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Alarum. Excursions. Enter FALSTAFF and COLEVILE , meeting
Alarum. Excursions. Enter FALSTAFF and COLEVILE , meeting

FALSTAFF

What’s your name, sir? Of what condition are you, and of
what place, I pray?

FALSTAFF

What’s your name, sir? Of what condition are you, and of
what place, I pray?

COLEVILE

I am a knight, sir, and my name is Colevile of the Dale.

COLEVILE

I am a knight, sir, and my name is Colevile of the Dale.

FALSTAFF

Well, then, Colevile is your name, a knight is your degree,
5 and your place the Dale. Colevile shall be still your name, a
traitor your degree, and the dungeon your place, a place deep
enough so shall you be still Colevile of the Dale.

FALSTAFF

Well, then, Colevile is your name, a knight is your degree,
and your place the Dale. Colevile shall be still your name, a
traitor your degree, and the dungeon your place, a place deep
enough so shall you be still Colevile of the Dale.

COLEVILE

Are not you Sir John Falstaff?

COLEVILE

Are not you Sir John Falstaff?

FALSTAFF

As good a man as he, sir, whoe'er I am. Do ye yield, sir, or
10 shall I sweat for you? If I do sweat, they are the drops of thy
lovers and they weep for thy death. Therefore rouse up fear
and trembling, and do observance to my mercy.

FALSTAFF

As good a man as he, sir, whoe'er I am. Do ye yield, sir, or
shall I sweat for you? If I do sweat, they are the drops of thy
lovers and they weep for thy death. Therefore rouse up fear
and trembling, and do observance to my mercy.

COLEVILE

I think you are Sir John Falstaff, and in that thought yield
me.

COLEVILE

I think you are Sir John Falstaff, and in that thought yield
me.

FALSTAFF

15 I have a whole school of tongues in this belly of mine, and not a tongue of them all speaks any other word but my name. An I had but a belly of any indifferency, I were simply the most active fellow in Europe. My womb, my womb, my womb undoes me. Here comes our general.

FALSTAFF

I have a whole school of tongues in this belly of mine, and not a tongue of them all speaks any other word but my name. An I had but a belly of any indifferency, I were simply the most active fellow in Europe. My womb, my womb, my womb undoes me. Here comes our general.
Enter Prince John of LANCASTER , WESTMORELAND , BLUNT , and others
Enter Prince John of LANCASTER , WESTMORELAND , BLUNT , and others

LANCASTER

The heat is past. Follow no further now.

LANCASTER

The heat is past. Follow no further now.
A retreat is sounded.
A retreat is sounded.
Call in the powers, good cousin Westmoreland.
Call in the powers, good cousin Westmoreland.
Exit WESTMORELAND
Exit WESTMORELAND
Now, Falstaff, where have you been all this while?
When everything is ended, then you come.
20 These tardy tricks of yours will, on my life,
One time or other break some gallows' back.
Now, Falstaff, where have you been all this while?
When everything is ended, then you come.
These tardy tricks of yours will, on my life,
One time or other break some gallows' back.

FALSTAFF

I would be sorry, my lord, but it should be thus. I never knew
yet but rebuke and check was the reward of valor. Do you
think me a swallow, an arrow, or a bullet? Have I in my poor
25 and old motion the expedition of thought? I have speeded
hither with the very extremest inch of possibility. I have
foundered ninescore and odd posts, and here, travel-tainted
as I am, have in my pure and immaculate valor taken Sir
John Colevile of the Dale, a most furious knight and
30 valorous enemy. But what of that? He saw me and yielded,
that I may justly say, with the hook-nosed fellow of Rome,
“There, cousin, I came, saw, and overcame.”

FALSTAFF

I would be sorry, my lord, but it should be thus. I never knew
yet but rebuke and check was the reward of valor. Do you
think me a swallow, an arrow, or a bullet? Have I in my poor
and old motion the expedition of thought? I have speeded
hither with the very extremest inch of possibility. I have
foundered ninescore and odd posts, and here, travel-tainted
as I am, have in my pure and immaculate valor taken Sir
John Colevile of the Dale, a most furious knight and
valorous enemy. But what of that? He saw me and yielded,
that I may justly say, with the hook-nosed fellow of Rome,
“There, cousin, I came, saw, and overcame.”

LANCASTER

It was more of his courtesy than your deserving.

LANCASTER

It was more of his courtesy than your deserving.

FALSTAFF

I know not. Here he is, and here I yield him. And I beseech
35 your Grace let it be booked with the rest of this day’s deeds,
or, by the Lord, I will have it in a particular ballad else, with
mine own picture on the top on ’t, Colevile kissing my foot;
to the which course if I be enforced, if you do not all show

FALSTAFF

I know not. Here he is, and here I yield him. And I beseech
your Grace let it be booked with the rest of this day’s deeds,
or, by the Lord, I will have it in a particular ballad else, with
mine own picture on the top on ’t, Colevile kissing my foot;
to the which course if I be enforced, if you do not all show
like gilt twopences to me, and I in the clear sky of fame o'ershine you as much as the full moon doth the cinders of the element (which show like pins' heads to her), believe not the word of the noble. Therefore let me have right, and let desert mount.
like gilt twopences to me, and I in the clear sky of fame o'ershine you as much as the full moon doth the cinders of the element (which show like pins' heads to her), believe not the word of the noble. Therefore let me have right, and let desert mount.

LANCASTER

40 Thine’s too heavy to mount.

LANCASTER

Thine’s too heavy to mount.

FALSTAFF

Let it shine, then.

FALSTAFF

Let it shine, then.

LANCASTER

Thine’s too thick to shine.

LANCASTER

Thine’s too thick to shine.

FALSTAFF

Let it do something, my good lord, that may do me good, and
call it what you will.

FALSTAFF

Let it do something, my good lord, that may do me good, and
call it what you will.

LANCASTER

45 Is thy name Colevile?

LANCASTER

Is thy name Colevile?

COLEVILE

   It is, my lord.

COLEVILE

   It is, my lord.

LANCASTER

A famous rebel art thou, Colevile.

LANCASTER

A famous rebel art thou, Colevile.

FALSTAFF

And a famous true subject took him.

FALSTAFF

And a famous true subject took him.

COLEVILE

I am, my lord, but as my betters are
That led me hither. Had they been ruled by me,
50 You should have won them dearer than you have.

COLEVILE

I am, my lord, but as my betters are
That led me hither. Had they been ruled by me,
You should have won them dearer than you have.

FALSTAFF

I know not how they sold themselves, but thou, like a kind fellow, gavest thyself away gratis, and I thank thee for thee.

FALSTAFF

I know not how they sold themselves, but thou, like a kind fellow, gavest thyself away gratis, and I thank thee for thee.
Enter WESTMORELAND
Enter WESTMORELAND

LANCASTER

Now, have you left pursuit?

LANCASTER

Now, have you left pursuit?

WESTMORELAND

Retreat is made and execution stayed.

WESTMORELAND

Retreat is made and execution stayed.

LANCASTER

Send Colevile with his confederates
55 To York, to present execution.—
Blunt, lead him hence, and see you guard him sure.

LANCASTER

Send Colevile with his confederates
To York, to present execution.—
Blunt, lead him hence, and see you guard him sure.
Exeunt BLUNT with COLEVILE
Exeunt BLUNT with COLEVILE
And now dispatch we toward the court, my lords.
I hear the King my father is sore sick.
Our news shall go before us to his Majesty,
(to WESTMORELAND) Which, cousin, you shall bear to comfort
   him,
And we with sober speed will follow you.
And now dispatch we toward the court, my lords.
I hear the King my father is sore sick.
Our news shall go before us to his Majesty,
(to WESTMORELAND) Which, cousin, you shall bear to comfort
   him,
And we with sober speed will follow you.

FALSTAFF

My lord, I beseech you give me leave to go through
Gloucestershire, and, when you come to court, stand my
good lord, pray, in your good report.

FALSTAFF

My lord, I beseech you give me leave to go through
Gloucestershire, and, when you come to court, stand my
good lord, pray, in your good report.

LANCASTER

65 Fare you well, Falstaff. I, in my condition,
Shall better speak of you than you deserve.

LANCASTER

Fare you well, Falstaff. I, in my condition,
Shall better speak of you than you deserve.
Exeunt all but FALSTAFF
Exeunt all but FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF

I would you had but the wit; ’twere better than your
dukedom. Good faith, this same young sober-blooded boy
doth not love me, nor a man cannot make him laugh. But
70 that’s no marvel; he drinks no wine. There’s never none of
these demure boys come to any proof, for thin drink doth so
overcool their blood, and making many fish meals, that they
fall into a kind of male green-sickness, and then, when they
marry, they get wenches. They are generally fools and
75 cowards, which some of us should be too, but for
inflammation.

FALSTAFF

I would you had but the wit; ’twere better than your
dukedom. Good faith, this same young sober-blooded boy
doth not love me, nor a man cannot make him laugh. But
that’s no marvel; he drinks no wine. There’s never none of
these demure boys come to any proof, for thin drink doth so
overcool their blood, and making many fish meals, that they
fall into a kind of male green-sickness, and then, when they
marry, they get wenches. They are generally fools and
cowards, which some of us should be too, but for
inflammation.
A good sherris sack hath a two-fold operation in it. It
ascends me into the brain, dries me there all the foolish and
dull and crury vapors which environ it, makes it
80 apprehensive, quick, forgetive, full of nimble, fiery, and
delectable shapes, which, delivered o'er to the voice, the
tongue, which is the birth, becomes excellent wit. The
second property of your excellent sherris is the warming of
the blood, which, before cold and settled, left the liver white
85 and pale, which is the badge of pusillanimity and cowardice.
But the sherris warms it and makes it course from the
inwards to the parts' extremes. It illumineth the face, which
as a beacon gives warning to all the rest of this little
kingdom, man, to arm; and then the vital commoners and
90 inland petty spirits muster me all to their captain, the heart,
who, great and puffed up with this retinue, doth any deed of
courage, and this valor comes of sherris. So that skill in the
weapon is nothing without sack, for that sets it a-work; and
learning a mere hoard of gold kept by a devil till sack
95 commences it and sets it in act and use. Hereof comes it that
Prince Harry is valiant, for the cold blood he did naturally
inherit of his father he hath, like lean, sterile, and bare land,
manured, husbanded, and tilled with excellent endeavor of
drinking good and good store of fertile sherris, that he is
100 become very hot and valiant. If I had a thousand sons, the
first human principle I would teach them should be to
forswear thin potations and to addict themselves to sack.
A good sherris sack hath a two-fold operation in it. It
ascends me into the brain, dries me there all the foolish and
dull and crury vapors which environ it, makes it
apprehensive, quick, forgetive, full of nimble, fiery, and
delectable shapes, which, delivered o'er to the voice, the
tongue, which is the birth, becomes excellent wit. The
second property of your excellent sherris is the warming of
the blood, which, before cold and settled, left the liver white
and pale, which is the badge of pusillanimity and cowardice.
But the sherris warms it and makes it course from the
inwards to the parts' extremes. It illumineth the face, which
as a beacon gives warning to all the rest of this little
kingdom, man, to arm; and then the vital commoners and
inland petty spirits muster me all to their captain, the heart,
who, great and puffed up with this retinue, doth any deed of
courage, and this valor comes of sherris. So that skill in the
weapon is nothing without sack, for that sets it a-work; and
learning a mere hoard of gold kept by a devil till sack
commences it and sets it in act and use. Hereof comes it that
Prince Harry is valiant, for the cold blood he did naturally
inherit of his father he hath, like lean, sterile, and bare land,
manured, husbanded, and tilled with excellent endeavor of
drinking good and good store of fertile sherris, that he is
become very hot and valiant. If I had a thousand sons, the
first human principle I would teach them should be to
forswear thin potations and to addict themselves to sack.
Enter BARDOLPH
Enter BARDOLPH
How now, Bardolph?
How now, Bardolph?

BARDOLPH

The army is discharged all and gone.

BARDOLPH

The army is discharged all and gone.

FALSTAFF

105 Let them go. I’ll through Gloucestershire, and there will I
visit Master Robert Shallow, Esquire. I have him already
temp'ring between my finger and my thumb, and shortly
will I seal with him. Come away.

FALSTAFF

Let them go. I’ll through Gloucestershire, and there will I
visit Master Robert Shallow, Esquire. I have him already
temp'ring between my finger and my thumb, and shortly
will I seal with him. Come away.
Exeunt
Exeunt

Original Text

Modern Text

Alarum. Excursions. Enter FALSTAFF and COLEVILE , meeting
Alarum. Excursions. Enter FALSTAFF and COLEVILE , meeting

FALSTAFF

What’s your name, sir? Of what condition are you, and of
what place, I pray?

FALSTAFF

What’s your name, sir? Of what condition are you, and of
what place, I pray?

COLEVILE

I am a knight, sir, and my name is Colevile of the Dale.

COLEVILE

I am a knight, sir, and my name is Colevile of the Dale.

FALSTAFF

Well, then, Colevile is your name, a knight is your degree,
5 and your place the Dale. Colevile shall be still your name, a
traitor your degree, and the dungeon your place, a place deep
enough so shall you be still Colevile of the Dale.

FALSTAFF

Well, then, Colevile is your name, a knight is your degree,
and your place the Dale. Colevile shall be still your name, a
traitor your degree, and the dungeon your place, a place deep
enough so shall you be still Colevile of the Dale.

COLEVILE

Are not you Sir John Falstaff?

COLEVILE

Are not you Sir John Falstaff?

FALSTAFF

As good a man as he, sir, whoe'er I am. Do ye yield, sir, or
10 shall I sweat for you? If I do sweat, they are the drops of thy
lovers and they weep for thy death. Therefore rouse up fear
and trembling, and do observance to my mercy.

FALSTAFF

As good a man as he, sir, whoe'er I am. Do ye yield, sir, or
shall I sweat for you? If I do sweat, they are the drops of thy
lovers and they weep for thy death. Therefore rouse up fear
and trembling, and do observance to my mercy.

COLEVILE

I think you are Sir John Falstaff, and in that thought yield
me.

COLEVILE

I think you are Sir John Falstaff, and in that thought yield
me.

FALSTAFF

15 I have a whole school of tongues in this belly of mine, and not a tongue of them all speaks any other word but my name. An I had but a belly of any indifferency, I were simply the most active fellow in Europe. My womb, my womb, my womb undoes me. Here comes our general.

FALSTAFF

I have a whole school of tongues in this belly of mine, and not a tongue of them all speaks any other word but my name. An I had but a belly of any indifferency, I were simply the most active fellow in Europe. My womb, my womb, my womb undoes me. Here comes our general.
Enter Prince John of LANCASTER , WESTMORELAND , BLUNT , and others
Enter Prince John of LANCASTER , WESTMORELAND , BLUNT , and others

LANCASTER

The heat is past. Follow no further now.

LANCASTER

The heat is past. Follow no further now.
A retreat is sounded.
A retreat is sounded.
Call in the powers, good cousin Westmoreland.
Call in the powers, good cousin Westmoreland.
Exit WESTMORELAND
Exit WESTMORELAND
Now, Falstaff, where have you been all this while?
When everything is ended, then you come.
20 These tardy tricks of yours will, on my life,
One time or other break some gallows' back.
Now, Falstaff, where have you been all this while?
When everything is ended, then you come.
These tardy tricks of yours will, on my life,
One time or other break some gallows' back.

FALSTAFF

I would be sorry, my lord, but it should be thus. I never knew
yet but rebuke and check was the reward of valor. Do you
think me a swallow, an arrow, or a bullet? Have I in my poor
25 and old motion the expedition of thought? I have speeded
hither with the very extremest inch of possibility. I have
foundered ninescore and odd posts, and here, travel-tainted
as I am, have in my pure and immaculate valor taken Sir
John Colevile of the Dale, a most furious knight and
30 valorous enemy. But what of that? He saw me and yielded,
that I may justly say, with the hook-nosed fellow of Rome,
“There, cousin, I came, saw, and overcame.”

FALSTAFF

I would be sorry, my lord, but it should be thus. I never knew
yet but rebuke and check was the reward of valor. Do you
think me a swallow, an arrow, or a bullet? Have I in my poor
and old motion the expedition of thought? I have speeded
hither with the very extremest inch of possibility. I have
foundered ninescore and odd posts, and here, travel-tainted
as I am, have in my pure and immaculate valor taken Sir
John Colevile of the Dale, a most furious knight and
valorous enemy. But what of that? He saw me and yielded,
that I may justly say, with the hook-nosed fellow of Rome,
“There, cousin, I came, saw, and overcame.”

LANCASTER

It was more of his courtesy than your deserving.

LANCASTER

It was more of his courtesy than your deserving.

FALSTAFF

I know not. Here he is, and here I yield him. And I beseech
35 your Grace let it be booked with the rest of this day’s deeds,
or, by the Lord, I will have it in a particular ballad else, with
mine own picture on the top on ’t, Colevile kissing my foot;
to the which course if I be enforced, if you do not all show

FALSTAFF

I know not. Here he is, and here I yield him. And I beseech
your Grace let it be booked with the rest of this day’s deeds,
or, by the Lord, I will have it in a particular ballad else, with
mine own picture on the top on ’t, Colevile kissing my foot;
to the which course if I be enforced, if you do not all show
like gilt twopences to me, and I in the clear sky of fame o'ershine you as much as the full moon doth the cinders of the element (which show like pins' heads to her), believe not the word of the noble. Therefore let me have right, and let desert mount.
like gilt twopences to me, and I in the clear sky of fame o'ershine you as much as the full moon doth the cinders of the element (which show like pins' heads to her), believe not the word of the noble. Therefore let me have right, and let desert mount.

LANCASTER

40 Thine’s too heavy to mount.

LANCASTER

Thine’s too heavy to mount.

FALSTAFF

Let it shine, then.

FALSTAFF

Let it shine, then.

LANCASTER

Thine’s too thick to shine.

LANCASTER

Thine’s too thick to shine.

FALSTAFF

Let it do something, my good lord, that may do me good, and
call it what you will.

FALSTAFF

Let it do something, my good lord, that may do me good, and
call it what you will.

LANCASTER

45 Is thy name Colevile?

LANCASTER

Is thy name Colevile?

COLEVILE

   It is, my lord.

COLEVILE

   It is, my lord.

LANCASTER

A famous rebel art thou, Colevile.

LANCASTER

A famous rebel art thou, Colevile.

FALSTAFF

And a famous true subject took him.

FALSTAFF

And a famous true subject took him.

COLEVILE

I am, my lord, but as my betters are
That led me hither. Had they been ruled by me,
50 You should have won them dearer than you have.

COLEVILE

I am, my lord, but as my betters are
That led me hither. Had they been ruled by me,
You should have won them dearer than you have.

FALSTAFF

I know not how they sold themselves, but thou, like a kind fellow, gavest thyself away gratis, and I thank thee for thee.

FALSTAFF

I know not how they sold themselves, but thou, like a kind fellow, gavest thyself away gratis, and I thank thee for thee.
Enter WESTMORELAND
Enter WESTMORELAND

LANCASTER

Now, have you left pursuit?

LANCASTER

Now, have you left pursuit?

WESTMORELAND

Retreat is made and execution stayed.

WESTMORELAND

Retreat is made and execution stayed.

LANCASTER

Send Colevile with his confederates
55 To York, to present execution.—
Blunt, lead him hence, and see you guard him sure.

LANCASTER

Send Colevile with his confederates
To York, to present execution.—
Blunt, lead him hence, and see you guard him sure.
Exeunt BLUNT with COLEVILE
Exeunt BLUNT with COLEVILE
And now dispatch we toward the court, my lords.
I hear the King my father is sore sick.
Our news shall go before us to his Majesty,
(to WESTMORELAND) Which, cousin, you shall bear to comfort
   him,
And we with sober speed will follow you.
And now dispatch we toward the court, my lords.
I hear the King my father is sore sick.
Our news shall go before us to his Majesty,
(to WESTMORELAND) Which, cousin, you shall bear to comfort
   him,
And we with sober speed will follow you.

FALSTAFF

My lord, I beseech you give me leave to go through
Gloucestershire, and, when you come to court, stand my
good lord, pray, in your good report.

FALSTAFF

My lord, I beseech you give me leave to go through
Gloucestershire, and, when you come to court, stand my
good lord, pray, in your good report.

LANCASTER

65 Fare you well, Falstaff. I, in my condition,
Shall better speak of you than you deserve.

LANCASTER

Fare you well, Falstaff. I, in my condition,
Shall better speak of you than you deserve.
Exeunt all but FALSTAFF
Exeunt all but FALSTAFF

FALSTAFF

I would you had but the wit; ’twere better than your
dukedom. Good faith, this same young sober-blooded boy
doth not love me, nor a man cannot make him laugh. But
70 that’s no marvel; he drinks no wine. There’s never none of
these demure boys come to any proof, for thin drink doth so
overcool their blood, and making many fish meals, that they
fall into a kind of male green-sickness, and then, when they
marry, they get wenches. They are generally fools and
75 cowards, which some of us should be too, but for
inflammation.

FALSTAFF

I would you had but the wit; ’twere better than your
dukedom. Good faith, this same young sober-blooded boy
doth not love me, nor a man cannot make him laugh. But
that’s no marvel; he drinks no wine. There’s never none of
these demure boys come to any proof, for thin drink doth so
overcool their blood, and making many fish meals, that they
fall into a kind of male green-sickness, and then, when they
marry, they get wenches. They are generally fools and
cowards, which some of us should be too, but for
inflammation.
A good sherris sack hath a two-fold operation in it. It
ascends me into the brain, dries me there all the foolish and
dull and crury vapors which environ it, makes it
80 apprehensive, quick, forgetive, full of nimble, fiery, and
delectable shapes, which, delivered o'er to the voice, the
tongue, which is the birth, becomes excellent wit. The
second property of your excellent sherris is the warming of
the blood, which, before cold and settled, left the liver white
85 and pale, which is the badge of pusillanimity and cowardice.
But the sherris warms it and makes it course from the
inwards to the parts' extremes. It illumineth the face, which
as a beacon gives warning to all the rest of this little
kingdom, man, to arm; and then the vital commoners and
90 inland petty spirits muster me all to their captain, the heart,
who, great and puffed up with this retinue, doth any deed of
courage, and this valor comes of sherris. So that skill in the
weapon is nothing without sack, for that sets it a-work; and
learning a mere hoard of gold kept by a devil till sack
95 commences it and sets it in act and use. Hereof comes it that
Prince Harry is valiant, for the cold blood he did naturally
inherit of his father he hath, like lean, sterile, and bare land,
manured, husbanded, and tilled with excellent endeavor of
drinking good and good store of fertile sherris, that he is
100 become very hot and valiant. If I had a thousand sons, the
first human principle I would teach them should be to
forswear thin potations and to addict themselves to sack.
A good sherris sack hath a two-fold operation in it. It
ascends me into the brain, dries me there all the foolish and
dull and crury vapors which environ it, makes it
apprehensive, quick, forgetive, full of nimble, fiery, and
delectable shapes, which, delivered o'er to the voice, the
tongue, which is the birth, becomes excellent wit. The
second property of your excellent sherris is the warming of
the blood, which, before cold and settled, left the liver white
and pale, which is the badge of pusillanimity and cowardice.
But the sherris warms it and makes it course from the
inwards to the parts' extremes. It illumineth the face, which
as a beacon gives warning to all the rest of this little
kingdom, man, to arm; and then the vital commoners and
inland petty spirits muster me all to their captain, the heart,
who, great and puffed up with this retinue, doth any deed of
courage, and this valor comes of sherris. So that skill in the
weapon is nothing without sack, for that sets it a-work; and
learning a mere hoard of gold kept by a devil till sack
commences it and sets it in act and use. Hereof comes it that
Prince Harry is valiant, for the cold blood he did naturally
inherit of his father he hath, like lean, sterile, and bare land,
manured, husbanded, and tilled with excellent endeavor of
drinking good and good store of fertile sherris, that he is
become very hot and valiant. If I had a thousand sons, the
first human principle I would teach them should be to
forswear thin potations and to addict themselves to sack.
Enter BARDOLPH
Enter BARDOLPH
How now, Bardolph?
How now, Bardolph?

BARDOLPH

The army is discharged all and gone.

BARDOLPH

The army is discharged all and gone.

FALSTAFF

105 Let them go. I’ll through Gloucestershire, and there will I
visit Master Robert Shallow, Esquire. I have him already
temp'ring between my finger and my thumb, and shortly
will I seal with him. Come away.

FALSTAFF

Let them go. I’ll through Gloucestershire, and there will I
visit Master Robert Shallow, Esquire. I have him already
temp'ring between my finger and my thumb, and shortly
will I seal with him. Come away.
Exeunt
Exeunt

Popular pages: Henry IV, Part 2