Page 770 - Shakespeare - Vol. 2

It will not be accepted, on my life. [115]
The Douglas and the Hotspur both together
Are confident against the world in arms.

KING
Hence, therefore, every leader to his charge;
For, on their answer, will we set on them,

And God befriend us as our cause is just! [120]
Exeunt. Manent Prince, Falstaff.

FALSTAFF
Hal, if thou see me down in the battle and bestride me, so! ’Tis a point of
friendship.

PRINCE

Nothing but a colossus can do thee that friendship. Say thy prayers, and
farewell.

FALSTAFF
I would ’twere bedtime, Hal, and all well. [125]

PRINCE
Why, thou owest God a death.
[Exit.]

FALSTAFF
’Tis not due yet: I would be loath to pay him before his day. What need I be

so forward with him that calls not on me? Well, ’tis no matter; honour pricks
me on. Yea, but how if honour prick me off when I come [130] on? How then?
Can honour set to a leg? No. Or an arm? No. Or take away the grief of a
wound? No. Honour hath no skill in surgery then? No. What is honour? A

word. What is that word honour? Air − a trim reckoning! Who hath it? He that
died a Wednesday. Doth he feel [135] it? No. Doth he hear it? No. ’Tis
insensible then? Yea, to the dead. But will it not live with the living? No.
Why? Detraction will not suffer it. Therefore I’ll none of it. Honour is a mere

scutcheon − and so ends my catechism. [140]
Exit.