Internet Shakespeare Editions

Author: William Shakespeare
Editor: Rosemary Gaby
Not Peer Reviewed

Henry IV, Part 1 (Quarto 1, 1598)

The Historie
Mooreditch?
190Falst. Thou hast the most vnsauory smiles, and art indeed
the most comparatiue rascalliest sweer yong Prince. But Hal,
I prethe trouble me no more with vanitie, I woulde to God
thou and I knewe where a commodity of good names were
to be bought: an olde Lorde of the councell rated me the o-
195ther day in the street about you sir, but I markt him not, and
yet he talkt very wisely, but I regarded him not, and yet hee
talkt wisely and in the street to.
Prin. Thou didst well, for wisedome cries out in the streets
and no man regards it.
Falst. O thou hast damnable iteration, and art indeed able
200to corrupt a saint: thou hast done much harme vpon me Hal,
God forgiue thee for it: before I knewe thee Hal, I knewe no-
thing, and now am I, if a man should speake trulie, little better
then one of the wicked: I must giue ouer this life, and I will
giue it ouer: by the Lord and I doe not, I am a villaine, ile bee
205damnd for neuer a kings sonne in Christendom.
Prin. Where shal we take a purse to morrow Iacke?
Falst. Zounds where thou wilt lad, ile make one, an I do not
call me villaine and baffell me.
210Prin. I see a good amendment of life in thee, from praying
to purse-taking.
Fal. Why Hall, tis my vocation Hall, tis no sinne for a man
to labor in his vocation. Enter Poines.
Poynes nowe shall we knowe if Gadshill haue set a match.
215O if men were to be saued by merit, what hole in hell were hot
enough for him? this is the most omnipotent villaine that euer
cried, stand, to a true man.
Prin. Good morrow Ned.
Poines. Good morrow sweete Hal. What saies Monsieur
220remorse? what saies sir Iohn Sacke, and Sugar Iacke? howe
agrees the Diuell and thee about thy soule that thou souldest
him on good friday last, for a cup of Medera and a cold capons
legge.
Prince. Sir Iohn stands to his word, the diuell shall haue his
225bargaine, for he was neuer yet a breaker of prouerbes: he will
giue the diuell his due.
Poines