The Complete Works of William Shakespeare In Plain and Simple English (Translated)
Page 114
Gower is a good captain, very knowledgeable in the art of war.
King
Call him hither to me, soldier.
Call him to me, soldier.
Williams
I will, my liege.
I will, my liege.
Exit.
King
Here, Fluellen; wear thou this favour for me and stick it in thy cap. When Alencon and myself were down together, I pluck'd 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.
Here Fluellen, wear this in your cap as a favor for me. I took this glove from Alencon when we were down together. If any man challenges this he is a friend to Alencon, and our enemy. If you encounter anyone like this, arrest him, if you love me.
Fluellen
Your Grace doo's me as great honours as can be desir'd in the hearts of his subjects. I would fain see the man, that has but two legs, that shall find himself aggrief'd at this glove; that is all. But I would fain see it once, an please God of His grace that I might see.
It would be an honor. I would like to find any man with two legs who would take offense at this glove. I would hate to see it just once, and I hope I do, God willing.
King
Know'st thou Gower?
Do you know Gower?
Fluellen
He is my dear friend, an please you.
He is my dear friend, if it pleases you.
King
Pray thee, go seek him, and bring him to my tent.
Then I ask you to go find him and bring him to my tent.
Fluellen
I will fetch him.
I will.
Exit.
King
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' the 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, touch'd 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.
My Lord of Warwick and my brother, Gloucester, follow Fluellen. The glove I gave him may get him a knock on the head. It’s the soldier’s. I should wear it myself. Follow him, good cousin Warwick, and if that soldier follows his oath make sure no harm comes to them. You go with me, Uncle Exeter.
Exit.
Enter Gower and Williams.
Williams
I warrant it is to knight you, Captain.
I warn you it is knight to you, captain.
Enter Fluellen.
Fluellen
God's will and 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.
God’s will, captain, I ask that you come quickly to the king. There is more good for you than you can imagine.
Williams
Sir, know you this glove?
Sir, do you know this glove?
Fluellen
Know the glove! I know the glove is a glove.
Know the glove! I know it’s a glove!
Williams
I know this; and thus I challenge it.
I know it and therefore, I challenge you.
Strikes him.
Fluellen
'Sblood! an arrant traitor as any is in the universal world, or in France, or in England!
Hell! You are a wayward traitor as any in the world or in France or in England!
Gower
How now, sir! you villain!
What’s going on? You villain!
Williams
Do you think I'll be forsworn?
Did you think I would break my oath?
Fluellen
Stand away, Captain Gower. I will give treason his payment into plows, I warrant you.
Stand back, Captain Gower. I will give him what he’s got coming to him. I warn you!
Williams
I am no traitor.
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.
That’s a lie. I charge you in the name of his majesty. Arrest him. He’s a friend of the Duke Alencon.
Enter Warwick and Gloucester.
Warwick
How now, how now! what's the matter?
Hey! 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.
My Lord of Warwick, praise be to God you are here! A contagious act of treason has come light, bright as a summer’s day. Here is his majesty.
Enter King Henry and Exeter.
King
How now! what's the matter?
Hey 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.
My liege, here is the villain and traitor that has taken offence at the glove 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.
My liege, this was my glove. Here is the match. The man I gave it to promised me he would wear it in his cap. I promised to strike him, if he did. I met this man with my glove in his cap, and I have kept 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?
Hear me now, your majesty, this is a villain, a rascal, and a beggar. Your majesty, please tell them this is the glove of Alencon that you gave me. Remember?
King
Give me thy glove, soldier. Look, here is the fellow of it. 'Twas I, indeed, thou promisedst to strike; And thou hast given me most bitter terms.
Give me the glove, soldier. Look, here is the match. I am the man you promised to strike and you have made this difficult for me.
Fluellen
An it please your Majesty, let his neck answer for it, if there is any martial law in the world.
If it pleases your majesty, let’s hang him, if there is any law in the world.
King
How canst thou make me satisfaction?
How can you make up for this offence?
Williams
All offences, my lord, come from the heart. Never came any from mine that might offend your Majesty.
All offences, my lord, come from the heart. I never meant to offend you, your majesty.
King
It was ourself thou didst abuse.
You said awful things about me to my face.
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.
You did not come as yourself. You appeared to be a common man. I remember the night, your clothes, your demeanor, and the way you acted. I ask you accept some of the blame because if I had known it was you, I would not have offended you. Please, forgive me.
King
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 his crowns; And, captain, you must needs be friends with him.
Here, uncle Exeter, fill this glove with crowns and give it to this fellow. Keep it, young man, and wear it for honorably in your cap, until I challenge you for it. Give him the money, and captain, you must 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.
This man is brave enough. Here is twelve pence for you. Go and serve God, I pray. Stay out of trouble and I promise you a long, healthy life.
Williams
I will none of your money.
I don’t want any 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.
I want you to have it. Use it to mend your shoes. Don’t be filled with pride. Your shoes are no good.
Enter an English Herald.
King
Now, herald, are the dead numb'red?
Herald, how many are dead?
Herald
Here is the number of the slaught'red French.
Here is the number of the dead French.
King
What prisoners of good sort are taken, uncle?
What kind of good prisoners were 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.
We have Charles Duke of Orleans, nephew to the king, John Duke of Bourbon, and Lord Bouciqualt. We also have about fifteen hundred men, including some lords, barons, knights, squires, and common men.
King
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 thousand and four hundred; of the which, Five hundred were but yesterday dubb'd knights; So that, in these ten thousand they have lost, There are but sixteen hundred mercenaries; The rest are princes, barons, lords, knights, squires, And gentlemen of blood and quality. The names of those their nobles that lie dead: Charles Delabreth, High Constable of France; Jacques of Chatillon, Admiral of France; The master of the cross-bows, Lord Rambures; Great Master of France, the brave Sir Guichard Dauphin, John Duke of Alencon, Anthony Duke of Brabant, The brother to the Duke of Burgundy, And Edward Duke of Bar; of lusty earls, Grandpre and Roussi, Fauconberg and Foix, Beaumont and Marle, Vaudemont and Lestrale. Here was a royal fellowship of death! Where is the number of our English dead?
This tells me out of the ten thousand French who are dead, one hundred twenty-six were nobles bearing banners. Eight thousand, four hundred were knights, squires, and gentlemen. Only five hundred were made knights yesterday. Out of the lost men, sixteen hundred were mercenaries and the rest are princes, barons, lords, knights, squires, and noble men. The dead include, Charles Delabreth, high constable of France; Jaques of Chatillon, admiral of France; the master of cross-bows, Lord Rambures; great master of France, Sir Guichard Dolphin; John, Duke of Alencon; Anthony, Duke of Brabant; the brother of the Duke of Burgundy; and Edward, Duke of Bar. The dead earls are Grandpre, Roussi, Fauconberg, Foix, Beaumont, Marle, Vaudemont, and Lestrale. Here was a royal group of dead! Where is the number of the English casualties?
Herald shows him another paper.
Edward the Duke of York, the Earl of Suffolk, Sir Richard Ketly, Davy Gam, esquire; None else of name; and of all other men But five and twenty.--O God, thy arm was here; And not to us, but to thy arm alone, Ascribe we all! When, without stratagem, But in plain shock and even play of battle, Was ever known so great and little loss On one part and on the other? Take it, God, For it is none but thine!
This says Edward, the Duke of York, the Earl of Suffolk, Sir Richard Ketly, and squire Davy Gam. We only lost twenty-five other men. Thank God! Never has another battle tallied such great loss on one side and so little on the other. It was God’s work, not mine!
Exeter
'Tis wonderful!
It’s wonderful!
King
Come, go we in procession to the village; And be it death proclaimed through our host To boast of this or take that praise from God Which is His only.
Come, let’s go together to the village. Death to anyone who takes credit for this victory. To God be the glory.
Fluellen
Is it not lawful, an please your Majesty, to tell how many is kill'd?
It’s not lawful, if it pleases your majesty, to tell how many are dead?
King
Yes, Captain; but with this acknowledgment, That God fought for us.
Yes, captain, but when we acknowledge it, it will show God fought for us.
Fluellen
Yes, my conscience, He did us great good.
Yes, I know, he did us great good.
King
Do we all holy rites. Let there be sung Non nobis and Te Deum, The dead with charity enclos'd in clay, And then to Calais; and to England then, Where ne'er from France arriv'd more happy men.
We must observe all holy rites. Sing “Non Nobis” and “Te Deum” Let the dead be buried. Then we must go to Calais and to England. There have never been happier men to return home.
Exit.
Enter Chorus.
Chorus
Vouchsafe to those that have not read the story, That I may prompt them; and of such as have, I humbly pray them to admit the excuse Of time, of numbers, and due course of things, Which cannot in their huge and proper life Be here presented. Now we bear the King Toward Calais; grant him there; there seen, Heave him away upon your winged thoughts Athwart the sea. Behold, the English beach Pales in the flood with men, with wives and boys, Whose shouts and claps out-voice the deep-mouth'd sea, Which like a mighty whiffler 'fore the King Seems to prepare his way. So let him land, And solemnly see him set on to London. So swift a pace hath thought that even now You may imagine him upon Blackheath, Where that his lords desire him to have borne His bruised helmet and his bended sword Before him through the city. He forbids it, Being free from vainness and self-glorious pride; Giving full trophy, signal, and ostent Quite from himself to God. But now behold, In the quick forge and working-house of thought, How London doth pour out her citizens! The mayor and all his brethren in best sort, Like to the senators of the antique Rome, With the plebeians swarming at their heels, Go forth and fetch their conquering Caesar in; As, by a lower but loving likelihood, Were now the general of our gracious empress, As in good time he may, from Ireland coming, Bringing rebellion broached on his sword, How many would the peaceful city quit, To welcome him! Much more, and much more cause, Did they this Harry. Now in London place him; As yet the lamentation of the French Invites the King of England's stay at home,-- The Emperor's coming in behalf of France, To order peace between them;--and omit All the occurrences, whatever chanc'd, Till Harry's back-return again to France. There must we bring him; and myself have play'd The interim, by rememb'ring you 'tis past. Then brook abridgment, and your eyes advance After your thoughts, straight back again to France.
Those of you who have not heard the story, trust me. I beg your pardon for the lack of time and if we have left out any details. We could not present them all. Now, we see the king going toward Calais. Afterwards, see him upon the sea, and then the English beach. Men flood the beach. Wives and boys shout and clap, drowning out the deep, loud sea and preparing the way for the king. Now, he is in London where his lords want to see his dented helmet and bent sword. He forbids it, not being vain and filled with pride. He gives all the credit to Go
d. Behold now the citizens of London pouring out. The mayor and all his constituents swarm at their heels like the senators of ancient Rome to see their Caesar. Imagine the queen returning home from victory in Ireland, and how many people would come out to see him. There were much more to welcome Harry. Now, see him in London, coming home from the mourning of France. The emperor is coming on behalf of France to put order and peace between them. Remember this has taken place as we return to France.
Exit.
Enter Fluellen and Gower.
Gower
Nay, that's right; but why wear you your leek to-day? Saint Davy's day is past.
No, that’s right, but why are you wearing your leek today? Saint Davy’s day has past.