Page:Henry IV Part 1 (1917) Yale.djvu/59

King Henry the Fourth, II. iv

men in Kendal-green, when it was so dark thou

couldst not see thy hand? come, tell us your

reason: what sayest thou to this?

Poins. Come, your reason, Jack, your reason.

Fal. What, upon compulsion? 'Zounds! an

I were at the strappado, or all the racks in the

world, I would not tell you on compulsion. Give

you a reason on compulsion! if reasons were as

plenty as blackberries I would give no man a

reason upon compulsion, I.

Prince. I'll be no longer guilty of this sin:

this sanguine coward, this bed-presser, this

horseback-breaker, this huge hill of flesh;—

Fal. 'Sblood, you starveling, you elf-skin, you

dried neat's-tongue, you bull's pizzle, you stock-

fish! O! for breath to utter what is like thee;

you tailor's yard, you sheath, you bow-case, you

vile standing-tuck,—

Prince. Well, breathe awhile, and then to it

again; and when thou hast tired thyself in base

comparisons, hear me speak but this.

Poins. Mark, Jack.

Prince. We two saw you four set on four and

you bound them, and were masters of their

wealth. Mark now, how a plain tale shall put

you down. Then did we two set on you four, and,

with a word, out-faced you from your prize, and

have it; yea, and can show it you here in the

house. And, Falstaff, you carried your guts away

as nimbly, with as quick dexterity, and roared

for mercy, and still ran and roared, as ever I

 266 strappado; cf. n.

268 reasons; cf. n.

272 sanguine: red-faced

275 neat's-tongue: ox tongue

stock-fish: dried cod

278 standing-tuck: small rapier standing on end

287 out-faced: frightened 