Page 840 - Shakespeare - Vol. 1

ACT III IT

Scene I IT

Enter [two Keepers] with cross-bows in their hands.

FIRST KEEPER

Under this thick-grown brake we’ll shroud ourselves,
For through this laund anon the deer will come:
And in this covert will we make our stand,
Culling the principal of all the deer.

SECOND KEEPER

I’ll stay above the hill, so both may shoot. [5]

FIRST KEEPER

That cannot be: the noise of thy cross-bow
Will scare the herd and so my shoot is lost:
Here stand we both, and aim we at the best;
And, for the time shall not seem tedious,
I’ll tell thee what befell me on a day [10]
In this self place where now we mean to stand.

SECOND KEEPER

Here comes a man: let’s stay till he be past.

Enter [King Henry, disguised,] with a prayer book.

KING HENRY

From Scotland am I stol’n even of pure love
To greet mine own land with my wishful sight.
No, Harry, Harry, ’tis no land of thine; [15]
Thy place is filled, thy sceptre wrung from thee,
Thy balm washed off wherewith thou wast anointed.
No bending knee will call thee Caesar now,
No humble suitors press to speak for right,