Fal.  What!  Art thou mad!  Art thou mad?  Is not the truth the truth?

P. Henry.  Why, how couldst thou know these men in Kendal green, when it was so dark thou couldst not see thy hand?  Come, tell us your reason; what sayest thou to this?

Poins.  Come, your reason, Jack, your reason.

Fal.  What, upon compulsion?  No, were I at the strappado, or all the racks in the world, I would not tell you on compulsion.  Give you a reason on compulsion!  If reasons were as plentiful as blackberries, I would give no man a reason on compulsion, I.

P. Henry.  I’ll be no longer guilty of this sin:  this sanguine coward, this horseback breaker, this huge hill of flesh—­

Fal.  Away! you starveling, you eel skin, you dried neat’s tongue, you stockfish!  Oh for breath to utter what is like thee!—­you tailor’s yard, you sheath, you bow case, you—­

P. Henry.  Well, breathe awhile, and then to it again; and when thou hast tired thyself in base comparisons, hear me speak but this.

Poins.  Mark, Jack.

P. Henry.  We two saw you four set on four; you bound them, and were masters of their wealth.  Mark now, how a plain tale shall put you down.  Then did we two set on you four, and with a word outfaced you from your prize, and have it; yea, and can show it you here in the house.—­And, Falstaff, you carried yourself away as nimbly, with as quick dexterity, and roared for mercy, and still ran and roared, as ever I heard a calf.  What a slave art thou, to hack thy sword as thou hast done, and then say it was in fight!  What trick, what device, what starting hole, canst thou now find out to hide thee from this open and apparent shame?

Poins.  Come, let’s hear, Jack.  What trick hast thou now?

Fal.  Why, I knew ye as well as he that made ye.  Why, bear ye, my masters:  was it for me to kill the heir apparent?  Should I turn upon the true prince?  Why, thou knowest I am as valiant as Hercules; but beware instinct; the lion will not touch the true prince; instinct is a great matter; I was a coward on instinct.  I shall think the better of myself and thee during my life; I for a valiant lion, and thou for a true prince.  But, lads, I am glad you have the money.  Hostess, clap to the doors.  Watch to-night, pray to-morrow.  Gallants, lads, boys, hearts of gold; all the titles of good-fellowship come to you!  What! shall we be merry?  Shall we have a play extempore?

P. Henry.  Content; and the argument shall be thy running away.

Fal.  Ah, no more of that, Hal, an thou lovest me!

Shakespeare.-Henry iv, Part I, Act ii, Scene iv.

Notes.—­The lime is a fruit allied to the lemon, but smaller, and more intensely sour.

The strappado was an instrument of torture by which the victim’s limbs were wrenched out of joint and broken.

Hercules is a hero of fabulous history, remarkable for his great strength and wonderful achievements.