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King Henry V: Act 4 Scene 6

Scene VI Another part of the field.

[Alarums. Enter KING HENRY and forces, EXETER, and others]

KING HENRY V

Well have we done, thrice valiant countrymen:

But all's not done; yet keep the French the field.

EXETER

The Duke of York commends him to your majesty.

KING HENRY V

Lives he, good uncle? thrice within this hour

I saw him down; thrice up again and fighting;

From helmet to the spur all blood he was.

EXETER

In which array, brave soldier, doth he lie,

Larding the plain; and by his bloody side,

Yoke-fellow to his honour-owing wounds,

The noble Earl of Suffolk also lies.

Suffolk first died: and York, all haggled over,

Comes to him, where in gore he lay insteep'd,

And takes him by the beard; kisses the gashes

That bloodily did spawn upon his face;

And cries aloud 'Tarry, dear cousin Suffolk!

My soul shall thine keep company to heaven;

Tarry, sweet soul, for mine, then fly abreast,

As in this glorious and well-foughten field

We kept together in our chivalry!'

Upon these words I came and cheer'd him up:

He smiled me in the face, raught me his hand,

And, with a feeble gripe, says 'Dear my lord,

Commend my service to me sovereign.'

So did he turn and over Suffolk's neck

He threw his wounded arm and kiss'd his lips;

And so espoused to death, with blood he seal'd

A testament of noble-ending love.

The pretty and sweet manner of it forced

Those waters from me which I would have stopp'd;

But I had not so much of man in me,

And all my mother came into mine eyes

And gave me up to tears.

KING HENRY V

I blame you not;

For, hearing this, I must perforce compound

With mistful eyes, or they will issue too.

[Alarum]

But, hark! what new alarum is this same?

The French have reinforced their scatter'd men:

Then every soldier kill his prisoners:

Give the word through.

[Exeunt]