Nym and Bardolph are sworn brothers in filching, and in Calais they stole a fire-shovel: I knew by that piece of service the men would carry coals. They would have me as familiar with men's pockets as their gloves or their handkerchers: which makes much against my manhood, if I should take from another's pocket to put into mine; for it is plain pocketing up of wrongs. I must leave them, and seek some better service: their villany 50 goes against my weak stomach, and therefore I must cast it up. [Exit. Re-enter FLUELLEN, GOWER following Gow. Captain Fluellen, you must come presently to the mines; the Duke of Gloucester would speak with you. FLU. To the mines! tell you the duke, it is not so good to come to the mines; for, look you, the mines is not according to the disciplines of the war: the concavities of it is not sufficient; for, look you, th' athversary, you may discuss unto the duke, look you, is digt himself four yard under the countermines: by Cheshu, I think a' will plow up all, if there is not better directions. 43 sworn brothers] bosom comrades. 45 carry coals] perform the lowest of all domestic services and hence submit tamely to humiliation. The phrase was common in a reproachful sense. Cf. Rom. and Jul., I, i, 1-2. 49 pocketing up of wrongs] putting up with insults. 58 is digt himself] has dug his mines. This is a confused description of strategy. It is the besiegers-here the English—who mine, and the besieged - here the French - who countermine. 60 plow] Fluellen's mispronunciation of "blow." Cf. IV, viii, 13, infra. 60 Gow. The Duke of Gloucester, to whom the order of the siege is given, is altogether directed by an Irishman, a very valiant gentleman, i' faith. FLU. It is Captain Macmorris, is it not? Gow. I think it be. FLU. By Cheshu, he is an ass, as in the world: I will verify as much in his beard: he has no more directions in the true disciplines of the wars, look you, of the Roman disciplines, than is a puppy-dog. Enter MACMORRIS and Captain JAMY Gow. Here a' comes; and the Scots captain, Captain 70 Jamy, with him. FLU. Captain Jamy is a marvellous falorous gentleman, that is certain; and of great expedition and knowledge in th' aunchient wars, upon my particular knowledge of his directions: by Cheshu, he will maintain his argument as well as any military man in the world, in the disciplines of the pristine wars of the Romans. JAMY. I say gud-day, Captain Fluellen. FLU. God-den to your worship, good Captain James. Gow. How now, Captain Macmorris! have you quit 80 the mines? have the pioners given o'er? MAC. By Chrish, la! tish ill done: the work ish give over, the trompet sound the retreat. By my hand, I 73 expedition] a combination in Fluellen's dialect of "experience" and "erudition." 79 God-den] a common colloquial form of "good e'en, "good evening." Cf. Rom. and Jul., I, ii, 56, and III, v, 172. Here Fluellen seems to mean "good day." 81 pioners] pioneers, military engineers. swear, and and my father's soul, the work ish ill done; it ish give over: I would have blowed up the town, so Chrish save me, la! in an hour: O, tish ill done, tish ill done; by my hand, tish ill done! FLU. Captain Macmorris, I beseech you now, will you voutsafe me, look you, a few disputations with you, as partly touching or concerning the disciplines of the war, 90 the Roman wars, in the way of argument, look you, and friendly communication; partly to satisfy my opinion, and partly for the satisfaction, look you, of my mind, as touching the direction of the military discipline; that is the point. JAMY. It sall be vary gud, gud feith, gud captains bath and I sall quit you with gud leve, as I may pick occasion; that sall I, marry. MAC. It is no time to discourse, so Chrish save me: the day is hot, and the weather, and the wars, and the king, and the dukes: it is no time to discourse. The town is beseeched, and the trumpet call us to the breach; and we talk, and, be Chrish, do nothing: 't is shame for us all: so God sa' me, 't is shame to stand still; it is shame, by my hand: and there is throats to be cut, and works to be done; and there ish nothing done, so Chrish sa' me, la! JAMY. By the mess, ere theise eyes of mine take themselves to slomber, ay 'll de gud service, or ay 'll lig i' the grund for it; ay, or go to death; and ay 'll pay 't as valorously as I may, that sall I suerly do, that is the 97 quit you] requite, answer you. 108 mess] mass. 109 ay'll lig] I'll lie. 98 107 breff and the long. Marry, I wad full fain hear some question 'tween you tway. FLU. Captain Macmorris, I think, look you, under your correction, there is not many of your nation — MAC. Of my nation! What ish my nation? Ish a villain, and a bastard, and a knave, and a rascal. What ish my nation? Who talks of my nation? FLU. Look you, if you take the matter otherwise than is meant, Captain Macmorris, peradventure I shall think you do not use me with that affability as in discretion you ought to use me, look you; being as good a man as yourself, both in the disciplines of war, and in the derivation of my birth, and in other particularities. MAC. I do not know you so good a man as myself: so Chrish save me, I will cut off your head. Gow. Gentlemen both, you will mistake each other. JAMY. A that's a foul fault. Gow. The town sounds a parley. [A parley sounded. FLU. Captain Macmorris, when there is more better opportunity to be required, look you, I will be so bold as to tell you I know the disciplines of war; and there is an end. [Exeunt. 112-113 I wad full fain hear some question] I would well wish to hear some debate. 116 What ish my nation?] Macmorris sarcastically challenges Fluellen to say a word against his country. 124 129 SCENE III-THE SAME BEFORE THE GATES The Governor and some Citizens on the walls; the English forces below. Enter KING HENRY and his train K. HEN. How yet resolves the governor of the town? This is the latest parle we will admit: Therefore to our best mercy give yourselves; Or like to men proud of destruction Defy us to our worst: for, as I am a soldier, A name that in my thoughts becomes me best, I will not leave the half-achieved Harfleur Till in her ashes she lie buried. The gates of mercy shall be all shut up, And the flesh'd soldier, rough and hard of heart, What is 't to me, when you yourselves are cause, 8 half-achieved] half conquered. Cf. IV, iii, 91, infra, "Bid them achieve me." 11 the flesh'd soldier] the soldier who has first tasted blood. Cf. II, iv, 18 Enlink'd... desolation] Inevitably associated with ruin and destruction. 10 |