Internet Shakespeare Editions

Author: William Shakespeare
Editor: Rosemary Gaby
Not Peer Reviewed

Henry IV, Part 1 (Quarto 1, 1598)

of Henrie the fourth.
Hot. That roane shall be my throne. Wel, I will backe him
920straight: O Esperance, bid Butler lead him forth into the parke.
La. But heare you my Lord.
Hot. What saist thou my Lady?
La. What is it carries you away?
925Hot. Why, my horse (my loue) my horse.
La. Out you madhedded ape, a weazel hath not such a deale
of spleene as you are tost with. In faith ile knowe your businesse
Harry that I will, I feare my brother Mortimer doth stir about
his title, and hath sent for you to line his enterprise, but if you go.
Hot. So far a foot I shal be weary loue.
La. Come, come you Paraquito, answere me directly vnto
this question that I aske, in faith ile breake thy little finger Har-
ry and if thou wilt not tel me all things true.
935Hot. Away, away you trifler, loue, I loue thee not,
I care not for thee Kate, this is no world
To play with mammets, and to tilt with lips,
We must haue bloudy noses, and crackt crownes,
And passe them currant too: gods me my horse:
940What saist thou Kate? what wouldst thou haue with me?
La. Do you not loue me? do you not indeed?
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 iest or no?
945Hot. Come, wilt thou see me ride?
And when I am a horsebacke 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,
950Whither I must, I must, and to conclude
This euening must I leaue you gentle Kate,
I know you wise, but yet no farther wise
Then Harry Percies wife, constant you are,
But yet a woman, and for secrecy
955No Lady closer, for I well beleeue
Thou wilt not vtter what thou dost not know,
And so far wil I trust thee gentle Kate.
La. How, so far.
Hot.