Page 1028 - Shakespeare - Vol. 2

PRINCE

And how doth thy master, Bardolph?

BARDOLPH
Well, my lord. He heard of your grace’s coming to town. There’s a letter for
you.

POINS
Delivered with good respect. And how doth the martlemas, your master? [95]

BARDOLPH
In bodily health, sir.

POINS

Marry, the immortal part needs a physician, but that moves not him. Though
that be sick, it dies not.

PRINCE
I do allow this wen to be as familiar with me as my dog, and he holds his
place, for look you how he [100] writes.

POINS
[reads]
‘John Falstaff, knight’ − every man must know that, as oft as he has occasion

to name himself. Even like those that are kin to the king, for they never prick
their finger but they say, ‘There’s some of the [105] king’s blood spilt.’ ‘How
comes that?’ says he that takes upon him not to conceive. The answer is as

ready as a borrower’s cap, ‘I am the king’s poor cousin, sir.’

PRINCE

Nay, they will be kin to us, or they will fetch it from Japhet. But the letter.
[reads] ‘Sir John Falstaff, [110] knight, to the son of the king, nearest his
father, Harry Prince of Wales, greeting.’

POINS
Why, this is a certificate.