Shakespeare Portal

Act 3, Scene 1

Bangor. A Room in the Archdeacon's House.

  1. [Enter Hotspur, Worcester, Mortimer, and Glendower.]
  2. Edmund Mortimer
  3. 1344 These promises are fair, the parties sure,
  4. 1345 And our induction full of prosperous hope.
  5. Hotspur
  6. 1346 Lord Mortimer,—and cousin Glendower,—Will you sit down?—
  7. 1347 And uncle Worcester,—A plague upon it! I have forgot the map.
  8. Owen Glendower
  9. 1348 No, here it is.
  10. 1349 Sit, cousin Percy; sit, good cousin Hotspur;
  11. 1350 For by that name as oft as Lancaster
  12. 1351 Doth speak of you, his cheek looks pale, and with
  13. 1352 A rising sigh he wisheth you in Heaven.
  14. Hotspur
  15. 1353 And you in Hell, as oft as he hears Owen Glendower spoke of.
  16. Owen Glendower
  17. 1354 I cannot blame him: at my nativity
  18. 1355 The front of heaven was full of fiery shapes,
  19. 1356 Of burning cressets; ay, and at my birth
  20. 1357 The frame and huge foundation of the Earth
  21. 1358 Shaked like a coward.
  22. Hotspur
  23. 1359 Why, so it would have done at the same season, if your mother's
  24. 1360 cat had but kitten'd, though yourself had never been born.
  25. Owen Glendower
  26. 1361 I say the Earth did shake when I was born.
  27. Hotspur
  28. 1362 And I say the Earth was not of my mind, if you suppose as
  29. 1363 fearing you it shook.
  30. Owen Glendower
  31. 1364 The Heavens were all on fire, the Earth did tremble.
  32. Hotspur
  33. 1365 O, then th' Earth shook to see the Heavens on fire,
  34. 1366 And not in fear of your nativity.
  35. 1367 Diseased Nature oftentimes breaks forth
  36. 1368 In strange eruptions; oft the teeming Earth
  37. 1369 Is with a kind of colic pinch'd and vex'd
  38. 1370 By the imprisoning of unruly wind
  39. 1371 Within her womb; which, for enlargement striving,
  40. 1372 Shakes the old beldam Earth, and topples down
  41. 1373 Steeples and moss-grown towers. At your birth,
  42. 1374 Our grandam Earth, having this distemperature,
  43. 1375 In passion shook.
  44. Owen Glendower
  45. 1376 Cousin, of many men
  46. 1377 I do not bear these crossings. Give me leave
  47. 1378 To tell you once again, that at my birth
  48. 1379 The front of heaven was full of fiery shapes;
  49. 1380 The goats ran from the mountains, and the herds
  50. 1381 Were strangely clamorous to the frighted fields.
  51. 1382 These signs have mark'd me extraordinary;
  52. 1383 And all the courses of my life do show
  53. 1384 I am not in the roll of common men.
  54. 1385 Where is he living,—clipp'd in with the sea
  55. 1386 That chides the banks of England, Scotland, Wales,—
  56. 1387 Which calls me pupil, or hath read to me?
  57. 1388 And bring him out that is but woman's son
  58. 1389 Can trace me in the tedious ways of art,
  59. 1390 And hold me pace in deep experiments.
  60. Hotspur
  61. 1391 I think there is no man speaks better Welsh.—I'll to dinner.
  62. Edmund Mortimer
  63. 1392 Peace, cousin Percy; you will make him mad.
  64. Owen Glendower
  65. 1393 I can call spirits from the vasty deep.
  66. Hotspur
  67. 1394 Why, so can I, or so can any man;
  68. 1395 But will they come when you do call for them?
  69. Owen Glendower
  70. 1396 Why, I can teach you, cousin, to command the Devil.
  71. Hotspur
  72. 1397 And I can teach thee, coz, to shame the Devil
  73. 1398 By telling truth: tell truth, and shame the Devil.
  74. 1399 If thou have power to raise him, bring him hither,
  75. 1400 And I'll be sworn I've power to shame him hence.
  76. 1401 O, while you live, tell truth, and shame the Devil!
  77. Edmund Mortimer
  78. 1402 Come, come, no more of this unprofitable chat.
  79. Owen Glendower
  80. 1403 Three times hath Henry Bolingbroke made head
  81. 1404 Against my power; thrice from the banks of Wye
  82. 1405 And sandy-bottom'd Severn have I sent
  83. 1406 Him bootless home and weather-beaten back.
  84. Hotspur
  85. 1407 Home without boots, and in foul weather too!
  86. 1408 How 'scaped he agues, in the Devil's name!
  87. Owen Glendower
  88. 1409 Come, here's the map: shall we divide our right
  89. 1410 According to our threefold order ta'en?
  90. Edmund Mortimer
  91. 1411 Th' archdeacon hath divided it
  92. 1412 Into three limits very equally.
  93. 1413 England, from Trent and Severn hitherto,
  94. 1414 By south and east is to my part assign'd:
  95. 1415 All westward, Wales beyond the Severn shore,
  96. 1416 And all the fertile land within that bound,
  97. 1417 To Owen Glendower:—and, dear coz, to you
  98. 1418 The remnant northward, lying off from Trent.
  99. 1419 And our indentures tripartite are drawn;
  100. 1420 Which being sealed interchangeably,—
  101. 1421 A business that this night may execute,—
  102. 1422 To-morrow, cousin Percy, you, and I,
  103. 1423 And my good Lord of Worcester, will set forth
  104. 1424 To meet your father and the Scottish power,
  105. 1425 As is appointed us, at Shrewsbury.
  106. 1426 My father Glendower is not ready yet,
  107. 1427 Nor shall we need his help these fourteen days:—
  108. [To Glend.]
  109. Edmund Mortimer
  110. 1428 Within that space you may have drawn together
  111. 1429 Your tenants, friends, and neighbouring gentlemen.
  112. Owen Glendower
  113. 1430 A shorter time shall send me to you, lords:
  114. 1431 And in my conduct shall your ladies come;
  115. 1432 From whom you now must steal, and take no leave,
  116. 1433 For there will be a world of water shed
  117. 1434 Upon the parting of your wives and you.
  118. Hotspur
  119. 1435 Methinks my moiety, north from Burton here,
  120. 1436 In quantity equals not one of yours.
  121. 1437 See how this river comes me cranking in,
  122. 1438 And cuts me from the best of all my land
  123. 1439 A huge half-moon, a monstrous cantle out.
  124. 1440 I'll have the current in this place damn'd up;
  125. 1441 And here the smug and sliver Trent shall run
  126. 1442 In a new channel, fair and evenly:
  127. 1443 It shall not wind with such a deep indent,
  128. 1444 To rob me of so rich a bottom here.
  129. Owen Glendower
  130. 1445 Not wind? it shall, it must; you see it doth.
  131. Edmund Mortimer
  132. 1446 Yea, but
  133. 1447 Mark how he bears his course, and runs me up
  134. 1448 With like advantage on the other side;
  135. 1449 Gelding th' opposed continent as much
  136. 1450 As on the other side it takes from you.
  137. Earl of Worcester
  138. 1451 Yea, but a little charge will trench him here,
  139. 1452 And on this north side win this cape of land;
  140. 1453 And then he runneth straight and evenly.
  141. Hotspur
  142. 1454 I'll have it so: a little charge will do it.
  143. Owen Glendower
  144. 1455 I will not have it alter'd.
  145. Hotspur
  146. 1456 Will not you?
  147. Owen Glendower
  148. 1457 No, nor you shall not.
  149. Hotspur
  150. 1458 Who shall say me nay?
  151. Owen Glendower
  152. 1459 Why, that will I.
  153. Hotspur
  154. 1460 Let me not understand you, then; speak it in Welsh.
  155. Owen Glendower
  156. 1461 I can speak English, lord, as well as you;
  157. 1462 For I was train'd up in the English Court;
  158. 1463 Where, being but young, I framed to the harp
  159. 1464 Many an English ditty lovely well,
  160. 1465 And gave the tongue a helpful ornament,
  161. 1466 A virtue that was never seen in you.
  162. Hotspur
  163. 1467 Marry, and I am glad of it with all my heart:
  164. 1468 I had rather be a kitten, and cry mew,
  165. 1469 Than one of these same metre ballet-mongers;
  166. 1470 I had rather hear a brazen canstick turn'd,
  167. 1471 Or a dry wheel grate on the axletree;
  168. 1472 And that would set my teeth nothing on edge,
  169. 1473 Nothing so much as mincing poetry:
  170. 1474 'Tis like the forced gait of a shuffling nag.
  171. Owen Glendower
  172. 1475 Come, you shall have Trent turn'd.
  173. Hotspur
  174. 1476 I do not care: I'll give thrice so much land
  175. 1477 To any well-deserving friend;
  176. 1478 But in the way of bargain, mark ye me,
  177. 1479 I'll cavil on the ninth part of a hair.
  178. 1480 Are the indentures drawn? shall we be gone?
  179. Hotspur
  180. 1482 The Moon shines fair; you may away by night:
  181. 1483 I'll in and haste the writer, and withal
  182. 1484 Break with your wives of your departure hence:
  183. 1485 I am afraid my daughter will run mad,
  184. 1486 So much she doteth on her Mortimer.
  185. [Exit.]
  186. Edmund Mortimer
  187. 1487 Fie, cousin Percy! how you cross my father!
  188. Hotspur
  189. 1488 I cannot choose: sometimes he angers me
  190. 1489 With telling me of the moldwarp and the ant,
  191. 1490 Of the dreamer Merlin and his prophecies,
  192. 1491 And of a dragon and a finless fish,
  193. 1492 A clip-wing'd griffin and a moulten raven,
  194. 1493 A couching lion and a ramping cat,
  195. 1494 And such a deal of skimble-skamble stuff
  196. 1495 As puts me from my faith. I tell you what,
  197. 1496 He held me last night at the least nine hours
  198. 1497 In reckoning up the several devils' names
  199. 1498 That were his lacqueys: I cried hum, and well,
  200. 1499 But mark'd him not a word. O, he's as tedious
  201. 1500 As a tired horse, a railing wife;
  202. 1501 Worse than a smoky house: I had rather live
  203. 1502 With cheese and garlic in a windmill, far,
  204. 1503 Than feed on cates and have him talk to me
  205. 1504 In any summer-house in Christendom.
  206. Edmund Mortimer
  207. 1505 In faith, he is a worthy gentleman;
  208. 1506 Exceedingly well-read, and profited
  209. 1507 In strange concealments; valiant as a lion,
  210. 1508 And wondrous affable, and as bountiful
  211. 1509 As mines of India. Shall I tell you, cousin?
  212. 1510 He holds your temper in a high respect,
  213. 1511 And curbs himself even of his natural scope
  214. 1512 When you do cross his humour; faith, he does:
  215. 1513 I warrant you, that man is not alive
  216. 1514 Might so have tempted him as you have done,
  217. 1515 Without the taste of danger and reproof:
  218. 1516 But do not use it oft, let me entreat you.
  219. Earl of Worcester
  220. 1517 In faith, my lord, you are too wilful-blunt;
  221. 1518 And since your coming hither have done enough
  222. 1519 To put him quite beside his patience.
  223. 1520 You must needs learn, lord, to amend this fault:
  224. 1521 Though sometimes it show greatness, courage, blood—
  225. 1522 And that's the dearest grace it renders you,—
  226. 1523 Yet oftentimes it doth present harsh rage,
  227. 1524 Defect of manners, want of government,
  228. 1525 Pride, haughtiness, opinion, and disdain;
  229. 1526 The least of which haunting a nobleman
  230. 1527 Loseth men's hearts, and leaves behind a stain
  231. 1528 Upon the beauty of all parts besides,
  232. 1529 Beguiling them of commendation.
  233. Hotspur
  234. 1530 Well, I am school'd: good manners be your speed!
  235. 1531 Here come our wives, and let us take our leave.
  236. [Re-enter Glendower, with Lady Mortimer and Lady Percy.]
  237. Edmund Mortimer
  238. 1532 This is the deadly spite that angers me,
  239. 1533 My wife can speak no English, I no Welsh.
  240. Owen Glendower
  241. 1534 My daughter weeps: she will not part with you;
  242. 1535 She'll be a soldier too, she'll to the wars.
  243. Edmund Mortimer
  244. 1536 Good father, tell her that she and my aunt Percy
  245. 1537 Shall follow in your conduct speedily.
  246. [Glendower speaks to Lady Mortimer in Welsh, and she answers him in the same.]
  247. Owen Glendower
  248. 1538 She's desperate here; a peevish self-will'd harlotry,
  249. 1539 One that no persuasion can do good upon.
  250. [Lady Mortimer speaks to Mortimer in Welsh.]
  251. Edmund Mortimer
  252. 1540 I understand thy looks: that pretty Welsh
  253. 1541 Which thou pour'st down from these swelling heavens
  254. 1542 I am too perfect in; and, but for shame,
  255. 1543 In such a parley should I answer thee.
  256. [Lady Mortimer speaks to him again in Welsh.]
  257. Edmund Mortimer
  258. 1544 I understand thy kisses, and thou mine,
  259. 1545 And that's a feeling disputation:
  260. 1546 But I will never be a truant, love,
  261. 1547 Till I have learn'd thy language; for thy tongue
  262. 1548 Makes Welsh as sweet as ditties highly penn'd,
  263. 1549 Sung by a fair queen in a Summer's bower,
  264. 1550 With ravishing division, to her lute.
  265. Owen Glendower
  266. 1551 Nay, if you melt, then will she run mad.
  267. [Lady Mortimer speaks to Mortimer again in Welsh.]
  268. Edmund Mortimer
  269. 1552 O, I am ignorance itself in this!
  270. Owen Glendower
  271. 1553 She bids you on the wanton rushes lay you down,
  272. 1554 And rest your gentle head upon her lap,
  273. 1555 And she will sing the song that pleaseth you,
  274. 1556 And on your eyelids crown the god of sleep,
  275. 1557 Charming your blood with pleasing heaviness;
  276. 1558 Making such difference betwixt wake and sleep,
  277. 1559 As is the difference betwixt day and night,
  278. 1560 The hour before the heavenly-harness'd team
  279. 1561 Begins his golden progress in the East.
  280. Edmund Mortimer
  281. 1562 With all my heart I'll sit and hear her sing:
  282. 1563 By that time will our book, I think, be drawn.
  283. Owen Glendower
  284. 1564 Do so:
  285. 1565 An those musicians that shall play to you
  286. 1566 Hang in the air a thousand leagues from hence,
  287. 1567 And straight they shall be here: sit, and attend.
  288. Hotspur
  289. 1568 Come, Kate, thou art perfect in lying down: come, quick,
  290. 1569 quick, that I may lay my head in thy lap.
  291. Lady Percy
  292. 1570 Go, ye giddy goose.
  293. [The music plays.]
  294. Hotspur
  295. 1571 Now I perceive the Devil understands Welsh;
  296. 1572 And 'tis no marvel he's so humorous.
  297. 1573 By'r Lady, he's a good musician.
  298. Lady Percy
  299. 1574 Then should you be nothing but musical; for you are
  300. 1575 altogether governed by humours. Lie still, ye thief, and hear
  301. 1576 the lady sing in Welsh.
  302. Hotspur
  303. 1577 I had rather hear Lady, my brach, howl in Irish.
  304. Lady Percy
  305. 1578 Wouldst thou have thy head broken?
  306. Hotspur
  307. 1579 No.
  308. Lady Percy
  309. 1580 Then be still.
  310. Hotspur
  311. 1581 Neither; 'tis a woman's fault.
  312. Lady Percy
  313. 1582 Now God help thee!
  314. Hotspur
  315. 1583 Peace! she sings.
  316. [A Welsh song by Lady Mortimer.]
  317. Hotspur
  318. 1584 Come, Kate, I'll have your song too.
  319. Lady Percy
  320. 1585 Not mine, in good sooth.
  321. Hotspur
  322. 1586 Not yours, in good sooth! 'Heart! you swear like a
  323. 1587 comfit-maker's wife. Not mine, in good sooth; and, As true
  324. 1588 as I live; and, As God shall mend me; and, As sure as day;
  325. 1589 And givest such sarcenet surety for thy oaths,
  326. 1590 As if thou ne'er walk'dst further than Finsbury.
  327. 1591 Swear me, Kate, like a lady as thou art,
  328. 1592 A good mouth-filling oath; and leave in sooth,
  329. 1593 And such protest of pepper-gingerbread,
  330. 1594 To velvet-guards and Sunday-citizens. Come, sing.
  331. Lady Percy
  332. 1595 I will not sing.
  333. Hotspur
  334. 1596 'Tis the next way to turn tailor, or be redbreast-teacher.
  335. 1597 An the indentures be drawn, I'll away within these two hours;
  336. 1598 and so, come in when ye will.
  337. [Exit.]
  338. Owen Glendower
  339. 1599 Come, come, Lord Mortimer; you are as slow
  340. 1600 As hot Lord Percy is on fire to go.
  341. 1601 By this our book's drawn; we'll but seal, and then
  342. 1602 To horse immediately.
  343. Edmund Mortimer
  344. 1603 With all my heart.
  345. [Exeunt.]