Page 1020 - Shakespeare - Vol. 2

in to borrow a mess of vinegar, telling us she had a good dish of prawns,
whereby thou didst desire to eat some, whereby I told thee they were ill for a
green wound? And didst thou not, when she was [95] gone down stairs,
desire me to be no more so familiarity with such poor people, saying that ere

long they should call me madam? And didst thou not kiss me and bid me
fetch thee thirty shillings? I put thee now to thy book-oath. Deny it, if thou
canst. [100]

FALSTAFF
My lord, this is a poor mad soul, and she says up and down the town that her

eldest son is like you. She hath been in good case, and the truth is, poverty
hath distracted her. But for these foolish officers, I beseech you I may have
redress against them. [105]

CHIEF JUSTICE
Sir John, Sir John, I am well acquainted with your manner of wrenching the
true cause the false way. It is not a confident brow, nor the throng of words

that come with such more than impudent sauciness from you, can thrust me
from a level consideration. You have, [110] as it appears to me, practiced
upon the easy-yielding spirit of this woman, and made her serve your uses
both in purse and in person.

HOSTESS

Yea, in truth, my lord.

CHIEF JUSTICE

Pray thee, peace. Pay her the debt you owe [115] her and unpay the villainy
you have done with her. The one you may do with sterling money, and the
other with current repentance.

FALSTAFF
My lord, I will not undergo this sneap without reply. You call honourable
boldness impudent sauciness. [120] If a man will make curtsy and say

nothing, he is virtuous. No, my lord, my humble duty remembered, I will not
be your suitor. I say to you, I do desire deliverance from these officers, being
upon hasty employment in the king’s affairs. [125]