Internet Shakespeare Editions

Author: William Shakespeare
Editor: Rosemary Gaby
Not Peer Reviewed

Henry IV, Part 2 (Modern)

[5.4]
3170Enter [Mistress Quickly, Doll Tearsheet, and Beadles].
Hostess
No, thou errant knave! I would to god that I might die, that I might have thee hanged. Thou hast drawn my shoulder out of joint.
Beadle
The constables have delivered her over to me, 3175and she shall have whipping-cheer, I warrant her. There hath been a man or two killed about her.
Nut-hook, nut-hook, you lie! Come on, I'll tell thee what, thou damned tripe-visaged rascal, an the child I go 3180with do miscarry, thou wert better thou hadst struck thy mother, thou paper-faced villain.
Hostess
O the lord, that Sir John were come! I would make this a bloody day to somebody. But I pray god the fruit of 3185her womb miscarry.
Beadle
If it do, you shall have a dozen of cushions again; you have but eleven now. Come, I charge you both go with me, for the man is dead that you and Pistol beat amongst you.
I'll tell you what, you thin man in a censer: I will have you as soundly swinged for this, you bluebottle rogue, you filthy famished correctioner. If you be not swinged, I'll forswear half-kirtles.
Beadle
Come, come, you she knight-errant, come.
3195Hostess
O god, that right should thus overcome might! Well, of sufferance comes ease.
Come, you rogue, come, bring me to a justice.
Hostess
I come, you starved bloodhound.
Goodman death, goodman bones.
Hostess
Thou atomy, thou.
Come, you thin thing, come, you rascal.
Beadle
Very well.
Exeunt.