Page 774 - Shakespeare - Vol. 2

Upon his follies. Never did I hear [70]
Of any prince so wild a liberty.
But be he as he will, yet once ere night
I will embrace him with a soldier’s arm,

That he shall shrink under my courtesy.
Arm, arm with speed! and, fellows, soldiers, friends, [75]
Better consider what you have to do
Than I, that have not well the gift of tongue,

Can lift your blood up with persuasion.

Enter a Messenger.

MESSENGER
My lord, here are letters for you.

HOTSPUR
I cannot read them now. − [80]
O gentlemen, the time of life is short!

To spend that shortness basely were too long
If life did ride upon a dial’s point,
Still ending at the arrival of an hour.
An if we live, we live to tread on kings; [85]
If die, brave death, when princes die with us!

Now for our consciences, the arms are fair,
When the intent of bearing them is just.

Enter another Messenger.

MESSENGER
My lord, prepare. The king comes on apace.

HOTSPUR
I thank him that he cuts me from my tale, [90]

For I profess not talking. Only this −
Let each man do his best; and here draw I
A sword whose temper I intend to stain
With the best blood that I can meet withal

In the adventure of this perilous day. [95]