Peer Reviewed
Henry V (Modern, Quarto)
God's plood! Kill the boys and the luggage? 25271266'Tis the arrant'st piece of 2528knavery as can be desired in the worell 1267now! In your conscience now --
'Tis certain there is not a boy left alive, 1269and the 2531cowardly rascals that ran from the battle 1270themselves have done 2532this slaughter. 1271Beside, they have carried away and burnt 25331272all that was in the king's tent, 1273whereupon the king 2534caused every prisoner's 25351274throat to be cut. Oh, he is a worthy king.
Ay, he was born at Monmorth. 1276Captain Gower, 2537what call you the place where 1277Alexander the 2538Big was born?
Alexander the Great.
Why, I pray, is nat "big" great? 1280As if I say, big, or 2541great, or 2542magnanimous, 1281I hope it is all one reckoning, 1282save the phrase is a little 2543variation.
I think Alexander the Great 1284was borne at 2545Macedon. 1285His father was called Philip of Macedon, 1286as I 2546take it.
I think it was Macedon indeed where Alexander 1288was 2548born. Look you, Captain Gower, 1289and if you look into the maps of 2549the worell well, 1290you shall find little difference 2550between 1291Macedon and Monmorth. 2551Look you, there is 1292a river in Macedon, and there 2552is also a river 1293in Monmorth. The river's name at 2553Monmorth 1294is called Wye, 1295but 'tis out of my brain what is the name 2554of the other. 1296But 'tis all one; 'tis so like as my fingers 2555is to my fingers, 1297and there is salmons in both. 1298Look you, Captain Gower, an you 2556mark it, 1299you shall find our king is 2557come after Alexander. 25581300God knows, and you know, that Alexander in his 25591301bowls, and his ales, and his wrath, and his displeasures, 25621302and indignations, was kill his friend 2563Cleitus.
Look you, 'tis not well done to take the 2567tale out 1306of a man's mouth ere it is made an end and finished. 1307I speak 2568in the comparisons: as Alexander is 2569kill 1308his friend Cleitus, so 2570our king, being in his ripe 1309wits and 2571judgments, is turn away the fat knight 1310with the 2572great-belly doublet. 2573I am forget his name.
Sir John Falstaff.
Ay, I think it is Sir John Falstaff indeed. 1313I can tell you, there's good men born 2576at Monmorth.
I was not angry since I came into France,
I come, great king, for charitable favor,
I tell thee truly, herald, I do not know whether 26131334the day be ours or no, 26141335for yet a many of your French do keep the field.
The day is yours.
Praisèd be God therefore.
We call it Agincourt.
Then call we this the field of Agincourt,
Your grandfather of famous memory, 2622.11343if your grace be remembered, 26251344is do good service in France.
'Tis true, Flewellen.
Your majesty says very true. 2627.11347An it please your majesty, 26281348the Welshmen there was do good service 1349in a 2629garden where leeks did grow. 26311350And I think 2632your majesty will take no scorn 1351to wear a leek in your cap upon 2633Saint Davy's day.
No, Flewellen, for I am Welsh as well as you.
All the water in Wye will not wash your 2637Welsh 1354blood out of you. 2638God keep it, and preserve it, 1355to his 2639grace's will and pleasure.
Thanks, good countryman.
By Jesus, I am your majesty's countryman. 1358I 2642care not who know it, 2644so long as your majesty is an honest man.
God keep me so. -- 2647Our herald go with him, 26481360and bring us the number of the scattered French.
You, fellow, come to the king.
Fellow, why dost thou wear that glove in thy hat?
An't please your majesty, 'tis a rascal's that 2657swaggered 1366with me the other day, and he hath one of mine, 26611367which if ever I see, I have sworn to strike him. 2661.11368So hath he sworn the like to me.
How think you, Flewellen, is it lawful 2663he keep his oath?
An it please your majesty, 'tis lawful he keep his vow. 2663.21371If he be perjured once, he is as arrant a beggarly knave 26721372as treads upon two black shoes.
His enemy may be a gentleman of worth.
And if he be as good a gentleman as Lucifer, 26691375and Belzebub, and the devil himself, 26701376'tis meet he keep his vow.
Under Captain Gower.
Go call him hither.
I will, my lord.
16.52.1Exit Soldier.
Captain Flewellen, when Alençon and I was 26851385down together, I took this glove off from his helmet. 26831386Here, Flewellen, wear it. [Gives him 2 Soldier's glove] If 2686any do challenge it, 1387he is a friend of Alençon's, 1388and an 2687enemy to me.
Your majesty doth me as great a favor 1390as can be 2690desired in the hearts of his subjects. 1391I would see 2691that man now that should 2692challenge this glove, 26931392an it please God of his grace. I would but see him, 1393that is all.
Flewellen, know'st thou Captain Gower?
Captain Gower is my friend, 1396and if it like your majesty, I know him very well.
Go call him hither.
I will, an it shall please your majesty.
[To the lords] Follow Flewellen closely at the heels,
16.65.1[Exeunt.]