Page:Henry V (1918) Yale.djvu/31

Henry the Fifth, II. i

but that shall be as it may. I dare not fight;

but I will wink and hold out mine iron. It is a

simple one; but what though? it will toast

cheese, and it will endure cold as another man's

sword will: and there's an end.

Bard. I will bestow a breakfast to make you

friends, and we'll be all three sworn brothers to

France: let it be so, good Corporal Nym.

Nym. Faith, I will live so long as I may,

that's the certain of it; and when I cannot live

any longer, I will do as I may: that is my rest,

that is the rendezvous of it.

Bard. It is certain, corporal, that he is

married to Nell Quickly; and, certainly she did

you wrong, for you were troth-plight to her.

Nym. I cannot tell; things must be as they

may: men may sleep, and they may have their

throats about them at that time; and, some say,

knives have edges. It must be as it may: though

patience be a tired mare, yet she will plod.

There must be conclusions. Well, I cannot tell.

Bard. Here comes Ancient Pistol and his

wife. Good corporal, be patient here. How

now, mine host Pistol!

Pist. Base tike, call'st thou me host?

Now, by this hand, I swear, I scorn the term;

Nor shall my Nell keep lodgers.

Host. No, by my troth, not long; for we can-

not lodge and board a dozen or fourteen gentle-

women that live honestly by the prick of their

 8 wink: shut my eyes

11 there's an end; cf. n.

17 rest: resolve; cf. n.

18 rendezvous; cf. n.

21 troth-plight: betrothed

31 tike: cur 