Page 1664 - Shakespeare - Vol. 2

Exit.

FLUELLEN
Captain Gower, cannot you hear it lighten and thunder?

GOWER
Why, this is an arrant counterfeit rascal: I remember him now − a bawd, a
cut purse.

FLUELLEN
[By Jesus,] a’ uttered as prave words at the [65] pridge as you shall see in a
summer’s day. But it is very well; what he has spoke to me, that is well, I

warrant you, when time is serve.

GOWER
Why, ’tis a gull, a fool, a rogue, that now and then goes to the wars to grace
himself at his return into [70] London under the form of a soldier. And such
fellows are perfect in the great commanders’ names, and they will learn you

by rote where services were done: at such and such a sconce, at such a
breach, at such a convoy; who come off bravely, who was shot, who
disgraced, [75] what terms the enemy stood on; and this they con perfectly
in the phrase of war, which they trick up with new-tuned oaths: and what a

beard of the general’s cut and a horrid suit of the camp will do among
foaming bottles and ale-washed wits, is wonderful to be thought [80] on. But
you must learn to know such slanders of the age, or else you may be
marvellously mistook.

FLUELLEN

I tell you what, Captain Gower; I do perceive he is not the man that he would
gladly make show to the world he is: if I find a hole in his coat I will tell him
my [85] mind. −
Hark you, the king is coming, and I must speak with him from the pridge.
Drum and Colours. Enter King [Henry], and his poor soldiers, [with]

Gloucester [and] Clarence.
God pless your majesty!

KING HENRY