No Fear Shakespeare
Henry IV Part 1
Act 3, Scene 1, Page 9
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GLENDOWER
Nay, if you melt, then will she run mad.
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GLENDOWER
No, if you start to cry, you’ll drive her mad.
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THE LADY speaks again in Welsh |
THE LADY speaks more Welsh. |
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MORTIMER
O, I am ignorance itself in this!
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MORTIMER
Oh, I have no idea what she’s saying!
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GLENDOWER
She bids you on the wanton rushes lay you down
And rest your gentle head upon her lap,
And she will sing the song that pleaseth you
And on your eyelids crown the god of sleep,
Charming your blood with pleasing heaviness,
Making such difference ’twixt wake and sleep
As is the difference betwixt day and night
The hour before the heavenly harnessed team
Begins his golden progress in the east.
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GLENDOWER
She wants you to lie down on the rush-covered floor and rest your head in her lap. She’ll sing whatever song you like, and she’ll lull you to sleep. She’ll bewitch you into a pleasant heaviness, halfway between waking and sleeping; like the hour just before the sun begins its golden rise in the east.
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MORTIMER
With all my heart I’ll sit and hear her sing.
By that time will our book, I think, be drawn
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MORTIMER
I’ll gladly sit and hear her sing. By the time she’s done, I think our documents will be prepared.
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GLENDOWER
Do so and those musicians that shall play to you
Hang in the air a thousand leagues from hence,
And straight they shall be here. Sit, and attend.
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GLENDOWER
Do so. The musicians who are going to play are now floating in the air a thousand leagues from here. They’ll be here shortly; so sit, and listen.
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HOTSPUR
Come, Kate, thou art perfect in lying down.
Come, quick, quick, that I may lay my head in thy lap.
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HOTSPUR
Kate! You’re good at lying down. Come quickly, so that I can put my head in your lap.
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LADY PERCY
Go, you giddy goose.
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LADY PERCY
Stop it, you silly goose.
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The music plays |
Music plays. |






