William Shakespeare: King Henry IV Part I

ACT V. 4. Scene IV. Another Part of the Field. (continued)

FAL.
Didst thou?-- Lord, Lord, how this world is given to lying!--
I grant you I was down and out of breath; and so was he: but
we rose both at an instant, and fought a long hour by Shrewsbury
clock. If I may be believed, so; if not, let them that should
reward valour bear the sin upon their own heads. I'll take it upon
my death, I gave him this wound in the thigh: if the man were
alive, and would deny it, zwounds, I would make him eat a piece of
my sword.

LAN.
This is the strangest tale that ever I heard.

PRINCE.
This is the strangest fellow, brother John.--
Come, bring your luggage nobly on your back:
For my part, if a lie may do thee grace,
I'll gild it with the happiest terms I have.--

[A retreat is sounded.]

The trumpet sounds retreat; the day is ours.
Come, brother, let's to th' highest of the field,
To see what friends are living, who are dead.

[Exeunt Prince Henry and Lancaster.]

FAL.
I'll follow, as they say, for reward. He that rewards me, God
reward him! If I do grow great, I'll grow less; for I'll purge,
and leave sack, and live cleanly as a nobleman should do.

[Exit, bearing off the body.]