Page:Henry IV Part 2 (1921) Yale.djvu/76

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Shal. Ha, ha, ha! you can do it, sir; you can

do it: I commend you well. Francis Feeble!

Fee. Here, sir.

Fal. What trade art thou, Feeble?

Fee. A woman's tailor, sir.

Shal. Shall I prick him, sir?

Fal. You may; but if he had been a man's

tailor he'd have pricked you. Wilt thou make

as many holes in an enemy's battle as thou hast

done in a woman's petticoat?

Fee. I will do my good will, sir: you can

have no more.

Fal. Well said, good woman's tailor! well

said, courageous Feeble! Thou wilt be as valiant

as the wrathful dove or most magnanimous

mouse. Prick the woman's tailor; well, Master

Shallow; deep, Master Shallow.

Fee. I would Wart might have gone, sir.

Fal. I would thou wert a man's tailor, that

thou mightst mend him, and make him fit to

go. I cannot put him to a private soldier that is

the leader of so many thousands: let that

suffice, most forcible Feeble.

Fee. It shall suffice, sir.

Fal. I am bound to thee, reverend Feeble.

Who is next?

Shal. Peter Bullcalf o' the green!

Fal. Yea, marry, let's see Bullcalf.

Bull. Here, sir.

Fal. 'Fore God, a likely fellow! Come, prick

me Bullcalf till he roar again.

Bull. O Lord! good my lord captain,—

Fal. What! dost thou roar before thou art

pricked?

 167 battle: army

180 thousands: i.e., vermin 