"The Second part of Henrie the fourth, continuing to his death, and coronation of Henrie the fift. With the humours of Sir Iohn Falstaffe, and swaggering Pistoll. As it hath been sundrie times publikely acted by the right honourable, the Lord Chamberlaine his seruants. Written by William Shakespeare. London Printed by V. S. for Andrew Wise, and William Aspley. 1600." 4to. 48 leaves. Other copies of the same edition, in quarto, not containing Sign. E 5 and E 6, have only 41 leaves. In the folio, 1623, "The Second Part of Henry the Fourth, containing his Death: and the Coronation of King Henry the Fift," occupies twenty-nine pages in the division of "Histories," viz. from p. 74 to p. 102 inclusive, the last two not being numbered. Pages 89 and 90, by an error of the press, are numbered 91 and 92. In the reprint of the folio, 1632, this mistake is repeated. In the two later folios the pagination continued from the beginning to the end of the volume. INTRODUCTION. WE may state with more certainty than usual, that "Henry IV." Part ii. was written before the 25th Feb. 1598. In the preliminary notice of "Henry IV." Part i. it is mentioned, that Act ii. sc. 2, of the "history" before us contains a piece of evidence that Falstaff was still called Oldcastle when it was written; viz. that the prefix of Old. is retained in the quarto, 1600, before a speech which belongs to Falstaff, and which is assigned to him in the folio of 1623. Now, we know that the name of Oldcastle was changed to that of Falstaff anterior to the entry of "Henry IV." Part i. in the books of the Stationers' Company on the 25th Feb. 1597-8. This circumstance overturns Malone's theory, that "Henry IV." Part ii. was not written until 1599. It requires no proof that it was produced after "Richard II." because that play is quoted in it. The memorandum in the Stationers' Registers, prior to the publication of the following play, is inserted literatim in Vol. ii. p. 183: it bears date on 23d Aug. 1600, and it was made by Andrew Wise and William Aspley, who brought out "The Seconde Parte of the History of Kinge Henry the iiiith," 4to, in that year. There was only one edition of "Henry IV. " Part ii. in 1600, but some copies vary importantly. The play was evidently produced from the press in haste; and besides other large omissions, a whole scene, forming the commencement of Act iii. was left out. Most of the copies are without these pages, but they are found in those of the Duke of Devonshire and Malone. The stationer must have discovered the error after the publication, and sheet E was accordingly reprinted, in order to supply the defect. The folio 1623 was taken from a complete copy of the edition of 1600; and, moreover, the actor-editors, probably from a play-house manuscript in their hands, furnished many other lines wanting in the quarto. On the other hand, the quarto, 1600, contains several passages not found in the folio, 1623. Our text includes both, (properly distinguished in the notes) in order that no syllable which came froin the pen of Shakespeare may be lost. Even if we suppose our great dramatist to have himself rejected certain portions, preserved in the quarto, the exclusion of them by a modern editor would be unpardonable, as they form part of the history of the poet's mind. DRAMATIS PERSONE. KING HENRY THE FOURTH. HENRY, Prince of Wales; THOMAS, Duke of Clarence; PRINCE JOHN OF LANCASTER ; PRINCE HUMPHREY OF GLOUCESTER ; EARL OF WARWICK; EARL OF WESTMORELAND; GOWER; HARCOURT; His Sons. Of the King's Party. Lord Chief Justice of the King's Bench. A Gentleman attending on the Chief Justice. EARL OF NORTHUMBERLAND; SCROOP, Archbishop of York; LORD MOWBRAY; LORD HASTINGS; Opposites to the King. LORD BARDOLPH; SIR JOHN COLEVILLE. TRAVERS and MORTON, Retainers of Northumberland. FALSTAFF, BARDOLPH, PISTOL, and a Page. SHALLOW and SILENCE, Country Justices. DAVY, Servant to Shallow. MOULDY, SHADOW, WART, FEEBLE, and BULCALF, Recruits. FANG and SNARE, Sheriff's Officers. RUMOUR, the Presenter. A Porter. A Dancer, Speaker of the Epilogue. LADY NORTHUMBERLAND. LADY PERCY. Lords, and Attendants; Officers, Soldiers, Messenger, Drawers, Beadles, Grooms, &c. SCENE, England. SECOND PART OF KING HENRY IV. Warkworth. INDUCTION. Before Northumberland's Castle. Enter RUMOUR, painted full of Tongues.1 Make fearful musters, and prepar'd defence; That the blunt monster with uncounted heads, Among my household? Why is Rumour here? Who in a bloody field by Shrewsbury Hath beaten down young Hotspur, and his troops, 1 This direction is only in the quarto, 1600. Rumour, or Fame, was often so represented. VOL. IV.-22 Quenching the flame of bold rebellion Than they have learn'd of me; from Rumour's tongues They bring smooth comforts false, worse than true [Exit. wrongs. ACT I. SCENE I-The Same. Enter Lord BARDOLPH.2 Bard. Who keeps the gate here? ho! Where is the earl? Enter Warder, above.3 Ward. What shall I say you are? Bard. Tell thou the earl, That the lord Bardolph doth attend him here. Ward. His lordship is walk'd forth into the orchard : Please it your honour, knock but at the gate, And he himself will answer. Bard. [Exit Warder. Here comes the earl. Enter NORTHUMBERLAND. North. What news, lord Bardolph ? every minute now Should be the father of some stratagem. The times are wild: contention, like a horse Bard. Noble earl, 1 peasant in f. e. 2 Porter before the Gate; Enter, &c.: in f. e. 34 Not in f. e. |