William Shakespeare: King Henry IV Part I

ACT II. 1. Scene I. Rochester. An Inn-Yard. (continued)

GADS.
What talkest thou to me of the hangman? if I hang, I'll make
a fat pair of gallows; for, if I hang, old Sir John hangs with
me, and thou know'st he is no starveling. Tut! there are other
Trojans that thou dreamest not of, the which, for sport-sake,
are content to do the profession some grace; that would, if
matters should be look'd into, for their own credit-sake, make
all whole. I am joined with no foot land-rakers, no long-staff
sixpenny strikers, none of these mad mustachio purple-hued
malt-worms; but with nobility and tranquillity, burgomasters and
great oneyers; such as can hold in, such as will strike sooner
than speak, and speak sooner than drink, and drink sooner than
pray: and yet, zwounds, I lie; for they pray continually to their
saint, the Commonwealth; or, rather, not pray to her, but prey on
her, for they ride up and down on her, and make her their boots.

CHAM.
What, the Commonwealth their boots? will she hold out water
in foul way?

GADS.
She will, she will; justice hath liquor'd her. We steal as in a
castle, cock-sure; we have the receipt of fernseed,--we walk
invisible.

CHAM.
Nay, by my faith, I think you are more beholding to the night
than to fern-seed for your walking invisible.

GADS.
Give me thy hand: thou shalt have a share in our purchase, as
I am a true man.

CHAM.
Nay, rather let me have it, as you are a false thief.

GADS.
Go to; homo is a common name to all men. Bid the ostler
bring my gelding out of the stable. Farewell, you muddy knave.

[Exeunt.]