SCENE II-A publick Road near Coventry. Enter Falstaff and Bardolph. Fal. Bardolph, get thee before to Coventry; fill me a bottle of sack: our soldiers shall march through: we'll to Sutton-Colefield to-night. Bard. Will you give me money, captain? Fal. Lay out, lay out. Bard. This bottle makes an angel. Fal. An if it do, take it for thy labour: and if it make twenty, take them all, I'll answer the coinage. Bid my lieutenant Peto meet me at the town's end.. Bard. I will, captain: farewell. [Exit. P. Hen. I think, to steal cream indeed; for thy theft hath already made thee butter. But tell me, Jack; Whose fellows are these that come after P Fal. Mine, Hal, mine. P. Hen. I did never see such pitiful rascals. Fal. Tut, tut; good enough to toss food for powder, food for powder; they'll fill a pit, as wel! as better tush, man, mortal men, mortal men. West. Ay, but, sir John, methinks they are exceeding poor and bare; too beggarly. Fal. Faith, for their poverty,-I know not where they had that: and for their bareness,-I am sure, they never learned that of me. P. Hen. No, I'll be sworn; unless you call three fingers on the ribs, bare. But, sirrah, make haste: Percy is already in the field. Fal. What, is the king encamped? West. He is, sir John; I fear we shall stay too long. Fal. Well, To the latter end of a fray, and the beginning of a feast, Fits a dull fighter, and a keen guest. [Exeunt SCENE III.-The Rebel Camp near Shrewsbury. Not a whit. Yea, or to-night. Content. Fal. If I be not ashamed of my soldiers, I am a souced gurnet. I have misused the king's press damnably. I have got, in exchange of a hundred and fifty soldiers, three hundred and odd pounds. I press me none but good householders, yeomen's sons: inquire me out contracted bachelors, such as had been asked twice on the bans: such a commodity of warm slaves, as had lief hear the devil as a drum; such as fear the report of a caliver, worse You do not counsel well; than a struck fowl, or a hurt wild-duck. I pressed You speak it out of fear, and cold heart. me none but such toasts and butter, with hearts in Ver. Do me no slander, Douglas: by my life, their bellies no bigger than pins' heads, and they (And I dare well maintain it with my life,) have bought out their services: and now my whole If well-respected honour bid me on, charge consists of ancients, corporals, lieutenants, I hold as little counsel with weak fear, gentlemen of companies, slaves as ragged as Laza-As you, my lord, or any Scot that lives :-rus in the painted cloth, where the glutton's dogs Let it be seen to-morrow in the battle, licked his sores: and such as, indeed, were never Which of us fears. soldiers; but discarded unjust serving-men, younger Dong. sons to younger brothers, revolted tapsters, and Ver, ostlers trade-fallen; the cankers of a calm world, and a long peace; ten times more dishonourable ragged than an old faced ancient: and such have I, to fill up the rooms of them that have bought out their services, that you would think, that I had a hundred and fifty tattered prodigals, lately come from swine-keeping, from eating draff and husks. A mad fellow met me on the way, and told me, I had unloaded all the gibbets, and pressed the dead bodies: No eye hath seen such scare-crows. I'll not march through Coventry with them, that's flat; -Nay, and the villains march wide betwixt the legs, as if they had gyves on; for, indeed, I had the most of them out of prison. There's but a shirt and a half in all my company; and the half-shirt is two napkins, tacked together, and thrown over the shoulders like a herald's coat without sleeves; and the shirt, to say the truth, stolen from my host at Saint Alban's, or the red-nose inn-keeper of Daintry: But that's all one; they'll find linen enough on every hedge. Enter Prince Henry and Westmoreland. P. Hen. How now, blown Jack? how now quilt? Fal. What, Hal? How now, mad wag? what a devil dost thou in Warwickshire ?-My good lord of Westmoreland, I cry you mercy; I thought, your honour had already been at Shrewsbury. West, 'Faith, six John, 'tis more than time that I were there, and you too; but my powers are there already: The king, I can tell you, looks for us all; we must away all night. Fal, Tut, never fear me; I am as vigilant, as a cat to steal cream. Ver. Come, come, it may not be. Hot. So are the horses of the enemy Wor. The number of the king exceedeth ours: [The trumpet sounds a parley. Enter Sir Walter Blunt. Blunt. I come with gracious offers from the king, You were of our determination! Blunt. And God defend, but still I should stand Audacious cruelty: If that the king He bids you name your griefs; and, with all speed, Hot. The king is kind; and, well we know, the king Knows at what time to promise, when to pay. To whom they are directed: if you knew ༔ ས་ h Arch. Like enough, you do. To-morrow, good sir Michael, is a day, Wherein the fortune of ten thousand men: Must 'bide the touch: For, sir, at Shrewsbury, As I am truly given to understand, The king, with mighty and quick-raised power,~ Meets with lord Harry and I fear, sir Michaely What with the sickness of Northumberland, (Whose power was in the first proportion,) And what with Owen Glendower's absence, thence, (Who with them was a rated sinew too, And comes not in, o'er-ruled by prophecies,)God, I fear, the power of Percy is too weak To wage an instant trial with the king. Did give him that same royalty he wears: Made to my father, while his blood was poor, Disgrac'd me in my happy victories; Blunt. Shall I return this answer to the king? 'Pray heaven, you do! [Exeunt. SCENE IV.-York. A Room in the Archbishop's House. Enter the Archbishop of York, and a Gentleman. Arch. Hie, good sir Michael; bear this sealed brief, With winged haste, to the lord mareschal; Gent. Why, good my lord, you need not fear: there's Douglas, SCENE I.-The King's Camp near Shrewsbury. K. Hen. How bloodily the sun begins to peer P. Hen. 1 The southern wind Of broached mischief to the unborn times? For mine own part, I could be well content I have not sought the day of this dislike. Fal. Rebellion lay in his way, and he found it. P. Hen. Peace, chewet, peace. Wor. It pleas'd your majesty, to turn your looks In Richard's time; and posted day and night That even our love durst not come near your sight, Out of your sight, and raise this present head: Sworn to us in your younger enterprize. K. Hen. These things, indeed, you have arti culated, Proclaim'd at market-crosses, read in churches; With some fine colour, that may please the eye And never yet did insurrection want Such water-colours, to impaint his cause; P. Hen. In both our armies, there is many a sou! Of his great hame and estimation; And will, to save the blood on either side, And, will they take the offer of our grace, [Exeunt Worcester and Vernon. P. Hen. It will not be accepted, on my life: The Douglas and the Hotspur both together Are confident against the world in arms. [charge, K. Hen. Hence, therefore, every leader to his For, on their answer, will we set on them: And God befriend us, as our cause is just! [Exeunt King, Blunt, and Prince John. Fal. Hal, if thou see me down in the battle, and bestride me, so; 'tis a point of friendship. P. Hen. Nothing but a colossus can do thee that friendship. Say thy prayers, and farewell. Fal. I would it were bed-time, Hal, and all well. P. Hen. Why, thou owest God a death. [Exit. Fal. 'Tis not due yet; I would be loath to pay him before his day. What need I be so forward with him that calls not on me? Well, 'tis no matter; Honour pricks me on. Yea, but how if honour prick me off when I come on? how then? Can honour set to a leg? No. Or an arm? No. Or take away the grief of a wound? No. Honour hath no skill in surgery then? No. What is honour? A word. What is in that word, honour? What is that honour? Air. A trim reckoning!Who hath it? He that died o'Wednesday. Doth he feel it ? No. Doth he hear it? No. Is it insensible then? Yea, to the dead. But will it not live with the living? No. Why? Detraction will not suffer it-therefore I'll none of it: Honour is a mere scutcheon, and so ends my catechism. SCENE II.-The Rebel Camp. [Exit. It is not possible, it cannot be, A hare-brain'd Hotspur, govern'd by a spleen : Ver. Deliver what you will, I'll say, 'tis so. Enter Hotspur and Douglas; and Officers and Hot. My uncle is return'd:-Deliver up K. Hen. And, prince of Wales, so dare we ven- My lord of Westmoreland.-Uncle, what news? ture thee, Albeit, considerations infinite Do make against it :-No, good Worcester, no, We love our people well; even those we love, That are misled upon your cousin's part:/ Wor. The king will bid you battle presently. Wor. There is no seeming mercy in the king. Re-enter Douglas. Blunt. What is thy name, that in the battle thus Blunt. They tell thee true. Doug. The lord of Stafford dear to-day hath bought Doug. Arm, gentlemen; to arms! for I have Thy likeness; for, instead of thee, king Harry, thrown A brave defiance in King Henry's teeth, And Westmoreland, that was engag'd, did bear it; And, nephew, challeng'd you to single fight. Hot. O, 'would the quarrel lay upon our heads; Trimm'd up your praises with a princely tongue; And chid his truant youth with such a grace, There did he pause; But let me tell the world,- Hot. Cousin, I think, thou art enamoured Upon his follies; never did I hear Of any prince, so wild, at liberty:- Better consider what you have to do, Enter a Messenger. Mess. My lord, here are letters for you. O gentlemen, the time of life is short; Enter another Messenger. Mess. My lord, prepare; the king comes on apace. Hot. I thank him, that he cuts me from my tale, Excursions, and parties fighting. Alarum to the battle. Then enter Douglas and Blunt, meeting. This sword hath ended him: so shall it thee, Blunt. I was not born a yielder, thou proud And thou shalt find a king that will revenge [They fight, and Blunt is slain. Enter Hotspur. Hot. O Douglas, hadst thou fought at Holmedon thus, I never had triumph'd upon a Scot. Doug. All's done, all's won; here breathless lies the king. Hot. Where? Hot. This, Douglas? no, I know this face full A gallant knight he was, his name was Blunt; Hot. Up, and away; Our soldiers stand full fairly for the day. [Exeunt. Other Alarums. Enter Falstaff. Fal. Though I could 'scape shot-free at London, I fear the shot here: here's no scoring, but upon the pate.-Soft! who art thou? Sir Walter Blunt;there's honour for you: Here's no vanity! I am as hot as molten lead, and as heavy too: God keep lead out of me! I need no more weight than my own bowels.-I have led my raggamuffins where they are peppered: there's but three of my hundred and fifty left alive; and they are for the town's end, to beg during life. But who comes here? Fal. O Hal, I pr'ythee, give me leave to breathe awhile.-Turk Gregory never did such deeds in arms, as I have done this day. I have paid Percy, I have made him sure. P. Hen. He is, indeed and living to kill thee. Lend me thy sword, I pr'ythee. Fal. Nay, before God, Hal, if Percy be alive, thou get'st, not my sword; but take my pistol, if thou wilt. P. Hen. Give it me: What, is it in the case? Fal. Ay, Hal; 'tis hot, 'tis hot; there's that will sack a city. [The Prince draws out a bottle of sack. P. Hen. What, is't a time to jest and dally now? [Throws it at him, and exit. Fal, Well, if Percy be alive, I'll pierce him. If he do come in my way, so: if he do not, if I come in his willingly, let him make a carbonado of me. like not such grinning honour as sir Walter hath : Give me life: which if I can save, so; if not, honour comes unlooked for, and there's an end. SCENE IV-Another part of the Field. Alarums. Excursions. Enter the King, Prince Harry, withdraw thyself; thon bleed'st too much :- P. John. Not I, my lord, unless I did bleed too. My lord of Westmoreland, lead him to his tent. tent. P. Hen. Lead me, my lord? I do not need your And heaven forbid, a shallow scratch should drive Our duty this way lies; for God's sake come. [Exeunt Prince John and Westmoreland. P. Hen. By heaven, thou hast deceiv'd me, Lancaster, I did not think thee lord of such a spirit: K. Hen. I saw him hold lord Percy at the point, P. Hen. Lends mettle to us all. O, this boy Alarums. Enter Douglas. [Exit. I am the prince of Wales; and think not, Percy, Hot. Nor shall it, Harry, for the hour is come Enter Falstaff. [They fight. Fal. Well said, Hal! to it, Hal-Nay, you shall find no boy's play here, I can tell you. Enter Douglas; he fights with Falstaff, who falls down as if he were dead, and exit Douglas. Hot spur is wounded, and falls. Hot. O, Harry, thou hast robb'd me of my I better brook the loss of brittle life, But thought's the slave of life, and life time's fool; Doug. Another king! they grow like Hydra's And food for heads : I am the Douglas, fatal to all those That wear those colours on them.-What art thou, K. Hen, The king himself; who, Douglas, grieves So many of his shadows thou hast met, Doug. I fear, thou art another counterfeit ; [They fight the King being in danger, enter P. Hen. Hold up thy head, vile Scot, or thou art like Never to hold it up again! the spirits Ill weav'd ambition, how much art thou shrunk ! Is room enough :- This earth, that bears thee dead If thou wert sensible of courtesy, I should not make so dear a show of zeal :- [He sees Falstaff on the ground. [Exit. Fal. [Rising slowly.] Embowelled! if thou embowel me to-day, I'll give you leave to powder me, and eat me too, to-morrow. 'Sblood, 'twas time to counterfeit, or that hot termagant Scot had paid me scot and lot too. Counterfeit ? I lie, I am no counterfeit: To die is to be a counterfeit; for he is but the counterfeit of a man, who hath not the life of a man: but to counterfeit dying, when a man thereby liveth, is to be no counterfeit, but the true and perfect image of life indeed. The better part of valour is-discretion; in the which better part, I have saved my life. 'Zounds, I am afraid of this gunpowder Percy, though he be dead: How, if he should counterfeit too, and rise? I am afraid, he 1 |