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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    Not Peer Reviewed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
    He made a blushing citall of himselfe,
    And chid his truant youth with such a grace
    As if he mastred there a double spirit
    2850Of teaching and of learning instantly,
    There did he pause, but let me tel the world
    If he outliue the enuie of this day,
    England did neuer owe so sweete a hope
    So much misconstrued in his wantonnesse.
    2855Hotsp. Coosen I thinke thou art enamored
    On his follies, neuer did I heare
    Of any prince so wilde a libertie,
    But be he as he will, yet once ere night
    I will imbrace him with a souldiours arme,
    2860That he shall shrinke vnder my curtesie,
    Arme, arme with speed, and fellowes, soldiors, friends,
    Better consider what you haue to do
    Then I that haue not wel the gift of tongue
    Can lift your blood vp with perswasion.
    Enter a Messenger.
    Mes. My Lord, here are letters for you.
    Hot. I cannot read them now,
    O Gentlemen the time of life is short,
    To spend that shortnes basely were too long
    2870If life did ride vpon a dials point,
    Still ending at the arriuall of an houre,
    And if we liue we liue to tread on kings,
    If die, braue death when princes die with vs,
    Now for our consciences, the armes are faire
    2875When the intent of bearing them is iust.
    Enter another.
    Mes. My Lord, prepare the king comes on a pace.
    Hot. I thanke him that he cuts me from my tale,
    For I professe not talking onely this,
    2880Let each man do his best, and here draw I a sword,
    Whose temper I intend to staine
    With the best bloud that I can meet withall.
    In the aduenture of this perillous day,
    Now esperance Percy and set on,
    2885Sound all the loftie instruments of war,
    And by that Musicke let vs all embrace,
    For