are matched with as few good deeds; for a' never broke any man's head but his own, and that was 44 against a post when he was drunk. They will steal any thing and call it purchase. Bardolph stole a lute-case, bore it twelve leagues, and sold it for three half-pence. Nym and Bardolph are 48 sworn brothers in filching, and in Calais they stole a fire-shovel: I knew by that piece of service the men would carry coals. They would have me as familiar with men's pockets as their 52 gloves or their handkerchers: which makes much against my manhood if I should take from another's pocket to put into mine; for it is plain pocketing up of wrongs. I must leave them 56 and seek some better service: their villainy goes against my weak stomach, and therefore I must cast it up. Enter Gower. Exit. Gow. Captain Fluellen, you must come presently to the mines: the Duke of Gloucester would speak with you. 62 Flu. To the mines! tell you the duke it is not so good to come to the mines. For look you, the mines is not according to the disciplines of the war; the concavities of it is not sufficient; 66 for, look you, th' athversary-you may discuss unto the duke, look you-is digt himself four yard under the countermines; by Cheshu, I think, a' will plow up all if there is not better directions. Gow. The Duke of Gloucester, to whom the 46 purchase: slang term for money gained by cheating 51 carry coals: swallow insults 67 discuss: explain 71 65 the mines is not; cf. n. 69 Cheshu: Jesu order of the siege is given, is altogether directed by an Irishman, a very valiant gentleman, i̇’ faith. Flu. It is Captain Macmorris, is it not? Flu. By Cheshu, he is an ass, as in the world: I will verify as much in his beard: he has no more directions in the true disciplines of the wars, look you, of the Roman disciplines, than is a puppy-dog. Enter Macmorris and Captain Jamy. Gow. Here a' comes; and the Scots captain, Captain Jamy, with him. 76 82 Flu. Captain Jamy is a marvellous falorous gentleman, that is certain; and of great expedi- 86 tion and knowledge in th' aunchient wars, upon my particular knowledge of his directions: by Cheshu, he will maintain his argument as well as any military man in the world, in the disciplines of the pristine wars of the Romans. Jamy. I say gud day, Captain Fluellen. Flu. God-den to your worship, good Captain James. 91 Gow. How now, Captain Macmorris! have you quit the mines? have the pioners given o'er? 96 Mac. By Chrish, la! tish ill done: the work ish give over, the trumpet sound the retreat. By my hand, I swear, and my father's soul, the work ish ill done; it ish give over: I would have blowed up the town, so Chrish save me, la! in an hour: O! tish ill done, tish ill done; by my hand, tish ill done! 78 as: as great as any 96 pioners: sappers 103 93 God-den: good evening Flu. Captain Macmorris, I beseech you now, will you voutsafe me, look you, a few disputations with you, as partly touching or concerning the disciplines of the war, the Roman wars, in the way of argument, look you, and friendly communication; partly to satisfy my opinion, and partly for the satisfaction, look you, of my mind, as touching the direction of the military discipline: that is the point. Jamy. It sall be vary gud, gud feith, gud captains bath: and I sall quit you with gud leve, as I may pick occasion; that sall I, marry. 112 Mac. It is no time to discourse, so Chrish save me: the day is hot, and the weather, and the wars, and the king, and the dukes: it is no time to discourse. The town is beseeched, and 119 the trumpet call us to the breach; and we talk, and be Chrish, do nothing: 'tis shame for us all; so God sa' me, 'tis shame to stand still; it is shame, by my hand; and there is throats to be cut, and works to be done; and there ish nothing done, so Chrish sa' me, la! Jamy. By the mess, ere theise eyes of mine take themselves to slumber, aile do gud service, or aile lig i' the grund for it; ay, or go to death; and aile pay 't as valorously as I may, that sal I suerly do, that is the breff and the long. Marry, I wad full fain heard some question 'tween you tway. Flu. Captain Macmorris, I think, under your correction, there is not your nation— 115 marry: originally an oath by the Virgin Mary 119 beseeched: i.e., besieged 126 mess: Mass 128 lig: lie 125 132 look you, · many of 135 122 sa': save 132 tway: two Mac. Of my nation! What ish my nation? ish a villain, and a bastard, and a knave, and a rascal? What ish my nation? Who talks of my nation? Flu. Look you, if you take the matter otherwise than is meant, Captain Macmorris, peradventure I shall think you do not use me with that affability as in discretion you ought to use me, look you; being as good a man as yourself, both in the disciplines of war, and in the derivation of my birth, and in other particularities. Mac. I do not know you so good a man as myself: so Chrish save me, I will cut off your head. Gow. Gentlemen both, you will mistake each other. Jamy. A! that's a foul fault. Gow. The town sounds a parley. 139 146 149 A parley. Flu. Captain Macmorris, when there is more better opportunity to be required, look you, I will be so bold as to tell you I know the disciplines of war; and there is an end. 153 Exit [with Gower and the other captains]. Scene Three [Before the Gates of Harfleur] [The Governor and some Citizens on the walls; the English forces below.] Enter the King and all his Train before the gates. K. Hen. How yet resolves the governor of the town? This is the latest parle we will admit: Defy us to our worst: for, as I am a soldier, A name that in my thoughts becomes me best,— I will not leave the half-achieved Harfleur Till in her ashes she lie buried. The gates of mercy shall be all shut up, And the flesh'd soldier, rough and hard of heart, What is 't to me, when you yourselves are cause, What rein can hold licentious wickedness When down the hill he holds his fierce career? 25 As send precepts to the leviathan To come ashore. Therefore, you men of Harfleur, Take pity of your town and of your people, 28 Whiles yet my soldiers are in my command; Whiles yet the cool and temperate wind of grace Of heady murder, spoil, and villainy. 2 parle: parley 17 fell feats: savage practices 24 bootless: uselessly 32 heady: headstrong 32 11 flesh'd: hardened by bloodshed 18 Enlink'd to: associated with 31 O'erblows: blows away |