Page 1084 - Shakespeare - Vol. 2

COLEVILLE

I think you are Sir John Falstaff, and in that thought yield me.

FALSTAFF
I have a whole school of tongues in this belly of mine, and not a tongue of
them all speaks any other word but my name. An I had but a belly of any
indifferency, [20] I were simply the most active fellow in Europe. My womb,

my womb undoes me. Here comes our general.

Enter [Prince] John [of Lancaster], Westmoreland, [Blunt,] and the rest.
Retreat [sounded].

LANCASTER
The heat is past, follow no further now.
Call in the powers, good cousin Westmoreland. [25]

[Exit Westmoreland.]
Now, Falstaff, where have you been all this while?
When everything is ended, then you come.
These tardy tricks of yours will, on my life,

One time or other break some gallows’ back.

FALSTAFF

I would be sorry, my lord, but it should be thus. [30] I never knew yet but
rebuke and check was the reward of valour. Do you think me a swallow, an
arrow, or a bullet? Have I, in my poor and old motion, the expedition of

thought? I have speeded hither with the very extremest inch of possibility. I
have foundered nine score [35] and odd posts, and here, travel-tainted as I
am, have, in my pure and immaculate valour, taken Sir John Coleville of the
dale, a most furious knight and valorous enemy. But what of that? He saw
me, and yielded, that I may justly say, with the hook-nosed fellow of Rome, ‘I

came, [40] saw, and overcame.’

LANCASTER
It was more of his courtesy than your deserving.

FALSTAFF
I know not. Here he is, and here I yield him. And I beseech your grace, let it
be booked with the rest [45] of this day’s deeds, or, by the Lord, I will have it