I
am a rogue, if I were not at half-sword with a dozen of them two hours
together. I have scaped by miracle. I am eight times thrust through the
doublet, four through the hose; my buckler cut through and through; my sword
hackt like a handsaw, --ecce signum!
-Sir John Falstaff
King Henry the Fourth Part I Act II, Scene iv, Line 170
This is the
beginning of Falstaff’s version of what happened during the robbery. Of course,
it’s all rubbish, and Hal knows it’s rubbish, but Falstaff does not yet know that Hal knows. Ecce signum means (according to my notes) hold the sign. I’m not sure that Falstaff isn’t just using it as an
exclamation.
Ecce signum!
Okay, they're not holding the sign, they're standing on either side of it. Just the same, remember, L'otters are not afraid!
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