and if I cannot once or twice in a quarter bear out a knave against an honest man, I have but a very little credit with your worship. The knave is mine honest friend, sir; therefore, I beseech your worship, let him be countenanced. Shal. Go to; I say, he shall have no wrong. Look about, Davy. [Exit Davy.] Where are you, sir John? Come, off with your boots.-Give me your hand, master Bardolph. Bard. I am glad to see your worship. Shal. I thank thee with all my heart, kind master Bardolph ;-and welcome, my tall fellow. [To the Page.] Come, sir John. [Exit Shallow. Fal. I'll follow you, good master Robert Shallow.Bardolph, look to our horses.-[Exeunt Bardolph and Page.] If I were sawed into quantities, I should make four dozen of such bearded hermit's-staves as master Shallow. It is a wonderful thing, to see the semblable coherence of his men's spirits and his: They, by observing him, do bear themselves like foolish justices; he, by conversing with them, is turn'd into a justice-like serving-man: their spirits are so married in conjunction with the participation of society, that they flock together in consent, like so many wild geese. If I had a suit to master Shallow, I would humour his men, with the imputation of being near their master: if to his men, I would curry with master Shallow, that no man could better command his servants. It is cer tain, that either wise bearing, or ignorant carriage, is caught, as men take diseases, one of another: therefore, let men take heed of their company. I will devise matter enough out of this Shallow, to keep prince Harry in continual laughter, the wearing-out of six fashions (which is four terms, or two actions,) and he shall laugh without intervallums. O, it is much, that a lie, with a slight oath, and a jest, with a sad brow, will do with a fellow that never had the ache in his shoulders! O, you shall see him laugh till his face be like a wet cloak ill laid up. Shal. [Within.] Sir John! Fal. I come, master Shallow; I come, master Shallow. [Exit. SCENE 11.-Westminster. A Room in the Palace. C. Just. How doth the king? War. Exceeding well: his cares are now all ended. C. Just. I hope, not dead. War. He's walk'd the way of nature; And, to our purposes, he lives no more. C. Just. I would, his majesty had call'd me with him: The service that I truly did his life, Hath left me open to all injuries. War. Indeed, I think, the young king loves you not. C. Just. I know he doth not: and do arm myself, To welcome the condition of the time; Which cannot look more hideously upon me Enter Prince John, Prince Humphrey, Clarence, War. Here come the heavy issue of dead Harry: O, that the living Harry had the temper Of him, the worst of these three gentlemen! P. John. We meet like men that had forgot to speak. Is all too heavy to admit much talk. P. John. Well, peace be with him that hath made us heavy! C. Just. Peace be with us, lest we be heavier! P. Humph. O, good my lord, you have lost a friend, indeed: And I dare swear, you borrow not that face Of seeming sorrow; it is, sure, your own. P. John. Though no man be assur'd what grace to find, You stand in coldest expectation: I am the sorrier; 'would, 'twere otherwise. Cla. Well, you must now speak sir John Falstaff fair; Which swims against your stream of quality. C. Just. Sweet princes, what I did, I did in honour. Led by the impartial conduct of my soul; And never shall you see, that I will beg Enter King Henry V. C. Just. Good morrow; and heaven save your majesty! King. This new and gorgeous garment, majesty, Sits not so easy on me as you think. Brothers, you mix your sadness with some fear; But Harry, Harry: Yet be sad, good brothers, That I will deeply put the fashion on, And wear it in my heart. Why then, be sad: Than a joint burden laid upon us all. P. John, &c. We hope no other from your majesty. How might a prince of my great hopes forget What! rate, rebuke, and roughly send to prison C. Just. I then did use the person of your father; And did commit you. If the deed were ill, Be now the father, and propose a son: King. You are right, justice, and you weigh this Therefore still bear the balance, and the sword: Offend you, and obey you, as I did. So shall I live to speak my father's words ;- The unstained sword that you have us'd' to bear; As you have done 'gainst me. There is my hand; My voice shall sound as you do prompt mine ear; To your well-practis'd, wise directions. And, princes all, believe me, I beseech you ;- grave, For in his tomb lie my affections; |