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Sir John Falstaff: A king has no friends. Only followers and foe.
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The Dauphin of France: [Hal enters the tent] Ahh!
[drums impatiently with fingers]
The Dauphin of France: Your majesty!
[smiles and picks up his glass]
The Dauphin of France: Ah. To your little... victory!
[drinks]
The Dauphin of France: Ah. You wonder why I have come? Hm? Do you wonder this? I have not come to offer you surrender, if that is what you're hoping. I have come to describe for you your end days. The screams of your men as they die. Slow. And so, King of, uh, England - you seem so intent on making France your new home. So let me help you. I will drain your body of its blood and bury it under a tree. A little French tree - very young, very small. Since perchance that is fitting of your mind for you to come here - small. And maybe your...
[mimics a penis with his fingers]
The Dauphin of France: I mean, your balls must be big, no? Giant balls.
[laughs]
The Dauphin of France: Giant balls with a tiny cock!
[laughs heavily]
The Dauphin of France: And the sound of your wives and children weeping shall lull me to sleep at night.
[Falstaff yawns audibly]
The Dauphin of France: Have you heard what I said?
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The Dauphin of France: Please. Please, speak English. I enjoy to speak English. It is simple and ugly.
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Lord Chamberlain: Who are you?
Sir John Falstaff: I am I. Who are you?
Lord Chamberlain: What is your purpose here?
Sir John Falstaff: I think you just woke me up from it, didn't you?
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Hal: You expect of me a speech? I have only one to give - and it is the same one I'd give were we not standing on the brim of a battlefield. It is the same one I'd give were we to meet in the street by chance! I have only ever hoped for one thing... to see this kingdom united under this English crown! All men are born to die. We know it. We carry it with us always. If your day be today, so be it! Mine will be tomorrow! Or mine today and yours tomorrow. It matters not. What matters is that you know, in your hearts, that today you are that kingdom united. You are England. Each and every one of you - England is you! And it is the space between you. Fight not for yourselves, fight for that space! Fill that space! Make it tissue! Make it mass! Make it impenetrable! Make it yours! Make it England! Make it England! Great men to it. Captains, Lords, great men to it!
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Hal: You shall suffer the indignity of serving me, the wayward son you so revile.
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Hal: If this be your intention, i say you let it be known plainly, and that you desist from this timorous slither, in which you presently engage.
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William: Promise can never be an end in itself.
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Hal: An event as pivotal as this one should be amply equipped to penetrate the fog of time elapsed.
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The Dauphin: Well then, boy, let us make famous that field out there. This little village of Agincourt, that will forever mark the site of your callow disgrace.
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The Dauphin of France: I have been waiting all the morning, all the night for your surrender. Might have saved a great unease had it come sooner.
Hal: I know you do not speak for your father.
The Dauphin of France: I do speak for my father.
Hal: I know you do not speak for your father so I come to you now directly. I have not come to surrender... but too much Christian blood will be spilled on this field today, so I propose this: you and I fight, one man on one man. We fight in our armies' stead. If I lose, my men will leave this place forthwith and forever. You will have my head. If I win, I will assume this kingdom's crown upon your father's death. What say you?
The Dauphin of France: Are you scared, young Henry?
Hal: What say you?
The Dauphin of France: Are you scared of this battle? There is no shame of it.
Hal: Save your men.
The Dauphin of France: You save your own men.
[angrily]
The Dauphin of France: You came here to me! Surrender to me!
Hal: I cannot do that.
The Dauphin of France: Well, then, boy, let us make famous that field out there, this little village of Agincourt, which will forever mark the site of your callow disgrace.
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Hal: And where is the fearsome old warrior Falstaff about whom I've heard so much? You've been mute since we crossed the sea. I seem to be serving as my own chief tactician, my own commander, my own counsel. Where is the fearsome old warrior Falstaff?
Sir John Falstaff: I speak only when there's something to be said. Too often have I seen men of war invent work for themselves - work that leads to nothing but vainglory and slaughtered men. I'm not that man.
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Hal: I will disembowel you right here with mine own hand.
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Hal: I ask nothing of you, only that you will always speak to me clear and true. Always. Will you promise me only that.
The King Quotes
Extended Reading
