William Shakespeare (1564–1616). The Oxford Shakespeare. 1914.
Act V. Scene I.The Second Part of King Henry the Fourth
Shal.By cock and pie, sir, you shall not away to-night. What! Davy, I say.
Fal.You must excuse me, Master Robert Shallow.
Shal.I will not excuse you; you shall not be excused; excuses shall not be admitted; there is no excuse shall serve; you shall not be excused. Why, Davy!
Davy.Here, sir.
Shal.Davy, Davy, Davy, Davy, let me see Davy; let me see: yea, marry, William cook, bid him come hither. Sir John, you shall not be excused.
Davy.Marry, sir, thus; those precepts cannot be served: and again, sir, shall we sow the headland with wheat?
Shal.With red wheat, Davy. But for William cook: are there no young pigeons?
Davy.Yes, sir. Here is now the smith’s note for shoeing and plough-irons.
Shal.Let it be cast and paid. Sir John, you shall not be excused.
Davy.Now, sir, a new link to the bucket must needs be had: and, sir, do you mean to stop any of William’s wages, about the sack he lost the other day at Hinckley fair?
Shal.A’ shall answer it. Some pigeons, Davy, a couple of short-legged hens, a joint of mutton, and any pretty little tiny kickshaws, tell William cook.
Davy.Doth the man of war stay all night, sir?
Shal.Yea, Davy. I will use him well. A friend i’ the court is better than a penny in purse. Use his men well, Davy, for they are arrant knaves, and will backbite.
Davy.No worse than they are back-bitten, sir; for they have marvellous foul linen.
Shal.Well conceited, Davy: about thy business, Davy.
Davy.I beseech you, sir, to countenance William Visor of Wincot against Clement Perkes of the hill.
Shal.There are many complaints, Davy, against that Visor: that Visor is an arrant knave, on my knowledge.
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 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, I beseech your worship, let him be countenanced.
Shal.Go to; I say he shall have no wrong. Look about, Davy.[Exit D
Bard.I am glad to see your worship.
Shal.I thank thee with all my heart, kind Master Bardolph:—[To the Page.]and welcome, my tall fellow. Come, Sir John.
Fal.I’ll follow you, good Master Robert Shallow.[Exit S
Shal.[Within.]Sir John!
Fal.I come, Master Shallow: I come, Master Shallow.[Exit.