William Shakespeare: The Life of King Henry V

ACT FOURTH. 1. SCENE I. The English camp at Agincourt. (continued)

GOWER.
Captain Fluellen!

FLUELLEN.
So! in the name of Jesu Christ, speak lower. It is the greatest
admiration in the universal world, when the true and aunchient
prerogatifes and laws of the wars is not kept. If you would take

the pains but to examine the wars of Pompey the Great, you
shall find, I warrant you, that there is no tiddle taddle nor
pibble pabble in Pompey's camp. I warrant you, you shall find the
ceremonies of the wars, and the cares of it, and the forms of it,
and the sobriety of it, and the modesty of it, to be otherwise.

GOWER.
Why, the enemy is loud; you hear him all night.

FLUELLEN.
If the enemy is an ass and a fool and a prating coxcomb, is it
meet, think you, that we should also, look you, be an ass and a
fool and a prating coxcomb? In your own conscience, now?

GOWER.
I will speak lower.

FLUELLEN.
I pray you and beseech you that you will.

[Exeunt [Gower and Fluellen.]

KING HENRY.
Though it appear a little out of fashion,
There is much care and valour in this Welshman.

[Enter three soldiers, John Bates, Alexander Court,
And Michael Williams.]

COURT.
Brother John Bates, is not that the morning which breaks
yonder?

BATES.
I think it be; but we have no great cause to desire the
approach of day.

WILLIAMS.
We see yonder the beginning of the day, but I think
we shall never see the end of it. Who goes there?

KING HENRY.
A friend.

WILLIAMS.
Under what captain serve you?

KING HENRY.
Under Sir Thomas Erpingham.