Henry IV, Part 2

Act 5, Scene 4

Modern spelling. Stage directions omitted.

Listen to Act 5. LibriVox volunteers recorded “Act V” as one track, so it runs past this scene and includes stage directions this page leaves out. LibriVox catalog.

HOSTESS

No, arrant . I would to God that I might die, that I might have hanged. drawn my shoulder out of joint.

FIRST BEADLE

The constables have delivered her over to me, and she shall have whipping-cheer enough, I warrant her. There been a man or two lately killed about her.

DOLL

Nut-hook, nut-hook, you lie! Come on, I’ll tell what, damned tripe-visaged rascal, an the child I now go with do miscarry, wert better hadst struck mother, paper-faced villain.

HOSTESS

O the Lord, that Sir John were come! He would make this a bloody day to somebody. But I pray God the fruit of her womb miscarry!

FIRST BEADLE

If it do, you shall have a dozen of cushions again; you have but eleven now. Come, I charge you both go with me, for the man is dead that you and Pistol beat amongst you.

DOLL

I’ll tell you what, you thin man in a censer, I will have you as soundly swinged for this, you bluebottle rogue, you filthy famished correctioner, if you be not swinged, I’ll forswear half-kirtles.

FIRST BEADLE

Come, come, you she knight-errant, come.

HOSTESS

O God, that right should thus overcome might! Well, of sufferance comes ease.

DOLL

Come, you rogue, come, bring me to a justice.

HOSTESS

Ay, come, you starved bloodhound.

DOLL

Goodman death, goodman bones!

HOSTESS

atomy, !

DOLL

Come, you thin thing, come, you rascal!

FIRST BEADLE

Very well.

All of Henry IV, Part 2

Induction

Induction,

Act 1

Act 1, Scene 1Act 1, Scene 2Act 1, Scene 3,

Act 2

Act 2, Scene 1Act 2, Scene 2Act 2, Scene 3Act 2, Scene 4,

Act 3

Act 3, Scene 1Act 3, Scene 2,

Act 4

Act 4, Scene 1Act 4, Scene 2Act 4, Scene 3Act 4, Scene 4Act 4, Scene 5,

Act 5

Act 5, Scene 1Act 5, Scene 2Act 5, Scene 3Act 5, Scene 4Act 5, Scene 5,

Opening and close

Epilogue

Open Henry IV, Part 2 in the 1623 First Folio. See its words in the cloud.

Modern spelling for reading. The edition is public domain in the United States. Edition source.