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? 263
Poins. Come, your reason, Jack, your reason.
Fal. What, upon compulsion? 'Zounds! an
I were at 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
plenty as blackberries I would give no man a
reason upon compulsion, I. 270
Prince. I'll be no longer guilty of this sin:
this sanguine coward, this bed-presser, this
horseback-breaker, this huge hill of flesh;— 273
Fal. 'Sblood, you starveling, you elf-skin, you
dried neat's-tongue, you bull's pizzle, you stock-
fish! O! for breath to utter what is like thee;
you tailor's yard, you sheath, you bow-case, you
vile standing-tuck,— 278
Prince. Well, breathe awhile, and then to it
again; and when thou hast tired thyself in base
comparisons, hear me speak but this. 281
Poins. Mark, Jack.
Prince. We two saw you four set on four and
you bound them, and were masters of their
wealth. Mark now, how a plain tale shall put
you down. Then did we two set on you four, and,
with a word, out-faced you from your prize, and
have it; yea, and can show it you here in the
house. And, Falstaff, you carried your guts away
as nimbly, with as quick dexterity, and roared
for mercy, and still ran and roared, as ever I
266 strappado; cf. n.
268 reasons; cf. n.
272 sanguine: red-faced
275 neat's-tongue: ox tongue
stock-fish: dried cod
278 standing-tuck: small rapier standing on end
287 out-faced: frightened
