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counterfeit: to die, is to be a counterfeit; for he

is but the counterfeit of a man, who hath not

the life of a man; but to counterfeit dying, when

a man thereby liveth, is to be no counterfeit, but

the true and perfect image of life indeed. The

better part of valour is discretion; in the which

better part, I have saved my life. 'Zounds! I

am afraid of this gunpowder Percy though he

be dead: how, if he should counterfeit too and

rise? By my faith I am afraid he would prove

the better counterfeit. Therefore I'll make him

sure; yea, and I'll swear I killed him. Why may

not he rise as well as I? Nothing confutes me

but eyes, and nobody sees me: therefore, sirrah,

with a new wound in your thigh come you along

with me.

He takes up Hotspur on his back.

Enter Prince and John of Lancaster.

Prince. Come, brother John; full bravely hast thou flesh'd

Thy maiden sword.

Lanc.But, soft! whom have we here?

Did you not tell me this fat man was dead?

Prince. I did; I saw him dead,

Breathless and bleeding on the ground.

Art thou alive? or is it fantasy

That plays upon our eyesight? I prithee, speak;

We will not trust our eyes without our ears:

Thou art not what thou seem'st.

Fal. No, that's certain; I am not a double

man: but if I be not Jack Falstaff, then am I a

Jack. There is Percy: if your father will do

me any honour, so; if not, let him kill the 