Page:Henry VI Part 1 (1918) Yale.djvu/76

64

When but in all I was six thousand strong,

And that the French were almost ten to one,

Before we met or that a stroke was given,

Like to a trusty squire did run away:

In which assault we lost twelve hundred men;

Myself, and divers gentlemen beside,

Were there surpris'd and taken prisoners.

Then judge, great lords, if I have done amiss;

Or whether that such cowards ought to wear

This ornament of knighthood, yea, or no?

Glo. To say the truth, this fact was infamous

And ill beseeming any common man,

Much more a knight, a captain and a leader.

Tal. When first this order was ordain'd, my lords,

Knights of the garter were of noble birth,

Valiant and virtuous, full of haughty courage,

Such as were grown to credit by the wars;

Not fearing death, nor shrinking for distress,

But always resolute in most extremes.

He then that is not furnish'd in this sort

Doth but usurp the sacred name of knight,

Profaning this most honourable order;

And should—if I were worthy to be judge—

Be quite degraded, like a hedge-born swain

That doth presume to boast of gentle blood.

King. Stain to thy countrymen! thou hear'st thy doom.

Be packing therefore, thou that wast a knight;

Henceforth we banish thee on pain of death.

[Exit Fastolfe.]

And now, my Lord Protector, view the letter

Sent from our uncle Duke of Burgundy.

 30 fact: misdeed

37 distress: physical suffering

38 most extremes: greatest extremities

39 furnish'd in this sort: so endowed 