Classic Poem

Haveatall , after a while Moth, Slicer and Hearsay watching.

Ha. What, no man yet march by? who e'r comes next
I'l give him one rap more for making me
Stay here so long.
So so here h'is; how shall
I do to know where he be a Gentleman,
Or Yeoman or Serving-man? I think
I'd best suppose him all, and beat him through
Every degree, and so I shall not wrong him.
What? who goes there?
Moth . Waes heal thou gentle Knight.
Hav. Waes heal thou gentle Knight? speak what art thou?
Speak quickly doe: Villain know'st thou not me?
Moth . Now by my troath I know not your Name;
Whider I shall call you my Lord Dan John ,
Or Dan Thomas , or Dan Robert , or Dan Albon :
I vow to God thou hast a full faire chine;
Upon my faith art some Officer.
Hav. Have you the pox Sir? speak.
Moth . No.
Hav. No? nor yet
An ach in your Bones!
Moth . No.
Hav. No? why then you are
No Gentleman; Lieutenant Slicer says so.
This cudgell then serves turn.
Moth . You will not foyn?
Hav. I will not foyn, but I will beat you Sir.
Moth . Why intermete of what thou hast to done;
So leteth me alone, 't shall be thy best.
Hav. I fancy'd you a beating; you must have it.
You shall not say but I will shew you favour.
Choose where you will be hacked with my sword,
Or bruis'd by my Batton.
Moth . Dre not thy true,
And paynant Morglay out of Shete. Lo thus
Eftsoons Sir Knight, I greet thee lowting low.
Hav. Downe lower yet.
Moth . Rueth on my gray haires.
Hav. Yet lower: so, then thus I do bestride thee.
Moth . Tubal the sonne of Lamech did yfind
Musick by knocking Hammers upon Anviles;
Let go thine blows, thylke Art is no compleat.
Hav. Dost thou make me a Smith thou Rogue? a Tubal ?
Moth . Harrow alas! flet Englond , flet Englond :
Dead is Edmond .
Hav. Take that for history.
O brave Lieutenant now thy dinner works.
Mo. I nis not Edmond Ironside God wot.
Ha. More provocation yet? I'l seal thy lips.
Mo. A twenty Devil way! So did the Saxon
Upon thylke plain of Sarum , done to death
By treachery, the Lords of merry Englond .
Nem esur Saxes.
Have. Villain dost abuse me
In unbaptized language? do not answer;
If that thou dost, by Iove I'l strangle thee.
Do you make mouths you Raskall thus at me?
You're at dumb Service now: why, this is more
Unsufferable than your old patch'd gibberish;
This silence is abuse. I'l send thee to
The Place of it, where thou shalt meet with Oswald ,
Vortigern, Harold, Hengist, Horsey, Knute,
Alured, Edgar , and Cunobeline .
Thus, thus I sheath my Sword.
Slic. Redoubted Knight
Enough, 'tis thy foe doth vanquish'd lie
Now at thy mercy, mercy not withstand,
For he is one the truest Knight alive,
Though conquer'd now he lie on lowly ground.
Ha. Thou ow'st thy life to my Lieutenant, Caitife.
Breath and be thankfull.
Mo. I reche not thine yeft;
Maugre thine head, algate I suffer none,
I am thine lefe, thine deere, mine Potluck Jone .