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Stockfish, a fruiterer, behind Gray's Inn. Jesu, Jesu, the mad

days that I have spent! and to see how many of my old

acquaintance are dead!

SILENCE.

We shall all follow, cousin.

SHALLOW.

Certain, 'tis certain; very sure, very sure. Death, as the

Psalmist saith, is certain to all; all shall die. How a good yoke

of bullocks at Stamford fair?

SILENCE.

By my troth, I was not there.

SHALLOW.

Death is certain. Is old Double of your town living yet?

SILENCE.

Dead, sir.

SHALLOW.

Jesu, Jesu, dead! drew a good bow; and dead! 'A shot a

fine shoot. John a Gaunt loved him well, and betted much money on

his head. Dead! 'A would have clapp'd i' th' clout at twelve

score, and carried you a forehand shaft a fourteen and fourteen

and a half, that it would have done a man's heart good to see.

How a score of ewes now?

SILENCE.

Thereafter as they be- a score of good ewes may be worth ten pounds.

SHALLOW.

And is old Double dead?

Enter BARDOLPH, and one with him

SILENCE.

Here come two of Sir John Falstaffs men, as I think.

SHALLOW.

Good morrow, honest gentlemen.

BARDOLPH.

I beseech you, which is Justice Shallow?

SHALLOW.

I am Robert Shallow, sir, a poor esquire of this county,

and one of the King's justices of the peace. What is your good

pleasure with me?

BARDOLPH.

My captain, sir, commends him to you; my captain, Sir

John Falstaff- a tall gentleman, by heaven, and a most gallant leader.

SHALLOW.

He greets me well, sir; I knew him a good back-sword man.

How doth the good knight? May I ask how my lady his wife doth?

BARDOLPH.

Sir, pardon; a soldier is better accommodated than with a wife.

SHALLOW.

It is well said, in faith, sir; and it is well said indeed

too. 'Better accommodated!' It is good; yea, indeed, is it.

Good

phrases are surely, and ever were, very commendable.

'Accommodated!' It comes of accommodo. Very good; a good phrase.

BARDOLPH.

Pardon, sir; I have heard the word. 'Phrase' call you it?

By this day, I know not the phrase; but I will maintain the word

with my sword to be a soldier-like word, and a word of exceeding

good command, by heaven. Accommodated: that is, when a man is, as

they say, accommodated; or, when a man is being-whereby 'a may be

thought to be accommodated; which is an excellent thing.

Enter FALSTAFF

SHALLOW.

It is very just. Look, here comes good Sir John. Give me

your good hand, give me your worship's good hand. By my troth,

you like well and bear your years very well. Welcome, good Sir

John.

FALSTAFF.

I am glad to see you well, good Master Robert Shallow.

Master Surecard, as I think?

SHALLOW.

No, Sir John; it is my cousin Silence, in commission with me.

FALSTAFF.

Good Master Silence, it well befits you should be of the peace.

SILENCE.

Your good worship is welcome.

FALSTAFF.

Fie! this is hot weather. Gentlemen, have you provided me

here half a dozen sufficient men?

SHALLOW.

Marry, have we, sir. Will you sit?

FALSTAFF.

Let me see them, I beseech you.

SHALLOW.

Where's the roll? Where's the roll? Where's the roll?

Let

me see, let me see, let me see. So, so, so, so,- so, so- yea,

marry, sir. Rafe Mouldy! Let them appear as I call; let them do

so, let them do so. Let me see; where is Mouldy?

MOULDY.

Here, an't please you.

SHALLOW.

What think you, Sir John? A good-limb'd fellow; young,

strong, and of good friends.

FALSTAFF.

Is thy name Mouldy?

MOULDY.

Yea, an't please you.

FALSTAFF.

'Tis the more time thou wert us'd.

SHALLOW.

Ha, ha, ha! most excellent, i' faith! Things that are

mouldy lack use. Very singular good! In faith, well said, Sir

John; very well said.

FALSTAFF.

Prick him.

MOULDY.

I was prick'd well enough before, an you could have let me

alone. My old dame will be undone now for one to do her husbandry

and her drudgery. You need not to have prick'd me; there are

other men fitter to go out than I.

FALSTAFF.

Go to; peace, Mouldy; you shall go. Mouldy, it is time you were spent.