Henry V Translation Act 4, Scene 7
Enter FLUELLEN and GOWER
FLUELLEN
Kill the poys and the luggage! 'Tis expressly against the law of arms. 'Tis as arrant a piece of knavery, markyou now, as can be offert, in your conscience now, is it not?
FLUELLEN
Kill the boys and the luggage! That's explicitly against the laws of war. It's as horrible a crime as can be done, don't you think?
GOWER
'Tis certain there’s not a boy left alive, and the cowardly rascals that ran from the battle ha' done this slaughter. Besides, they have burned and carried away all that was in the king’s tent, wherefore the king, most worthily, hath caused every soldier to cut his prisoner’s throat. Oh, ’tis a gallant king!
GOWER
It's certain that there's not a single boy left alive, and the cowardly good-for-nothings who ran from the battle did this. They have also burned or carried away everything that was in the king's tent, which is the reason the king, quite rightly, made every soldier cut his prisoner's throat. Oh, he's a great king!
FLUELLEN
Ay, he was porn at Monmouth, Captain Gower. What call you the town’s name where Alexander the Pig was born?
FLUELLEN
Yes, he was born at Monmouth, Captain Gower. What was the town called where Alexander the Big was born?
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Alexander the Great.
GOWER
Alexander the Great.
FLUELLEN
Why, I pray you, is not “pig” great? The pig, or the great, or the mighty, or the huge, or the magnanimous are all one reckonings, save the phrase is a little variations.
FLUELLEN
What, I ask you, isn't "big" great? The big, or the great, or the powerful, or the huge, or the generous are all the same, except that there are a few variations in the phrasing.
GOWER
I think Alexander the Great was born in Macedon. His father was called Philip of Macedon, as I take it.
GOWER
I think Alexander the Great was born in Macedon. His father was called Philip of Macedon, I believe.
FLUELLEN
I think it is in Macedon where Alexander is porn. I tell you, Captain, if you look in the maps of the 'orld,I warrant you shall find, in the comparisons between Macedon and Monmouth, that the situations, look you, is both alike. There is a river in Macedon, and there is also, moreover, a river at Monmouth. It is called Wye atMonmouth, but it is out of my prains what is the name of the other river. But ’tis all one; ’tis alike as my fingers is to my fingers, and there is salmons in both. If you mark Alexander’s life well, Harry of Monmouth’s life is come after it indifferent well, for there is figures in all things. Alexander, God knows and you know, in his rages and his furies and his wraths and hischolers and his moods and his displeasures and his indignations, and also being a little intoxicates in hisprains, did, in his ales and his angers, look you, killhis best friend, Cleitus.
FLUELLEN
I think it was Macedon where Alexander was born. I tell you, Captain, if you look at maps of the world, I bet you will find, comparing Macedon and Monmouth, that they're in very similar locations. There is a river in Macedon and there is also, moreover, a river in Monmouth. It is called Wye at Monmouth, but I've forgotten what the name of the other river is. But it doesn't matter; they're as alike as my fingers are to each other, and there is salmons in both. If you consider Alexander's life well, Harry of Monmouth's life has followed pretty much the same course, because everything stands for something else. Alexander, God knows and you know, in his rages and his furies and his temper and his tantrums and his moods and his displeasures and his indignations, and also being a little intoxicated, did, in his ale and his anger, see, kill his best friend, Cleitus.
GOWER
Our king is not like him in that. He never killed any of his friends.
GOWER
Our king is not like him in that way. He never killed any of his friends.
FLUELLEN
It is not well done, mark you now, to take the tales out of my mouth ere it is made and finished. I speak butin the figures and comparisons of it. As Alexander killed his friend Cleitus, being in his ales and his cups, so also Harry Monmouth, being in his right wits and his good judgments, turned away the fat knight with the great-belly doublet; he was full of jests, and gipesand knaveries, and mocks—I have forgot his name.
FLUELLEN
Look, it's not good to take the story away from me before it's over and done with. I'm speaking about the metaphors and comparisons in it. Just as Alexander killed his friend Cleitus, being drunk and in his cups, so also Harry Monmouth, being in his right mind and showing good judgement, turned away the fat knight who wore the huge belly. He was full of jokes, and insults, and crimes, and mocking—I have forgotten his name.
GOWER
Sir John Falstaff.
GOWER
Sir John Falstaff.
FLUELLEN
That is he. I’ll tell you, there is good men porn atMonmouth.
FLUELLEN
That's him. I tell you, there are good men born in Monmouth.
GOWER
Here comes his Majesty.
GOWER
Here comes his Majesty.
Alarum. Enter KING HENRY, WARWICK, GLOUCESTER, EXETER, and others
KING HENRY
I was not angry since I came to France Until this instant. Take a trumpet, herald. Ride thou unto the horsemen on yond hill. If they will fight with us, bid them come down, Or void the field. They do offend our sight. If they’ll do neither, we will come to them And make them skirr away as swift as stones Enforcèd from the old Assyrian slings. Besides, we’ll cut the throats of those we have, And not a man of them that we shall take Shall taste our mercy. Go and tell them so.
KING HENRY
I have not been angry since I came to France, until now. Take a trumpet, messenger. Ride to the horsemen on that hill. If they want to fight us, ask them to ride down, or they should leave the field. They offend our eyes. If they won't do either of those things, we will come to them and make them fly away as quickly as stones fired from ancient Assyrian slingshots. Besides, we'll cut the throats of the prisoners we've captured, and won't be merciful toward a single one of the ones we capture from now on. Go tell them that.
Enter MONTJOY
EXETER
Here comes the herald of the French, my liege.
EXETER
Here comes the French messenger, my king.
GLOUCESTER
His eyes are humbler than they used to be.
GLOUCESTER
He looks more humble than he used to.
KING HENRY
How now, what means this, herald? Know’st thou not That I have fined these bones of mine for ransom? Com’st thou again for ransom?
KING HENRY
What, what does this mean, herald? Don't you know I have offered these bones of mine as ransom? Do you come for ransom again?
MONTJOY
No, great king. I come to thee for charitable license, That we may wander o'er this bloody field To book our dead and then to bury them; To sort our nobles from our common men, For many of our princes—woe the while!— Lie drowned and soaked in mercenary blood. So do our vulgar drench their peasant limbs In blood of princes, and the wounded steeds Fret fetlock deep in gore, and with wild rage Yerk out their armèd heels at their dead masters, Killing them twice. Oh, give us leave, great king, To view the field in safety and dispose Of their dead bodies.
MONTJOY
No, great King. I come to you to ask for your permission for us to wander over this bloody field to record our dead and then to bury them. To sort our nobles from our commoners, because many of our princes, sadly, lie drowned and soaked in the blood of mercenaries. And our commoners' peasant limbs are drenched with the blood of princes, and the wounded horses are fretting, their legs buried in mud up to the fetlocks, and with wild rage kick their hooves covered in metal at their dead owners, killing them again. Oh, let us, great king, look over the field safely and take care of their dead bodies.
KING HENRY
I tell thee truly, herald, I know not if the day be ours or no, For yet a many of your horsemen peer And gallop o'er the field.
KING HENRY
I'll tell you the truth, messenger, I don't know whether we won or not, because many of your horsemen are searching and galloping over the field.
MONTJOY
The day is yours.
MONTJOY
You won.
KING HENRY
Praised be God, and not our strength, for it!What is this castle called that stands hard by?
KING HENRY
May God, not our strength, be praised for that! What is this castle that stands near here called?
MONTJOY
They call it Agincourt.
MONTJOY
They call it Agincourt.
KING HENRY
Then call we this the field of Agincourt,Fought on the day of Crispin Crispianus.
KING HENRY
Then we call this the battle of Agincourt, fought on Crispin Crispianus's day.
FLUELLEN
Your grandfather of famous memory, an’t please your Majesty, and your great-uncle Edward the Plack Prince ofWales, as I have read in the chronicles, fought a most prave pattle here in France.
FLUELLEN
You majesty, your famous grandfather and your great-uncle Edward the Black Prince of Wales, as I have read in history books, fought a very brave battle here in France.
KING HENRY
They did, Fluellen.
KING HENRY
They did, Fluellen.
FLUELLEN
Your Majesty says very true. If your Majesties is remembered of it, the Welshmen did good service in a garden where leeks did grow, wearing leeks in their Monmouth caps, which, your Majesty know, to this hour isan honorable badge of the service. And I do believe your Majesty takes no scorn to wear the leek upon Saint Tavy’s day.
FLUELLEN
Your Majesty speaks the truth. If you remember, your Majesty, the Welsh fought well in a garden where leeks grew, wearing leeks in their hats at Monmouth. You know, your Majesty, that to this day wearing a leek is an honorable reminder of that fight. And I believe your Majesty is not ashamed to wear the leek on Saint Davy's day.
KING HENRY
I wear it for a memorable honor,For I am Welsh, you know, good countryman.
KING HENRY
I wear it to remember an honorable occasion, because, as you know, I am Welsh like you.
FLUELLEN
All the water in Wye cannot wash your Majesty’s Welsh plood out of your pody, I can tell you that: God pless it and preserve it as long as it pleases his Grace and his Majesty too.
FLUELLEN
All the water in the river Wye can't wash your Majesty's Welsh blood out of your body, I can tell you that: God bless it and keep it safe as long as his Grace and Majesty wishes.
KING HENRY
Thanks, good my countryman.
KING HENRY
Thanks, good countryman.
FLUELLEN
By Jeshu, I am your Majesty’s countryman, I care not who know it. I will confess it to all the 'orld. I need not to be ashamed of your Majesty, praised be God, so long as your Majesty is an honest man.
FLUELLEN
By Jesus, I am your Majesty's countryman, I don't care who knows. I will confess it to the whole world. I don't need to be ashamed of you, your Majesty, praise God, as long as you are an honest man.
KING HENRY
God keep me so.—Our heralds go with him.Bring me just notice of the numbers deadOn both our parts. [points to WILLIAMS] Call yonder fellow hither.
KING HENRY
May God me one.
[To Messengers] Messengers, go with him. Bring me a true record of the numbers both sides lost. [points to WILLIAMS] Call that man over here.
Exeunt heralds with MONTJOY
EXETER
Soldier, you must come to the king.
EXETER
Soldier, you must come see the king.
KING HENRY
Soldier, why wear’st thou that glove in thy cap?
KING HENRY
Soldier, why do you wear that glove in your hat?
WILLIAMS
An’t please your Majesty, ’tis the gage of one that I should fight withal, if he be alive.
WILLIAMS
Your Majesty, it was give to me by a man I'm supposed to fight, if he's alive.
KING HENRY
An Englishman?
KING HENRY
An Englishman?
WILLIAMS
An ’t please your Majesty, a rascal that swaggered withme last night, who, if alive and ever dare to challengethis glove, I have sworn to take him a box o' th' 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.
WILLIAMS
Your majesty, a good-for-nothing who was rude to me last night. If he's alive and ever dares ask for the glove back, I promised to box him on the ear. Or if I see my glove in his hat which he swore that, if he was a soldier, he would wear if he survived, I will hit it hard.
KING HENRY
What think you, Captain Fluellen, is it fit this soldier keep his oath?
KING HENRY
What do you think, Captain Fluellen, is it right for this soldier to keep his oath?
FLUELLEN
He is a craven and a villain else, an ’t please your Majesty, in my conscience.
FLUELLEN
I think he would be a coward and a criminal if he didn't, your Majesty.
KING HENRY
It may be his enemy is a gentleman of great sort, quitefrom the answer of his degree.
KING HENRY
It might be that his enemy is an important gentleman, far above him in rank.
FLUELLEN
Though he be as good a gentleman as the devil is, as Lucifer and Beelzebub himself, it is necessary, look your Grace, that he keep his vow and his oath. If he be perjured, see you now, his reputation is as arrant a villain and a Jack Sauce as ever his black shoe trod upon God’s ground and His earth, in my conscience, la.
FLUELLEN
Even if he's as good a gentleman as the devil, as good as Lucifer and Beelzebub themselves, it is necessary, you see, that he keep his oath and his promise. If he breaks the oath, see, his reputation will be that he's as terrible a good-for-nothing and insolent fellow as any that every walked with a black shoe on God's earth, that's what I think.
KING HENRY
Then keep thy vow, sirrah, when thou meet’st the fellow.
KING HENRY
Then keep your oath, fellow, when you meet the man.
WILLIAMS
So I will, my liege, as I live.
WILLIAMS
I will, my king, I swear.
KING HENRY
Who serv’st thou under?
KING HENRY
Who do you serve under?
WILLIAMS
Under Captain Gower, my liege.
WILLIAMS
Under Captain Gower, my king.
FLUELLEN
Gower is a good captain, and is good knowledge and literatured in the wars.
FLUELLEN
Gower is a good captain, and is knowledgeable of and well-read in the wars.
KING HENRY
Call him hither to me, soldier.
KING HENRY
Call him here to me, soldier.
WILLIAMS
I will, my liege.
WILLIAMS
I will, my king.
Exit
KING HENRY
Here, Fluellen, wear thou this favor for me and stick it in thy cap. (gives WILLIAMS' s glove to FLUELLEN ) WhenAlençon and myself were down together, I plucked this glove from his helm. If any man challenge this, he is a friend to Alençon and an enemy to our person. If thou encounter any such, apprehend him, an thou dost me love.
KING HENRY
Here, Fluellen, wear this object for me and stick it in your hat. [gives WILLIAMS's glove to FLUELLEN] When Alençon and I had both fallen from our horses fighting each other, I grabbed this glove from his helmet. If any man tries to fight you over this, he is a friend of Alençon's and an enemy of mine. If you meet anyone like that, take him captive if you love me.
FLUELLEN
Your Grace does me as great honors as can be desired inthe hearts of his subjects. I would fain see the man that has but two legs that shall find himself aggrieved at this glove, that is all; but I would fain see it once, an please God of his Grace that I might see.
FLUELLEN
Your Grace does me as great an honor as any subject could wish for. I would like to see the man who only has two legs who wants to fight about this glove, that's all I have to say; I would like to see him, if it pleases God to let me see him.
KING HENRY
Know’st thou Gower?
KING HENRY
Do you know Gower?
FLUELLEN
He is my dear friend, an please you.
FLUELLEN
He is my good friend.
KING HENRY
Pray thee, go seek him, and bring him to my tent.
KING HENRY
Go find him and bring him to my tent.
FLUELLEN
I will fetch him.
FLUELLEN
I will fetch him.
Exit
KING HENRY
My Lord of Warwick and my brother Gloucester, Follow Fluellen closely at the heels. The glove which I have given him for a favor May haply purchase him a box o' th' 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, touched 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.
KING HENRY
Lord Warwick and brother Gloucester, follow Fluellen closely. The glove I gave him to wear might get him a box on the ear. It belongs to the soldier. I'm supposed to be wearing it myself. Follow, good cousin Warwick. If the soldier hits him, and I think by the bold way he carries himself that he will keep his word, some thing bad might happen. I know Fluellen is brave and, when he gets angry, explodes like gunpowder, and will be quick to hit back. Follow him, and make sure no harm comes to them.
[To EXETER] Come with me, uncle Exeter.
Exeunt
