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  • Title: Henry IV, Part 1 (Quarto 1, 1598)
  • 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
    Not Peer Reviewed

    Henry IV, Part 1 (Quarto 1, 1598)

    The history
    Through all the kingdoms that acknowledge Christ,
    Thrice hath this Hotspur Mars in swathling cloaths,
    This infant warrier in his enterprises,
    Discomfited great Dowglas, tane him once,
    1935Enlargd him, and made a friend of him,
    To fill the mouth of deepe defiance vp,
    And shake the peace and safety of our throne,
    And what say you to this? Percy, Northumberland,
    The Archbishops grace of York, Dowglas, Mortimer,
    1940Capitulate against vs, and are vp.
    But wherefore do I tel these newes to thee?
    Why Harry do I tell thee of my foes,
    Which art my nearest and dearest enemy?
    Thou that art like enough through vassall feare,
    1945Base inclination, and the start of spleene,
    To fight against me vnder Percies pay,
    To dog his heeles, and curtsie at his frownes,
    To shew how much thou art degenerate.
    Prin. Do not thinke so, you shal not find it so,
    1950And God forgiue them that so much haue swaide
    Your maiesties good thoughts away from me.
    I will redeeme all this on Percies head,
    And in the closing of some glorious day
    Be bold to tell you that I am your sonne,
    1955When I will weare a garment all of bloud,
    And staine my fauors in a bloudy maske,
    Which washt away shall scoure my shame with it,
    And that shal be the day when ere it lights,
    That this same child of honour and renowne,
    1960This gallant Hotspur, this all praised knight,
    And your vnthought of Harry chance to meet,
    For euery honor sitting on his helme
    Would they were multitudes, and on my head
    My shames redoubled. For the time will com
    1965That I shal make this Northren youth exchange
    His glorious deedes for my indignities.
    Percy is but my factor, good my Lord,
    To engrosse vp glorious deeds on my behalfe.
    And
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