I can't read them now. Oh, gentlemen, life is short. But if you spend that brief time shamefully, you are wasting your time: even if life lasted only an hour, it would still be too long. If we live, it will be in triumph over kings. If we die, it will be a glorious death, since princes will die with us. As for our consciences, our battle is fair: it's right to bear arms when the cause is just.
Enter another
MESSENGER
Another MESSENGER enters.
SECOND MESSENGER
My lord, prepare. The King comes on apace.
SECOND MESSENGER
My lord, get ready. The King has launched his attack.
HOTSPUR
90
I thank him that he cuts me from my tale,
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
95
In the adventure of this perilous day.
Now, Esperance! Percy! And set on.
Sound all the lofty instruments of war,
And by that music let us all embrace,
For, heaven to earth, some of us never shall
100
A second time do such a courtesy.
HOTSPUR
I thank him for cutting off my speech, since I have no talent for speaking. Only one more thing: each man should do his best, and with that I will draw my sword. On this dangerous day, I intend to stain it with the best blood I can find. “Hope is my comfort!” Percy! Let's go! Sound all the imposing instruments of battle, and let's embrace one another to the tune of that music. For, by heaven, some of us will never be able to do that again.
