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About this text

  • Title: Henry IV, Part 1 (Modern)
  • Editor: Rosemary Gaby
  • ISBN: 978-1-55058-371-7

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

    Henry IV, Part 1 (Modern)

    [5.5]
    The Trumpets sound. Enter the king, the Prince of Wales, Lord John of Lancaster, Earl of Westmorland, with Worcester and Vernon prisoners.
    Thus ever did rebellion find rebuke.
    Ill-spirited Worcester, did not we send grace,
    Pardon, and terms of love to all of you?
    3140And wouldst thou turn our offers contrary,
    Misuse the tenor of thy kinsman's trust?
    Three knights upon our party slain today,
    A noble earl, and many a creature else,
    Had been alive this hour,
    3145If like a Christian thou hadst truly borne
    Betwixt our armies true intelligence.
    Worcester
    What I have done my safety urged me to,
    And I embrace this fortune patiently,
    Since not to be avoided it falls on me.
    Bear Worcester to the death, and Vernon too.
    Other offenders we will pause upon.
    [Worcester and Vernon exit, guarded]
    How goes the field?
    Prince
    The noble Scot, Lord Douglas, when he saw
    3155The fortune of the day quite turned from him,
    The noble Percy slain, and all his men
    Upon the foot of fear, fled with the rest;
    And falling from a hill he was so bruised
    That the pursuers took him. At my tent
    3160The Douglas is, and I beseech your grace
    I may dispose of him.
    King
    With all my heart.
    Prince
    Then, brother John of Lancaster,
    To you this honorable bounty shall belong.
    3165Go to the Douglas, and deliver him
    Up to his pleasure ransomless and free.
    His valors shown upon our crests today
    Have taught us how to cherish such high deeds
    Even in the bosom of our adversaries.
    3169.1Lancaster
    I thank your grace for this high courtesy,
    Which I shall give away immediately.
    Then this remains, that we divide our power.
    You, son John, and my cousin Westmorland,
    Toward York shall bend you with your dearest speed
    To meet Northumberland and the prelate Scrope,
    Who, as we hear, are busily in arms.
    3175Myself and you, son Harry, will toward Wales,
    To fight with Glendower and the Earl of March.
    Rebellion in this land shall lose his sway,
    Meeting the check of such another day,
    And since this business so fair is done,
    3180Let us not leave till all our own be won.
    Exeunt.