Page 718 - Shakespeare - Vol. 2

micher and eat blackberries? A question not to be asked. Shall the son of
England prove a thief and take purses? A question to be asked. There is a
thing, Harry, which thou hast often heard of, and it is known to many in our
land by [395] the name of pitch. This pitch, as ancient writers do report, doth

defile; so doth the company thou keepest. For, Harry, now I do not speak to
thee in drink, but in tears; not in pleasure, but in passion; not in words only,
but in woes also: and yet there is a virtuous man whom I [400] have often
noted in thy company, but I know not his name.

PRINCE

What manner of man, an it like your majesty?

FALSTAFF

A goodly portly man, i’faith, and a corpulent; of a cheerful look, a pleasing
eye, and a most noble [405] carriage; and, as I think, his age some fifty, or,
by’r Lady, inclining to threescore; and now I remember me, his name is
Falstaff. If that man should be lewdly given, he deceiveth me; for, Harry, I

see virtue in his looks. If then the tree may be known by the fruit, as the fruit
by the [410] tree, then, peremptorily I speak it, there is virtue in that Falstaff.
Him keep with, the rest banish. And tell me now, thou naughty varlet, tell me
where hast thou been this month?

PRINCE

Dost thou speak like a king? Do thou stand for [415] me, and I’ll play my
father.

FALSTAFF
Depose me? If thou dost it half so gravely, so majestically, both in word and
matter, hang me up by the heels for a rabbit − sucker or a poulter’s hare.

PRINCE
Well, here I am set. [420]

FALSTAFF
And here I stand. Judge, my masters.

PRINCE