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The Complete Works of William Shakespeare - Israel Gollancz William Shakespeare [583]

By Root 18616 0
his pleasure, Captain, I beseech you now,

come apace to the King: there is more good toward you

peradventure than is in your knowledge to dream of.

WILLIAMS.

Sir, know you this glove?

FLUELLEN.

Know the glove? I know the glove is a glove.

WILLIAMS.

I know this; and thus I challenge it. [Strikes him]

FLUELLEN.

'Sblood, an arrant traitor as any's in the universal

world, or in France, or in England!

GOWER.

How now, sir! you villain!

WILLIAMS.

Do you think I'll be forsworn?

FLUELLEN.

Stand away, Captain Gower; I will give treason his

payment into plows, I warrant you.

WILLIAMS.

I am no traitor.

FLUELLEN.

That's a lie in thy throat. I charge you in his

Majesty's

name, apprehend him: he's a friend of the Duke Alencon's.

Enter WARWICK and GLOUCESTER

WARWICK.

How now! how now! what's the matter?

FLUELLEN.

My Lord of Warwick, here is- praised be God for it!- a

most contagious treason come to light, look you, as you shall

desire in a summer's day. Here is his Majesty.

Enter the KING and EXETER

KING HENRY.

How now! what's the matter?

FLUELLEN.

My liege, here is a villain and a traitor, that, look

your Grace, has struck the glove which your Majesty is take out

of the helmet of Alencon.

WILLIAMS.

My liege, this was my glove: here is the fellow of it;

and he that I gave it to in change promis'd to wear it in his

cap; I promis'd to strike him if he did; I met this man with my

glove in his cap, and I have been as good as my word.

FLUELLEN.

Your Majesty hear now, saving your Majesty's manhood,

what an arrant, rascally, beggarly, lousy knave it is; I hope

your Majesty is pear me testimony and witness, and will

avouchment, that this is the glove of Alencon that your Majesty

is give me; in your conscience, now.

KING HENRY.

Give me thy glove, soldier; look, here is the fellow of it.

'Twas I, indeed, thou promised'st to strike,

And thou hast given me most bitter terms.

FLUELLEN.

An please your Majesty, let his neck answer for it, if

there is any martial law in the world.

KING HENRY.

How canst thou make me satisfaction?

WILLIAMS.

All offences, my lord, come from the heart; never came

any from mine that might offend your Majesty.

KING HENRY.

It was ourself thou didst abuse.

WILLIAMS.

Your Majesty came not like yourself: you appear'd to me

but as a common man; witness the night, your garments, your

lowliness; and what your Highness suffer'd under that shape I

beseech you take it for your own fault, and not mine; for had you

been as I took you for, I made no offence; therefore, I beseech

your Highness pardon me.

KING HENRY.

Here, uncle Exeter, fill this glove with crowns,

And give it to this fellow. Keep it, fellow;

And wear it for an honour in thy cap

Till I do challenge it. Give him the crowns;

And, Captain, you must needs be friends with him.

FLUELLEN.

By this day and this light, the fellow has mettle enough

in his belly: hold, there is twelve pence for you; and I pray you

to serve God, and keep you out of prawls, and prabbles, and

quarrels, and dissensions, and, I warrant you, it is the better for you.

WILLIAMS.

I will none of your money.

FLUELLEN.

It is with a good will; I can tell you it will serve you

to mend your shoes. Come, wherefore should you be so pashful?

Your shoes is not so good. 'Tis a good silling, I warrant you, or

I will change it.

Enter an ENGLISH HERALD

KING HENRY.

Now, herald, are the dead numb'red?

HERALD.

Here is the number of the slaught'red French.

[Gives a paper]

KING HENRY.

What prisoners of good sort are taken, uncle?

EXETER.

Charles Duke of Orleans, nephew to the King;

John Duke of Bourbon, and Lord Bouciqualt;

Of other lords and barons, knights and squires,

Full fifteen hundred, besides common men.

KING HENRY.

This note doth tell me of ten thousand French

That in the field lie slain; of princes in this number,

And nobles bearing banners, there lie dead

One hundred twenty-six; added to these,

Of knights, esquires, and gallant gentlemen,

Eight

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