The Life of Henry the Fifth

O for a muse of fire, that would ascend

23The brightest heaven of invention,

34A kingdom for a stage, princes to act,

45And monarchs to behold the swelling scene.

56Then should the warlike Harry, like himself,

67Assume the port of Mars, and at his heels,

78Leashed in like hounds, should famine, sword, and fire

89Crouch for employment. But pardon, gentles all,

910The flat unraisèd spirits that hath dared,

1011On this unworthy scaffold, to bring forth

1112So great an object. Can this cockpit hold

1213The vasty fields of France? Or may we cram

1314Within this wooden O the very casques

1415That did affright the air at Agincourt?

1516Oh, pardon, since a crooked figure may

1617Attest in little place a million,

1718And let us, ciphers to this great account,

1819On your imaginary forces work.

1920Suppose within the girdle of these walls

2021Are now confined two mighty monarchies,

2122Whose high, uprearèd, and abutting fronts

2223The perilous narrow ocean parts asunder.

2324Piece out our imperfections with your thoughts:

2425Into a thousand parts divide one man,

2526And make imaginary puissance.

2627Think, when we talk of horses, that you see them

2728Printing their proud hooves i'th'receiving earth.

2829For 'tis your thoughts that now must deck our kings,

2930Carry them here and there, jumping o'er times,

3031Turning th'accomplishment of many years

3132Into an hourglass: for the which supply,

3233Admit me Chorus to this history,

3334Who, prologue-like, your humble patience pray

3435Gently to hear, kindly to judge our play.

39My lord, I'll tell you, that self bill is urged

1.1.240Which in th'eleventh year of the last king's reign

1.1.341Was like, and had indeed against us passed,

1.1.442But that the scambling and unquiet time

1.1.543Did push it out of further question.

But how, my lord, shall we resist it now?

It must be thought on. If it pass against us,

1.1.846We lose the better half of our possession,

1.1.947For all the temporal lands which men devout

1.1.1048By testament have given to the Church

1.1.1149Would they strip from us, being valued thus:

1.1.1250As much as would maintain, to the king's honor,

1.1.1351Full fifteen earls and fifteen hundred knights,

1.1.1452Six thousand and two hundred good esquires,

1.1.1553And to relief of lazars and weak age

1.1.1654Of indigent faint souls past corporal toil,

1.1.1755A hundred almshouses, right well supplied;

1.1.1856And to the coffers of the king beside,

1.1.1957A thousand pounds by th'year. Thus runs the bill.

This would drink deep.

This would drink deep. 'Twould drink the cup and all.

But what prevention?

The king is full of grace and 62fair regard.

And a true lover of the holy Church.

The courses of his youth promised it not.

1.1.2565The breath no sooner left his father's body,

1.1.2666But that his wildness, mortified in him,

1.1.2767Seemed to die too. Yea, at that very moment,

1.1.2868Consideration like an angel came,

1.1.2969And whipped th'offending Adam out of him,

1.1.3070Leaving his body as a paradise,

1.1.3171T'envelop and contain celestial spirits.

1.1.3272Never was such a sudden scholar made,

1.1.3373Never came reformation in a flood

1.1.3474With such a heady currence scouring faults,

1.1.3575Nor never hydra-headed willfulness

1.1.3676So soon did lose his seat, and all at once,

1.1.3777As in this king.

As in this king. We are blessèd in the change.

Hear him but reason in divinity,

1.1.3980And, all-admiring, with an inward wish

1.1.4081You would desire the king were made a prelate.

1.1.4182Hear him debate of commonwealth affairs,

1.1.4283You would say it hath been all in all his study.

1.1.4384List his discourse of war, and you shall hear

1.1.4485A fearful battle rendered you in music.

1.1.4586Turn him to any cause of policy,

1.1.4687The Gordian knot of it he will unloose,

1.1.4788Familiar as his garter; that when he speaks,

1.1.4889The air, a chartered libertine, is still,

1.1.4990And the mute wonder lurketh in men's ears

1.1.5091To steal his sweet and honeyed sentences,

1.1.5192So that the art and practic part of life

1.1.5293Must be the mistress to this theoric.

1.1.5394Which is a wonder how his grace should glean it,

1.1.5495Since his addiction was to courses vain,

1.1.5596His companies unlettered, rude, and shallow,

1.1.5697His hours filled up with riots, banquets, sports,

1.1.5798And never noted in him any study,

1.1.5899Any retirement, any sequestration

1.1.59100From open haunts and popularity.

The strawberry grows underneath the nettle,

1.1.61102And wholesome berries thrive and ripen best

1.1.62103Neighbored by fruit of baser quality;

1.1.63104And so the prince obscured his contemplation

1.1.64105Under the veil of wildness, which no doubt

1.1.65106Grew like the summer grass, fastest by night,

1.1.66107Unseen, yet crescive in his faculty.

It must be so, for miracles are ceased,

1.1.68109And therefore we must needs admit the means

1.1.69110How things are perfected.

How things are perfected. But my good lord,

1.1.70112How now for mitigation of this bill

1.1.71113Urged by the commons? Doth his majesty

1.1.72114Incline to it or no?

Incline to it or no? He seems indifferent,

1.1.73116Or rather swaying more upon our part,

1.1.74117Than cherishing th'exhibitors against us;

1.1.75118For I have made an offer to his majesty,

1.1.76119Upon our spiritual convocation,

1.1.77120And in regard of causes now in hand,

1.1.78121Which I have opened to his grace at large,

1.1.79122As touching France, to give a greater sum

1.1.80123Than ever at one time the clergy yet

1.1.81124Did to his predecessors part withal.

How did this offer seem received, my lord?

With good acceptance of his majesty,

1.1.84127Save that there was not time enough to hear,

1.1.85128As I perceived his grace would fain have done,

1.1.86129The severals and unhidden passages

1.1.87130Of his true titles to some certain dukedoms,

1.1.88131And generally to the crown and seat of France

1.1.89132Derived from Edward, his great-grandfather.

What was th'impediment that broke this off?

The French ambassador upon that instant

1.1.92135Craved audience; and the hour, I think, is come

1.1.93136To give him hearing. Is it four o'clock?

It is.

Then go we in to know his embassy,

1.1.96139Which I could with a ready guess declare

1.1.97140Before the Frenchman speak a word of it.

I'll wait upon you, and I long to hear it.

Where is my gracious lord of Canterbury?

Not here in presence.

Not here in presence. Send for him, good uncle.

Shall we call in th'ambassador, my liege?

Not yet, my cousin. We would be resolved,

1.2.5150Before we hear him, of some things of weight

1.2.6151That task our thoughts concerning us and France.

God and his angels guard your sacred throne

1.2.8154And make you long become it.

And make you long become it. Sure we thank you.

1.2.9156My learnèd lord, we pray you to proceed,

1.2.10157And justly and religiously unfold

1.2.11158Why the law Salic, that they have in France,

1.2.12159Or should or should not bar us in our claim.

1.2.13160And God forbid, my dear and faithful lord,

1.2.14161That you should fashion, wrest, or bow your reading,

1.2.15162Or nicely charge your understanding soul

1.2.16163With opening titles miscreate, whose right

1.2.17164Suits not in native colors with the truth.

1.2.18165For God doth know how many now in health

1.2.19166Shall drop their blood in approbation

1.2.20167Of what your reverence shall incite us to.

1.2.21168Therefore take heed how you impawn our person,

1.2.22169How you awake our sleeping sword of war;

1.2.23170We charge you in the name of God, take heed.

1.2.24171For never two such kingdoms did contend

1.2.25172Without much fall of blood, whose guiltless drops

1.2.26173Are every one a woe, a sore complaint

1.2.27174'Gainst him whose wrongs gives edge unto the swords

1.2.28175That makes such waste in brief mortality.

1.2.29176Under this conjuration speak, my lord,

1.2.30177For we will hear, note, and believe in heart

1.2.31178That what you speak is in your conscience washed

1.2.32179As pure as sin with baptism.

Then hear me, gracious sovereign, and you peers

1.2.34181That owe your selves, your lives and services

1.2.35182To this imperial throne. There is no bar

1.2.36183To make against your highness' claim to France

1.2.37184But this, which they produce from Pharamond:

1.2.38185"In terram Salicam mulieres ne succedant" --

1.2.39186"No woman shall succeed in Salic land" --

1.2.40187Which Salic land the French unjustly gloss

1.2.41188To be the realm of France, and Pharamond

1.2.42189The founder of this law and female bar.

1.2.43190Yet their own authors faithfully affirm

1.2.44191That the land Salic is in Germany,

1.2.45192Between the floods of Saale and of Elbe,

1.2.46193Where Charles the Great, having subdued the Saxons,

1.2.47194There left behind and settled certain French

1.2.48195Who, holding in disdain the German women

1.2.49196For some dishonest manners of their life,

1.2.50197Established then this law: to wit, no female

1.2.51198Should be inheritrix in Salic land,

1.2.52199Which Salic, as I said, 'twixt Elbe and Saale,

1.2.53200Is at this day in Germany, called Meissen.

1.2.54201Then doth it well appear the Salic law

1.2.55202Was not devisèd for the realm of France,

1.2.56203Nor did the French possess the Salic land

1.2.57204Until four hundred one-and-twenty years

1.2.58205After defunction of King Pharamond,

1.2.59206Idly supposed the founder of this law,

1.2.60207Who died within the year of our redemption

1.2.61208Four hundred twenty-six; and Charles the Great

1.2.62209Subdued the Saxons and did seat the French

1.2.63210Beyond the river Saale in the year

1.2.64211Eight hundred five. Besides, their writers say

1.2.65212King Pepin, which deposèd Childeric,

1.2.66213Did as heir general, being descended

1.2.67214Of Blithild, which was daughter to King Chlothar,

1.2.68215Make claim and title to the crown of France.

1.2.69216Hugh Capet also, who usurped the crown

1.2.70217Of Charles the Duke of Lorraine, sole heir male

1.2.71218Of the true line and stock of Charles the Great,

1.2.72219To find his title with some shows of truth --

1.2.73220Though in pure truth it was corrupt and naught --

1.2.74221Conveyed himself as th'heir to th'lady Lingare,

1.2.75222Daughter to Charlemagne, who was the son

1.2.76223To Louis the emperor, and Louis the son

1.2.77224Of Charles the Great. Also King Louis the Tenth,

1.2.78225Who was sole heir to the usurper Capet,

1.2.79226Could not keep quiet in his conscience

1.2.80227Wearing the crown of France till satisfied

1.2.81228That fair Queen Isabelle, his grandmother,

1.2.82229Was lineal of the lady Ermengarde,

1.2.83230Daughter to Charles the foresaid Duke of Lorraine,

1.2.84231By the which marriage the line of Charles the Great

1.2.85232Was reunited to the crown of France.

1.2.86233So that, as clear as is the summer's sun,

1.2.87234King Pepin's title and Hugh Capet's claim,

1.2.88235King Louis his satisfaction, all appear

1.2.89236To hold in right and title of the female;

1.2.90237So do the kings of France unto this day,

1.2.91238Howbeit they would hold up this Salic law

1.2.92239To bar your highness claiming from the female,

1.2.93240And rather choose to hide them in a net

1.2.94241Than amply to embar their crooked titles

1.2.95242Usurped from you and your progenitors.

May I with right and conscience make this claim?

The sin upon my head, dread sovereign.

1.2.98245For in the book of Numbers is it writ:

1.2.99246"When the man dies, let the inheritance

1.2.100247Descend unto the daughter." Gracious lord,

1.2.101248Stand for your own. Unwind your bloody flag,

1.2.102249Look back into your mighty ancestors.

1.2.103250Go, my dread lord, to your great-grandsire's tomb,

1.2.104251From whom you claim; invoke his warlike spirit,

1.2.105252And your great-uncle's, Edward the Black Prince,

1.2.106253Who on the French ground played a tragedy,

1.2.107254Making defeat on the full power of France

1.2.108255Whiles his most mighty father on a hill

1.2.109256Stood smiling to behold his lion's whelp

1.2.110257Forage in blood of French nobility.

1.2.111258Oh, noble English, that could entertain

1.2.112259With half their forces the full pride of France

1.2.113260And let another half stand laughing by,

1.2.114261All out of work and cold for action!

Awake remembrance of these valiant dead,

1.2.116263And with your puissant arm renew their feats.

1.2.117264You are their heir, you sit upon their throne,

1.2.118265The blood and courage that renownèd them

1.2.119266Runs in your veins, and my thrice-puissant liege

1.2.120267Is in the very May-morn of his youth,

1.2.121268Ripe for exploits and mighty enterprises.

Your brother kings and monarchs of the earth

1.2.123270Do all expect that you should rouse yourself

1.2.124271As did the former lions of your blood.

They know your grace hath cause, and means, and might;

1.2.126273So hath your highness. Never king of England

1.2.127274Had nobles richer and more loyal subjects,

1.2.128275Whose hearts have left their bodies here in England

1.2.129276And lie pavilioned in the fields of France.

Oh, let their bodies follow, my dear liege,

1.2.131278With bloods and sword and fire to win your right.

1.2.132279In aid whereof, we of the spiritualty

1.2.133280Will raise your highness such a mighty sum

1.2.134281As never did the clergy at one time

1.2.135282Bring in to any of your ancestors.

We must not only arm t'invade the French,

1.2.137284But lay down our proportions to defend

1.2.138285Against the Scot, who will make road upon us

1.2.139286With all advantages.

They of those marches, gracious sovereign,

1.2.141288Shall be a wall sufficient to defend

1.2.142289Our inland from the pilfering borderers.

We do not mean the coursing snatchers only,

1.2.144291But fear the main intendment of the Scot,

1.2.145292Who hath been still a giddy neighbor to us.

1.2.146293For you shall read that my great-grandfather

1.2.147294Never went with his forces into France

1.2.148295But that the Scot on his unfurnished kingdom

1.2.149296Came pouring like the tide into a breach

1.2.150297With ample and brim fullness of his force,

1.2.151298Galling the gleanèd land with hot assays,

1.2.152299Girding with grievous siege castles and towns,

1.2.153300That England, being empty of defense,

1.2.154301Hath shook and trembled at th'ill neighborhood.

She hath been then more feared than harmed, my liege.

1.2.156303For hear her but exampled by herself:

1.2.157304When all her chivalry hath been in France

1.2.158305And she a mourning widow of her nobles,

1.2.159306She hath herself not only well defended,

1.2.160307But taken and impounded as a stray

1.2.161308The king of Scots, whom she did send to France

1.2.162309To fill King Edward's fame with prisoner kings

1.2.163310And make their chronicle as rich with praise

1.2.164311As is the ooze and bottom of the sea

1.2.165312With sunken wreck and sumless treasuries.

But there's a saying very old and true:

1.2.167314"If that you will France win,

1.2.168Then with Scotland first begin."

1.2.169315For once the eagle England being in prey,

1.2.170316To her unguarded nest the weasel Scot

1.2.171317Comes sneaking, and so sucks her princely eggs,

1.2.172318Playing the mouse in absence of the cat,

1.2.173319To 'tame and havoc more than she can eat.

It follows then the cat must stay at home,

1.2.175321Yet that is but a crushed necessity,

1.2.176322Since we have locks to safeguard necessaries

1.2.177323And pretty traps to catch the petty thieves.

1.2.178324While that the armèd hand doth fight abroad,

1.2.179325Th'advisèd head defends itself at home.

1.2.180326For government, though high and low and lower

1.2.181327Put into parts, doth keep in one consent,

1.2.182328Congreeing in a full and natural close

1.2.183329Like music.

Like music. Therefore doth heaven divide

1.2.184331The state of man in divers functions,

1.2.185332Setting endeavor in continual motion,

1.2.186333To which is fixèd, as an aim or butt,

1.2.187334Obedience. For so work the honeybees,

1.2.188335Creatures that by a rule in nature teach

1.2.189336The act of order to a peopled kingdom.

1.2.190337They have a king, and officers of sorts,

1.2.191338Where some like magistrates correct at home;

1.2.192339Others like merchants venture trade abroad;

1.2.193340Others, like soldiers armèd in their stings,

1.2.194341Make boot upon the summer's velvet buds,

1.2.195342Which pillage they with merry march bring home

1.2.196343To the tent-royal of their emperor,

1.2.197344Who, busied in his majesties, surveys

1.2.198345The singing masons building roofs of gold,

1.2.199346The civil citizens kneading up the honey,

1.2.200347The poor mechanic porters crowding in

1.2.201348Their heavy burdens at his narrow gate,

1.2.202349The sad-eyed justice with his surly hum

1.2.203350Delivering o'er to executors pale

1.2.204351The lazy yawning drone. I this infer:

1.2.205352That many things, having full reference

1.2.206353To one consent, may work contrariously.

1.2.207354As many arrows loosèd several ways

1.2.208355Come to one mark, as many ways meet in one town,

1.2.209356As many fresh streams meet in one salt sea,

1.2.210357As many lines close in the dial's center,

1.2.211358So may a thousand actions once afoot

1.2.212359End in one purpose, and be all well borne

1.2.213360Without defeat. Therefore to France, my liege.

1.2.214361Divide your happy England into four,

1.2.215362Whereof take you one quarter into France,

1.2.216363And you withal shall make all Gallia shake.

1.2.217364If we, with thrice such powers left at home,

1.2.218365Cannot defend our own doors from the dog,

1.2.219366Let us be worried, and our nation lose

1.2.220367The name of hardiness and policy.

Call in the messengers sent from the dauphin.

1.2.222369Now are we well resolved, and by God's help

1.2.223370And yours, the noble sinews of our power,

1.2.224371France being ours, we'll bend it to our awe,

1.2.225372Or break it all to pieces. Or there we'll sit,

1.2.226373Ruling in large and ample empery

1.2.227374O'er France and all her almost kingly dukedoms,

1.2.228375Or lay these bones in an unworthy urn,

1.2.229376Tombless, with no remembrance over them.

1.2.230377Either our history shall with full mouth

1.2.231378Speak freely of our acts, or else our grave,

1.2.232379Like Turkish mute, shall have a tongueless mouth,

1.2.233380Not worshipped with a waxen epitaph. --

1.2.234382Now are we well prepared to know the pleasure

1.2.235383Of our fair cousin dauphin, for we hear

1.2.236384Your greeting is from him, not from the king.

May't please your majesty to give us leave

1.2.238386Freely to render what we have in charge,

1.2.239387Or shall we sparingly show you far off

1.2.240388The dauphin's meaning and our embassy?

We are no tyrant, but a Christian king,

1.2.242390Unto whose grace our passion is as subject

1.2.243391As is our wretches fettered in our prisons.

1.2.244392Therefore with frank and with uncurbèd plainness

1.2.245393Tell us the dauphin's mind.

Tell us the dauphin's mind. Thus, then, in few:

1.2.246395Your highness, lately sending into France,

1.2.247396Did claim some certain dukedoms in the right

1.2.248397Of your great predecessor, King Edward the Third.

1.2.249398In answer of which claim, the prince our master

1.2.250399Says that you savor too much of your youth,

1.2.251400And bids you be advised, there's naught in France

1.2.252401That can be with a nimble galliard won;

1.2.253402You cannot revel into dukedoms there.

1.2.254403He therefore sends you, meeter for your spirit,

1.2.255404This tun of treasure, and in lieu of this,

1.2.256405Desires you let the dukedoms that you claim

1.2.257406Hear no more of you. This the dauphin speaks.

What treasure, uncle?

What treasure, uncle? Tennis balls, my liege.

We are glad the dauphin is so pleasant with us.

1.2.260410His present and your pains we thank you for.

1.2.261411When we have matched our rackets to these balls,

1.2.262412We will in France, by God's grace, play a set

1.2.263413Shall strike his father's crown into the hazard.

1.2.264414Tell him he hath made a match with such a wrangler

1.2.265415That all the courts of France will be disturbed

1.2.266416With chases. And we understand him well,

1.2.267417How he comes o'er us with our wilder days,

1.2.268418Not measuring what use we made of them.

1.2.269419We never valued this poor seat of England,

1.2.270420And therefore living hence, did give ourself

1.2.271421To barbarous license, as 'tis ever common

1.2.272422That men are merriest when they are from home.

1.2.273423But tell the dauphin I will keep my state,

1.2.274424Be like a king, and show my sail of greatness

1.2.275425When I do rouse me in my throne of France.

1.2.276426For that I have laid by my majesty

1.2.277427And plodded like a man for working days,

1.2.278428But I will rise there with so full a glory

1.2.279429That I will dazzle all the eyes of France,

1.2.280430Yea, strike the dauphin blind to look on us.

1.2.281431And tell the pleasant prince this mock of his

1.2.282432Hath turned his balls to gunstones, and his soul

1.2.283433Shall stand sore chargèd for the wasteful vengeance

1.2.284434That shall fly with them: for many a thousand widows

1.2.285435Shall this, his mock, mock out of their dear husbands,

1.2.286436Mock mothers from their sons, mock castles down,

1.2.287437And some are yet ungotten and unborn

1.2.288438That shall have cause to curse the dauphin's scorn.

1.2.289439But this lies all within the will of God,

1.2.290440To whom I do appeal, and in whose name

1.2.291441Tell you the dauphin I am coming on

1.2.292442To venge me as I may, and to put forth

1.2.293443My rightful hand in a well-hallowed cause.

1.2.294444So get you hence in peace, and tell the dauphin

1.2.295445His jest will savor but of shallow wit

1.2.296446When thousands weep more than did laugh at it. --

1.2.297447Convey them with safe conduct. -- Fare you well.

This was a merry message.

We hope to make the sender blush at it.

1.2.300451Therefore, my lords, omit no happy hour

1.2.301452That may give furtherance to our expedition,

1.2.302453For we have now no thought in us but France,

1.2.303454Save those to God, that run before our business.

1.2.304455Therefore let our proportions for these wars

1.2.305456Be soon collected, and all things thought upon

1.2.306457That may with reasonable swiftness add

1.2.307458More feathers to our wings, for, God before,

1.2.308459We'll chide this dauphin at his father's door.

1.2.309460Therefore let every man now task his thought

1.2.310461That this fair action may on foot be brought.

Now all the youth of England are on fire

2.0.2464And silken dalliance in the wardrobe lies.

2.0.3465Now thrive the armorers, and honor's thought

2.0.4466Reigns solely in the breast of every man.

2.0.5467They sell the pasture now to buy the horse,

2.0.6468Following the mirror of all Christian kings

2.0.7469With wingèd heels, as English Mercuries.

2.0.8470For now sits expectation in the air

2.0.9471And hides a sword from hilts unto the point

2.0.10472With crowns imperial, crowns and coronets

2.0.11473Promised to Harry and his followers.

2.0.12474The French, advised by good intelligence

2.0.13475Of this most dreadful preparation,

2.0.14476Shake in their fear, and with pale policy

2.0.15477Seek to divert the English purposes.

2.0.16478O England, model to thy inward greatness,

2.0.17479Like little body with a mighty heart,

2.0.18480What mightst thou do, that honor would thee do,

2.0.19481Were all thy children kind and natural!

2.0.20482But see, thy fault France hath in thee found out:

2.0.21483A nest of hollow bosoms, which he fills

2.0.22484With treacherous crowns; and three corrupted men,

2.0.23485One, Richard, Earl of Cambridge, and the second

2.0.24486Henry, Lord Scrope of Masham, and the third

2.0.25487Sir Thomas Grey, knight of Northumberland,

2.0.26488Have for the gilt of France -- oh, guilt indeed! --

2.0.27489Confirmed conspiracy with fearful France.

2.0.28490And by their hands this grace of kings must die,

2.0.29491If hell and treason hold their promises,

2.0.30492Ere he take ship for France, and in Southampton.

2.0.31493Linger your patience on, and we'll digest

2.0.32494Th'abuse of distance, force a play.

2.0.33495The sum is paid, the traitors are agreed,

2.0.34496The king is set from London, and the scene

2.0.35497Is now transported, gentles, to Southampton.

2.0.36498There is the playhouse now, there must you sit,

2.0.37499And thence to France shall we convey you safe

2.0.38500And bring you back, charming the narrow seas

2.0.39501To give you gentle pass; for if we may,

2.0.40502We'll not offend one stomach with our play.

2.0.41503But when the king come forth, and not till then,

2.0.42504Unto Southampton do we shift our scene.

Well met, Corporal Nym.

Good morrow, Lieutenant Bardolph.

What, are Ancient Pistol and you friends yet?

For my part, I care not. I say little, but when 510time shall serve, there shall be smiles. But that shall be as 511it may. I dare not fight, but I will wink and hold out 512mine iron. It is a simple one, but what though? It will 513toast cheese, and it will endure cold as another man's 514sword will, and there's an end.

I will bestow a breakfast to make you friends, 516and we'll be all three sworn brothers to France. Letʼt 517be so, good Corporal Nym.

Faith, I will live so long as I may, that's the 519certain of it. And when I cannot live any longer, I will do 520as I may. That is my rest; that is the rendezvous of it.

It is certain, corporal, that he is married to 522Nell Quickly, and certainly she did you wrong, for you 523were troth-plight to her.

I cannot tell; things must be as they may. Men 525may sleep, and they may have their throats about them 526at that time, and some say knives have edges. It must 527be as it may. Though patience be a tired mare, yet she 528will plod. There must be conclusions. Well, I cannot 529tell.

Here comes Ancient Pistol and his wife. Good 532corporal, be patient here. -- How now, mine host 533Pistol?

Base tyke, call'st thou me host? Now by this 535hand I swear I scorn the term! Nor shall my Nell 536keep lodgers.

No, by my troth, not long, for we cannot lodge 538and board a dozen or fourteen gentlewomen that 539live honestly by the prick of their needles, but it will be 540thought we keep a bawdy house straight.

Oh, welladay, 541lady, if he be not hewn now, we shall see willful 542adultery and murder committed!

Good lieutenant, good corporal, offer nothing 544here.

Pish.

Pish for thee, Iceland dog, thou prick-eared cur 546of Iceland.

Good Corporal Nym, show thy valor and 548put up your sword.

Will you shog off? [To Pistol] I would have you solus.

"Solus," egregious dog? O viper vile! The "solus" 551in thy most marvelous face. The "solus" in thy teeth, and 552in thy throat, and in thy hateful lungs, yea in thy maw, 553perdy. And which is worse, within thy nasty mouth. I 554do retort the "solus" in thy bowels, for I can take, and 555Pistol's cock is up, and flashing fire will follow.

I am not Barbason; you cannot conjure me. I 557have an humor to knock you indifferently well. If you 558grow foul with me, Pistol, I will scour you with my 559rapier, as I may, in fair terms. If you would walk 560off, I would prick your guts a little in good terms, as 561I may, and that's the humor of it.

O braggart vile, and damnèd furious wight,

2.1.20563The grave doth gape, and doting death is near,

2.1.21564Therefore exhale.

Hear me, hear me what I say. [Draws his sword (?)] He that strikes 566the first stroke, I'll run him up to the hilts, as I am a 567soldier.

An oath of mickle might, and fury shall abate.

569Give me thy fist. Thy forefoot to me give. Thy spirits 570are most tall.

I will cut thy throat one time or other in fair 572terms. That is the humor of it.

Couple a gorge, that is the word. I defy thee 574again! O hound of Crete, think'st thou my spouse to get? 575No, to the Spital go, and from the powd'ring tub of 576infamy fetch forth the lazar kite of Cressid's kind, 577Doll Tearsheet, she by name, and her espouse. I have, and I 578will hold the quondam Quickly for the only she, and 579pauca, there's enough. Go to.

Mine host Pistol, you must come to 582my master, and your hostess. He is very sick and would to bed. 583-- Good Bardolph, put thy face between his sheets and do 584the office of a warming-pan. Faith, he's very ill.

Away, you rogue.

By my troth, he'll yield the crow a pudding one 587of these days. The king has killed his heart. Good 588husband, come home presently.

Come, shall I make you two friends? We must 590to France together. Why the devil should we keep knives 591to cut one another's throats?

Let floods o'erswell, and fiends for food howl 593on.

[To Pistol] You'll pay me the eight shillings I won of you 595at betting?

Base is the slave that pays.

That now I will have. That's the humor of it.

As manhood shall compound. Push home.

[Drawing his sword (?)] By this sword, he that makes the first thrust, 600I'll kill him. By this sword, I will.

Sword is an oath, and oaths must have their course.

Corporal Nym, an thou wilt be friends, be friends. 603An thou wilt not, why then be enemies with me, too. 604Prithee, put up.

A noble shalt thou have, and present pay. And 606liquor likewise will I give to thee, and friendship 607shall combine, and brotherhood. I'll live by Nym and 608Nym shall live by me. Is not this just? For I shall 609sutler be unto the camp, and profits will accrue. Give me 610thy hand.

I shall have my noble?

In cash most justly paid.

Well, then that's the humor of't.

As ever you come of women, come in quickly 616to Sir John. A poor heart, he is so shaked of a burning 617quotidian tertian that it is most lamentable to behold. 618Sweet men, come to him.

The king hath run bad humors on the knight. 620That's the even of it.

Nym, thou hast spoke the right. His heart is 622fracted and corroborate.

The king is a good king, but it must be as it 624may. He passes some humors and careers.

Let us condole the knight, for lambkins, we 626will live.

'Fore God, his grace is bold to trust these traitors.

They shall be apprehended by and by.

How smooth and even they do bear themselves,

2.2.4631As if allegiance in their bosoms sat

2.2.5632Crownèd with faith and constant loyalty.

The king hath note of all that they intend

2.2.7634By interception, which they dream not of.

Nay, but the man that was his bedfellow,

2.2.9636Whom he hath dulled and cloyed with gracious favors,

2.2.10637That he should for a foreign purse so sell

2.2.11638His sovereign's life to death and treachery!

Now sits the wind fair, and we will aboard. --

2.2.13642My lord of Cambridge, and my kind lord of Masham,

2.2.14643And you, my gentle knight, give me your thoughts:

2.2.15644Think you not that the powers we bear with us

2.2.16645Will cut their passage through the force of France,

2.2.17646Doing the execution and the act

2.2.18647For which we have in head assembled them?

No doubt, my liege, if each man do his best.

I doubt not that, since we are well persuaded

2.2.21650We carry not a heart with us from hence

2.2.22651That grows not in a fair consent with ours,

2.2.23652Nor leave not one behind that doth not wish

2.2.24653Success and conquest to attend on us.

Never was monarch better feared and loved

2.2.26655Than is your majesty. There's not, I think, a subject

2.2.27656That sits in heart-grief and uneasiness

2.2.28657Under the sweet shade of your government.

True. Those that were your father's enemies

2.2.30659Have steeped their galls in honey and do serve you

2.2.31660With hearts create of duty and of zeal.

We therefore have great cause of thankfulness,

2.2.33662And shall forget the office of our hand

2.2.34663Sooner than quittance of desert and merit,

2.2.35664According to the weight and worthiness.

So service shall with steelèd sinews toil,

2.2.37666And labor shall refresh itself with hope

2.2.38667To do your grace incessant services.

We judge no less. Uncle of Exeter,

2.2.40669Enlarge the man committed yesterday

2.2.41670That railed against our person. We consider

2.2.42671It was excess of wine that set him on,

2.2.43672And on his more advice we pardon him.

That's mercy, but too much security.

2.2.45674Let him be punished, sovereign, lest example

2.2.46675Breed, by his sufferance, more of such a kind.

Oh, let us yet be merciful.

So may your highness, and yet punish too.

Sir, you show great mercy if you give him life

2.2.50679After the taste of much correction.

Alas, your too much love and care of me

2.2.52681Are heavy orisons 'gainst this poor wretch.

2.2.53682If little faults proceeding on distemper

2.2.54683Shall not be winked at, how shall we stretch our eye

2.2.55684When capital crimes, chewed, swallowed, and digested,

2.2.56685Appear before us? We'll yet enlarge that man,

2.2.57686Though Cambridge, Scrope, and Grey, in their dear care

2.2.58687And tender preservation of our person

2.2.59688Would have him punished. And now to our French causes. --

2.2.60689Who are the late commissioners?

Who are the late commissioners? I one, my lord.

2.2.61691Your highness bade me ask for it today.

So did you me, my liege.

And I, my royal sovereign.

[Giving them papers] Then Richard Earl of Cambridge, there is yours.

2.2.65695There yours, Lord Scrope of Masham; and sir knight,

2.2.66696Grey of Northumberland, this same is yours.

2.2.67697Read them and know I know your worthiness. --

2.2.68698My lord of Westmorland, and uncle Exeter,

2.2.69699We will aboard to night. -- Why, how now, gentlemen?

2.2.70700What see you in those papers that you lose

2.2.71701So much complexion? Look ye how they change:

2.2.72702Their cheeks are paper! Why, what read you there

2.2.73703That have so cowarded and chased your blood

2.2.74704Out of appearance?

Out of appearance? I do confess my fault,

2.2.75706And do submit me to your highness' mercy.

To which we all appeal.

The mercy that was quick in us but late

2.2.78709By your own counsel is suppressed and killed.

2.2.79710You must not dare for shame to talk of mercy,

2.2.80711For your own reasons turn into your bosoms

2.2.81712As dogs upon their masters, worrying you. --

2.2.82713See you, my princes and my noble peers,

2.2.83714These English monsters: my lord of Cambridge here,

2.2.84715You know how apt our love was to accord

2.2.85716To furnish him with all appurtenants

2.2.86717Belonging to his honor. And this man

2.2.87718Hath for a few light crowns lightly conspired

2.2.88719And sworn unto the practices of France

2.2.89720To kill us here in Hampton. To the which

2.2.90721This knight, no less for bounty bound to us

2.2.91722Than Cambridge is, hath likewise sworn.-- But oh,

2.2.92723What shall I say to thee, Lord Scrope, thou cruel,

2.2.93724Ingrateful, savage and inhuman creature?

2.2.94725Thou that didst bear the key of all my counsels,

2.2.95726That knew'st the very bottom of my soul,

2.2.96727That almost mightst have coined me into gold,

2.2.97728Wouldst thou have practiced on me for thy use?

2.2.98729May it be possible that foreign hire

2.2.99730Could out of thee extract one spark of evil

2.2.100731That might annoy my finger? 'Tis so strange

2.2.101732That though the truth of it stands off as gross

2.2.102733As black and white, my eye will scarcely see it.

2.2.103734Treason and murder ever kept together

2.2.104735As two yoke-devils sworn to either's purpose,

2.2.105736Working so grossly in unnatural cause

2.2.106737That admiration did not whoop at them.

2.2.107738But thou, 'gainst all proportion, didst bring in

2.2.108739Wonder to wait on treason and on murder,

2.2.109740And whatsoever cunning fiend it was

2.2.110741That wrought upon thee so preposterously

2.2.111742Hath got the voice in hell for excellence;

2.2.112743And other devils, that suggest by treasons,

2.2.113744Do botch and bungle up damnation

2.2.114745With patches, colors, and with forms being fetched

2.2.115746From glist'ring semblances of piety.

2.2.116747But he that tempered thee, bade thee stand up,

2.2.117748Gave thee no instance why thou shouldst do treason

2.2.118749Unless to dub thee with the name of traitor.

2.2.119750If that same demon that hath gulled thee thus

2.2.120751Should with his lion gait walk the whole world,

2.2.121752He might return to vasty Tartar back

2.2.122753And tell the legions, "I can never win

2.2.123754A soul so easy as that Englishman's."

2.2.124755Oh, how hast thou with jealousy infected

2.2.125756The sweetness of affiance! Show men dutiful?

2.2.126757Why so didst thou. Seem they grave and learnèd?

2.2.127758Why so didst thou. Come they of noble family?

2.2.128759Why so didst thou. Seem they religious?

2.2.129760Why so didst thou. Or are they spare in diet,

2.2.130761Free from gross passion or of mirth or anger,

2.2.131762Constant in spirit, not swerving with the blood,

2.2.132763Garnished and decked in modest complement,

2.2.133764Not working with the eye without the ear,

2.2.134765And but in purgèd judgment trusting neither?

2.2.135766Such and so finely bolted didst thou seem.

2.2.136767And thus thy fall hath left a kind of blot

2.2.137768To make the full-fraught man, and best, indued

2.2.138769With some suspicion. I will weep for thee,

2.2.139770For this revolt of thine, methinks, is like

2.2.140771Another fall of man.-- Their faults are open.

2.2.141772Arrest them to the answer of the law,

2.2.142773And God acquit them of their practices.

I arrest thee of high treason, by the name of 775Richard Earl of Cambridge. 776I arrest thee of high treason, by the name of Henry 777Lord Scrope of Masham. 778I arrest thee of high treason, by the name of Thomas 779Grey, knight of Northumberland.

Our purposes God justly hath discovered,

2.2.145781And I repent my fault more than my death,

2.2.146782Which I beseech your highness to forgive,

2.2.147783Although my body pay the price of it.

For me, the gold of France did not seduce,

2.2.149785Although I did admit it as a motive

2.2.150786The sooner to effect what I intended.

2.2.151787But God be thankèd for prevention,

2.2.152788Which I in sufferance heartily will rejoice,

2.2.153789Beseeching God and you to pardon me.

Never did faithful subject more rejoice

2.2.155791At the discovery of most dangerous treason

2.2.156792Than I do at this hour joy o'er myself,

2.2.157793Prevented from a damnèd enterprise.

2.2.158794My fault, but not my body, pardon, sovereign.

God quit you in his mercy. Hear your sentence:

2.2.160796You have conspired against our royal person,

2.2.161797Joined with an enemy proclaimed and from his coffers

2.2.162798Received the golden earnest of our death,

2.2.163799Wherein you would have sold your king to slaughter,

2.2.164800His princes and his peers to servitude,

2.2.165801His subjects to oppression and contempt,

2.2.166802And his whole kingdom into desolation.

2.2.167803Touching our person seek we no revenge,

2.2.168804But we our kingdom's safety must so tender,

2.2.169805Whose ruin you sought, that to her laws

2.2.170806We do deliver you. Get you therefore hence,

2.2.171807Poor miserable wretches, to your death,

2.2.172808The taste whereof God of his mercy give

2.2.173809You patience to endure, and true repentance

2.2.174810Of all your dear offences. -- Bear them hence.

2.2.175811Now, lords, for France, the enterprise whereof

2.2.176812Shall be to you as us like glorious.

2.2.177813We doubt not of a fair and lucky war,

2.2.178814Since God so graciously hath brought to light

2.2.179815This dangerous treason lurking in our way

2.2.180816To hinder our beginnings. We doubt not now

2.2.181817But every rub is smoothèd on our way.

2.2.182818Then forth, dear countrymen. Let us deliver

2.2.183819Our puissance into the hand of God,

2.2.184820Putting it straight in expedition.

2.2.185821Cheerly to sea; the signs of war advance.

2.2.186822No king of England if not king of France.

Prithee, honey-sweet husband, let me bring 825thee to Staines.

No, for my manly heart doth earn. Bardolph, 827be blithe. Nym, rouse thy vaunting veins. Boy, bristle 828thy courage up. For Falstaff he is dead, and we must 829earn therefore.

Would I were with him wheresome'er he is, 831either in heaven or in hell.

Nay, sure he's not in hell. He's in 833Arthur's bosom, if ever man went to Arthur's bosom. A made 834a finer end, and went away an it had been any christom 835child. A parted ev'n just between twelve and one, ev'n 836at the turning o'th'tide. For after I saw him 837fumble with the sheets, and play with flowers, and smile upon 838his finger's end, I knew there was but one way. For his nose was 839as sharp as a pen, and a babbled of green fields. "How now, 840Sir John?" quoth I. "What, man, be o' good cheer!" So a 841cried out, "God, God, God," three or four times. Now I, 842to comfort him, bid him a should not think of God; I 843hoped there was no need to trouble himself with any 844such thoughts yet. So a bade me lay more clothes on his 845feet. I put my hand into the bed and felt them, and they 846were as cold as any stone. Then I felt to his knees, and 847so up-peered, and upward and all was as cold as any stone.

They say he cried out of sack.

Ay, that a did.

And of women.

Nay, that a did not.

Yes, that a did, and said they were devils 853incarnate.

A could never abide carnation; 'twas a 855color he never liked.

A said once the devil would have him about 857women.

A did in some sort, indeed, handle women, 859but then he was rheumatic, and talked of the whore of Babylon.860

Do you not remember a saw a flea stick upon 862Bardolph's nose, and a said it was a black soul 863burning in hell?

Well, the fuel is gone that maintained that fire. 865That's all the riches I got in his service.

Shall we shog? The king will be gone from 867Southampton.

Come, let's away. My love, give me thy lips. [Kisses her]869Look to my chattels and my moveables. Let senses rule. 870The world is pitch-and-pay. Trust none, for oaths 871are straws, men's faiths are wafer-cakes, and Holdfast 872is the only dog, my duck, therefore caveto be 873thy counselor. Go, clear thy crystals. 874Yoke-fellows in arms, let us to France like 875horse-leeches, my boys: to suck, to suck, the very blood to 876suck!

And that's but unwholesome food, they say.

Touch her soft mouth and march.

[Kisses her] Farewell, hostess.

I cannot kiss, that is the humor of it, but 881adieu.

Let housewifery appear. Keep close, I thee 883command.

Farewell. Adieu.

Thus comes the English with full power upon us,

2.4.2889And more than carefully it us concerns

2.4.3890To answer royally in our defenses.

2.4.4891Therefore the Dukes of Berry and of Brittany,

2.4.5892Of Brabant and of Orléans shall make forth,

2.4.6893And you, Prince Dauphin, with all swift dispatch

2.4.7894To line and new repair our towns of war

2.4.8895With men of courage and with means defendant,

2.4.9896For England his approaches makes as fierce

2.4.10897As waters to the sucking of a gulf.

2.4.11898It fits us then to be as provident

2.4.12899As fear may teach us, out of late examples

2.4.13900Left by the fatal and neglected English

2.4.14901Upon our fields.

Upon our fields. My most redoubted father,

2.4.15903It is most meet we arm us 'gainst the foe,

2.4.16904For peace itself should not so dull a kingdom,

2.4.17905Though war nor no known quarrel were in question,

2.4.18906But that defenses, musters, preparations

2.4.19907Should be maintained, assembled, and collected

2.4.20908As were a war in expectation.

2.4.21909Therefore I say 'tis meet we all go forth

2.4.22910To view the sick and feeble parts of France.

2.4.23911And let us do it with no show of fear,

2.4.24912No, with no more than if we heard that England

2.4.25913Were busied with a Whitsun morris dance.

2.4.26914For, my good liege, she is so idly kinged,

2.4.27915Her scepter so fantastically borne

2.4.28916By a vain, giddy, shallow, humorous youth,

2.4.29917That fear attends her not.

That fear attends her not. Oh, peace, Prince Dauphin.

2.4.30919You are too much mistaken in this king.

2.4.31920Question your grace the late ambassadors --

2.4.32921With what great state he heard their embassy,

2.4.33922How well supplied with noble counselors,

2.4.34923How modest in exception, and withal

2.4.35924How terrible in constant resolution --

2.4.36925And you shall find his vanities forespent

2.4.37926Were but the outside of the Roman Brutus,

2.4.38927Covering discretion with a coat of folly,

2.4.39928As gardeners do with ordure hide those roots

2.4.40929That shall first spring and be most delicate.

Well, 'tis not so, my lord high constable.

2.4.42931But though we think it so, it is no matter.

2.4.43932In cases of defense, 'tis best to weigh

2.4.44933The enemy more mighty than he seems.

2.4.45934So the proportions of defense are filled,

2.4.46935Which of a weak and niggardly projection

2.4.47936Doth like a miser spoil his coat with scanting

2.4.48937A little cloth.

A little cloth. Think we King Harry strong,

2.4.49939And princes, look you strongly arm to meet him.

2.4.50940The kindred of him hath been fleshed upon us,

2.4.51941And he is bred out of that bloody strain

2.4.52942That haunted us in our familiar paths:

2.4.53943Witness our too much memorable shame

2.4.54944When Crécy battle fatally was struck,

2.4.55945And all our princes captived by the hand

2.4.56946Of that black name, Edward, Black Prince of Wales,

2.4.57947Whiles that his mountain sire on mountain standing

2.4.58948Up in the air, crowned with the golden sun,

2.4.59949Saw his heroical seed and smiled to see him

2.4.60950Mangle the work of nature, and deface

2.4.61951The patterns that by God and by French fathers

2.4.62952Had twenty years been made. This is a stem

2.4.63953Of that victorious stock, and let us fear

2.4.64954The native mightiness and fate of him.

Ambassadors from Harry, King of England,

2.4.66957Do crave admittance to your majesty.

We'll give them present audience; 959go and bring them.

2.4.68960You see this chase is hotly followed, friends.

Turn head and stop pursuit, for coward dogs

2.4.70962Most spend their mouths when what they seem to threaten

2.4.71963Runs far before them. Good my sovereign,

2.4.72964Take up the English short, and let them know

2.4.73965Of what a monarchy you are the head.

2.4.74966Self-love, my liege, is not so vile a sin

2.4.75967As self-neglecting.

As self-neglecting. From our brother of England?

From him, and thus he greets your majesty:

2.4.77971He wills you in the name of God almighty

2.4.78972That you divest yourself, and lay apart

2.4.79973The borrowed glories that by gift of heaven,

2.4.80974By law of nature and of nations longs

2.4.81975To him and to his heirs, namely the crown

2.4.82976And all wide-stretchèd honors that pertain

2.4.83977By custom and the ordinance of times

2.4.84978Unto the crown of France. That you may know

2.4.85979'Tis no sinister nor no awkward claim

2.4.86980Picked from the wormholes of long-vanished days,

2.4.87981Nor from the dust of old oblivion raked,

2.4.88982He sends you this most memorable line,

2.4.89983In every branch truly demonstrative,

2.4.90984Willing you overlook this pedigree.

2.4.91985And when you find him evenly derived

2.4.92986From his most famed of famous ancestors,

2.4.93987Edward the Third, he bids you then resign

2.4.94988Your crown and kingdom, indirectly held

2.4.95989From him, the native and true challenger.

Or else what follows?

Bloody constraint: for if you hide the crown

2.4.98992Even in your hearts, there will he rake for it.

2.4.99993Therefore in fierce tempest is he coming,

2.4.100994In thunder and in earthquake, like a Jove,

2.4.101995That if requiring fail, he will compel.

2.4.102996And bids you in the bowels of the Lord

2.4.103997Deliver up the crown, and to take mercy

2.4.104998On the poor souls for whom this hungry war

2.4.105999Opens his vasty jaws, and on your head

2.4.1061000Turning the widows' tears, the orphans' cries,

2.4.1071001The dead men's blood, the privy maidens' groans

2.4.1081002For husbands, fathers, and betrothèd lovers

2.4.1091003That shall be swallowed in this controversy.

2.4.1101004This is his claim, his threat'ning, and my message,

2.4.1111005Unless the dauphin be in presence here,

2.4.1121006To whom expressly I bring greeting too.

For us, we will consider of this further.

2.4.1141008Tomorrow shall you bear our full intent

2.4.1151009Back to our brother of England.

Back to our brother of England. For the dauphin,

2.4.1161011I stand here for him. What to him from England?

Scorn and defiance, slight regard, contempt,

2.4.1181013And anything that may not misbecome

2.4.1191014The mighty sender doth he prize you at.

2.4.1201015Thus says my king: an if your father's highness

2.4.1211016Do not, in grant of all demands at large,

2.4.1221017Sweeten the bitter mock you sent his majesty,

2.4.1231018He'll call you to so hot an answer of it

2.4.1241019That caves and womby vaultages of France

2.4.1251020Shall chide your trespass and return your mock

2.4.1261021In second accent of his ordinance.

Say if my father render fair return

2.4.1281023It is against my will, for I desire

2.4.1291024Nothing but odds with England. 1025To that end,

2.4.130As matching to his youth and vanity,

2.4.1311026I did present him with the Paris balls.

He'll make your Paris Louvre shake for it,

2.4.1331028Were it the mistress court of mighty Europe.

2.4.1341029And be assured, you'll find a difference,

2.4.1351030As we his subjects have in wonder found,

2.4.1361031Between the promise of his greener days

2.4.1371032And these he masters now. Now he weighs time

2.4.1381033Even to the utmost grain. That you shall read

2.4.1391034In your own losses, if he stay in France.

Tomorrow shall you know our mind at full.

Dispatch us with all speed, lest that our king

2.4.1421038Come here himself to question our delay,

2.4.1431039For he is footed in this land already.

You shall be soon dispatched with fair conditions.

2.4.1451041A night is but small breath and little pause

2.4.1461042To answer matters of this consequence.

Thus with imagined wing our swift scene flies

3.0.21046In motion of no less celerity

3.0.3Than that of 1047thought. Suppose that you have seen

3.0.41048The well-appointed king at Dover pier

3.0.51049Embark his royalty, and his brave fleet

3.0.61050With silken streamers the young Phoebus feigning.

3.0.71051Play with your fancies, and in them behold

3.0.81052Upon the hempen tackle ship-boys climbing.

3.0.91053Hear the shrill whistle, which doth order give

3.0.101054To sounds confused. Behold the threaden sails,

3.0.111055Borne with th'invisible and creeping wind,

3.0.121056Draw the huge bottoms through the furrowed sea,

3.0.131057Breasting the lofty surge. Oh, do but think

3.0.141058You stand upon the rivage, and behold

3.0.151059A city on th'inconstant billows dancing,

3.0.161060For so appears this fleet majestical

3.0.171061Holding due course to Harfleur. Follow, follow!

3.0.181062Grapple your minds to sternage of this navy

3.0.191063And leave your England as dead midnight, still,

3.0.201064Guarded with grandsires, babies, and old women,

3.0.211065Either past or not arrived to pith and puissance.

3.0.221066For who is he whose chin is but enriched

3.0.231067With one appearing hair, that will not follow

3.0.241068These culled and choice-drawn cavaliers to France?

3.0.251069Work, work your thoughts, and therein see a siege.

3.0.261070Behold the ordnance on their carriages,

3.0.271071With fatal mouths gaping on girded Harfleur.

3.0.281072Suppose th'ambassador from the French comes back,

3.0.291073Tells Harry that the king doth offer him

3.0.301074Catherine his daughter, and with her to dowry

3.0.311075Some petty and unprofitable dukedoms.

3.0.321076The offer likes not, and the nimble gunner

3.0.331077With linstock now the devilish cannon touches,

3.0.341079And down goes all before them. Still be kind,

3.0.351080And eke out our performance with your mind.

Once more unto the breach, 1084dear friends, once more,

3.1.21085Or close the wall up with our English dead!

3.1.31086In peace, there's nothing so becomes a man

3.1.41087As modest stillness and humility,

3.1.51088But when the blast of war blows in our ears,

3.1.61089Then imitate the action of the tiger:

3.1.71090Stiffen the sinews, conjure up the blood,

3.1.81091Disguise fair nature with hard-favored rage.

3.1.91092Then lend the eye a terrible aspect;

3.1.101093Let it pry through the portage of the head

3.1.111094Like the brass cannon. Let the brow o'erwhelm it

3.1.121095As fearfully as doth a gallèd rock

3.1.131096O'erhang and jutty his confounded base,

3.1.141097Swilled with the wild and wasteful ocean.

3.1.151098Now set the teeth and stretch the nostril wide,

3.1.161099Hold hard the breath and bend up every spirit

3.1.171100To his full height. On! On, you noble English,

3.1.181101Whose blood is fet from fathers of war-proof,

3.1.191102Fathers that, like so many Alexanders,

3.1.201103Have in these parts from morn till even fought

3.1.211104And sheathed their swords for lack of argument.

3.1.221105Dishonor not your mothers; now attest

3.1.231106That those whom you called fathers did beget you.

3.1.241107Be copy now to men of grosser blood

3.1.251108And teach them how to war. And you good yeomen,

3.1.261109Whose limbs were made in England, show us here

3.1.271110The mettle of your pasture. Let us swear

3.1.281111That you are worth your breeding, which I doubt not,

3.1.291112For there is none of you so mean and base

3.1.301113That hath not noble luster in your eyes.

3.1.311114I see you stand like greyhounds in the slips,

3.1.321115Straining upon the start. The game's afoot:

3.1.331116Follow your spirit, and upon this charge

3.1.341117Cry "God for Harry, England, and Saint George!"

On, on, on, on, on, to the breach, to the breach!

Pray thee, corporal, stay. The knocks are too 1122hot, and for mine own part, I have not a case of lives. 1123The humor of it is too hot, that is the very plainsong 1124of it.

The plainsong is most just, for humors do 1126abound, knocks go and come, God's vassals drop and 1127die,

Would I were in an alehouse in London. I 1130would give all my fame for a pot of ale, and safety.

And I.

3.2.9[Singing] If wishes would prevail with me,

3.2.101132My purpose should not fail with me,

3.2.11But thither would I 1133hie.

[Singing] As duly --

3.2.13But not as truly --

3.2.14As bird doth sing on 1135bough.

[Beating them] Up to the breach, you dogs! Avaunt, you 1138cullions!

Be merciful, great duke, to men of mold! 1140Abate thy rage, abate thy manly rage! Abate thy rage, 1141great duke! Good bawcock, bate thy rage. Use lenity, 1142sweet chuck.

These be good humors! Your honor wins bad humors!1144

[To audience] As young as I am, I have observed these three 1146swashers. I am boy to them all three, but all they three, 1147though they would serve me, could not be man to me, 1148for indeed three such antics do not amount to a man. 1149For Bardolph, he is white-livered and red-faced, by the 1150means whereof a faces it out, but fights not. For Pistol, 1151he hath a killing tongue and a quiet sword, by the 1152means whereof a breaks words and keeps whole 1153weapons. For Nym, he hath heard that men of few 1154words are the best men, and therefore he scorns to say 1155his prayers, lest a should be thought a coward. But his 1156few bad words are matched with as few good deeds, for 1157a never broke any man's head but his own, and that was 1158against a post when he was drunk. They will steal 1159anything, and call it purchase. Bardolph stole a lute case, 1160bore it twelve leagues, and sold it for three halfpence. 1161Nym and Bardolph are sworn brothers in filching, and 1162in Calais they stole a fire-shovel. I knew by that 1163piece of service the men would carry coals. They would 1164have me as familiar with men's pockets as their gloves 1165or their handkerchers, which makes much against my 1166manhood, if I should take from another's pocket to put 1167into mine, for it is plain pocketing up of wrongs. 1168I must leave them and seek some better service. Their 1169villainy goes against my weak stomach, and therefore 1170I must cast it up.

Captain Fluellen, you must come presently to 1173the mines; the Duke of Gloucester would speak with 1174you.

To the mines? Tell you the duke it is not so 1176good to come to the mines, for look you, the mines 1177is not according to the disciplines of the war. The 1178concavities of it is not sufficient: for look you, 1179th'athversary, you may discuss unto the duke, look you, is digged 1180himself, four yard under, the countermines. By Cheshu, 1181I think a will plow up all if there is not better 1182directions.

The Duke of Gloucester, to whom the order 1184of the siege is given, is altogether directed by 1185an Irishman, a very valiant gentleman, i'faith.

It is Captain Macmorris, is it not?

I think it be.

By Cheshu, he is an ass, as in the world. I will 1189verify as much in his beard. He has no more directions in 1190the true disciplines of the wars, look you, of the 1191Roman disciplines, than is a puppydog.

Here a comes, and the Scots captain, Captain 1194Jamy, with him.

Captain Jamy is a marvelous falorous 1196gentleman, that is certain, and of great expedition and 1197knowledge in th'aunchient wars, upon my particular 1198knowledge of his directions. By Cheshu, he will maintain his 1199argument as well as any military man in the world, in 1200the disciplines of the pristine wars of the Romans.

I say guid day, Captain Fluellen.

Good e'en to your worship, good Captain 1203James.

How now, Captain Macmorris, have you 1205quit the mines? Have the pioneers given o'er?

By Chrish law, 'tish ill done. The work ish 1207give over, the trumpet sound the retreat. By my hand 1208I swear, and my father's soul, the work ish ill done; 1209it ish give over. I would have blowed up the town, 1210so Chrish save me law, in an hour. Oh, 'tish ill done, 'tish ill 1211done, by my hand 'tish ill done.

Captain Macmorris, I beseech you now, 1213will you vouchsafe me, look you, a few disputations with 1214you, as partly touching or concerning the disciplines of 1215the war, the Roman wars, in the way of argument, 1216look you, and friendly communication? Partly to satisfy 1217my opinion, and partly for the satisfaction, look you, of 1218my mind, as touching the direction of the military 1219discipline; that is the point.

It sall be verray guid, guid faith, guid captains baith, 1221and I sall quit you with guid leve, as I may pick occasion. 1222That sall I, marry.

It is no time to discourse, so Chrish save me. 1224The day is hot, and the weather, and the wars, and the 1225king, and the dukes. It is no time to discourse. The town 1226is besieched, and the trumpet call us to the breach, and 1227we talk, and be Chrish do nothing! 'Tis shame for us all; 1228so God sa' me, 'tis shame to stand still. It is shame, by my 1229hand; and there is throats to be cut, and works to be 1230done, and there ish nothing done, so Christ sa' me law.

By the mess, ere these eyes of mine take 1232themselves to slumber, I'll dae guid service, or I'll lig i'th' 1233grund for it; I owe God a death, and I'll pay't as 1234valorously as I may, that sall I surely do. That is the brefe and the long. 1235Marry, I wad full fain heard some question 1236'tween you twae.

Captain Macmorris, I think, look you, 1238under your correction, there is not many of your 1239nation --

Of my nation? What ish my nation? Ish a villain, 1241and a bastard, and a knave, and a rascal? What 1242ish my nation? Who talks of my nation?

Look you, if you take the matter otherwise 1244than is meant, Captain Macmorris, peradventure I 1245shall think you do not use me with that affability as in 1246discretion you ought to use me, look you, being as good 1247a man as yourself, both in the disciplines of war and 1248in the derivation of my birth, and in other 1249particularities.

I do not know you so good a man as myself. 1251So Chrish save me, I will cut off your head.

Gentlemen both, you will mistake each other.

Ah, that's a foul fault.

The town sounds a parley.

Captain Macmorris, when there is more 1256better opportunity to be required, look you, I will be 1257so bold as to tell you I know the disciplines of war, 1258and there is an end.

How yet resolves the governor of the town?

3.3.21261This is the latest parle we will admit,

3.3.31262Therefore to our best mercy give yourselves,

3.3.41263Or like to men proud of destruction

3.3.51264Defy us to our worst; for as I am a soldier,

3.3.61265A name that in my thoughts becomes me best,

3.3.71266If I begin the batt'ry once again,

3.3.81267I will not leave the half-achieved Harfleur

3.3.91268Till in her ashes she lie burièd.

3.3.101269The gates of mercy shall be all shut up,

3.3.111270And the fleshed soldier, rough and hard of heart,

3.3.121271In liberty of bloody hand shall range

3.3.131272With conscience wide as hell, mowing like grass

3.3.141273Your fresh fair virgins and your flow'ring infants.

3.3.151274What is it then to me if impious war,

3.3.161275Arrayed in flames like to the prince of fiends,

3.3.171276Do with his smirched complexion all fell feats

3.3.181277Enlinked to waste and desolation?

3.3.191278What is't to me, when you yourselves are cause,

3.3.201279If your pure maidens fall into the hand

3.3.211280Of hot and forcing violation?

3.3.221281What rein can hold licentious wickedness

3.3.231282When down the hill he holds his fierce career?

3.3.241283We may as bootless spend our vain command

3.3.251284Upon th'enragèd soldiers in their spoil

3.3.261285As send precepts to the leviathan

3.3.27To come ashore. 1286Therefore, you men of Harfleur,

3.3.281287Take pity of your town and of your people

3.3.291288Whiles yet my soldiers are in my command,

3.3.301289Whiles yet the cool and temperate wind of grace

3.3.311290O'er-blows the filthy and contagious clouds

3.3.321291Of headly murder, spoil, and villainy.

3.3.331292If not, why in a moment look to see

3.3.341293The blind and bloody soldier with foul hand

3.3.351294Defile the locks of your shrill-shrieking daughters,

3.3.361295Your fathers taken by the silver beards

3.3.371296And their most reverend heads dashed to the walls,

3.3.381297Your naked infants spitted upon pikes

3.3.391298Whiles the mad mothers with their howls confused

3.3.401299Do break the clouds, as did the wives of Jewry

3.3.411300At Herod's bloody-hunting slaughtermen.

3.3.421301What say you? Will you yield and this avoid,

3.3.431302Or, guilty in defense, be thus destroyed?

Our expectation hath this day an end:

3.3.451305The dauphin, whom of succors we entreated,

3.3.461306Returns us that his powers are yet not ready

3.3.471307To raise so great a siege. Therefore, great king,

3.3.481308We yield our town and lives to thy soft mercy.

3.3.491309Enter our gates; dispose of us and ours,

3.3.501310For we no longer are defensible.

Open your gates. --

Open your gates. -- Come, uncle Exeter,

3.3.521312Go you and enter Harfleur; there remain

3.3.531313And fortify it strongly 'gainst the French.

3.3.541314Use mercy to them all for us, dear uncle.

3.3.551315The winter coming on and sickness growing

3.3.561316Upon our soldiers, we will retire to Calais.

3.3.571317Tonight in Harfleur will we be your guest;

3.3.581318Tomorrow for the march are we addressed.

Alice, tu as été en Angleterre, et tu bien parles 1322le langage.

Un peu, madame.

Je te prie, m'enseignez; il faut que j'apprenne à 1325parler. Comment appelez-vous la main en anglais?

La main? Elle est appellée de hand.

De 1328hand. Et les doigts?

Les doigts -- ma foi, j'oublie les doigts! Mais je me souviendrai: 1330les doigts, je pense qu'ils sont appellés de fingres. Oui, de fingres.

Le main, de hand, les doigts, les fingres. Je pense que je 1332suis la bonne écolière. J'ai 1333gagné deux mots d'anglais vistement. Comment 1334appelez vous les ongles?

Les ongles, nous les appelons de nails.

De nails. écoutez; dites-moi si je parle bien: de 1337hand, de fingres, et de nails.

C'est bien dit, madame. Il est fort bon anglais.

Dites-moi l'anglais pour le bras.

De arm, madame.

Et le coude?

D'elbow.

D'elbow. Je m'en fais la répétition de tous les mots 1344que vous m'avez appris dès à présent.

Il est trop difficile, madame, comme je pense.

Excusez-moi, Alice. éscoutez: d'hand, de fingre, de 1347nails, d'arma, de bilbow.

D'elbow, madame.

O Seigneur Dieu, je m'en oublie! D'elbow. Comment 1350appellez-vous le col?

De nick, madame.

De nick. Et le menton?

De chin.

De sin. Le col, de nick, le menton, de sin.

Oui. Sauf votre honneur, en vérité vous 1356prononcez les mots aussi droit que les natifs d'Angleterre.

Je ne doute point d'apprendre, par la grâce de Dieu, 1358et en peu de temps.

N'avez-vous déjà oublié ce que je vous ai enseigné?

Non, et je réciterai à vous promptement: d'hand, de 1361fingre, de mailés --

De nails, madame.

De nails, de arm, de ilbow --

Sauf votre honneur, d'elbow.

Ainsi dis-je, d'elbow. De nick, et de sin. Comment 1366appellez-vous le pied et la robe?

Le foot, madame, et le count.

Le foot et le count? O Seigneur Dieu, ils sont 1369les mots de son mauvais, corruptible, gros, et impudique, et non 1370pour les dames d'honneur d'user! Je ne voudrais prononcer ces 1371mots devant les seigneurs de France pour tout le monde. Foh! Le 1372foot et le count! Néanmoins, je réciterai une autre fois ma leçon 1373ensemble: d'hand, de fingre, de nails, d'arm, d'elbow, de 1374nick, de sin, de foot, le count.

Excellent, madame!

C'est assez pour une fois. Allons-nous à dîner.

'Tis certain he hath passed the river Somme.

And if he be not fought withal, my lord,

3.5.31382Let us not live in France. Let us quit all

3.5.41383And give our vineyards to a barbarous people.

O Dieu vivant! Shall a few sprays of us,

3.5.61385The emptying of our fathers' luxury,

3.5.71386Our scions, put in wild and savage stock,

3.5.81387Spurt up so suddenly into the clouds

3.5.91388And overlook their grafters?

Normans, but bastard Normans! Norman bastards!

3.5.111390Mort de ma vie, if they march along

3.5.121391Unfought withal, but I will sell my dukedom

3.5.131392To buy a slobb'ry and a dirty farm

3.5.141393In that nook-shotten isle of Albion.

Dieu des batailles, where have they this mettle?

3.5.161395Is not their climate foggy, raw, and dull,

3.5.171396On whom, as in despite, the sun looks pale,

3.5.181397Killing their fruit with frowns? Can sodden water,

3.5.191398A drench for sur-reined jades, their barley broth,

3.5.201399Decoct their cold blood to such valiant heat?

3.5.211400And shall our quick blood, spirited with wine,

3.5.221401Seem frosty? Oh, for honor of our land,

3.5.231402Let us not hang like roping icicles

3.5.241403Upon our houses' thatch whiles a more frosty people

3.5.251404Sweat drops of gallant youth in our rich fields!

3.5.261405Poor we may call them in their native lords.

By faith and honor,

3.5.281407Our madams mock at us, and plainly say

3.5.291408Our mettle is bred out, and they will give

3.5.301409Their bodies to the lust of English youth

3.5.311410To new-store France with bastard warriors.

They bid us to the English dancing schools

3.5.331412And teach lavoltas high and swift corantos,

3.5.341413Saying our grace is only in our heels

3.5.351414And that we are most lofty runaways.

Where is Montjoy the herald? Speed him hence.

3.5.371416Let him greet England with our sharp defiance.

3.5.381417Up, princes, and with spirit of honor edged

3.5.391418More sharper than your swords, hie to the field.

3.5.401419Charles d'Alberet, High Constable of France,

3.5.411420You Dukes of Orléans, Bourbon, and of Berry,

3.5.421421Alençon, Brabant, Bar, and Burgundy,

3.5.431422Jaques Châtillon, Rambures, Vaudémont,

3.5.441423Beaumont, Grandpré, Roucy, and Fauquembergues,

3.5.451424Foix, Lestrelles, Boucicaut, and Charolais,

3.5.461425High dukes, great princes, barons, lords, and kings,

3.5.471426For your great seats, now quit you of great shames.

3.5.481427Bar Harry England, that sweeps through our land

3.5.491428With pennons painted in the blood of Harfleur.

3.5.501429Rush on his host as doth the melted snow

3.5.511430Upon the valleys, whose low vassal seat

3.5.521431The Alps doth spit and void his rheum upon.

3.5.531432Go down upon him -- you have power enough --

3.5.541433And in a captive chariot into Rouen

3.5.551434Bring him our prisoner.

Bring him our prisoner. This becomes the great.

3.5.561436Sorry am I his numbers are so few,

3.5.571437His soldiers sick and famished in their march;

3.5.581438For I am sure when he shall see our army

3.5.591439He'll drop his heart into the sink of fear

3.5.601440And, 'fore achievement, offer us his ransom.

Therefore, lord constable, haste on Montjoy

3.5.621442And let him say to England that we send

3.5.631443To know what willing ransom he will give.

3.5.641444Prince Dauphin, you shall stay with us in Rouen.

Not so, I do beseech your majesty.

Be patient, for you shall remain with us.

3.5.671447Now forth, lord constable, and princes all,

3.5.681448And quickly bring us word of England's fall.

How now, Captain Fluellen, come you from 1452the bridge?

I assure you, there is very excellent services 1454committed at the bridge.

Is the Duke of Exeter safe?

The Duke of Exeter is as magnanimous as 1457Agamemnon, and a man that I love and honor with my soul, 1458and my heart, and my duty, and my live, and my living, 1459and my uttermost power. He is not, God be praised and 1460blessed, any hurt in the world, but keeps the bridge 1461most valiantly, with excellent discipline. There is an 1462aunchient lieutenant there at the pridge. I think in my very 1463conscience he is as valiant a man as Mark Antony, and 1464he is a man of no estimation in the world, but I did see 1465him do as gallant service.

What do you call him?

He is called Aunchient Pistol.

I know him not.

Here is the man.

Captain, I thee beseech to do me favors; the 1472Duke of Exeter doth love thee well.

Ay, I praise God, and I have merited some love at 1474his hands.

Bardolph, a soldier firm and sound of heart, 1476and of buxom valor, hath, by cruel fate and giddy 1477Fortune's furious fickle wheel, that goddess blind that 1478stands upon the rolling restless stone --

By your patience, Aunchient Pistol, Fortune is 1480painted blind, with a muffler afore his eyes, to signify 1481to you that fortune is blind; and she is painted also 1482with a wheel, to signify to you, which is the moral of 1483it, that she is turning and inconstant, and mutability, 1484and variation; and her foot, look you, is fixed upon a 1485spherical stone, which rowls and rowls and rowls. 1486In good truth, the poet makes a most excellent 1487description of it. Fortune is an excellent moral.

Fortune is Bardolph's foe and frowns on him, 1489for he hath stolen a pax, and hanged must a be, a damned 1490death. Let gallows gape for dog; let man go free, 1491and let not hemp his windpipe suffocate. But Exeter 1492hath given the doom of death for pax of little price. 1493Therefore go speak -- the duke will hear thy voice 1494-- and let not Bardolph's vital thread be cut with edge of 1495penny-cord and vile reproach. Speak, captain, for 1496his life, and I will thee requite.

Aunchient Pistol, I do partly understand your 1498meaning.

Why then, rejoice therefore!

Certainly, aunchient, it is not a thing to rejoice 1501at. For if, look you, he were my brother, I would desire 1502the duke to use his good pleasure and put him to 1503execution; for discipline ought to be used.

Die and be damned, and fico for thy friendship!

It is well.

The fig of Spain!

Very good.

Why, this is an arrant counterfeit rascal. I 1509remember him now: a bawd, a cutpurse.

I'll assure you, a uttered as prave words at the 1511pridge as you shall see in a summer's day. But it is very 1512well; what he has spoke to me, that is well, I warrant you, 1513when time is serve.

Why 'tis a gull, a fool, a rogue that now and 1515then goes to the wars to grace himself at his return 1516into London under the form of a soldier. And such 1517fellows are perfect in the great commanders' names, and 1518they will learn you by rote where services were done: 1519at such and such a sconce, at such a breach, at such a 1520convoy; who came off bravely, who was shot, who 1521disgraced; what terms the enemy stood on. And this they 1522con perfectly in the phrase of war, which they 1523trick up with new-tuned oaths. And what a beard of the 1524general's cut and a horrid suit of the camp will do 1525among foaming bottles and ale-washed wits is 1526wonderful to be thought on. But you must learn to know such 1527slanders of the age, or else you may be marvelously 1528mistook.

I tell you what, Captain Gower: I do perceive 1530he is not the man that he would gladly make show to 1531the world he is. If I find a hole in his coat, I will tell 1532him my mind. [Drum within] Hark you, the king is coming, and I 1533must speak with him from the pridge.

God pless your majesty.

How now, Fluellen, cam'st thou from the bridge?

Ay, so please your majesty. The Duke of Exeter 1539has very gallantly maintained the pridge. The French is 1540gone off, look you, and there is gallant and most 1541prave passages. Marry, th'athversary was have possession of 1542the pridge, but he is enforced to retire, and the Duke of 1543Exeter is master of the pridge. I can tell your majesty, 1544the duke is a prave man.

What men have you lost, Fluellen?

The perdition of th'athversary hath been very 1547great, reasonable great. Marry, for my part I think the 1548duke hath lost never a man, but one that is like to be executed 1549for robbing a church: one Bardolph, 1550if your majesty know the man. His face is all bubuckles, and whelks, 1551and knobs, and flames afire, and his lips blows at his 1552nose, and it is like a coal of fire, sometimes plue and 1553sometimes red. But his nose is executed, and his fire's 1554out.

We would have all such offenders so cut off, 1556and we give express charge that in our marches through 1557the country there be nothing compelled from the 1558villages, nothing taken but paid for, none of the French 1559upbraided or abused in disdainful language. For when 1560levity and cruelty play for a kingdom, the gentler 1561gamester is the soonest winner.

You know me by my habit.

Well then, I know thee. What shall I know 1565of thee?

My master's mind.

Unfold it.

Thus says my king: "Say thou to Harry 1569of England, though we seemed dead, we did but sleep. 1570Advantage is a better soldier than rashness. Tell him 1571we could have rebuked him at Harfleur, but that we 1572thought not good to bruise an injury till it were full 1573ripe. Now we speak upon our cue, and our voice is 1574imperial: England shall repent his folly, see his 1575weakness, and admire our sufferance. Bid him therefore 1576consider of his ransom, which must proportion the losses we 1577have borne, the subjects we have lost, the disgrace we 1578have digested, which in weight to re-answer his 1579pettiness would bow under. For our losses, his exchequer is 1580too poor; for th'effusion of our blood, the muster of his kingdom 1581too faint a number; and for our disgrace, his 1582own person kneeling at our feet but a weak and 1583worthless satisfaction. To this add defiance, and tell him for 1584conclusion he hath betrayed his followers, whose 1585condemnation is pronounced." So far my king and master; 1586so much my office.

What is thy name? I know thy quality.

Montjoy.

Thou dost thy office fairly. Turn thee back

3.6.391590And tell thy king I do not seek him now,

3.6.401591But could be willing to march on to Calais

3.6.411592Without impeachment; for to say the sooth,

3.6.421593Though 'tis no wisdom to confess so much

3.6.431594Unto an enemy of craft and vantage,

3.6.441595My people are with sickness much enfeebled,

3.6.451596My numbers lessened, and those few I have

3.6.461597Almost no better than so many French,

3.6.471598Who when they were in health, I tell thee, herald,

3.6.481599I thought upon one pair of English legs

3.6.491600Did march three Frenchmen. Yet forgive me, God,

3.6.501601That I do brag thus; this your air of France

3.6.511602Hath blown that vice in me. I must repent.

3.6.521603Go therefore, tell thy master here I am.

3.6.531604My ransom is this frail and worthless trunk,

3.6.541605My army but a weak and sickly guard.

3.6.551606Yet, God before, tell him we will come on,

3.6.561607Though France himself and such another neighbor

3.6.571608Stand in our way.

Stand in our way. There's for thy labor, Montjoy.

3.6.581609Go bid thy master well advise himself.

3.6.591610If we may pass, we will. If we be hindered,

3.6.601611We shall your tawny ground with your red blood

3.6.611612Discolor. And so, Montjoy, fare you well.

3.6.621613The sum of all our answer is but this:

3.6.631614We would not seek a battle as we are,

3.6.641615Nor as we are, we say, we will not shun it.

3.6.651616So tell your master.

I shall deliver so. Thanks to your 1618highness.

I hope they will not come upon us now.

We are in God's hand, brother, not in theirs. --

3.6.691621March to the bridge. -- It now draws toward night.

3.6.701622Beyond the river we'll encamp ourselves,

3.6.711623And on tomorrow bid them march away.

Tut, I have the best armor of the world. 1627Would it were day.

You have an excellent armor, but let my 1629horse have his due.

It is the best horse of Europe.

Will it never be morning?

My lord of Orléans, and my lord high 1633constable, you talk of horse and armor?

You are as well provided of both as any 1635prince in the world.

What a long night is this! I will not change 1637my horse with any that treads but on four pasterns. 1638Ch'ha! He bounds from the earth as if his entrails were 1639hairs: le cheval volant, the Pegasus, qui a les narines de 1640feu! When I bestride him, I soar; I am a hawk. He trots 1641the air. The earth sings when he touches it. The basest horn 1642of his hoof is more musical than the pipe of 1643Hermes.

He's of the color of the nutmeg.

And of the heat of the ginger. It is a beast 1646for Perseus. He is pure air and fire, and the dull 1647elements of earth and water never appear in him but 1648only in patient stillness while his rider mounts him. He 1649is indeed a horse, and all other jades you may call 1650beasts.

Indeed, my lord, it is a most absolute and 1652excellent horse.

It is the prince of palfreys. His neigh is like 1654the bidding of a monarch, and his countenance enforces 1655homage.

No more, cousin.

Nay, the man hath no wit that cannot from 1658the rising of the lark to the lodging of the lamb 1659vary deserved praise on my palfrey; it is a theme as 1660fluent as the sea. Turn the sands into eloquent tongues 1661and my horse is argument for them all. 'Tis a subject 1662for a sovereign to reason on, and for a sovereign's 1663sovereign to ride on, and for the world, familiar to us 1664and unknown, to lay apart their particular functions 1665and wonder at him. I once writ a sonnet in his praise, 1666and began thus: "Wonder of nature --"

I have heard a sonnet begin so to one's 1668mistress.

Then did they imitate that which I composed 1670to my courser, for my horse is my mistress.

Your mistress bears well.

Me well, which is the prescript praise and 1673perfection of a good and particular mistress.

Nay, for methought yesterday your mistress 1675shrewdly shook your back.

So perhaps did yours.

Mine was not bridled.

Oh, then belike she was old and gentle, and you 1679rode like a kern of Ireland, your French hose off, and in 1680your strait strossers.

You have good judgment in 1682horsemanship.

Be warned by me then: they that ride so and 1684ride not warily fall into foul bogs. I had rather have 1685my horse to my mistress.

I had as lief have my mistress a jade.

I tell thee, constable, my mistress wears his 1688own hair.

I could make as true a boast as that if I had a 1690sow to my mistress.

"Le chien est retourné à son propre vomissement, et 1692la truie lavée au bourbier." Thou makest use of anything.

Yet do I not use my horse for my mistress, 1694or any such proverb so little kin to the purpose.

My lord constable, the armor that I saw in 1696your tent tonight: are those stars or suns upon it?

Stars, my lord.

Some of them will fall tomorrow, I hope.

And yet my sky shall not want.

That may be, for you bear a many 1701superfluously, and 'twere more honor some were away.

Ev'n as your horse bears your praises, who 1703would trot as well were some of your brags 1704dismounted.

Would I were able to load him with his 1706desert. Will it never be day? I will trot tomorrow a mile, 1707and my way shall be paved with English faces.

I will not say so for fear I should be faced out 1709of my way, but I would it were morning, for I would 1710fain be about the ears of the English.

Who will go to hazard with me for twenty 1712prisoners?

You must first go yourself to hazard ere you 1714have them.

'Tis midnight; I'll go arm myself.

The dauphin longs for morning.

He longs to eat the English.

I think he will eat all he kills.

By the white hand of my lady, he's a 1720gallant prince.

Swear by her foot, that she may tread out the 1722oath.

He is simply the most active gentleman of 1724France.

Doing is activity, and he will still be doing.

He never did harm that I heard of.

Nor will do none tomorrow; he will keep 1728that good name still.

I know him to be valiant.

I was told that by one that knows him better 1731than you.

What's he?

Marry, he told me so himself, and he said he 1734cared not who knew it.

He needs not; it is no hidden virtue in 1736him.

By my faith, sir, but it is. Never anybody saw 1738it but his lackey. 'Tis a hooded valor, and when it 1739appears, it will bate.

Ill will never said well.

I will cap that proverb with "There is flattery 1742in friendship."

And I will take up that with "Give the devil 1744his due."

Well placed. There stands your friend for the 1746devil. Have at the very eye of that proverb with "A 1747pox of the devil."

You are the better at proverbs by how much 1749"a fool's bolt is soon shot."

You have shot over.

'Tis not the first time you were overshot.

My lord high constable, the English lie within 1754fifteen hundred paces of your tents.

Who hath measured the ground?

The lord Grandpré.

A valiant and most expert gentleman. Would 1758it were day! Alas, poor Harry of England. He longs 1759not for the dawning as we do.

What a wretched and peevish fellow is this 1761king of England, to mope with his fat-brained followers 1762so far out of his knowledge!

If the English had any apprehension, they 1764would run away.

That they lack, for if their heads had any 1766intellectual armor, they could never wear such heavy 1767headpieces.

That island of England breeds very valiant 1769creatures. Their mastiffs are of unmatchable 1770courage.

Foolish curs, that run winking into 1772the mouth of a Russian bear and have their heads crushed 1773like rotten apples. You may as well say that's a valiant 1774flea that dare eat his breakfast on the lip of a 1775lion.

Just, just. And the men do sympathize with 1777the mastiffs in robustious and rough coming on, 1778leaving their wits with their wives. And then give 1779them great meals of beef, and iron and steel; they 1780will eat like wolves and fight like devils.

Ay, but these English are shrewdly out of 1782beef.

Then shall we find tomorrow they have only 1784stomachs to eat, and none to fight. Now is it time to 1785arm. Come, shall we about it?

It is now two o'clock, but let me see: by ten

3.7.751787We shall have each a hundred Englishmen.

Now entertain conjecture of a time

4.0.21791When creeping murmur and the poring dark

4.0.31792Fills the wide vessel of the universe.

4.0.41793From camp to camp, through the foul womb of night,

4.0.51794The hum of either army stilly sounds,

4.0.61795That the fixed sentinels almost receive

4.0.71796The secret whispers of each other's watch.

4.0.81797Fire answers fire, and through their paly flames

4.0.91798Each battle sees the other's umbered face.

4.0.101799Steed threatens steed, in high and boastful neighs

4.0.111800Piercing the night's dull ear, and from the tents,

4.0.121801The armorers accomplishing the knights,

4.0.131802With busy hammers closing rivets up,

4.0.141803Give dreadful note of preparation.

4.0.151804The country cocks do crow, the clocks do toll,

4.0.161805And the third hour of drowsy morning named.

4.0.171806Proud of their numbers and secure in soul,

4.0.181807The confident and over-lusty French

4.0.191808Do the low-rated English play at dice,

4.0.201809And chide the cripple tardy-gaited night,

4.0.211810Who like a foul and ugly witch doth limp

4.0.221811So tediously away. The poor condemnèd English,

4.0.231812Like sacrifices, by their watchful fires

4.0.241813Sit patiently and inly ruminate

4.0.251814The morning's danger; and their gesture sad,

4.0.261815Investing lank-lean cheeks and war-worn coats,

4.0.271816Presented them unto the gazing moon

4.0.281817So many horrid ghosts. Oh, now, who will behold

4.0.291818The royal captain of this ruined band

4.0.301819Walking from watch to watch, from tent to tent,

4.0.311820Let him cry "Praise and glory on his head!"

4.0.321821For forth he goes and visits all his host,

4.0.331822Bids them good morrow with a modest smile,

4.0.341823And calls them brothers, friends, and countrymen.

4.0.351824Upon his royal face there is no note

4.0.361825How dread an army hath enrounded him;

4.0.371826Nor doth he dedicate one jot of color

4.0.381827Unto the weary and all-watchèd night,

4.0.391828But freshly looks and overbears attaint

4.0.401829With cheerful semblance and sweet majesty,

4.0.411830That every wretch, pining and pale before,

4.0.421831Beholding him, plucks comfort from his looks.

4.0.431832A largess universal like the sun

4.0.441833His liberal eye doth give to everyone,

4.0.451834Thawing cold fear, that mean and gentle all

4.0.461835Behold, as may unworthiness define,

4.0.471836A little touch of Harry in the night.

4.0.481837And so our scene must to the battle fly,

4.0.491838Where -- oh, for pity! -- we shall much disgrace

4.0.501839With four or five most vile and ragged foils

4.0.511840Right ill-disposed in brawl ridiculous,

4.0.521841The name of Agincourt. Yet sit and see,

4.0.531842Minding true things by what their mock'ries be.

Gloucester, 'tis true that we are in great danger;

4.1.21846The greater therefore should our courage be.--

4.1.31847Good morrow, brother Bedford. God almighty,

4.1.41848There is some soul of goodness in things evil,

4.1.51849Would men observingly distill it out.

4.1.61850For our bad neighbor makes us early stirrers,

4.1.71851Which is both healthful and good husbandry.

4.1.81852Besides, they are our outward consciences

4.1.91853And preachers to us all, admonishing

4.1.101854That we should dress us fairly for our end.

4.1.111855Thus may we gather honey from the weed,

4.1.121856And make a moral of the devil himself.

4.1.131858Good morrow, old Sir Thomas Erpingham.

4.1.141859A good soft pillow for that good white head

4.1.151860Were better than a churlish turf of France.

Not so, my liege. This lodging likes me better,

4.1.171862Since I may say "Now lie I like a king."

'Tis good for men to love their present pains.

4.1.191864Upon example so, the spirit is eased,

4.1.201865And when the mind is quickened, out of doubt

4.1.211866The organs, though defunct and dead before,

4.1.221867Break up their drowsy grave and newly move

4.1.231868With casted slough, and fresh legerity.

4.1.241869Lend me thy cloak, Sir Thomas. -- Brothers both,

4.1.251870Commend me to the princes in our camp.

4.1.261871Do my good morrow to them, and anon

4.1.271872Desire them all to my pavilion.

We shall, my liege.

Shall I attend your grace?

Shall I attend your grace? No, my good knight,

4.1.301876Go with my brothers to my lords of England.

4.1.311877I and my bosom must debate awhile,

4.1.321878And then I would no other company.

The lord in heaven bless thee, noble 1880Harry.

God-a-mercy, old heart; thou speak'st 1882cheerfully.

Che vous la?

A friend.

Discuss unto me: art thou officer, or art thou 1886base, common, and popular?

I am a gentleman of a company.

Trail'st thou the puissant pike?

Even so. What are you?

As good a gentleman as the emperor.

Then you are a better than the king.

The king's a bawcock and a heart of gold, a 1893lad of life, an imp of fame, of parents good, of fist 1894most valiant. I kiss his dirty shoe, and from 1895heartstring I love the lovely bully. What is thy name?

Harry le Roy.

Leroy? A Cornish name; art thou of Cornish crew?

No, I am a Welshman.

Know'st thou Fluellen?

Yes.

Tell him I'll knock his leek about his pate upon 1902Saint Davy's day.

Do not you wear your dagger in your cap 1904that day, lest he knock that about yours.

Art thou his friend?

And his kinsman too.

The fico for thee then.

I thank you. God be with you.

My name is Pistol called.

It sorts well with your fierceness.

Captain Fluellen.

'So! In the name of Jesu Christ speak fewer! It 1915is the greatest admiration in the universal world when 1916the true and aunchient prerogatiffs and laws of the 1917wars is not kept. If you would take the pains but to 1918examine the wars of Pompey the Great, you shall find, 1919I warrant you, that there is no tiddle-taddle nor pibble-babble 1920in Pompey's camp. I warrant you, you shall find 1921the ceremonies of the wars, and the cares of it, and 1922the forms of it, and the sobriety of it, and the modesty 1923of it, to be otherwise.

Why, the enemy is loud; you hear him all 1925night.

If the enemy is an ass and a fool and a 1927prating coxcomb, is it meet, think you, that we should 1928also, look you, be an ass and a fool and a prating 1929coxcomb, in your own conscience now?

I will speak lower.

I pray you and beseech you that you will.

Though it appear a little out of fashion,

4.1.641933There is much care and valor in this Welshman.

Brother John Bates, is not that the morning 1937which breaks yonder?

I think it be, but we have no great cause to 1939desire the approach of day.

We see yonder the beginning of the day, 1941but I think we shall never see the end of it. -- Who goes 1942there?

A friend.

Under what captain serve you?

Under Sir Thomas Erpingham.

A good old commander and a most kind 1947gentleman. I pray you, what thinks he of our estate?

Even as men wrecked upon a sand, that look to 1949be washed off the next tide.

He hath not told his thought to the king?

No, nor it is not meet he should. For though I 1952speak it to you, I think the king is but a man, as I am. 1953The violet smells to him as it doth to me; the element 1954shows to him as it doth to me; all his senses have but 1955human conditions. His ceremonies laid by, in his 1956nakedness he appears but a man, and though his 1957affections are higher mounted than ours, yet when they stoop, 1958they stoop with the like wing. Therefore when he sees 1959reason of fears, as we do, his fears out of doubt be of 1960the same relish as ours are. Yet in reason, no man should 1961possess him with any appearance of fear, lest he by 1962showing it should dishearten his army.

He may show what outward courage he will, 1964but I believe, as cold a night as 'tis, he could wish 1965himself in Thames up to the neck. And so I would he were, 1966and I by him, at all adventures, so we were quit here.

By my troth, I will speak my conscience of the 1968king: I think he would not wish himself anywhere 1969but where he is.

Then I would he were here alone. So should he be 1971sure to be ransomed, and a many poor men's lives saved.

I dare say you love him not so ill to wish him 1973here alone, howsoever you speak this to feel other 1974men's minds. Methinks I could not die anywhere so 1975contented as in the king's company, his cause being just and 1976his quarrel honorable.

That's more than we know.

Ay, or more than we should seek after. For we 1979know enough if we know we are the king's subjects. 1980If his cause be wrong, our obedience to the king wipes 1981the crime of it out of us.

But if the cause be not good, the king 1983himself hath a heavy reckoning to make, when all those 1984legs and arms and heads chopped off in a battle 1985shall join together at the latter day, and cry all, "We 1986died at such a place," some swearing, some crying for a 1987surgeon, some upon their wives left poor behind them, 1988some upon the debts they owe, some upon their children 1989rawly left. I am afeared there are few die well that die 1990in a battle, for how can they charitably dispose of any1991thing when blood is their argument? Now if these men 1992do not die well, it will be a black matter for the king 1993that led them to it, who to disobey were against all 1994proportion of subjection.

So if a son that is by his father sent about 1996merchandise do sinfully miscarry upon the sea, the 1997imputation of his wickedness, by your rule, should be 1998imposed upon his father that sent him. Or if a servant, 1999under his master's command transporting a sum of 2000money, be assailed by robbers and die in many irreconciled 2001iniquities, you may call the business of the master the 2002author of the servant's damnation. But this is not so. 2003The king is not bound to answer the particular endings 2004of his soldiers, the father of his son, nor the master 2005of his servant, for they purpose not their death when 2006they purpose their services. Besides, there is no king, be 2007his cause never so spotless, if it come to the 2008arbitrament of swords, can try it out with all unspotted 2009soldiers. Some, peradventure, have on them the guilt of 2010premeditated and contrived murder; some of 2011beguiling virgins with the broken seals of perjury; some, 2012making the wars their bulwark, that have before 2013gored the gentle bosom of peace with pillage and 2014robbery. Now if these men have defeated the law and 2015outrun native punishment, though they can outstrip 2016men, they have no wings to fly from God. War is 2017his beadle; war is his vengeance. So that here men 2018are punished for before-breach of the king's laws in 2019now the king's quarrel. Where they feared the death, 2020they have borne life away; and where they would be 2021safe, they perish. Then if they die unprovided, no more 2022is the king guilty of their damnation than he was 2023before guilty of those impieties for the which they are 2024now visited. Every subject's duty is the king's, but 2025every subject's soul is his own. Therefore should 2026every soldier in the wars do as every sick man in 2027his bed, wash every mote out of his conscience. And 2028dying so, death is to him advantage, or not dying, 2029the time was blessedly lost wherein such preparation was 2030gained. And in him that escapes, it were not sin to 2031think that, making God so free an offer, he let him 2032outlive that day to see his greatness and to teach others 2033how they should prepare.

'Tis certain, every man that dies ill, the ill upon 2035his own head; the king is not to answer it.

I do not desire he should answer for me, and 2037yet I determine to fight lustily for him.

I myself heard the king say he would not be 2039ransomed.

Ay, he said so to make us fight cheerfully, but 2041when our throats are cut he may be ransomed and we 2042ne'er the wiser.

If I live to see it, I will never trust his word 2044after.

You pay him, then! That's a perilous shot out 2046of an elder-gun that a poor and a private displeasure 2047can do against a monarch. You may as well go about 2048to turn the sun to ice with fanning in his face with a 2049peacock's feather. You'll never trust his word after! 2050Come, 'tis a foolish saying.

Your reproof is something too round. I should 2052be angry with you if the time were convenient.

Let it be a quarrel between us if you 2054live.

I embrace it.

How shall I know thee again?

Give me any gage of thine and I will wear it 2058in my bonnet. Then if ever thou darest acknowledge it, 2059I will make it my quarrel.

Here's my glove. Give me another of 2061thine.

There.

This will I also wear in my cap. If ever thou 2064come to me and say, after tomorrow, "This is my glove," 2065by this hand I will take thee a box on the ear.

If ever I live to see it, I will challenge it.

Thou darest as well be hanged.

Well, I will do it, though I take thee in the 2069king's company.

Keep thy word. Fare thee well.

Be friends, you English fools, be friends! We 2072have French quarrels enough, if you could tell how to 2073reckon.

Indeed, the French may lay twenty French 2075crowns to one they will beat us, for they bear them 2076on their shoulders. But it is no English treason to cut 2077French crowns, and tomorrow the king himself will 2078be a clipper. --

4.1.1032079Upon the king! "Let us our lives, our souls,

4.1.1042080Our debts, our careful wives, 2081our children, and

4.1.105Our sins lay on the king." 2082We must bear all.

4.1.1062083O hard condition, twin-born with greatness,

4.1.1072084Subject to the breath of every fool whose sense

4.1.1082085No more can feel but his own wringing.

4.1.1092086What infinite heart's-ease must kings neglect,

4.1.1102087That private men enjoy?

4.1.1112088And what have kings that privates have not too,

4.1.1122089Save ceremony, save general ceremony?

4.1.1132090And what art thou, thou idol ceremony?

4.1.1142091What kind of god art thou, that suffer'st more

4.1.1152092Of mortal griefs than do thy worshippers?

4.1.1162093What are thy rents? What are thy comings in?

4.1.1172094O ceremony, show me but thy worth.

4.1.1182095What? Is thy soul of adoration?

4.1.1192096Art thou aught else but place, degree, and form,

4.1.1202097Creating awe and fear in other men,

4.1.1212098Wherein thou art less happy being feared

4.1.1222099Than they in fearing?

4.1.1232100What drink'st thou oft, instead of homage sweet,

4.1.1242101But poisoned flattery? O, be sick, great greatness,

4.1.1252102And bid thy ceremony give thee cure.

4.1.1262103Think'st thou the fiery fever will go out

4.1.1272104With titles blown from adulation?

4.1.1282105Will it give place to flexure and low bending?

4.1.1292106Canst thou, when thou command'st the beggar's knee,

4.1.1302107Command the health of it? No, thou proud dream

4.1.1312108That play'st so subtly with a king's repose.

4.1.1322109I am a king that find thee, and I know

4.1.1332110'Tis not the balm, the scepter, and the ball,

4.1.1342111The sword, the mace, the crown imperial,

4.1.1352112The intertissued robe of gold and pearl,

4.1.1362113The farcèd title running 'fore the king,

4.1.1372114The throne he sits on, nor the tide of pomp

4.1.1382115That beats upon the high shore of this world --

4.1.1392116No, not all these, thrice-gorgeous ceremony,

4.1.1402117Not all these, laid in bed majestical,

4.1.1412118Can sleep so soundly as the wretched slave

4.1.1422119Who, with a body filled and vacant mind,

4.1.1432120Gets him to rest, crammed with distressful bread;

4.1.1442121Never sees horrid night, the child of hell,

4.1.1452122But like a lackey, from the rise to set,

4.1.1462123Sweats in the eye of Phoebus, and all night

4.1.1472124Sleeps in Elysium; next day after dawn

4.1.1482125Doth rise and help Hyperion to his horse,

4.1.1492126And follows so the ever-running year

4.1.1502127With profitable labor to his grave.

4.1.1512128And but for ceremony, such a wretch,

4.1.1522129Winding up days with toil and nights with sleep,

4.1.1532130Had the forehand and vantage of a king.

4.1.1542131The slave, a member of the country's peace,

4.1.1552132Enjoys it, but in gross brain little wots

4.1.1562133What watch the king keeps to maintain the peace,

4.1.1572134Whose hours the peasant best advantages.

My lord, your nobles, jealous of your absence,

4.1.1592137Seek through your camp to find you.

Seek through your camp to find you. Good old knight,

4.1.160Collect them all together 2139at my tent:

4.1.161I'll be before thee.

I'll be before thee. I shall do't, my lord.

[Kneeling] O God of battles, steel my soldiers' hearts.

4.1.1632142Possess them not with fear. Take from them now

4.1.1642143The sense of reck'ning, ere th'opposèd numbers

4.1.1652144Pluck their hearts from them. Not today, O Lord,

4.1.1662145Oh, not today -- think not upon the fault

4.1.1672146My father made in compassing the crown.

4.1.1682147I Richard's body have interrèd new,

4.1.1692148And on it have bestowed more contrite tears

4.1.1702149Than from it issued forcèd drops of blood.

4.1.1712150Five hundred poor I have in yearly pay

4.1.1722151Who twice a day their withered hands hold up

4.1.1732152Toward heaven to pardon blood, 2153and I have built

4.1.174Two chantries 2154where the sad and solemn priests

4.1.175Sing still 2155for Richard's soul. More will I do,

4.1.1762156Though all that I can do is nothing worth,

4.1.1772157Since that my penitence comes after all,

4.1.1782158Imploring pardon.

My liege.

My liege. My brother Gloucester's voice? Ay,

4.1.1802162I know thy errand. I will go with thee.

4.1.1812163The day, my friend, and all things stay for me.

The sun doth gild our armor. Up, my 2168lords!

Montez à cheval: my horse, varlet lackey, 2170ha!

Oh, brave spirit!

Via les eaux et terres.

Rien plus? L'air et feu?

Cieux, Cousin Orléans.

Cieux, Cousin Orléans. 2175Now my lord constable?

Hark how our steeds for present service 2177neigh.

Mount them, and make incision in their hides,

4.2.92179That their hot blood may spin in English eyes

4.2.102180And d'out them with superfluous courage. Ha!

What, will you have them weep our horses' blood?

4.2.122182How shall we then behold their natural tears?

The English are embattled, you French 2185peers.

To horse, you gallant princes, straight to horse!

4.2.152187Do but behold yon poor and starvèd band

4.2.162188And your fair show shall suck away their souls,

4.2.172189Leaving them but the shales and husks of men.

4.2.182190There is not work enough for all our hands,

4.2.192191Scarce blood enough in all their sickly veins

4.2.202192To give each naked curtle-ax a stain

4.2.212193That our French gallants shall today draw out

4.2.222194And sheathe for lack of sport. Let us but blow on them,

4.2.232195The vapor of our valor will o'erturn them.

4.2.242196'Tis positive against all exceptions, lords,

4.2.252197That our superfluous lackeys and our peasants,

4.2.262198Who in unnecessary action swarm

4.2.272199About our squares of battle, were enough

4.2.282200To purge this field of such a hilding foe

4.2.292201Though we upon this mountain's basis by

4.2.302202Took stand for idle speculation,

4.2.312203But that our honors must not. What's to say?

4.2.322204A very little little let us do

4.2.332205And all is done. Then let the trumpets sound

4.2.342206The tucket sonance and the note to mount,

4.2.352207For our approach shall so much dare the field

4.2.362208That England shall couch down in fear and yield.

Why do you stay so long, my lords of France?

4.2.382211Yon island carrions, desperate of their bones,

4.2.392212Ill-favoredly become the morning field.

4.2.402213Their ragged curtains poorly are let loose

4.2.412214And our air shakes them passing scornfully.

4.2.422215Big Mars seems bankrupt in their beggared host

4.2.432216And faintly through a rusty beaver peeps.

4.2.442217The horsemen sit like fixèd candlesticks

4.2.452218With torch-staves in their hand, and their poor jades

4.2.462219Lob down their heads, dropping the hides and hips,

4.2.472220The gum down-roping from their pale dead eyes,

4.2.482221And in their pale dull mouths the gemelled bit

4.2.492222Lies foul with chawed grass, still and motionless;

4.2.502223And their executors, the knavish crows,

4.2.512224Fly o'er them all, impatient for their hour.

4.2.522225Description cannot suit itself in words

4.2.532226To demonstrate the life of such a battle

4.2.542227In life so lifeless as it shows itself.

They have said their prayers, 2229and they stay for death.

Shall we go send them dinners and fresh suits

4.2.572231And give their fasting horses provender,

4.2.582232And after fight with them?

I stay but for my guard. On 2234to the field;

4.2.60I will the banner from a trumpet take

4.2.612235And use it for my haste. Come, come away.

4.2.622236The sun is high and we outwear the day.

Where is the king?

The king himself is rode to view their 2242battle.

Of fighting men they have full threescore 2244thousand.

There's five to one, besides they all are fresh.

God's arm strike with us! 'Tis a fearful odds.

4.3.62247God b'wi'you, princes all. I'll to my charge.

4.3.72248If we no more meet till we meet in heaven,

4.3.82249Then joyfully, my noble lord of Bedford,

4.3.92250My dear lord Gloucester, and my good lord Exeter,

4.3.102251And my kind kinsman, warriors all, adieu.

Farewell, good Salisbury, and good luck go with thee.

[To Salisbury] Farewell, kind lord. Fight valiantly today.

4.3.132253And yet I do thee wrong to mind thee of it,

4.3.142254For thou art framed of the firm truth of valor.

He is as full of valor as of kindness,

4.3.162257Princely in both.

Princely in both. Oh, that we now had here

4.3.172260But one ten thousand of those men in England

4.3.182261That do no work today.

That do no work today. What's he that wishes so?

4.3.192263My cousin Westmorland? No, my fair cousin,

4.3.202264If we are marked to die, we are enough

4.3.212265To do our country loss; and if to live,

4.3.222266The fewer men, the greater share of honor.

4.3.232267God's will, I pray thee wish not one man more.

4.3.242268By Jove, I am not covetous for gold,

4.3.252269Nor care I who doth feed upon my cost.

4.3.262270It earns me not if men my garments wear;

4.3.272271Such outward things dwell not in my desires.

4.3.282272But if it be a sin to covet honor,

4.3.292273I am the most offending soul alive.

4.3.302274No, faith, my coz, wish not a man from England.

4.3.312275God's peace, I would not lose so great an honor

4.3.322276As one man more methinks would share from me

4.3.332277For the best hope I have. Oh, do not wish one more.

4.3.342278Rather proclaim it, Westmorland, through my host

4.3.352279That he which hath no stomach to this fight,

4.3.362280Let him depart. His passport shall be made

4.3.372281And crowns for convoy put into his purse.

4.3.382282We would not die in that man's company

4.3.392283That fears his fellowship to die with us.

4.3.402284This day is called the feast of Crispian.

4.3.412285He that outlives this day and comes safe home

4.3.422286Will stand a tiptoe when this day is named

4.3.432287And rouse him at the name of Crispian.

4.3.442288He that shall see this day and live old age

4.3.452289Will yearly on the vigil feast his neighbors

4.3.462290And say, "Tomorrow is Saint Crispian."

4.3.472291Then will he strip his sleeve and show his scars.

4.3.482292Old men forget; yet all shall be forgot,

4.3.492293But he'll remember, with advantages,

4.3.502294What feats he did that day. Then shall our names,

4.3.512295Familiar in his mouth as household words --

4.3.522296Harry the king, Bedford and Exeter,

4.3.532297Warwick and Talbot, Salisbury and Gloucester --

4.3.542298Be in their flowing cups freshly remembered.

4.3.552299This story shall the good man teach his son,

4.3.562300And Crispin Crispian shall ne'er go by

4.3.572301From this day to the ending of the world,

4.3.582302But we in it shall be rememberèd,

4.3.592303We few, we happy few, we band of brothers.

4.3.602304For he today that sheds his blood with me

4.3.612305Shall be my brother; be he ne'er so vile,

4.3.622306This day shall gentle his condition.

4.3.632307And gentlemen in England now abed,

4.3.642308Shall think themselves accursed they were not here,

4.3.652309And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks

4.3.662310That fought with us upon Saint Crispin's day.

My sovereign lord, bestow yourself with speed.

4.3.682313The French are bravely in their battles set

4.3.692314And will with all expedience charge on us.

All things are ready if our minds be so.

Perish the man whose mind is backward now.

Thou dost not wish more help from England, 2318coz?

God's will, my liege, would you and I alone

4.3.742320Without more help could fight this royal battle!

Why, now thou hast unwished five thousand men,

4.3.762322Which likes me better than to wish us one. --

4.3.772323You know your places. God be with you all.

Once more I come to know of thee, King Harry,

4.3.792326If for thy ransom thou wilt now compound

4.3.802327Before thy most assurèd overthrow,

4.3.812328For certainly thou art so near the gulf

4.3.822329Thou needs must be englutted. Besides, in mercy

4.3.832330The constable desires thee thou wilt mind

4.3.842331Thy followers of repentance, that their souls

4.3.852332May make a peaceful and a sweet retire

4.3.862333From off these fields where, wretches, their poor bodies

4.3.872334Must lie and fester.

Must lie and fester. Who hath sent thee now?

The Constable of France.

I pray thee bear my former answer back:

4.3.902338Bid them achieve me and then sell my bones.

4.3.912339Good God, why should they mock poor fellows thus?

4.3.922340The man that once did sell the lion's skin

4.3.932341While the beast lived, was killed with hunting him.

4.3.942342A many of our bodies shall no doubt

4.3.952343Find native graves, upon the which I trust

4.3.962344Shall witness live in brass of this day's work.

4.3.972345And those that leave their valiant bones in France,

4.3.982346Dying like men, though buried in your dunghills,

4.3.992347They shall be famed, for there the sun shall greet them

4.3.1002348And draw their honors reeking up to heaven,

4.3.1012349Leaving their earthly parts to choke your clime,

4.3.1022350The smell whereof shall breed a plague in France.

4.3.1032351Mark then abounding valor in our English,

4.3.1042352That being dead, like to the bullets crazing,

4.3.1052353Break out into a second course of mischief,

4.3.1062354Killing in relapse of mortality.

4.3.1072355Let me speak proudly: tell the constable

4.3.1082356We are but warriors for the working day.

4.3.1092357Our gayness and our gilt are all besmirched

4.3.1102358With rainy marching in the painful field.

4.3.1112359There's not a piece of feather in our host --

4.3.1122360Good argument, I hope, we will not fly --

4.3.1132361And time hath worn us into slovenry.

4.3.1142362But by the mass, our hearts are in the trim,

4.3.1152363And my poor soldiers tell me yet ere night

4.3.1162364They'll be in fresher robes, or they will pluck

4.3.1172365The gay new coats o'er the French soldiers' heads

4.3.1182366And turn them out of service. If they do this,

4.3.1192367As, if God please, they shall, my ransom then

4.3.1202368Will soon be levied. 2369Herald, save thou thy labor.

4.3.1212370Come thou no more for ransom, gentle herald.

4.3.1222371They shall have none, I swear, but these my joints,

4.3.1232372Which if they have as I will leave 'em them,

4.3.1242373Shall yield them little. Tell the constable.

I shall, King Harry. And so fare thee well.

4.3.1262375Thou never shalt hear herald any more.

I fear thou wilt once more come for a 2377ransom.

[Kneeling] My lord, most humbly on my knee I beg

4.3.1292380The leading of the vanguard.

Take it, brave York. 2382-- Now soldiers, march away,

4.3.1312383And how thou pleasest, God, dispose the day.

Yield, cur!

Je pense que vous êtes le gentilhomme de bon 2388qualité.

Qualtity? "Calinny custure me!" Art thou a 2390gentleman? What is thy name? Discuss.

O Seigneur Dieu!

O Signieur Dew should be a gentleman. 2393Perpend my words, O Signieur Dew, and mark: O Signieur 2394Dew, thou diest on point of fox, except, O Signieur, 2395thou do give to me egregious ransom.

Oh, prenez miséricorde! Ayez pitié de moi!

Moy shall not serve. I will have forty moys, for 2398I will fetch thy rim out at thy throat in drops of 2399crimson blood.

Est-il impossible d'échapper la force de ton bras?

Brass, cur? Thou damned and luxurious 2402mountain goat, offer'st me brass?

Oh, pardonnez-moi!

Say'st thou me so? Is that a ton of moys? 2405-- Come hither, boy. Ask me this slave in French what is his 2406name.

écoutez: comment êtes-vous appellé?

Monsieur le Fer.

He says his name is Master Fer.

Master Fer. I'll fer him, and firk him, and ferret him. 2411Discuss the same in French unto him.

I do not know the French for fer and ferret and 2413firk.

Bid him prepare, for I will cut his throat.

[To Boy] Que dit-il, monsieur?

Il me commande à vous dire que vous faites vous 2417prêt, car ce soldat ici est disposé tout à cette heure de couper votre 2418gorge.

Owi, cuppe-la gorge, permafoy, peasant, unless 2420thou give me crowns. Brave crowns, or mangled shalt 2421thou be by this my sword.

Oh, je vous supplie, pour l'amour de Dieu, me 2423pardonner! Je suis le gentilhomme de bonne maison. Gardez ma vie, et je 2424vous donnerai deux cent écus.

What are his words?

He prays you to save his life. He is a gentleman 2427of a good house, and for his ransom he will give you two 2428hundred crowns.

Tell him my fury shall abate, and I the crowns 2430will take.

[To Boy] Petit monsieur, que dit-il?

Encore qu'il est contre son jurement de pardonner 2433aucun prisonnier, néanmoins, pour les écus que vous l'avez promis, 2434il est content à vous donner la liberté, le franchisement.

[Kneeling to Pistol] Sur mes genoux je vous donne mille remerciements, et 2436je m'estime heureux que je suis tombé entre les mains d'un 2437chevalier, je pense, le plus brave, vaillant et très distingué seigneur 2438d'Angleterre.

Expound unto me, boy.

He gives you upon his knees a thousand thanks, 2441and he esteems himself happy that he hath fallen into 2442the hands of one, as he thinks, the most brave, valorous 2443and thrice-worthy seigneur of England.

As I suck blood, I will some mercy show. 2445Follow me.

Suivez-vous le grand capitaine.

4.4.31.22447I did never know so full a voice issue from so empty a 2448heart, but the saying is true, "The empty vessel makes the 2449greatest sound." Bardolph and Nym had ten times more 2450valor than this roaring devil i'th'old play, that 2451everyone may pare his nails with a wooden dagger, and 2452they are both hanged; and so would this be if he durst 2453steal anything adventurously. I must stay with the 2454lackeys with the luggage of our camp. The French might 2455have a good prey of us if he knew of it, for there is none 2456to guard it but boys.

O diable!

O Seigneur! Le jour est perdu, tout est perdu!

Mort Dieu! Ma vie! All is confounded, all.

4.5.42462Reproach and everlasting 2463shame sits mocking in our plumes.

4.5.52464O méchante Fortune! Do not run away.

Why, all our ranks are broke.

Oh, perdurable shame. Let's stab ourselves.

4.5.82467Be these the wretches that we played at dice for?

Is this the king we sent to for his ransom?

Shame and eternal shame, nothing but shame.

4.5.112470Let us die. In once more, back again,

4.5.122471And he that will not follow Bourbon now

4.5.132472Let him go hence, and with his cap in hand

4.5.142473Like a base pander, hold the chamber door

4.5.152474Whilst by a slave no gentler than my dog

4.5.162475His fairest daughter is contaminated.

Disorder that hath spoiled us, friend us now.

4.5.182477Let us on heaps go offer up our lives.

We are enough yet living in the field

4.5.202479To smother up the English in our throngs,

4.5.212480If any order might be thought upon.

The devil take order now. I'll to the throng;

4.5.232482Let life be short, else shame will be too long.

Well have we done, thrice-valiant countrymen,

4.6.22486But all's not done. Yet keep the French the field.

The Duke of York commends him to your majesty.

Lives he, good uncle? Thrice within this hour

4.6.52489I saw him down, thrice up again and fighting.

4.6.62490From helmet to the spur all blood he was.

In which array, brave soldier, doth he lie,

4.6.82492Larding the plain. And by his bloody side,

4.6.92493Yoke-fellow to his honor-owing wounds,

4.6.102494The noble Earl of Suffolk also lies.

4.6.112495Suffolk first died, and York, all haggled over,

4.6.122496Comes to him where in gore he lay insteeped,

4.6.132497And takes him by the beard, kisses the gashes

4.6.142498That bloodily did yawn upon his face.

4.6.152499He cries aloud, "Tarry, my cousin Suffolk.

4.6.162500My soul shall thine keep company to heaven.

4.6.172501Tarry, sweet soul, for mine, then fly abreast,

4.6.182502As in this glorious and well-foughten field

4.6.192503We kept together in our chivalry."

4.6.202504Upon these words I came and cheered him up.

4.6.212505He smiled me in the face, raught me his hand,

4.6.222506And with a feeble grip says, "Dear my lord,

4.6.232507Commend my service to my sovereign."

4.6.242508So did he turn, and over Suffolk's neck

4.6.252509He threw his wounded arm, and kissed his lips,

4.6.262510And so espoused to death, with blood he sealed

4.6.272511A testament of noble-ending love.

4.6.282512The pretty and sweet manner of it forced

4.6.292513Those waters from me which I would have stopped,

4.6.302514But I had not so much of man in me,

4.6.312515And all my mother came into mine eyes

4.6.322516And gave me up to tears.

And gave me up to tears. I blame you not,

4.6.332518For hearing this I must perforce compound

4.6.342519With mixtful eyes, or they will issue too.

4.6.352520But hark, what new alarum is this same?

4.6.362521The French have reinforced their scattered men.

4.6.372522Then every soldier kill his prisoners.

4.6.382523Give the word through.

Kill the poys and the luggage! 'Tis expressly 2527against the law of arms. 'Tis as arrant a piece of 2528knavery, mark you now, as can be offer't. In your conscience 2529now, is it not?

'Tis certain there's not a boy left alive, and the 2531cowardly rascals that ran from the battle ha' done 2532this slaughter. Besides, they have burned and carried 2533away all that was in the king's tent, wherefore the king 2534most worthily hath caused every soldier to cut his 2535prisoner's throat. Oh, 'tis a gallant king.

Ay, he was porn at Monmouth, Captain Gower. 2537What call you the town's name where Alexander the 2538Pig was born?

Alexander the Great.

Why, I pray you, is not "pig" great? The pig, or 2541the great, or the mighty, or the huge, or the 2542magnanimous, are all one reckonings, save the phrase is a little 2543variations.

I think Alexander the Great was born in 2545Macedon. His father was called Philip of Macedon, as I 2546take it.

I think it is in Macedon where Alexander is 2548porn. I tell you, captain, if you look in the maps of 2549the 'orld, I warrant you sall find, in the comparisons 2550between Macedon and Monmouth, that the situations, look 2551you, is both alike. There is a river in Macedon, and there 2552is also moreover a river at Monmouth. It is called Wye at 2553Monmouth, but it is out of my prains what is the name 2554of the other river. But 'tis all one, 'tis alike as my fingers 2555is to my fingers, and there is salmons in both. If you 2556mark Alexander's life well, Harry of Monmouth's life is 2557come after it indifferent well, for there is figures in all 2558things. Alexander, God knows, and you know, in his 2559rages, and his furies, and his wraths, and his cholers, and 2560his moods, and his displeasures, and his indignations, 2561and also being a little intoxicates in his prains, did in 2562his ales and his angers, look you, kill his best friend 2563Cleitus.

Our king is not like him in that. He never killed 2565any of his friends.

It is not well done, mark you now, to take the 2567tales out of my mouth ere it is made and finished. I speak 2568but in the figures and comparisons of it. As Alexander 2569killed his friend Cleitus, being in his ales and his cups, so 2570also Harry Monmouth, being in his right wits, and his 2571good judgments, turned away the fat knight with the 2572great belly-doublet. He was full of jests, and gipes, and 2573knaveries, and mocks. I have forgot his name.

Sir John Falstaff.

That is he. I'll tell you, there is good men porn 2576at Monmouth.

Here comes his majesty.

I was not angry since I came to France

4.7.142581Until this instant. Take a trumpet, herald.

4.7.152582Ride thou unto the horsemen on yon hill.

4.7.162583If they will fight with us, bid them come down,

4.7.172584Or void the field. They do offend our sight.

4.7.182585If they'll do neither, we will come to them

4.7.192586And make them skirr away as swift as stones

4.7.202587Enforcèd from the old Assyrian slings.

4.7.212588Besides, we'll cut the throats of those we have,

4.7.222589And not a man of them that we shall take

4.7.232590Shall taste our mercy. Go and tell them so.

Here comes the herald of the French, my liege.

His eyes are humbler than they used to be.

How now, what means this, herald? Know'st 2595thou not

4.7.272596That I have fined these bones of mine for ransom?

4.7.282597Com'st thou again for ransom?

Com'st thou again for ransom? No, great king.

4.7.292599I come to thee for charitable license,

4.7.302600That we may wander o'er this bloody field

4.7.312601To book our dead and then to bury them,

4.7.322602To sort our nobles from our common men.

4.7.332603For many of our princes -- woe the while --

4.7.342604Lie drowned and soaked in mercenary blood;

4.7.352605So do our vulgar drench their peasant limbs

4.7.362606In blood of princes, and the wounded steeds

4.7.372607Fret fetlock deep in gore, and with wild rage

4.7.382608Jerk out their armèd heels at their dead masters,