Blunt asks if that is the message he should take to Henry IV. Hotspur claims to recognize the claim to the throne made by the Earl of March. Hotspur tells Blunt that Bolingbroke had only returned to England to reclaim his title to Lancaster, not to overthrow Richard II. He begs the rebels to tell him what their grievance is, and says the king will make amends to them if their complaints are valid. Sir Walter Blunt arrives as a messenger from King Henry. They want to attack that night already, but Vernon counsels them to wait until the next morning for reinforcements to arrive. Hotspur and Douglas are arguing with Vernon and Worcester about when to lead the battle charge. Falstaff comments that he will arrive at the end of the fray, yet at the beginning of the feast, implying he will reap the spoils of the war for himself. He tells Falstaff to hurry up and meet the army at Shrewsbury, where the king has already set up camp. Hal arrives, and wonders at the "pitiful rascals" (4.2.57). The remainder of his infantry is mostly made up of former prisoners and other poor men. In order to earn money for himself, he conscripted young lovers and men of some wealth who did not want to fight, and who were therefore willing to pay him a fee for being released from duty. Act Four, Scene Twoįalstaff has assembled an array of troops who are mostly incompetent. However, Vernon has even worse news in that Glyndwr is unable to assemble his army as fast as needed, and will be unlikely to join the rebels at Shrewsbury. Hotspur is eager to meet Hal in battle, and comments that when they meet only one of them will survive.
Hotspur's cousin Vernon arrives with news that the king and young Hal are leading armies against the gathered forces. Additionally, Northumberland is needed to help lead the troops into battle, since his persona is well known and provides inspiration to the men. This bodes poorly for the rebels, since they need the full support of Northumberland to maintain their military force. At the rebel camp near Shrewsbury, a messenger brings Hotspur news that his father is sick.
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