History of Henry IV, Part I

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Act V, Scene 3

Plain between the camps.


[KING HENRY enters with his power. Alarum to the battle. Then enter DOUGLAS and SIR WALTER BLUNT]

  • Blunt. What is thy name, that in the battle thus
    Thou crossest me? what honour dost thou seek 2880
    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.
  • Blunt. They tell thee true. 2885
  • 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.
  • Blunt. I was not born a yielder, thou proud Scot; 2890
    And thou shalt find a king that will revenge
    Lord Stafford's death.

[They fight. DOUGLAS kills SIR WALTER BLUNT.


  • Hotspur (Henry Percy). O Douglas, hadst thou fought at Holmedon thus, 2895
    never had triumph'd upon a Scot.
  • Hotspur (Henry Percy). This, Douglas? no: I know this face full well: 2900
    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? 2905
    I'll murder all his wardrobe, piece by piece,
    Until I meet the king.


[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. 2915
    Soft! who are you? Sir Walter Blunt: there's honour
    for you! here's no vanity! I am as hot as moulten
    need no more weight than mine own bowels. I have
    led my ragamuffins where they are peppered: there's 2920
    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?


  • Henry V. What, stand'st thou idle here? lend me thy sword: 2925
    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. 2930
    Turk Gregory never did such deeds in arms as I have
  • Henry V. 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 2935
  • Henry V. 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]

  • Henry V. What, is it a time to jest and dally now? 2940

[He throws the bottle at him. Exit]

  • Falstaff. Well, if Percy be alive, I'll pierce him. If he do
    willingly, let him make a carbonado of me. I like
    not such grinning honour as Sir Walter hath: give me 2945
    life: which if I can save, so; if not, honour comes
    unlooked for, and there's an end.

