Prince. O monstrous! eleven buckram men grown out210
of two!
Fal. But, as the devil would have it, three misbegotten
knaves in Kendal green came at my back and let drive at
me; for it was so dark, Hal, that thou couldst not see thy
hand.215
Prince. These lies are like their father that begets[2466]
them; gross as a mountain, open, palpable. Why, thou
clay-brained guts, thou knotty-pated fool, thou whoreson,[2467]
obscene, greasy tallow-catch,—[2468]
Fal. What, art thou mad? art thou mad? is not the220
truth the truth?
Prince. Why, how couldst thou know these men in
Kendal green, when it was so dark thou couldst not see
thy hand? come, tell us your reason: what sayest thou to
this?225
Poins. Come, your reason, Jack, your reason.
Fal. What, upon compulsion? 'Zounds, an I were at[2469]
the strappado, or all the racks in the world, I would not
tell you on compulsion. Give you a reason on compulsion!
if reasons were as plentiful as blackberries, I would give no[2470]230
man a reason upon compulsion, I.
Prince. I'll be no longer guilty of this sin; this sanguine
coward, this bed-presser, this horse-back-breaker,[2471]
this huge hill of flesh,—
Fal. 'Sblood, you starveling, you elf-skin, you dried[2472]235
neat's tongue, you bull's pizzle, you stock-fish! O for[2473]
breath to utter what is like thee! you tailor's-yard, you[2474]
sheath, you bow-case, you vile standing-tuck,—
Prince. Well, breathe awhile, and then to it again:[2475]
and when thou hast tired thyself in base comparisons, hear[2476]240
me speak but this.[2477]