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About this text

  • Title: Henry V (Modern, Folio)
  • Editor: James D. Mardock
  • ISBN: 978-1-55058-409-7

    Copyright James D. Mardock. This text may be freely used for educational, non-profit purposes; for all other uses contact the Editor.
    Author: William Shakespeare
    Editor: James D. Mardock
    Peer Reviewed

    Henry V (Modern, Folio)

    2383.1[4.4]
    Alarum. Excursions.
    2385Enter Pistol, French Soldier, [and] Boy.
    Pistol
    Yield, cur!
    French Soldier
    Je pense que vous êtes le gentilhomme de bon qualité.
    Pistol
    Qualtity? "Calinny custure me!" Art thou a 2390gentleman? What is thy name? Discuss.
    French Soldier
    O Seigneur Dieu!
    Pistol
    O Signieur Dew should be a gentleman. Perpend my words, O Signieur Dew, and mark: O Signieur Dew, thou diest on point of fox, except, O Signieur, 2395thou do give to me egregious ransom.
    French Soldier
    Oh, prenez miséricorde! Ayez pitié de moi!
    Pistol
    Moy shall not serve. I will have forty moys, for I will fetch thy rim out at thy throat in drops of crimson blood.
    2400French Soldier
    Est-il impossible d'échapper la force de ton bras?
    Pistol
    Brass, cur? Thou damned and luxurious mountain goat, offer'st me brass?
    French Soldier
    Oh, pardonnez-moi!
    Pistol
    Say'st thou me so? Is that a ton of moys? 2405-- Come hither, boy. Ask me this slave in French what is his name.
    écoutez: comment êtes-vous appellé?
    French Soldier
    Monsieur le Fer.
    He says his name is Master Fer.
    2410Pistol
    Master Fer. I'll fer him, and firk him, and ferret him. Discuss the same in French unto him.
    I do not know the French for fer and ferret and firk.
    Pistol
    Bid him prepare, for I will cut his throat.
    2415French Soldier
    [To Boy] Que dit-il, monsieur?
    Il me commande à vous dire que vous faites vous prêt, car ce soldat ici est disposé tout à cette heure de couper votre gorge.
    Pistol
    Owi, cuppe-la gorge, permafoy, peasant, unless 2420thou give me crowns. Brave crowns, or mangled shalt thou be by this my sword.
    French Soldier
    Oh, je vous supplie, pour l'amour de Dieu, me pardonner! Je suis le gentilhomme de bonne maison. Gardez ma vie, et je vous donnerai deux cent écus.
    2425Pistol
    What are his words?
    He prays you to save his life. He is a gentleman of a good house, and for his ransom he will give you two hundred crowns.
    Pistol
    Tell him my fury shall abate, and I the crowns 2430will take.
    French Soldier
    [To Boy] Petit monsieur, que dit-il?
    Encore qu'il est contre son jurement de pardonner aucun prisonnier, néanmoins, pour les écus que vous l'avez promis, il est content à vous donner la liberté, le franchisement.
    2435French Soldier
    [Kneeling to Pistol] Sur mes genoux je vous donne mille remerciements, et je m'estime heureux que je suis tombé entre les mains d'un chevalier, je pense, le plus brave, vaillant et très distingué seigneur d'Angleterre.
    Pistol
    Expound unto me, boy.
    He gives you upon his knees a thousand thanks, and he esteems himself happy that he hath fallen into the hands of one, as he thinks, the most brave, valorous and thrice-worthy seigneur of England.
    Pistol
    As I suck blood, I will some mercy show. 2445Follow me.
    Suivez-vous le grand capitaine.
    [Exeunt Pistol and French Soldier]
    I did never know so full a voice issue from so empty a heart, but the saying is true, "The empty vessel makes the greatest sound." Bardolph and Nym had ten times more 2450valor than this roaring devil i'th'old play, that everyone may pare his nails with a wooden dagger, and they are both hanged; and so would this be if he durst steal anything adventurously. I must stay with the lackeys with the luggage of our camp. The French might 2455have a good prey of us if he knew of it, for there is none to guard it but boys.
    Exit.