Henry Lord Scroop of Masham, and the third,
Sir Thomas Grey, knight, of Northumberland,
Have, for the gilt of France,—O guilt, indeed!—
Confirm'd conspiracy with fearful France;
And by their hands this grace of kings must die,— 28
If hell and treason hold their promises,—
Ere he take ship for France, and in Southampton.
Linger your patience on, and we'll digest
The abuse of distance; force a play. 32
The sum is paid; the traitors are agreed;
The king is set from London; and the scene
Is now transported, gentles, to Southampton:
There is the playhouse now, there must you sit:
And thence to France shall we convey you safe,
And bring you back, charming the narrow seas
To give you gentle pass; for, if we may,
We'll not offend one stomach with our play. 40
But, till the king come forth and not till then,
Unto Southampton do we shift our scene. Exit.
Scene One
[London. A street]
Enter Corporal Nym and Lieutenant Bardolph.
Bard. Well met, Corporal Nym.
Nym. Good morrow, Lieutenant Bardolph.
Bard. What, are Ancient Pistol and you
friends yet? 4
Nym. For my part, I care not: I say little;
but when time shall serve, there shall be smiles;
26 gilt: gold
28 grace of kings: he who does honor to the title of king
31, 32 Cf. n.
34 is set: has set out
39 pass: passage
41, 42 Cf. n.
3 Ancient: Ensign
6 smiles; cf. n.
