William Shakespeare: The Life of King Henry V

ACT FOURTH. 7. SCENE VII. Another part of the field. (continued)

KING HENRY.
Then keep thy vow, sirrah, when thou meet'st the fellow.

WILLIAMS.
So I will, my liege, as I live.

KING HENRY.
Who serv'st thou under?

WILLIAMS.
Under Captain Gower, my liege.

FLUELLEN.
Gower is a good captain, and is good knowledge and
literatured in the wars.

KING HENRY.
Call him hither to me, soldier.

WILLIAMS.
I will, my liege.

[Exit.]

KING HENRY.
Here, Fluellen; wear thou this favour for me and stick it in thy
cap. When Alencon and myself were down together, I pluck'd
this glove from his helm. If any man challenge this, he is a
friend to Alencon, and an enemy to our person. If thou encounter
any such, apprehend him, an thou dost me love.

FLUELLEN.
Your Grace doo's me as great honours as can be desir'd in the
hearts of his subjects. I would fain see the man, that has but
two legs, that shall find himself aggrief'd at this glove; that
is all. But I would fain see it once, an please God of His grace
that I might see.

KING HENRY.
Know'st thou Gower?

FLUELLEN.
He is my dear friend, an please you.

KING HENRY.
Pray thee, go seek him, and bring him to my tent.

FLUELLEN.
I will fetch him.

[Exit.]

KING HENRY.
My Lord of Warwick, and my brother Gloucester,
Follow Fluellen closely at the heels.
The glove which I have given him for a favour
May haply purchase him a box o' the ear.
It is the soldier's; I by bargain should
Wear it myself. Follow, good cousin Warwick.
If that the soldier strike him, as I judge
By his blunt bearing he will keep his word,
Some sudden mischief may arise of it;
For I do know Fluellen valiant
And, touch'd with choler, hot as gunpowder,
And quickly will return an injury.
Follow, and see there be no harm between them.
Go you with me, uncle of Exeter.

[Exeunt.]