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Act 5, Scene 4
Henry IV, Part 1 Translation Act 5, Scene 5
The trumpets sound. Enter the KING, PRINCE HENRY, Lord John of LANCASTER, Earl of WESTMORELAND, with WORCESTER and VERNON prisoners
KING
Thus ever did rebellion find rebuke.— Ill-spirited Worcester, did not we send grace, Pardon, and terms of love to all of you? And wouldst thou turn our offers contrary, Misuse the tenor of thy kinsman’s trust? Three knights upon our party slain today, A noble earl, and many a creature else Had been alive this hour, If like a Christian thou hadst truly borne Betwixt our armies true intelligence.
KING
Rebellions will always end in defeat and punishment. Oh, evil-minded Worcester, didn't we send you a kind offer of pardon, and the possibility for a restored friendship? Yet, haven't you said that we did the exact opposite, and exploited Hotspur's trust in you by lying to him about this? Three of our knights killed today, an earl, and many more men would still be alive if you had acted like a Christian, and delivered my true message to your leader.
WORCESTER
What I have done my safety urged me to.And I embrace this fortune patiently,Since not to be avoided it falls on me.
WORCESTER
I did what I had to do to protect myself; and I will accept my punishment willingly, as I know there is nothing that I can do to avoid it.
KING
Bear Worcester to the death, and Vernon too.Other offenders we will pause upon.
KING
Kill Worcester, and Vernon too. I will decide about the other offenders later.
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Exeunt WORCESTER and VERNON under guard
How goes the field?
How is the battle going?
PRINCE HENRY
The noble Scot, Lord Douglas, when he saw The fortune of the day quite turned from him, The noble Percy slain, and all his men Upon the foot of fear, fled with the rest, And, falling from a hill, he was so bruised That the pursuers took him. At my tent The Douglas is, and I beseech your Grace I may dispose of him.
PRINCE HENRY
When Lord Douglas, that brave Scotsman, saw that the battle was not going as planned, that Hotspur had been killed and his men were fleeing in fear, he ran away with them. While he was running, he fell from a hill and was so bruised that we managed to catch him. Douglas is now being held prisoner in my tent. And I would like to ask for permission, my lord, to decide what to do with him.
KING
With all my heart.
KING
I do, with all my heart.
PRINCE HENRY
Then, brother John of Lancaster, to you This honorable bounty shall belong. Go to the Douglas, and deliver him Up to his pleasure, ransomless and free. His valor shown upon our crests today Hath taught us how to cherish such high deeds, Even in the bosom of our adversaries.
PRINCE HENRY
Then brother, John of Lancaster, I am giving you the honor of this great task. Go to Douglas and set him free, without a ransom. His courage when fighting against us today must be acknowledged, even if he was fighting with our enemies.
LANCASTER
I thank your Grace for this high courtesy,Which I shall give away immediately.
LANCASTER
Your Grace, I thank you very much for this honor, and will go and do this immediately.
KING
Then this remains, that we divide our power. You, son John, and my cousin Westmoreland, Towards York shall bend you with your dearest speed To meet Northumberland and the prelate Scroop, Who, as we hear, are busily in arms. Myself and you, son Harry, will towards Wales To fight with Glendower and the Earl of March. Rebellion in this land shall lose his sway, Meeting the check of such another day. And since this business so fair is done, Let us not leave till all our own be won.
KING
Then all that remains to do is for us to split up our army. John and Westmoreland, you must quickly take your armies towards York to confront Northumberland and that Archbishop Scroop who are preparing for battle as we speak. Harry, my son—you and I will travel towards Wales to fight with Glendower and Mortimer. Any rebels in this land will be stopped, if they lose another battle like they lost today. So since we have already been very successful, let's not stop until we have won every battle, and reclaimed what is ours.
Exeunt
