第3章

IsawyoungHarry,withhisbeaveron,Hiscuissesonhisthighs,gallantlyarm’dRisefromthegroundlikefeather’dMercury,Andvaultedwithsucheaseintohisseat,Asifanangeldropp’ddownfromtheclouds,ToturnandwindafieryPegasusAndwitchtheworldwithnoblehorsemanship。HOTSPURNomore,nomore:worsethanthesuninMarch,Thispraisedothnourishagues。Letthemcome:

Theycomelikesacrificesintheirtrim,Andtothefire—eyedmaidofsmokywarAllhotandbleedingwillweofferthem:

ThemailedMarsshallonhisaltarsitUptotheearsinblood。IamonfireTohearthisrichreprisalissonighAndyetnotours。Come,letmetastemyhorse,WhoistobearmelikeathunderboltAgainstthebosomofthePrinceofWales:

HarrytoHarryshall,hothorsetohorse,Meetandne’erparttillonedropdownacorse。

OthatGlendowerwerecome!VERNONThereismorenews:

Ilearn’dinWorcester,asIrodealong,Hecannotdrawhispowerthisfourteendays。EARLOFDOUGLASThat’stheworsttidingsthatIhearofyet。WORCESTERAy,bymyfaith,thatbearsafrostysound。HOTSPURWhatmaytheking’swholebattlereachunto?VERNONTothirtythousand。HOTSPURFortyletitbe:

MyfatherandGlendowerbeingbothaway,ThepowersofusmayservesogreatadayCome,letustakeamusterspeedily:

Doomsdayisnear;dieall,diemerrily。EARLOFDOUGLASTalknotofdying:IamoutoffearOfdeathordeath’shandforthisone—halfyear。

ExeuntSCENEII。ApublicroadnearCoventry。EnterFALSTAFFandBARDOLPHFALSTAFFBardolph,gettheebeforetoCoventry;

fillmeabottleofsack:oursoldiersshallmarchthrough;

we’lltoSuttonCo’fil’tonight。BARDOLPHWillyougivememoney,captain?FALSTAFFLayout,layout。BARDOLPHThisbottlemakesanangel。FALSTAFFAnifitdo,takeitforthylabour;andifitmaketwenty,takethemall;I’llanswerthecoinage。

BidmylieutenantPetomeetmeattown’send。BARDOLPHIwill,captain:farewell。

ExitFALSTAFFIfIbenotashamedofmysoldiers,I

amasousedgurnet。Ihavemisusedtheking’spressdamnably。

Ihavegot,inexchangeofahundredandfiftysoldiers,threehundredandoddpounds。Ipressmenonebutgoodhouse—holders,yeoman’ssons;inquiremeoutcontractedbachelors,suchashadbeenaskedtwiceonthebanns;suchacommodityofwarmslaves,ashadaslievehearthedevilasadrum;suchasfearthereportofacaliverworsethanastruckfowlorahurtwild—duck。Ipressedmenonebutsuchtoasts—and—butter,withheartsintheirbelliesnobiggerthanpins’heads,andtheyhaveboughtouttheirservices;andnowmywholechargeconsistsofancients,corporals,lieutenants,gentlemenofcompanies,slavesasraggedasLazarusinthepaintedcloth,wheretheglutton’sdogslickedhissores;andsuchasindeedwereneversoldiers,butdiscardedunjustserving—men,youngersonstoyoungerbrothers,revoltedtapstersandostlerstrade—fallen,thecankersofacalmworldandalongpeace,tentimesmoredishonourableraggedthananoldfacedancient:andsuchhaveI,tofilluptheroomsofthemthathaveboughtouttheirservices,thatyouwouldthinkthatIhadahundredandfiftytatteredprodigalslatelycomefromswine—keeping,fromeatingdraffandhusks。A

madfellowmetmeonthewayandtoldmeIhadunloadedallthegibbetsandpressedthedeadbodies。Noeyehathseensuchscarecrows。I’llnotmarchthroughCoventrywiththem,that’sflat:nay,andthevillainsmarchwidebetwixtthelegs,asiftheyhadgyveson;forindeedIhadthemostofthemoutofprison。There’sbutashirtandahalfinallmycompany;andthehalfshirtistwonapkinstackedtogetherandthrownovertheshoulderslikeanherald’scoatwithoutsleeves;andtheshirt,tosaythetruth,stolenfrommyhostatSaintAlban’s,orthered—noseinnkeeperofDaventry。Butthat’sallone;they’llfindlinenenoughoneveryhedge。

EnterthePRINCEandWESTMORELANDPRINCEHENRYHownow,blownJack!hownow,quilt!FALSTAFFWhat,Hal!hownow,madwag!whatadevildostthouinWarwickshire?MygoodLordofWestmoreland,I

cryyoumercy:IthoughtyourhonourhadalreadybeenatShrewsbury。WESTMORELANDFaith,SirJohn,’tismorethantimethatIwerethere,andyoutoo;butmypowersaretherealready。

Theking,Icantellyou,looksforusall:wemustawayallnight。FALSTAFFTut,neverfearme:Iamasvigilantasacattostealcream。PRINCEHENRYIthink,tostealcreamindeed,forthythefthathalreadymadetheebutter。Buttellme,Jack,whosefellowsarethesethatcomeafter?FALSTAFFMine,Hal,mine。PRINCEHENRYIdidneverseesuchpitifulrascals。FALSTAFFTut,tut;goodenoughtotoss;foodforpowder,foodforpowder;they’llfillapitaswellasbetter:

tush,man,mortalmen,mortalmen。WESTMORELANDAy,but,SirJohn,methinkstheyareexceedingpoorandbare,toobeggarly。FALSTAFF’Faith,fortheirpoverty,Iknownotwheretheyhadthat;andfortheirbareness,Iamsuretheyneverlearnedthatofme。PRINCEHENRYNoI’llbesworn;unlessyoucallthreefingersontheribsbare。But,sirrah,makehaste:Percyisalreadyinthefield。FALSTAFFWhat,isthekingencamped?WESTMORELANDHeis,SirJohn:Ifearweshallstaytoolong。FALSTAFFWell,TothelatterendofafrayandthebeginningofafeastFitsadullfighterandakeenguest。

ExeuntSCENEIII。TherebelcampnearShrewsbury。EnterHOTSPUR,WORCESTER,DOUGLAS,andVERNONHOTSPURWe’llfightwithhimto—night。EARLOFWORCESTERItmaynotbe。EARLOFDOUGLASYougivehimthentheadvantage。VERNONNotawhit。HOTSPURWhysayyouso?lookshenotforsupply?VERNONSodowe。HOTSPURHisiscertain,oursisdoubtful。EARLOFWORCESTERGoodcousin,beadvised;stirnottonight。VERNONDonot,mylord。EARLOFDOUGLASYoudonotcounselwell:

Youspeakitoutoffearandcoldheart。VERNONDomenoslander,Douglas:bymylife,AndIdarewellmaintainitwithmylife,Ifwell—respectedhonourbidmeon,IholdaslittlecounselwithweakfearAsyou,mylord,oranyScotthatthisdaylives:

Letitbeseento—morrowinthebattleWhichofusfears。EARLOFDOUGLASYea,orto—night。VERNONContent。HOTSPURTo—night,sayI。VERNONCome,comeitnaynotbe。Iwondermuch,Beingmenofsuchgreatleadingasyouare,ThatyouforeseenotwhatimpedimentsDragbackourexpedition:certainhorseOfmycousinVernon’sarenotyetcomeup:

YouruncleWorcester’shorsecamebuttoday;

Andnowtheirprideandmettleisasleep,Theircouragewithhardlabourtameanddull,Thatnotahorseishalfthehalfofhimself。HOTSPURSoarethehorsesoftheenemyIngeneral,journey—batedandbroughtlow:

Thebetterpartofoursarefullofrest。EARLOFWORCESTERThenumberofthekingexceedethours:

ForGod’ssake。cousin,staytillallcomein。

ThetrumpetsoundsaparleyEnterSIRWALTERBLUNTSIRWALTERBLUNTIcomewithgraciousoffersfromtheking,ifyouvouchsafemehearingandrespect。HOTSPURWelcome,SirWalterBlunt;andwouldtoGodYouwereofourdetermination!

Someofusloveyouwell;andeventhosesomeEnvyyourgreatdeservingsandgoodname,Becauseyouarenotofourquality,Butstandagainstuslikeanenemy。SIRWALTERBLUNTAndGoddefendbutstillIshouldstandso,SolongasoutoflimitandtrueruleYoustandagainstanointedmajesty。

Buttomycharge。ThekinghathsenttoknowThenatureofyourgriefs,andwhereuponYouconjurefromthebreastofcivilpeaceSuchboldhostility,teachinghisduteouslandAudaciouscruelty。IfthatthekingHaveanywayyourgooddesertsforgot,Whichheconfessethtobemanifold,Hebidsyounameyourgriefs;andwithallspeedYoushallhaveyourdesireswithinterestAndpardonabsoluteforyourselfandtheseHereinmisledbyyoursuggestion。HOTSPURThekingiskind;andwellweknowthekingKnowsatwhattimetopromise,whentopay。

MyfatherandmyuncleandmyselfDidgivehimthatsameroyaltyhewears;

Andwhenhewasnotsixandtwentystrong,Sickintheworld’sregard,wretchedandlow,Apoorunmindedoutlawsneakinghome,Myfathergavehimwelcometotheshore;

AndwhenheheardhimswearandvowtoGodHecamebuttobeDukeofLancaster,Tosuehisliveryandbeghispeace,Withtearsofinnocencyandtermsofzeal,Myfather,inkindheartandpitymoved,Sworehimassistanceandperform’dittoo。

NowwhenthelordsandbaronsoftherealmPerceivedNorthumberlanddidleantohim,Themoreandlesscameinwithcapandknee;

Methiminboroughs,cities,villages,Attendedhimonbridges,stoodinlanes,Laidgiftsbeforehim,proffer’dhimtheiroaths,Gavehimtheirheirs,aspagesfollow’dhimEvenattheheelsingoldenmultitudes。

Hepresently,asgreatnessknowsitself,StepsmealittlehigherthanhisvowMadetomyfather,whilehisbloodwaspoor,UponthenakedshoreatRavenspurgh;

Andnow,forsooth,takesonhimtoreformSomecertainedictsandsomestraitdecreesThatlietooheavyonthecommonwealth,Criesoutuponabuses,seemstoweepOverhiscountry’swrongs;andbythisface,Thisseemingbrowofjustice,didhewinTheheartsofallthathedidanglefor;

Proceededfurther;cutmeofftheheadsOfallthefavouritesthattheabsentkingIndeputationleftbehindhimhere,WhenhewaspersonalintheIrishwar。SIRWALTERBLUNTTut,Icamenottohearthis。HOTSPURThentothepoint。

Inshorttimeafter,hedeposedtheking;

Soonafterthat,deprivedhimofhislife;

Andintheneckofthat,task’dthewholestate:

Tomakethatworse,suffer’dhiskinsmanMarch,Whois,ifeveryownerwerewellplaced,Indeedhisking,tobeengagedinWales,Therewithoutransomtolieforfeited;

Disgracedmeinmyhappyvictories,Soughttoentrapmebyintelligence;

Ratedmineunclefromthecouncil—board;

Inragedismiss’dmyfatherfromthecourt;

Brokeoathonoath,committedwrongonwrong,AndinconclusiondroveustoseekoutThisheadofsafety;andwithaltopryIntohistitle,thewhichwefindTooindirectforlongcontinuance。SIRWALTERBLUNTShallIreturnthisanswertotheking?HOTSPURNotso,SirWalter:we’llwithdrawawhile。

Gototheking;andlettherebeimpawn’dSomesuretyforasafereturnagain,AndinthemorningearlyshallmyuncleBringhimourpurposes:andsofarewell。SIRWALTERBLUNTIwouldyouwouldacceptofgraceandlove。HOTSPURAndmaybesoweshall。SIRWALTERBLUNTPrayGodyoudo。

ExeuntSCENEIV。York。TheARCHBISHOP’Spalace。EntertheARCHBISHOPOFYORKandSIRMICHAELARCHBISHOPOFYORKHie,goodSirMichael;bearthissealedbriefWithwingedhastetothelordmarshal;

ThistomycousinScroop,andalltherestTowhomtheyaredirected。IfyouknewHowmuchtheydotoimport,youwouldmakehaste。SIRMICHAELMygoodlord,Iguesstheirtenor。ARCHBISHOPOFYORKLikeenoughyoudo。

To—morrow,goodSirMichael,isadayWhereinthefortuneoftenthousandmenMustbidethetouch;for,sir,atShrewsbury,AsIamtrulygiventounderstand,Thekingwithmightyandquick—raisedpowerMeetswithLordHarry:and,Ifear,SirMichael,WhatwiththesicknessofNorthumberland,Whosepowerwasinthefirstproportion,AndwhatwithOwenGlendower’sabsencethence,WhowiththemwasaratedsinewtooAndcomesnotin,o’er—ruledbyprophecies,IfearthepowerofPercyistooweakTowageaninstanttrialwiththeking。SIRMICHAELWhy,mygoodlord,youneednotfear;

ThereisDouglasandLordMortimer。ARCHBISHOPOFYORKNo,Mortimerisnotthere。SIRMICHAELButthereisMordake,Vernon,LordHarryPercy,AndthereismyLordofWorcesterandaheadOfgallantwarriors,noblegentlemen。ARCHBISHOPOFYORKAndsothereis:butyetthekinghathdrawnThespecialheadofallthelandtogether:

ThePrinceofWales,LordJohnofLancaster,ThenobleWestmorelandandwarlikeBlunt;

AndmoecorrivalsanddearmenOfestimationandcommandinarms。SIRMICHAELDoubtnot,mylord,theyshallbewellopposed。ARCHBISHOPOFYORKIhopenoless,yetneedful’tistofear;

And,topreventtheworst,SirMichael,speed:

ForifLordPercythrivenot,erethekingDismisshispower,hemeanstovisitus,Forhehathheardofourconfederacy,And’tisbutwisdomtomakestrongagainsthim:

Thereforemakehaste。ImustgowriteagainTootherfriends;andsofarewell,SirMichael。

ExeuntACTVSCENEI。KINGHENRYIV’scampnearShrewsbury。EnterKINGHENRY,PRINCEHENRY,LordJohnofLANCASTER,EARLOFWESTMORELAND,SIRWALTERBLUNT,andFALSTAFFKINGHENRYIVHowbloodilythesunbeginstopeerAboveyonbuskyhill!thedaylookspaleAthisdistemperature。PRINCEHENRYThesouthernwindDothplaythetrumpettohispurposes,AndbyhishollowwhistlingintheleavesForetellsatempestandablusteringday。KINGHENRYIVThenwiththelosersletitsympathize,Fornothingcanseemfoultothosethatwin。

ThetrumpetsoundsEnterWORCESTERandVERNON

Hownow,myLordofWorcester!’tisnotwellThatyouandIshouldmeetuponsuchtermsAsnowwemeet。Youhavedeceivedourtrust,Andmadeusdoffoureasyrobesofpeace,Tocrushouroldlimbsinungentlesteel:

Thisisnotwell,mylord,thisisnotwell。

Whatsayyoutoit?willyouagainunknitThiscurlishknotofall—abhorredwar?

AndmoveinthatobedientorbagainWhereyoudidgiveafairandnaturallight,Andbenomoreanexhaledmeteor,AprodigyoffearandaportentOfbroachedmischieftotheunborntimes?EARLOFWORCESTERHearme,myliege:

Formineownpart,IcouldbewellcontentToentertainthelag—endofmylifeWithquiethours;forIdoprotest,Ihavenotsoughtthedayofthisdislike。KINGHENRYIVYouhavenotsoughtit!howcomesit,then?FALSTAFFRebellionlayinhisway,andhefoundit。PRINCEHENRYPeace,chewet,peace!EARLOFWORCESTERItpleasedyourmajestytoturnyourlooksOffavourfrommyselfandallourhouse;

AndyetImustrememberyou,mylord,Wewerethefirstanddearestofyourfriends。

ForyoumystaffofofficedidIbreakInRichard’stime;andposteddayandnighttomeetyouontheway,andkissyourhand,WhenyetyouwereinplaceandinaccountNothingsostrongandfortunateasI。

Itwasmyself,mybrotherandhisson,ThatbroughtyouhomeandboldlydidoutdareThedangersofthetime。Yousworetous,AndyoudidswearthatoathatDoncaster,Thatyoudidnothingpurpose’gainstthestate;

Norclaimnofurtherthanyournew—fall’nright,TheseatofGaunt,dukedomofLancaster:

Tothiswesworeouraid。ButinshortspaceItrain’ddownfortuneshoweringonyourhead;

Andsuchafloodofgreatnessfellonyou,Whatwithourhelp,whatwiththeabsentking,Whatwiththeinjuriesofawantontime,Theseemingsufferancesthatyouhadborne,AndthecontrariouswindsthatheldthekingSolonginhisunluckyIrishwarsThatallinEnglanddidreputehimdead:

AndfromthisswarmoffairadvantagesYoutookoccasiontobequicklywoo’dTogripethegeneralswayintoyourhand;

ForgetyouroathtousatDoncaster;

AndbeingfedbyusyouusedussoAsthatungentlehull,thecuckoo’sbird,Useththesparrow;didoppressournest;

GrewbyourfeedingtosogreatabulkThatevenourlovedurstnotcomenearyoursightForfearofswallowing;butwithnimblewingWewereenforced,forsafetysake,toflyOutofsightandraisethispresenthead;

WherebywestandopposedbysuchmeansAsyouyourselfhaveforgedagainstyourselfByunkindusage,dangerouscountenance,AndviolationofallfaithandtrothSworntousinyouryoungerenterprise。KINGHENRYIVThesethingsindeedyouhavearticulate,Proclaim’datmarket—crosses,readinchurches,TofacethegarmentofrebellionWithsomefinecolourthatmaypleasetheeyeOfficklechangelingsandpoordiscontents,WhichgapeandrubtheelbowatthenewsOfhurlyburlyinnovation:

AndneveryetdidinsurrectionwantSuchwater—colourstoimpainthiscause;

Normoodybeggars,starvingforatimeOfpellmellhavocandconfusion。PRINCEHENRYInbothyourarmiesthereismanyasoulShallpayfulldearlyforthisencounter,Ifoncetheyjoinintrial。Tellyournephew,ThePrinceofWalesdothjoinwithalltheworldInpraiseofHenryPercy:bymyhopes,Thispresententerprisesetoffhishead,Idonotthinkabravergentleman,Moreactive—valiantormorevaliant—young,Moredaringormorebold,isnowaliveTogracethislatteragewithnobledeeds。

Formypart,Imayspeakittomyshame,Ihaveatruantbeentochivalry;

AndsoIhearhedothaccountmetoo;

Yetthisbeforemyfather’smajesty——

IamcontentthatheshalltaketheoddsOfhisgreatnameandestimation,Andwill,tosavethebloodoneitherside,Tryfortunewithhiminasinglefight。KINGHENRYIVAnd,PrinceofWales,sodareweventurethee,AlbeitconsiderationsinfiniteDomakeagainstit。No,goodWorcester,no,Weloveourpeoplewell;eventhoseweloveThataremisleduponyourcousin’spart;

And,willtheytaketheofferofourgrace,Bothheandtheyandyou,everymanShallbemyfriendagainandI’llbehis:

Sotellyourcousin,andbringmewordWhathewilldo:butifhewillnotyield,RebukeanddreadcorrectionwaitonusAndtheyshalldotheiroffice。So,begone;

Wewillnotnowbetroubledwithreply:

Weofferfair;takeitadvisedly。

ExeuntWORCESTERandVERNONPRINCEHENRYItwillnotbeaccepted,onmylife:

TheDouglasandtheHotspurbothtogetherAreconfidentagainsttheworldinarms。KINGHENRYIVHence,therefore,everyleadertohischarge;

For,ontheiranswer,willwesetonthem:

AndGodbefriendus,asourcauseisjust!

ExeuntallbutPRINCEHENRYandFALSTAFFFALSTAFFHal,ifthouseemedowninthebattleandbestrideme,so;’tisapointoffriendship。PRINCEHENRYNothingbutacolossuscandotheethatfriendship。

Saythyprayers,andfarewell。FALSTAFFIwould’twerebed—time,Hal,andallwell。PRINCEHENRYWhy,thouowestGodadeath。

ExitPRINCEHENRYFALSTAFF’Tisnotdueyet;Iwouldbeloathtopayhimbeforehisday。WhatneedIbesoforwardwithhimthatcallsnotonme?Well,’tisnomatter;honourpricksmeon。Yea,buthowifhonourprickmeoffwhenI

comeon?howthen?Canhonoursettoaleg?no:

oranarm?no:ortakeawaythegriefofawound?

no。

Honourhathnoskillinsurgery,then?no。Whatishonour?aword。Whatisinthatwordhonour?

whatisthathonour?air。Atrimreckoning!Whohathit?

hethatdiedo’Wednesday。Dothhefeelit?no。

Dothhehearit?no。’Tisinsensible,then。Yea,tothedead。Butwillitnotlivewiththeliving?

no。Why?detractionwillnotsufferit。ThereforeI’llnoneofit。Honourisamerescutcheon:

andsoendsmycatechism。

ExitSCENEII。Therebelcamp。EnterWORCESTERandVERNONEARLOFWORCESTERO,no,mynephewmustnotknow,SirRichard,Theliberalandkindofferoftheking。VERNON’Twerebesthedid。EARLOFWORCESTERThenareweallundone。

Itisnotpossible,itcannotbe,Thekingshouldkeephiswordinlovingus;

HewillsuspectusstillandfindatimeTopunishthisoffenceinotherfaults:

Suspicionallourlivesshallbestuckfullofeyes;

Fortreasonisbuttrustedlikethefox,Who,ne’ersotame,socherish’dandlock’dup,Willhaveawildtrickofhisancestors。

Lookhowwecan,orsadormerrily,Interpretationwillmisquoteourlooks,Andweshallfeedlikeoxenatastall,Thebettercherish’d,stillthenearerdeath。

Mynephew’strespassmaybewellforgot;

ithaththeexcuseofyouthandheatofblood,Andanadoptednameofprivilege,Ahair—brain’dHotspur,govern’dbyaspleen:

AllhisoffencesliveuponmyheadAndonhisfather’s;wedidtrainhimon,And,hiscorruptionbeingta’enfromus,We,asthespringofall,shallpayforall。

Therefore,goodcousin,letnotHarryknow,Inanycase,theofferoftheking。VERNONDeliverwhatyouwill;I’llsay’tisso。

Herecomesyourcousin。

EnterHOTSPURandDOUGLASHOTSPURMyuncleisreturn’d:

DeliverupmyLordofWestmoreland。

Uncle,whatnews?EARLOFWORCESTERThekingwillbidyoubattlepresently。EARLOFDOUGLASDefyhimbytheLordofWestmoreland。HOTSPURLordDouglas,goyouandtellhimso。EARLOFDOUGLASMarry,andshall,andverywillingly。

ExitEARLOFWORCESTERThereisnoseemingmercyintheking。HOTSPURDidyoubegany?Godforbid!EARLOFWORCESTERItoldhimgentlyofourgrievances,Ofhisoath—breaking;whichhemendedthus,Bynowforswearingthatheisforsworn:

Hecallsusrebels,traitors;andwillscourgeWithhaughtyarmsthishatefulnameinus。

Re—entertheEARLOFDOUGLASEARLOFDOUGLASArm,gentlemen;toarms!forIhavethrownAbravedefianceinKingHenry’steeth,AndWestmoreland,thatwasengaged,didbearit;

Whichcannotchoosebutbringhimquicklyon。EARLOFWORCESTERThePrinceofWalesstepp’dforthbeforetheking,And,nephew,challengedyoutosinglefight。HOTSPURO,wouldthequarrellayuponourheads,AndthatnomanmightdrawshortbreathtodayButIandHarryMonmouth!Tellme,tellme,Howshow’dhistasking?seem’ditincontempt?VERNONNo,bymysoul;IneverinmylifeDidhearachallengeurgedmoremodestly,UnlessabrothershouldabrotherdareTogentleexerciseandproofofarms。

Hegaveyouallthedutiesofaman;

Trimm’dupyourpraiseswithaprincelytongue,Spoketoyourdeservingslikeachronicle,MakingyoueverbetterthanhispraiseBystilldispraisingpraisevaluedinyou;

And,whichbecamehimlikeaprinceindeed,Hemadeablushingcitalofhimself;

AndchidhistruantyouthwithsuchagraceAsifhemaster’dthereadoublespirit。

Ofteachingandoflearninginstantly。

Theredidhepause:butletmetelltheworld,Ifheoutlivetheenvyofthisday,Englanddidneverowesosweetahope,Somuchmisconstruedinhiswantonness。HOTSPURCousin,IthinkthouartenamouredOnhisfollies:neverdidIhearOfanyprincesowildalibertine。

Butbeheashewill,yetonceerenightIwillembracehimwithasoldier’sarm,Thatheshallshrinkundermycourtesy。

Arm,armwithspeed:and,fellows,soldiers,friends,BetterconsiderwhatyouhavetodoThanI,thathavenotwellthegiftoftongue,Canliftyourbloodupwithpersuasion。

EnteraMessengerMessengerMylord,herearelettersforyou。HOTSPURIcannotreadthemnow。

Ogentlemen,thetimeoflifeisshort!

Tospendthatshortnessbaselyweretoolong,Iflifedidrideuponadial’spoint,Stillendingatthearrivalofanhour。

Anifwelive,welivetotreadonkings;

Ifdie,bravedeath,whenprincesdiewithus!

Now,forourconsciences,thearmsarefair,Whentheintentofbearingthemisjust。

EnteranotherMessengerMessengerMylord,prepare;thekingcomesonapace。HOTSPURIthankhim,thathecutsmefrommytale,ForIprofessnottalking;onlythis——

Leteachmandohisbest:andheredrawI

Asword,whosetemperIintendtostainWiththebestbloodthatIcanmeetwithalIntheadventureofthisperilousday。

Now,Esperance!Percy!andseton。

Soundalltheloftyinstrumentsofwar,Andbythatmusicletusallembrace;

For,heaventoearth,someofusnevershallAsecondtimedosuchacourtesy。

Thetrumpetssound。Theyembrace,andexeuntSCENEIII。Plainbetweenthecamps。KINGHENRYenterswithhispower。Alarumtothebattle。

ThenenterDOUGLASandSIRWALTERBLUNTSIRWALTERBLUNTWhatisthyname,thatinthebattlethusThoucrossestme?whathonourdostthouseekUponmyhead?EARLOFDOUGLASKnowthen,mynameisDouglas;

AndIdohaunttheeinthebattlethusBecausesometellmethatthouartaking。SIRWALTERBLUNTTheytelltheetrue。EARLOFDOUGLASTheLordofStafforddearto—dayhathboughtThylikeness,forinsteadofthee,KingHarry,Thisswordhathendedhim:soshallitthee,Unlessthouyieldtheeasmyprisoner。SIRWALTERBLUNTIwasnotbornayielder,thouproudScot;

AndthoushaltfindakingthatwillrevengeLordStafford’sdeath。

Theyfight。DOUGLASkillsSIRWALTERBLUNT。EnterHOTSPURHOTSPURODouglas,hadstthoufoughtatHolmedonthus,neverhadtriumph’duponaScot。EARLOFDOUGLASAll’sdone,all’swon;herebreathlessliestheking。HOTSPURWhere?EARLOFDOUGLASHere。HOTSPURThis,Douglas?no:Iknowthisfacefullwell:

Agallantknighthewas,hisnamewasBlunt;

Semblablyfurnish’dlikethekinghimself。EARLOFDOUGLASAfoolgowiththysoul,whitheritgoes!

Aborrow’dtitlehastthouboughttoodear:

Whydidstthoutellmethatthouwertaking?HOTSPURThekinghathmanymarchinginhiscoats。EARLOFDOUGLASNow,bymysword,Iwillkillallhiscoats;

I’llmurderallhiswardrobe,piecebypiece,UntilImeettheking。HOTSPURUp,andaway!

Oursoldiersstandfullfairlyfortheday。

ExeuntAlarum。EnterFALSTAFF,solusFALSTAFFThoughIcould’scapeshot—freeatLondon,Ifeartheshothere;here’snoscoringbutuponthepate。

Soft!whoareyou?SirWalterBlunt:there’shonourforyou!here’snovanity!Iamashotasmoultenlead,andasheavytoo:Godkeepleadoutofme!

I

neednomoreweightthanmineownbowels。Ihaveledmyragamuffinswheretheyarepeppered:there’snotthreeofmyhundredandfiftyleftalive;

andtheyareforthetown’send,tobegduringlife。

Butwhocomeshere?

EnterPRINCEHENRYPRINCEHENRYWhat,stand’stthouidlehere?lendmethysword:

ManyanoblemanliesstarkandstiffUnderthehoofsofvauntingenemies,Whosedeathsareyetunrevenged:Iprithee,lendmethysword。FALSTAFFOHal,Iprithee,givemeleavetobreatheawhile。

TurkGregoryneverdidsuchdeedsinarmsasI

havedonethisday。IhavepaidPercy,Ihavemadehimsure。PRINCEHENRYHeis,indeed;andlivingtokillthee。

Iprithee,lendmethysword。FALSTAFFNay,beforeGod,Hal,ifPercybealive,thouget’stnotmysword;buttakemypistol,ifthouwilt。PRINCEHENRYGiveittome:what,isitinthecase?FALSTAFFAy,Hal;’tishot,’tishot;there’sthatwillsackacity。

PRINCEHENRYdrawsitout,andfindsittobeabottleofsackPRINCEHENRYWhat,isitatimetojestanddallynow?

Hethrowsthebottleathim。ExitFALSTAFFWell,ifPercybealive,I’llpiercehim。

Ifhedocomeinmyway,so:ifhedonot,ifIcomeinhiswillingly,lethimmakeacarbonadoofme。IlikenotsuchgrinninghonourasSirWalterhath:givemelife:whichifIcansave,so;ifnot,honourcomesunlookedfor,andthere’sanend。

ExitFALSTAFFSCENEIV。Anotherpartofthefield。Alarum。Excursions。EnterPRINCEHENRY,LORDJOHNOFLANCASTER,andEARLOFWESTMORELANDKINGHENRYIVIprithee,Harry,withdrawthyself;thoubleed’sttoomuch。

LordJohnofLancaster,goyouwithhim。LANCASTERNotI,mylord,unlessIdidbleedtoo。PRINCEHENRYIbeseechyourmajesty,makeup,Lestyourretirementdoamazeyourfriends。KINGHENRYIVIwilldoso。

MyLordofWestmoreland,leadhimtohistent。WESTMORELANDCome,mylord,I’llleadyoutoyourtent。PRINCEHENRYLeadme,mylord?Idonotneedyourhelp:

AndGodforbidashallowscratchshoulddriveThePrinceofWalesfromsuchafieldasthis,Wherestain’dnobilityliestroddenon,andrebels’armstriumphinmassacres!LANCASTERWebreathetoolong:come,cousinWestmoreland,Ourdutythiswaylies;forGod’ssakecome。

ExeuntLANCASTERandWESTMORELANDPRINCEHENRYByGod,thouhastdeceivedme,Lancaster;

Ididnotthinktheelordofsuchaspirit:

Before,Ilovedtheeasabrother,John;

Butnow,Idorespecttheeasmysoul。KINGHENRYIVIsawhimholdLordPercyatthepointWithlustiermaintenancethanIdidlookforOfsuchanungrownwarrior。PRINCEHENRYO,thisboyLendsmettletousall!

ExitEnterDOUGLASEARLOFDOUGLASAnotherking!theygrowlikeHydra’sheads:

IamtheDouglas,fataltoallthoseThatwearthosecoloursonthem:whatartthou,Thatcounterfeit’stthepersonofaking?KINGHENRYIVThekinghimself;who,Douglas,grievesatheartSomanyofhisshadowsthouhastmetAndnottheveryking。IhavetwoboysSeekPercyandthyselfaboutthefield:

But,seeingthoufall’stonmesoluckily,Iwillassaythee:so,defendthyself。EARLOFDOUGLASIfearthouartanothercounterfeit;

Andyet,infaith,thoubear’sttheelikeaking:

ButmineIamsurethouart,whoe’erthoube,AndthusIwinthee。

Theyfight。KINGHENRYbeingindanger,PRINCEHENRYentersPRINCEHENRYHoldupthyhead,vileScot,orthouartlikeNevertoholditupagain!thespiritsOfvaliantShirley,Stafford,Blunt,areinmyarms:

ItisthePrinceofWalesthatthreatensthee;

Whoneverpromisethbuthemeanstopay。

Theyfight:DOUGLASfliesCheerly,mylordhowfaresyourgrace?

SirNicholasGawseyhathforsuccorsent,AndsohathClifton:I’lltoCliftonstraight。KINGHENRYIVStay,andbreatheawhile:

Thouhastredeem’dthylostopinion,Andshow’dthoumakestsometenderofmylife,Inthisfairrescuethouhastbroughttome。PRINCEHENRYOGod!theydidmetoomuchinjuryThateversaidIhearken’dforyourdeath。

Ifitwereso,ImighthaveletaloneTheinsultinghandofDouglasoveryou,WhichwouldhavebeenasspeedyinyourendAsallthepoisonouspotionsintheworldAndsavedthetreacherouslabourofyourson。KINGHENRYIVMakeuptoClifton:I’lltoSirNicholasGawsey。

ExitEnterHOTSPURHOTSPURIfImistakenot,thouartHarryMonmouth。PRINCEHENRYThouspeak’stasifIwoulddenymyname。HOTSPURMynameisHarryPercy。PRINCEHENRYWhy,thenIseeAveryvaliantrebelofthename。

IamthePrinceofWales;andthinknot,Percy,Tosharewithmeingloryanymore:

Twostarskeepnottheirmotioninonesphere;

NorcanoneEnglandbrookadoublereign,OfHarryPercyandthePrinceofWales。HOTSPURNorshallit,Harry;forthehouriscomeToendtheoneofus;andwouldtoGodThynameinarmswerenowasgreatasmine!PRINCEHENRYI’llmakeitgreaterereIpartfromthee;

AndallthebuddinghonoursonthycrestI’llcrop,tomakeagarlandformyhead。HOTSPURIcannolongerbrookthyvanities。

TheyfightEnterFALSTAFFFALSTAFFWellsaid,Hal!toitHal!Nay,youshallfindnoboy’splayhere,Icantellyou。

Re—enterDOUGLAS;hefightswithFALSTAFF,whofallsdownasifheweredead,andexitDOUGLAS。HOTSPURiswounded,andfallsHOTSPURO,Harry,thouhastrobb’dmeofmyyouth!

IbetterbrookthelossofbrittlelifeThanthoseproudtitlesthouhastwonofme;

Theywoundmythoughtsworsethanswordmyflesh:

Butthought’stheslaveoflife,andlifetime’sfool;

Andtime,thattakessurveyofalltheworld,Musthaveastop。O,Icouldprophesy,ButthattheearthyandcoldhandofdeathLiesonmytongue:no,Percy,thouartdustAndfoodfor——

DiesPRINCEHENRYForworms,bravePercy:faretheewell,greatheart!

Ill—weavedambition,howmuchartthoushrunk!

Whenthatthisbodydidcontainaspirit,Akingdomforitwastoosmallabound;

ButnowtwopacesofthevilestearthIsroomenough:thisearththatbearstheedeadBearsnotalivesostoutagentleman。

Ifthouwertsensibleofcourtesy,Ishouldnotmakesodearashowofzeal:

Butletmyfavourshidethymangledface;

And,eveninthybehalf,I’llthankmyselfFordoingthesefairritesoftenderness。

Adieu,andtakethypraisewiththeetoheaven!

Thyignominysleepwiththeeinthegrave,Butnotremember’dinthyepitaph!

HespiethFALSTAFFonthegroundWhat,oldacquaintance!couldnotallthisfleshKeepinalittlelife?PoorJack,farewell!

Icouldhavebettersparedabetterman:

O,Ishouldhaveaheavymissofthee,IfIweremuchinlovewithvanity!

Deathhathnotstrucksofatadeerto—day,Thoughmanydearer,inthisbloodyfray。

Embowell’dwillIseetheebyandby:

TilltheninbloodbynoblePercylie。

ExitPRINCEHENRYFALSTAFF[Risingup]Embowelled!ifthouembowelmeto—day,I’llgiveyouleavetopowdermeandeatmetooto—morrow。’Sblood,’twastimetocounterfeit,orthathottermagantScothadpaidmescotandlottoo。

Counterfeit?Ilie,Iamnocounterfeit:todie,istobeacounterfeit;forheisbutthecounterfeitofamanwhohathnotthelifeofaman:

buttocounterfeitdying,whenamantherebyliveth,istobenocounterfeit,butthetrueandperfectimageoflifeindeed。Thebetterpartofvalourisdiscretion;inthewhichbetterpartI

havesavedmylife。’Zounds,IamafraidofthisgunpowderPercy,thoughhebedead:how,ifheshouldcounterfeittooandrise?bymyfaith,Iamafraidhewouldprovethebettercounterfeit。

ThereforeI’llmakehimsure;yea,andI’llswearI

killedhim。WhymaynotheriseaswellasI?

Nothingconfutesmebuteyes,andnobodyseesme。

Therefore,sirrah,Stabbinghimwithanewwoundinyourthigh,comeyoualongwithme。

TakesupHOTSPURonhisbackRe—enterPRINCEHENRYandLORDJOHNOFLANCASTERPRINCEHENRYCome,brotherJohn;fullbravelyhastthouflesh’dThymaidensword。LANCASTERBut,soft!whomhavewehere?

Didyounottellmethisfatmanwasdead?PRINCEHENRYIdid;Isawhimdead,Breathlessandbleedingontheground。Artthoualive?

Orisitfantasythatplaysuponoureyesight?

Iprithee,speak;wewillnottrustoureyesWithoutourears:thouartnotwhatthouseem’st。FALSTAFFNo,that’scertain;Iamnotadoubleman:butifI

benotJackFalstaff,thenamIaJack。ThereisPercy:

Throwingthebodydownifyourfatherwilldomeanyhonour,so;ifnot,lethimkillthenextPercyhimself。Ilooktobeeitherearlorduke,Icanassureyou。PRINCEHENRYWhy,PercyIkilledmyselfandsawtheedead。FALSTAFFDidstthou?Lord,Lord,howthisworldisgiventolying!IgrantyouIwasdownandoutofbreath;

andsowashe:butwerosebothataninstantandfoughtalonghourbyShrewsburyclock。IfI

maybebelieved,so;ifnot,letthemthatshouldrewardvalourbearthesinupontheirownheads。I’lltakeituponmydeath,Igavehimthiswoundinthethigh:ifthemanwerealiveandwoulddenyit,’zounds,Iwouldmakehimeatapieceofmysword。LANCASTERThisisthestrangesttalethateverIheard。PRINCEHENRYThisisthestrangestfellow,brotherJohn。

Come,bringyourluggagenoblyonyourback:

Formypart,ifaliemaydotheegrace,I’llgilditwiththehappiesttermsIhave。

AretreatissoundedThetrumpetsoundsretreat;thedayisours。

Come,brother,letustothehighestofthefield,Toseewhatfriendsareliving,whoaredead。

ExeuntPRINCEHENRYandLANCASTERFALSTAFFI’llfollow,astheysay,forreward。

Hethatrewardsme,Godrewardhim!IfIdogrowgreat,I’llgrowless;forI’llpurge,andleavesack,andlivecleanlyasanoblemanshoulddo。

ExitSCENEV。Anotherpartofthefield。Thetrumpetssound。EnterKINGHENRYIV,PRINCEHENRY,LORD

JOHNLANCASTER,EARLOFWESTMORELAND,withWORCESTERandVERNONprisonersKINGHENRYIVThuseverdidrebellionfindrebuke。

Ill—spiritedWorcester!didnotwesendgrace,Pardonandtermsoflovetoallofyou?

Andwouldstthouturnourofferscontrary?

Misusethetenorofthykinsman’strust?

Threeknightsuponourpartyslainto—day,AnobleearlandmanyacreatureelseHadbeenalivethishour,IflikeaChristianthouhadsttrulyborneBetwixtourarmiestrueintelligence。EARLOFWORCESTERWhatIhavedonemysafetyurgedmeto;

AndIembracethisfortunepatiently,Sincenottobeavoideditfallsonme。KINGHENRYIVBearWorcestertothedeathandVernontoo:

Otheroffenderswewillpauseupon。

ExeuntWORCESTERandVERNON,guardedHowgoesthefield?PRINCEHENRYThenobleScot,LordDouglas,whenhesawThefortuneofthedayquiteturn’dfromhim,ThenoblePercyslain,andallhismenUponthefootoffear,fledwiththerest;

Andfallingfromahill,hewassobruisedThatthepursuerstookhim。AtmytentTheDouglasis;andIbeseechyourgraceImaydisposeofhim。KINGHENRYIVWithallmyheart。PRINCEHENRYThen,brotherJohnofLancaster,toyouThishonourablebountyshallbelong:

GototheDouglas,anddeliverhimUptohispleasure,ransomlessandfree:

Hisvalourshownuponourcreststo—dayHathtaughtushowtocherishsuchhighdeedsEveninthebosomofouradversaries。LANCASTERIthankyourgraceforthishighcourtesy,WhichIshallgiveawayimmediately。KINGHENRYIVThenthisremains,thatwedivideourpower。

You,sonJohn,andmycousinWestmorelandTowardsYorkshallbendyouwithyourdearestspeed,TomeetNorthumberlandandtheprelateScroop,Who,aswehear,arebusilyinarms:

Myselfandyou,sonHarry,willtowardsWales,TofightwithGlendowerandtheEarlofMarch。

Rebellioninthislandshalllosehissway,Meetingthechequeofsuchanotherday:

Andsincethisbusinesssofairisdone,Letusnotleavetillallourownbewon。

ExeuntHenryIV,part2:EntirePlayTheSecondPartofKingHenrytheFourthbyWilliamShakespeareInductionWarkworth。BeforethecastleEnterRUMOUR,paintedfulloftonguesRUMOUROpenyourears;forwhichofyouwillstopTheventofhearingwhenloudRumourspeaks?

I,fromtheorienttothedroopingwest,Makingthewindmypost—horse,stillunfoldTheactscommencedonthisballofearth:

Uponmytonguescontinualslandersride,ThewhichineverylanguageIpronounce,Stuffingtheearsofmenwithfalsereports。

Ispeakofpeace,whilecovertenmityUnderthesmileofsafetywoundstheworld:

AndwhobutRumour,whobutonlyI,Makefearfulmustersandprepareddefence,Whilesthebigyear,swolnwithsomeothergrief,Isthoughtwithchildbythesterntyrantwar,Andnosuchmatter?RumourisapipeBlownbysurmises,jealousies,conjecturesAndofsoeasyandsoplainastopThatthebluntmonsterwithuncountedheads,Thestill—discordantwaveringmultitude,Canplayuponit。ButwhatneedIthusMywell—knownbodytoanatomizeAmongmyhousehold?WhyisRumourhere?

IrunbeforeKingHarry’svictory;

WhoinabloodyfieldbyShrewsburyHathbeatendownyoungHotspurandhistroops,QuenchingtheflameofboldrebellionEvenwiththerebel’sblood。ButwhatmeanI

Tospeaksotrueatfirst?myofficeisTonoiseabroadthatHarryMonmouthfellUnderthewrathofnobleHotspur’ssword,AndthatthekingbeforetheDouglas’rageStoop’dhisanointedheadaslowasdeath。

ThishaveIrumour’dthroughthepeasanttownsBetweenthatroyalfieldofShrewsburyAndthisworm—eatenholdofraggedstone,WhereHotspur’sfather,oldNorthumberland,Liescrafty—sick:thepostscometiringon,AndnotamanofthembringsothernewsThantheyhavelearn’dofme:fromRumour’stonguesTheybringsmoothcomfortsfalse,worsethantruewrongs。

ExitACTISCENEI。Thesame。EnterLORDBARDOLPHLORDBARDOLPHWhokeepsthegatehere,ho?

ThePorteropensthegateWhereistheearl?PorterWhatshallIsayyouare?LORDBARDOLPHTellthoutheearlThattheLordBardolphdothattendhimhere。PorterHislordshipiswalk’dforthintotheorchard;

Pleaseityourhonour,knockbutatthegate,Andhehimselfwiltanswer。

EnterNORTHUMBERLANDLORDBARDOLPHHerecomestheearl。

ExitPorterNORTHUMBERLANDWhatnews,LordBardolph?everyminutenowShouldbethefatherofsomestratagem:

Thetimesarewild:contention,likeahorseFullofhighfeeding,madlyhathbrokelooseAndbearsdownallbeforehim。LORDBARDOLPHNobleearl,IbringyoucertainnewsfromShrewsbury。NORTHUMBERLANDGood,anGodwill!LORDBARDOLPHAsgoodasheartcanwish:

Thekingisalmostwoundedtothedeath;

And,inthefortuneofmylordyourson,PrinceHarryslainoutright;andboththeBluntsKill’dbythehandofDouglas;youngPrinceJohnAndWestmorelandandStaffordfledthefield;

AndHarryMonmouth’sbrawn,thehulkSirJohn,Isprisonertoyourson:O,suchaday,Sofought,sofollow’dandsofairlywon,Camenottillnowtodignifythetimes,SinceCaesar’sfortunes!NORTHUMBERLANDHowisthisderived?

Sawyouthefield?cameyoufromShrewsbury?LORDBARDOLPHIspakewithone,mylord,thatcamefromthence,Agentlemanwellbredandofgoodname,Thatfreelyrender’dmethesenewsfortrue。NORTHUMBERLANDHerecomesmyservantTravers,whomI

sentOnTuesdaylasttolistenafternews。

EnterTRAVERSLORDBARDOLPHMylord,Iover—rodehimontheway;

Andheisfurnish’dwithnocertaintiesMorethanhehaplymayretailfromme。NORTHUMBERLANDNow,Travers,whatgoodtidingscomeswithyou?TRAVERSMylord,SirJohnUmfrevileturn’dmebackWithjoyfultidings;and,beingbetterhorsed,Out—rodeme。AfterhimcamespurringhardAgentleman,almostforspentwithspeed,Thatstopp’dbymetobreathehisbloodiedhorse。

Heask’dthewaytoChester;andofhimIdiddemandwhatnewsfromShrewsbury:

HetoldmethatrebellionhadbadluckAndthatyoungHarryPercy’sspurwascold。

Withthat,hegavehisablehorsethehead,AndbendingforwardstruckhisarmedheelsAgainstthepantingsidesofhispoorjadeUptotherowel—head,andstartingsoHeseem’dinrunningtodevourtheway,Stayingnolongerquestion。NORTHUMBERLANDHa!Again:

SaidheyoungHarryPercy’sspurwascold?

OfHotspurColdspur?thatrebellionHadmetillluck?LORDBARDOLPHMylord,I’lltellyouwhat;

Ifmyyounglordyoursonhavenottheday,Uponminehonour,forasilkenpointI’llgivemybarony:nevertalkofit。NORTHUMBERLANDWhyshouldthatgentlemanthatrodebyTraversGivethensuchinstancesofloss?LORDBARDOLPHWho,he?

HewassomehildingfellowthathadstolenThehorseherodeon,and,uponmylife,Spokeataventure。Look,herecomesmorenews。