Page:Henry IV Part 2 (1921) Yale.djvu/126

114

Fal. What wind blew you hither, Pistol?

Pist. Not the ill wind which blows no man to good.

Sweet knight, thou art now one of the greatest

men in this realm.

Sil. By 'r lady, I think a' be, but goodman

Puff of Barson.

Pist. Puff!

Puff in thy teeth, most recreant coward base!

Sir John, I am thy Pistol and thy friend,

And helter-skelter have I rode to thee,

And tidings do I bring and lucky joys

And golden times and happy news of price.

Fal. I prithee now, deliver them like a man of this world.

Pist. A foutra for the world and worldlings base!

I speak of Africa and golden joys.

Fal. O base Assyrian knight, what is thy news?

Let King Cophetua know the truth thereof.

Sil. 'And Robin Hood, Scarlet, and John/

Pist. Shall dunghill curs confront the Helicons?

And shall good news be baffled?

Then, Pistol, lay thy head in Furies' lap.

Shal. Honest gentleman, I know not your

breeding.

Pist. Why then, lament therefore.

Shal. Give me pardon, sir: if, sir, you come

with news from the court, I take it there's but

two ways: either to utter them, or to conceal

them. I am sir, under the king, in some authority.

 91 but: except

92 Barson: Barston in Warwickshire

98 price: value

100 foutra: exclamation of contempt

103, 104 These lines refer to popular ballads

105 Cf. n.

