Internet Shakespeare Editions

Author: William Shakespeare
Editor: Rosemary Gaby
Not Peer Reviewed

Henry IV, Part 1 (Quarto 1, 1598)

of Henrie the fourth.
Your Vncle Worcesters horses came but to day,
And now their pride and mettall is a sleepe,
Their courage with hard labour tame and dull,
That not a horse is halfe the halfe of himselfe.
2490Hot. So are the horses of the enemie
In generall iourney bated and brought low,
The better part of ours are full of rest.
Wor. The number of the King exceedeth our,
For Gods sake coosen stay till all come in.
2495The trumpet sounds a parley. Enter sir Walter Blunt.
Blunt. I come with gracious offers from the king,
If you vouchsafe me hearing and respect.
Hot. Welcome sir Walter Blunt: and would to God
2500You were of our determination,
Some of vs loue you well, and euen those some
Enuy your great deseruings and good name,
Because you are not of our qualitie,
But stand against vs like an enemie.
2505Blunt. And God defend but still I should stand so,
So long as out of limit and true rule
You stand against annointed Maiestie.
But to my charge. The king hath sent to know
2510The nature of your griefes and whereupon
You coniure from the breast of ciuill peace
Such bold hostilitie: teaching his dutious land
Audacious crueltie. If that the king
Haue any way your good deserts forgot
2515Which he confesseth to be manifold,
He bids you name your griefes, and with all speede,
You shall haue your desires with interest
And pardon absolute for your selfe, and these
Herein misled by your suggestion.
2520Hot. The king is kind, and well we know the king
Knowes at what time to promise, when to pay:
My father, and my vncle, and my selfe,
Did giue him that same royaltie he weares,
2525And when he was not sixe and twentie strong,
Sicke in the worlds regard, wretched and low,
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