J sons: inquire me out contracted bachelors, such as had been ask'd twice on the bans; such a coinmodity of warm slaves, as had as lief hear the devil as a drum; such as fear the report of a caliver, worse than a struck fowl, or a hurt wildduck. I press'd me none but such toasts and butter, with hearts in their bellies no bigger than pins' heads, and they have bought out their services and now my whole charge consists of ancients, corporals, lieutenants, gentlemen of companies, slaves as ragged as Lazarus in the painted cloths where the glutton's dogs licked his sores: and such as, indeed, were never soldiers; but discarded unjust servingmen, younger sons to younger brothers, revolted tapsters, and, and a ostlers trade-fallen the cankers of a calm' such have I, to entonourable ragged fill up the rooms of them that have bought out their services; that you would think, that I had a hundred and fifty tatter'd prodigals, lately come from swine-keeping, from eating draff and husks. A mad fellow met me on the way; and told me, I had unloaded all the gibhets, and press'd the dead bodies. No eye hath seen such scare-crows.~ I'll not march through Coventry with them, that's flat:-Nay, and the villains march wide betwixt the legs, as if they had gyves on; for, indeed, I had the most of them out of prison. There's but a shirt and a half in all my company and the half-shirt is two napkins, tack'd together, and thrown over their shoulders like a herald's coat without sleeves; and the shirt, to say the truth, stolen from my host at saint Alban's, or the red-nose inn-keeper of Daintry. tirish Hut book 979 2 4. yoxd But that's all one; they'll find linen enough on overy hedge. Enter Prince HENRY and WESTMORELAND. P. Hen. How now, blown Jack? how now, quilt? Fal. What, Hal? How now, mad wag? what a devil dost thou in Warwickshire? My good Lord of Westmoreland, I cry you mercy; I thought, your Honour had already been at Shrewsbury. West. 'Faith, Sir John, 'tis more than time that I were there, and you too; but my powers are there already: The King, I can tell you, looks for us all; we must away all night. Fal. Tut, never fear me; I am as vigilant, as a cat to steal cream. P. Hen. I think, to steal cream indeed; for thy theft hath already made thee butter. But tell me, Jack; Whose fellows are these that come after ? Fal. Mine, Hal, mine. P. Hen. I did never see such pitiful rascals. Fal. Tut, tut; good enough to toss; food for powder, food for powder; they'll fill a pit, as well as better: tush, man, mortal men, mortal men. West. Ay, but, Sir John, méthinks, they are exceeding poor and bare; too beggarly. Fal. 'Faith, for their poverty, . I know not where they had that and for their bareness, I am sure, they never learn'd that of me. P. Henr. No, I'll be sworn; unless you call three fingers on the ribs, bare. But, sirrah, make haste; Percy is already in the field. Fal. What, is the King encamp'd? West. He is, Sir John; I fear, we shall stay too long. Fal. Well, To the latter end of a fray, and the beginning of a feast, Fits a dull fighter, and a keen guest. SCENE III. [Exeunt. The Rebel Camp near Shrewsbury, Enter HOTSPUR, WORCESTER, VERNON. DOUGLAS, and Hot. We'll fight with him to-night, Wor. It may not be. Doug. You give him then advantage. Hot. Why say you so? looks he not for sup Ver. So do we. ply? Hot. His is certain, ours is doubtful. Wor. Good cousin, be advis'd; stir not tonight. Ver. Do not, my Lord. Doug. You do not council well; You speak it out of fear, and cold heart. Ver. Do me no slander, Douglas: by my life, (And I dare well maintain it with my life,) If well-respected honour bid me on, I hold as little counsel with weak fear, As you, my Lord, or any Scot that lives: Let it be seen to-morrow in the battle, Which of us fears. Y Hot. Tonight, say I. Ver Come, come, It I wonder much, being men' inf it may not be. Hot. So are the horses of the enemy Wor. The number of the King exceedeth ours: For God's sake, cousin, stay till all come in. [The Trumpets sound a parley. Enter Sir WALTER BLUNT. If you vouchsafe me hearing, and respect. Hot. Welcome, Sir Walter Blunt; And would to God You were of our determination! even those some Envy your great deservings, a Blunt. And God defend, but still I should stand so, .9011 So long as, out of limit, and true rule You stand against anointed majesty ! 6 But, to my chrge. The King hath sent to know The nature of your griefs; and whereupon Have any way your good deserts forgot, . He bids you name your griefs; and, with all speed, You shall have your desires, with interest; Hot The King is kind; and well we know, the King Knows at what time to promise, when to pay. He came but to be Duke of Lancaster, He presently, as greatness knows itself, |