Page 1105 - Shakespeare - Vol. 2

DAVY

I grant your worship that he is a knave, sir, but yet, God forbid, sir, but a
knave should have some countenance at his friend’s request. An honest man,
sir, is able [40] to speak for himself, when a knave is not. I have served your

worship truly, sir, this eight years, and if I cannot once or twice in a quarter
bear out a knave against an honest man, I have [but a very] little credit with
your worship. The knave is mine honest friend, sir. Therefore, [45] I beseech
you, let him be countenanced.

SHALLOW
Go to, I say he shall have no wrong. Look about, Davy. [Exit Davy.] Where

are you, Sir John? Come, come, come, off with your boots. Give me your
hand, Master Bardolph. [50]

BARDOLPH
I am glad to see your worship.

SHALLOW
I thank thee with all my heart, kind Master Bardolph. [to the Page] And
welcome, my tall fellow. Come, Sir John.

FALSTAFF

I’ll follow you, good Master Robert Shallow. [55] [Exit Shallow.] Bardolph,
look to our horses. [Exeunt Bardolph and Page.] If I were sawed into
quantities, I should make four dozen of such bearded hermits’ staves as
Master Shallow. It is a wonderful thing to see the semblable coherence of his
men’s spirits and his. They, [60] by observing him, do bear themselves like

foolish justices; he, by conversing with them, is turned into a justice-like
serving-man. Their spirits are so married in conjunction with the participation
of society that they flock together in consent, like so many wild geese. If I

[65] had a suit to Master Shallow, I would humour his men with the
imputation of being near their master. If to his men, I would curry with
Master Shallow that no man could better command his servants. It is certain
that either wise bearing or ignorant carriage is caught, as men [70] take
diseases, one of another. Therefore let men take heed of their company. I

will devise matter enough out of this Shallow to keep Prince Harry in
continual laughter the wearing out of six fashions, which is four terms, or two
actions, and ’a shall laugh without intervallums. [75] O, it is much that a lie