Act 5, Scene 3: Plain between the camps

SCENE III. Plain between the camps.

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

SIR WALTER BLUNT

    What is thy name, that in the battle thus
    Thou crossest me? what honour dost thou seek
    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.

SIR WALTER BLUNT

    They tell thee true.

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.

SIR WALTER BLUNT

    I was not born a yielder, thou proud Scot;
    And thou shalt find a king that will revenge
    Lord Stafford's death.

    They fight. DOUGLAS kills SIR WALTER BLUNT. Enter HOTSPUR

HOTSPUR

    O Douglas, hadst thou fought at Holmedon thus,
    never had triumph'd upon a Scot.

EARL OF DOUGLAS

    All's done, all's won; here breathless lies the king.

HOTSPUR

    Where?

EARL OF DOUGLAS

    Here.

HOTSPUR

    This, Douglas? no: I know this face full well:
    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?

HOTSPUR

    The king hath many marching in his coats.

EARL OF DOUGLAS

    Now, by my sword, I will kill all his coats;
    I'll murder all his wardrobe, piece by piece,
    Until I meet the king.

HOTSPUR

    Up, and away!
    Our soldiers stand full fairly for the day.

    Exeunt

    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.
    Soft! who are you? Sir Walter Blunt: there's honour
    for you! here's no vanity! I am as hot as moulten
    lead, and as heavy too: God keep lead out of me! I
    need no more weight than mine own bowels. I have
    led my ragamuffins where they are peppered: there's
    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?

    Enter PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY

    What, stand'st thou idle here? lend me thy sword:
    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.
    Turk Gregory never did such deeds in arms as I have
    done this day. I have paid Percy, I have made him sure.

PRINCE HENRY

    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
    not my sword; but take my pistol, if thou wilt.

PRINCE HENRY

    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

PRINCE HENRY

    What, is it a time to jest and dally now?

    He throws the bottle at him. Exit

FALSTAFF

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

    Exit FALSTAFF