Internet Shakespeare Editions

Author: William Shakespeare
Editor: James D. Mardock
Peer Reviewed

Henry V (Modern, Quarto)

[Scene 16]
2525Enter Flewellen and Captain Gower.
Flewellen
God's plood! Kill the boys and the luggage? 'Tis the arrant'st piece of knavery as can be desired in the worell now! In your conscience now --
'Tis certain there is not a boy left alive, and the cowardly rascals that ran from the battle themselves have done this slaughter. Beside, they have carried away and burnt all that was in the king's tent, whereupon the king caused every prisoner's 2535throat to be cut. Oh, he is a worthy king.
Flewellen
Ay, he was born at Monmorth. Captain Gower, what call you the place where Alexander the Big was born?
Alexander the Great.
2540Flewellen
Why, I pray, is nat "big" great? As if I say, big, or great, or magnanimous, I hope it is all one reckoning, save the phrase is a little variation.
I think Alexander the Great was borne at 2545Macedon. His father was called Philip of Macedon, as I take it.
Flewellen
I think it was Macedon indeed where Alexander was born. Look you, Captain Gower, and if you look into the maps of the worell well, you shall find little difference 2550between Macedon and Monmorth. Look you, there is a river in Macedon, and there is also a river in Monmorth. The river's name at Monmorth is called Wye, but 'tis out of my brain what is the name of the other. But 'tis all one; 'tis so like as my fingers 2555is to my fingers, and there is salmons in both. Look you, Captain Gower, an you mark it, you shall find our king is come after Alexander. God knows, and you know, that Alexander in his bowls, and his ales, and his wrath, and his displeasures, and indignations, was kill his friend Cleitus.
Ay, but our king is not like him in that, for he never killed 2565any of his friends.
Flewellen
Look you, 'tis not well done to take the tale out of a man's mouth ere it is made an end and finished. I speak in the comparisons: as Alexander is kill his friend Cleitus, so 2570our king, being in his ripe wits and judgments, is turn away the fat knight with the great-belly doublet. I am forget his name.
Sir John Falstaff.
2575Flewellen
Ay, I think it is Sir John Falstaff indeed. I can tell you, there's good men born at Monmorth.
Enter King and the lords[, among them an English herald].
2580King Henry
I was not angry since I came into France,
Until this hour. -- Take a trumpet, herald,
And ride unto the horsemen on yon hill.
If they will fight with us, bid them come down,
Or leave the field. They do offend our sight.
2585Will they do neither, we will come to them
And make them skirr away as fast as stones
Enforcèd from the old Assyrian slings.
Besides, we'll cut the throats of those we have,
And not one alive 2590shall taste our mercy.
Enter the [French] Herald.
God's will, what means this? Know'st 2595thou not
That we have fined these bones of ours for ransom?
I come, great king, for charitable favor,
To sort our nobles from our common men,
2602.1We may have leave to bury all our dead,
Which in the field lie spoiled and trodden on.
King Henry
I tell thee truly, herald, I do not know whether the day be ours or no, for yet a many of your French do keep the field.
The day is yours.
King Henry
Praisèd be God therefore.
What castle call you that?
Herald
We call it Agincourt.
2620King Henry
Then call we this the field of Agincourt,
Fought on the day of Crispin, Crispin.
Flewellen
Your grandfather of famous memory, 2622.1if your grace be remembered, 2625is do good service in France.
King Henry
'Tis true, Flewellen.
Flewellen
Your majesty says very true. 2627.1An it please your majesty, the Welshmen there was do good service in a garden where leeks did grow. And I think your majesty will take no scorn to wear a leek in your cap upon Saint Davy's day.
2635King Henry
No, Flewellen, for I am Welsh as well as you.
Flewellen
All the water in Wye will not wash your Welsh blood out of you. God keep it, and preserve it, to his grace's will and pleasure.
2640King Henry
Thanks, good countryman.
Flewellen
By Jesus, I am your majesty's countryman. I care not who know it, so long as your majesty is an honest man.
2645King Henry
God keep me so. -- Our herald go with him, and bring us the number of the scattered French.
2648.1Exit [French and English] heralds[, and Gower]. [Enter Second Soldier].
Call yonder soldier hither.
2650Flewellen
You, fellow, come to the king.
King Henry
Fellow, why dost thou wear that glove in thy hat?
2 Soldier
An't please your majesty, 'tis a rascal's that swaggered with me the other day, and he hath one of mine, which if ever I see, I have sworn to strike him. 2661.1So hath he sworn the like to me.
King Henry
How think you, Flewellen, is it lawful he keep his oath?
2663.1Flewellen
An it please your majesty, 'tis lawful he keep his vow. If he be perjured once, he is as arrant a beggarly knave as treads upon two black shoes.
King Henry
His enemy may be a gentleman of worth.
Flewellen
And if he be as good a gentleman as Lucifer, and Belzebub, and the devil himself, 2670'tis meet he keep his vow.
King Henry
Well, sirrah, keep your word. Under what captain servest thou?
2 Soldier
Under Captain Gower.
Flewellen
Captain Gower is a good captain, and hath good 2680lit'rature in the wars.
King Henry
Go call him hither.
2 Soldier
I will, my lord.
Exit Soldier.
King Henry
Captain Flewellen, when Alençon and I was 2685down together, I took this glove off from his helmet. Here, Flewellen, wear it. [Gives him 2 Soldier's glove] If any do challenge it, he is a friend of Alençon's, and an enemy to me.
Flewellen
Your majesty doth me as great a favor as can be 2690desired in the hearts of his subjects. I would see that man now that should challenge this glove, an it please God of his grace. I would but see him, that is all.
King Henry
Flewellen, know'st thou Captain Gower?
2695Flewellen
Captain Gower is my friend, and if it like your majesty, I know him very well.
King Henry
Go call him hither.
Flewellen
I will, an it shall please your majesty.
2700King Henry
[To the lords] Follow Flewellen closely at the heels,
The glove he wears, it was the soldier's.
It may be there will be harm between them,
For I do know Flewellen valiant,
And being touched, as hot as gunpowder,
2710And quickly will return an injury.
Go see there be no harm between them.
[Exeunt.]