King Henry V · William Shakespeare
SCENE V.--THE FIELD OF AGINCOURT AFTER THE BATTLE.
_Exe._ In which array, (brave soldier), did he lie, Larding the plain; and by his bloody side, (Yoke fellow to his honour-owing wounds), The noble Earl of Suffolk also lay. Suffolk first died: and York, all haggled over, Comes to him, where in gore he lay insteep'd, And takes him by the hand; kisses the gashes, That bloodily did yarn upon his face; And cries aloud:--_Tarry, dear cousin Suffolk! My soul shall thine keep company to heaven: Tarry, sweet soul, for mine, then fly abreast; As in this glorious and well foughten field, We keep together in our chivalry!_ Upon these words I came, and cheer'd him up: He smil'd me in the face, raught me his hand,[28] And with a feeble gripe, says,--_Dear, my lord, Commend my service to my sovereign._ So did he turn, and over Suffolk's neck He threw his wounded arm, and kiss'd his lips; And so espous'd to death, with blood he seal'd A testament of noble-ending love. The pretty and sweet manner of it forc'd Those waters from me, which I would have stopp'd; But I had not so much of man in me, But all my mother came into mine eyes, And gave me up to tears. [_Re-enter ENGLISH HERALD and Trumpeter, R.H._ _K. Hen._ I blame you not: For, hearing this, I must perforce compound With mistful eyes, or they will issue too.
_K. Hen._ Heaven keep me so!--Our herald go with him: Bring me just notice of the numbers dead On both our parts.-- [_Exeunt MONTJOY and attendants, with English Herald, R.H._ Call yonder fellow hither. [_Points to WILLIAMS, who is standing in the ranks up the stage, L._ _Exe._ Soldier, you must come to the king. _K. Hen._ (C.) Soldier, why wear'st thou that glove in thy cap? _Will._ (_kneels R._) An't please your majesty, 'tis the gage of one that I should fight withal, if he be alive. [_Rises from his knee._ _K. Hen._ An Englishman? _Will._ An't please your majesty, a rascal that swaggered with me last night; who, if 'a live, and ever dare to challenge this glove, I have sworn to take him a box o' the 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. _K. Hen._ What think you, Captain Fluellen? is it fit this soldier keep his oath? _Flu._ (L.) He is a craven and a villain else, an't please your majesty, in my conscience. _K. Hen._ It may be his enemy is a gentleman of great sort,[30] quite from the answer of his degree.[31] _Flu._ Though he be as goot a gentleman as the tevil is, as Lucifer and Belzebub himself, it is necessary, look your grace, that he keep his vow and his oath.
Text from Project Gutenberg, public domain in the United States.