ARKCODEX
Act IV, Scene 4
1The field of battle.
2Alarum. Excursions. Enter Pistol, French Soldier, and Boy.
3PistolYield, cur!
4French SoldierJe pense que vous êtes le gentilhomme de bonne qualité.
5PistolQualité calmie custore me! Art thou a gentleman? What is thy name? Discuss.
6French SoldierO Seigneur Dieu!
7PistolO, Signieur Dew should be a gentleman:
Perpend my words, O Signieur Dew, and mark;
O Signieur Dew, thou diest on point of fox,
Except, O signieur, thou do give to me
Egregious ransom.
8French SoldierO, prenez miséricorde! ayez pitié de moi!
9PistolMoy shall not serve; I will have forty moys;
Or I will fetch thy rim out at thy throat
In drops of crimson blood.
10French SoldierEst-il impossible d’échapper la force de ton bras?
11PistolBrass, cur!
Thou damned and luxurious mountain goat,
Offer’st me brass?
12French SoldierO pardonnez-moi!
13PistolSay’st thou me so? is that a ton of moys?
Come hither, boy: ask me this slave in French
What is his name.
14BoyÉcoutez: comment êtes-vous appelé?
15French SoldierMonsieur le Fer.
16BoyHe says his name is Master Fer.
17PistolMaster Fer! I’ll fer him, and firk him, and ferret him: discuss the same in French unto him.
18BoyI do not know the French for fer, and ferret, and firk.
19PistolBid him prepare; for I will cut his throat.
20French SoldierQue dit-il, monsieur?
21BoyIl me commande de vous dire que vous faites vous prêt; car ce soldat ici est disposé tout à cette heure de couper votre gorge.
22PistolOwy, cuppele gorge, permafoy,
Peasant, unless thou give me crowns, brave crowns;
Or mangled shalt thou be by this my sword.
23French SoldierO, je vous supplie, pour l’amour de Dieu, me pardonner! Je suis le gentilhomme de bonne maison: gardez ma vie, et je vous donnerai deux cents écus.
24PistolWhat are his words?
25BoyHe prays you to save his life: he is a gentleman of a good house; and for his ransom he will give you two hundred crowns.
26PistolTell him my fury shall abate, and I
The crowns will take.
27French SoldierPetit monsieur, que dit-il?
28BoyEncore qu’il est contre son jurement de pardonner aucun prisonnier, néanmoins, pour les écus que vous l’avez promis, il est content de vous donner la liberté, le franchisement.
29French SoldierSur mes genoux je vous donne mille remercîments; et je m’estime heureux que je suis tombé entre les mains d’un chevalier, je pense, le plus brave, vaillant, et très distingué seigneur d’Angleterre.
30PistolExpound unto me, boy.
31BoyHe gives you, upon his knees, a thousand thanks; and he esteems himself happy that he hath fallen into the hands of one, as he thinks, the most brave, valorous, and thrice-worthy seigneur of England.
32PistolAs I suck blood, I will some mercy show. Follow me!
33BoySuivez-vous le grand capitaine. Exeunt Pistol and French Soldier. I did never know so full a voice issue from so empty a heart: but the saying is true, “The empty vessel makes the greatest sound.” Bardolph and Nym had ten times more valour than this roaring devil i’ the old play, that everyone may pare his nails with a wooden dagger; and they are both hanged; and so would this be, if he durst steal anything adventurously. I must stay with the lackeys, with the luggage of our camp: the French might have a good prey of us, if he knew of it; for there is none to guard it but boys. Exit.