Internet Shakespeare Editions

Author: William Shakespeare
Editor: Rosemary Gaby
Not Peer Reviewed

Henry IV, Part 1 (Quarto 1, 1598)

The Trumpets sound. Enter the King, the Prince of Wales, Lord
Iohn of Lancaster, Earle of Westmerland, with Worcester,
and Vernon prisoners.
King. Thus euer did rebellion find rebuke,
Ill spirited Worcester, did not we send grace,
Pardon, and tearmes of loue to all of you?
3140And wouldst thou turne our offers contrary?
Misuse the tenor of thy kinsmans trust.
Three knights vpon our party slaine to day,
A noble Earle and many a creature else,
Had been aliue this houre,
3145If like a Christian thou hadst truly borne
Betwixt our armies true intelligence.
Wor. What I haue done my safety vrg'd me to:
And I embrace this fortune patiently,
Since not to be auoided it fals on me.
3150King. Beare Worcester to the death and Vernon too:
Other Offendors we will pause vpon.
How goes the field?
Prin. The noble Scot Lord Dowglas, when he saw
3155The fortune of the day quite turnd from him,
The noble Percy slaine and all his men
Vpon the foot of feare, fled with the rest
And falling from a hill, he was so bruisd,
That the pursuers tooke him. At my tent
3160The Douglas is: and I beseech your grace
I may dispose of him.
King.
The Historie.
King. With all my hart.
Prin. Then brother Iohn of Lancaster,
To you this honorable bounty shal belong,
3165Go to the Douglas and deliuer him
Vp to his pleasure, ransomlesse and free,
His valours shewne vpon our Crests to daie
Haue taught vs how to cherish such high deeds,
Euen in the bosome of our aduersaries.
Iohn. I thanke your grace for this high curtesie,
Which I shall giue away immediatly.
3170King. Then this remaines that we deuide our power,
You sonne Iohn, and my coosen Westmerland
Towards York shal bend, you with your deerest speed
To meet Northumberland and the Prelate Scroope,
Who as we heare are busily in armes:
3175My selfe and you sonne Harry will towards Wales,
To fight with Glendower and the Earle of March,
Rebellion in this land shall loose his sway,
Meeting the checke of such another day,
And since this businesse so faire is done,
3180Let vs not leaue till all our owne be won.
Exeunt
FINIS.