hot; and, for mine own part, I have not a case of lives: the humour of it is too hot, that is the very plain-song of it. PIST. The plain-song is most just; for humours do abound: Knocks go and come; God's vassals drop and die; And sword and shield, In bloody field, Doth win immortal fame. 10 Boy. Would I were in an alehouse in London! I would give all my fame for a pot of ale and safety. PIST. And I: Boy. If wishes would prevail with me, My purpose should not fail with me, As duly, but not as truly, As bird doth sing on bough. Enter FLUELLEN FLU. Up to the breach, you dogs! avaunt, you cullions! [Driving them forward. 20 PIST. Be merciful, great duke, to men of mould. 3-4 case plain-song] Nym has in his mind the word "case specifically applied to a set of four musical instruments, which were required for the performance of a "consort" or piece of music in four parts. He carries on the musical figure by his play with the word "plain-song," i. e., a simple melody, without variations, in the performance of which a "case" would not be required. 6 humours] whimsicalities, fantasies. 19 cullions] a coarse term of scornful abuse. Cf. T. of Shrew, IV, ii, 20, "And makes a god of such a cullion.” 21 great duke] Pistol thinks to propitiate Captain Fluellen by exagger ating his rank. men of mould] men of earth, poor mortal men. Abate thy rage, abate thy manly rage, Good bawcock, bate thy rage; use lenity, sweet chuck! Boy. As young as I am, I have observed these three swashers. I am boy to them all three: but all they three, though they would serve me, could not be man to me; for indeed three such antics do not amount to a so man. For Bardolph, he is white-livered and red-faced; by the means whereof a' faces it out, but fights not. For Pistol, he hath a killing tongue and a quiet sword; by the means whereof a' breaks words, and keeps whole weapons. For Nym, he hath heard that men of few words are the best men; and therefore he scorns to say his prayers, lest a' should be thought a coward: but his few bad words are matched with as few good deeds; for a' never broke any man's head but his own, and that was against a post when he was drunk. They will steal any 40 thing, and call it purchase. Bardolph stole a lute-case, bore it twelve leagues, and sold it for three half-pence. 24 Good bawcock... sweet chuck] terms of playful endearment equivalent to "my fine fellow," dear old boy," "dear lad." "Chuck" is a form of chicken. 25-26 These be good. . . bad humours] Nym commends Pistol's blandishments. Pistol conciliates bad tempers. "Your honour" means "your worship." 28 swashers] swashbucklers, blusterers. 30 antics] buffoons. 32 a' faces it out] he has the show of valour in his countenance. 41 purchase] a colloquial euphemism for theft. Cf. 2 Hen. IV, IV, v, 200. Nym and Bardolph are sworn brothers in filching, and in Calais they stole a fire-shovel: I knew by that piece of service the men would carry coals. They would have me as familiar with men's pockets as their gloves or their handkerchers: which makes much against my manhood, if I should take from another's pocket to put into mine; for it is plain pocketing up of wrongs. I must leave them, and seek some better service: their villany 50 goes against my weak stomach, and therefore I must cast it up. Re-enter FLUELLEN, GOWER following [Exit. Gow. Captain Fluellen, you must come presently to the mines; the Duke of Gloucester would speak with you. FLU. To the mines! tell you the duke, it is not so good to come to the mines; for, look you, the mines is not according to the disciplines of the war: the concavities of it is not sufficient; for, look you, th' athversary, you may discuss unto the duke, look you, is digt himself four yard under the countermines: by Cheshu, I think a' will plow up all, if there is not better directions. 43 sworn brothers] bosom comrades. 45 carry coals] perform the lowest of all domestic services and hence submit tamely to humiliation. The phrase was common in a reproachful sense. Cf. Rom. and Jul., I, i, 1-2. 49 pocketing up of wrongs] putting up with insults. 58 is digt himself] has dug his mines. This is a confused description of strategy. It is the besiegers-here the English-who mine, and the besieged - here the French - who countermine. 60 plow] Fluellen's mispronunciation of "blow." Cf. IV, viii, 13, infra. 60 Gow. The Duke of Gloucester, to whom the order of the siege is given, is altogether directed by an Irishman, a very valiant gentleman, i' faith. FLU. It is Captain Macmorris, is it not? Gow. I think it be. FLU. By Cheshu, he is an ass, as in the world: I will verify as much in his beard: he has no more directions in the true disciplines of the wars, look you, of the Roman disciplines, than is a puppy-dog. Enter MACMORRIS and Captain Jamy Gow. Here a' comes; and the Scots captain, Captain 70 Jamy, with him. FLU. Captain Jamy is a marvellous falorous gentleman, that is certain; and of great expedition and knowledge in th' aunchient wars, upon my particular knowledge of his directions: by Cheshu, he will maintain his argument as well as any military man in the world, in the disciplines of the pristine wars of the Romans. JAMY. I say gud-day, Captain Fluellen. FLU. God-den to your worship, good Captain James. Gow. How now, Captain Macmorris! have you quit 80 the mines? have the pioners given o'er? MAC. By Chrish, la! tish ill done: the work ish give over, the trompet sound the retreat. By my hand, I 73 expedition] a combination in Fluellen's dialect of "experience" and " erudition." 79 God-den] a common colloquial form of "good e'en, "good evening.' Cf. Rom. and Jul., I, ii, 56, and III, v, 172. Here Fluellen seems to mean "good day." 81 pioners] pioneers, military engineers. Nym and Bardolph are sworn brothers in filching, and in Calais they stole a fire-shovel: I knew by that piece of service the men would carry coals. They would have me as familiar with men's pockets as their gloves or their handkerchers: which makes much against my manhood, if I should take from another's pocket to put into mine; for it is plain pocketing up of wrongs. I must leave them, and seek some better service: their villany 50 goes against my weak stomach, and therefore I must cast it up. Re-enter FLUELLEN, GOWER following [Exit. Gow. Captain Fluellen, you must come presently to the mines; the Duke of Gloucester would speak with you. FLU. To the mines! tell you the duke, it is not so good to come to the mines; for, look you, the mines is not according to the disciplines of the war: the concavities of it is not sufficient; for, look you, th' athversary, you may discuss unto the duke, look you, is digt himself four yard under the countermines: by Cheshu, I think a' will plow up all, if there is not better directions. 43 sworn brothers] bosom comrades. 45 carry coals] perform the lowest of all domestic services and hence submit tamely to humiliation. The phrase was common in a reproachful sense. Cf. Rom. and Jul., I, i, 1-2. 49 pocketing up of wrongs] putting up with insults. 58 is digt himself] has dug his mines. This is a confused description of strategy. It is the besiegers-here the English-who mine, and the besieged - here the French-who countermine. 60 plow] Fluellen's mispronunciation of "blow." Cf. IV, viii, 13, infra. 60 |