Fal. What wind blew you hither, Pistol?
Pist. Not the ill wind which blows no man to good. 88
Sweet knight, thou art now one of the greatest
men in this realm.
Sil. By 'r lady, I think a' be, but goodman
Puff of Barson. 92
Pist. Puff!
Puff in thy teeth, most recreant coward base!
Sir John, I am thy Pistol and thy friend,
And helter-skelter have I rode to thee, 96
And tidings do I bring and lucky joys
And golden times and happy news of price.
Fal. I prithee now, deliver them like a man of this world.
Pist. A foutra for the world and worldlings base! 100
I speak of Africa and golden joys.
Fal. O base Assyrian knight, what is thy news?
Let King Cophetua know the truth thereof.
Sil. 'And Robin Hood, Scarlet, and John/ 104
Pist. Shall dunghill curs confront the Helicons?
And shall good news be baffled?
Then, Pistol, lay thy head in Furies' lap.
Shal. Honest gentleman, I know not your 108
breeding.
Pist. Why then, lament therefore.
Shal. Give me pardon, sir: if, sir, you come
with news from the court, I take it there's but 112
two ways: either to utter them, or to conceal
them. I am sir, under the king, in some authority.
91 but: except
92 Barson: Barston in Warwickshire
98 price: value
100 foutra: exclamation of contempt
103, 104 These lines refer to popular ballads
105 Cf. n.
