Page:Henry IV Part 1 (1917) Yale.djvu/94

80

And either we or they must lower lie.

Fal. Rare words! brave world! Hostess, my breakfast; come!

O! I could wish this tavern were my drum. Exeunt omnes.

 

Hot. Well said, my noble Scot: if speaking truth

In this fine age were not thought flattery,

Such attribution should the Douglas have,

As not a soldier of this season's stamp

Should go so general current through the world.

By God, I cannot flatter; do defy

The tongues of soothers; but a braver place

In my heart's love hath no man than yourself.

Nay, task me to my word; approve me, lord.

Doug. Thou art the the king of honour:

No man so potent breathes upon the ground

But I will beard him.

Hot.Do so, and 'tis well.

What letters hast thou there? I can but thank you.

Mess. These letters come from your father.

Hot. Letters from him! why comes he not himself?

 228 drum; cf. n.

 3 attribution: praise

4-5 Cf. n.

6 defy: despise

7 soothers: flatterers

9 task me to my word: challenge me to make good my word

approve: test 