Act II, Scene 3

Warkworth castle

[Enter HOTSPUR, solus, reading a letter]

• Hotspur (Henry Percy). 'But for mine own part, my lord, I could be well
  contented to be there, in respect of the love I bear
  your house.' He could be contented: why is he not, 860
  then? In respect of the love he bears our house:
  he shows in this, he loves his own barn better than
  he loves our house. Let me see some more. 'The
  purpose you undertake is dangerous;'—why, that's
  certain: 'tis dangerous to take a cold, to sleep, to 865
  drink; but I tell you, my lord fool, out of this
  nettle, danger, we pluck this flower, safety. 'The
  purpose you undertake is dangerous; the friends you
  have named uncertain; the time itself unsorted; and
  your whole plot too light for the counterpoise of so 870
  great an opposition.' Say you so, say you so? I say
  unto you again, you are a shallow cowardly hind, and
  you lie. What a lack-brain is this! By the Lord,
  our plot is a good plot as ever was laid; our
  friends true and constant: a good plot, good 875
  friends, and full of expectation; an excellent plot,
  very good friends. What a frosty-spirited rogue is
  this! Why, my lord of York commends the plot and the
  general course of action. 'Zounds, an I were now by
  this rascal, I could brain him with his lady's fan. 880
  Is there not my father, my uncle and myself? lord
  Edmund Mortimer, My lord of York and Owen Glendower?
  is there not besides the Douglas? have I not all
  their letters to meet me in arms by the ninth of the
  next month? and are they not some of them set 885
  forward already? What a pagan rascal is this! an
  infidel! Ha! you shall see now in very sincerity
  of fear and cold heart, will he to the king and lay
  open all our proceedings. O, I could divide myself
  and go to buffets, for moving such a dish of 890
  skim milk with so honourable an action! Hang him!
  let him tell the king: we are prepared. I will set
  forward to-night.
  [Enter LADY PERCY]
  How now, Kate! I must leave you within these two hours. 895

• Lady Percy. O, my good lord, why are you thus alone?
  For what offence have I this fortnight been
  A banish'd woman from my Harry's bed?
  Tell me, sweet lord, what is't that takes from thee
  Thy stomach, pleasure and thy golden sleep? 900
  Why dost thou bend thine eyes upon the earth,
  And start so often when thou sit'st alone?
  Why hast thou lost the fresh blood in thy cheeks;
  And given my treasures and my rights of thee
  To thick-eyed musing and cursed melancholy? 905
  In thy faint slumbers I by thee have watch'd,
  And heard thee murmur tales of iron wars;
  Speak terms of manage to thy bounding steed;
  Cry 'Courage! to the field!' And thou hast talk'd
  Of sallies and retires, of trenches, tents, 910
  Of palisadoes, frontiers, parapets,
  Of basilisks, of cannon, culverin,
  Of prisoners' ransom and of soldiers slain,
  And all the currents of a heady fight.
  Thy spirit within thee hath been so at war 915
  And thus hath so bestirr'd thee in thy sleep,
  That beads of sweat have stood upon thy brow
  Like bubbles in a late-disturbed stream;
  And in thy face strange motions have appear'd,
  Such as we see when men restrain their breath 920
  On some great sudden hest. O, what portents are these?
  Some heavy business hath my lord in hand,
  And I must know it, else he loves me not.

• Hotspur (Henry Percy). What, ho!
  [Enter Servant] 925
  Is Gilliams with the packet gone?

• Servant. He is, my lord, an hour ago.

• Hotspur (Henry Percy). Hath Butler brought those horses from the sheriff?

• Servant. One horse, my lord, he brought even now.

• Hotspur (Henry Percy). What horse? a roan, a crop-ear, is it not? 930

• Servant. It is, my lord.

• Hotspur (Henry Percy). That roan shall by my throne.
  Well, I will back him straight: O esperance!
  Bid Butler lead him forth into the park.

[Exit Servant]

• Lady Percy. But hear you, my lord.

• Hotspur (Henry Percy). What say'st thou, my lady?

• Lady Percy. What is it carries you away?

• Hotspur (Henry Percy). Why, my horse, my love, my horse.

• Lady Percy. Out, you mad-headed ape! 940
  A weasel hath not such a deal of spleen
  As you are toss'd with. In faith,
  I'll know your business, Harry, that I will.
  I fear my brother Mortimer doth stir
  About his title, and hath sent for you 945
  To line his enterprise: but if you go,—

• Hotspur (Henry Percy). So far afoot, I shall be weary, love.

• Lady Percy. Come, come, you paraquito, answer me
  Directly unto this question that I ask:
  In faith, I'll break thy little finger, Harry, 950
  An if thou wilt not tell me all things true.

• Hotspur (Henry Percy). Away,
  Away, you trifler! Love! I love thee not,
  I care not for thee, Kate: this is no world
  To play with mammets and to tilt with lips: 955
  We must have bloody noses and crack'd crowns,
  And pass them current too. God's me, my horse!
  What say'st thou, Kate? what would'st thou
  have with me?

• Lady Percy. Do you not love me? do you not, indeed? 960
  Well, do not then; for since you love me not,
  I will not love myself. Do you not love me?
  Nay, tell me if you speak in jest or no.

• Hotspur (Henry Percy). Come, wilt thou see me ride?
  And when I am on horseback, I will swear 965
  I love thee infinitely. But hark you, Kate;
  I must not have you henceforth question me
  Whither I go, nor reason whereabout:
  Whither I must, I must; and, to conclude,
  This evening must I leave you, gentle Kate. 970
  I know you wise, but yet no farther wise
  Than Harry Percy's wife: constant you are,
  But yet a woman: and for secrecy,
  No lady closer; for I well believe
  Thou wilt not utter what thou dost not know; 975
  And so far will I trust thee, gentle Kate.

• Lady Percy. How! so far?

• Hotspur (Henry Percy). Not an inch further. But hark you, Kate:
  Whither I go, thither shall you go too;
  To-day will I set forth, to-morrow you. 980
  Will this content you, Kate?

• Lady Percy. It must of force.

[Exeunt]