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Enter HOTSPUR, WORCESTER, and DOUGLAS
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HOTSPUR, WORCESTER
, and DOUGLAS enter.
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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.
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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.
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DOUGLAS
10Thou art the king of honor.
No man so potent breathes upon the ground
But I will beard him.
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DOUGLAS You are the most honorable man alive, and if any man challenges that—no matter how powerful—I’ll defy him.
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HOTSPUR Do so, and ’tis well.
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HOTSPUR You do that. Well done.
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Enter a MESSENGER with letters
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A MESSENGER enters with letters.
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What letters hast thou there? (to DOUGLAS) I can but thank you.
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What letters have you got there? (to DOUGLAS ) All I can do is thank you.
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MESSENGER These letters come from your father.
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MESSENGER These letters come from your father.
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HOTSPUR
15Letters from him! Why comes he not himself?
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HOTSPUR Letters from him? Why isn’t he here in person?
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MESSENGER He cannot come, my lord. He is grievous sick.
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MESSENGER He can’t come, my lord; he’s terribly sick.
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