They, by observing him, do bear themselves like foolish justices; he, by conversing with them, is turned into a justice-like serving-man; their spirits are so married in conjunction with the participation of society, that they flock together in consent, like so many wild geese. If I had a suit to master Shallow, I would humor his men, with the imputation of being near their master; if to his men, I would curry with master Shallow, that no man could better command his servants. It is certain, that either wise bearing, or ignorant carriage, is caught, as men take diseases, one of another; therefore, let men take heed of their company. I will devise matter enough out of this Shallow, to keep prince Harry in continual laughter, the wearing-out of six fashions, (which is four terms, or two actions,1) and he shall laugh without intervallums. O, it is much, that a lie, with a slight oath, and a jest, with a sad brow, will do with a fellow that never had the ache in his shoulders! O, you shall see him laugh, till his face be like a wet cloak ill laid up. Shal. [Within.] Sir John! Fal. I come, master Shallow; I come, master Shallow. [Exit FALSTAFF. SCENE II. Westminster. A Room in the Palace. Enter WARWICK and the Lord Chief Justice. War. How now, my lord chief justice? whither away? Ch. Just. How doth the king? War. Exceeding well; his cares are now all ended. Ch. Just. I hope, not dead. War. He's walked the way of nature; And, to our purposes, he lives no more. Ch. Just. I would his majesty had called me with him. 1 Actions for debt. The service that I truly did his life, Hath left me open to all injuries. War. Indeed, I think the young king loves you not. Ch. Just. I know he doth not; and do arm myself, To welcome the condition of the time; Which cannot look more hideously upon me Than I have drawn it in my fantasy. Enter PRINCE JOHN, PRINCE HUMPHREY, CLAREnce, WESTMORELAND, and others. War. Here come the heavy issue of dead Harry. O that the living Harry had the temper Of him, the worst of these three gentlemen! Ch. Just. Alas! I fear all will be overturned. P. John. We meet like men that had forgot to speak. War. We do remember; but our argument Is all too heavy to admit much talk. P. John. Well, peace be with him that hath made us heavy! Ch. Just. Peace be with us, lest we be heavier ! P. Humph. O, good my lord, you have lost a friend, indeed; And I dare swear, you borrow not that face Of seeming sorrow; it is, sure, your own. P. John. Though no man be assured what grace to find, You stand in coldest expectation. I am the sorrier; 'would 'twere otherwise. Cla. Well, you must now speak sir John Falstaff fair; Which swims against your stream of quality. Ch. Just. Sweet princes, what I did, I did in honor, Led by the impartial conduct of my soul; And never shall you see, that I will beg A ragged and forestalled remission.-1 Enter KING HENRY V. Ch. Just. Good morrow; and Heaven save your majesty! King. This new and gorgeous garment, majesty, Sits not so easy on me as you think. Brothers, you mix your sadness with some fear; But Harry, Harry. Yet be sad, good brothers; That I will deeply put the fashion on, And wear it in my heart. Why, then, be sad; P. John, &c. We hope no other from your majesty. King. You all look strangely on me;-and you [To the Chief Justice. most; You are, I think, assured I love you not. Ch. Just. I am assured, if I be measured rightly, Your majesty hath no just cause to hate me. King. No! How might a prince of my great hopes forget So great indignities you laid upon me? 1 "A ragged and forestalled remission" is a remission or pardon ob tained by beggarly supplication. Forestalling is prevention. What! rate, rebuke, and roughly send to prison your father Ch. Just. I then did use the person of I gave bold way to my authority, 2 And did commit you. If the deed were ill, 3 Hear your own dignities so much profaned, 1 Was this easy? was this a light offence? 2 It has already been remarked that sir William Gascoigne, the chief justice in this play, died in the reign of Henry IV.; and consequently this scene has no foundation in fact. Shakspeare was misled by Stowe, or probably was careless about the matter. While Gascoigne was at the bar, Henry of Bolingbroke was his client, who appointed him his attorney to sue out his livery in the Court of Wards: but Richard II. defeated his purpose. When Bolingbroke became Henry IV., he appointed Gascoigne chief justice. In that station he acquired the character of a learned, upright, wise, and intrepid judge. The story of his committing the prince is told by sir Thomas Elyot, in his book entitled The Governor; but Shakspeare followed the Chronicles. 3 i. e. image to yourself that you have a son. And, as you are a king, speak in your state,' King. You are right, justice, and you weigh this well; Therefore still bear the balance and the sword; The unstained sword that you have used to bear; There is my hand; My voice shall sound as you do prompt mine ear; To your well-practised, wise directions. And, princes all, believe me, I beseech you ;— 1 In your regal character and office. 2 The meaning may be, My wild dispositions having ceased on my father's death, and being now, as it were, buried in his tomb, he and wildness are interred in the same grave. 3 That is, with the majestic dignity of the ocean, the chief of floods. |