Page:Henry IV Part 1 (1917) Yale.djvu/60

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heard bull-calf. What a slave art thou, to hack

thy sword as thou hast done, and then say it

was in fight! What trick, what device, what

starting-hole canst thou now find out to hide

thee from this open and apparent shame?

Poins. Come, let's hear, Jack; what trick

hast thou now?

Fal. By the Lord, I knew ye as well as he

that made ye. Why, hear you, my masters: was

it for me to kill the heir-apparent? Should I turn

upon the true prince? Why, thou knowest I am

as valiant as Hercules; but beware instinct: the

lion will not touch the true prince. Instinct is

a great matter, I was a coward on instinct. I

shall think the better of myself and thee during

my life; I for a valiant lion, and thou for a true

prince. But, by the Lord, lads, I am glad you

have the money. Hostess, clap to the doors:

watch to-night, pray to-morrow. Gallants, lads,

boys, hearts of gold, all the titles of good fellow-

ship come to you! What! shall we be merry?

shall we have a play extempore?

Prince. Content; and the argument shall be

thy running away.

Fal. Ah! no more of that, Hal, an thou lovest

me!

Host. O Jesu! my lord the prince!

Prince. How now, my lady the hostess! what

sayest thou to me?

Host. Marry, my lord, there is a nobleman

of the court at door would speak with you: he

says he comes from your father.

 295 starting-hole: subterfuge (lit. hunted animal's shelter) 