor.

Arch. Like enough you doe,
Tomorrow, good Sir Michell, is a day
Wherein, the fortune of ten thousand men
Must bide the touch: For Sir, at Shrewsburie,
As I am truly giuen to vndeſtand,
The King with mighty and quicker raysed power,
Meetes with Lord Harry; and I feare, Sir Michell,
What with the ſickneſſe of Northumberland,
Whose power was in the firſt proportion;
And what Owen Glendowers abſence thence,
Who with them was rated firmly too,

I.

And

The History of

And comes not in, ouer-rulde by Prophecies,
I feare the power of Percy is too weake,
To wage an instant tryall with the King.

Sir M. Why, my good Lord, you need not feare,
There is *Donglaus*, and Lord *Mortimer*,

Arch. No, Mortimer is not there.

Sir M. But there is Mordake, Vernon, Lord Harry Percy,
And there is my Lord of Worcester, and a head
Of gallant Warriours, noble Gentlemen.

Arch. And so there is, but yet the King hath drawne
The speciall head of all the land togeather.

The Prince of Wales, Lord John of Lancaster,

The noble Westmerland, and warlike Blunt;

And many mo Coriualles, and deare men

Of estimation, and command in armes.

Sir M. Doubt not my Lord, he shall be well oppos'd.

Arch. I hope no lesse? yet, needfull t's to feare,

And to preuent the worst, *Sir Michell*, (speed :

For if Lord Percy thriue not ere the King

Dismisse his power, he meanes to visit vs,

For he hath heard of our confederacie,

And, tis but wifedome to make strong against him :

Therefore make haſte, I must goe write againe

To other friendes, and so farewell, *Sir Michell*.

Exeunt.

Enter the King, Prince of Wales, Lord John of Lancaster, Earle of Westmerland, Sir Walter Blunt, and Falſtalſſe.

King. How bloodily the Sunne begins to peere,
Aboue yon buskie hill, the day looks pale
At his diſtemperature.

Prince. The Southerne winde

Doth play the trumpet to his purpofes,

And by hollow whiffling in the leaues,

Foretels a Tempeſt and a bluſtering day.

King. Then with the loſers let it ſimpathize,
For nothing can ſeeme foule to thofe that winne.

The Trumpet foundes. Enter Worcester.

King. How now my Lord of Worcester ? tis not well,
That you and I should meet vpon ſuch tearmes,

As

Henrie the fourth.

As now we meete. You haue decciude out truſt,
And made vs doffe our eafe Robes of Peace,

To crush our old lims in vngentle Steele :

This is not well, my Lord, this is not well.

What ſay you to it ? will you againe vnknit

This chunliſh knot of all abborred Warre?

And moue in that obedient orbe againe,
Where you did giue a faire and naturall light,

And be no more an exhal'd Meteor,

A prodigie of ſeare, and a portent

Of broched miſchieſe to the vnborne times?

Wor. Heare mee, my Liege :

For mine owne part, I could be well content

To entertaine the lag-end of my life

With quiet houres : For I proteſt,

I haue not ſought the day of this diſlike.

King. You haue not ſought it : how comes it then?

Fall. Rebellion lay in his way, and he found it.

Prin. Peace, Chewet peace.

Wor. It pleafde your Maiesty to turne your looks
Of ſauour, from my ſelfe, and all our Houseſe

And yet I muſt remember you my Lord :

Wee were the firſt and deareſt of your friendes,

For you, my ſtaſſe of office did I breake,

In *Richards* time, and poſed day and night,

To meete you on the way, and kiffe your hand,
When yet you were in place, and in account

Nothing ſo ſtrong and fortunate as I;

It was my ſelfe, my Brother, and his Sonne,

That brought you home, and boldly did out-date

The danger of the time. You ſwore to vs,

And you did ſwcare that Oath at Dancaſter,

That you did nothing of purpose gainſt the ſtate

Nor claine no further, then your new falne right,

The ſeate of Gaunt, Dukedome of Lancaſter,

To this, we ſwcare our ayde : but in ſhort ſpace
I traind downe Fortune ſhowring on your head,
And ſuch a ſloud of Greatneſſe ſell on you.

I a

What

The Historie of

What with our helpe, what with the absent King,
What with the iniuries of wanton time,
The feeming sufferances that you had borne,
And the contrarious windes that helde the King
So long in the vnluckie Irif Warres,
That all in England did repute him dead;
And from this swarme of faire aduantages,
You tooke occasion to be quickly wooed,
To gripe the generall fway into your hand,
Forgot your oath to vs at Dancafter;
And being fed by vs, you vs'de vs to,
As that vngentle gull the Cuckowes bird,
Vfeth the Sparrow, did oppreſſe our neſt,
Grew by our feeding, to ſo great a bulke,
That euen our loue durſt not come neere your fight
For ſcare of ſwallowing; but with nimble wing
Wee were inforſt for safety fake, to ſlie
Out of your fight, and raife this preſent Head,
Whereby we ſtand oppoſed by ſuch meanes
As you your ſelſe hane forg'd againſt your ſelſe,
By vnkind vſage, dangerous countenance,
And violation of all fayth and troth
Sworne to vs in your younger enterprife.

King. These ſthihges indeed, you have articulate,
Proclaymed at Market croſſes, read in Churches,
To face the garment of Rebellion,
With ſome fine colour that may płaſe the eye
Of ſickle changelings, and poore diſcontents,
Which gape, and rub the Elbow at the newes
Of húrly burly innouation :
And neuer yet did Inſurreſtion want
Such water colours, to impaɪnt his cauſe;
Nor moody Beggars, ſtaring for a time,
Of pel-mell hanocke and confusion.

Prin. In both your Armies, there is many a ſoule
Shall pay full dearely for this encounter.
If once they ioyne in try all, tell your Nephew,
The Prince of Wales doth ioyne with all the world

In

Henry the fourth.

In play ſe of Henry Percy : by my hopes
This preſent enterprife ſet of his head,
I do not thinke a brauer Gentleman,
More active, more valiant, or more valiant young,
More daring, or more bold, is now aliuе,
To grace this latter age with Noble deedeſ :
For my part, I may ſpeake it to my ſhame,
I haue a trewant been to Chiualrie,
And ſo I heare hee doth account mee too;
Yet this before my Fathers Maiestie,
I am content that he ſhall take the ods
Of his great name and eſtimation,
And will, to ſaue the blood on either side,
Trie fortune with him in ſingle fight.

King. And, Prince of Wales, to dare we venture thee,
Albeit, considerations inſinite
Doe make againſt it: No good Worcester, no,
Wee loue our people well, euen thoſe we loue
That are miſled vpon your Coofens part:
And will they take the offer of our Grace,
Both hee, and they, and you, yea euery man,
Shall be my friend againe, and Ile be his:
So tell your Coofen, and bring me word,
What he will doe. But if he will not yeeld,
Rebuke and dread correction waite on vs,
And they ſhall doe their office. So be gonn,
We will not now be troubled with reply,
We offer faire, take it auideſedly.

Exit Worcester.

Prin. It will not be accepted, on my life,
The Douglas and the Hotspur both togethether,
Are confident againſt the world in armes.

King. Hence therefore, euery Leader to his charge,
For on their anſwere will we ſet on them;
And God befrend vs, as our cauſe is iuſt.

Excunt. Manent

Prin. Fal.

Fal. Hal, if thou ſee me downe in the Battell
And beſtride me ſo, tis a point of friendſhip.

Prin. Nothing but a Coloſſus can doe thee that friendſhip.
Say thy prayers, and farewell.

I 3

Fal.

The Historie of

Falf. I would it were bed time Hal, and all well,

Prin. Why? thou oweſt God a death.

Falf. T is not due yet, I would be ioth to pay him before his
day: what need I be ſo forward with him that cals not on me?
Well, tis no matter, Honour pricks me on: yea, but how if Ho-
nour prick me off when I come on? how then can Honour ſet to
a leg? no, or an arme no, or take away the grieſe of a wound no,
Honour hath no skill in Surgerie then? no: What is Honour? a
Word: What is that word Honour? Aire: a trim reckoning.
Who hath it? he that died a Wednesday? Doth he feele it? no:
doth he heare it? no: tis inſenſible then? yea, to the dead; but will
it not lieu with the liuing? no: why? detraſtion will not ſuffer
it, therefore Ile none of it; Honour is a moree Skutchion, and
ſo ends my Catechisme.

Exit.

Enter Worcester, and Sir Richard Vernon.

Wor. O no, my Nephew muſt not know, Sir Richard,
The liberall kind offer of the King.

Ver. T were beſt he did.

Wor. Then are we all vndone,
It is not poſſible, it can not be,
The King would keepe his word in louing vs,
He will ſuſpect vs ſtill, and find a time,
To puniſh this offence in others faultes;
Suppofition, all our liues, ſhall be ſtucke full of eyes,
For Treaſon is but trusted like the Foxe,
Who neuer ſo tame, ſo cheriſht, and lockt vp,
Will have a wilde tricke of his ancesſers:
Looke how he can, or ſad or merrily?
Interpretation will miſquote our lookes,
And we ſhall feed like Oxen at a ſtall,
The better cheriſht, ſtill the neuer death.
My Nephewes trefpasse may be well forgot,
It hath the excuse of youth, and heat of blood,
And an adopted name of Privilege,
A haire-braind Hotſpur, gouerned by a ſpleene,
All his offences liue vpon my head,
And on his Fathers. We did traine him on,
And his corruption benig tane from vs.

We

Henry the fourth.

We as the ſpring of all, ſhal pay for all:
Therefore good Coofen, let not Harry know

In any caſe, the offer of the King.

Enter Hotſpur

Ver. Deliuer what you wil, Ile ſay tis ſo. Here comes you coofe

Hot. My Vncle is returnd,

Deliver vp my Lord of Westmerland:

Vncle, What newes?

Wor. The King will bid you Battell preſently.

Dowg. Deſie him by the Lord of Westmerland.

Hot. Lord Dowglas, goe you and tell him ſo.

Dowg. Mary and ſhall, and very willingly.

Exit Dowg.

Wor. There is no ſeeming mercy in the King.

Hot. Did you beg any? God forbid.

Wor. I told him gently of our grieuances,
Of his Oath-breaking : which he mended thus,
By now forſwearing that he is forſworne,
He cals vs Rebels, I ray tors, and will ſcourge
With hawty armes, this hatefull name in vs.

Enter Dowg.

Dowg. Arme Gentlemen, to armes, for I haue throwne
A braue Deſiance in King Henries teeth;
And Westmerland that was ingag'd did beare it,
Which can not chuse but bring him quickly on.

Wor. The Prince of Wales ſlept foorth before the King,
And Nephew, challeng'd you to ſingle fight.

Hot. O, would the quarrell lay vyon our heads,
And that no man might draw ſhort breath to day,
But I and Harry Monmouth: tell mee, tell mee,
How ſhewd his talking ? ſeemd it in contempt?

Ver. No, by my ſoule, I neuer in my life
Did heare a Challenge vrg'd more modeſtly,
Vnleſſe a Brother ſhould a Brother dare
To gentle exercife and proofe of armes.
He gaue you all the duties of a man,
Trund vp your prayſes with a Princely tongue,
Spoke your deferuings like a Chronicle,
Making you euer better then his prayſe,
By ſtill diſprayſing prayſe, valued with you :
And which became him like a Prince indeed,

He

The Historie of

Hee made a blushing citall of hims selfe,
And chid his trewant youth with such a grace,
As it he maftried there a double fpirit

Of teaching, and of learning instantly:
There did he pause; but let me tell the world,
If he out-lie the enuie of this day,

England did neuer owe so sweete a hope,
So much misconftrued in his wantonneſſe.

Hot. Cooſen, I thinke thou art enamored.
On his follies : neuer did I heare

Of any Prince ſo wilde at libertie :

But be he as he will, yet once ere night,
I will imbrace him with a Souldiers arme,
That he ſhall shrinke vnder my curteſie.

Arme, arme with ſpeed, and fellow's ſouldiers, friends,
Better confider what you haue to doe;

That I that haue not well the gift of tongue,
Can lift your blood vp with perſwafion.

Meſſ. My Lord, here are Letters for you,
Hot. I cannot read them now.

Enter a Messenger.

O, Gentlemen, the time of life is short;

To ſpend that ſhortneſſe basely, were too long:
If life did ride vpon a Dial's poynt,

Still ending at the arriuall of an houre,
And if we liue, we liue to treed on Kinges,
If die, braue death, when Princes die with vs.

Now for our Conſciences, the Armes is faire,
When the intent for bearing them is iuſt.

Meſſ. My Lord, prepare, the King comes on apace.

Hot. I thank him, that he cuts me from my tale :

For I profefſe not talking, onely this,
Let each man doe his beſt; and here draw I a Sword,
Whose temper I intend to staine

With the beſt blood that I can meet withall,
In the aduature of this perilous day.

Now esperance Percy, and let on,
Sound all the loftie instruments of Warre,
And by that muſicke, let vs all imbrace,

Enter another.

For

Henrie the fourth.

For heauen to earth, ſome of vs neuer shall,
A ſecond time do ſuch a curteſie.

Here they embrace, the Trumpets found, the King enters with his
power, alarme to the Battell: then enter Dowglas, and Sir
Walter Blunt.

Blunt. What is thy name, that in Battell thus thou croſſed me?

What honour doſt thou feeke vpon my head?

Dow. Know then, my name is Dowglas,
And I doe haunt thee in the Battell thus,
Because ſome tell me, that thou art a King.

Tlunt. They tell thee true.

Dowg. The Lord of Stafford deare to day hath bought

Thy likenesſe, for in ſtead of thee, King Harry
This Sword hath ended him, ſo ſhall it thee,
Veleſſe thou yeeld thee as a Prifoner.

I. Blunt. I was not borne to yeeld, thou proud Sot,
And thou ſhalt find a King that will reuenge
Lord Stafford's death.

They fight, Dowglas kils Blunt; then enters Hotſpur.

Hot. O Dowglas, hadſt thou fought at Holmedon thus,
I neuer had triumpht ouer a Scot.

Dowg. Als done, als won, here breathles lyes the King.

Hot. Where? Dowg. Heere.

Hot. This, Dowglas? no, I know this face full well,
A gallant Knight he was, his name was Blunt;
Semblably furniſht like the King himſelfe.

Dowg. Ah foole, goe with thy foule whither it goes,
A borrowed title haſt thou bought too deare,
Why didſt thou tell me, that thou wert a King?

Hot. The King hath many marching in his Coates.

Dowg. Now by my Sword, I will kill all his Coates,
Ilemurder all his Wardrope piece by piece,
Vntill I meete the King. Hot. Vp and away.

Our Souldiers stand full fairely for the day,

Alarms. enuer Falſalſſe ſolus.

Falſ. Though I were in a ſcape ſhot-tree at London, I feare the
ſhot here, here I goe to meeting but vpon the pate. Soft, who are
you? Sir Walter Blunt, there's honour for you, here's no vanitie,

K.

I

## The Historie of

I am as hot as molten Lead, and as heauie too: God keepe Lead out of me, I need no more weight then mine owne Bowels. I haue led my rag of Muffins where they are peperd: there's not three of my 150, left aliue, and they are for the townes end, to beg during life. But who comes here?

*Enter the Prince,*

Prin. What fandst thou idle here? lend me thy Sword,
Many a Noble man lies starke and stiffe

Vnder the houes of vaunting enemies,
Whofe deaths are yet vnreuengd; I prethee lend me thy fword.

Fal. O Hal, I prethee giue me leaue to breath a while: Turke Gregorie neuer did fuch deeds in armes, as I haue done this day: I haue payd Percy, I haue made him fure.

Prin. He is indeed, and liuing to kill thee;
I prethee lend me thy Sword.

Fal. Nay, before God Hal, if Percy be aliue, thou getft not my
Sword; but take my Piftoll if thou wilt.

Prin. Giue it me: what? is it in tha cafe?

Falt. I Hal, tis hot, there's that will Sacke a Citie.

*The Prince draws it out, and findes it a bottle of Sacke.*

Prin. What, is it a time to ieft and dally now.

*Hethrowes the Bottle at him.*

Exit.

Fal. If Percy be aliue, Ile pierce him, if he do come in my way,
fo: if he do not, if I come in his willingly, let him make a Carbo-
nado of me. I like not fuch grinning honour as Sir Walter hath:
giue me life, which, if I can faue, fo: if not, honour comes vn-
lookt for, and there's an end.

*Alarme, excursions, enter the King, the Prince, Lord John of Lancafter, and Earle of Westmerland.*

King. I prethee Harry, withdraw thy felfe, thou bleedeft too much; Lord John of Lancafter, goe you with him.

P.Ioh. Not I, my Lord, vnaleſſe I did bleed too.

Prin. I beseech your Maiestie make vp,
Leaſt your retirement doe amaze your friends.

King. I will do fo; my L. of Westmerland lead him to his Tent.

West. Come, my Lord, Ile lead you to your Tent.

Prin. Lead me my Lord? I do not need your helpe;

And God forbid a shallow scratch should drive

The

## Henry the fourth.

The Prince of Wales from ſuch a Field as this,
Where ſtaine Nobilitie lies troden on,
And Rebels Armes triumph in maſſacres.

Iohn. Wee breath too long, come cooſen Westmerland,
Our dutie this way lies: For Gods ſake come.

Prin. By God, thou haſt deeiſide me, Lancaſter,
I did not thinke thee Lord, offuch a ſpirit;
Before I lou'd thee as a Brother, Iohn,
But now I doe reſpect thee as my Soule.

King. I saw him hold Lord Percy at the poynt,
With Inſtier maintenance then I did looke for
Offuch an vngrowne Warrier.

Prin. O, this Boy lends metall to vs all.

Exit.

Dowg. Another King, they grow like Hydras heads,
I am the Dowglas fatall to all thofe

That weare thofe colours on them. What art thou
That counterfeitſt the perſon of a King?

King. The King himſelfe, who Dowglas grieues at heart.
So many of his ſhadowes thou haſt met,
And not the very King: I hauetwo Boyes
Seeke Percy and thy ſelfe, about the Field ?
But feeing thou falſt on me ſo luckily,
I will aſſay thee, and defend thy ſelfe.

Dowg. I feare thou art another Counterfeit;
And yet in fayth thou beareſt thee like a King:
But mine I am ſure thou art, who cre thou be;
And thus I winne thee,

*They fight, the King being in danger, enter Prince of Wales.*

Prin. Hold vp thy head vile Scot, or thou art like
Neuer to hold it vp againe, the ſpirites
Of valiant Sherly, Staſſord, Blum, are in my Armes,
It is the Prince of Wales, that threatens thee,
Who neuer promiſeth, but he meanes to pay.

*They fight, Dowglas flyeth.*

Cheerely my Lord, how fares your Grace?
Sir Nicholas Gawſey hath for succour ſent,
And ſo hath Clifton: Ile to Clifton straight.

King. Stay, and breath a while,

K. a.

Thou

The Historie of

Thou haſt redeem'd thy lost opinion,
And ſhew de thou makeſt ſome tender of my life
In this faire reſcue thou haſt brought to me.

Prin. O God, they did me too much iniurie,
That euer fayd, I harkened to your death :
If it were ſo, I might haue let alone

The infulting hand of Douglas ouer you,
Which would haue been as ſpeedy in your end,
As all the poyſonous Potions in the world,
And ſayd the trecherous labour of your Sonne.

Kin. Make vp to Clifton, Ile to S. Nicholas Gawſey.
Enter Hotſpur.

Hot. If I miſtake not, thou art Harry Monmouth?

Prin. Thou ſpeakſt, as if I would deny my name.

Hot. My name is Harry Percy.

Hrin. Why then I ſee a very valiant Rebell of that name.
I am the Prince of Wala; and think not Percy,
To ſhare with me in glory any more:

Two Starres keepe not their motion in one Sphere,
Nor can one England brooke a double raigne,
Of Harry Percy, and the Prince of Wales.

Hot. Now ſhall it Harry, for the houre is come,
To end the one of vs; and would to God,
Thy name in Armes, were now as great as mine.

Prin. Ile make it greater, ere I part from thee,
And all thy budding Honours on thy Creſt
Ile' crop, to make a Garland for my head.

Hot. I can no longer brooke thy vanities.

They fight. Enter Falſtalſſe.

Fal. Well ſaid Hal, to it Hal! Nay, you ſhall find no Boyes
play here, I can tell you.

Enter Douglas, he fights with Falſtalſſe, he fals downe as if he were dead, the Prince killeth Percy.

Hot. Oh Harry, thou haſt robd me of my youth,
I better broke the loſſe of brittle Life,
Then thofe proud Titles thou haſt won of me,
They wound my thoughts worſe, then the ſword my fleſh :

But

Henry the fourth.

But thought's the ſlaue of life, and lifetimes foole;
And time, that takes faruay of all the world,
Muſt haue a ſtop. O, I could propheſie,
But that the Earth, and cold hand of Death
Lies on my tongue : no Percy, thou art duſt,
And food for

Prin. For Wormes, braue Percy. Fare thee well, great heart,
I'll weaſt Ambition, how much art thou ſhrunke?
When that this body did conſtaine a ſpirit,
A Kingdome for it, was too (small a bound;
But now two paces of the vileſt Earth,

Is roome enough : this Earth that beares the dead,
Beares not aline ſo ſtout a Gentleman.

If thou wert ſenſible of curteſie,
I ſhould not make ſo great a ſhew of zeale:
But let my ſauours hide thy mangled face,
And euca in thy behalſe, Ile thanke my ſelfe
For doing theſe faire rites of tendernes,
Adieu, and take thy prayſe with thee to heauen,
Thy ignomy ſleepe with thee in the graue,
But not remembred in thy Epitaph.

He ſpieth Falſtalſſe on the ground.

What, old acquaintance, could not all this fleſh
Keepe in a little life ? poore Jacke farewell:
I could haue better ſpard a better man:
O, I ſhould haue a heauy miſſe of thee,
If I were much in loue with vanitie;

Death hath not ſtrooke ſo faire a Deere to day,
Though many dearer in this bloody fray,
Imboweld will I ſee thee by and by,
Till then, in blood by noble Percy lie.

Falſtalſſe ry ſeth up.

Fal. Imboweld? if thou imbowell me to day, Ile giue you
leauet to powder me, and eate me too to morrow. Zloud, t'was
time to counterſeite, or that hot termagant Scot had paide mec
ſcot and lot too. Counterſeite? I am no counterſeit: to die is to
be a counterſeit, for he is but the counterſeit of a man, who
hath not the life of a man; but to counterſeit dying, when a man

thereby

K3

## The Historie of

thereby liueth, is to be no counterfeit, but the true and perfect image of life indeed. The better part of valour is Discretion; in the which better part, I haue faued my life. Zounds I am afraid of this gunpowder Percie, though he be dead: how if he should counterfeit too, and rife? by my fayth, I am afraid he would proue the better counterfeit? therefore Ile make him fure; yea, and Ile fweare I kilde him. Why may not he rife as well as I? nothing confutes me but eyes, and no body sees me: therefore firra, with a new wound in your thigh, come you along with me.

He take vp Hotspur on his backe. Enter Pringe and John of Lancafter.

Prin. Come Brother John, full braely haft thou fleest Thy mayden Sword.

John. But soft, who haue we here?

Did you not tell me this fatt man was dead?

Prin. I did, I faw him dead,

Breathles, and bleeding on the ground. Art thou aliue?

Or is it fantasie that playes vpon our eye-fight?

I prethee speake, we will not truſt our eyes.

Without our eares, thou art not what thou feemſt.

Fal. No, that's certaine, I am not a double man: but if I be not Iacke Falſaſſe, then am I a Iacke: there is Percy, if your Father will doe me any honour, so: if not, let him kill the next Percy himſelfe: I hooke to be either Earle or Duke, I can affure you.

Prin. Why Percy I kild my ſelfe, and faw thee dead.

Fal. Didſt thou? Lord, Lord, how the world is giuen to lying? I graunt you, I was downe, and out of breath, and so was he, but we roſe both at an instant, and fought a long houre by Shrewesbury clocke, if I may be beleeued, so: if not, let them that should reward Valour, beare the finne vpon their owne heads. Ile take it vpon my death, I gaue him this wound in the thigh, if the man were aliue, & would deny it, Zounds I would make him eate a piece of my Sword.

John. This is the strangeſt tale that euer I heard.

Prin. This is the strangeſt fellow, brother John,
Come bring your luggage nobly on your backe,

For

## Henry the fourth.

For my part, if a lie may doe thee grace,
Ile guilde it with the happiest tearmes I haue.

A retreat is founded.

Prin. The Trumpets found Retreat, the day is ours: Come Brother, lets to the highest of the Field, To see what friendes are liuing, who are dead.

Exeunt.

Fal. Ile follow as they fay for reward. He that rewardes me, God reward him. If I doe grow great, Ile grow leſſe: for Ile Purge, and leaue Sacke, and liue cleanly, as a Nobleman should doe.

Exit.

The Trumpets found, enter the King, Prince of Wales, Lord John of Lancafter, Earle of Westmerland, with Woreſcer and Vernon prisoners.

King Thus euer did Rebellion find rebuke,
Ill ſpirited Woreſcer, did not we ſend Grace,
Pardon, and tearmes of Loue to all of you?
And would it thou turne our offers contrary,
Misſue the tenor of thy kinfmans trust?
Three Knights vpon our party flaine to day,
A noble Earle, and many a creature else,
Had been aliue this houre,
If like a Christian thou hadſt truly borne
Betwixt our Armies true intelligence.

Wor. What I haue done, my faſetic vrgde me to,
And I imbrace this fortune patiently,
Since not to be auoyded, it fals on me.

King. Beare Woreſcer to the death, and Vernon too:
Other Offenders we will paſe vpon.
How goes the Field?

Prin. The noble Scot Lord Dowglas, when he faw
The fortune of the day quite turnd from him,
The noble Percy flaine, and all his men,
Vpon the foot of ſeare, ſled with the reſt;
And falling from a hill, he was ſo bruizd,
That the purſuers tooke him. At my Tent,
The Dowglas is, and I beſeech your Grace,
I may diſpofe of him.

King.

The Historie of

King. With all my heart.

Prim. Then brother John of Lancaster,
To you this honourable bountie shall belong,
Goe to the Dowglas, and deliuer him
Vp to his pleasure, ransomlesse and free,
His valoure showne vpon our Creftes to day,
Hath taught vs how to cherifh such high deedes,
Even in the boſome of our aduerſaries.

King. Then this remaines, that we deuide our Power,
You Sonne John, and my coofen Westmerland,
Towards Yorke shall bend you with your deereſt ſpeed,
To meete Northumberland and the Prelate Scroope,
Who, as we heare, are buſily in armes :
My ſelfe and you, Sonne Harry, will towards Wales,
To fight with Glendower, and the Earle of March:
Rebellion in this Land ſhall loofe his way,
Meeting the checke of ſuch another day :
And ſince this buſineſſe ſo faire is done,
Let vs not leaue, till all our owne be won.

Exeunt.

FINIS.