Internet Shakespeare Editions

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)

    2482.1[4.6]
    Alarum. Enter the King and his train, with prisoners.
    2485King Henry
    Well have we done, thrice-valiant countrymen,
    But all's not done. Yet keep the French the field.
    [Enter Exeter.]
    Exeter
    The Duke of York commends him to your majesty.
    King Henry
    Lives he, good uncle? Thrice within this hour
    I saw him down, thrice up again and fighting.
    2490From helmet to the spur all blood he was.
    Exeter
    In which array, brave soldier, doth he lie,
    Larding the plain. And by his bloody side,
    Yoke-fellow to his honor-owing wounds,
    The noble Earl of Suffolk also lies.
    2495Suffolk first died, and York, all haggled over,
    Comes to him where in gore he lay insteeped,
    And takes him by the beard, kisses the gashes
    That bloodily did yawn upon his face.
    He cries aloud, "Tarry, my cousin Suffolk.
    2500My soul shall thine keep company to heaven.
    Tarry, sweet soul, for mine, then fly abreast,
    As in this glorious and well-foughten field
    We kept together in our chivalry."
    Upon these words I came and cheered him up.
    2505He smiled me in the face, raught me his hand,
    And with a feeble grip says, "Dear my lord,
    Commend my service to my sovereign."
    So did he turn, and over Suffolk's neck
    He threw his wounded arm, and kissed his lips,
    2510And so espoused to death, with blood he sealed
    A testament of noble-ending love.
    The pretty and sweet manner of it forced
    Those waters from me which I would have stopped,
    But I had not so much of man in me,
    2515And all my mother came into mine eyes
    And gave me up to tears.
    King Henry
    I blame you not,
    For hearing this I must perforce compound
    With mixtful eyes, or they will issue too.
    Alarum
    2520But hark, what new alarum is this same?
    The French have reinforced their scattered men.
    Then every soldier kill his prisoners.
    Give the word through.
    [Exeunt.]