Henry IV Part 1
Text Circles Dramatis Personae Synopsis All Definitions

Share
All
text
First folio
Modern text
Definitions
Key line
Enter the King, Prince of Wales, and others.Enter the King, Prince of Wales, and others 1H4 III.ii.1
King.KING HENRY  
Lords, giue vs leaue: / The Prince of Wales, and I, Lords, give us leave. The Prince of Wales and I 1H4 III.ii.1
Must haue some priuate conference: . But be neere at hand, Must have some private conference – but be near at hand, 1H4 III.ii.2
For wee shall presently haue neede of you. For we shall presently have need of you.presently (adv.)
after a short time, soon, before long		1H4 III.ii.3
Exeunt Lords.Exeunt Lords 1H4 III.ii.3
I know not whether Heauen will haue it so, I know not whether God will have it so 1H4 III.ii.4
For some displeasing seruice I haue done; For some displeasing service I have done, 1H4 III.ii.5
That in his secret Doome, out of my Blood, That in his secret doom out of my blooddoom (n.)

old form: Doome
judgement, sentence, decision		1H4 III.ii.6
blood (n.)
blood relationship, kinship
Hee'le breede Reuengement, and a Scourge for me: He'll breed revengement and a scourge for me.revengement (n.)

old form: Reuengement
revenge, retribution, punishment		1H4 III.ii.7
But thou do'st in thy passages of Life, But thou dost in thy passages of lifepassage (n.)
incident, occurrence, event, happening		1H4 III.ii.8
Make me beleeue, that thou art onely mark'd Make me believe that thou art only marked 1H4 III.ii.9
For the hot vengeance, and the Rod of heauen For the hot vengeance and the rod of heaven, 1H4 III.ii.10
To punish my Mistreadings. Tell me else, To punish my mistreadings. Tell me else,mistreading (n.)
misdeed, transgression, faulty step		1H4 III.ii.11
Could such inordinate and low desires, Could such inordinate and low desires,inordinate (adj.)
immoderate, intemperate, excessive		1H4 III.ii.12
Such poore, such bare, such lewd, such meane attempts, Such poor, such bare, such lewd, such mean attempts,lewd (adj.)
improper, unseemly		1H4 III.ii.13
attempt (n.)
exploit, undertaking, enterprise
bare (adj.)
worthless, wretched; or: barefaced, shameless
Such barren pleasures, rude societie, Such barren pleasures, rude society,rude (adj.)
uncivilized, uncultivated, unrefined		1H4 III.ii.14
As thou art matcht withall, and grafted too, As thou art matched withal, and grafted to, 1H4 III.ii.15
Accompanie the greatnesse of thy blood, Accompany the greatness of thy blood 1H4 III.ii.16
And hold their leuell with thy Princely heart? And hold their level with thy princely heart?hold (v.)
keep, maintain, observe		1H4 III.ii.17
Prince.PRINCE HAL  
So please your Maiesty, I would I could So please your majesty, I would I could 1H4 III.ii.18
Quit all offences with as cleare excuse, Quit all offences with as clear excusequit (v.)
acquit, absolve, clear		1H4 III.ii.19
As well as I am doubtlesse I can purge As well as I am doubtless I can purgedoubtless (adj.)

old form: doubtlesse
certain, sure, free from doubt		1H4 III.ii.20
My selfe of many I am charg'd withall: Myself of many I am charged withal. 1H4 III.ii.21
Yet such extenuation let me begge, Yet such extenuation let me begextenuation (n.)
excuse, mitigation, remission		1H4 III.ii.22
As in reproofe of many Tales deuis'd, As, in reproof of many tales devised,reproof (n.)

old form: reproofe
disproof, refutation, rebuttal		1H4 III.ii.23
devised (adj.)

old form: deuis'd
invented, fabricated, maliciously made-up
Which oft the Eare of Greatnesse needes must heare, Which oft the ear of greatness needs must hear,oft (adv.)
often		1H4 III.ii.24
By smiling Pick-thankes, and base Newes-mongers; By smiling pickthanks and base newsmongers,pickthank (n.)

old form: Pick-thankes
flatterer, sycophant; tale-bearer, rumour-monger		1H4 III.ii.25
base (adj.)
dishonourable, low, unworthy
I may for some things true, wherein my youth I may for some things true, wherein my youth 1H4 III.ii.26
Hath faultie wandred, and irregular, Hath faulty wandered and irregular, 1H4 III.ii.27
Finde pardon on my true submission. Find pardon on my true submission.submission (n.)
compliance, deference, obedience		1H4 III.ii.28
King.KING HENRY  
Heauen pardon thee: / Yet let me wonder, Harry, God pardon thee! Yet let me wonder, Harry, 1H4 III.ii.29
At thy affections, which doe hold a Wing At thy affections, which do hold a wingwing, hold a
[falconry] take a course, maintain a course		1H4 III.ii.30
affection (n.)
fancy, inclination, desire
Quite from the flight of all thy ancestors. Quite from the flight of all thy ancestors. 1H4 III.ii.31
Thy place in Councell thou hast rudely lost, Thy place in Council thou hast rudely lost,place (n.)
position, post, office, rank		1H4 III.ii.32
rudely (adv.)
discourteously, boorishly, with ill manners
Which by thy younger Brother is supply'de; Which by thy younger brother is supplied, 1H4 III.ii.33
And art almost an alien to the hearts And art almost an alien to the hearts 1H4 III.ii.34
Of all the Court and Princes of my blood. Of all the court and princes of my blood. 1H4 III.ii.35
The hope and expectation of thy time The hope and expectation of thy time 1H4 III.ii.36
Is ruin'd, and the Soule of euery man Is ruined, and the soul of every man 1H4 III.ii.37
Prophetically doe fore-thinke thy fall. Prophetically do forethink thy fall.forethink (v.)

old form: fore-thinke
anticipate, foresee, predict		1H4 III.ii.38
Had I so lauish of my presence beene, Had I so lavish of my presence been, 1H4 III.ii.39
So common hackney'd in the eyes of men, So common-hackneyed in the eyes of men,common-hackneyed (adj.)made commonplace by habitual exposure, cheapened1H4 III.ii.40
So stale and cheape to vulgar Company; So stale and cheap to vulgar company,vulgar (n.)
familiar, ordinary, everyday		1H4 III.ii.41
Opinion, that did helpe me to the Crowne, Opinion, that did help me to the crown, 1H4 III.ii.42
Had still kept loyall to possession, Had still kept loyal to possession,possession (n.)
possessor, holder, occupier		1H4 III.ii.43
still (adv.)
constantly, always, continually
And left me in reputelesse banishment, And left me in reputeless banishment, 1H4 III.ii.44
A fellow of no marke, nor likelyhood. A fellow of no mark nor likelihood.likelihood (n.)

old form: likelyhood
future, promise, potential		1H4 III.ii.45
By being seldome seene, I could not stirre, By being seldom seen, I could not stir 1H4 III.ii.46
But like a Comet, I was wondred at, But like a comet I was wondered at, 1H4 III.ii.47
That men would tell their Children, This is hee: That men would tell their children ‘ This is he!’ 1H4 III.ii.48
Others would say; Where, Which is Bullingbrooke. Others would say, ‘ Where, which is Bolingbroke?’ 1H4 III.ii.49
And then I stole all Courtesie from Heauen, And then I stole all courtesy from heaven, 1H4 III.ii.50
And drest my selfe in such Humilitie, And dressed myself in such humility 1H4 III.ii.51
That I did plucke Allegeance from mens hearts, That I did pluck allegiance from men's hearts, 1H4 III.ii.52
Lowd Showts and Salutations from their mouthes, Loud shouts and salutations from their mouths, 1H4 III.ii.53
Euen in the presence of the Crowned King. Even in the presence of the crowned King. 1H4 III.ii.54
Thus I did keepe my Person fresh and new, Thus did I keep my person fresh and new, 1H4 III.ii.55
My Presence like a Robe Pontificall, My presence, like a robe pontifical,pontifical (adj.)

old form: Pontificall
worn by a pope, episcopal		1H4 III.ii.56
Ne're seene, but wondred at: and so my State, Ne'er seen but wondered at, and so my state, 1H4 III.ii.57
Seldome but sumptuous, shewed like a Feast, Seldom, but sumptuous, showed like a feast,seldom (adj.)

old form: Seldome
rare, infrequent, uncommon		1H4 III.ii.58
And wonne by rarenesse such Solemnitie. And won by rareness such solemnity. 1H4 III.ii.59
The skipping King hee ambled vp and downe, The skipping King, he ambled up and down,skipping (adj.)
frivolous, flighty, frolicsome		1H4 III.ii.60
With shallow Iesters, and rash Bauin Wits, With shallow jesters, and rash bavin wits,rash (adj.)
quickly lit, briefly flaming		1H4 III.ii.61
wit (n.)
lively person, sharp-minded individual
bavin (adj.)

old form: Bauin
[made of] firewood, kindling wood
Soone kindled, and soone burnt, carded his state, Soon kindled and soon burnt, carded his state,state (n.)
status, rank, position		1H4 III.ii.62
card (v.)
mix, mingle, adulterate
Mingled his Royaltie with Carping Fooles, Mingled his royalty with capering fools, 1H4 III.ii.63
Had his great Name prophaned with their Scornes, Had his great name profaned with their scorns, 1H4 III.ii.64
And gaue his Countenance, against his Name, And gave his countenance against his namename (n.)
kingly title, dignified rank		1H4 III.ii.65
countenance (n.)
position, standing, authority
To laugh at gybing Boyes, and stand the push To laugh at gibing boys, and stand the pushpush (n.)
pushing, shoving, thrusting forward		1H4 III.ii.66
gibing (adj.)

old form: gybing
scoffing, taunting, jeering
Of euery Beardlesse vaine Comparatiue; Of every beardless vain comparative,vain (adj.)

old form: vaine
foolish, silly, stupid		1H4 III.ii.67
comparative (n.)

old form: Comparatiue
comparison-maker, insult-dealer; or: rival
Grew a Companion to the common Streetes, Grew a companion to the common streets, 1H4 III.ii.68
Enfeoff'd himselfe to Popularitie: Enfeoffed himself to popularity,enfeoff (v.)

old form: Enfeoff'd
surrender, abandon, give up completely		1H4 III.ii.69
popularity (n.)

old form: Popularitie
populace, common people, the masses
That being dayly swallowed by mens Eyes, That, being daily swallowed by men's eyes, 1H4 III.ii.70
They surfeted with Honey, and began to loathe They surfeited with honey, and began 1H4 III.ii.71
The taste of Sweetnesse, whereof a little To loathe the taste of sweetness, whereof a little 1H4 III.ii.72
More then a little, is by much too much. More than a little is by much too much. 1H4 III.ii.73
So when he had occasion to be seene, So, when he had occasion to be seen, 1H4 III.ii.74
He was but as the Cuckow is in Iune, He was but as the cuckoo is in June, 1H4 III.ii.75
Heard, not regarded: seene but with such Eyes, Heard, not regarded; seen, but with such eyes 1H4 III.ii.76
As sicke and blunted with Communitie, As, sick and blunted with community,community (n.)

old form: Communitie
commonness, familiarity, everyday acquaintance		1H4 III.ii.77
Affoord no extraordinarie Gaze, Afford no extraordinary gaze, 1H4 III.ii.78
Such as is bent on Sunne-like Maiestie, Such as is bent on sun-like majesty 1H4 III.ii.79
When it shines seldome in admiring Eyes: When it shines seldom in admiring eyes, 1H4 III.ii.80
But rather drowz'd, and hung their eye-lids downe, But rather drowsed and hung their eyelids down, 1H4 III.ii.81
Slept in his Face, and rendred such aspect Slept in his face, and rendered such aspectaspect (n.)
gaze, look		1H4 III.ii.82
As Cloudie men vse to doe to their aduersaries, As cloudy men use to their adversaries,cloudy (adj.)

old form: Cloudie
sullen, gloomy, scowling		1H4 III.ii.83
Being with his presence glutted, gorg'd, and full. Being with his presence glutted, gorged, and full. 1H4 III.ii.84
And in that very Line, Harry, standest thou: And in that very line, Harry, standest thou,line (n.)
degree, rank, station		1H4 III.ii.85
For thou hast lost thy Princely Priuiledge, For thou has lost thy princely privilege 1H4 III.ii.86
With vile participation. Not an Eye With vile participation. Not an eyeparticipation (n.)
association, companionship, fellowship		1H4 III.ii.87
vile, vild (adj.)
degrading, ignominious, worthless
But is awearie of thy common sight, But is aweary of thy common sight, 1H4 III.ii.88
Saue mine, which hath desir'd to see thee more: Save mine, which hath desired to see thee more, 1H4 III.ii.89
Which now doth that I would not haue it doe, Which now doth that I would not have it do, 1H4 III.ii.90
Make blinde it selfe with foolish tendernesse. Make blind itself with foolish tenderness. 1H4 III.ii.91
Prince.PRINCE HAL  
I shall hereafter, my thrice gracious Lord, I shall hereafter, my thrice-gracious lord, 1H4 III.ii.92
Be more my selfe. Be more myself. 1H4 III.ii.93.1
King.KING HENRY 
For all the World, For all the world 1H4 III.ii.93.2
As thou art to this houre, was Richard then, As thou art to this hour was Richard then 1H4 III.ii.94
When I from France set foot at Rauenspurgh; When I from France set foot at Ravenspurgh, 1H4 III.ii.95
And euen as I was then, is Percy now: And even as I was then is Percy now. 1H4 III.ii.96
Now by my Scepter, and my Soule to boot, Now by my sceptre, and my soul to boot,boot, to
in addition, as well		1H4 III.ii.97
He hath more worthy interest to the State He hath more worthy interest to the stateinterest (n.)
valid claim [on], rights of possession [to]		1H4 III.ii.98
Then thou, the shadow of Succession; Than thou the shadow of succession. 1H4 III.ii.99
For of no Right, nor colour like to Right. For of no right, nor colour like to right,like (adj.)
same, similar, alike, equal		1H4 III.ii.100
colour (n.)
semblance, outward appearance, character
He doth fill fields with Harneis in the Realme, He doth fill fields with harness in the realm,harness (n.)

old form: Harneis
armed men, men-at-arms, armament		1H4 III.ii.101
Turnes head against the Lyons armed Iawes; Turns head against the lion's armed jaws,head (n.)
fighting force, army, body of troops		1H4 III.ii.102
And being no more in debt to yeeres, then thou, And being no more in debt to years than thou 1H4 III.ii.103
Leades ancient Lords, and reuerent Bishops on Leads ancient lords and reverend bishops on 1H4 III.ii.104
To bloody Battailes, and to brusing Armes. To bloody battles, and to bruising arms. 1H4 III.ii.105
What neuer-dying Honor hath he got, What never-dying honour hath he got 1H4 III.ii.106
Against renowned Dowglas? whose high Deedes, Against renowned Douglas! Whose high deeds, 1H4 III.ii.107
Whose hot Incursions, and great Name in Armes, Whose hot incursions and great name in arms, 1H4 III.ii.108
Holds from all Souldiers chiefe Maioritie, Holds from all soldiers chief majoritymajority (n.)

old form: Maioritie
pre-eminence, superiority, supremacy		1H4 III.ii.109
And Militarie Title Capitall. And military title capitalcapital (adj.)

old form: Capitall
main, chief, principal		1H4 III.ii.110
Through all the Kingdomes that acknowledge Christ, Through all the kingdoms that acknowledge Christ. 1H4 III.ii.111
Thrice hath the Hotspur Mars, in swathing Clothes, Thrice hath this Hotspur, Mars in swaddling clothes,swathing-clothes / clouts (n.)swaddling clothes, cloths for wrapping round a new-born baby1H4 III.ii.112
Mars (n.)
Roman god of war
This Infant Warrior, in his Enterprises, This infant warrior, in his enterprises 1H4 III.ii.113
Discomfited great Dowglas, ta'ne him once, Discomfited great Douglas, taken him once,discomfit (v.)
defeat, overthrow, beat		1H4 III.ii.114
Enlarged him, and made a friend of him, Enlarged him, and made a friend of him, 1H4 III.ii.115
To fill the mouth of deepe Defiance vp, To fill the mouth of deep defiance up,fill up (v.)

old form: vp
swell, increase, make full		1H4 III.ii.116
And shake the peace and safetie of our Throne. And shake the peace and safety of our throne. 1H4 III.ii.117
And what say you to this? Percy, Northumberland, And what say you to this? Percy, Northumberland, 1H4 III.ii.118
The Arch-bishops Grace of Yorke, Dowglas, Mortimer, The Archbishop's Grace of York, Douglas, Mortimer, 1H4 III.ii.119
Capitulate against vs, and are vp. Capitulate against us and are up.up (adv.)

old form: vp
up in arms, in rebellion, in revolt		1H4 III.ii.120
capitulate (v.)
sign articles of agreement
But wherefore doe I tell these Newes to thee? But wherefore do I tell these news to thee? 1H4 III.ii.121
Why, Harry, doe I tell thee of my Foes, Why, Harry, do I tell thee of my foes, 1H4 III.ii.122
Which art my neer'st and dearest Enemie? Which art my nearest and dearest enemy?dear (adj.)
dire, grievous, hard		1H4 III.ii.123
Thou, that art like enough, through vassall Feare, Thou that art like enough, through vassal fear,vassal (adj.)

old form: vassall
submissive, abject, yielding		1H4 III.ii.124
Base Inclination, and the start of Spleene, Base inclination, and the start of spleen,spleen (n.)

old form: Spleene
irritability, malice, bad temper		1H4 III.ii.125
start (n.)
outburst, eruption, fit, reaction
base (adj.)
dishonourable, low, unworthy
To fight against me vnder Percies pay, To fight against me under Percy's pay, 1H4 III.ii.126
To dogge his heeles, and curtsie at his frownes, To dog his heels, and curtsy at his frowns, 1H4 III.ii.127
To shew how much thou art degenerate. To show how much thou art degenerate. 1H4 III.ii.128
Prince.PRINCE HAL  
Doe not thinke so, you shall not finde it so: Do not think so, you shall not find it so; 1H4 III.ii.129
And Heauen forgiue them, that so much haue sway'd And God forgive them that so much have swayed 1H4 III.ii.130
Your Maiesties good thoughts away from me: Your majesty's good thoughts away from me! 1H4 III.ii.131
I will redeeme all this on Percies head, I will redeem all this on Percy's head, 1H4 III.ii.132
And in the closing of some glorious day, And in the closing of some glorious day 1H4 III.ii.133
Be bold to tell you, that I am your Sonne, Be bold to tell you that I am your son, 1H4 III.ii.134
When I will weare a Garment all of Blood, When I will wear a garment all of blood, 1H4 III.ii.135
And staine my fauours in a bloody Maske: And stain my favours in a bloody mask,favour (n.)

old form: fauours
[facial] appearance, countenance, features, looks		1H4 III.ii.136
Which washt away, shall scowre my shame with it. Which, washed away, shall scour my shame with it.scour (v.)

old form: scowre
clear out, quickly remove, cleanse		1H4 III.ii.137
And that shall be the day, when ere it lights, And that shall be the day, whene'er it lights, 1H4 III.ii.138
That this same Child of Honor and Renowne. That this same child of honour and renown, 1H4 III.ii.139
This gallant Hotspur, this all-praysed Knight. This gallant Hotspur, this all-praised knight, 1H4 III.ii.140
And your vnthought-of Harry chance to meet: And your unthought-of Harry chance to meet.unthought-of (adj.)

old form: vnthought-of
despised, poorly thought of		1H4 III.ii.141
For euery Honor sitting on his Helme, For every honour sitting on his helm,helm (n.)
helmet		1H4 III.ii.142
Would they were multitudes, and on my head Would they were multitudes, and on my head 1H4 III.ii.143
My shames redoubled. For the time will come, My shames redoubled. For the time will come 1H4 III.ii.144
That I shall make this Northerne Youth exchange That I shall make this northern youth exchange 1H4 III.ii.145
His glorious Deedes for my Indignities: His glorious deeds for my indignities. 1H4 III.ii.146
Percy is but my Factor, good my Lord, Percy is but my factor, good my lord,factor (n.)
agent, representative, broker		1H4 III.ii.147
To engrosse vp glorious Deedes on my behalfe: To engross up glorious deeds on my behalf,engross up (v.)

old form: engrosse vp
amass, accumulate, collect together		1H4 III.ii.148
And I will call him to so strict account, And I will call him to so strict account 1H4 III.ii.149
That he shall render euery Glory vp, That he shall render every glory up, 1H4 III.ii.150
Yea, euen the sleightest worship of his time, Yea, even the slightest worship of his time,time (n.)
lifetime, life		1H4 III.ii.151
worship (n.)
esteem, honour, renown
Or I will teare the Reckoning from his Heart. Or I will tear the reckoning from his heart.reckoning (n.)
[of personal qualities] rendering of account, settlement of debts		1H4 III.ii.152
This, in the Name of Heauen, I promise here: This in the name of God I promise here, 1H4 III.ii.153
The which, if I performe, and doe suruiue, The which if He be pleased I shall perform, 1H4 III.ii.154
I doe beseech your Maiestie, may salue I do beseech your majesty may salvesalve (v.)

old form: salue
heal, remedy, make good		1H4 III.ii.155
The long-growne Wounds of my intemperature:The long-grown wounds of my intemperance.intemperance (n.)

old form: intemperature
wild behaviour, lack of restraint		1H4 III.ii.156
intemperature (n.)

old form: intemperature
intemperance, licentiousness
If not, the end of Life cancells all Bands, If not, the end of life cancels all bonds,band (n.)
bond, obligation, tie		1H4 III.ii.157
And I will dye a hundred thousand Deaths, And I will die a hundred thousand deaths 1H4 III.ii.158
Ere breake the smallest parcell of this Vow. Ere break the smallest parcel of this vow.parcel (n.)

old form: parcell
part, piece, portion, bit		1H4 III.ii.159
King.KING HENRY  
A hundred thousand Rebels dye in this: A hundred thousand rebels die in this. 1H4 III.ii.160
Thou shalt haue Charge, and soueraigne trust herein. Thou shalt have charge and sovereign trust herein.charge (n.)
company, command		1H4 III.ii.161
sovereign (adj.)

old form: soueraigne
leading, principal, outstanding
Enter Blunt.Enter Blunt 1H4 III.ii.162
How now good Blunt? thy Lookes are full of speed. How now, good Blunt? Thy looks are full of speed. 1H4 III.ii.162
Blunt.BLUNT  
So hath the Businesse that I come to speake of. So hath the business that I come to speak of. 1H4 III.ii.163
Lord Mortimer of Scotland hath sent word, Lord Mortimer of Scotland hath sent word 1H4 III.ii.164
That Dowglas and the English Rebels met That Douglas and the English rebels met 1H4 III.ii.165
The eleuenth of this moneth, at Shrewsbury: The eleventh of this month at Shrewsbury. 1H4 III.ii.166
A mightie and a fearefull Head they are, A mighty and a fearful head they are, 1H4 III.ii.167
(If Promises be kept on euery hand) If promises be kept on every hand, 1H4 III.ii.168
As euer offered foule play in a State. As ever offered foul play in a state. 1H4 III.ii.169
King.KING HENRY  
The earle of Westmerland set forth to day: The Earl of Westmorland set forth today, 1H4 III.ii.170
With him my sonne, Lord Iohn of Lancaster, With him my son, Lord John of Lancaster, 1H4 III.ii.171
For this aduertisement is fiue dayes old. For this advertisement is five days old.advertisement (n.)

old form: aduertisement
news, information, notification		1H4 III.ii.172
On Wednesday next, Harry thou shalt set forward: On Wednesday next, Harry, you shall set forward. 1H4 III.ii.173
On thursday, wee our selues will march. On Thursday we ourselves will march. 1H4 III.ii.174
Our meeting is Bridgenorth: and Harry, you Our meeting is Bridgnorth, and, Harry, you 1H4 III.ii.175
shall march / Through Glocestershire: by which account, Shall march through Gloucestershire, by which account, 1H4 III.ii.176
Our Businesse valued some twelue dayes hence, Our business valued, some twelve days hencevalue (v.)
consider, appraise, take into account		1H4 III.ii.177
business (n.)

old form: Businesse
deed, action, affair, task
Our generall Forces at Bridgenorth shall meete. Our general forces at Bridgnorth shall meet. 1H4 III.ii.178
Our Hands are full of Businesse: let's away, Our hands are full of business, let's away, 1H4 III.ii.179
Aduantage feedes him fat, while men delay. Advantage feeds him fat while men delay.advantage (n.)
advantageous position, place of vantage, superiority		1H4 III.ii.180
Exeunt.Exeunt 1H4 III.ii.180
 Previous Act III, Scene II Next  
x

Jump directly to