The Henriad @THenriad

Depose me? If thou dost it half so gravely, so majestically, both in word and matter, hang me up by the heels for a rabbit-sucker or a pouter's hare. —1 King Henry IV, Act II.4

If that man should be lewdly given, he deceiveth me; for, Harry, I see virtue in his looks. If then the tree may be known by the fruit, as the fruit by the tree, then, peremptorily I speak it, there is virtue in that Falstaff. Him keep with, the rest banish. —1 King Henry IV

A goodly portly man, i' faith, and a corpulent; of a cheerful look, a pleasing eye, and a most noble carriage; and, as I think, his age some fifty, or, by'r Lady, inclining to threescore; and now I remember me, his name is Falstaff. —1 King Henry IV, Act II.4

For, Harry, now I do not speak to thee in drink, but in tears; not in pleasure, but in passion; not in words only, but in woes also. And yet there is a virtuous man whom I have often noted in thy company, but I know not his name. —1 King Henry IV, Act II.4

There is a thing, Harry, which thou hast often heard of, and it is known to many in our land by the name of pitch. This pitch, as ancient writers do report, doth defile; so doth the company thou keepest. —1 King Henry IV, Act II.4

Shall the blessed sun of heaven prove a micher and eat blackberries? A question not be asked. Shall the son of England prove a thief and take purses? A question to be asked. —1 King Henry IV, Act II.4

That thou art my son I have partly thy mother's word, partly my own opinion, but chiefly a villainous trick of thine eye and a foolish hanging of thy nether lip that doth warrant me. If then thou be son to me, here lies the point: why, being son to me, art thou so pointed at?

Harry, I do not only marvel where thou spendest thy time, but also how thou art accompanied. For though the camomile, the more it is trodden on, the faster it grows, yet youth, the more it is wasted, the sooner it wears. —1 Henry IV, Act II.4

Here comes lean Jack; here comes barebone. How now, my sweet creature of bombast? How long is't ago, Jack, since thou sawest thine own knee? --1 King Henry IV, Act II, scene 4

Gallants, lads, boys, hearts of gold, all the titles of good fellowship should come to you! --1 King Henry IV, Act II, scene 4

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 now a coward on instinct. --1 King Henry IV, Act II, s 4

What trick, what device, what starting hole canst thou now find out to hide thee from this open and apparent shame? --1 King Henry IV, Act II, scene 4

Falstaff, you carried your guts away as nimbly, with as quick dexterity, and roared for mercy, and still run and roared, as ever I heard a bullcalf! --1 King Henry IV, Act II, scene 4

'Sblood, you starveling, you eel-skin, you dried neat's-tongue, you bull's pizzle, you stockfish--O for breath to utter what is like thee!--you tailor's yard, you sheath, you bow case, you vile standing tuck! --1 King Henry IV, Act II, scene 4

I'll be no longer guilty of this sin; this sanguine coward, this bed-presser, this horseback-breaker, this huge hill of flesh-- --1 King Henry IV, Act II, scene 4

Zounds, an I were at the strappado or all the racks in the world, I would not tell you on compulsion. Give you reasons on compulsion? If reasons were as plentiful as blackberries, I would give no man reason upon compulsion, I. --1 King Henry IV, Act II, scene 4

What, art thou mad? art thou mad? Is not the truth the truth? --1 King Henry IV, Act II, scene 4

These lies are like their father that begets them--gross as a mountain, open, palpable. Why, thou clay-brained guts, thou knotty-pated fool, thou whoreson obscene greasy tallow-keech-- --1 King Henry IV, Act II, scene 4

Let them speak. If they speak more or less than truth, they are villains and sons of darkness. --1 King Henry IV, Act II, scene 4

O villain! thy lips are scarce wiped since thou drunk'st last. --1 King Henry IV, Act II, scene 4