Page 754 - Shakespeare - Vol. 2

VERNON

And further, I have learned [90]
The king himself in person is set forth,
Or hitherwards intended speedily,

With strong and mighty preparation.

HOTSPUR

He shall be welcome too. Where is his son,
The nimble-footed madcap Prince of Wales, [95]
And his comrades, that daffed the world aside
And bid it pass?

VERNON
All furnished, all in arms;

All plumed like estridges that with the wind
Bated like eagles having lately bathed;
Glittering in golden coats like images; [100]

As full of spirit as the month of May
And gorgeous as the sun at midsummer;
Wanton as youthful goats, wild as young bulls.
I saw young Harry with his beaver on,
His cushes on his thighs, gallantly armed, [105]

Rise from the ground like feathered Mercury,
And vaulted with such ease into his seat
As if an angel dropped down from the clouds

To turn and wind a fiery Pegasus
And witch the world with noble horsemanship. [110]

HOTSPUR
No more, no more! Worse than the sun in March,
This praise doth nourish agues. Let them come.
They come like sacrifices in their trim,

And to the fire-eyed maid of smoky war
All hot and bleeding will we offer them. [115]
The mailèd Mars shall on his altar sit
Up to the ears in blood. I am on fire

To hear this rich reprisal is so nigh,
And yet not ours. Come, let me taste my horse,