K. Hen. Thanks, good my countryman. 116
Flu. By Jeshu, I am your majesty's country-
man, I care not who know it; I will confess it to
all the 'orld: I need not be ashamed of your
majesty, praised be God, so long as your majesty
is an honest man. 121
K. Hen. God keep me so! Enter Williams.
Our heralds go with him:
Bring me just notice of the numbers dead
On both our parts. Call yonder fellow hither.
[Exeunt Heralds with Montjoy.]
Exe. Soldier, you must come to the king.
K. Hen. Soldier, why wear'st thou that glove in
thy cap? 127
Will. An 't please your majesty, 'tis the gage
of one that I should fight withal, if he be alive.
K. Hen. An Englishman?
Will. An 't please your majesty, a rascal that
swaggered with me last night; who, if a' live and
ever dare to challenge this glove, I have sworn to
take him a box o' the ear: or, if I can see my
glove in his cap,—which he swore as he was a
soldier he would wear if alive,—I will strike it
out soundly. 137
K. Hen. What think you, Captain Fluellen?
is it fit this soldier keep his oath?
Flu. He is a craven and a villain else, an 't
please your majesty, in my conscience. 141
K. Hen. It may be his enemy is a gentleman
of great sort, quite from the answer of his degree.
Flu. Though he be as good a gentleman as
the devil is, as Lucifer and Belzebub himself, it
123 just notice: exact information
124 parts: sides
143 great sort: high rank
from . . . degree: above answering the challenge of one of his rank
