Page 1117 - Shakespeare - Vol. 2

FALSTAFF

O base Assyrian knight, what is thy news?
Let King Cophetua know the truth thereof.

SILENCE
[sings]
And Robin Hood, Scarlet, and John.

PISTOL

Shall dunghill curs confront the Helicons?
And shall good news be baffled? [105]
Then, Pistol, lay thy head in Furies’ lap.

SHALLOW
Honest gentleman, I know not your breeding.

PISTOL
Why then, lament therefore.

SHALLOW
Give me pardon, sir. If, sir, you come with news from the court, I take it

there’s but two ways, [110] either to utter them, or to conceal them. I am,
sir, under the king, in some authority.

PISTOL
Under which king, Besonian? Speak, or die.

SHALLOW
Under King Harry.

PISTOL
Harry the Fourth? or Fifth?

SHALLOW
Harry the Fourth.

PISTOL