KING HENRY THE FOURTH. HENRY, Prince of Wales, JOHN of LANCASTER, EARL of WORCESTER. } Sons to the King. EARL of NORTHUMBERLAND. LADY PERCY, Wife to HOTSPUR, Sifter to MORTIMER. LADY MORTIMER, Daughter to GLENDOWER, and Wife to MORTIMER. QUICKLY, Hoftefs of a Tavern in Eastcheap. Sheriff, Vintner, Chamberlain, Drawers, two Carriers, Travellers, and Attendants, &c. SCENE-ENGLAND. THIS PLAY, confifting of two parts, was written in the years 1597-8, and founded in fome degree upon an old performance, entitled, "The famous Victories of Henry the Fifth." This first part commences with the news of Hotspur's conqueft gained in Scotland on Holy-rood day (Sept. 14th) 1402; and concludes with his defeat and death at Shrewsbury, July 21ft, 1403, forming an interesting, though small portion of that regular series of historical events, which Shakspeare hath purfued from the reign of Richard IId. to that of Henry V. deduced principally from the collections of our British Chroniclers. Enter King Henry, Earl of Westmoreland, Sir Walter Blunt, and others. K. Henry. So fhaken as we are, so wan with care, b No more the thirsty entrance of this foil Shall daub her lips with her own children's blood; Which, like the meteors of a troubled heaven, to pant, and breathe short-winded accents of new broils]-to repose herself a while, and recover fufficient breath to propofe new, but dif tant wars? thirfiy entrance]-parched, or porous furface (those lips through which moisture paffes, or is thirftily drank, or foaked up) fhall no more be ftained with the blood of its inhabitants. • oppofed eyes, &c.]-opponents, which like clouds representing armies in the air. VOL. III. Hh All All of one nature, of one fubftance bred,- (Whofe foldier now, under whofe bleffed crofs d Forthwith a power of Englifh fhall we lead; Over whofe acres walk'd those bleffed feet, Which, fourteen hundred years ago, were nail'd, But this our purpose is a twelve-month old, Weft. My liege, this hafte was hot in queflion, d Levy. • dear expedience.]-favourite expedition. limits-outlines, eftimates. Upon Upon whofe dead corps there was such misuse, K. Henry. It feems then, that the tidings of this broil Brake off our business from the Holy land. Weft. This, match'd with other, did, my gracious lord; For more uneven and unwelcome news Came from the north, and thus it did import. At Holmedon met, Where they did fpend a fad and bloody hour; And shape of likelihood, the news was told; K. Henry. Here is a dear and true-induftrious friend, Betwixt that Holmedon and this feat of ours; And he hath brought us smooth and welcome news. Ten thousand bold Scots, two and twenty knights, Archibald,]-Douglas, Earl of Douglas. in the very beat]-during the fury of the battle, and whilft both fides feemed to be equally match'd. i Balk'd]-Lying in heaps, or ridges—Bak'd, Bath'd. the regent's fon,]-fon of the Duke of Albany, regent of Scotland. -and eldest fon-Ta. Hh 2 The |