King. It seems then that the tidings of this broil
Brake off our business for the Holy Land.
West. This match'd with other did, my gracious lord;[1993]
For more uneven and unwelcome news[1994]50
Came from the north and thus it did import:[1995]
On Holy-rood day, the gallant Hotspur there,
Young Harry Percy, and brave Archibald,
That ever-valiant and approved Scot,
At Holmedon met,[1996][1997]55
Where they did spend a sad and bloody hour;[1996]
As by discharge of their artillery,
And shape of likelihood, the news was told;[1998]
For he that brought them, in the very heat[1999]
And pride of their contention did take horse,60
Uncertain of the issue any way.
King. Here is a dear, a true industrious friend,[2000]
Sir Walter Blunt, new lighted from his horse,
Stain'd with the variation of each soil[2001]
Betwixt that Holmedon and this seat of ours;[2002]65
And he hath brought us smooth and welcome news.[2003]
The Earl of Douglas is discomfited:
Ten thousand bold Scots, two and twenty knights,[2004]
Balk'd in their own blood did Sir Walter see[2005]
On Holmedon's plains. Of prisoners, Hotspur took[2006]70
Mordake the Earl of Fife, and eldest son[2007]
To beaten Douglas; and the Earl of Athol,[2008][2009]
Of Murray, Angus, and Menteith:[2009][2010]
And is not this an honourable spoil?
A gallant prize? ha, cousin, is it not?[2011]75
West. In faith,[2011]
It is a conquest for a prince to boast of.[2011]
King. Yea, there thou makest me sad and makest me sin
In envy that my Lord Northumberland
Should be the father to so blest a son,[2012]80
A son who is the theme of honour's tongue;
Amongst a grove, the very straightest plant;
Who is sweet Fortune's minion and her pride:
Whilst I, by looking on the praise of him,
See riot and dishonour stain the brow85
Of my young Harry. O that it could be proved[2013]
That some night-tripping fairy had exchanged
In cradle-clothes our children where they lay,[2014]
And call'd mine Percy, his Plantagenet![2015]
Then would I have his Harry, and he mine.90
But let him from my thoughts. What think you, coz,[2016]
Of this young Percy's pride? the prisoners,
Which he in this adventure hath surprised,
To his own use he keeps; and sends me word,
I shall have none but Mordake Earl of Fife.95
West. This is his uncle's teaching: this is Worcester,
Malevolent to you in all aspects;
Which makes him prune himself, and bristle up[2017]
The crest of youth against your dignity.
King. But I have sent for him to answer this;100
And for this cause awhile we must neglect
Our holy purpose to Jerusalem.
Cousin, on Wednesday next our council we[2018]
Will hold at Windsor; so inform the lords:[2018][2019]
But come yourself with speed to us again;105
For more is to be said and to be done[2020]
Than out of anger can be uttered.
West. I will, my liege. [Exeunt.
Scene II. London. An apartment of the Prince's.
Enter the Prince of Wales and Falstaff.[2021]