Henry V · Act 4, Scene 7

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Enter FLUELLEN and GOWER
Enter FLUELLEN and GOWER
Fluellen

Kill the poys and the luggage! ’tis expressly against the law of arms: ’tis as arrant a piece of knavery, mark you now, as can be offer’t; in your conscience, now, is it not?

Fluellen

Kill the boys and the baggage! It’s clearly against the rules of warfare: it’s as bad a crime as you can get; in your conscience, isn’t it?

Gower

’Tis certain there’s not a boy left alive; and the cowardly rascals that ran from the battle ha’ done this slaughter: besides, they have burned and carried away all that was in the king’s tent; wherefore the king, most worthily, hath caused every soldier to cut his prisoner’s throat. O, ’tis a gallant king!

Gower

It’s certain there’s not a boy left alive; and the cowardly scoundrels who ran from the battle did this killing: besides, they’ve burned and taken everything from the king’s tent; so the king, rightly, has ordered every soldier to slit his prisoner’s throat. Oh, what a brave king!

Fluellen

Ay, he was porn at Monmouth, Captain Gower. What call you the town’s name where Alexander the Pig was born!

Fluellen

Yes, he was born in Monmouth, Captain Gower. What do you call the town where Alexander the Great was born?

Gower

Alexander the Great.

Gower

Alexander the Great.

Fluellen

Why, I pray you, is not pig great? the pig, or the great, or the mighty, or the huge, or the magnanimous, are all one reckonings, save the phrase is a little variations.

Fluellen

Well, I ask you, isn’t a pig great? The pig, or the great, or the mighty, or the huge, or the noble, are all the same thing, except the words are just slight variations.

Gower

I think Alexander the Great was born in Macedon; his father was called Philip of Macedon, as I take it.

Gower

I think Alexander the Great was born in Macedon; his father was named Philip of Macedon, as far as I know.

Fluellen

I think it is in Macedon where Alexander is porn. I tell you, captain, if you look in the maps of the ’orld, I warrant you sall find, in the comparisons between Macedon and Monmouth, that the situations, look you, is both alike. There is a river in Macedon; and there is also moreover a river at Monmouth: it is called Wye at Monmouth; but it is out of my prains what is the name of the other river; but ’tis all one, ’tis alike as my fingers is to my fingers, and there is salmons in both. If you mark Alexander’s life well, Harry of Monmouth’s life is come after it indifferent well; for there is figures in all things. Alexander, God knows, and you know, in his rages, and his furies, and his wraths, and his cholers, and his moods, and his displeasures, and his indignations, and also being a little intoxicates in his prains, did, in his ales and his angers, look you, kill his best friend, Cleitus.

Fluellen

I think it’s in Macedon where Alexander was born. I tell you, captain, if you look in the maps of the world, I promise you’ll find, in the comparisons between Macedon and Monmouth, that the locations, you see, are very similar. There’s a river in Macedon; and there’s also a river at Monmouth: it’s called the Wye at Monmouth; but I don’t remember the name of the other river; but it doesn’t matter, they’re the same, just like my fingers are to my fingers, and there are salmon in both. If you look closely at Alexander’s life, you’ll see Harry of Monmouth’s life followed it pretty closely; because there are patterns in everything. Alexander, God knows, and you know, in his rages, and his tempers, and his anger, and his fits, and his bad moods, and his frustrations, and also when he was a bit drunk, he did, in his drinking and his anger, you see, kill his best friend, Cleitus.

Gower

Our king is not like him in that: he never killed any of his friends.

Gower

Our king is not like him in that: he never killed any of his friends.

Fluellen

It is not well done, mark you now take the tales out of my mouth, ere it is made and finished. I speak but in the figures and comparisons of it: as Alexander killed his friend Cleitus, being in his ales and his cups; so also Harry Monmouth, being in his right wits and his good judgments, turned away the fat knight with the great belly-doublet: he was full of jests, and gipes, and knaveries, and mocks; I have forgot his name.

Fluellen

It’s not right, you see, take the words out of my mouth, before it’s said and finished. I’m just speaking in comparisons: just like Alexander killed his friend Cleitus, when he was drinking and angry; so also Harry Monmouth, in his right mind and good judgment, rejected the fat knight with the big belly-doublet: he was full of jokes, and tricks, and deceptions, and taunts; I’ve forgotten his name.

Gower

Sir John Falstaff.

Gower

Sir John Falstaff.

Fluellen

That is he: I’ll tell you there is good men porn at Monmouth.

Fluellen

That’s him: I’ll tell you, there are good men born at Monmouth.

Gower

Here comes his majesty.

Gower

Here comes the king.

Alarum. Enter KING HENRY, and forces; WARWICK, GLOUCESTER, EXETER, and others
Alarum. Enter KING HENRY, and forces; WARWICK, GLOUCESTER, EXETER, and others
King Henry V

I was not angry since I came to France Until this instant. Take a trumpet, herald; Ride thou unto the horsemen on yon hill: If they will fight with us, bid them come down, Or void the field; they do offend our sight: If they’ll do neither, we will come to them, And make them skirr away, as swift as stones Enforced from the old Assyrian slings: Besides, we’ll cut the throats of those we have, And not a man of them that we shall take Shall taste our mercy. Go and tell them so.

King Henry V

I haven’t been angry since I came to France Until just now. Take a trumpet, herald; Ride over to the horsemen on that hill: If they want to fight us, tell them to come down, Or clear the field; they’re blocking our view: If they do neither, we’ll go to them, And make them run away, as fast as stones Shot from old Assyrian slings: Besides, we’ll kill the ones we have, And not a single one we capture Will receive our mercy. Go and tell them that.

Enter MONTJOY
Enter MONTJOY
Exeter

Here comes the herald of the French, my liege.

Exeter

Here comes the French herald, my king.

Gloucester

His eyes are humbler than they used to be.

Gloucester

His eyes are more humble than they used to be.

King Henry V

How now! what means this, herald? know’st thou not That I have fined these bones of mine for ransom? Comest thou again for ransom?

King Henry V

What’s this! What does this mean, herald? Don’t you know That I’ve paid for my men’s ransom with my life? Are you here again to ask for ransom?

Montjoy

No, great king: I come to thee for charitable licence, That we may wander o’er this bloody field To look our dead, and then to bury them; To sort our nobles from our common men. For many of our princes--woe the while!-- Lie drown’d and soak’d in mercenary blood; So do our vulgar drench their peasant limbs In blood of princes; and their wounded steeds Fret fetlock deep in gore and with wild rage Yerk out their armed heels at their dead masters, Killing them twice. O, give us leave, great king, To view the field in safety and dispose Of their dead bodies!

Montjoy

No, great king: I’ve come to ask for permission, So we can walk over this bloody field To find our dead, and then bury them; To separate our nobles from the common soldiers. For many of our princes—alas!— Lie drowned and soaked in mercenary blood; And our common soldiers drown their peasant bodies In the blood of princes; and their wounded horses Dig their hooves deep in gore, and with wild anger Strike out at their dead masters, Killing them again. Oh, please let us, great king, Safely view the field and take care Of their dead bodies!

King Henry V

I tell thee truly, herald, I know not if the day be ours or no; For yet a many of your horsemen peer And gallop o’er the field.

King Henry V

I tell you honestly, herald, I don’t know if the day is ours or not; For still many of your horsemen appear And gallop across the field.

Montjoy

The day is yours.

Montjoy

The day is yours.

King Henry V

Praised be God, and not our strength, for it! What is this castle call’d that stands hard by?

King Henry V

Thank God, not our strength, for that! What’s the name of that castle nearby?

Montjoy

They call it Agincourt.

Montjoy

They call it Agincourt.

King Henry V

Then call we this the field of Agincourt, Fought on the day of Crispin Crispianus.

King Henry V

Then let’s call this the field of Agincourt, Fought on the day of Crispin Crispianus.

Fluellen

Your grandfather of famous memory, an’t please your majesty, and your great-uncle Edward the Plack Prince of Wales, as I have read in the chronicles, fought a most prave pattle here in France.

Fluellen

Your grandfather, who is famous in history, if it pleases your majesty, and your great-uncle Edward the Black Prince of Wales, as I’ve read in the records, fought a very brave battle here in France.

King Henry V

They did, Fluellen.

King Henry V

They did, Fluellen.

Fluellen

Your majesty says very true: if your majesties is remembered of it, the Welshmen did good service in a garden where leeks did grow, wearing leeks in their Monmouth caps; which, your majesty know, to this hour is an honourable badge of the service; and I do believe your majesty takes no scorn to wear the leek upon Saint Tavy’s day.

Fluellen

Your majesty speaks the truth: if your majesty remembers correctly, the Welshmen did a great job in a garden where leeks were growing, wearing leeks in their Monmouth caps; which, as your majesty knows, to this day is a respected symbol of the service; and I believe your majesty would not be ashamed to wear a leek on Saint Tavy’s day.

King Henry V

I wear it for a memorable honour; For I am Welsh, you know, good countryman.

King Henry V

I wear it as a memorable honor; because I am Welsh, as you know, good countryman.

Fluellen

All the water in Wye cannot wash your majesty’s Welsh plood out of your pody, I can tell you that: God pless it and preserve it, as long as it pleases his grace, and his majesty too!

Fluellen

All the water in the Wye river cannot wash your majesty’s Welsh blood out of your body, I can tell you that: God bless it and protect it, as long as it pleases His grace, and his majesty too!

King Henry V

Thanks, good my countryman.

King Henry V

Thank you, good my countryman.

Fluellen

By Jeshu, I am your majesty’s countryman, I care not who know it; I will confess it to all the ’orld: I need not to be ashamed of your majesty, praised be God, so long as your majesty is an honest man.

Fluellen

By Jesus, I am your majesty’s countryman, I don’t care who knows it; I’ll admit it to the whole world: I don’t need to be ashamed of your majesty, praise God, as long as your majesty is an honest man.

King Henry V

God keep me so! Our heralds go with him: Bring me just notice of the numbers dead On both our parts. Call yonder fellow hither.

King Henry V

God keep me so! Our heralds go with him: Bring me a full report of the dead On both sides. Call that man here.

Points to WILLIAMS. Exeunt Heralds with Montjoy
Points to WILLIAMS. Exeunt Heralds with Montjoy
Exeter

Soldier, you must come to the king.

Exeter

Soldier, you must come to the king.

King Henry V

Soldier, why wearest thou that glove in thy cap?

King Henry V

Soldier, why are you wearing that glove in your cap?

Williams

An’t please your majesty, ’tis the gage of one that I should fight withal, if he be alive.

Williams

If it pleases your majesty, it’s the token of someone that I should fight with, if he’s still alive.

King Henry V

An Englishman?

King Henry V

An Englishman?

Williams

An’t please your majesty, a rascal that swaggered with me last night; who, if alive and ever dare to challenge this glove, I have sworn to take him a box o’ th’ ear: or if I can see my glove in his cap, which he swore, as he was a soldier, he would wear if alive, I will strike it out soundly.

Williams

If it pleases your majesty, a scoundrel who was bragging with me last night; who, if he’s alive and ever dares to challenge this glove, I’ve sworn to give him a slap on the ear: or if I see my glove in his cap, which he swore, as a soldier, he would wear if he’s alive, I’ll knock it off firmly.

King Henry V

What think you, Captain Fluellen? is it fit this soldier keep his oath?

King Henry V

What do you think, Captain Fluellen? is it right that this soldier keep his word?

Fluellen

He is a craven and a villain else, an’t please your majesty, in my conscience.

Fluellen

He’s a coward and a villain, if it pleases your majesty, that’s what I truly believe.

King Henry V

It may be his enemy is a gentleman of great sort, quite from the answer of his degree.

King Henry V

Maybe his enemy is a very important gentleman, far above someone of his own rank.

Fluellen

Though he be as good a gentleman as the devil is, as Lucifer and Belzebub himself, it is necessary, look your grace, that he keep his vow and his oath: if he be perjured, see you now, his reputation is as arrant a villain and a Jacksauce, as ever his black shoe trod upon God’s ground and his earth, in my conscience, la!

Fluellen

Even if he’s as good a gentleman as the devil himself, as bad as Lucifer and Beelzebub, it’s important, your grace, that he keeps his promise and oath: if he breaks his oath, you see, his reputation is as much a villain and a fool, as anyone whose foot has ever touched God’s earth, in my opinion!

King Henry V

Then keep thy vow, sirrah, when thou meetest the fellow.

King Henry V

Then keep your vow, man, when you meet the fellow.

Williams

So I will, my liege, as I live.

Williams

I will, my king, as sure as I live.

King Henry V

Who servest thou under?

King Henry V

Who do you serve under?

Williams

Under Captain Gower, my liege.

Williams

Under Captain Gower, my king.

Fluellen

Gower is a good captain, and is good knowledge and literatured in the wars.

Fluellen

Gower is a good captain, and is well-versed and knowledgeable in the wars.

King Henry V

Call him hither to me, soldier.

King Henry V

Call him here to me, soldier.

Williams

I will, my liege.

Williams

I will, my king.

Exit
Exit
King Henry V

Here, Fluellen; wear thou this favour for me and stick it in thy cap: when Alencon and myself were down together, I plucked this glove from his helm: if any man challenge this, he is a friend to Alencon, and an enemy to our person; if thou encounter any such, apprehend him, an thou dost me love.

King Henry V

Here, Fluellen; wear this token for me and stick it in your cap: when Alencon and I were fighting together, I took this glove from his helmet: if anyone challenges this, he’s a friend of Alencon, and an enemy to me; if you come across anyone like that, arrest him, if you love me.

Fluellen

Your grace doo’s me as great honours as can be desired in the hearts of his subjects: I would fain see the man, that has but two legs, that shall find himself aggrieved at this glove; that is all; but I would fain see it once, an please God of his grace that I might see.

Fluellen

Your grace honors me as much as any subject could hope for: I would really like to see the man, who has only two legs, who would be offended by this glove; that’s all; but I would love to see it, God willing, that I might.

King Henry V

Knowest thou Gower?

King Henry V

Do you know Gower?

Fluellen

He is my dear friend, an please you.

Fluellen

He’s my dear friend, if it pleases you.

King Henry V

Pray thee, go seek him, and bring him to my tent.

King Henry V

Please, go find him and bring him to my tent.

Fluellen

I will fetch him.

Fluellen

I will go get him.

Exit
Exit
King Henry V

My Lord of Warwick, and my brother Gloucester, Follow Fluellen closely at the heels: The glove which I have given him for a favour May haply purchase him a box o’ th’ ear; It is the soldier’s; I by bargain should Wear it myself. Follow, good cousin Warwick: If that the soldier strike him, as I judge By his blunt bearing he will keep his word, Some sudden mischief may arise of it; For I do know Fluellen valiant And, touched with choler, hot as gunpowder, And quickly will return an injury: Follow and see there be no harm between them. Go you with me, uncle of Exeter.

King Henry V

My Lord of Warwick, and my brother Gloucester, Follow Fluellen closely, right behind him: The glove I gave him as a token Might just get him slapped in the face; It’s the soldier’s; I was supposed to wear it myself. Follow, good cousin Warwick: If the soldier strikes him, as I think he will Based on his rude attitude, he’ll keep his word, There could be trouble because of it; For I know Fluellen is brave And, when angered, as hot as gunpowder, And he’ll quickly retaliate if wronged: Follow and make sure there’s no trouble between them. Come with me, uncle of Exeter.

Exuent
Exuent

End of Act 4, Scene 7

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