And when we see the figure of the house,
Then must we rate the cost of the erection;
Which if we find outweighs ability,

What do we then but draw anew the model

In fewer offices, or at least desist

To build at all? Much more, in this great work,
Which is almost to pluck a kingdom down

And set another up, should we survey
The plot of situation and the model,
Consent upon a sure foundation,
Question surveyors, know our own estate,
How able such a work to undergo,
To weigh against his opposite; or else
We fortify in paper and in figures,

Using the names of men instead of men :
Like one that draws the model of a house

Beyond his power to build it; who, half through,
Gives o'er and leaves his part-created cost

A naked subject to the weeping clouds

And waste for churlish winter's tyranny.

Hastings. Grant that our hopes, yet likely of fair birth, Should be still-born, and that we now possess'd

The utmost man of expectation,

I think we are a body strong enough,

Even as we are, to equal with the king.

50

60

Lord Bardolph. What, is the king but five and twenty thousand?

Hastings. To us no more; nay, not so much, Lord Bardolph.

For his divisions, as the times do brawl,

Are in three heads: one power against the French,

And one against Glendower; perforce a third
Must take up us. So is the unfirm king

In three divided; and his coffers sound
With hollow poverty and emptiness.

70

Archbishop. That he should draw his several strengths together

And come against us in full puissance,

Need not be dreaded.

Hastings.

If he should do so,

He leaves his back unarm'd, the French and Welsh
Baying him at the heels; never fear that.

80

Lord Bardolph. Who is it like should lead his forces hither?

Hastings. The Duke of Lancaster and Westmoreland;
Against the Welsh, himself and Harry Monmouth :
But who is substituted 'gainst the French,

And publish the occasion of our arms.

The commonwealth is sick of their own choice;
Their over-greedy love hath surfeited.

An habitation giddy and unsure

Hath he that buildeth on the vulgar heart.-
O thou fond many, with what loud applause
Didst thou beat heaven with blessing Bolingbroke,
Before he was what thou wouldst have him be!
And being now trimm'd in thine own desires,
Thou, beastly feeder, art so full of him,
That thou provok'st thyself to cast him up.
So, so, thou common dog, didst thou disgorge
Thy glutton bosom of the royal Richard;
And now thou wouldst eat thy dead vomit up,

90

And howl'st to find it. What trust is in these times?

100

They that, when Richard liv'd, would have him die,
Are now become enamour'd on his grave;
Thou, that threw'st dust upon his goodly head
When through proud London he came sighing on
After th' admired heels of Bolingbroke,
Criest now 'O earth, yield us that king again,

And take thou this!' O thoughts of men accurs'd!
Past and to come seems best; things present worst.

53

Mowbray. Shall we go draw our numbers and set on? 109 Hastings. We are time's subjects, and time bids be gone.

Now the Lord lighten thee! thou art a great fool (ii. 1. 177).

ACT II.

Enter Hostess, FANG and his Boy with her, and SNARE fol

lowing.

Hostess. Master Fang, have you entered the action?

Fang. It is entered.

Hostess. Where's your yeoman? Is 't a lusty yeoman?

will a' stand to 't?

Fang. Sirrah, where 's Snare?

Hostess. O Lord, ay! good Master Snare.

Snare. Here, here.

Fang. Snare, we must arrest Sir John Falstaff.

Hostess. Yea, good Master Snare; I have entered him and all.

ΙΟ

Snare. It may chance cost some of us our lives, for he will stab.

Hostess. Alas the day! take heed of him; he stabbed me in mine own house, and that most beastly. In good faith, he cares not what mischief he does, if his weapon be out: he will foin like any devil; he will spare neither man, woman, nor child.

Fang. If I can close with him, I care not for his thrust. Hostess. No, nor I neither; I'll be at your elbow. Fang. An I but fist him once; an a' come but within my vice,

21

Hostess. I am undone by his going; I warrant you, he's an infinitive thing upon my score. Good Master Fang, hold him sure; good Master Snare, let him not scape. A' comes continuantly to Pie-corner-saving your manhoods—to buy a saddle; and he is indited to dinner to the Lubber's-head in Lumbert Street, to Master Smooth's the silkman. I pray ye, since my exion is entered and my case so openly known to the world, let him be brought in to his answer. A hundred mark is a long one for a poor lone woman to bear; and I have borne, and borne, and borne, and have been fubbed off, and fubbed off, and fubbed off, from this day to that day, that it is a shame to be thought on. There is no honesty in such dealing; unless a woman should be made an ass and a beast, to bear every knave's wrong. Yonder he comes; and that arrant malmsey-nose knave, Bardolph, with him. Do your