FALSTAFF.
A-horseback, ye cuckoo, but afoot he will not budge a foot.
PRINCE.
Yes, Jack, upon instinct.
FALSTAFF.
I grant ye, upon instinct. Well, he is there too, and one Mordake, and a thousand blue-caps more. Worcester is stolen away tonight; thy father’s beard is turned white with the news. You may buy land now as cheap as stinking mackerel.
PRINCE.
Why then, it is like if there come a hot June, and this civil buffeting hold, we shall buy maidenheads as they buy hobnails, by the hundreds.
FALSTAFF.
By the mass, lad, thou sayest true. It is like we shall have good trading that way. But tell me, Hal, art not thou horrible afeard? Thou being heir-apparent, could the world pick thee out three such enemies again as that fiend Douglas, that spirit Percy, and that devil Glendower? Art thou not horribly afraid? Doth not thy blood thrill at it?
PRINCE.
Not a whit, i’faith. I lack some of thy instinct.
FALSTAFF.
Well, thou wilt be horribly chid tomorrow when thou comest to thy father. If thou love me practise an answer.
PRINCE.
Do thou stand for my father and examine me upon the particulars of my life.
FALSTAFF.
Shall I? Content! This chair shall be my state, this dagger my sceptre, and this cushion my crown.
PRINCE.
Thy state is taken for a joint-stool, thy golden sceptre for a leaden dagger, and thy precious rich crown for a pitiful bald crown.