The Works of William Shakespeare [Cambridge Edition] [Vol. 4 of 9]Shakespeare, William
General
The Works of William Shakespeare [Cambridge Edition] [Vol. 4 of 9]
Shakespeare, William
English drama
And in that very line, Harry, standest thou;[2752] 85
For thou hast lost thy princely privilege
With vile participation: not an eye
But is a-weary of thy common sight,
Save mine, which hath desired to see thee more;
Which now doth that I would not have it do,[2753] 90
Make blind itself with foolish tenderness.
_Prince._ I shall hereafter, my thrice gracious lord,
Be more myself.
_King._ For all the world[2754]
As thou art to this hour was Richard then[2755]
When I from France set foot at Ravenspurgh,[2756] 95
And even as I was then is Percy now.
Now, by my sceptre and my soul to boot,
He hath more worthy interest to the state[2757]
Than thou the shadow of succession;[2758]
For of no right, nor colour like to right, 100
He doth fill fields with harness in the realm,
Turns head against the lion's armed jaws,
And, being no more in debt to years than thou,
Leads ancient lords and reverend bishops on[2759]
To bloody battles and to bruising arms. 105
What never-dying honour hath he got
Against renowned Douglas! whose high deeds,[2760]
Whose hot incursions and great name in arms
Holds from all soldiers chief majority[2761]
And military title capital 110
Through all the kingdoms that acknowledge Christ:
Thrice hath this Hotspur, Mars in swathling clothes,[2762]
This infant warrior, in his enterprizes
Discomfited great Douglas, ta'en him once,[2763]
Enlarged him and made a friend of him, 115
To fill the mouth of deep defiance up[2764]
And shake the peace and safety of our throne.
And what say you to this? Percy, Northumberland,
The Archbishop's grace of York, Douglas, Mortimer,[2765]
Capitulate against us and are up. 120
But wherefore do I tell these news to thee?
Why, Harry, do I tell thee of my foes,
Which art my near'st and dearest enemy?[2766]
Thou that art like enough, through vassal fear,[2767]
Base inclination and the start of spleen, 125
To fight against me under Percy's pay,
To dog his heels and curtsy at his frowns,
o show how much thou art degenerate.[2768]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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