Page:Henry IV Part 1 (1917) Yale.djvu/112

98

Prince. It will not be accepted, on my life.

The Douglas and the Hotspur both together

Are confident against the world in arms.

King. Hence, therefore, every leader to his charge;

For, on their answer, will we set on them;

And God befriend us, as our cause is just!

Exeunt. Manet Prince and Falstaff.

Fal. Hal, if thou see me down in the battle,

and bestride me, so; 'tis a point of friendship.

Prince. Nothing but a colossus can do thee

that friendship. Say thy prayers, and farewell.

Fal. I would it were bed-time, Hal, and all

well.

Prince. Why, thou owest God a death.

[Exit Prince.]

Fal. 'Tis not due yet: I would be loath to

pay him before his day. What need I be so

forward with him that calls not on me? Well,

'tis no matter; honour pricks me on. Yea, but

how if honour prick me off when I come on?

how then? Can honour set to a leg? No. Or an

arm? No. Or take away the grief of a wound?

No. Honour hath no skill in surgery then? No.

What is honour? a word. What is that word,

honour? Air. A trim reckoning! Who hath it?

he that died o' Wednesday. Doth he feel it?

No. Doth he hear it? No. It is insensible

then? Yea, to the dead. But will it not live

with the living? No. Why? Detraction will not

suffer it. Therefore I'll none of it: honour is a

mere scutcheon; and so ends my catechism.

Exit.

 127-128 Cf. n.

143 scutcheon: shield with armorial bearings, carried in funeral processions 