Internet Shakespeare Editions

Author: William Shakespeare
Editor: Rosemary Gaby
Not Peer Reviewed

Henry IV, Part 1 (Quarto 1, 1598)

The Historie
270Prin. How shall we part with them in setting forth?
Po. Why, we wil set forth before or after them, and appoint
them a place of meeting, wherein it is at our pleasure to faile;
and then wil they aduenture vpõ the exploit themselues, which
they shal haue no sooner atchieued but weele set vpon them.
Prin. Yea, but tis like that they wil know vs by our horses, by
our habits, and by euery other appointment to be our selues.
Po. Tut, our horses they shal not see, ile tie them in the wood,
280our vizards wee wil change after wee leaue them: and sirrha, I
haue cases of Buckrom for the nonce, to immaske our noted
outward garments.
Prin. Yea, but I doubt they wil be too hard for vs.
Po. Wel, for two of them, I know them to bee as true bred
285cowards as euer turnd backe: and for the third, if he fight longer
then he sees reason, ile forsweare armes. The vertue of this ieast
wil be the incomprehensible lies, that this same fat rogue wil tel
vs when we meet at supper, how thirtie at least he fought with,
what wardes, what blowes, what extremities he indured, and in
290the reproofe of this liues the iest.
Prin. Well, ile goe with thee, prouide vs all thinges neces-
sarie, and meete me to morrow night in Eastcheape, there ile
sup: farewell.
295Po. Farewel my Lord.
Exit Poines.
Prin. I know you all, and wil a while vphold
The vnyokt humour of your idlenes,
Yet herein wil I imitate the sunne,
Who doth permit the base contagious clouds
300To smother vp his beautie from the world,
That when he please againe to be himselfe,
Being wanted he may be more wondred at
By breaking through the foule and ougly mists
Of vapours, that did seeme to strangle him.
305If all the yeere were playing holly-dayes,
To sport would be as tedious as to worke;
But when they seldome come, they wisht for come,
And nothing pleaseth but rare accidents:
So when this loose behauiour I throw off,
310And pay the debt I neuer promised,
By