The armourer and his man, to enter the lists,
So please your highness to behold the fight.
Queen. Ay, good my lord; for purposely therefore 52
Left I the court, to see this quarrel tried.
King. O' God's name, see the lists and all things fit:
Here let them end it; and God defend the right!
York. I never saw a fellow worse bested, 56
Or more afraid to fight, than is the appellant,
The servant of this armourer, my lords.
Enter at one door the Armourer [Horner] and his Neighbours, drinking to him so much that he is drunk; and he enters with a drum before him, and his staff with a sand-bag fastened to it: and at the other door his Man [Peter], with a drum and sand-bag, and Prentices drinking to him.
1. Neigh. Here, neighbour Horner, I drink
to you in a cup of sack: and fear not, neigh- 60
bour, you shall do well enough.
2. Neigh. And here, neighbour, here's a
cup of charneco.
3. Neigh. And here's a pot of good 64
double beer, neighbour: drink, and fear not
your man.
Arm. Let it come, i' faith, and I'll pledge you
all; and a fig for Peter! 68
1. Pren. Here, Peter, I drink to thee; and
be not afraid.
2. Pren. Be merry, Peter, and fear not thy
master: fight for credit of the prentices. 72
Peter. I thank you all: drink, and pray for
me, I pray you; for, I think, I have taken my
54 O': in
56 bested: prepared
60 sack: dry Spanish wine
63 charneco: sweet Portuguese wine
