Internet Shakespeare Editions

Author: William Shakespeare
Editor: Rosemary Gaby
Peer Reviewed

Henry IV, Part 1 (Quarto 0, 1598)

of Henry the fourth.
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 shal bring it on.
605Hot. I smell it. Vpon my life it will do well:
Nort. Before the game is afoote thou still letst slip.
Hot. Why, it cannot chuse but be a noble plot,
And then the power of Scotland, and of Yorke,
610To ioyne with Mortimer, ha.
Wor. And so they shall.
Hot, In faith it is exceedingly well, aimd.
Wor. And tis no little reason bids vs speed,
To saue our heades by raising of a head,
615[F]or beare our selues as euen as we can,
[T]he king will alwayes thinke him in our debt,
And thinke we thinke our selues vnsatisfied,
Till he hath found a time to pay vs home,
And see alreadie how he doth begin
620To make vs strangers to his lookes of loue.
Hot. He does, he does, weele be reuengd on him.
Wor. Coosen farewell. No further go in this,
Then I by letters shall direct your course
When time is ripe, which will be suddenly,
625Ile steale to Glendower, and Lo: Mortimer,
Where you and Douglas, and our powers at once,
As I will fashion it shall happily meete,
To beare out fortunes in our owne strong armes,
Which now we hold at much vncertaintie.
630Nor. Farewell good brother, we shall thriue I trust.
Hot. Vncle adieu: O let the houres be short,
Till fields, and blowes, and grones, applaud our sport. Exeunt.
Enter a Carrier with a lanterne in his hand.

6351 Car. Heigh ho. An it be not foure by the day ile be hangd,
Charles-waine is ouer the new Chimney, and yet our horse not
packt. What Ostler.
Ost. Anon, anon.
Cii. 1 Car.