SparkNotes: Complete Text of Henry V: Act IV, Scene vi

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READ STUDY GUIDE: Act IV, scenes vi–viii

Act IV, Scene vi:
Another part of the field.

[Alarum. Enter King Henry and his train, with prisoners.]

KING HENRY:

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:

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 insteeped,

And takes him by the beard; kisses the gashes

That bloodily did yawn upon his face.

He cries aloud, "Tarry, my 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 smil'd me in the face, raught me his hand,

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

Commend my service to my sovereign."

So did he turn and over Suffolk's neck

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

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

A testament of noble-ending love.

The pretty and sweet manner of it forc'd

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:

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 reinforc'd their scatter'd men.

Then every soldier kill his prisoners;

Give the word through.

[Exeunt.]

Henry V

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