Peer Reviewed
Henry V (Modern, Quarto)
504.1[Scene 2]
Good morrow, Corporal Nym.
Good morrow, Lieutenant Bardolph.
What, is Ancient Pistol and thee friends yet?
I cannot tell; things must be as 511they may: 235I dare not fight, but I will wink and hold out 512mine iron. 236It is a simple one, but what though? It will 513serve to toast cheese, 237and it will endure cold as another man's 514sword will, 238and there's the humor of it.
I must do as I may. 527Though patience be a tired mare, 242yet she'll plod, and some say knives have edges, 525243and men may sleep, and have their throats about them 526244at that time, and there is the humor of it.
Come, i'faith, I'll bestow a breakfast to make Pistol 246and thee friends. 590What a plague should we carry knives 591247to cut our own throats?
I'faith, I'll live as long as I may, that's the 519certain of it. 249And when I cannot live any longer, I'll do 520as I may, 250and there's my rest, and the rendezvous of it.
How do you, my host?
Base slave, call'st thou me host? 256Now by 535Gad's lugs I swear I scorn the title, 257nor shall my Nell keep 536lodging.
No, by my troth not I, 259for we cannot bed nor board 538half a score honest gentlewomen 260that live 539honestly by the prick of their needle, 261but it is 540thought straight we keep a bawdy-house.
2.12.1[Nym draws his sword.]
262540.1O Lord, here's Corporal Nym's! 541Now shall 263we have willful 542adultery and murder committed. 547264Good Corporal Nym, show the valor of a man 265and 548put up your sword.
Push.
What dost thou push, thou prick-eared cur 546of Iceland?
Will you shog off? I would have you solus.
"Solus," egregious dog? That "solus" 552in thy throat, 270and in thy lungs, 553and which is worse, within 271thy messful mouth! I 554do retort that "solus" in thy 272bowels, and in thy jaw, perdie: for I can talk, 273and 555Pistol's flashing fiery cock is up.
I am not Barbasom; you cannot conjure me. 275I 557have an humor, Pistol, to knock you indifferently well. 276An you 558fall foul with me, Pistol, I'll scour you with my 559277rapier in fair terms. If you will walk 560off a little, 278I'll prick your guts a little in good terms, 561279and there's the humor of it.
O braggart vile, and damnèd furious wight, 563281the grave doth gape, and groaning 282death is near, 564therefore exhale.
An oath of mickle might, and fury shall abate.
2.20.1[They sheathe their swords.]
Couple gorge is the word; I thee defy 574again! 290A damnèd hound, think'st thou my spouse to get? 575291No! To the powdering tub of 576infamy, 292fetch forth the lazar kite of Cressid's kind, 293Doll 577Tearsheet, she by name, and her espouse. 294I have, and I 578will hold the quondam Quickly 295for the only she, and 579Paco! There, it is enough.
Hostess, you must come straight to my 582master, 298and you, Host Pistol. 583-- Good Bardolph, 299put thy nose between the sheets, and do 584the office of a warming-pan.
By my troth, he'll yield the crow a pudding one 587of these days. 588301I'll go to him. Husband, you'll come?
2.24.1[Exeunt Boy and Hostess.]
Come, Pistol, be friends. 602303Nym, prithee be friends. 603An if thou wilt not, be 304enemies with me too.
[To Pistol] I shall have my eight shillings I won of you 595at beating?
Base is the slave that pays.
That now I will have, and there's the humor of it.
As manhood shall compound.
2.29.1They draw [their swords].
Sword is an oath, and oaths must have their course.
2.31.1[Sheathes his sword.]
A noble shalt thou have, and ready pay, 314and 606liquor likewise will give to thee, 315and friendship 607shall combind, and brotherhood. 316I'll live by Nym as 608Nym shall live by me: 317is not this just? For I shall 609sutler be 318unto the camp, and profit will accrue.
I shall have my noble?
In cash most truly paid.
Why there's the humor of it.
As ever you came of men, come in. 616324Sir John, poor soul, is so troubled 325with a 617burning tashan contigian fever, 'tis wonderful.
2.37.1[Exit.]
Let us condole the knight, for lambkins, we will live.