Henry IV, Part 2 (Folio 1 1623)

 
 
 3324EPILOGVE.
 
 3325FIRST, my Feare: then, my Curtsie: 
 last, my Speech.
 3326My Feare, is your Displeasure: My Curtsie, my Dutie:
 3327And my speech, to Begge your Pardons. If you looke for a
 3328good speech now, you vndoe me: For what I haue to say, is
 3329of mine owne making: and what (indeed) I should say, will
 3330(I doubt) prooue mine owne marring. But to the Purpose,
 3331and so to the Venture. Be it knowne to you (as it is very
 3332well) I was lately heere in the end of a displeasing Play, to pray your Patience
 3333for it, and to promise you a Better: I did meane (indeede) to pay you with this,
 3334which if (like an ill Venture) it come vnluckily home, I breake; and you, my gen-
 3335tle Creditors lose. Heere I promist you I would be, and heere I commit my Bodie
 3336to your Mercies: Bate me some, and I will pay you some, and (as most Debtors do)
 3337promise you infinitely.
 3338 If my Tongue cannot entreate you to acquit me: will you command me to vse
 3339my Legges? And yet that were but light payment, to Dance out of your debt: But
 3340a good Conscience, will make any possible satisfaction, and so will I. All the Gen-
 3341tlewomen heere, haue forgiuen me, if the Gentlemen will not, then the Gentlemen
 3342do not agree with the Gentlewowen, which was neuer seene before, in such an As-
 3343sembly.
 3344 One word more, I beseech you: if you be not too much cloid with Fat Meate,
 3345our humble Author will continue the Story (with Sir Iohn in it) and make you
 3346merry, with faire Katherine of France: where (for any thing I know) Fal-
 3347staffe shall dye of a sweat, vnlesse already he be kill'd with your hard Opinions:
 3348For Old-Castle dyed a Martyr, and this is not the man. My Tongue is wearie
 3349when my Legs are too, I will bid you good night; and so kneele downe before you:
 3350But (indeed) to pray for the Queene.
 
 
 
 
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Henry IV, Part 2 (Folio 1 1623)
