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Henry V - Act 4, scene 6
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Henry V - Act 4, scene 6Act 4, scene 6
⌜Scene 6⌝
Synopsis:
Henry, in doubt about the outcome of the battle, hears of York’s and Suffolk’s deaths, and then, when a French call to arms is again sounded, orders his troops to kill their prisoners.
Alarum. Enter the King ⌜of England⌝ and his train,with prisoners.
KING HENRY
2473 Well have we done, thrice-valiant countrymen,
2474 But all’s not done. Yet keep the French the field.
p.
179
⌜Enter Exeter.⌝EXETER
2475 The Duke of York commends him to your Majesty.
KING HENRY
2476 Lives he, good uncle? Thrice within this hour
2477 5 I saw him down, thrice up again and fighting.
2478 From helmet to the spur, all blood he was.
EXETER
2479 In which array, brave soldier, doth he lie,
2480 Larding the plain, and by his bloody side,
2481 Yoke-fellow to his honor-owing wounds,
2482 10 The noble Earl of Suffolk also lies.
2483 Suffolk first died, and York, all haggled over,
2484 Comes to him where in gore he lay insteeped,
2485 And takes him by the beard, kisses the gashes
2486 That bloodily did yawn upon his face.
2487 15 He cries aloud “Tarry, my cousin Suffolk.
2488 My soul shall thine keep company to heaven.
2489 Tarry, sweet soul, for mine; then fly abreast,
2490 As in this glorious and well-foughten field
2491 We kept together in our chivalry.”
2492 20 Upon these words I came and cheered him up.
2493 He smiled me in the face, raught me his hand,
2494 And with a feeble grip, says “Dear my lord,
2495 Commend my service to my sovereign.”
2496 So did he turn, and over Suffolk’s neck
2497 25 He threw his wounded arm and kissed his lips,
2498 And so, espoused to death, with blood he sealed
2499 A testament of noble-ending love.
2500 The pretty and sweet manner of it forced
2501 Those waters from me which I would have stopped,
2502 30 But I had not so much of man in me,
2503 And all my mother came into mine eyes
2504 And gave me up to tears.
KING HENRY 2505 I blame you not,
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181
2506
For, hearing this, I must perforce compound2507 35 With ⌜my full⌝ eyes, or they will issue too.Alarum.
2508 But hark, what new alarum is this same?
2509 The French have reinforced their scattered men.
2510 Then every soldier kill his prisoners.
2511 Give the word through.
⌜They⌝ exit.