Drama  |  William Shakespeare  |  Henry IV Part II  |  Scene 2.

Henry IV Part II — Scene 2. (Part 3 of 7)

Servant

You mistake me, sir.

FALSTAFF

Why, sir, did I say you were an honest man? setting
my knighthood and my soldiership aside, I had lied
in my throat, if I had said so.

Servant

I pray you, sir, then set your knighthood and our
soldiership aside; and give me leave to tell you,
you lie in your throat, if you say I am any other
than an honest man.

FALSTAFF

I give thee leave to tell me so! I lay aside that
which grows to me! if thou gettest any leave of me,
hang me; if thou takest leave, thou wert better be
hanged. You hunt counter: hence! avaunt!

Servant

Sir, my lord would speak with you.

Lord Chief-Justice

Sir John Falstaff, a word with you.

FALSTAFF

My good lord! God give your lordship good time of
day. I am glad to see your lordship abroad: I heard
say your lordship was sick: I hope your lordship
goes abroad by advice. Your lordship, though not
clean past your youth, hath yet some smack of age in
you, some relish of the saltness of time; and I must
humbly beseech your lordship to have a reverent care
of your health.

Lord Chief-Justice

Sir John, I sent for you before your expedition to
Shrewsbury.

FALSTAFF

An't please your lordship, I hear his majesty is
returned with some discomfort from Wales.

Lord Chief-Justice

I talk not of his majesty: you would not come when
I sent for you.

FALSTAFF

And I hear, moreover, his highness is fallen into
this same whoreson apoplexy.

Lord Chief-Justice

Well, God mend him! I pray you, let me speak with
you.