And either we or they must lower lie.
Fal. Rare words! brave world! Hostess, my breakfast; come!
O! I could wish this tavern were my drum. 228
ACT FOURTH
Scene One
[Shrewsbury. The rebel camp]
Enter Harry Hotspur, Worcester, and Douglas.
Hot. Well said, my noble Scot: if speaking truth
In this fine age were not thought flattery,
Such attribution should the Douglas have,
As not a soldier of this season's stamp 4
Should go so general current through the world.
By God, I cannot flatter; do defy
The tongues of soothers; but a braver place
In my heart's love hath no man than yourself. 8
Nay, task me to my word; approve me, lord.
Doug. Thou art the the king of honour:
No man so potent breathes upon the ground
But I will beard him.
Hot.Do so, and 'tis well. 12
Enter a Messenger.
What letters hast thou there? I can but thank you.
Mess. These letters come from your father.
Hot. Letters from him! why comes he not himself?
228 drum; cf. n.
3 attribution: praise
4-5 Cf. n.
6 defy: despise
7 soothers: flatterers
9 task me to my word: challenge me to make good my word
approve: test
