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About this text

  • Title: Henry V (Modern, Quarto)
  • Editor: James D. Mardock
  • ISBN: 978-1-55058-409-7

    Copyright James D. Mardock. This text may be freely used for educational, non-profit purposes; for all other uses contact the Editor.
    Author: William Shakespeare
    Editor: James D. Mardock
    Peer Reviewed

    Henry V (Modern, Quarto)

    2896.1[Scene 18]
    Enter Gower and Flewellen.
    But why do you wear your leek today? Saint Davy's day is past.
    2900Flewellen
    There is occasion, Captain Gower, look you, why, and wherefore. The other day, look you, Pistols, which you know is a man of no 2905merits in the worell, is come where I was the other day, and brings bread and salt, and bids me eat my leek. 'Twas in a place, look you, where I could move no dissentions, but if I can see him, I shall tell him a little 2910of my desires.
    Here a comes, swelling like a turkey-cock.
    Enter Pistol.
    Flewellen
    'Tis no matter for his swelling and his 2915turkey-cocks. -- God pless you, Ancient Pistol, you scall, beggarly, lousy knave, God pless you.
    Ha, art thou bedlam? Dost thou thirst, base Trojan, to have me fold up Parca's fatal web? Hence! I am qualmish at the smell of leek.
    2920Flewellen
    Ancient Pistol, I would desire you, because it doth not agree with your stomach, and your appetite, and your digestions, 2925to eat this leek.
    Not for Cadwallader and all his goats.
    Flewellen
    There is one goat for you, Ancient Pistol.
    He strikes him [with a cudgel].
    Base Trojan, thou shall die.
    2930Flewellen
    Ay, I know I shall die. Meantime, I would desire you to live and eat this leek.
    Enough, captain. You have astonished him.
    Flewellen
    Astonished him? By Jesu, I'll beat his head four days and four nights, but I'll make him eat some part of my leek.
    Well, must I bite?
    Flewellen
    Ay, out of question, or doubt, or ambiguities, you must bite.
    He makes Ancient Pistol bite of the leek.
    Good, good.
    Flewellen
    Ay, leeks are good, Ancient Pistol. There is a shilling for you 2955to heal your bloody coxcomb.
    [Offers money]
    Me a shilling?
    Flewellen
    If you will not take it, I have another leek for you.
    I take thy shilling in earnest of reckoning.
    2960Flewellen
    If I owe you anything, I'll pay you in cudgels. You shall be a woodmonger, and buy cudgels. God b'wi' you, Ancient Pistol, God bless you, and heal your broken pate. Ancient Pistol, if you see leeks another time, mock at them, that is all. God b'wi' you.
    Exit Flewellen [and Gower].
    All hell shall stir for this.
    2975Doth fortune play the hussy with me now?
    Is honor cudgeled from my warlike lines?
    Well, France, farewell. News have I certainly
    That Doll is sick on a malady of France.
    2977.1The wars affordeth naught. Home will I trug.
    Bawd will I turn, and use the 2980sleight of hand;
    To England will I steal, and there I'll steal,
    And patches will I get unto these scars,
    And swear I gat them in the Gallia wars.
    Exit Pistol.