Exe.

Soldier, you must come to the King.

K. Henry.

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

Will.

An't please your Majesty, 'tis the gage of one that I should fight withal, if he be alive.

K. Henry.

An Englishman?

Will.

An't please your Majesty, a rascal that swagger'd with me last night; who, if alive, and if ever he dare to challenge this glove, I have sworn to take him a box o'th' 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.

K. Henry.

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.

K. Henry.

It may be, his enemy is a gentleman of * ^note
great sort, † ^notequite from the answer of his degree.

Flu.

Though he be as good a gentleman as the devil is, as Lucifer 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 jacksawce, as ever his black shoe trod upon God's ground and his earth, in my conscience law.

K. Henry.

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

Will.

So I will, my Liege, as I live.

K. Henry.

Who serv'st thou under?

Will.

Under captain Gower, my Liege.

Flu.

Gower is a good captain, and is good knowledge and literature in the wars.

K. Henry.

Call him hither to me, soldier.

Will.

I will, my Liege.

K. Henry.

Here, Fluellen, wear thou this favour for me, and stick it in thy cap. When Alanson and myself were down together, I pluck'd this glove from his helm; if any man challenge this, he is a friend to Alanson and an enemy to our person; if thou encounter any such, apprehend him if thou dost love me.

Flu.

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 agriev'd at this glove; that is all; but I would fain see it once, an please God of his grace that I might see.

K. Henry.

Know'st thou Gower?

Flu.

He is my dear friend, an please you.

K. Henry.

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

Flu.

I will fetch him.

K. Henry.
My Lord of Warwick and my brother Glo'ster,
Follow Fluellen closely at the heels:
The glove, which I have given him for a favour,
May, haply, purchase him a box o'th' 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 gun-powder;
And quickly he'll return an injury.
Follow; and see, there be no harm between them.
Come you with us, uncle of Exeter. [Exeunt.

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