Henry IV, Part 1

by: William Shakespeare

Act 4 Scene 1

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Original Text	Modern Text
Enter HOTSPUR, WORCESTER, and DOUGLAS	HOTSPUR, WORCESTER , and DOUGLAS enter.
HOTSPUR 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 5Should go so general current through the world. By God, I cannot flatter. I do defy The tongues of soothers. But a braver place In my heart’s love hath no man than yourself. Nay, task me to my word; approve me, lord.	HOTSPUR Well said, you excellent Scotsman. If people these days didn’t confuse the truth with flattery, I would praise you highly. No other soldier so newly tested in battle would have gained such a widespread reputation. God knows, I don’t flatter: I hate people who give out praise too easily. But you have a place in my heart that no other man has. Make me prove it; try me.
DOUGLAS 10Thou art the king of honor. No man so potent breathes upon the ground But I will beard him.	DOUGLAS You are the most honorable man alive, and if any man challenges that—no matter how powerful—I’ll defy him.
HOTSPUR Do so, and ’tis well.	HOTSPUR You do that. Well done.
Enter a MESSENGER with letters	A MESSENGER enters with letters.
What letters hast thou there? (to DOUGLAS) I can but thank you.	What letters have you got there? (to DOUGLAS ) All I can do is thank you.
MESSENGER These letters come from your father.	MESSENGER These letters come from your father.
HOTSPUR 15Letters from him! Why comes he not himself?	HOTSPUR Letters from him? Why isn’t he here in person?
MESSENGER He cannot come, my lord. He is grievous sick.	MESSENGER He can’t come, my lord; he’s terribly sick.

Read the Summary of Act IV, scenes i–ii

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