but that shall be as it may. I dare not fight;
but I will wink and hold out mine iron. It is a
simple one; but what though? it will toast
cheese, and it will endure cold as another man's
sword will: and there's an end. 11
Bard. I will bestow a breakfast to make you
friends, and we'll be all three sworn brothers to
France: let it be so, good Corporal Nym.
Nym. Faith, I will live so long as I may,
that's the certain of it; and when I cannot live
any longer, I will do as I may: that is my rest,
that is the rendezvous of it. 18
Bard. It is certain, corporal, that he is
married to Nell Quickly; and, certainly she did
you wrong, for you were troth-plight to her. 21
Nym. I cannot tell; things must be as they
may: men may sleep, and they may have their
throats about them at that time; and, some say,
knives have edges. It must be as it may: though
patience be a tired mare, yet she will plod.
There must be conclusions. Well, I cannot tell.
Enter Pistol and [Hostess] Quickly.
Bard. Here comes Ancient Pistol and his
wife. Good corporal, be patient here. How
now, mine host Pistol!
Pist. Base tike, call'st thou me host?
Now, by this hand, I swear, I scorn the term; 32
Nor shall my Nell keep lodgers.
Host. No, by my troth, not long; for we can-
not lodge and board a dozen or fourteen gentle-
women that live honestly by the prick of their
8 wink: shut my eyes
11 there's an end; cf. n.
17 rest: resolve; cf. n.
18 rendezvous; cf. n.
21 troth-plight: betrothed
31 tike: cur
