Peer Reviewed
Henry V (Modern, Folio)
2383.1[4.4]
2384Alarum. Excursions.
2385Enter Pistol, French Soldier, [and] Boy.
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.
4.4.31.1[Exeunt Pistol and French Soldier]
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.
Exit.