Internet Shakespeare Editions

Author: William Shakespeare
Editor: Rosemary Gaby
Peer Reviewed

Henry IV, Part 1 (Modern)

2889.1[5.3]
The king enters with his 2890power. Alarum to the battle. Then enter Douglas, and Sir Walter Blunt [disguised as the king].
Blunt
What is thy name, that in battle thus thou crossest me?
What honor dost thou seek upon my head?
Douglas
Know then my name is Douglas,
2895And I do haunt thee in the battle thus
Because some tell me that thou art a king.
Blunt
They tell thee true.
Douglas
The Lord of Stafford dear today hath bought
Thy likeness, for instead of thee, King Harry,
2900This sword hath ended him. So shall it thee,
Unless thou yield thee as my prisoner.
I was not born a yielder, thou proud Scot,
And thou shalt find a king that will revenge
Lord Stafford's death.
2905They fight, Douglas kills Blunt, then enter Hotspur.
Hotspur
O Douglas, hadst thou fought at Holmedon thus,
I never had triumphed upon a Scot.
Douglas
All's done, all's won: here breathless lies the king.
Hotspur
Where?
2910Douglas
Here.
Hotspur
This Douglas? No, I know this face full well.
A gallant knight he was, his name was Blunt,
Semblably furnished like the king himself.
Douglas
[To the corpse] Ah fool, go with thy soul, whither it goes!
2915A borrowed title hast thou bought too dear.
Why didst thou tell me that thou wert a king?
Hotspur
The king hath many marching in his coats.
Douglas
Now by my sword, I will kill all his coats.
I'll murder all his wardrobe, piece by piece,
2920Until I meet the king.
Hotspur
Up and away!
Our soldiers stand full fairly for the day.
[Exeunt.] Alarum. Enter Falstaff alone.
Falstaff
Though I could scape shot-free at London, I fear the 2925shot here. Here's no scoring but upon the pate. Soft! Who are you? Sir Walter Blunt. There's honor for you. Here's no vanity. I am as hot as molten lead, and as heavy too. God keep lead out of me! I need no more weight than mine own bowels. I have led my ragamuffins where they are peppered; there's not three of my hundred and fifty left alive, and they are for the town's end, to beg during life. But who comes here?
Enter the prince.
Prince
What, stands thou idle here? Lend me thy sword.
2935Many a noble man lies stark and stiff
Under the hoofs of vaunting enemies,
Whose deaths are yet unrevenged. I prithee
Lend me thy sword.
Falstaff
O Hal, I prithee give me leave to breathe awhile. Turk Gregory never did such deeds in arms as I have done this day. 2940I have paid Percy, I have made him sure.
Prince
He is indeed, and living to kill thee.
I prithee lend me thy sword.
Falstaff
Nay, before god, Hal, if Percy be alive thou gets not my sword; but take my pistol if thou wilt.
2945Prince
Give it me. What, is it in the case?
Falstaff
Ay, Hal, 'tis hot, 'tis hot. There's that will sack a city.
The prince draws it out, and finds it to be a bottle of sack.
Prince
What, is it a time to jest and dally now?
He throws the bottle at him. Exit.
2950Falstaff
Well, if Percy be alive, I'll pierce him. If he do come in my way, so. If he do not, if I come in his willingly, let him make a carbonado of me. I like not such grinning honor as Sir Walter hath. Give me life, which if I can save, so; if not, honor comes unlooked for, and there's an 2955end.
[Exit with Blunt's body.]