Henry IV, Part 1: Act 5, Scene 3

    history

    Plain between the camps.

    Scene Summary

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    The battle at Shrewsbury is confusing and violent. Henry has dressed several lords in royal armour to spread the risk. Douglas has already killed men in the King's disguise and is now hunting the real Henry. Falstaff surveys the dead Sir Walter Blunt and observes that he owes God a death. He lies down on the field as if dead to avoid the fighting.

    KING HENRY enters with his power. Alarum to the battle. Then enter DOUGLAS and SIR WALTER BLUNT
    SIR WALTER BLUNT
    What is thy name, that in the battle thus
    Thou crossest me? what honour dost thou seek
    Upon my head?
    EARL OF DOUGLAS
    Know then, my name is Douglas;
    And I do haunt thee in the battle thus
    Because some tell me that thou art a king.
    SIR WALTER BLUNT
    They tell thee true.
    EARL OF DOUGLAS
    The Lord of Stafford dear to-day hath bought
    Thy likeness, for instead of thee, King Harry,
    This sword hath ended him: so shall it thee,
    Unless thou yield thee as my prisoner.
    SIR WALTER BLUNT
    I was not born a yielder, thou proud Scot;
    And thou shalt find a king that will revenge
    Lord Stafford's death.
    They fight. DOUGLAS kills SIR WALTER BLUNT. Enter HOTSPUR
    HOTSPUR
    O Douglas, hadst thou fought at Holmedon thus,
    never had triumph'd upon a Scot.
    EARL OF DOUGLAS
    All's done, all's won; here breathless lies the king.
    HOTSPUR
    Where?
    EARL OF DOUGLAS
    Here.
    HOTSPUR
    This, Douglas? no: I know this face full well:
    A gallant knight he was, his name was Blunt;
    Semblably furnish'd like the king himself.
    EARL OF DOUGLAS
    A fool go with thy soul, whither it goes!
    A borrow'd title hast thou bought too dear:
    Why didst thou tell me that thou wert a king?
    HOTSPUR
    The king hath many marching in his coats.
    EARL OF DOUGLAS
    Now, by my sword, I will kill all his coats;
    I'll murder all his wardrobe, piece by piece,
    Until I meet the king.
    HOTSPUR
    Up, and away!
    Our soldiers stand full fairly for the day.
    Exeunt
    Alarum. Enter FALSTAFF, solus
    FALSTAFF
    Though I could 'scape shot-free at London, I fear
    the shot here; here's no scoring but upon the pate.
    Soft! who are you? Sir Walter Blunt: there's honour
    for you! here's no vanity! I am as hot as moulten
    lead, and as heavy too: God keep lead out of me! I
    need no more weight than mine own bowels. I have
    led my ragamuffins where they are peppered: there's
    not three of my hundred and fifty left alive; and
    they are for the town's end, to beg during life.
    But who comes here?
    Enter PRINCE HENRY
    PRINCE HENRY
    What, stand'st thou idle here? lend me thy sword:
    Many a nobleman lies stark and stiff
    Under the hoofs of vaunting enemies,
    Whose deaths are yet unrevenged: I prithee,
    lend me thy sword.
    FALSTAFF
    O Hal, I prithee, 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.
    PRINCE HENRY
    He is, indeed; and living to kill thee. I prithee,
    lend me thy sword.
    FALSTAFF
    Nay, before God, Hal, if Percy be alive, thou get'st
    not my sword; but take my pistol, if thou wilt.
    PRINCE HENRY
    Give it to me: what, is it in the case?
    FALSTAFF
    Ay, Hal; 'tis hot, 'tis hot; there's that will sack a city.
    PRINCE HENRY draws it out, and finds it to be a bottle of sack
    PRINCE HENRY
    What, is it a time to jest and dally now?
    He throws the bottle at him. Exit
    FALSTAFF
    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. I 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.
    Exit FALSTAFF