Act 4, Scene 7 — Henry V — Study Shakespeare

The argument After the battle, Fluellen invokes Alexander and Falstaff; Montjoy concedes English victory; Henry names the field Agincourt and sets up the glove trap that will expose Williams.

Enter Fluellen and Gower.

FLUELLEN [outraged at the war crime]

Kill the poys and the luggage! ’Tis expressly against the law of arms.

’Tis as arrant a piece of knavery, mark you now, as can be offer’t; in

your conscience, now, is it not?

Kill the boys and the luggage! That's explicitly against the law of war. It's as clear a piece of villainy, mark you, as can be offered; in your conscience now, isn't it?

They killed the boys and the baggage! That's totally against the rules of war. I mean, come on, that's about as dirty and dishonourable as it gets, right?

killing boys & supplies is straight up against military law that's evil & cowardly isn't it??

"Kill the poys and the luggage!" Fluellen's Welsh accent renders 'boys' as 'poys' and 'blood' as 'plood' throughout — part of his distinctive character, never mocked by Henry, who claims Welsh identity himself.

GOWER [grimly approving of revenge]

’Tis certain there’s not a boy left alive; and the cowardly rascals

that ran from the battle ha’ done this slaughter. Besides, they have

burned and carried away all that was in the King’s tent; wherefore the

King, most worthily, hath caus’d every soldier to cut his prisoner’s

throat. O, ’tis a gallant king!

It's certain there's not a boy left alive; and the cowardly rascals who ran from the battle have done this slaughter. Besides, they have burned and carried away all that was in the King's tent; therefore the King, most properly, has ordered every soldier to cut his prisoners' throats. Oh, that's a gallant king!

There's no boys alive left, and those cowardly ones who ran from the fight did this killing. Plus, they torched and stole everything from the King's tent. So that's why the King ordered every soldier to slit their prisoners' throats. That's a proper king right there!

no boys left alive cowards from the battle did it they burned the king's tent so he ordered troops to kill prisoners that's a KING

FLUELLEN [pedantically proud digression]

Ay, he was porn at Monmouth, Captain Gower. What call you the town’s

name where Alexander the Pig was born?

Yes, he was born at Monmouth, Captain Gower. What do you call the town's name where Alexander the Great was born?

Right, he was born in Monmouth, Captain Gower. What do you call the place where Alexander the Great was born?

henry born in monmouth where was alexander the great born?

GOWER [patiently correcting him]

Alexander the Great.

FLUELLEN [comically stubborn wordplay]

Why, I pray you, is not pig great? The pig, or the great, or the

mighty, or the huge, or the magnanimous, are all one reckonings, save

the phrase is a little variations.

Why, I ask you, isn't pig great? The pig, or the great, or the mighty, or the huge, or the magnanimous, are all one in meaning, except the phrasing is a little different.

Well, I mean, isn't pig great? Pig, great, mighty, huge, magnanimous—they all mean the same thing basically, just different ways of saying it.

pig = great they all mean the same thing just different words

GOWER [indulgently informative]

I think Alexander the Great was born in Macedon. His father was called

Philip of Macedon, as I take it.

I believe Alexander the Great was born in Macedon. From what I know, his father was called Philip and ruled Macedon as well.

I'm pretty sure Alexander the Great was born in Macedon. His dad was Philip of Macedon, I think.

alexander the great born in macedon his dad was philip

FLUELLEN [earnest, rambling comparison]

I think it is in Macedon where Alexander is porn. I tell you, Captain,

if you look in the maps of the ’orld, I warrant you sall find, in the

comparisons between Macedon and Monmouth, that the situations, look

you, is both alike. There is a river in Macedon; and there is also

moreover a river at Monmouth; it is call’d Wye at Monmouth; but it is

out of my prains what is the name of the other river; but ’tis all one,

’tis alike as my fingers is to my fingers, and there is salmons in

both. If you mark Alexander’s life well, Harry of Monmouth’s life is

come after it indifferent well; for there is figures in all things.

Alexander, God knows, and you know, in his rages, and his furies, and

his wraths, and his cholers, and his moods, and his displeasures, and

his indignations, and also being a little intoxicates in his prains,

did, in his ales and his angers, look you, kill his best friend,

Cleitus.

I think Alexander was born in Macedon. I tell you, Captain, if you look at the maps of the world, I warrant you'll find in the comparisons between Macedon and Monmouth that the locations are both alike. There is a river in Macedon; and there is also a river at Monmouth; it is called Wye at Monmouth; but it escapes my mind what the name of the other river is; but it's all the same, it's alike as my fingers are to my fingers, and there are salmon in both. If you observe Alexander's life well, Henry of Monmouth's life comes after it reasonably well; for there are patterns in all things. Alexander, God knows, and you know, in his rages and his furies and his wraths and his angers and his moods and his displeasures and his indignations, and also being a little intoxicated in his mind, did in his drinking and his angers, you see, kill his best friend Cleitus.

I think Alexander was born in Macedon. Look, if you check the maps, you'll see that Macedon and Monmouth are basically the same place. There's a river in Macedon, and there's a river in Monmouth—it's called the Wye. I forget what the other one's called, but anyway, they're basically the same, like my fingers match my fingers, and both have salmon. Henry of Monmouth's doing just as well as Alexander—there's patterns in everything. Alexander, like everyone knows, when he got angry and drunk and wound up, he killed his own best friend Cleitus.

macedon & monmouth are basically the same both got rivers both got salmon henry of monmouth is just like alexander when alexander got drunk he killed his best friend cleitus

GOWER [pointed, dry rebuke]

Our King is not like him in that. He never kill’d any of his friends.

Our king behaves differently in that respect—he has never put any of his friends to death.

Our King isn't like that though. He's never killed any of his friends.

our king never killed his friends

FLUELLEN [defensively continuing his tale]

It is not well done, mark you now, to take the tales out of my mouth,

ere it is made and finished. I speak but in the figures and comparisons

of it. As Alexander kill’d his friend Cleitus, being in his ales and

his cups; so also Harry Monmouth, being in his right wits and his good

judgements, turn’d away the fat knight with the great belly doublet. He

was full of jests, and gipes, and knaveries, and mocks; I have forgot

his name.

It is not well done, mark you, to take the words out of my mouth before they are made and finished. I speak only in figures and comparisons of it. As Alexander killed his friend Cleitus while being in his drink and his cups, so also Harry Monmouth, being in his right wits and his good judgement, turned away the fat knight with the great belly doublet. He was full of jokes and jeers and villainy and mockery; I have forgotten his name.

Look, you can't just cut me off before I finish my point. I'm just using figures and comparisons. Alexander killed Cleitus when he was drunk, right? Well, Henry of Monmouth, when he was sober and thinking straight, he turned away that fat knight with the big belly. You know, the guy who was always joking around and making trouble. I forget his name.

don't cut me off i'm just comparing alexander killed his friend drunk henry dumped that fat knight guy the joker dude

↩ Callback to Act 2, Scene 3 Fluellen's roundabout comparison between Henry and Alexander includes the dismissal of Falstaff ('turned away the fat knight') — the only direct reference in Henry V to Falstaff's rejection, which we saw most fully in 2 Henry IV.

GOWER [flatly supplying the name]

Sir John Falstaff.

FLUELLEN [proud satisfaction in his point]

That is he. I’ll tell you there is good men porn at Monmouth.

That is the one. I assure you, Monmouth produces excellent men.

Yeah, that's him. I'm telling you, Monmouth breeds good men.

monmouth breeds good men

Why it matters Fluellen's accidental Falstaff elegy — delivered while complimenting Henry — is the play's only acknowledgment of the man Henry rejected. It's funnier and sadder for being unintentional.

GOWER [simply announcing the King's arrival]

Here comes his Majesty.

The king is arriving now.

Here comes the King.

the king is here

Alarum. Enter King Henry and forces; Warwick, Gloucester, Exeter with

GOWER [terse battlefield aside]

prisoners. Flourish.

Prisoners. Fanfare.

prisoners fanfare

KING HENRY ≋ verse [genuinely angered by the atrocity]

I was not angry since I came to France

Until this instant. Take a trumpet, herald;

Ride thou unto the horsemen on yond hill.

If they will fight with us, bid them come down,

Or void the field; they do offend our sight.

If they’ll do neither, we will come to them,

And make them skirr away, as swift as stones

Enforced from the old Assyrian slings.

Besides, we’ll cut the throats of those we have,

And not a man of them that we shall take

Shall taste our mercy. Go and tell them so.

I have not been angry since I came to France until this instant. Take a trumpet, herald; ride you to the horsemen on that hill over there. If they will fight with us, bid them come down or leave the field; they offend our sight. If they'll do neither, we will come to them and make them scatter away as swiftly as stones thrown from the old Assyrian slings. Besides, we'll cut the throats of those we have and not a man of them that we shall take shall experience our mercy. Go and tell them so.

I haven't been angry since I got to France until right now. Take a trumpet, herald, and ride out to those horsemen on that hill. Tell them either come down and fight us or get out of here—they're annoying us just standing there. If they won't do either, we'll go to them and chase them off like stones from old catapults. Plus, we're cutting the throats of the prisoners we've got, and nobody we capture is getting any mercy. Go tell them that.

i've been calm since france until now tell those horsemen: come fight or leave we're killing prisoners no mercy

Enter Montjoy.

EXETER [announcing the French herald]

Here comes the herald of the French, my liege.

The French herald is approaching, your majesty.

Here comes the French herald, my lord.

french herald coming

GLOUCESTER [noting the herald's humbled look]

His eyes are humbler than they us’d to be.

He seems to wear a more submissive expression than previously.

His eyes look more humble than before.

he looks more humble now

KING HENRY ≋ verse [suspicious, testing the herald]

How now! what means this, herald? Know’st thou not

That I have fin’d these bones of mine for ransom?

Com’st thou again for ransom?

What's this? What does this mean, herald? Don't you know that I have already pawned these bones of mine for ransom? Are you coming again for ransom?

What's going on? What does this mean, herald? Don't you know I've already risked my own life for ransom? Are you coming back asking for more?

what do you want you already got my ransom coming back for more?

MONTJOY ≋ verse [humbled, sorrowful request]

No, great King;

I come to thee for charitable license,

That we may wander o’er this bloody field

To book our dead, and then to bury them;

To sort our nobles from our common men.

For many of our princes—woe the while!—

Lie drown’d and soak’d in mercenary blood;

So do our vulgar drench their peasant limbs

In blood of princes; and their wounded steeds

Fret fetlock deep in gore, and with wild rage

Yerk out their armed heels at their dead masters,

Killing them twice. O, give us leave, great King,

To view the field in safety, and dispose

Of their dead bodies!

No, great King; I come to you for compassionate permission that we may wander over this bloody field to identify our dead and then bury them; to separate our nobles from our common men. For many of our princes—woe the time!—lie drowned and soaked in mercenary blood; so do our common soldiers drench their peasant bodies in the blood of princes; and their wounded horses churn deep into gore with wild rage, kicking out their armed heels at their dead masters, killing them twice over. Oh, grant us leave, great King, to view the field in safety and dispose of their dead bodies!

No, great King. I'm asking for your mercy and permission to walk across this bloody battlefield so we can identify our dead and bury them properly, sort out our nobles from our regular soldiers. A lot of our princes are lying here soaked in blood—and our common soldiers are covered in the blood of princes. Even our horses are so crazed they're kicking at their dead owners, killing them over and over. Please, great King, let us go through the field safely and take care of our dead.

let us walk the field identify & bury our dead our princes are soaked in blood our soldiers too please let us take them

"lie drown'd and soak'd in mercenary blood" The princes are 'soaked in mercenary blood' — i.e., lying in the blood of common hired soldiers, their bodies indistinguishable from those they would never have stood beside in life. The battle has undone hierarchy.

KING HENRY ≋ verse [uncertain, still cautious]

I tell thee truly, herald,

I know not if the day be ours or no;

For yet a many of your horsemen peer

And gallop o’er the field.

I tell you truly, herald, I don't know if the day is ours or not; for still many of your horsemen appear and gallop over the field.

Look, I'm being straight with you—I don't know if we've actually won yet, because your horsemen are still out there riding around.

not sure if we won your horsemen still galloping

MONTJOY [defeated, simple admission]

The day is yours.

Victory belongs to you.

The battle is yours to claim.

you won

Why it matters Three of the most resonant words in the play — the entire military campaign validated in one quiet statement from the man sent to demand ransom.

KING HENRY ≋ verse [humbly giving thanks to God]

Praised be God, and not our strength, for it!

What is this castle call’d that stands hard by?

God deserves the credit, not our strength! What is this castle called that stands nearby?

Thank God for that—not our strength, God's doing! What's this castle right here called?

thank god not us what castle is this?

MONTJOY [plainly naming the place]

They call it Agincourt.

It goes by the name Agincourt.

People call it Agincourt.

agincourt

KING HENRY ≋ verse [solemnly naming the battle]

Then call we this the field of Agincourt,

Fought on the day of Crispin Crispianus.

So we shall name this location the field of Agincourt, where we fought on the day of Crispin Crispianus.

So we'll call this place the field of Agincourt, the day we fought on Saint Crispin's day.

field of agincourt day of crispin crispianus

Why it matters Henry names the battle before the day is even over — already constructing the legend the Crispin speech promised.

FLUELLEN [admiring, patriotic pride]

Your grandfather of famous memory, an’t please your Majesty, and your

great-uncle Edward the Plack Prince of Wales, as I have read in the

chronicles, fought a most prave pattle here in France.

Your grandfather of famous memory, if it please your Majesty, and your great-uncle Edward the Black Prince of Wales, as I have read in the chronicles, fought a most brave battle here in France.

Your grandfather, famous as he was, and your great-uncle Edward the Black Prince of Wales, they fought a brilliant battle here in France, as the history books say.

your grandfather & great-uncle edward fought here brave battle in france

KING HENRY [simple, modest acknowledgment]

They did, Fluellen.

FLUELLEN [earnest Welsh pride]

Your Majesty says very true. If your Majesties is rememb’red of it, the

Welshmen did good service in garden where leeks did grow, wearing leeks

in their Monmouth caps; which, your Majesty know, to this hour is an

honourable badge of the service; and I do believe your Majesty takes no

scorn to wear the leek upon Saint Tavy’s day.

You speak the truth, your Majesty. If you remember it, we Welshmen distinguished ourselves serving in a garden where leeks grew, wearing them in our Monmouth caps; this, as your Majesty knows, remains to this day an honourable mark of that service; and I believe your Majesty feels no shame in wearing the leek on Saint David's day.

Your Majesty's right about that. If you remember, we Welshmen did good work in a garden where leeks grew, wearing them in our Monmouth caps. That's still an honour today, your Majesty knows. And I'm sure you don't mind wearing the leek on Saint David's day.

welsh did good service with leeks still an honour i bet you wear it on st davids day

KING HENRY ≋ verse [warmly claiming his Welsh roots]

I wear it for a memorable honour;

For I am Welsh, you know, good countryman.

I display it to preserve the memory of that honour; for I myself am of Welsh birth, you know, my countryman.

I wear it as a memory of honour—I'm Welsh too, you know, good countryman.

i wear it to remember i'm welsh like you

FLUELLEN [delighted, effusive loyalty]

All the water in Wye cannot wash your Majesty’s Welsh plood out of your

pody, I can tell you that. Got pless it and preserve it, as long as it

pleases His grace, and His majesty too!

All the water in the River Wye cannot wash your Majesty's Welsh blood out of your body, I can tell you that. God bless it and preserve it as long as it pleases His grace and His majesty!

All the water in the Wye couldn't wash the Welsh blood out of you, I'm telling you. God bless it and keep it, as long as it pleases God and your majesty!

wye river can't wash your welsh blood away god bless you forever

KING HENRY [warm, simple gratitude]

Thanks, good my countryman.

I appreciate that, my fellow countryman.

Thanks, good countryman.

much obliged

FLUELLEN [earnest, proud devotion]

By Jeshu, I am your Majesty’s countryman, I care not who know it. I

will confess it to all the ’orld. I need not be asham’d of your

Majesty, praised be God, so long as your Majesty is an honest man.

By Jesus, I am your Majesty's countryman, I don't care who knows it. I will confess it to all the world. I need not be ashamed of your Majesty, praise God, as long as your Majesty is an honest man.

By God, I'm your countryman, and I don't care who knows it! I'll tell the whole world. I'm proud of you, your Majesty—as long as you stay honest.

i'm your countryman i don't care who knows you're an honest man

KING HENRY [humble, brief prayer]

God keep me so!

May God keep me that way!

God keep me honest!

keep me honest

Enter Williams.

KING HENRY ≋ verse [businesslike battlefield command]

Our heralds go with him;

Bring me just notice of the numbers dead

On both our parts. Call yonder fellow hither.

Let our heralds go with him. Bring me an accurate count of the dead on both sides. Send for that fellow over there.

Send our heralds with him. I need exact numbers on the dead from both armies. Go call that man over there.

heralds go with him count the dead both armies get that guy

[_Exeunt Heralds with Montjoy._]

EXETER [brisk, official summons]

Soldier, you must come to the King.

Soldier, the King requests your presence.

Soldier, the King wants to see you.

king wants you

KING HENRY [slyly probing, already knowing]

Soldier, why wear’st thou that glove in thy cap?

Soldier, why are you wearing that glove in your cap?

Soldier, what's with the glove in your cap?

why you got that glove in your cap

WILLIAMS [respectful, earnest explanation]

An’t please your Majesty, ’tis the gage of one that I should fight

withal, if he be alive.

If it please your Majesty, it is the token of one that I should fight with if he be alive.

If you don't mind, your Majesty, it's a token from a guy I'm supposed to fight with, if he's still alive.

it's from someone i'm supposed to fight if he's alive

KING HENRY [feigning innocent curiosity]

An Englishman?

WILLIAMS [indignant retelling of the quarrel]

An’t please your Majesty, a rascal that swagger’d with me last night;

who, if alive 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.

If it please your Majesty, a scoundrel who acted tough with me last night; who, if he is alive and ever dares to challenge this glove, I have sworn to give him a blow across the ear; or if I can see my glove in his cap, which he swore as a soldier he would wear if alive, I will strike it out soundly.

If it please you, your Majesty, some punk who got in my face last night. If he's alive and ever tries to claim this glove, I swore I'd knock him across the face. Or if I see him wearing my glove in his cap—he swore he'd do it—I'll knock it clean off.

some jerk got mouthy with me last night if he tries to claim this glove i'm hitting him if i see him wearing it i'm knocking it off

🎭 Dramatic irony Williams describes the disguised Henry as 'a rascal that swaggered with me last night' — directly to the king's face. He doesn't know it yet. The audience watches the king hear himself called a rascal and say nothing.

KING HENRY [amused, testing Fluellen]

What think you, Captain Fluellen, is it fit this soldier keep his oath?

In your estimation, Captain Fluellen, should this soldier be obligated to keep his oath?

What do you think, Captain Fluellen? Should this soldier keep his word?

should he keep his oath?

FLUELLEN [stern moral judgment]

He is a craven and a villain else, an’t please your Majesty, in my

conscience.

He is a coward and a villain otherwise, if it please your Majesty, in my conscience.

If it please you, your Majesty, if he doesn't keep it, he's a coward and a villain, in my opinion.

he'd be a coward & a villain if he doesn't

KING HENRY [playing devil's advocate]

It may be his enemy is a gentlemen of great sort, quite from the answer

of his degree.

It may be his enemy is a gentleman of great rank, quite beyond the status of his degree.

Maybe his enemy is a nobleman way above his station.

maybe the guy's way above his rank

FLUELLEN [emphatic moral insistence]

Though he be as good a gentleman as the devil is, as Lucifier and

Belzebub himself, it is necessary, look your Grace, that he keep his

vow and his oath. If he be perjur’d, see you now, his reputation is as

arrant a villain and a Jacksauce, as ever his black shoe trod upon

God’s ground and His earth, in my conscience, la!

Though he be as good a gentleman as the devil is, as Lucifer and Beelzebub himself, it is necessary, look your Grace, that he keep his vow and his oath. If he is perjured, you see, his reputation is as clear a villain and a saucy fool as ever his black shoe stepped upon God's ground and His earth, in my conscience!

Even if his enemy is as refined as the devil himself, as Lucifer and Beelzebub—he's got to keep his vow, your Grace. If he breaks it, his reputation becomes as black and villainous as any saucy fool who ever walked on this earth, I'm telling you straight!

even if the guy's the devil himself he's gotta keep his oath or he's a villain & a fool

KING HENRY [amused, encouraging the prank]

Then keep thy vow, sirrah, when thou meet’st the fellow.

Then keep your vow when you meet the fellow.

So when you meet that guy, keep your word.

keep your word when you meet him

WILLIAMS [earnest vow of resolve]

So I will, my liege, as I live.

I shall do so, your majesty, I pledge my life on it.

I will, my lord, on my life.

i will

KING HENRY [continuing the game, curious]

Who serv’st thou under?

Which officer commands your service?

Who's your commanding officer?

who do you serve?

WILLIAMS [plain, respectful answer]

Under Captain Gower, my liege.

Captain Gower leads my unit, your majesty.

Under Captain Gower, my lord.

captain gower

FLUELLEN [approving praise of Gower]

Gower is a good captain, and is good knowledge and literatured in the

wars.

Gower is a good captain and has good knowledge and is well-educated in the ways of war.

Gower's a good captain—knows his stuff about warfare.

gower's a good captain knows warfare well

KING HENRY [brisk, setting up the prank]

Call him hither to me, soldier.

Bring that officer to my presence.

Bring him here to me.

bring him here

WILLIAMS [simple, obedient assent]

I will, my liege.

As you wish, your majesty.

Yes, my lord.

yes

[_Exit._]

KING HENRY [mischievously setting the trap]

Here, Fluellen; wear thou this favour for me and stick it in thy cap.

When Alençon and myself were down together, I pluck’d this glove from

his helm. If any man challenge this, he is a friend to Alençon, and an

enemy to our person. If thou encounter any such, apprehend him, an thou

dost me love.

Here, Fluellen; wear this token for me and stick it in your cap. When Alençon and I were down together, I plucked this glove from his helmet. If any man challenges this, he is a friend to Alençon and an enemy to our person. If you encounter any such, apprehend him if you love me.

Here, Fluellen, wear this for me and put it in your cap. When I was wrestling with Alençon, I ripped this glove off his helmet. If anyone challenges you about it, they're friends with Alençon and enemies of mine. If you run into anyone like that, grab them for me.

wear this glove for me if anyone challenges you they're alençon's friends and my enemies grab them

FLUELLEN [flattered, boastful confidence]

Your Grace does me as great honours as can be desir’d in the hearts of

his subjects. I would fain see the man, that has but two legs, that

shall find himself aggrief’d at this glove; that is all. But I would

fain see it once, an please God of His grace that I might see.

Your Grace honours me as greatly as can be desired in the hearts of your subjects. I would like to see the man who has just two legs who would find himself grieved by this glove; that is all. But I would like to see it happen once, if God in His grace allows that I might see.

Your Grace honours me more than I deserve. I'd like to see any two-legged man who'd dare to challenge me on this glove. Really, I just want to see him try once, God willing.

you honour me i'd love to see anyone challenge this god willing

KING HENRY [continuing the mischievous game]

Know’st thou Gower?

Do you know Gower?

You know Gower, don't you?

u know gower right?

FLUELLEN [warm, simple fondness]

He is my dear friend, an please you.

He is a close friend to me, with your permission.

He's my good friend, if you please.

he's my dear friend

KING HENRY [amused, sending him into the trap]

Pray thee, go seek him, and bring him to my tent.

I ask you, go seek him and bring him to my tent.

Go find him and bring him to my tent for me.

find him & bring him to my tent

FLUELLEN [eager, unsuspecting compliance]

I will fetch him.

I shall retrieve him at once.

I'll get him.

right away

[_Exit._]

KING HENRY ≋ verse [conspiratorial, amused caution]

My Lord of Warwick, and my brother Gloucester,

Follow Fluellen closely at the heels.

The glove which I have given him for a favour

May haply purchase him a box o’ the ear.

It is the soldier’s; I by bargain should

Wear it myself. Follow, good cousin Warwick.

If that the soldier strike him, as I judge

By his blunt bearing he will keep his word,

Some sudden mischief may arise of it;

For I do know Fluellen valiant

And, touch’d with choler, hot as gunpowder,

And quickly will return an injury.

Follow, and see there be no harm between them.

Go you with me, uncle of Exeter.

My Lord of Warwick and my brother Gloucester, follow Fluellen closely at his heels. The glove which I have given him for a token may possibly get him a blow across the ear. It is the soldier's; I by bargain should wear it myself. Follow, good cousin Warwick. If the soldier strikes him, and I judge by his direct manner that he will keep his word, some sudden trouble may arise from it; for I know Fluellen is brave and when touched with anger is hot as gunpowder and quickly will return a blow. Follow and make sure there is no harm between them. Come with me, uncle of Exeter.

Warwick and Gloucester, stay close behind Fluellen. That glove I gave him might get him a punch in the face. It's actually the soldier's—by rights I should be wearing it. Warwick, follow after them. If the soldier hits him—and the way he carries himself, I think he will—things could get ugly fast. Fluellen's brave but he's got a terrible temper, like gunpowder. He'll hit back hard. So follow along and make sure they don't hurt each other. Exeter, come with me.

warwick & gloucester follow fluellen that glove might get him punched he's brave but quick to anger like gunpowder make sure they don't hurt each other

[_Exeunt._]

The Reckoning

The battle is over and the scene moves through three registers: Fluellen's comic-profound comparison of Henry to Alexander the Great (including the best accidental Falstaff eulogy in the canon), the extraordinary quiet of 'The day is yours' — the French acknowledging defeat — and the glove trick being set in motion. Henry hears he's won, gives God the credit, and immediately starts managing the aftermath. The king who wept over York and Suffolk thirty seconds ago is now setting a test for a common soldier. He never fully stops being the politician.

If this happened today…

After a crushing unexpected win, the CEO is already thinking three moves ahead. His Welsh operations manager is comparing him to Alexander the Great while accidentally eulogizing their old mentor (who got fired). The winning CEO is gracious to the loser, names the victory after the battlefield, and then quietly sets up a test for the employee who questioned him the night before — to see if he'll keep his word under pressure.

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