Falstaff: 'Henry IV, Part 1' act 5, sc. 4

 

There is a man

Who would be a king. This is such stuff

As past dreams would make his many morrows

That he, Princeling, may strut upon life's stage

As one with pride.

 

Yet this is a man

Who must know a past. That is the stage

As present nightmare on which he played so sad a part

That he, Pretender, needs now attend our courts

As one who lied.

 

So this is a man

Who misled his people. Yet we are his votes

As now may ask account and question why today

That he, prosecuted, may still stand for high office

As one who leads.

 

We are the people

Who he would rule. Are we such puny stuff

As would allow such a man his power to lead our land

That he, Prime Minister, may lie some more

As one we trust?

 

May his past be his final prologue

 

With apologies to Shakespeare