Nay, you shall see my orchard, where, in an arbour, we will eat a last
year’s pippin of mine own graffing, with a dish of caraways, and so
forth. Come, cousin Silence. And then to bed.
No, you'll see my orchard, where in a shaded garden area we'll eat last year's apple of my own growing, with a dish of caraway seeds, and so on. Come, cousin Silence. And then to sleep.
Actually, you should see my orchard—there's a nice garden spot where we'll eat apples I grew myself last year, with some caraway seeds, and all that. Come on, cousin Silence. Then we head to bed.
yo come see my orchard we'll eat my homegrown apples & stuff then bed
Fore God, you have here a goodly dwelling, and a rich.
By God, you have a fine house here, and a wealthy one.
Man, you've got a really nice place here, and you're clearly doing well.
nice place you got v comfortable
Barren, barren, barren; beggars all, beggars all, Sir John. Marry, good
air. Spread, Davy, spread, Davy. Well said, Davy.
Bare land, bare land, bare land; we're all poor, all poor, Sir John. Well, at least the air is good here. Spread things out, Davy, spread things out, Davy. Well done, Davy.
It's pretty empty out here, all pretty poor land, Sir John. Well, the air's nice at least. Set things out, Davy, come on. Good work, Davy.
not much here tbh no money but fresh air nice work davy
This Davy serves you for good uses; he is your serving-man and your
husband.
This Davy is useful to you; he's your servant and also like your partner.
Davy here does good work for you—he's your servant and basically your right-hand man.
davy works hard for u good servant & partner
A good varlet, a good varlet, a very good varlet, Sir John. By the
mass, I have drunk too much sack at supper. A good varlet. Now sit
down, now sit down. Come, cousin.
A good fellow, a good fellow, a very good fellow, Sir John. By God, I drank too much wine at supper. A good fellow. Now sit down, now sit down. Come, cousin.
Good guy, good guy, really good guy, Sir John. I gotta say, I had way too much wine at dinner. Good guy. Now come on, sit down. Come on, cousin.
davy's the best i drank too much wine lol let's sit down
Ah, sirrah! quoth-a, we shall [_Singing._]
_Do nothing but eat, and make good cheer,
And praise God for the merry year,
When flesh is cheap and females dear,
And lusty lads roam here and there
So merrily,
And ever among so merrily._
Oh yes, said he, we shall: Do nothing but eat and be happy, and praise God for this merry year, when meat is affordable and women are precious, and strong young men roam here and there so merrily, and forever among everyone so merrily.
Oh yeah, he said, so we'll just eat and party, give thanks for this great year when meat's cheap and girls are worth their weight in gold, and young guys are going around having a blast, just constantly partying.
we eat we party meat's cheap girls are rare young guys out here vibing partying nonstop
There’s a merry heart! Good Master Silence, I’ll give you a health for
that anon.
There's a happy person! Good Master Silence, I'll toast your health for that shortly.
That's the spirit! Good Master Silence, I'll give you a toast for that in a minute.
that's the vibe i'll toast u soon
Give Master Bardolph some wine, Davy.
Davy, pour a drink for Master Bardolph.
Davy, get Bardolph some wine.
wine for bardolph davy
Sweet sir, sit. I’ll be with you anon. Most sweet sir, sit. Master
page, good master page, sit. Proface! What you want in meat, we’ll have
in drink, but you must bear; the heart’s all.
Dear sir, sit down. I'll be with you shortly. Most dear sir, sit down. Master page, good master page, sit. Good appetite! Whatever you lack in food, we'll make up in drink, but you have to keep up; what matters is the spirit.
Sit down, sir, please. I'll be right there. Sit down, Master page. Good appetite! If we're short on food, we've got plenty of drink, but you gotta keep up—it's all about the fun.
sit down i'll be there soon low on food but lots of drinks just stay in the vibe
Be merry, Master Bardolph, and, my little soldier there, be merry.
Be happy, Master Bardolph, and you too, my little soldier, be happy.
Have fun, Master Bardolph, and you too, my little soldier—let's have a good time.
be happy bardolph and u little guy let's party
_Be merry, be merry, my wife has all,
For women are shrews, both short and tall.
’Tis merry in hall when beards wag all,
And welcome merry Shrove-tide.
Be merry, be merry._
Be happy, be happy, my wife controls everything, for women are bossy, whether short or tall. It's fun in the hall when all the beards move with laughter, and welcome to merry Shrove-tide. Be happy, be happy.
Be happy, be happy, my wife runs everything anyway, because women are bossy no matter their size. It's great in the hall when everyone's laughing so hard their beards shake, and here comes the fun of Shrove-tide. Be happy, be happy.
be happy wives run everything women are tough everyone's laughing love shrove-tide
I did not think Master Silence had been a man of this mettle.
I didn't think Master Silence was a man of this kind of spirit.
I wouldn't have pegged Master Silence as the type to get this lively.
didn't think silence had this energy
Throughout 3-2 and 5-1, Silence is a barely-there figure — politely agreeing, offering half-sentences, living up to his name. In 5-3, drunk in Shallow's orchard at night, he sings. Four separate songs. Shakespeare gives him the most purely lyrical language in Act 5. 'A merry heart lives long-a.' 'Fill the cup and let it come, I'll pledge you a mile to the bottom.' There's no calculation in Silence — unlike Falstaff (planning), Shallow (performing), and Pistol (bombasting), Silence is just present, enjoying the night, singing because he feels like it. He is the only character in this scene with no angle. Which is why his songs feel so precarious: this pure happiness is about to end.
Who, I? I have been merry twice and once ere now.
Who, me? I've been happy three times before now.
Me? I've only had a good time like three times in my whole life before this.
me? i've been this happy like 3 times ever
[_To Bardolph_.] There’s a dish of leather-coats for you.
Here's a dish of russet apples for you.
Here, have some of these old russet apples.
apples for u
Davy!
Davy!
Davy!
davy!
Your worship? I’ll be with you straight.
[_To Bardolph_] A cup of wine, sir?
Yes, sir? I'll be with you in a moment. Would you like a cup of wine, sir?
What is it, sir? I'll be right there. Can I get you some wine?
just a sec i'm getting wine ready
_A cup of wine that’s brisk and fine,
And drink unto thee, leman mine,
And a merry heart lives long-a._
A cup of wine that's lively and good, and I drink to you, my love, and a happy heart lives long.
A nice strong cup of wine, and I'm drinking to you, my love, and a happy heart keeps you young forever.
good wine to my love happy heart lives long
Well said, Master Silence.
You've got the right attitude, Master Silence.
That's the spirit, Master Silence.
yesss
An we shall be merry, now comes in the sweet o’ th’ night.
If we shall be happy, now comes the sweet part of the night.
If we're gonna have fun, well, this is when the night gets really good.
now the night gets good
Health and long life to you, Master Silence.
May you enjoy good health and many years ahead, Master Silence.
Here's to your health and a long life, Master Silence.
cheers to u master silence
_Fill the cup, and let it come,
I’ll pledge you a mile to th’ bottom._
Fill the cup and let it come, I'll drink it all the way to the bottom for you.
Fill up the cup, let's go, I'll drink the whole thing to the bottom for you.
fill it up i'll drink it all
Honest Bardolph, welcome! If thou want’st anything and wilt not call,
beshrew thy heart. Welcome, my little tiny thief, [_to the Page_] and
welcome indeed too. I’ll drink to Master Bardolph, and to all the
cabileros about London.
Honest Bardolph, welcome! If you want anything and don't ask, curse your heart. Welcome, my little small thief, and welcome to you too. I'll toast to Master Bardolph and to all the gentlemen around London.
Bardolph, welcome! If you need anything and don't ask for it, that's on you. Welcome, my little friend, and you too. I'm gonna toast to Bardolph and all the gentlemen in London.
welcome bardolph ask if u need anything toast to u & london gentlemen
I hope to see London once ere I die.
I hope to see London once before I die.
I'd really love to see London at least once before I kick the bucket.
wanna see london b4 i die
An I might see you there, Davy,—
If we could meet up there, Davy—
If I could run into you there in London, Davy—
hope i see u there davy
A steward manages another's estate — he doesn't own it, he administers it on behalf of the owner. Falstaff calling himself 'Fortune's steward' reveals what he thinks his relationship with Hal has been: he is the manager of royal favour, the dispenser of the king's generosity. But this is exactly the fantasy that Hal's 4-2 soliloquy in Part 1 already foreclosed: Hal was never Falstaff's instrument. He was using Falstaff's world as a school. Fortune has a different steward in mind — one who wears a sword and carries scales.
By the mass, you’ll crack a quart together, ha! will you not, Master
Bardolph?
By God, you'll drink a quart together, won't you, Master Bardolph?
I bet you two will put away a quart of drinks together, huh, Bardolph?
u two gonna drink a ton together
Yea, sir, in a pottle-pot.
Yes, sir, from a half-gallon pot.
Sure thing, sir, right from a big pot.
yup from a big pot
By God’s liggens, I thank thee. The knave will stick by thee, I can
assure thee that. He will not out, he. ’Tis true bred.
By God's little ornaments, I thank you. The rascal will stick by you, I can assure you. He won't leave, he won't. It's genuine character.
I swear by God, I thank you. That rascal will stay loyal to you, I promise. He's not going anywhere. It's real devotion.
thanks he'll stay loyal real commitment
And I’ll stick by him, sir.
And I'll stay loyal to him, sir.
And I'll stick with him too, sir.
i got his back
Why, there spoke a king. Lack nothing! Be merry.
Now that's how a king would speak. You'll want for nothing. Go enjoy yourself.
Now that's what I call noble talk. You've got everything you need. Have a blast.
that's noble u got everything be happy
Look who’s at door there, ho! Who knocks?
Look, who's at the door there? Who's knocking?
Who's that at the door? Who's knocking?
who's at the door
[_To Silence, seeing him take off a bumper_.] Why, now you have done me
right.
Well done! You've honored me properly by drinking that full glass in my honor.
Well done! You've paid your respects to me properly with that drink.
u honored me drank to me
_Do me right,
And dub me knight:
Samingo._
Is’t not so?
Treat me with respect and make me a knight, Samingo. Isn't that so?
Give me what I deserve and make me a knight in the name of Samingo. That's how it goes, right?
make me a knight samingo right?
’Tis so.
Yes, that's so.
That's right.
yep
Is’t so? Why then, say an old man can do somewhat.
Is that so? Then just say an old man can still do something.
Is that right? Well, I guess that means an old guy like me can still do something.
i can still do stuff old guys matter
An’t please your worship, there’s one Pistol come from the court with
news.
If it please you, sir, there's someone named Pistol come from the court with news.
Excuse me, sir, but there's a guy named Pistol here from the court with news.
sir pistol's here from court has news
Pistol speaks almost entirely in theatrical quotation — fragments of old plays, inflated heroic diction, classical allusions scrambled together into a kind of collage. This is his comic register throughout the play. But in 5-3-064 ('Under which king, Besonian? Speak, or die') the bombast conceals a real, devastating question. When Shallow answers 'Harry the Fourth,' the theatrical frame breaks for a moment: the wrong king is named, the world has changed, and Pistol holds the truth. His subsequent announcement — 'thy tender lambkin now is King' — is the most real thing he says in the play.
From the court? Let him come in.
News from the court? Show him in.
He's from court? Let him through.
from court? let him in
How now, Pistol?
How are you, Pistol?
Hey, Pistol, what's going on?
pistol what's up
Sir John, God save you!
Sir John, God protect you!
Sir John, hello!
yo sir john
What wind blew you hither, Pistol?
What brought you here, Pistol?
What brings you here, Pistol?
what brings u here pistol
Not the ill wind which blows no man to good. Sweet knight, thou art now
one of the greatest men in this realm.
Not a bad fate, but a good one. Sweet knight, you're now one of the most powerful men in this kingdom.
Not a bad wind—actually a great one. You, my friend, are now one of the most important guys in the whole kingdom.
good news for u u're one of the biggest guys in the kingdom now
By’r lady, I think he be, but goodman Puff of Barson.
By the Virgin Mary, I think he is, except for goodman Puff of Barson.
By God, I think so, except for this guy Puff from Barson.
maybe unless it's puff guy
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,
And tidings do I bring and lucky joys,
And golden times, and happy news of price.
Puff! I spit at you, you miserable cowardly coward! Sir John, I am your Pistol and your friend, and at top speed I rode to you, and I bring news and happy luck, and golden times and valuable good news.
Puff! Screw you, you pathetic coward! Sir John, I'm Pistol, your friend, and I raced over here as fast as I could to bring you news and amazing luck, golden times ahead, and really valuable good news.
screw puff im pistol raced here 4 u good news incoming
I pray thee now, deliver them like a man of this world.
I ask you now, deliver the news like a practical person.
Come on, just tell me the news like a normal guy would.
just tell me straight
A foutre for the world and worldlings base!
I speak of Africa and golden joys.
I don't care about the world and low people! I'm talking about Africa and golden happiness.
Forget the world and normal people! I'm talking about Africa and amazing riches.
not about normal stuff talk about gold & africa
O base Assyrian knight, what is thy news?
Let King Cophetua know the truth thereof.
Oh low Assyrian knight, what's your news? Let the legendary King Cophetua know the truth about it.
Listen, what's your news? Cut through all the drama and just tell me straight.
just tell me what's the news
[_Singing_.] _And Robin Hood, Scarlet, and John._
And the legendary outlaw Robin Hood, with Scarlet and John among his companions.
And there's the famous Robin Hood with Scarlet and John in his band.
the legend robin hood and his crew
Shall dunghill curs confront the Helicons?
And shall good news be baffled?
Then, Pistol, lay thy head in Furies’ lap.
Shall lowborn men dare to confront the noble Helicons? And shall good news be stifled? Then, Pistol, lay your head in the Furies' lap and accept their vengeance.
Should common men dare challenge those with noble connections? Should good news be kept quiet? Then Pistol, you must surrender to vengeance.
should lowborn challenge nobility should good news be suppressed accept the furies' vengeance
Honest gentleman, I know not your breeding.
Honest gentleman, I don't know your background or manners.
Honest guy, I'm not sure where you're coming from or what your background is.
not sure who u r
Why then, lament therefor.
Then you should regret that.
Then that's your loss.
that's on u
The Gloucestershire scenes in Henry IV Part 2 are among the warmest spaces in all of Shakespeare — they glow with food, wine, firelight, old memory, and genuine (if comic) human affection. Shallow's orchard at night, with Silence singing and Davy hosting and Bardolph welcomed, is a Shakespearean idyll. It makes what comes next in 5-5 more brutal by contrast. The warm lamp of the orchard scene throws the cold of the coronation street into sharper relief.
Give me pardon, sir. If, sir, you come with news from the court, I take
it there’s but two ways, either to utter them, or conceal them. I am,
sir, under the King, in some authority.
Excuse me, sir. If you come with news from the court, I assume there are only two choices: to tell them or to hide them. I am, sir, under the King, in some position of authority.
My apologies, sir. If you're bringing news from the court, I figure you've got two options: you tell it or you don't. I'll have you know I'm actually in charge here, under the King's authority.
my bad sir i got authority here tell me the news or not
Under which king, Besonian? Speak, or die.
Under which king, you greenhorn? Speak up, or you'll die.
Which king exactly, you inexperienced fool? Answer now, or you're dead.
which king, greenhorn? speak or die
Under King Harry.
Under King Harry.
Under King Harry.
under king harry.
Harry the Fourth, or Fifth?
Is it King Harry the Fourth or the Fifth?
Are you talking about Harry the Fourth or Harry the Fifth?
4th or 5th?
Harry the Fourth.
Harry the Fourth.
Harry the Fourth.
harry the fourth.
A foutre for thine office!
Sir John, thy tender lambkin now is King;
Harry the Fifth’s the man. I speak the truth.
When Pistol lies, do this, and fig me, like
The bragging Spaniard.
To hell with your office! Sir John, your gentle young prince is now King; Harry the Fifth is the man. I speak the truth. When I lie, you can mock me like the boasting Spaniard.
Forget about your authority! Sir John, your nice kid is King now—Henry the Fifth's the guy. I'm telling you the truth. If I'm lying, you can laugh at me like that cocky Spaniard.
ur authority's gone henry v's king now im telling the truth
What, is the old King dead?
So the old King has passed away?
Wait, the old King is dead?
old king's dead?
As nail in door. The things I speak are just.
As solid as a nail in a door. The things I say are true.
Absolutely, like a nail in a door. Everything I'm telling you is the truth.
100% sure im telling the truth
Away, Bardolph, saddle my horse. Master Robert Shallow, choose what
office thou wilt in the land, ’tis thine. Pistol, I will double-charge
thee with dignities.
Go, Bardolph, saddle my horse. Master Robert Shallow, choose any office you want in the land, it's yours. Pistol, I'll load you up with honors.
Go, Bardolph, get my horse ready. Master Shallow, you can have any government job you want—it's all yours. Pistol, I'm gonna make you super important.
saddle up shallow pick any job pisol ur getting honors
O joyful day!
I would not take a knighthood for my fortune.
Oh what a happy day! I wouldn't trade my good luck for a knighthood.
What an amazing day! I wouldn't even trade this luck for a knighthood.
best day ever wouldn't trade this
What! I do bring good news.
What! I'm bringing you good news.
Hey! I brought you good news.
i brought good news
Carry Master Silence to bed. Master Shallow, my Lord Shallow, be what
thou wilt; I am Fortune’s steward! Get on thy boots, we’ll ride all
night. O sweet Pistol! Away, Bardolph!
Carry Master Silence to bed. Master Shallow, my Lord Shallow, be whatever you want; I'm Fortune's servant! Get on your boots, we'll ride all night. Oh sweet Pistol! Go, Bardolph!
Get Master Silence to bed. You're Lord Shallow now, you can be whatever you want; I'm blessed by luck! Put on your boots, we're riding all night. Oh Pistol! Come on, Bardolph!
get silence to bed ul be lord now im lucky af boots on riding all night
Come, Pistol, utter more to me; and withal devise something to do
thyself good. Boot, boot, Master Shallow. I know the young King is sick
for me. Let us take any man’s horses. The laws of England are at my
commandment. Blessed are they that have been my friends, and woe to my
Lord Chief Justice!
Come on, Pistol, tell me more; and come up with something that will benefit you. Put your boots on, Master Shallow. I know the young King misses me. We can take anyone's horses. The laws of England are now under my control. Blessed are those who have been my friends, and woe to my Lord Chief Justice!
Pistol, tell me more—and come up with something good for yourself. Shallow, get your boots on, we need to leave. I know the young King wants to see me. We'll take anyone's horses if we need to. I control the laws of England now. My friends are going to be blessed—but the Chief Justice is in big trouble.
pistol tell me more come up with something good shallow ur boots on king wants me i got the laws my friends win the chief justice loses
Let vultures vile seize on his lungs also!
“Where is the life that late I led?” say they:
Why, here it is; welcome these pleasant days!
Let dirty vultures eat his lungs too! 'Where is the life I used to lead?' they say. Well, here it is; welcome to these good days!
Let gross vultures eat his guts! 'Where's the life I had before?' they say. Well, I found it; here come the good times!
old life is gone hello good days here we go
The Reckoning
The dramatic contrast is everything here. In scene 5-2 we have just watched Hal become king and declare the tide of blood turned. In scene 5-3, in a country orchard, Falstaff hears the same news and his response is to see himself as the power behind the throne — 'I am Fortune's steward.' He is completely wrong about what kind of king Harry will be. The drinking songs of Silence make this scene both comic and ominous: even the quietest man in England is singing, and the loudest is about to be silenced forever.
If this happened today…
A man who spent years cultivating a friendship with someone he assumed would become a powerful executive has been waiting at a country dinner for word. His phone buzzes. The CEO died. His friend is now running the company. He leaps up: 'Pack your bags, we're driving to the city tonight. I've been waiting for this. I'm going to make you all rich.' He doesn't know his friend has spent the evening formally committing to a culture of impartial justice.