William Shakespeare: The Life of King Henry V

ACT THIRD. 7. SCENE VII. The French camp, near Agincourt. (continued)

CONSTABLE.
Doing is activity; and he will still be doing.

ORLEANS.
He never did harm, that I heard of.

CONSTABLE.
Nor will do none to-morrow. He will keep that good
name still.

ORLEANS.
I know him to be valiant.

CONSTABLE.
I was told that by one that knows him better than you.

ORLEANS.
What's he?

CONSTABLE.
Marry, he told me so himself; and he said he car'd not
who knew it.

ORLEANS.
He needs not; it is no hidden virtue in him.

CONSTABLE.
By my faith, sir, but it is; never anybody saw it but his
lackey. 'Tis a hooded valour; and when it appears, it will
bate.

ORLEANS.
"Ill will never said well."

CONSTABLE.
I will cap that proverb with "There is flattery in friendship."

ORLEANS.
And I will take up that with "Give the devil his due."

CONSTABLE.
Well plac'd. There stands your friend for the devil; have at
the very eye of that proverb with "A pox of the devil."

ORLEANS.
You are the better at proverbs, by how much "A fool's
bolt is soon shot."

CONSTABLE.

You have shot over.

ORLEANS.
'Tis not the first time you were overshot.

[Enter a Messenger.]

MESSENGER.
My Lord High Constable, the English lie within fifteen
hundred paces of your tents.

CONSTABLE.
Who hath measur'd the ground?